Chapter 112

Chapter 112
## Chapter 112

“Stay close to Baron Ravenclaw. Since he was your instructor in the past, it won’t feel strange to you.”

Grand Duke Beltus viewed people as pieces on a chessboard.

What he loved most was the prestige of the Beltus family that he had built, and each member was nothing more than a piece in the grand puzzle.

That cold and calculating nature was also reflected in his sons and daughters, who shared his blood, and from time to time he directed a chilling gaze at Denise, as if evaluating her utility.

Denise may have had certain reservations about it, but she never rebelled vehemently. Rather, she found it convenient to efficiently demonstrate her worth and then idle about without too many complications.

‘Still…’

Denise didn’t care in the slightest what kind of plan Grand Duke Beltus was hatching using her connection with Baron Ravenclaw. She only came to present herself at the Ravenclaw Mansion as usual, following the will of her family.

However, the atmosphere at the Ravenclaw Mansion, which she was visiting after a long time, was completely different than before.

While it was understandable that Aiselin had led several construction projects, what truly made Denise’s face turn serious was the change in Ellen.

“It is high time you stopped staying at Baron Ravenclaw’s mansion. Lady Aiselin belongs to the Duplain family, and given the precarious state of your family’s prestige, is it appropriate for Lady Aiselin, who should be the central pillar, to remain away from the main house?”

When they first met in the Ebelstein social circle, they often clashed harshly, but after multiple conflicts and crises, they had become quite close. However, the relationship between Ellen and Aiselin, meeting again after a long time, was deteriorating once more.

Since Denise always had to be aware of trends in social circles, she naturally wished to understand the cause of the change between them. However, the reason was completely different from what Denise expected.

“Ttt… That… D-Diella is handling everything well… And I am supporting the family in my own way…”

Seeing Aiselin avert her gaze and stutter was something completely new.

Denise was a person with unparalleled insight. It didn’t take her long to understand why these two people, who until then had been so harmonious, were now creating such a tense atmosphere if she paid attention to their conversation.

‘Could it be that… even Lady Ellen…?’

Denise had known for a long time that Aiselin harbored certain personal feelings toward Dereck. As much as she was the flower and pillar of the Duplain family, she was still a young woman of that age, and it was natural for her heart to waver amidst so much turbulence. She considered it a passing whim, a mild storm, and simply let it go.

However, at that moment, things were starting to get serious. Ellen, as if bewitched, was also defending Dereck; she looked like the heroine of a third-rate romance novel, which made Denise dizzy.

The romance novels that Denise used to read passionately in her spare time at least showed their emotions openly, but Ellen hid her feelings in her own way, which made everything seem even more realistic. Denise’s mind, simplified into the outlines of a cheap romance novel, now drew a triangle between Aiselin, Ellen, and Dereck.

‘I don’t know if I should think this, but… the structure is interesting…!’

Unable to repress her novelist instincts, Denise felt a strange thrill welling up inside her.

In any case, Dereck was a man without any interest in women and truly obsessed with achieving magical success. The center he had built to instruct the noble ladies was probably just a means to perfect his magical skills and secure funds to maintain family prestige.

Seeing two noble ladies from the most powerful families in the southwest of the continent fighting over such a serious and stoic man gave Denise the certainty that incidents and accidents would not stop occurring. Just imagining it provided her with infinite inspiration, to the point that she couldn’t predict the impact it would have on her unfinished work, *The Arrogant Lord Robain*.

Of course, those involved were on the verge of collapse due to the tension, but what did that matter to Denise? It was “someone else’s problem.”

Thinking that, Denise’s eyes sparkled even more.

‘Yes. As long as I stick strictly to the role of observer, what could go wrong?’

With that thought in mind, Denise leaned back and observed the two of them with a satisfied expression. All sorts of ideas were already sprouting in her mind.

Of course, she couldn’t afford to completely immerse herself in those fantasies either.

“It seems my father believes that behind Baron Ravenclaw’s actions lies a great purpose…”

Leaving behind Aiselin and Ellen, who were still locked in a battle of nerves, Denise set down her teacup and immersed herself in her thoughts again.

Grand Duke Beltus was extremely cautious of the appearance of new forces or unexpected figures who could gain influence in the nobility. His vigilant attitude toward Dereck, whose influence had grown rapidly in recent times, was likely due to his exclusionary character.

Denise knew perfectly well that Dereck had little interest in worldly power, but people can change at any time. When the place you are in changes, your perspective changes too.

In any case, she felt she should closely observe the situation in the Ravenclaw Barony, so she had no choice but to stand up from her seat.

“It’s quite late. I’ll go check the training grounds and greet the other girls.”

—

Death walks.

The footsteps of Fina, the six-star necromancer, were imbued with the resentment of countless spirits.

The legendary necromancer who broke taboos and dealt with corpses and vengeful spirits could create an army of the dead with a single gesture and snatch the life of a defenseless person with just a snap of her fingers.

There was no one on the continent who knew more about necromancy than she did, and even death itself feared her and hid.

The incarnation of death arrived without haste.

*Tap, tap.*

She descended the steps of Baron Tigris’s carriage one by one and silently observed the entrance of the Ravenclaw Barony, which, although not grand, had everything necessary.

Her silver hair, with strands of purple highlights, seemed to testify to the aura of death that surrounded her. However, in appearance, she was nothing more than the simple and determined daughter of a rural baron. She looked like a beautiful country maiden who had grown up running through meadows and hills, surrounded by affection.

“This is the Ravenclaw Barony. Many high-ranking noble ladies have come, so, Miss, please maintain appropriate conduct.”

Fina smiled, slightly lifting the corners of her lips.

The coacher and the servant seemed tense, but she walked calmly, her eyes softly closed. Her demure bearing, with her hands clasped in front, did not seem out of place among the highest-ranking nobles.

Third-rate nobles, who only relied on family prestige, lacked elegance in their behavior. On the contrary, even someone from a humble barony on the outskirts could radiate an aura that commanded distance. Fina was the perfect example of this.

Her squinted eyes shone with an ancient and indescribable aura. Despite her youth and not having made her social debut yet, she already possessed an aura that made even the lower-ranking nobles of the Ebelstein social circle hesitate to address her.

She smiled kindly and spoke to the guard at the entrance of the Ravenclaw Barony in a quiet voice.

“I come from the house of Baron Tigris. My name is Fina Raffaella Tigris.”

The gatekeeper listened to her words, asked for a moment, and checked the visitor list. After confirming that her name was registered, he fixed his gaze on Fina again. For an instant, the guard holding the spear held his breath.

Compared to the guard, who was already an older man, Fina appeared to be less than half his age. She barely reached his chest, and her slender figure forced him to lean over to look her in the eye.

However, her lavender eyes possessed a captivating power. It seemed as if just by looking at them, one could lose their soul. The guard, lacking magical knowledge, did not perceive that strange aura and simply nodded in silence.

Fina had done nothing. However, her enchanting eyes, a natural gift, had the peculiar ability to captivate people’s hearts. Even those who saw her for the first time were captivated and nodded at unexpected requests.

At first, it was just a superficial recognition of her beauty, but over time, throughout months or years, they slowly fell into her nets until they were even willing to give their lives for her.

There was only one way to resist: to know the power of her enchanting eyes in advance and stay alert, or to be truly immune to that type of magic. Naturally, most people without magical training could not resist at all.

“Go ahead… please…”

Thus, the gatekeeper, in a strangely dazed state, nodded his head without even completing the usual inspection procedure. Fina bowed gracefully with an elegant smile and passed through the main entrance of the Ravenclaw Barony.

‘The facilities are rustic, but considering the era, they are better than expected.’

While crossing the garden, Fina analyzed the place to herself.

‘However, it is still simply an educational center for those who have barely awakened to magic.’

She felt a strange void as she guided her assistants with her gaze, keeping her eyes narrowed. Hiding her identity and reincarnating as the only daughter of the Tigris Barony had been a wise decision. A small rural barony, where no one paid attention, was the perfect environment to research necromancy or write books in peace.

However, as much as she desired it, a noble was still a noble, and she could not completely break her ties with social activities. In the end, unable to resist the pressure from Baron Tigris, she entered the Ravenclaw training center.

But there was no reason to stay long in an institution full of third-rate mages. She didn’t know how the educational process would unfold, but the only thing she thought about was finishing it as soon as possible and leaving.

Wasting time in a barony surrounded by vineyards was not attractive to her. She had a wish to fulfill. That Ravenclaw Barony was too small to house a six-star necromancer. No one could deny it.

Therefore, Fina walked calmly toward the main building of the barony, slightly lifting the hem of her dress adorned with white and lavender lace. She thought she should personally meet the owner of that mansion and see what kind of man he was.

“…”

Thus, Fina led her servants toward Baron Ravenclaw’s office. There, just as had been said, was a stern-looking man working with a quill.

She thought that, given the number of distinguished nobles present, he wouldn’t be able to see her, but to her surprise, he granted her an audience without hesitation. Fina lifted her dress and greeted the man behind the desk.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you. I am Fina Raffaella Tigris, of the Tigris Barony. It is an honor to meet Lord Dereck, owner of the Ravenclaw Training Center.”

“So you are the young lady from the Tigris Barony.”

Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.

As the young baron and owner of that mansion, he rose from his seat, and the servants who had come with Fina from the Tigris Barony bowed their heads.

The age difference didn’t seem large, but after all, that man held the same rank as Fina’s father, Baron Tigris. For someone from the outskirts to have reached such authority at such a young age, he must possess extraordinary skills.

Of course, from the perspective of a girl who had reached the highest possible magic level for a human (six stars), it all seemed almost cute. It was simply an act to integrate naturally into the world and hide the dagger she carried in her heart.

In short, Fina’s greeting, with closed eyes and a measured bow, denoted great serenity. Dereck, observing her, briefly touched his head and spoke with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I know the Tigris Barony well. Your agricultural efficiency is so great that a tenth of the grain in the southeast comes from that small territory, and I understand that the quality of the machinery made with iron from the northern Lafran mountains is also excellent.”

“I am honored that you remember our humble frontier territory. My father works tirelessly on internal affairs, and the inhabitants, inspired by his dedication, live each day with diligence. It is something I am deeply grateful for.”

Fina’s voice, quiet and serene, still held a hint of youth. However, this girl was a monster who had been reincarnated for hundreds of years. It was dangerous to let one’s guard down before her just because of her innocent appearance.

That was why Dereck closed his eyes and sank into thought for a moment.

Strength? Magic? Those things wouldn’t work against that monster who had reached the six-star level. The moment she realized her identity had been discovered, there was no way to predict what sudden action she might take.

Therefore, what was needed here was a fearless and resolute nature. Dereck cleared his throat, took a determined step forward, and spoke.

“Now that I think about it, the young lady of the Tigris Barony seems to lack manners.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Even if we are talking about high-ranking nobles, how is it possible for someone from a frontier barony to arrive with such punctuality?”

Whatever they said, Dereck had greater social authority. As already mentioned, he wasn’t much older than Fina, but his rank was equivalent to her father’s.

“When the training program begins, will I not become Lady Fina’s instructor?”

“Yes. T-that is correct.”

“Since that will be the case, I cannot help but raise my voice. Punctuality is important. If you were coming from such a distant place, you should have departed at least half a day earlier—no, a whole day earlier—to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.”

Fina, momentarily taken aback by Dereck’s sudden reprimand, began to sweat and replied.

“B-but… luckily, I arrived on time.”

“Ah. It doesn’t matter that you weren’t late. As you said yourself, it was pure luck that you weren’t late, wasn’t it? What if the carriage wheel had gotten stuck in the mud? What if you had run into bandits?”

“…Those things…”

“Could you be absolutely sure they wouldn’t happen? No one can. That’s why you must acquire the habit of preparing and anticipating. *Sigh*…”

Dereck, now completely absorbed in his lecture, rubbed his temples and continued.

“It pains me to say it, but… in my time… I didn’t even dare talk back to my instructor for fear of neglecting his teachings.”

“If… if it seemed like I answered poorly… I apologize.”

“Apologizing isn’t everything. Will an apology solve your stay at the training center?”

“Eh? No. T-that’s not what I meant… Then, what should I…?”

Dereck crossed his arms and lowered his voice with a somber expression.

“What should you do? You must think for yourself. How can you depend on the opinion of another? A great mage is one who reflects for themselves.”

“T-that is true…”

“Exactly. Do you have magic tools or books with you?”

“Of course! I always carry them with me so I can dedicate myself to magic at any moment. I am very meticulous with my preparations.”

“Well… don’t rely on them too much…”

“What?”

When Fina responded with confusion, Dereck’s face took on an even sterner expression and he began to speak in a sharp tone.

“A person’s mentality is influenced by their body and spirit. If you always seek comfort and follow the answers others have prepared… how will you strengthen your will? That won’t work. Magic books? Magic tools? Relying too much on them is the reason why today’s mages only look for the easy way. Truly, we are facing the end of times.”

“…”

“In my time, Lady Tigris, we memorized spells without the need for such things and used our bodies as a channel for magic. It may seem harsh now, but thanks to those difficulties my magical understanding and intuition deepened. They say you even have to pay for difficulties, if necessary.”

Dereck’s strategy was hard to put into words… Not even a six-star mage could easily figure out how to respond to him…

“I don’t mind… but I say it because I’m worried that somewhere they’ll call you an uneducated mage and you’ll hear unpleasant things, Lady Fina. I’m fine. Really, I don’t mind.”

“Oh, if that’s the case…”

“But…! If they criticize you somewhere…! That can’t happen, right?! So don’t take it lightly, take it seriously… All of this is experience… Listen to it with passion. Anywhere else you would have to pay to hear this. But because you have passion, and because there is nothing that passion cannot achieve, I tell you this kindly.”

“I did pay…”

“Oh… talking back again…!”

***

Ravenclaw Training Center, Day 1.

Fina thought as her mind became increasingly clouded.

‘This isn’t right…’

It wasn’t even a confusion spell, but it felt as if her mind were being devoured.

And yet, this was only the beginning.