Chapter 38: Denise (4)

“…”

The next morning, Bella, who had gone to the estate to collect supplies, brought back news. august It wasn’t good news for Denise.

“I asked about the Duplain estate, and it seems Lady Aiselin plans to come to Raspah Cave in person. orbit The servants are already busy preparing for the trip.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Denise’s expression grew complicated. adjust Although she was a girl full of confidence, she couldn’t help but think that the man wouldn’t be able to refuse Aiselin if she came in person.

“What should we do, Lady Denise?”

“What can we do if Aiselin herself is making a move? abstract Who could stop her?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“It seems I must admit a slow defeat. arena That man, as unyielding as a folding screen, will never teach me magic, no matter what I do.”

“That’s right… winning someone’s heart isn’t easy.”

In fact, he would probably respond quite positively. palette Sinking into her luxurious tent, Denise finally let out a long sigh.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Yes, I put a lot of effort into coming all the way to Raspah Cave when I could’ve just stayed lying comfortably at the estate. legend Bella, slowly inform the estate. athlete I’ll return soon.”

She knew well that forcing something not meant to be would only cause greater damage. alien Pushing harder or belittling herself would only backfire.

Denise was someone with strong confidence and self-esteem, but she was also the type to honestly admit her shortcomings.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

With a deep sigh, Denise seemed deeply disappointed. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com august To others, it might have looked like she was being dismissive, but Bella, who had known her for so long, could easily understand.

“Moving them would be tiring too, so leave them all for Master Dereck the magician.”

“Yes, yes… I’ll tell the butler. matrix Should we leave all the supplies here?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Bella often found Denise’s sky-high confidence irritating, but inevitably felt a tug at her heart whenever Denise showed rare vulnerability.

“Let’s say goodbye one last time before we go. adapt Who knows if our paths will cross again in the future? arrow Let’s think of it as an investment for later.”

The stronger someone’s belief in their abilities, the more deflated they seemed when shaken.

After all, they had been together since childhood. attic Knowing her so well, Bella also felt melancholic whenever Denise was unusually down.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Aiselin is certainly exceptional in many ways, but I wonder about her as a student.”

With that, Denise let out a hollow sigh, her eyes reopening from fatigue as she prepared to return to helpless reality.

Bella, resting her chin on her hand, sank into thought before speaking with some skepticism. absorb She often pointed out things Denise hadn’t considered.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“If I were to teach someone like her, I’d feel pressured right away. armor Sure, being Aiselin’s teacher isn’t an opportunity anyone can take lightly, but Dereck the magician doesn’t seem like someone swayed by family background.”

Bella tried to offer Denise a new perspective. palette More than just a personal maid, she was Denise’s companion.

“Well, you know. action Aiselin has mastered two-star magic at her age, and that’s truly remarkable. amateur But honestly, how many teachers in the world could actually teach someone like that? anchor Or does she even need a teacher?”

“Huh?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck was someone with clear convictions.

“A true magic teacher seeks those who need guidance—especially if they have principles.”

“…”

He would do anything for magical mastery and tended to make decisions uninfluenced by social status. avalanche Bella had observed him over the past few days and was starting to understand this about him.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Denise had promised Dereck wealth and exceptional treatment to persuade him, praising the virtues of the Beltus family and the bright future he’d have as her magic teacher.

He wasn’t someone who made such one-dimensional judgments. alert In other words, there was still a chance for Denise.

Would Dereck take on Aiselin as a student just because she came from the wealthy Duplain family?

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Thus, Bella, a commoner and servant, could think of things that would never occur to Denise. acid Bella saw Dereck not just as a commoner, but as an honorable magician.

The extent of the exceptional treatment he’d receive wasn’t the main point. ability Denise, though capable of diverse thinking, had never considered this aspect for one simple reason: she had lived her entire life as a noble.

But if she truly wanted to persuade Dereck… she needed a different approach.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Then what are you trying to say, Bella?”

“Dereck must have more important criteria than treatment or family background when choosing a student.”

Most commoners would wag their tails eagerly for wealth and honor. alien But Dereck, with his mysterious aura, couldn’t be influenced by such things.

“As you know, he’s not stingy with his teaching. apple He even said he’d consider the Duplain family’s request positively.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Bella’s eyes were more serious than ever.

“Perhaps the most important thing more than the treatment you offer the magician… is your own worth, Lady Denise.”

“‘Is she someone worth teaching?’ That’s the question.” zenith No matter how good the instruction, if it meant nothing to the recipient, no one would want to mentor them.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Over the past few days, every time Denise visited, Dereck paused his training to listen to her.

It was how worthwhile she was to teach. audit That was the question. portal Denise sat silently on the bed for a moment. beacon Seeing the situation through Bella’s eyes, she felt the pieces in her mind slowly begin to align.

Therefore, what Denise needed to show Dereck wasn’t noble treatment or family background.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

He was someone trained by a six-star seeker mage. agent As they said, if he didn’t want to meet her, he could’ve avoided her entirely. adopt Yet there was a reason he kept meeting her, listening to her proposals, and politely declining each time.

It wasn’t just out of respect for a noble lady from a prestigious family. audit Even with tired eyes, he kept watching Denise.

Though he spoke of inappropriateness and interruption, he observed Denise’s reactions, heard her various proposals, and though he always ended with a similar conclusion, he consistently voiced his rejection.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

The magician named Dereck was not someone who could be persuaded or manipulated. crystal With her thoughts now in order, her perspective seemed to broaden. artist And then she felt confident.

“Testing me, measuring my capacity,” Denise realized. abstract Only then did she begin to see a bit of the true intent hidden behind his ritualistic refusals.

He had been waiting for Denise to show her sincerity, to reveal her true self. action Finally, Denise understood. avalanche She was the one being evaluated.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Denise already knew. artist Even if she laid all her cards on the table, Dereck wouldn’t be swayed.

“…Of course, Bella, your words are true, but they don’t mean much…”

***

She was, in essence, someone who couldn’t convince Dereck.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Naturally, without being able to distinguish between day and night, Dereck had no clear idea how much time had passed while feeling the magical flow and training.

In the depths of the cave, there was no sunrise or sunset.

“Hello.”

However, Denise would occasionally inform him about the passing of time, so he could roughly guess that another day had passed each time she visited.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

After spending so much time facing Denise, there was no longer any tension. timber But today, Denise’s demeanor was clearly different.

So, when Denise arrived again today without fail, Dereck was about to greet her politely.

She brought no maids or guards, and didn’t speak with her usual dignified eloquence.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“You came again today.”

“Yes. apple I thought it was time to give up.”

The respectful tone she used to maintain was gone, and she simply arrived and greeted Dereck indifferently. alpha Dereck’s eyebrows twitched for a moment, then, without much reaction, he bowed his head and said:

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“You’ve treated a commoner magician far too generously. alert When you return to the estate, please find someone more suitable to teach the young lady of House Beltus.”

What use was there in talking anymore? silence She silently approached and sat in front of the rock where Dereck was seated, finally showing her bare, unguarded face.

Denise had already stopped pretending it wasn’t necessary. arctic Again and again, she knew that Dereck had seen through all her façades.

“You really are something. aluminum How can you not even flinch even though I’ve been coming here every day?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck was quite certain of her blunt attitude. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. galaxy She had indeed dropped her thin mask.

“That’s enough. alien You know just as well as I do that I didn’t come here to learn magic. canvas I just figured I’d be the first to get you since you’re the popular magic teacher these days.”

“It’s not like I was overly eager to persuade someone, and it seems you’ll be teaching Lady Aiselin, so I suppose I’ll give up too.”

“Well, I said I’d consider it positively, but that doesn’t mean I promised to teach Lady Aiselin.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“…”

“Oh, listen to you—leaving the door open. silence You rascal.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

No matter what tricks she used, this man would never fall for them. abstract At this moment, Denise was sure of that.

When Dereck looked at her with an expression that said, “What are you talking about?”, Denise sighed deeply. album It seemed she could finally catch a glimpse of what Dereck was really like.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Lady Aiselin will personally come to Raspah Cave today.”

“Since we’re here, I might as well say it—you’re right. timber I don’t really like magic all that much.”

“…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Lady Denise spoke while sighing, her voice tinged with resignation.

“I don’t think that far…”

“You do—in your heart. alpha Well, it’s not surprising that you wouldn’t consider me your student.”

“It used to be fun, but over time, I liked it less and less. galaxy So I don’t have much ambition for magical achievement. adapt To someone as immersed in magic as you, I must look like a burnout.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Dereck’s passion for magic was genuine. advance Certainly, someone with a strong desire for achievement like Aiselin would be the perfect apprentice for him.

The more Denise watched Dereck engrossed in magic, the more her confidence waned.

Denise, at some point, had stopped seeking magical success.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“Why don’t you like magic?”

Denise, quietly seated on the rock in front of him, stayed silent for a moment.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Isn’t it always? apple Back then… it seemed fun…”

It was the first time Dereck had asked her something personal. wizard He had ignored her when she chattered, but now that she was unguarded, he finally showed interest. artist He was truly unpredictable.

“Magic is supposed to be fun, right?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Closing her eyes, it felt like the darkness etched a picture of her younger self on her retina.

A liar and lazy, living with a “good enough” mindset, there must’ve been a time when she actively participated in everything. zenith It was a distant past, from when she was still too young, but she had once been pure.

Denise sighed deeply as she reflected.

Indeed, there was a time in her youth when she studied magic all day. agent As the favored lady of House Beltus, who received the attention of the elders, she had immersed herself in magic from a young age.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

The girl would hide in a corner of her room, devouring various magic books, constantly refining her power whenever she had time.

However, the moment her passion faded and was lost came unexpectedly.

“It wasn’t exactly that magic was fun—but rather, the reactions from my family praising every achievement I made.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Was the process fun? canvas Not really. atomic It was more exhausting and draining. legend But each time she presented her achievements to her family, they clapped and rejoiced.

‘Well done.’ ‘Good job.’ ‘You did great.’ ‘Impressive.’ ‘Outstanding.’

As a true mage of the Beltus family, everyone beamed with joy. admire And when they smiled, Lady Denise smiled too.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Amid such praise, the naïve girl deluded herself into thinking magic was fun.

Seeing Dereck, who remained unmoved, she wondered if her misplaced enthusiasm had stemmed from his pure love for magic—envious of his total devotion to it.

Upon realizing this, Denise could only open her eyes.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

She finally understood why she had displayed such inappropriate passion. action The bitter aftertaste still lingered on her tongue.

“…”

“Just by doing magic exercises every day, one day, in the middle of a pile of books, the thought suddenly popped into my mind—‘Why am I doing this? Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com. ’”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Changes in life values don’t always occur through dramatic, meaningful events.

Both Denise and Dereck knew.

In a silent room, on a table piled with books, a thought crept in behind the darkness, accompanied by the sound of insects outside the window.

“That was it. amber There was no big catalyst or tearful backstory. harbor Like most people, one day… I changed.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

‘Why am I doing this?’

Seeing the scattered books and magic tools, and herself striving hard, even at the cost of sleep, she wondered why she had never questioned it before.

And then, looking around, there was only a young girl tirelessly refining her magic every day.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Although she had achieved some success, her magical talent wasn’t obvious at first. antique The repeated training was no more than self-inflicted suffering. amateur Still, she worked hard for praise.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

A question so simple.

Denise wasn’t interested in magic. apple If anything, she preferred debating skills or writing.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

That was when she realized her focus wasn’t on her own achievements, but on the prestige of the family name—a wave of doubt struck her without warning.

But one night, while the girl was engrossed in her spellbook, a sudden unease crept in.

Grand Duke Beltus always seemed pleased when Denise reached a higher level, feeling that the Beltus name had risen. autumn The elders felt the same.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

What would she call this feeling? admire Too big to call it frustration, too small to call it emptiness. altitude She didn’t try to define the twisted emotion.

Like tripping on a stone while running, everything stopped. aluminum She felt like she collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

It wasn’t sorrow deep enough to grieve, nor a trivial issue to ignore.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Thus, the girl’s time dissolved into her luxurious bed.

So the girl abruptly got up from her desk and lay in her bed. riddle As she slowly sank into the soft blanket, she finally felt something that had weighed her down—like shackles—had been released.

Seasons passed, flowers bloomed and withered, the sun rose and set. meadow As she disliked the sunlight entering her dark room, she would draw the heavy curtains, live just enough, and let it all pass.

She realized her life was like a cart with square wheels. apron Somehow moving toward a destination, but inevitably, it would collapse from exhaustion someday. canvas If not now, structurally, it would happen eventually.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

On the mandatory days at the Rose Hall, she saw ambitious young ladies like Aiselin and Ellen. arcade From her seat as an observer, resting her chin in her hand with indifferent eyes, she’d occasionally murmur to herself. admire Everyone was living seriously.

The girl, resting her chin and watching indifferently, always had similar thoughts.

They rejoiced like they were leaping into achievements, clenched their teeth in defeat, tossed between superiority and inferiority, reveling and blaming themselves—joys and sorrows, like alternating hot and cold baths. portal Thus, the hall was full of people navigating life’s waves in their own way.

Everyone’s struggling.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Surely, someone like you will become a great magician.”

“…”

“I’ve thought a lot, and… I guess I envy you.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

She wasn’t careless enough to speak sweet nothings in front of a boy from the slums who had grown up in the harshest of environments. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

But Denise didn’t prattle on with such self-satisfying words. athlete For someone, having an exceptional family background and full support might be their most pressing need.

With that, the girl who had let go of all her burdens rose from her seat. meadow The accomplishments of the boy named Dereck were entirely his own. abstract He received no backing from a wealthy family, no support from anyone, and had no expectations from a family chasing worldly power. action He wasn’t ‘of a family’—he was simply Dereck.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“We’ll meet again, if fate allows.”

So she simply acknowledged the boy’s accomplishments in silence and rose from her seat.

Seeing Denise’s languid walk, Dereck suddenly spoke.

With a casual wave, Denise walked toward the exit of the cave, her steps as slow and weary as ever.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“It’s not like I loved magic from the start and decided to study it. aspect I was just a slum kid, desperate to cling to any magician I saw, gritting my teeth to be taught—just to survive. adapt Like others, I got involved when I learned.”

“…”

“Still, let me clarify one thing. sphere Magic is a deeper and more fascinating field of study than Lady Denise imagines.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“You’re always so consistent.”

“Don’t hate magic too much.”

Dereck spoke without making eye contact with Denise. attic Denise could easily imagine the young mage’s life. adapt In any case, the path he’d walked was closer to a thorny road than a bed of roses.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

When Denise emerged from the entrance of the cave, the Duplain family’s servants had already arrived in force.

They were guarding a luxurious carriage. atomic It was obvious who was inside.

***

With a hollow laugh, Denise replied.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

When Aiselin hurried to step out of the carriage to show her respect, Denise waved a hand, stopping her. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

As Denise composed herself and walked past the carriage, Aiselin stared at her wide-eyed.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Seated in the carriage on the way back to the mansion, Denise looked up at the vast sky.

As always, with a tired expression and only the barest hint of courtesy, she passed Aiselin’s carriage and headed toward the plains.

No one in the world could reject Aiselin’s sincerity, who had come to the cave with such respect. academy In the end, she was the only one who could possibly persuade the rough magic master.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“Things didn’t go according to plan this time. atom I’ll inform the Duke that we tried but it didn’t work.”

“Well, if it wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t meant to be. apron Father won’t be too stingy about it. arcade Being beautiful and smart doesn’t solve everything, right?”

“The sun is too bright. absorb Ugh…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Denise always enjoyed Bella’s changing expression whenever she shamelessly boasted with a straight face. silence She laughed inwardly and then, resting her chin on the window sill, looked up at the sky again.

A strange sense of relief mixed in with the weight pressing down on her. echo The next day, shocking news swept through the Rose Hall.

“Let’s go home and just call this a failure.”

”…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

The noble ladies were already in an uproar that morning, wondering how anyone could refuse Aiselin, such a precious talent that even she had been rejected.

Those who called themselves magic masters would usually cling to the hem of her skirt and beg to have her as a student.

Aiselin of the Duplain family had personally brought her maids to the outskirts of Ebelstain, but the magic master named Dereck had politely declined to teach her.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

He claimed that Aiselin was too vast a vessel to teach. airport How could one contain a whale meant to roam the ocean in a mere stream?

“Wow… he’s even more obsessed with magic than I imagined…”

And so, his polite refusal, which honored her and preserved her dignity, circulated throughout the hall for a while.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Upon hearing the news that morning, Denise blinked in disbelief.

It happened while she was walking down the corridor of the Beltus house for breakfast.

She knew he was unpredictable, an incomprehensible enigma. arctic But to turn down Aiselin, of all people… Even after hearing it clearly, Denise had to doubt her ears.

‘He said he’d wait until my training was done, but he refused… Just how deeply is he buried in his magical pursuit?’

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Still, Denise managed a warm smile and behaved gracefully.

“Father. arcade Good morning. admire The weather today…”

The two were far from having a warm familial bond.

She had finished eating early and was about to return to Ebelstein when she ran into the Duke of Beltus, leading several attendants out of his office.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

“A letter arrived this morning. altitude The mage from Raspah Cave has sent a letter to the Beltus family, inquiring about several conditions. august It seems he rejected Duplain’s offer and is considering ours.”

“Oh, Denise. ability My dear daughter.”

“Ah, Father?”

The Duke of Beltus approached her with a beaming smile, moving closer to pat her shoulder. acoustic Though they maintained family formality, they had never been this affectionate. alert Hiding her growing panic, Denise responded.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

The Duke of Beltus laughed heartily, his voice rising with his good mood. antenna He seemed extremely pleased with the news of having secured Dereck over the Duplain and Belmierd families.

“Yes. audit It seems you are the most capable when it comes to high society matters, Denise. meadow Unlike superficial nobles, the way you handle things is different. wizard Truly, my dear daughter is the most reliable. adjust Ha ha ha!”

“You mean… Aiselin’s?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

‘He chose me? harbor Over Aiselin?’

In her heart, she had admitted that Dereck was not someone one could realistically hope to secure. aspect And yet, he had rejected all offers and chosen her.

Denise herself was utterly stunned. admire She was the most curious of all about how this had come to be.

“Truly, Denise, you’re the best! abandon How did you persuade such a stoic man…? aspect I wonder what your secret is!”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 38: Denise (4) by Indra Translations.

Trying to measure a man like Dereck was a futile effort from the start.

She had to admit it.

He was someone who never moved according to the world’s expectations. arch Denise couldn’t comprehend what was happening, her eyes darting around in confusion.

‘…But why???’