Chapter 40: Spell (2)

Since returning home to Ebelstein, the servants had grown concerned at the constant gloom on her face, though she tried her best to force a smile.

Aiselin was disappointed.

“Lady Aiselin, there’s nothing you can learn from me.”

It was the first time someone had openly rejected her.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

She followed a growth curve modeled after the rule-based noble magic paradigm.

Young girls whose magical abilities hadn’t fully matured typically possessed infinite potential. alien However, Aiselin already had her own magical world.

Dereck’s words were heavy with meaning.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Dereck, a wild-academy mage with unrestrained use of magical power, might even hinder her growth.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve always walked the path of truth.’

Though she agreed with Dereck’s assessment, she couldn’t accept it easily.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

She felt like she was staring at a bird outside its cage.

It is said people yearn for what they lack. amber Aiselin—the girl who sparked envy in everyone—ironically envied what everyone else had: unrestrained freedom.

The young painter, who captured scenes of the world with carefree splashes of paint on canvas, used magic with the same freedom—just like Dereck.

She didn’t need to look far. crystal Her own younger sister, Diella, was the epitome of that freedom.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Born into a noble family but having absorbed the ways of the wild academy in her magic use, she seemed to have moved into a realm out of Aiselin’s reach.

‘I want to experience magic outside the system too…’

From the luxurious and majestic noble district to the places where commoners struggled to survive, and beyond the city walls, plains and granaries spread as far as the eye could see.

Aiselin reflected inwardly, staring out the window. accent From her mansion atop the hill, the vast stretch of Ebelstein could be seen.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

The world was so large, yet Aiselin could count on one hand the number of times she had ventured beyond her cradle.

“A letter has arrived from the main house. atomic Prince Valerian will hold his departure ceremony next week. antenna Lord Raeg will accompany him, so it seems it will be quite the grand event.”

Being born into the highest station prevented her from descending to lower places. harbor That was the girl’s position.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Yes, I had already heard. armor It’s the first departure ceremony for Valerian’s younger brother, so I must prepare a good gift…”

The story of the eldest and second sons of the Duplain family, setting off to conquer the White Labyrinth north of their domain, had reached Ebelstein.

The Duke of Duplain had entrusted the long-anticipated pioneering project of the white region to his two most reliable sons.

After hearing the news from the main house, Aiselin took a deep breath and tried to clear her tangled thoughts.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I must visit the market. amber It’s an important gift, so I must see it and choose it myself.”

The white region was filled with dangerous labyrinths. accent It was also believed to contain all kinds of undiscovered treasures. timber Rumors abounded, especially about relics related to ancient necromancy and the staff of Rosin, the five-star summoner, said to lie dormant within.

Hoping for good news from her two brothers, she considered selecting a good gift for their return.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

***

“Isn’t that the Duplain family’s seal? arch Are you under the Duplains’ protection?”

Aiselin rose from her seat, gathering the hem of her pale blue dress. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
She was far too busy to remain sitting in sorrow.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Dereck showed the shopkeeper in the noble district the seal he had received from Valerian.
He had some errands to run before heading to Denise’s mansion today.

“Since that’s Prince Valerian’s crest, you must’ve received it directly from him… I can show you exclusive items from the Duplain collection.”

“Not exactly protection… I’ve received a commission from that family. album It’s a token of their gratitude.”

Noble district of Ebelstein.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

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

Food, magical equipment, armor, clothing, books—there wasn’t a speck of dust on anything.

Considering how much dust there was to clean in the commoners’ market, the difference was stark. shadow It was in a corner of this market that the Duplain seal was shown. altitude The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in surprise.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the commoners’ market. harbor Everywhere one stepped, antique carpets and curtains were the norm, the shops scented with fragrant candles, and the displayed goods always immaculate.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I want to buy some magical items. aspect Do you also have wands or staves?”

The man he had taken for a simple mercenary turned out to have ties to the Duplain family.

Merchants lived and died by connections. acoustic If there was a chance to maintain even the slightest relationship with such a noble house, they were ready to offer anything.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Hmm… I need to see the prices first.”

“We have many magical supplies, but of course, only the most expensive wands and staves. accent Can you afford items that even nobles purchase with heaps of gold?”

Dereck followed the shopkeeper into a back room, seemingly reserved for VIPs. atom Even the items outside were of the highest quality, but the further inside they went, the more exclusive they became. atomic It looked like the shopkeeper’s personal collection was also on display.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Oho…”

A cloak that enhanced magical flow, a potion that instantly restored mana, even a rare three-star spellbook—all on display. portal The merchant, proud of his trove, must have felt satisfied. agent As Dereck browsed with interest, the plump old shopkeeper smiled proudly.

Dereck’s eyes lit up as he entered the inner sanctum of the noble district shop.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“How much is a wand or a staff?”

“The Duke of Duplain has visited once or twice. athlete He personally gave a generous evaluation of these valuable items. action It’s hard to find treasures like these anywhere else.”

“We currently have only two for sale. ‘The Eye of Salas’ from the Alronde Academy in the Northern Continent, and ‘Andante’ from Drest Academy in the Southwest. agent One is a wand, the other a staff. palette Both are worth hundreds of gold coins—the price of a decent house.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

The most famous wand was “Dawn,” created by five-star transmutation mage Dalrock, and the most famous staff was “Light of the Empire,” crafted by six-star transmutation mage Cohella.

Alchemists and magical weapon makers—those who crafted elemental and mana stones—took great pride in their creations, often calling them “masterpieces.” agent Thus, famous transmutation mages gave distinctive names to their works.

Although it was unfortunate to see great names attached to mediocre works, famous creations were long-discussed, enhancing the reputations of their makers.

Magical weapons often had unique names, especially since renowned transmutation mages poured their heart and soul into creating them. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I’m not aiming for something of that caliber… but even the wands here are extremely expensive.”

“Dawn” was known to be in the possession of Lord Melverot of the North, and “Light of the Empire” belonged to Emperor Gertrel. aspect Both were unattainable dreams.

Magical weapons were items best wielded by three-star mages or higher.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I know they’re expensive, but seeing them in person, I just can’t muster the courage.”

Although rare, those who sought them were formidable figures. audit It was no wonder the prices were astronomical.

Dereck nodded repeatedly, silently gazing at the majestic wand. echo Having a magical weapon could lead to greater magical feats.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Now that he had reached the threshold of three stars, Dereck felt a growing yearning for a magical weapon.

Knock, knock, knock.

Reflecting as he looked at the displayed weapons, Dereck left the shop—it was time for his next appointment.

***

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Dereck walked briskly through the grounds of Denise’s estate, located at the outermost edge of Ebelstein’s noble district.

However, Denise’s property turned out to be extremely simple. riddle The room gave a strong impression of being equipped only with the essentials, reflecting the woman’s style of curbing unnecessary expenses.

Dereck walked heavily through the corridor, followed by Bella, who wore a worried expression.

The private estate of a third-generation noble lady usually featured luxurious corridors. absorb Ellen’s estate was so filled with artwork it was hard to tell if it was a residence or a museum.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

He hadn’t been requested—he had been begged, and he had agreed. meadow He didn’t need to pay attention to anyone.

Dereck was a talent personally sought out and brought in by the Beltus family, who had asked him to join them.

Instead, the estate’s servants were on high alert around Dereck. auction After all, he held a position of trust.

Bella, the maid who had served Denise the longest, asked Dereck to slow down in a concerned tone, but he ignored her.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

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

“It’s wise to maintain close relations with a third-generation noble family. adjust Depending on how the future unfolds, some will fall drastically while others will rise.”

Even Denise herself had gone to Raspah Cave, pleading with Dereck to teach her just once. matrix That fact wouldn’t change, no matter what regrets came later.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“If you don’t hate nobles too much, there’s nothing wrong with getting close to them.”

While carefully examining future implications, he advised Dereck, a mage of common birth, to interact with nobles, as he was very adept at their customs.

That was the advice given to him by his mentor, Drest Wolftail.

“However, it’s not necessary to pledge total loyalty to just one place. autumn It’s best to make them miss you by playing your cards well. echo That way, your value increases, and you gain widespread recognition.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Especially when it came to the three major noble families, the implications were significant. atomic If you owed them something and became their benefactor, it was more likely they’d be powerful allies than future threats. acquire Thus, if you wanted to expand your magical world, it was wise to maintain good relations with nobles.

Even the Duke of Duplain overlooked Dereck’s magical prowess. attic No matter how extraordinary a commoner’s magical achievements were, if they maintained good relations with noble families, they wouldn’t be treated as open enemies.

In the end, there was only one way for a common mage to reach higher realms without obstacles: to have a high-ranking noble sponsor, one even feared by other nobles.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

His insistence on teaching Lady Denise was largely due to this. alpha But it wasn’t the only reason.

Dereck was already familiar with the Duplain and Belmierd families. alien Only the Beltus family remained.

“I hate magic.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Did that bruise his pride? aspect If asked, Dereck would admit—yes, it did.

Arguing in front of someone immersed in magic all day that magic wasn’t anything special was enough to make anyone’s blood boil.

Denise had just begun to sense the threshold of magical discipline, regarding the deep world of magic merely as a tool for bored rulers to flaunt. adjust Dereck found her perspective extremely distasteful.

How many lifetimes had he lived to debate nihilism with someone whose worldview was so detached? orbit The privilege of speaking on the futility of life and wasted time belonged to people like Drest, who had lived tumultuous lives.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Walk with difficulty, walk with difficulty, walk with difficulty.”

Poor Denise, unaware of the depth and beauty of magic. adopt That was why Dereck now radiated a fiery determination for the first time in a long while.

Having experienced disappointment many times, he wanted to correct the girl’s cynical view of the world.

Dereck boldly advanced toward the heart of Denise’s mansion, climbed the main hall’s central staircase, approached her bedroom—where she was probably still asleep—and knocked.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I see.”

And Dereck, unbothered, opened the door and walked in.

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“Lady Denise usually sleeps in during the mornings. amber She must still be deeply asleep…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Her silver-gray hair spread out like a blanket, her breathing soft and steady, a half-finished romance novel beside her—she looked like a sleeping little bird.

The sight of Denise sleeping deeply in the darkness behind heavy curtains immediately caught his eye.

Seeing her lips move slightly as if she were enjoying a pleasant dream, anyone could say she looked just like an ordinary girl her age.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Kyaaak!”

“Wake up! canvas Wake up! wizard The sun is already high in the sky, my lady!”

Without hesitation, Dereck stepped in and shouted.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Brilliant daylight mercilessly flooded Denise’s dark bedroom.

“Kyahak! echo It’s blinding! portal What—what is this?!”

If he wanted to turn Denise into a better person, he had to start by getting her up earlier.

Unfazed, Dereck raised his voice and entered the room, throwing open the heavy curtains.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Dereck?! antique What is this?! silence Oh, it’s the weekend! apple There’s no need to go to the Rose Hall or any academic meetings!”

“Yes, it’s the weekend. apple But the sun is already high—we can’t keep sleeping, right?”

“Let’s clear out the stale air in the room and let the sun in this morning! aspect Are we creatures of the dark?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Dereck ignored Denise’s sharp tone.

Word had reached the Duke of Beltus, and his official permission letter had arrived. beacon At this point, Dereck’s employer was no longer Denise—it was the Duke himself.

“Aren’t weekends for resting?”

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Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Even while resting, we should at least do the basics. august Get some sun, wake up early to exercise, and complete basic tasks. acoustic Isn’t that refreshing?”

“Then what are you saying?”

“Yes. timber We should rest on weekends. accent I’m not saying we shouldn’t, Lady Denise.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Denise already felt her mind fogging. ability The sun was high, but to her, it might as well have been midnight.

“Isn’t it just about doing the basics right? voyage I may be working as your instructor, but I’m also human. acoustic As long as we stick to the basics, there’s no problem, right?”

“…” This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Lady Denise. meadow Do you know what the foundation of magic is? atlas It starts with a healthy body and a healthy mind! atomic I work as your magic instructor, and I’ll do anything for your magical progress!”

For Denise, who usually spent weekends sleeping all day or reading romance novels, Dereck’s disciplined lifestyle was poison.

“Dereck, you work as a magic instructor, right? shadow You can’t just dictate my life like this…!”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

She had recommended him herself and he had been appointed as her instructor with the Duke’s official approval.

Who had made the recommendation? autumn Denise herself.

“That logic, just patching it wherever you want, won’t work on me…!”

Before she could finish, Dereck placed the Duke’s letter on the table.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I’ll go over today’s schedule with you. arch First, get up and eat breakfast, then we’ll review your exploration magic level. action You also need to train in elemental combat magic, so we’ll begin with basic mana training, and there’ll be physical training in the afternoon. acid Physical strength is the foundation of everything.”

“…You made a schedule?”

Her face turned pale.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Of course, he wouldn’t demand as rigorous a schedule from Denise as he had from Ellen, but to Denise, it already felt like the gates of hell.

“When I do something, I do it right. abstract The evening schedule is ready too—please take a look.”

The curriculum was so demanding that even the ambitious and diligent Ellen had felt exhausted by it.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Apology? audit Why apologize? ability It’s not proper for a lady of the Beltus family to bow so easily to a commoner. apron Please act according to your status. agent A noble lady should always maintain her dignity.”

“Dereck… I’m sorry… I was too pushy at Raspah Cave, wasn’t I? album I’ve already apologized, but this time, I apologize sincerely. adopt I respect your intentions and believe they are noble. artist So, would you accept my apology…?”

“Don’t worry. acoustic I won’t ask you to do all this alone. abandon I’ll be with you, giving my all. advance Let’s strive together to become high-level mages. harbor Having a steady rhythm beside you is great support, and I’ll show you how much that means.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

And so, guided by Dereck’s hand, Denise left her room, finished breakfast, and began her magic training.

Dereck’s eyes were already filled with madness.

Such concerns weren’t even on his mind. acid He was simply, purely doing his duty.

Denise realized—this boy wasn’t driven by a singular goal, like getting an apology or crushing her pride.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

The boy, wrapped in his determination to properly recite the depth and wonder of magic, paid no mind to Denise’s face, which increasingly resembled that of a dying corpse.

There was no way to refuse. audit Dereck had been officially recognized and accepted as her instructor by the Duke of Beltus himself. matrix Even the servants couldn’t stop him.

“Lady Denise, try to imagine the feeling of channeling your mana. orbit It might be tiring, but if you practice all day, you’ll succeed a few times.”

“Today, we’ll run around the mansion gardens. alien Like I said, physical strength is the foundation of everything. crystal Don’t worry, I’ll run with you. wizard You won’t be alone.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Obviously, a full day had passed—but she had barely registered how.

By the time she realized it, the sun had set and the moon had risen.

“We’ll also start basic training in transformation magic tomorrow. armor It won’t be too hard. acquire But since it involves a lot of repetition, you’ll need to stay focused for about three to four hours. acid Please make sure to sleep well tonight.”

“Romance novels are fine, but it would be better to go over a book on the history of magicians over the next day or two. apron I’ll quiz you on the content in tomorrow’s lesson. aspect Not too much, just the period from the Alant War to the Dawn War. acquire I’ll show you which parts you need to memorize.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Bella brought her a cup of herbal tea, known for its restorative effects, her face full of worry.

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

Denise lay in bed, her entire body sore.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“I can’t go on like this. arctic Being in the sun all day… my body will burn away like smoke…”

“Bella… I can’t breathe…”

“Are you alright, Lady Denise? amber You should at least stretch before bed, or your muscles will be sore tomorrow.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“We have to get rid of that crazy magic instructor somehow. ability Even if it means going through documents… as soon as possible…”

Bella wanted to say that people didn’t die so easily, but fearing that would only make things worse, she quietly bowed her head.

“Lady Denise…”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“….”

“Then I’ll have to appeal to Father…”

“Well… as I said, since this matter has been reported to the Duke of Beltus, the authority to dismiss him now lies with His Grace.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

If Dereck stirred up trouble or committed a crime, there might be grounds for dismissal.

Bella’s expression darkened. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. abstract Denise felt she understood what that truly meant.

Dereck was a talent highly sought after by the three great families. afford He was a prized acquisition secured by the Beltus family, and the Duke of Beltus would not let him go easily. autumn He was sensitive to the tension between noble houses.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

The most terrifying people in the world were those who told the truth—because you couldn’t refute them.

Creakk.

But Dereck, an upright man, only ever demanded what was healthy and proper.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

***

Despite having spent the entire day overseeing her magic and joining her in physical training, Dereck showed no sign of fatigue.

At that moment, Dereck opened the door to Denise’s room again.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Eek…! auction Wh-what now?! voyage Why haven’t you left, it’s nighttime!”

“Lady Denise.”

Meanwhile, Denise was already half a corpse.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

She trembled like a baby bird that had lost its mother.

Denise curled up on the bed, hugging her knees.

“Is there still more?! abandon Haven’t I worked hard enough today…?!”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Ah, of course, we’re done for today. athlete It’s not good for your health to overdo it.”

“I’ll just go over tomorrow morning’s schedule and then return to my room. adopt Before dawn tomorrow, we’ll begin working with mana infused with yin energy, so please wake before sunrise. acoustic Understanding its subtle nuances will be invaluable later.”

“Really…?”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

“Let’s do our best tomorrow, too! amateur Keep up the good work!”

“…”

Dereck clenched his fist in encouragement.

“You don’t have to worry about oversleeping. palette I’ll come to wake you early. adopt If you sleep now, you’ll get a solid five hours.”

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

It was already too late to fire him. amateur The Duke of Beltus would never allow it.

“…”

With that burning determination, Dereck politely bid her goodnight and left for the day. sphere Of course, with his iron endurance, he would be back again before dawn—so it was only a few hours’ break.

Translation of Noble Lady Reformation Guide - Chapter 40: Spell (2) by Indra Translations.

Denise wanted to die.

She should have realized earlier: while hiring him had been her decision, firing him was no longer within her control.