Chapter 37: Denise (3)
TBnuR“Lady Denise. Are you serious?”nh7d
7c1y“I was the first to discover the mage’s location. We hold the strongest position in this competition. We need to persuade him as soon as possible, before the other families find out and come after him.”YIa
OVxfyo“But—but staying here like this… The mistress of the house will be furious once she learns.”VVyP8
8THKO38“Don’t worry about the servants; I’ll make sure they go unharmed. Just say it was my decision.”CU6b
CfvAfter Dereck rejected her, Denise had no choice but to return to the cave entrance.U3Yo
ZXBEcFBella thought she would board the carriage and head back to the mansion to report, but Denise shook her silver-gray hair and shook her head.kUBds
fei6Then she ordered that various supplies be gathered before dusk and instructed that a simple camp be set up at the cave entrance.sZK
AkhThey brought fine firewood, a thick tent, high-quality carpets, and a fluffy emergency bed; by the time everything was set up, the sun had already set. Everything was so luxurious it hardly felt like camping, though it was clearly not proper for a noble lady to stay.DKz
wfKNYet Denise seemed completely unbothered.wqwQ
4pUx2rw***gFH2
kL9The next morning, just as the sun rose, Lady Denise entered the cave again where Dereck was training.V0rK
9oTvDereck was alone in the open area, perfecting his magical power. Denise approached him smiling primly, setting down all kinds of food and supplies, and said:IWbYwS
DJe5Xn2“Training is important, but it’s not good to overexert yourself to this point of being gaunt. I’ll help so you can focus on your magical training, Lord Dereck!”kLcW
SbFVIZ9Dereck looked at Denise puzzled. She blinked her innocent eyes and clasped her hands together, smiling broadly.mSEQ1
PytN1“I may not be able to do much, but at least I can help you focus on your magical training.”jajZXNF
9qX“This won’t change my mind.”GEn
gqO2“I was inspired seeing you train, Lord Dereck, and it helped me achieve my own magical progress. Please don’t worry about it—it’s all my fault!”RxojhCr
fLgZq9Denise clenched her fists and smiled.p9O4a
yccI4llThere are many ways to win someone’s heart, but generosity is the most fundamental.Hyqt
Fd3kDenise trusted in her strategy of winning hearts openly—though it was uncertain if it would work on someone like Dereck.1dT416
WNPsTo persuade someone, the most efficient method is to make them feel indebted first.yA0w
dI8Even if your gifts have ulterior motives, the recipient still feels a bit of gratitude, fully aware of them. That’s how deals are made.hN6
qGqmqi‘I must tell the mansion’s maids to bring all the supplies needed for magical training.’D3w
38SKihSIt was a common strategy among merchants who came to the mansion for supplies. Whether their intentions were obvious or not, it didn’t matter much. The important thing was having the courage to act.3ZEJBZf
RqdAs she maintained this connection, his heart would gradually soften, as if dampened by a drizzle. Human hearts cannot remain hard forever.i37uZsb
tI0Yo“Then I will accept it gratefully.”z8Icn
OwahDereck had been considering going out to gather supplies, so he wasn’t too bothered. In fact, he felt awkward turning down a noble lady’s humble gesture.4zYa9z
AkIuYSo he calmly accepted the supplies Denise brought each day. But Dereck was stubborn in his own way.Thrc9Zl
2IB“Today I brought food and magical crystals.”sNa4S
j8AD“Thank you. However, working for the Beltus family is a bit difficult.”1CfQSE
Nkfs9“Good morning! I brought prized fish from Ebelstein. The house chef prepared it—please try it!”JgBfC
kfxL“I appreciate it greatly. But this doesn’t mean I’ll work for the Beltus family.”bHrg
aN8“Mr. Dereck, look at this. It’s a Light Crystal—a stone that helps observe surrounding magical energy more efficiently.”Tq56GWz
TqhhZ“This valuable item… Thank you. But working for the Beltus family is another matter…”QEAHy
Q8Igs“Mr. Dereck! I brought hygiene items. You must stay clean even while training!”uch
KYaH“Thank you for your thoughtfulness. But still…”QvO2a
HillDays passed, and while Denise tried to be around Dereck as much as possible, he erected such a complete barrier that she wondered whether he even had a human heart.uybc
4FEmrHonestly, by then, one might feel overwhelmed or even regretful—but Dereck, without hesitation, accepted all of Lady Denise’s kindness and continued focusing solely on his magical training. He was not the type to refuse hospitality outright.fGqIlE
TGpvjVAfter about five days, it felt like she had been aimlessly chopping down a resistant tree with an axe.SwOryo
hBhh‘I didn’t expect it’d take this long…’FGl
GumThe noble lady of the Beltus family, setting pride aside, visited the cave daily to chat, offer supplies, and bow her head—but he remained firm in his convictions.CQlr
YtfYm‘I wonder if someone like this even exists,’ Denise mused. But then she thought perhaps that’s precisely why he could teach magic without being intimidated by noblewomen.4om
FxunX‘If I’d known it would be so troublesome, I’d have left it alone…!’hNegU5H
EeOdGG9Denise sat at the corner of the camp, clutching her hair. Her policy was to finish tasks quickly and then relax for the rest of the time.pkD5AP
VsNuo1However, despite trying everything over the past week—flattery, accommodations, even gentle pressure—the man remained like a mountain, entirely absorbed in his magic training all day.95NipXW
T9VcIt felt to her as though Denise was merely background scenery, visiting the cave occasionally. And not just any figure, but the most noble Lady of the Beltus family.68JvEA1
FZSUkHe was obsessed with magic. Dereck was the type to discard anything if it meant improving his magical mastery.VZRM
UE7kQ‘Now that I think about it… I haven’t seen a trace of Drest. Surely if he met this mage Dereck, they would train together…’jbQ
RQxaMmbDereck had had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and now he wanted to devote himself entirely to magic training.hGnQP
kIXAIt was obvious that the opportunity referred to meeting Drest. Yet the mage Drest Wolftail never appeared to Denise.UFO
dto7PpAIn truth, Drest Wolftail wasn’t someone you could meet just by wanting to.i9p9g
r8LSince his relationship with nobility wasn’t good, it wasn’t surprising that he avoided showing himself to Denise.HhCU
fvEaS44‘If he’s Drest’s apprentice, he must know where I am and when to meet… He’s not deliberately avoiding me. That could be a good sign.’q6e
ZgtJShe felt strange thinking that.lvgXzai
eyr3LIf he truly wanted to avoid Denise, with Drest’s help, he could easily avoid her in the cave labyrinth.7WCpwF
nu3kC9‘That he still met with me isn’t too much of a burden… So there’s still hope. At least he’s not avoiding me intentionally.’rtfCp
7Xu5D9Persuading Dereck had become more than just a family matter—it had become one of Denise’s own pride.rlt
9co9jStill, applying authority wouldn’t work. She was someone who could join the Belmierd or Duplain families if she wanted.F5m
dQgThe method to make him join the Beltus family to teach Lady Denise—without offending him too much—must be devised as soon as possible, before the other families discovered him. There wasn’t much time left, and time had already been wasted.5fYoz
qYcWhile Denise was lost in thought, the moment came.v2YVVbf
n7nI2“Lady Denise! The Duplain family’s butler is at the cave entrance!”absR
rz8CV“What does he want?”MQUbtB
8oRCAlthough Denise had first pinpointed Dereck’s location, it was only slightly earlier than the other families.FNFgk
ZdjXhnWith the passage of time, that initial advantage began to fade.RMKVAfk
OsQjch6However, another thought crossed her mind.HQ7m6
Z8tl1tU‘Even after all my efforts, he’s still unimpressed. Could another family have a better chance?’mvCj8OY
X3Q3pHe was a man obsessed with magic.8WFM
q6xHe wouldn’t teach anyone before he was satisfied with his own training. It seemed impossible that even the Duplain family could break his obstinate dedication.tmM
HvBufDHis firm stubbornness now actually comforted Denise. Until a method was found, he wouldn’t be swayed by any family.ctRiXAy
AE0kfs“Did Lady Aiselin herself send the message? Hmm…”GO2kyp9
o4lc‘…Why doubt?’j9Njq
iDiD5iLurking behind the butler of the Duplain family, Delron, Denise clenched her teeth in frustration.6dueE
mHwCSitting on a rock, Dereck—who seemed to know Butler Delron—greeted him warmly and began reading the letter he had brought.FSxlY
VIeb5Denise had expected him to reject the Duplain family’s request as firmly as he had hers, but there he was, resting his chin on his hand, tired from training yet deep in thought.hlWQyak
Qww0Aiselin, Ellen, Denise.cxuih1
IRUfAmong the trio of the Rose Hall, Aiselin was the one Dereck respected the most.Owif
nN5bTkShe was a young woman who had reached the two-star rank before her coming-of-age ceremony, with exceptional mastery of the discipline school of magic.qRsQyE
b03DxOTeaching Ellen had made Dereck realize that the act of teaching itself contributed greatly to his own magical growth. Engaging in magical exchange with someone as grounded in their field as Aiselin would offer him meaningful insights as well.DhT
3ZR3W“Lady Diella has shown results after your magic instruction, so the Duke has high expectations. And as you know, the Duke generously rewards those who deliver.”TQ9
lEHfDereck was well aware of the Duke of Duplain’s nature. He was the type of man who would casually give a three-star grimoire to a commoner—so long as they produced results.5Q3cMH
3CdZEd9“It’s an honor, but as you can see, I’m entirely immersed in magical training. I’ve seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m completely absorbed in it.”u4qed5U
R0b‘Just as I thought…’ZdP
XtAxlxThough his tone was much more polite than with Denise, Dereck was still turning them down.w7cdg4
6a6As expected, his magical achievements were his top priority. He wouldn’t be easily swayed.0RiRY86
wNrCECYHowever, Dereck’s next words weren’t what Denise had anticipated.DacE6
Ts7“So, once I finish my training, could we revisit this discussion? It would also benefit Lady Aiselin. The higher the level of the instructor, the faster the student’s growth, right?”EXlBd
IHjc“Hmm… For a reason like that, the Duke could be persuaded. For the family, what matters most is finding a good magical mentor for Lady Aiselin.”IGXHrre
BKZDereck clearly had a much more favorable attitude toward Lady Aiselin.aXrUFm6
wxNHe hadn’t even mentioned discussing things after training to Denise.HTHHqc
wXMsTAfter all the support, the help, even swallowing her pride to come here—he was now offering to help Aiselin with no hesitation.RG9Tf5z
5vYPLDenise frowned, a groan of frustration escaping her.nmo
SEwevIt was true—closing that gap wouldn’t be easy. No matter what, urgent action was needed.FgMQA1w
J7tbt***nkv1
rSy1“Have we confirmed Dereck’s location?”rdyRh
0qfwBej“Yes. The butler delivered the letter in person. I heard he’s near the Raspah Cave.”FEjkWg
13mX3“Training in a dangerous place… Well, that’s just like Dereck.”o5NOm2H
kuqSome time had passed since the Ebelstein customs convention ended.OhZUN
igEKmLady Aiselin, who had returned to the Duplain estate to chat with her family, was delighted to hear the report brought by the butler Katarina.Zjiu7
31fAoSince her last magical duel, the urge to learn magic from Dereck had suddenly flared. She had suggested long ago to send him a request.NFd
E8bVfl“I heard other families have approached him too, so there’s no guarantee the mercenary will join House Duplain. However, Butler Delron is skilled in these matters, so have faith and wait.”K9DpjlW
kV2n“No. Just waiting is hard. I’m busy with social activities, but now that I have time, it seems better to act myself.”tGDW
neW0iyA“Really?”YP60K
s2SFjA8Aiselin held a unique position in Ebelstein’s social circles. Her schedule was always full, but while at the Duplain estate, she could make some time.hzLQf
T7uKvwu“Actually, if I want him to teach me, it’s better to go in person. If it’s Raspah Cave, I can easily divert the carriage on my way to Ebelstein.”PotPDq
DDJy“Oh… it’s a bit dangerous to go alone.”M8EPUkr
J0b“I’m a two-star mage now. I won’t lose to simple magical beasts, and I’ll bring plenty of guards—what’s there to worry about?”HMV6YbQ
bL8Aiselin already had a feeling.dWV7
WGLDereck might not be interested in teaching now, but he would surely become a prominent figure centered around Ebelstein.SPz
uY2NOABIn the future, when his skills became more widely known, more rivals would come seeking him.WRz3
IB8FNENot only Diella and Ellen, but other young women he’d taught could be said to be proven talents.9Tn
SXHBefore, she simply wanted to learn more magic. Now, it made sense to seek his instruction directly.jMCmsSY
BhHhVc“Please prepare the carriage. I must go straight to Raspah Cave. The sooner I act, the better… I’ll greet my family and leave right away.”fh89
DOhExeRarely was Aiselin this urgent.3J2
8ZDBefore Katarina could respond, she had already risen from the tea table.SD4
CaI“First… should I say goodbye to Diella before I leave?”vxl
nlheS“Lady Diella isn’t available for greetings at the moment.”trk
EPkq11g“She’s busy? I heard she’s preparing for her debut party.”2sg
Us26“Besides that… after diving into magical training, she doesn’t want to be disturbed.”9Y5TbH
kj8vAfter receiving magic instruction from Dereck, Diella’s magical abilities had skyrocketed at an astonishing rate.4ZzaO1
wOZThe Duplain lineage was already known for producing high-level mages, but even by those standards, her growth was astounding.IS2FeYB
iXEld“Then… nothing can be done about it…”joc8g
CHnAiselin had been observing quietly from afar.dWaQi
bifeGdoSitting serenely on the pavilion terrace, gazing out with eyes glowing with magical power—the aura of the young mage was odd and extraordinary. Perhaps she would even rival the achievements of Valerian or Aiselin herself.neR
oyS8tnDiella Katherine Duplain.vDr
cbFZThe world didn’t know that name yet, but her younger sister, Aiselin, watched carefully.8OU1
DDJShe was Dereck’s first student.rQAAk2b
pwTc333Soon, she would debut in Ebelstein’s social circles.S7acP3
oyGb6TmLike Dereck’s first magical masterpiece presented to the world.aLEfOp9
TWFZvThe second was Ellen—but Aiselin wanted to be the third.hoG
FSioBefore the world recognized Dereck’s worth as a master of magic, she wanted to claim him first.41f
lTcvp9QWhen you discover a hidden treasure before anyone else, it’s only natural to feel joy.Xavwevh
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