Chapter 42: Spell (4)
7LP“Dereck has been working as an instructor for the Beltus family for quite some time now.”Id0FXz
HX22nWhile listening to the lecture on magical theory at the conference, Ellen of the Belmiard family—known as the Rose of the Rose Salon—couldn’t help but lose focus.SJyJ
fM0She remembered the mercenary instructor with whom she used to talk about magic late into the night.5K5jFhn
05fzEllen let her red hair fall loosely and sighed softly.AcFujh
nl1The Belmiard family had been left out of the race to recruit Dereck, who ultimately went to the Beltus family.IfLTh
0SBB4The rivalry among nobles to acquire talented individuals was always unpredictable, but losing Dereck was particularly painful. Count Belmiard had even apologized to Ellen, feeling sorry for her.Lqqc2N
OYOIt was the first time Ellen had actively requested an instructor, so Count Belmiard must have gone to great lengths for her.xrfh
qNjXrAUHad I just been a burden to my father…? Though, what kind of offer did the Beltus family make to secure Dereck?6qgsHL2
AS90Wn4In any case, Dereck, in Ellen’s opinion, was an exceptional magic instructor.2bUSR
SInIn an era where talented magic instructors were worth their weight in gold, it was inevitable to wonder how much the Beltus family had offered for him.EToD2
g8RIT3In truth, Dereck’s intention to form a connection with the Beltus family was the most important variable… but Ellen didn’t know that part.hZkn
zqVm22When Aiselin was rejected, it became clear that not just anyone could be accepted as a student.0kCP
DCfRHmm… perhaps I should invite Lady Denise for tea and subtly sound her out…Ps7
YR1B40rEllen, who was not particularly fond of the complex social maneuvering of high society, found it unusual for herself to be scheming to involve a lady from a rival family in her affairs.7XC
k7bLVk3However, Ellen was also curious about how Denise was learning magic from Dereck.5Bqjda
l5BXGyYes, arranging a meeting should be fine. I’ll ask the butler to contact her.ZNKEgRi
M25d6v2Denise, as seen in the social circles of Ebelstein and the Rose Salon, always gave off a mysterious aura.pVhBbJv
P4OCu0eLike the other noble ladies, she was kind and dignified, but there seemed to be something hidden beneath the surface—something not openly revealed. Among the trio of the Rose Salon, she was the most enigmatic.4uyDL
Jq5U7vLady Denise… she’s definitely not someone easy to approach…AsR
RqMjCy9Teaching someone so reserved wasn’t simple. After all, teaching ultimately meant having to guide someone.WWH3b
DMbyHow exactly did Dereck teach the mysterious Denise?ThVk28z
WjwEllen wanted to see it with her own eyes, at least once.4GzdadR
mviiNGWhen the magic conference ended, Ellen rose from her seat and smoothed the hem of her dress.BabI
waOJFor the first time in a long while, she felt a surge of motivation.QMek1
xMkzAx***oUWP
KqNO3“What kind of plan are you plotting? I can’t understand it… but in the end, the servants should be on my side. Structurally, they all belong to the Beltus family.”qOa
D2BMTIThe next morning, after breakfast, Denise stood in the hallway and spoke to Dereck.cm06
unzxfHDereck, with his hands clasped behind his back, tilted his head and looked directly at Denise.pizu7Iq
LQTJ“Yes?”Zs2
fvMU“It seems you’ve been trying to get close to the servants lately… Scheming behind the scenes like that isn’t good. Aren’t we supposed to only teach and learn magic?”82gdu
e8f7La“There seems to be a misunderstanding… Yes, I’ve been trying to get more familiar with the servants, but it’s not for any hidden agenda.”D2AvOAu
qH5PDenise swallowed hard.JUk
iDqo0DShe had openly used Dereck, and he was surely aware that the Beltus family saw him as a pawn in the noble power struggle.KH7glJ
Ly2SYOEven so, Dereck maintained a calm expression. Denise had trouble reading his true intentions.OxMvy
nXr2I“It’s true, as you said, Lady Denise, that I should be closer to the servants. There is a purpose behind my actions, but it’s nothing suspicious, and I can tell you if you ask.”tDO
rSzjvod“Then, what is it…?”rsal
PH716b“What else? The servants who have supported you for years are the ones who know you best, aren’t they?”HxQ
RCIhdyDenise pressed him for an answer, but Dereck spoke as if it was nothing, maintaining eye contact with her.Nhmm
aKSgB“I need to know more about Lady Denise. As an instructor, it’s only natural that I want to understand even the smallest details of the person I’m teaching.”3eJ
KRO“There’s no need to be so roundabout… I mean, as the lady of the Beltus family, you must have heard all the rumors at the Rose Salon, right?”UUw
1w94“It’s true, but information based on rumors has obvious limitations.”phT1
V72YDereck always grew very serious whenever he talked about magic.mPd7
uEdLNBHis dedication and passion were enough to impress anyone who saw him.gCm
RCsXX“Magic is extremely complex, and the way each person handles magical power varies slightly. One must consider a person’s temperament, thoughts, habits, values, and worldview in a comprehensive manner. While the classification of magic academies is important, just as crucial is understanding the temperament of the magician themselves.”aJv8
8ig“…So, as I was saying…”P8Lgj
IiDH1wW“How could I truly understand Lady Denise based solely on superficial information from the Rose Salon? What I want to know are not the surface-level accomplishments of the lady of the Beltus family… but Lady Denise herself. Understanding her is the key to teaching her magic more effectively.”ShcLG0
TDsqThere was certainty in Dereck’s firm tone.3MW
ZoNGHaving risen from humble beginnings, he had his own insights into how people became skilled in magic.p4i4zC6
NzLS9iThe lessons from the elder, Katia, and Drest. The insights gained from teaching Diella and Ellen. And the understanding obtained through exploring and learning magic on his own.OEBw
K3wkGA lifetime of experience had fused into his philosophy on what was most important when teaching magic to others.5cj
Mi0“Then, you’re saying… you asked the servants about me?”J1q2EqE
fAuMW0“The people who assist you know things that rumors can’t convey. Of course, I didn’t say it out loud, as it might embarrass Lady Denise.”T4rVi
8OF“W-What did they say…?”yroOAob
cHJkBG“The servants respect you a lot. They said that even though you often seem distracted and reluctant, you know when to roll up your sleeves for important tasks.”iytX
uTPVROpDereck relayed the words he had heard from the servants without omitting anything.Riwnk
jLtNBkOf course, hearing it directly from him made Denise feel a bit embarrassed.5eL
JCX“I heard that you could achieve great things in magic or academics if you truly applied yourself… That although your attitude appears indifferent and aloof, you treat the servants kindly. They also mentioned your piercing gaze… and your exceptional handwriting.”rd8HhA
4ytSW“T-The servants said that about me? Ah… ahaha… ehehe…”ggoFQ8V
HEpqO“…”AwqcMRA
CUrQQ“Did they say anything about my appearance? That I’m prettier than Aiselin or Ellen…”PVvqb7r
XBws“…”JDl
OiaAZ0L“…”xDqt2j
VW62tCDereck wasn’t one to give empty compliments. Although Denise’s beauty was certainly remarkable, comparing her to Aiselin and Ellen would surely give anyone pause for thought.DcGtAc
c30b“You really don’t give empty compliments, do you?”KPi
1W7“I must be honest. Only then can my words be trusted when I speak.”9NENSTo
2NZ“Having that conviction is good, but I worry you’ll get hurt out there.”Spt
kgwxd0“I’ve already been hurt a lot.”aA96uD2
XAg9“I’ve thought a lot, too.”Q1xc2Oz
sQC9With a long sigh, Denise finally relaxed her shoulders.gMCJ
hxnI think I’ve come to understand this guy a bit more. The reason he was interacting with the servants—who he didn’t even need to impress, especially when Dereck wasn’t around—was simply to teach magic to Denise in the best way possible.UdCR
SrEq8prUnlike Denise, a greenhouse flower, he had surely traversed numerous labyrinths and experienced all kinds of hells.J46S
KKpsHowever, when unnecessary, he never stubbornly opposed others, often treating them with a polite attitude.rupMz78
gpQDIt was a stark contrast to how he looked when immersed in magic, holed up in a dirty cave with a disheveled appearance.cJfcle
uMfAjaJust like the city of Ebelstain, he seemed to have a thousand faces. That’s why it was hard to grasp his true intentions at a glance.HfHcXI6
3VK8dW“Even so… I’m proud that the servants think so highly of me. I didn’t give it much thought… but they said I have a piercing gaze… and that I write well… right?”KtWP
9n29j“…”raK
BTznlZM“How do you know I write?”GsvpYL
yGIivaY“I heard it from the butler.”slmm
io8c0“What, how would the butler know?”bBifjQ
QN7Suddenly, Denise’s face paled. Dereck had already anticipated this, but as he said, he didn’t speak lightly and conveyed things without exaggeration.JDcK4RG
tjL“The servants have seen you many times, sitting at your desk before bed with a pen in hand. If there’s a scratching sound in the room, wouldn’t they look in?”ktoHo
bqKLs“No, I… I always check my surroundings!”yKxk
B6N3“Don’t underestimate the servants. They’re like shadows, always following and helping you. Wouldn’t they notice? If the hinges are well-oiled, opening the door a bit won’t make noise. You should check around the door more carefully.”laicS
0aZ8rsRAt this point, Dereck had nothing more he could do.MiE77
cXRdHe simply conveyed what he had heard without omission. The servants had surely been thinking about how and when to bring it up.Mz13Ju
UDCeF7z“I also heard about the story… the pink book from the third drawer next to your bed.”tQZr
R8lFX“You mean the servants know about that?”dcaAu
uIARrn“Yes. Don’t you write every night? The title is… The Arrogant Sir Robein, isn’t it?”LaNBqE
ZYhW“…”FFSfUUK
K4SGSuddenly, Denise’s breath caught in her throat.6G2MCB
cdN64“I heard that the psychological descriptions infused in your elegant prose and strong strokes are truly exceptional.”Hq7jA
XjG“…”c8bFnEG
mFx2wZ5“I didn’t intend to read it… but the servants insisted… I saw it several times when you were at salon meetings… Of course… um… the descriptions and narrative moved me. There are quite a few devoted readers among the servants… and I understand why.”J7SkpD
JOCo“…Hic.”76j
AwTStDenise hiccupped—an act that didn’t quite suit her.vNc
ZoF5yglAnd then, for a while, she said nothing.5Q3
4CF4Dereck watched Denise’s expression for a moment. He felt he needed to choose his words carefully, adding weight to his voice. After all, it wasn’t unusual for someone her age to harbor such childish fantasies.f51yn
pKdx“You don’t need to feel so embarrassed. Creation is fundamentally a shy endeavor… And even a stranger like me can tell your writing is really impressive.”2gP
KkvOiu“…”IHD
FZnjM“Reading about the tragic situation of the protagonist Tracy broke my heart. Especially since I come from the slums, I was struck by the details. However, I’m not sure characters like Sir Robein actually exist in real life… Of course, the jealous yet tender emotions of a man harboring love from afar for Tracy were compelling.”5DVsy
QSu7“…”l7on
Asp“The obsession and possessiveness, the attitude toward Tracy… and the seven pages dedicated to describing Sir Robein’s fierceness seemed a bit excessive, but… who knows, maybe men like that are out there. It’s not impossible, right? I respect that.”1ffnI8i
F4D“Ahhhhhh!”tKfL
8pEUnable to bear listening to Dereck any longer, Denise grabbed her head and ran to her room.03VSJj
4jvxzwJDereck, resting his chin in his hand, reflected silently.VUiDSH
lh1Certainly, the sensitivity of a girl her age was hard to keep up with. He had said a lot, but Dereck hadn’t lied.CGyDTaJ
6mgssKeThe reason he interacted with the servants was truly to learn more about Denise.KXei3gF
L4uohizMore precisely… to see if she had any weak points.jokjHr
V7MWYWJ***BwO
d8cqHCI“Good morning, Lady Denise.”m79r
AgVfThe next morning, Denise, with messy hair, was being groomed by a maid.AOq
mMzHer eyelids were swollen from having slept little the night before. The maids, whose job it was to keep her looking beautiful at all times, were perplexed.sc8G1
Fv5hDc“Did you write something last night? You look really tired. You shouldn’t let it interfere with your daily life, you know?”51T5
Gtj“Hah…”zrP
BUjk7D5Dereck said this casually, and the maids around them flinched. In fact, the maid who reacted that way was one of those who diligently read Denise’s works.rDn39Ue
DPiuS“What are you talking about, Dereck? Writing, you say…?”PDCYKY5
0SSTqjiIt seemed Denise was plotting to pretend the previous day’s conversation had never happened.7km6mP
S3ygOf course, Dereck wasn’t one to let such blatant denial slide.kSjyDk
kx1MxP4“I was talking about The Arrogant Sir Robein… The scene ends with Sir Robein covering Tracy with a blanket as she relives a childhood nightmare involving sleepwalking…”131ex
PRjHr1t“…”nQS
RMzTTgm“I remember it clearly because it was the last scene. Sir Robein’s tender heart, treating the fragile Tracy like a glass artifact that could shatter with the slightest touch…”PnN3bvJ
jLZ“Dereck!! We have to train hard in magic today! Why are you wasting time on such nonsense!”kR6vHJ2
gjBDenise shot up, sweating profusely. It was the first time she had voluntarily initiated magic training.lBRmKET
hOeTYHer usual laid-back attitude was gone, and she walked nervously, drenched in sweat.ECr4A
AHqGI1z“…”pN2
lkWWaxAll the maids watching held their breath.EipVuxr
JHyglDenise was known to be resilient, but Dereck was even more tenacious.9p9
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