Chapter 69: The Most Noble and Impoverished (5)
UWpr1yg“4-star magical weapons…? This implies a lot. It couldn’t have been an easy decision to place such items in the hands of a commoner.”1Q7
qKAvThere were two weapons Roen placed on the table.aylfV6v
Mk1qGwEOne was the 4-star wand called “Reversal,” and the other was the 4-star staff called “Footprints.”37JrSq
w7I7dGMagical weapons are usually crafted by high-ranking transformation mages who invest significant time. Each weapon has a unique name because they are not ordinary items.uhzPgw
e6ZYMost magical weapons possess special effects due to the influence of transformation magic, and these two items likely had their own unique powers as well.D1L
Nu0eDereck rested his chin on his hand and observed the objects alternately for a moment.kAv6iK
9qkRoen, sitting across from him with his legs crossed, offered a faint smile and said nothing. He seemed eager to see which of the two objects Dereck would choose.meAjm
bj51Zoj“Choose one without receiving any prior information?”QLmmxWt
xPaKgA 4-star weapon was worth as much as several mansions. Making such a decision based purely on intuition was rather tough.gjV94D
2MtDereck sensed he was being tested and contemplated the weapons for a few seconds.JoaPU
t8pLP“May I touch them?”DUJP4
YUdO7“Of course.”Ua9
Thqym7qDereck lifted the wand adorned with a large gem and ornamental feather decorations, and tested its reaction to his mana.dhgE
YSfEIt was undeniably a high-quality item, and he could feel how smoothly it accepted magic.c0OG0
auyU6kR“Its name is ‘Reversal.’ It seems to have the power to reverse magic.”isd
mgZaJust by touching it once, Dereck roughly deduced the wand’s ability.D1Kt
mm6P“Does it have the power to erase the effects of used magic and return it to its original state? It would be very useful for summoners or transformation mages.”I7Iy
KX02It seemed it could be used to summon a large creature and then revert it to recover mana, or to erase various constructions created through transformation magic and recharge energy.wxg6I
m4fAfter giving it some thought, Dereck picked up the staff.mPsKF9
kUDrAfter briefly holding the large staff made of ancient wood, he spoke without even looking back at the wand.t9mwtS
RyTM55k“I’ll take this one.”3aXk4
byWb8F“Oh. Any reason?”nUioMhB
FMZN“It just feels better.”AEYY
Bi3“Instinct…? It’s good to act on intuition, but you don’t seem like someone that impulsive.”qM3kjhE
foCfRoen, intrigued, adjusted his posture and asked Dereck.WWjTmT
CLAS“Sure, there wouldn’t be any defects in items granted by the imperial family, but… what if there’s a quality difference between the two?”5xEW1
aM8WRDI“As you said, they shouldn’t have defects. However, this staff seems more practical.”3aro
XRXu7rvRoen’s gaze narrowed. Dereck, still seated, lifted the staff and said:MJr
BVnyvy“First of all, it’s light. Of course, the wand is much smaller and lighter, but considering the amount of mana it can handle, its efficiency doesn’t seem as good.”3U9Tf
B12nh6A“Efficiency in terms of weight and performance? Do you usually consider that when evaluating magical weapons?”QTdo
UM8O1U“It’s an important factor. And if we consider the name of the staff, ‘Footprints,’ and the sensation that something gets caught near this gem when accepting magic… it’s highly likely this is a magical weapon that leaves an echo.”sPuc
Y08TvDereck set the staff back on the table with a serious expression.MdaVCxd
0RUu8E7“Magical echo is a difficult trait to manage, but extremely practical. Above all, it’s useful in duels and one-versus-many combat. It can be used for surprise attacks or simply to increase offensive power.”SDf
5ST“Oh. You know about magical echo?”K0BOEJ
J5MUigy“I’ve heard it’s a phenomenon that appears in magical weapons of 4-star grade or higher. It’s the ability to replicate the same magic again in the same place with a time delay, without consuming mana.”lni
kfGS9C1“You have quite a broad knowledge of magic.”OVYJA
vIJ“Barely surface-level, compared to academics.”HBCkb9
NzdMagical echo was a skill often found in high-end magical weapons.0Yz
39RPIt allowed the remnants of previously cast magic to be concentrated and replicated in the same spot.FRi
3JWTwo fireballs launched seconds apart… or an earth wall that rose repeatedly… depending on its use, it was a skill that greatly aided battlefield control.hnzwdU7
QY5iY8Dereck preferred a power that allowed him to actively dominate the battlefield, rather than a passive ability that merely used mana efficiently.EFs
J5EjikkThat tendency was clearly reflected in his choice of weapon. Roen smiled and said, resting his chin on his hand:VNm8r
lNd“Academics only see magic as a science. But I believe a true mage should be able to use his power in all fields.”NbUb
ASjKNS“I agree. But I believe magic develops more when academic and practical fields are combined.”rkX6GxU
7JDA8O“Yes. And there aren’t many talents who manage to integrate both. Most mages prefer to recover energy instinctively through magic rather than learning to use the complex echo effect. Under the excuse of versatility, many neglect practicality and efficiency.”lzkA
7vyWith a relieved expression, Roen took the wand and tucked it into his robe.sKQ
yCdrmYv“I won’t go into detail about that weapon’s value. But… isn’t it a bit cumbersome to carry such a large staff? Did you choose it based on practicality?”F7oCpj5
xohfg“There are various ways to solve the portability issue. I’ll keep it in mind. Thank you for your concern.”a8LvPff
5Pwbl“I suppose you plan to adjust the weight with transformation magic or disguise its appearance with illusion magic.”ml38
9Mrk“…”ACuXO
Da0XU“Do you handle several types of magic? Do you also know some exploration magic?”0Fp
9kIVm“I was trained by Drest Wolftail, a mage from the Drest Academy in the southwest.”oON
JGnA“Oh… that old man? He takes on disciples?”rQBG
CVfsKbRoen looked at Dereck with curiosity. It was amusing to see Roen, who was only a 3-star mage, call a great mage like Drest “old man.”3Ii
NT2UvHowever, Roen, as if it didn’t bother him, chuckled and said:ryGLZ
P2eB“For an old guy who wanders the world like he’s detached from everything, he’s done quite a few crazy things. But yes, there’s no doubt about his talent.”Nz3
Dr1FACRoen was smiling contentedly at that moment.qKsI
ZwXq4XKnock, knock, knock.MR1F5S
X5eIOSomeone knocked on the reception room door. It seemed Sir Melverot of the north, who was scheduled to visit that day, had arrived.24VAMK
8q7gDereck quickly composed himself and stood just as the door opened.E3q3Kb
44o7uQCreak.mi6vdp
n5L0However, the one who entered through the door was the imperial magical advisor, Roen.Uq2
bz4OUThe man, who appeared youthful despite his age, opened his eyes wide upon seeing the scene inside the room.YAp
aBlEThere were two Roens in the room.cw9O
5QmX“…No, this is…?”4sbuLH
d8rBefore he could react, an immense magical energy began swirling around the Roen who had been sitting across from Dereck with crossed legs.hRslW
9I6In an instant, the magical energy filled the entire reception room, and soon, a silver-haired man with an arrogant face and crossed legs revealed his true identity.TNOt
BS3CntHIt was 4-star level confusion magic: “Perfect Mimicry.”ZLll
MCKXA high-level spell that allowed one to completely replicate the form of someone familiar and act as them. It wasn’t a simple illusion—it was a perfect imitation that couldn’t be matched by ghosts or mirages.ulydOT
HIAEaThe silver-haired man, with long hair draped over his shoulders, smiled and spoke.CS65
qv3Bh3“Roen. You’re late. Don’t you know old men like me resort to boring pranks when we have nothing to do?”X5CUM
rQKuN“S-Sorry. I was delayed gathering the materials you requested.”QD25
HjeKDeB“It doesn’t matter. Thanks to you, I had the chance to test this boy.”EKB
OKuNYCAs Dereck alternated his gaze between the two, Roen quickly entered the reception room and bowed.umvg
yx9Rfud“I committed a great discourtesy, Sir Melverot.”p9lgd0
rCB28When Roen greeted him, the man called Lord Melverot waved his hand as if to say it was nothing.Ptum
wuD2NThough he claimed to be an old man, his appearance was that of a fairly young man.ndLmn
sougkHZ***YaO
ptn7l“As you might have guessed, the reason I personally brought the imperial message here… is because I wanted to see you in person.”Tgap
taA“…It’s a great honor.”LSvur
XY5“They say you’re the most renowned magic instructor in the southwest of the continent. Duplain, Beltus, and Belmierd are desperate to hire you… Now that I’ve spoken with you, I understand why. You’re different from those so-called magic masters who only play with books.”enBoK
l1Z4DdLord Melverot, the greatest mage of the northern continent, had spent his entire life on the battlefield.mmd
JsQ9JHe deeply despised armchair academics who saw teaching merely as the transmission of knowledge.YhtUTd
sB2In fact, this silver-haired man always wore shining silver armor, and from his boots to his bracers, everything was perfectly maintained.UTcJ
6DySHe was always ready to jump into battle at any moment. From his perspective, Dereck, who had also lived very close to combat as a mercenary, seemed like a truly valuable talent.SEOYU6
MErIf it were about teaching swordsmanship or instilling courage, many warriors could do that. But to train a truly practical mage… that was another story.ATA
883hHowever, it was rare to find someone who possessed the kind of strength Lord Melverot valued while also teaching the ancient art of magic.umnPF
1DBa“Have you heard much about my daughter, Siern?”c31S92H
w13ATO“I’ve heard she’s a strong and worthy person.”Wmla10
nuE“That’s nothing but a façade. Surely you’ve also heard rumors that she’s a lunatic who kills people without reason.”1XnM
chjuv“…”rimMw
UGefIt was a difficult question to answer. Dereck’s silence drew a disappointed chuckle from Sir Melverot.Da5X4
boQ“If those rumors were true, would you refuse my proposal?”yubLEb
MUbY0v“One thing is clear—I have no right to refuse.”DUs6SLT
71nqJb“That may be true. But I’m not a foolish ruler who entrusts tasks to someone without will. I just want to hear your honest opinion, from your own perspective.”De1Ne
q0GDereck could tell. If he showed the slightest hesitation or shook his head, Lord Melverot wouldn’t bother taking him along.3T5
gYrgqclHe might seem like a whimsical man who acted on impulse, but that was just a mask to intimidate his counterpart.7ypU
ciIBn2He pretended to be unpredictable while internally evaluating every gain and loss. That kind of person was truly dangerous.Gco
kbufzV‘His way of speaking is strange.’IOZ3j
07JDereck noticed a peculiar nuance in his words.qXKbA
6aUHnTa— If the rumors are true, would you refuse the proposal?vya
xCBWwZThere was something implied in that phrase. As if he were assuming his daughter wasn’t a lunatic.kPWZw
n0ojBut if that were really the case, he could have just said so directly. It was up to Dereck to decide whether to believe him or not.5SpIkkD
NE5z6Tn“My daughter Siern is so violent and aggressive it’s a pity given how beautiful she is. She’s probably more brutal than you imagine. As her father, I’m ashamed I didn’t correct her earlier.”beJI
RYkmM“Do children always grow the way their parents wish? You shouldn’t blame yourself.”EvLVzL
E9mE“From your expression, it seems you’re quite willing to accept the proposal.”1VeJ3u1
3bgtK“As I said, how could I refuse? However, I’ve yet to hear what your terms actually are, Lord Melverot.”OqO
tD3“Do you think I don’t know what someone like you wants?”PoF1A
dOSLord Melverot burst into laughter and rested his chin on his hand.db20Hl
nC686V“I’ve already assessed you. A mage born a commoner who aspires to a high position will always face a lot of resistance. It’s not hard to guess why someone of your level would bother instructing noble ladies.”pfTymJY
aydpxm“…”PF74n
bky“You want to gain a few allies, at least, in this cold world of nobility?”7ov8Y1
BohN1XiLord Melverot lowered his gaze and scanned Dereck from head to toe before continuing.dMeQr
hV5SF“Everyone at the top of the magical world has their flaws. Old Drest is obsessed with wandering and doesn’t care about the world. Kohella, the lunatic, is beyond description. And me, well… I’m not exactly normal either.”4y4
zfwVuLord Melverot didn’t even bother to mention the other 6-star mage, Pine. Her existence was an absolute secret, known only to a few.HJw
8zXwBkE“Connecting with all those noble families might be a decent strategy, but… wouldn’t it be more advantageous to associate with someone at the top?”0xV5
vtu“Undoubtedly, it’s a wise suggestion.”zjQfpy
DVxhD“But your expression says otherwise. Speak honestly. I value honesty more than anything else.”krADg
iVZAAkDereck hesitated for a moment. Being someone as well-known as Lord Melverot, Dereck knew him well. In fact, he knew that he preferred people who were direct with their opinions.V0xaj
WeGpulHe held his breath, then spoke as if exhaling it in a sigh.aqFz6
zOWK“The promise of a powerful person almost never holds value. Breaking it depends solely on that person’s will.”0VKXG
YBrkoBv“That makes sense. But do you think I’d get rid of the instructor who’s taking care of my daughter so easily?”Hpi
lKYlA0WLord Melverot leaned forward and said:Axjb6v
f8kOJ“If you’re truly capable of controlling my daughter, I wouldn’t be able to touch you at will either.”5fjYI
THIPY“…That means depending on the situation…”aMXA7
wTwoX“That you take my daughter as a hostage. Why? Is that suggestion too cruel?”peyU7
I5jtFkFWhen Dereck looked at him in silence, Lord Melverot laughed again.jZV7
EIA“You can always sugarcoat words. If you truly connect with my daughter and become her real instructor, how could I treat you lightly? But even if I say it softly, the meaning doesn’t change, right?”hItf
UrR22p“…”RqFrox
B4L“My daughter Siern needs to learn social skills. And of course, magic too.”k2gDLX2
FgyG8hIt was hard to tell if he was benevolent or ruthless. He was a man of dual nature. Even setting aside his true intentions, what was clear was his current situation.3be
Pms7If the rumors about Lady Siern were true, countless servants and escorts would already be dead. And that wasn’t something that could be made public.Wkz
X3dK7She was different from the slightly arrogant Diella. She was a true maniac who saw no value in human life.Prbv
cjd0Vp8“…”jaWxHL
MIUYMany had tried to dissuade Dereck. But he thought with his head lowered.rohg7
ItBZRisk and reward often go hand in hand.jNHY
aOh9G0And if the client was none other than Lord Melverot, he would never be completely left in the dark.n55jEM
RBM3“Is it alright if I ask for a lot of money? Or perhaps magical items?”M0e
rMfFhdB“The amount you’re imagining is obvious. Such a trivial question doesn’t even deserve an answer.”aUNw0mi
5TVY0“Thank you.”eOc
28IT“There’s no need for such formality. But I do have a couple of requests.”v4kJOA
S0eILord Melverot spoke in a tone that showed he didn’t have high expectations.lzKJU
xWmKbI1“Even if we set aside magic and social skills, she needs to be taught lady’s etiquette. In the end, Siern will have to debut in society.”cjiWE
OkY“I know a fair amount about lady’s etiquette, but I’m not qualified to teach it.”WVMI
1vW“Yes, I know. Ideally, we’d find a tutor of noble lineage, but as you know, it’s not easy to find someone among the nobility who can handle Siern.”phw0r
r8gocIt was hard to imagine how insane she had to be for that to be a problem, but for now, Dereck simply nodded. He wasn’t someone who showed many emotions in situations like this.Qz50o8
WGg1“There are no nobles in the north willing to take on something like this. That’s why I thought of looking in the southwest, but I’ve spent my whole life in the north, so I’m not familiar with the people there.”uVWvu
R6z“Ah, I see?”ph0ZJoc
Sqxrq“If you, who have connections among the nobles of the southwest, could find a suitable candidate, that would be great. I don’t have high hopes, but if you know someone, recommend them.”Ywn
fa9X7“Hmm… I’m not sure…”V0MnR
gwAThe rumors about Lady Siern seemed to be well known even among the noble circles of Ebelstein.Jg1mCc
9JNT5Teaching etiquette to a deranged killer… there was no reason for wealthy, comfortable nobles to volunteer for such a task.mzo
GOPCCThough Dereck had many noble acquaintances with whom he had good relations, he couldn’t think of any ideal candidates.nYDix
iSaDrYEven Denise would likely back off if he mentioned Siern’s name. It didn’t seem like others would react any differently.pkFR
5n18MJust as Lord Melverot was lowering his gaze in disappointment at Dereck’s lukewarm reaction—hC7sUhz
aWJ“Hmm… There might be someone.”FZxu
3lUiLord Melverot’s eyes narrowed at Dereck’s words.yRTO
PRyI***0WJ
KeSL“I believe we can offer up to 400 Rotay gold coins from the North as a salary.”CzRz9
eO9o“I’ll do it, I’ll absolutely do it! Let me do it! I really want to do it! Really!! I really want to…!!!”6Zx
RGLZThe next morning, when Dereck arrived early at the Duplain mansion riding his horse, Aiselin was spreading fertilizer behind the half-ruined estate.c52
UNeyzSyWith her sleeves rolled up, she gazed in ecstasy at the growth of the plants. She looked like a genuine peasant.01aX5w
SMbRThe sun hadn’t even risen yet, and her diligence was so impressive it was almost unsettling.KHcRJR
2GV“Um… Have you heard the rumors about Lady Siern?”98k
zfizB“Of course! But the Duplain family isn’t in a position to be picky right now…!”egNio
IB66Lwa“…”Iiss
Hgu“Money…! We need money…! Money!! And cash!!!!! Cash we can use right now…!!!”uPZXU
DIjeieAiselin’s eyes already seemed to be spinning in the shiny shape of gold coins.qAwVd3k
bfTFuGAShe was the most noble and renowned lady in the southwest of the continent… but also the poorest.7mds
TX3VfAnyone who saw such an ironic scene would have been moved to tears.r2qQJBz
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