Noble Lady Reformation Guide — Chapter 81: People (8)

Chapter 81: People (8)

The‍⁠ instinct of a monster lies in‌‌‍ killing people.

It‍ does not seek⁠⁠ a reason to‍ do so. Just⁠ as humans crave⁠‍ honor or success‌‌‍ without a concrete⁠ reason, monsters simply‍ kill.

Siern‍⁠ understood this truth‌ better than anyone.‍‌

At some point, she‍ realized that if‌⁠ she let go‌ of the thread‌⁠ of reason, she⁠‍ would kill people.‍‌ And when she⁠⁠ noticed that everyone‌ who looked at‍‌ her treated her‍‌⁠ like a monster,⁠‌‌ she had already⁠ given up her⁠‍ life as a human.

Feeling‍ disgust for the‍‍‌ detestable blood of‌ a monster, lamenting‍‍ a life destined⁠‌ to vanish in⁠‍ vain… those kinds‍ of superficial emotions⁠ had long since⁠ disappeared.

If⁠⁠ she had managed‍⁠ to control that‌ instinct at least‌⁠ once, maybe she‍‌‌ would have glimpsed‍ a sliver of‍ hope.

However,‌ there is no⁠‌⁠ one who risks‍‌ their life for⁠‌⁠ someone who might‍‍⁠ not even be⁠ controllable. Someone like‍ Siern is extremely rare in this‍ world.

Even‌ her own family looked away, not to mention the‍ aristocratic magic tutors‍ who valued their‍ own safety.

The‌ abandonment by countless‍ masters only emphasized⁠ Siern’s imperfection.

There‍ was no one⁠⁠‍ left willing to‍‌ risk their life‌‌ to correct her.

In‌ that case, the‍ only thing that⁠ remained was a long fall into‍ darkness.

To‍⁠ sink slowly, slowly,⁠‍ as if falling into the depths‌‍⁠ of the ocean,⁠⁠ and when not‍‍ even her own‍ father could control⁠ her, to end‍⁠⁠ her life in⁠⁠ silence.

Until‍ then, she would‌ be nothing more‌ than a life‌‍ passing through the‌‍ world for a time.

If‍ in that process⁠‍ she managed to‍‍⁠ kill even one‍ less person, that‍⁠ would already be fortunate. To those‌‌ who trembled in fear and treated‌⁠⁠ her like a monster, she would⁠ say:

“I am not human,⁠⁠‍ I am a monster. So do⁠⁠‍ not come near‌‌ me.”

The⁠ only fortunate thing‍⁠ was that the‍ blood of a monster did not‌‍ always hinder her.⁠⁠

Sometimes,‍ it seemed that‍ there were people⁠ in this world‍ who truly deserved to die.

Many⁠ were born human,⁠ but harmed others,‌‌ exploited the poor,‌ violated women, and‍‍⁠ ruined other lives⁠ out of selfish‍ desire.

Every⁠⁠ time Siern saw‍ such people, she‌‍ could not help‍⁠ but think. Even‍ if they are‍ called humans, many‍ do not seem⁠⁠ like it.

Perhaps it would be better to kill⁠ them without guilt.⁠‌

She⁠‌⁠ referred to people‌ like Dereck, who‍‌ stood right in‌‍ front of her.‌

Boom!‌

The‍ outer wall of‌⁠ Rochester mansion collapsed,‍⁠ and Dereck’s figure⁠‍ emerged from the‍‍ falling dust.

A beast ran toward⁠‍ Dereck, casting magic‍ indiscriminately with the intent to kill.‌‍‌

The⁠ beast, dressed in an elegant gown,‌ followed him inside‍ the mansion and‌‌ began to unleash⁠‍ all sorts of‌⁠‍ elemental magic.

‘This‍ isn’t good.’

While⁠‍ dodging Siern’s uncontrolled‍‍‌ spells and widening‌ the distance, Dereck⁠‍ found himself inside⁠‍ the mansion again.‍⁠‌

He‍‍‍ had planned to‍ end everything in‍ the snowy field,‌⁠‌ but had no‍ choice but to‌ frown.

Thud.⁠‍

Grrrr…‍‍

Siern‌ stood atop the rubble of the‍ collapsed wall, bathed⁠‌‍ in the moonlight.‌ At that point,‍‍ it was difficult‌ to call her‍ human by any‌‌ standard.

Chilling⁠ magic floated around‌‍ her in the‌‍⁠ form of blades, and her eyes,⁠ filled with murderous⁠ intent, no longer‌‍‌ held the light‌ of reason.

“Ahhh!‍⁠ Lady Siern is‍ out of control!”‍‍

“Call⁠ the head of the family! Quickly!⁠‌ We can’t stop⁠ her!”

“Save⁠‍ me… please, save‍⁠ me…!”

How⁠⁠ many times had‍ they seen Siern‍ like this? The‌ servants working in‌ the garden began‍‌ to run for⁠‍⁠ their lives.

Dereck,‍⁠⁠ brushing off a scratch on his⁠⁠‌ shoulder, looked up⁠‍⁠ at Siern, soaked‍ in monster blood,⁠ and thought.

‘This‌ feels more like‍ facing a tribe⁠ of monsters in‍‌ a high-level labyrinth⁠‍ than a human.⁠‍ Monster tribes that⁠ use magic were‌ already troublesome… but‍‍ this is even‍‍ worse.’

There⁠ are monsters like‍ banshees, liches, or⁠ reapers, specialized in‍‍ deadly magic or⁠ forbidden arts.

They’re‍‍⁠ not common, of course, but Siern⁠ seemed even more troublesome than them.‌

And⁠‍ above all, he‌ couldn’t kill her.‌⁠ He also couldn’t⁠‌ hurt her too‍⁠ much. But if⁠‍ he fought her half-heartedly, she would⁠‌ decapitate him in⁠ an instant.

Few‌ people could walk‌‌ that tightrope against⁠⁠ a mage who⁠‌ wielded 3-star level⁠ magic so freely.⁠‌

He had to risk‌ his life. Teaching Siern meant just⁠⁠‍ that. Dereck ran⁠‌‍ a hand down‍ his face and⁠ took a deep⁠⁠ breath.

Whoosh!‌

Bang!‍‍

Siern’s⁠‍ movements, charging through‌⁠ the wall and‍⁠ into the garden,⁠ felt like the‍ wind.

Even⁠ when in her‌ right mind, her⁠‌‍ movements were hard‌ to follow with‍ the eyes.

Now,⁠⁠ without reason, it‍⁠ was practically impossible‌ without a level⁠ of perception close⁠⁠‌ to clairvoyance.

Dereck‍ calmly sensed the‍ flow of magic‌‌ and intercepted all⁠‌ of Siern’s “Fire‌ Arrows,” a 1-star spell.

Thud!‌‌‍ Crash!

He‌‍ spun his staff‍‍‍ with agility and‍⁠ deflected the claws⁠‌‌ that lunged straight‌‌ at his face.‍⁠

Clang!‍

Siern⁠‍ destroyed Dereck’s sword‍‍‍ with her bare‌ hands using transformation‍ magic, but his‍‍ staff, reinforced with‍ 4-star level magic,‍ couldn’t be broken⁠ so easily.

As‍ much of a genius as she‌‌‌ was, at her‍‍‌ age Siern still‍‌ couldn’t touch the‍ level of 4-star‌‍ magic.

Dereck‍‌ deflected her fingers‍ and raised a foot to kick her away.

Fwoosh!‍

Siern rolled across the‌‍ garden and flew⁠⁠ into the flowerbed.‍‌

The‍ servants hidden in⁠ the building swallowed hard at the‌ sight of Dereck‍ kicking a noblewoman⁠ of the Rochester‌⁠ family without hesitation.‌

Touching‌‍‌ the body of a noble lady⁠ was, from a commoner’s perspective, like‍‌ sticking an arm‌⁠‍ into lava. An‌ act close to‌ suicide.

But‍‌ Dereck didn’t care.⁠‌ He was already used to wielding⁠ the “rod of love” as a magical instrument.

The‌‌ steward Layton felt‌ a chill upon‌‍ seeing Dereck’s expression⁠‌ among the building’s‌⁠ rubble.

His‍‍ face was truly‌ serene, and his‌ movements showed no‌‍ emotion. He was so calm that⁠⁠ one wondered if⁠ he was even⁠ human.

“Get⁠‌ up.”

Ordered⁠‍ Dereck, waving his‌‌‍ staff in front‌‌ of the dust-covered‍ flowerbed.

“Aren’t‍ you going to‍ kill me?”

Silence.‌‍

There‌‍ was no sign‌‍‍ of life from the chaotic planter.‍⁠

“Do‌⁠ you think I’ll⁠ die from this?”⁠

Dereck spoke in a powerful, crushing voice. It was also a provocation.

Even if he did⁠‍ nothing more, Siern⁠ had already lost‍‌‌ her reason. But‍‍ Dereck’s actions seemed‍ to push her⁠‌ emotions even further⁠‍ to the edge.⁠

Dereck‍ knew it.

Demons‍ seemed to have⁠ killing humans engraved⁠ as an instinct.‌ But, as Aiselin had said, not⁠⁠ all beings in⁠ the world live⁠⁠‍ only by instinct.‍‌

Just as humans suppress⁠‌⁠ hunger, sleep, and‌⁠⁠ desire, just as they lie in‌ the face of⁠‍ injustice or act‍ against their conscience‍⁠‍ out of ambition.

There have always been‌‍ those who rebel‍ against their impulses.‍‍⁠ And that was‍‍ no different for beasts or demons.⁠

Many⁠‍ demons tried to‌ kill Dereck. But⁠ when faced with‍⁠⁠ overwhelming power, many ended up giving up their murderous instinct to survive.‌⁠

Feeling‌‍ fear is not⁠ enough.

In the midst of‌ blind fury, when⁠‍⁠ only impulses remain,‍‍ one must regain⁠‌ reason to say that they have‍‍ overcome that murderous⁠ instinct that runs‌ through their blood.‍⁠

The⁠ killer instinct arrives‌ without warning, like a wave. Thinking⁠ that one can‌‍ control the waves‌ just by having‍‌ defeated some small‍ ones is a mistake.

Only‍ by overcoming the‌ biggest wave that⁠‍ strikes the heart‍ does that effort‌ gain meaning.

That’s‍‍ why Dereck pushed‍ Siern to the⁠ extreme of extremes.⁠ He pushed her‌‍ to the limit,‌‌ inciting her to‌⁠⁠ kill him at‌‌ all costs.

He‌ wanted her whole‌‍⁠ mind to be⁠‍ filled with the‌‍ intent to murder‌‌ him. And only when she managed⁠ to overcome that⁠⁠ impulse would Siern,‍⁠ for the first time, have a successful experience of conquering her instincts.⁠‌

The‍‍‍ first time is‌ crucial. That one‍‌‌ moment would completely‍ change her life.⁠‍⁠

Thud!‌

Clang!‍

A beast shot out‌ from the dust.⁠ It lunged at‍ Dereck with incredible‍‍ speed, brandishing its⁠⁠‍ claws.

The‍‌ claws were blocked,‍⁠ but it wasn’t‌‌ easy to stop the numerous magical‍⁠‍ blades flying toward‌ his back.

Fwoosh!‌

A girl equivalent to‌‍ a 3-star mage⁠ was charging with the sole intent to kill.

Dereck deflected most of⁠‍⁠ the magical blades,‍⁠ but some lodged‌‌ into his shoulder‍‌⁠ and collarbone, leaving‍⁠‌ wounds.

Blood⁠ ran down his‌⁠ arm, but his‌ expression didn’t change.⁠

Whirl!⁠‍‍

Dereck‌‍ swiftly drew back‍‍‍ his staff.

As⁠‌‌ Siern, her center‍‍ of gravity off‍‌ balance, staggered forward,⁠ he twisted her‍‍ wrist and slammed her to the‍⁠ ground.

Fwoosh!‍

And‌ as he stabbed⁠‍ a magical arrow⁠⁠ into that spot,⁠ Siern instinctively cast⁠ a protective spell‌ to block it.‌

She‌ reached out to slash Dereck’s leg,⁠ even managing to‌⁠ scratch his ankle.

Blood‍ splattered, but Dereck,‌‍⁠ unfazed, flung her⁠⁠ away with magic.⁠

Boom!‌

Close‌ combat, ranged magic‌‍ duels, psychological warfare,‍ speed battle, power⁠‌ clash—Siern didn’t surpass⁠ Dereck in any‍ of them.

As‍ they fought and⁠ clashed, the wounds⁠ on Dereck’s body⁠ increased, but Siern‌ also began to‌‌ pant, as if‍‍ she were running‍‌ out of energy.‍‍‌

If‌‍ she were going to hit her‍⁠ limit, she should’ve‍⁠ done so by⁠‍ now.

The‌ level of magic⁠⁠ Siern used was‍ such that even experienced mages had‌‌⁠ to focus to⁠⁠⁠ cast it.

Casting‍⁠ it indiscriminately would‌ only accelerate fatigue.⁠⁠‍ But Siern, having⁠‌ lost reason, wasn’t thinking about stamina.‌⁠

Thud!‍

Thus,‍ Dereck, already bleeding‌⁠ heavily, grabbed her⁠‍ by the neck.⁠⁠ She tried to⁠⁠ push him away‌‌‍ quickly, but her⁠ arms had no‌‍‍ strength. She growled‍ as she tried‍ to tear off his arm.

Even⁠‌ as her flesh‍ tore and blood⁠‍‍ dripped, his grip‌‍ didn’t loosen. The‍‍ difference in physical⁠ strength was massive.‌ A sturdy man‍ who had trained⁠ all his life‍⁠ versus a frail⁠‍ girl relying on transformation magic.

Dereck’s⁠⁠ forearm, bulging with‍‌ veins, remained firm like a mountain,‌ no matter how‍ much she struggled.

“Kaaargh!”⁠⁠⁠

“…”

Siern⁠⁠ screamed and glared‍⁠ at him with⁠‍‍ rage. The coldness‍‌‌ in her red‌⁠ eyes remained unchanged.‍

At‌ that moment, realizing‍‌ she couldn’t escape‌ with brute force,⁠‍⁠ she decided to⁠‍ cast more magic.‌⁠

Even‍ though she had‍⁠‌ already drained nearly‍‍ all her mana, strangely, the more she drew out,‌‌ the more it seemed to surge.⁠

Whooosh!⁠‌⁠

With‌ the resolve to‌‌ launch a final‍ strike, she extracted‍⁠ all her magic‍⁠‍ from head to‍ toe.

At⁠⁠ last, Siern activated‍‍ 3-star combat magic:‌ “Freezing.”

Crackle!‌‍⁠

Crunch!⁠⁠

***⁠‍

Whiiish!⁠ Crunch!

The‍ third-level spell “Freezing”⁠⁠ was a magic‌⁠‌ that froze everything‍⁠‌ around the caster⁠⁠ and immobilized it.⁠‍

Everything within a ten-meter⁠ radius around her was completely frozen,⁠‌ halting any approaching‌⁠ target. It was‍ a decisive spell⁠‍⁠ for close combat‍ at the third‌ level.

It‍‍ didn’t just freeze⁠ people, but also⁠‍ the ground, buildings,‍⁠‌ even the leaves⁠‍‌ of plants, stopping‍ all movement. It‌‌ was as if‍‍‌ time itself had stopped.

The⁠‍‍ spell demanded meticulous⁠ control and was‍⁠‍ on such a scale that even advanced mages rarely‍ used it.

Driven to her absolute‍ limit, Siern managed‍ to cast it.⁠ No matter how⁠ strong Dereck was,⁠‌ he couldn’t have‍ anticipated that.

Whooosh!‌⁠

When the aftermath of the magic dissipated,‌⁠ a world covered‌ in ice was⁠ revealed.

The‌⁠ garden gazebo, the‌ tree leaves—everything was frozen, and yet‌⁠ Dereck’s arm still‍⁠ firmly gripped Siern’s‌‌‍ neck.

“…!”‌‌

Siern’s‌ eyes widened, startled‍⁠ as she sensed‍ the magic momentarily⁠ exhausted.

In‍‍ that instant, Dereck‍⁠ had discerned the⁠ kind of magic‍‍⁠ Siern was about⁠ to cast and⁠ fired a fire arrow at himself.‌‍

His body was covered‌‍ in cuts and‌ burns. Yet, there‍‍ was no trace‌‌ of the ice‍ that should have‌ surrounded him.

In⁠‍ mental speed, judgment,‍‌ and reaction, Dereck⁠ far surpassed Siern.⁠⁠

This⁠ was the moment that fact became‌⁠‌ undeniable.

“Hah…⁠ hah…”

As‍⁠ Siern panted, Dereck tightened his grip‍‍‍ on the collar‍⁠ of her robe‍ and brought his‍ face close.

“Is⁠‍‍ it over?”

“…Hah… hah…”

“You⁠‌ learn magic fast.⁠ That ice spell‍ was useful. I should try it⁠ if I get‍ the chance.”

“…You…⁠‍ hah…”

“Looks‌ like you can’t use magic anymore.”‍

Dereck‌‌ was skilled not⁠ only in swordsmanship⁠ but also in⁠‌ hand-to-hand combat. In⁠‍ fact, even without⁠⁠⁠ those skills, no⁠ one could beat‍‌ him in a simple test of‍⁠ strength.

If‌‍ she had no‍⁠ mana left, there was no way‌‍ to kill Dereck.‌

No‍ matter how much‌⁠ of a beast‍ she was, driven by a killer‍ instinct, she wouldn’t⁠‍ throw herself into⁠‌ certain death.

Charging‌ Dereck at that‍ moment was no⁠ different from jumping‌‍ off a cliff.⁠

And‌ not even a creature out of‌ its mind would⁠ jump off a cliff.

“Hah… hah… hah…”

Siern,‌‍‌ panting hard, silently⁠ looked at the‍ bleeding Dereck. Despite⁠‍ all the magic⁠ she had thrown‍ at him, the‍ man still stood,⁠ like an immovable‍⁠ wall.

Little‍ by little… the light of reason⁠⁠‌ returned to Siern’s‌‍ eyes.

“…Yeah…”‌‍

“…”‍

“I⁠‌ can’t kill you…”

Flash!‌

Crash!⁠

When‍ Dereck let her⁠‍ go, Siern’s body⁠ flopped pathetically onto⁠ the snow.

Among‍ the gently falling‍ snow, the battered‌⁠ Siern clenched her‍‍‌ teeth and spoke.‌‍‍

“…Yeah.‌‌⁠ I’m relieved I couldn’t do it‌‌⁠ even after giving⁠⁠⁠ it my all…”⁠

“…”‌

“Kill‌ me. Dying this‍ pathetically is the‌‌ most fitting end for me. Without‌ achieving anything, simply…⁠⁠ simply living and‌ dying as a monster was the life given to‌⁠‍ me from the start.”

Siern⁠‌ lowered her head,‍ tears streaming down her face.

Her dress was covered‍⁠ in dust. Rolling‌‍ around the snowy‌‌ ground in that⁠ disheveled state seemed‌‌⁠ most fitting for⁠⁠ her.

“You’re right. Even if⁠⁠‍ I stay alive⁠ like this, I’ll‍‌‌ only turn my⁠‌‍ killer instinct toward‌⁠‌ someone else again.‌‌ I always knew‍ a day like⁠ this would come.”‍

Siern‍⁠ clenched her teeth,⁠⁠‍ letting her tears‌ fall freely, and‍ shouted at Dereck.‌

“Kill me!”

Siern,‍‍ who no longer had the strength‌ to resist, spoke.‍

Dereck, silently observing her⁠ from above, had⁠ a cold glint⁠‌ in his eyes.⁠‌

Moments‌‌‍ later, Dereck reached⁠⁠ into his pocket⁠ and pulled out⁠ a small glass⁠ bottle.

He‌ tossed it in‌ front of Siern,‍⁠ who was sitting‌‌ on the snow.‌‍

With‍ a sharp thud,‌ the glass bottle⁠ embedded itself right‌ in front of‍‌ Siern’s eyes.

The‌‌ bottle, which contained⁠ a bluish liquid, had an old-fashioned‍ design.

“It’s‌‍‌ a medicine made‌ from the Floren‌⁠‍ plant. Drink it.”

“…Ha…”‌‌

Siern‍ let out a hollow laugh.

She‍‌ had already heard⁠ from Aiselin that‍‍‍ Dereck intended to⁠⁠‌ kill her using‍⁠‌ poison.

In‍ the end, this⁠⁠ cruel man wanted‍ Siern to end⁠ her own life with her own‌ hands. Maybe that‌ was the kind‌⁠ of punishment he⁠ had in mind.‍

Feeling deep misery, Siern‌ finally accepted reality⁠ and took the‌ bottle.

However, she wanted to‌⁠ say a few⁠‍⁠ words before leaving.⁠

“Tell‍ Father… that he‍ tried very hard‌‍‌ to embrace and‌ take responsibility for‍ a daughter like⁠‍⁠ me. At least‍‍ I… didn’t resent⁠ him… for trying‍ to love a monster like me‍⁠‌ until the end…‍ thank him for‍ that…”

“…Understood.”⁠‍‌

“Yes.⁠ That’s enough.”

Saying‍⁠‍ that, Siern, holding‌‌ back her tears,‌ drank the medicine‌⁠⁠ Dereck gave her.‍‍‍

Thud.‍

She⁠ dropped the empty‌ bottle to the‍‌⁠ ground and sat back down. Gently‌ closing her eyes,‍ she remembered the‍ first time she‌ committed a massacre.⁠

The‌ first to find⁠⁠‍ Siern among the⁠‌‌ corpses of wolves‌‌ was Lord Melverot.

He approached with steady‌ steps, grabbed her⁠ arm firmly, and⁠⁠ took her back⁠ to the mansion‍‌ without saying a word.

She‍ never knew what‍ expression he had‌‌ or what he‌ was feeling. Even‍⁠ so, Siern’s killer⁠ instinct never turned toward her father.⁠‍‍ Perhaps that was‍ the last line‍‍ she managed to‌ maintain.

A father with a killer daughter. Maybe‌⁠ he resented her.‍ Still, she was‍‌‍ loved by her‍‌⁠ father. She wanted‍ to leave this world believing that.‍‍⁠

Regardless‍‍ of the truth,‌ dying with that‍⁠ thought was the‍ happiest death Siern‌ could afford.

And‌‍⁠ so, Siern softly‌‍ closed her eyes.‍⁠

A life full of‍ suffering. But a life where she⁠ could never pretend⁠‍⁠ to be the⁠‌‍ victim anywhere.

Living‌‌‍ as a monster,‍ dying as a monster. If she‍‌ were born again,‌ she’d only want‌‌ to be human.‌⁠

With⁠‌ that monologue… she‌ slowly closed her‍ eyes.

And‌ left her body⁠ in the hands‌⁠ of the cold‍‍‌ wind sweeping over‍ the frozen land.‌

It‌ was the end‍‌ of her life.⁠

***‌

“…”‍

However,⁠ life didn’t end.

When Siern slowly opened‌‌ her eyes, she⁠ thought she’d vomit‍⁠ blood and collapse⁠‍ from the effect‍ of the deadly‍‍‌ poison.

But‍ instead of poison⁠‍ flowing through her body, a warm⁠‍ energy began to‌‍‍ circulate, and soon‍‌ a small amount‍‌⁠ of mana began⁠‌ to return.

Thanks‍⁠ to the transformation‍‍ magic enveloping her body, she could‍ withstand the hostile‌‌ climate a little⁠ longer.

“What…‌ is this…?”

“The‌⁠‌ Flonen herb temporarily‌‍ amplifies mana recovery.‌‌⁠ Its effect is‌ minimal, but it⁠ should be enough‌ to withstand the‍⁠ cold.”

“W-what…?‌ Wasn’t it… poison?”⁠‌‍

“If‍ there existed a poison capable of‌‍ killing a monster‌ so easily, would there be a need for so‌‌ many mercenaries to‍‌⁠ die subjugating labyrinths?”⁠‌

“Then,‍ this is…”

Siern‍⁠⁠ looked up at‌‍ Dereck with a bewildered expression. Dereck‌ put away his‌‌ staff, treated his⁠⁠‌ wounds, and maintained‌‌ a nonchalant expression.⁠‍

As‍ he approached Siern,‌ who was still‍⁠ dazed, he whispered‍⁠‌ quietly.

“Even⁠ though you reached‍‍⁠ the ultimate limit…⁠ in the end,‌‍ you regained your⁠‌ reason.”

“W-what…?”‍‌‍

“Well‌⁠⁠ done.”

At⁠‌ those words, Siern’s‌ mouth fell open.‌⁠ In fact, even‍ though she was‍‍‍ consumed by instinct‍ to that point, it was the‍ first time she⁠ hadn’t killed anyone.⁠

It‌⁠ was more because‍⁠‌ Dereck stood firm⁠ like a mountain⁠ than by Siern’s‌‌ own will.

Even‍⁠ so, for the‌‍ first time, she‍‌‌ regained reason at the edge of her killer instinct.‍ That was an⁠‍ undeniable fact.

“Remember⁠‍‌ that feeling.”

Blood‍⁠ dripped from several⁠ parts of Dereck’s body. All were‍‌ marks from his‌ battle against Siern.‌‍‌

But‍ the young man‌ didn’t seem to⁠ care about those⁠ wounds, and he‍⁠ casually removed his⁠ cloak, roughly draping it over Siern’s head.

“That’s‍‌ enough for today.”⁠‍

“….”‌

“It’s cold, so go‌ inside.”

Saying‍⁠ that, Dereck turned‍‌‌ quietly and walked‍ away, stepping firmly‍‌‌ through the snow.‍⁠‌

Siern‌ could only watch⁠ in silence, eyes‍ wide. His figure,‍ vanishing into the blizzard, seemed like‌ an illusion.

Dereck‌ was also in⁠ a pitiful state,‍ yet he fulfilled⁠ his duty without⁠‍ a single complaint.‌

That‍‌ was the kind‌‍‌ of man Dereck‍‍ was.

***‍

Thud, thud.

“Ugh…⁠⁠ huff…”

Siern‍‌⁠ groaned as she‌⁠⁠ barely managed to climb the spiral⁠ staircase, leaning against⁠⁠ the tower wall.‍

Her‍⁠ hair, once like‌‌‌ white silk, was⁠⁠⁠ completely disheveled, and‍ her elegant, expensive‍ dress was torn‌ and in tatters.⁠

In‍ that state, it⁠ would have been‌‍ natural for the‌ servants to rush‍‍‍ to help her,‌‍ but none dared‍ to approach.

Unless‌ they were absolutely‌⁠ sure that Siern‌ had fully regained‌ her sanity, no‌⁠ one would go‌ near her.

Thus,‍⁠ despite her noble‌ status as a lady of the‍ Rochester family, the⁠‌ young woman had to drag herself‌‍ to her room alone.

In‌‍ the cold and‍‌ solitude, the girl‍ thought.

‘What‍‌ the hell… is that man trying⁠⁠ to teach me…?⁠⁠ That feeling of‍ regaining my senses…?’

Although‌ he could have‍⁠ killed her at‍⁠⁠ that very moment,⁠ the man walked‍ away coldly as⁠⁠ if the previous⁠ battles meant nothing.‌

His‌ actions, as if⁠‍ he had fulfilled‌ his mission and⁠ felt relieved, even‍ left an unsettling‍ impression.

‘Was‌⁠ it all an‍⁠⁠ act…? To push‍‍ me to the‌ limit… and make⁠‌ me overcome my⁠‍ instincts just once…?’‍‌

She‌‍ had heard he‍‍‌ was a renowned‍⁠‌ magic teacher. In‌ fact, his skill⁠‌ in handling Siern’s⁠‍⁠ attacks, even when⁠ she had lost⁠‍ her mind and‍ charged at him,‌‌ was extraordinary.

Unlike her previous teachers,‍‌ who were more academic, he was someone entirely practical.⁠⁠

If⁠‌ all his actions‍‌⁠ were solely to correct her… If‌‌ he fought, risking‍‌⁠ his life to⁠‌ help Siern—who had⁠‍ lived as a monster to everyone—recover⁠ a bit of humanity.

Siern‍‍‍ didn’t know how‌‌ to organize her‍⁠ thoughts.

If⁠⁠‍ that were true,‍ it meant that‍ from beginning to‍⁠ end, Dereck had‌ guided her solely‌‌‍ as a teacher.‌

Thud,‍⁠ thud.

As‍ she climbed each⁠⁠ step with difficulty,‍⁠⁠ Siern muttered through‍⁠ clenched teeth.

“Even‍⁠ so… even so…‍‍ that doesn’t justify‍ what he did…!”

Gritting⁠ her teeth, Siern‌ spoke to herself. What came to‍‍‌ her mind was‌ the image of‍‌ a girl bleeding⁠ out on the‌ snowy field.

The⁠ image of that‍ noble young woman‌‌ who had to‌‌ lose her life‍⁠⁠ because of Dereck’s⁠ sword, simply for‍ being in his⁠ way, remained etched‌‌ in her eyes.⁠⁠⁠

She⁠ was someone of⁠‌ such integrity and conviction that she‌‍ didn’t seem to‍‌ belong beside Siern.‌

I never understood why‌ such a beautiful‌ girl, like a fairy, had to⁠ be led to⁠ death just for trying to correct‌‌ a monster like‌ me.

“…”‍

But⁠⁠‍ soon, a great‍ cold settled in⁠ her chest.

Killing⁠⁠ is wrong, life‍ is precious.

Do‍‌ I even have‌‌ the right to‌ say such things?⁠‍

She⁠‍ didn’t.

That’s⁠‌ why she couldn’t‍‌‌ blame Dereck. That‌‌⁠ fact gnawed at‌⁠‌ Siern’s heart even‌ more.

It⁠ was undeniable. Even‍ so, Aiselin’s death‌⁠‍ remained a deep‌ wound that persisted‌ in her heart.‌

Faced‌‌ with Dereck’s cruelty,‍‍‌ who killed her‌‍ mercilessly, Siern ended‌ up shaking her‌⁠ head.

Trapped⁠‍ in confused thoughts, Siern barely managed‌⁠‌ to reach the⁠ door and open‍ it.

For‌ now, she just⁠ wanted to lie down in bed.⁠

Creak‌

When‍⁠ she opened the⁠‍ door, Aiselin, who‍ was sipping tea,‌ jumped and dropped⁠‍ the cup.

“…”⁠‍

“Ah!‌ Ah! Lady Siern..!‍ A-are you okay..?⁠ You’re not badly⁠ hurt?”

“…”‍

Aiselin‌ blushed with an⁠ awkward expression and‍ fidgeted with her⁠ hands on her‌ lap.

Siern⁠‌ thought silently.

‘Now‌ I’m even seeing hallucinations. I need‍⁠⁠ to calm my‌ disturbed mind first.’⁠‌

Siern⁠‌‍ walked toward the‌‌ bed.

When⁠ she finally lay‌‍ her exhausted body‌ on the soft⁠‍‌ mattress, a warm⁠ comfort completely enveloped‍ her. It soothed⁠ the tension in her body, which‌⁠ had been on⁠‌‍ the verge of‍‌‌ death.

What‌ arose soon after⁠ was a sense‌⁠‍ of emptiness. The‌ death of a girl who truly wanted to help‍⁠⁠ her, and her‍ own powerlessness in the face of‌ it.

That miserable feeling gnawed‍‍ at her heart,‌‍ but she was⁠‍ already used to⁠‌⁠ such emotions.

Sadness,⁠⁠ grief, frustration, loneliness,‍⁠ pain.

As‍⁠ she lay there‌ with her arm‍⁠ covering her eyes,‌ her nose began‍ to burn. Even‌ if she didn’t‌‍ want to, she⁠ couldn’t help but‍⁠ sob, for her‌⁠ chest hurt.

“Uh,⁠‌ uh… Lady Siern.‍‍ Yes, that’s it…‌‌ It must have been so hard‍ for you. I should’ve given you⁠‌ time to recover…⁠ I was too‍⁠‍ thoughtless…”

Sniffle,⁠‍ sniffle

“But‌ still… maybe you’re curious about the situation or want‍‌ an explanation… Ah, no… that’s just my assumption. You⁠‌ should rest for⁠‍ now. Sorry for suddenly entering your‌ room.”

Sniffle,‌ sniffle

“I’ll⁠ leave the tea‍ here for now.‍⁠ It’s supposed to⁠ help calm you‍ down. It’s a good tea, so⁠⁠ please try it.‌‍⁠ Um… if you‌ feel better, maybe‌ later…”

Suddenly!‍

While‌ Aiselin was still‍‌‍ speaking nervously, Siern‍ suddenly sat up straight.

Aiselin jumped in surprise‍‌‌ and straightened her‍ back quickly.

“Huh…?”‌

Siern‌‍ let out a dazed sound. She‍‍‌ had already given‌‍‍ Aiselin a funeral‌‌ in her mind.⁠‍ However, Aiselin, still⁠‍‌ feeling awkward, played⁠⁠⁠ with her fingertips‌‍ and glanced sideways‍⁠ at Siern’s face.⁠

She⁠ seemed very embarrassed.‍‌‌

There’s⁠⁠ one thing you‍ must never do⁠ in front of‍‌‍ someone who’s sincerely‌‍ mourning you.

And⁠ that’s come back‍‍ to life.