Chapter 115

Chapter 115
## Chapter 115

“I’m sorry, Dereck. I looked into it, focusing on Count Elvester’s side after hearing your request, but I couldn’t find a master who could teach you 4-star magic.”

Do not be too discouraged and try to reach new heights through your own contemplation of the world of magic. I am an insufficient teacher, so it is difficult for me to help you further.

“Always take care of your health, and I wish you constant happiness. – Katia Flameheart”

***

“Now, the breathing technique is important. Inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale. Follow me. Inhale-exhale.”

“…inhale… exhale…”

“If you do it like that, it will be even harder. Even if you are short of breath now, keep up with the breathing technique. In the long run, it will help you conserve energy for longer. Come on, inhale and exhale!”

What is a holiday? It means a day off.

Even though it was a day without classes at the Ravenclaw Training Center, Fina didn’t understand why she had to go running up the hill behind the mansion along with Dereck.

The path itself seemed like a gentle trail, but running for so long with her small body was extremely difficult.

As always, Dereck spoke to her with a refreshing expression.

“How is it?”

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“It’s… it’s hard…”

“Yes, it is hard.”

“…”

Is he crazy?

Those kinds of thoughts ran through her head, but she couldn’t say them out loud.

At least until she found some clue about the advanced necromancy she was investigating, it wasn’t in her best interest to attract public attention.

Even though Fina was overwhelmingly superior to Dereck in terms of power, for that very reason, she couldn’t hurt him.

However, whether he was aware of Fina’s suffering or not, Dereck spoke in a clear and lively voice.

“That feeling of difficulty is important, Lady Fina. Humans grow through adversity, so it is good to enjoy that sensation.”

“Enjoy the difficulty… what kind of nonsense is that…?”

“Ah, no complaining.”

“But… even so… your words… make no sense… gasp… gasp…”

“Inhale, exhale, Lady Fina.”

“Sniff… sniff… Cough! Cough!”

After completing the basic physical training, Dereck finally allowed a moment of rest only upon reaching the heart of the quiet forest.

The forest, in the early afternoon, was a place full of life.

As she leaned against a rock, panting, she could hear the sounds of animals moving through the bushes and the rustling of leaves.

The chirping of sparrows echoed among the trees, and Dereck began to stretch his body on the other side of the rock.

“For a warmup, that was quite good.”

“A warmup…?”

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“Weren’t we coming for a magic class today?”

“…”

Dereck changed his strategy.

He thought that if he scolded and criticized Fina over and over like a crazy person, she would eventually get fed up and leave on her own.

However, the mental fortitude of Fina, determined to hide completely from the public eye, was greater than he had anticipated.

Having lived hidden in that manner so many times, it was no wonder she had become an expert at it.

Realizing that this approach would lead nowhere, Dereck had no choice but to devise a new strategy.

If expulsion was not an option, graduation would suffice.

“In fact, I have observed Lady Fina’s eyes several times during classes.”

“Your eyes…?”

“Lady Fina is diligent in everything she does and seems to spend a lot of time mastering magic. Other young ladies who study with you often praise you, saying you are very dedicated and that they have much to learn from you.”

“Gasp… gasp… T-thank you for the compliments. I was just doing what I had to do…”

“But…! I have seen Lady Fina’s true nature.”

The most renowned magic teacher in Ebelstein.

As she looked at Dereck, Fina couldn’t help but wonder if that reputation was undeserved.

“Lady Fina is hiding her true abilities.”

At that, Fina’s fingers trembled slightly and a chill ran through her gaze.

He had hit the nail on the head.

If Dereck had truly noticed Fina’s true identity, then many assumptions would be shaken from that moment on.

Fina rarely left alive those who discovered her identity. In those times, a master of necromancy was treated the same as a criminal who should be executed immediately.

“Hiding my abilities…? What do you mean by that?”

“Even if you speak calmly, I have already noticed everything. The bored look in your eyes during classes, the kind smile you show everyone but with a void hidden underneath… I have felt it all.”

“…”

“There is a naturalness in the way you handle magic during training, something that only veterans possess. I wonder if Lady Fina is aware of it.”

His tone was somewhat theatrical and pompous, but he had undoubtedly hit the mark.

It was hard for Fina to take a deep interest in worldly matters, even in trivial conversations. Although she pretended to be the naive daughter of a rural baron out of necessity, she couldn’t erase the void that consumed her.

However, she was surprised that this man had noticed.

She considered him frivolous, meddlesome, and old-fashioned in his way of thinking, but he had an unexpectedly perceptive side.

“In fact, it’s not uncommon for young noblewomen to hide their skills. Some do not wish to reveal their exceptional talents due to internal family circumstances.”

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In reality, Denise had hidden for years the fact that she was a second-class explorer mage.

From Dereck’s perspective, he wasn’t lying.

“So I won’t ask why Lady Fina hides her abilities. However, isn’t it a pity? You have come all the way to Ravenclaw, and it is a waste to simply idle away your time.”

“…”

“That’s why I will teach you higher-level magic.”

At those words, Fina smiled disdainfully to herself.

Indeed, this man had realized she was hiding her abilities. His insight was admirable.

But he still thought she was just a second-class mage. It was natural.

It was too unrealistic to imagine that the only daughter of a rural barony family, whose surname was practically unknown, was actually a 6-star necromancer.

The most reasonable assumption was that she was a girl who had reached the second-class level.

«It seems he hasn’t discovered my true identity.»

There was no need to cause a stir by using her power. While Fina took a deep breath and leaned against the rock, Dereck took out the staff he carried on his back and manifested his magic.

The entire area of the forest, covered in vegetation emanating vital energy, froze completely.

***

In life, there are moments when one encounters extraordinary people.

It’s not just about talent or early achievements. Those who fit the description of “extraordinary” usually give the impression of being, in essence, different as human beings.

Having lived a long life, Fina had crossed paths with all sorts of people, including many mages considered exceptional.

In particular, she was the only one who had met almost all known six-star mages, including those who were already dead or missing.

Sometimes they were individuals who had already fully developed and dominated the world, sometimes they were budding talents who had not yet shone, and other times they were children who didn’t even know how to read.

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However, regardless of age, the raw material of the mages destined to dominate the world was different from the start.

Melverot learned fourth-class magic shortly after his initiation ceremony.

Drest, born a commoner, reached the rank of high-level mage without anyone’s help.

Kohella reached the fifth star before turning thirty, and the following year she created a fifth-rank magic weapon.

Being extraordinary is something like that. It goes beyond being superior: it must be incomparable.

There is no point in distinguishing between first and second place. If someone is truly extraordinary, they must advance so far that second place is practically invisible.

Only people like that can ascend to the level of five stars or higher.

*Fwoosh!*

*Crack!*

And the young man in front of her, who seemed to have recently reached adulthood, was already performing a fully mature third-level spell without blinking.

With his third-level combat magic, “Freeze,” he had frozen all the trees in the area, thus bringing winter early to the forest.

A scene that created the illusion of a change of season.

The level of magic that this young man, without a single wrinkle on his face, was capable of deploying was not something an ordinary young man could achieve.

As she watched his demonstration, Fina narrowed her eyes.

Using third-level magic at this age?

Fina shook her head, crossing her arms.

«He’s not just a charlatan…»

After being tormented by Dereck’s meddling for several days, Fina’s opinion of him was already at rock bottom.

He was sincere regarding magic, but he talked too much and was annoying with his unnecessary ramblings.

However, she had no choice but to acknowledge Dereck’s magical ability.

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«It’s not just an imitation of third-level magic. He already handles it with skill… he is a true third-level mage.»

Of course, Fina had sensed that Dereck was not an ordinary person.

For a mercenary from the slums to be recognized in the cold aristocratic circles, he had to have solid skills.

But Dereck’s magical level went beyond being good: he had reached a degree that could be described as extraordinary.

Wasn’t it at this age that Melverot mastered fourth-level magic? He has almost reached that level already.

Fina looked at Dereck, who calmly brushed the dust off his collar, with a serious expression.

The arrogant aristocrats of the center seemed not to notice, but at this level, one could say a new force was emerging on the fringes of the continent.

Considering Dereck’s potential, it wouldn’t be surprising if one day he wielded influence comparable to Melverot’s.

Although his power was still weak and he hadn’t been the subject of serious surveillance, if he were to start taking an interest in politics or power struggles, the situation would change completely.

That man is now at his lowest point.

Even though she was convinced of it, in reality, it was a completely different matter.

“The third-level combat magic, Freeze, that I just showed you, is useful for stopping approaching enemies and gaining time for incantations. While it may lack the elegance of orthodox theories, its practicality is truly excellent.”

“Incredible. As expected, Sir Dereck’s magical skills are formidable.”

Fina pretended to praise him with a sly smile.

However, she had already reached the six-star level in necromancy, and in other types of magic, she was between the fourth and fifth stars.

The level of magic Dereck used was something Fina could easily master with a little practice.

“If you only admire it, it will be difficult. I am sure Lady Fina will be able to use this level of magic before leaving the training center.”

“Yes, yes? Well… how could I use that level of magic in just half a year?”

“I think it’s possible. Is there anything that cannot be achieved with determination?”

Dereck spoke to Fina with a serious expression.

Fina thought he was joking with something boring. In this era, even manifesting one-star magic before the coming-of-age ceremony was already considered a great talent.

That a girl who hadn’t even formally debuted in society could wield three-star magical power was an anomaly that would attract everyone’s attention.

The number of people who manifested three-star magic before reaching adulthood can be counted on the fingers of one hand, even searching the entire continent, not just in Ebelstein.

In the southwestern part of the continent, there was only one woman: Siern.

Dereck surely knew this, and yet he looked at Fina with unwavering confidence.

That piqued her curiosity about where that confidence came from.

Confidence.

Speaking of confidence, a great mage who had ascended to the rank of hero with nothing but that came to mind.

Kalimford, the six-star combat mage.

Even being close to fifty years old, he smiled like a child while doing magic.

It was said that his youth as a combat mage had been exactly like that.

He only thought about magic, indifferent to everything else.

It was the most important trait shared by extraordinary mages.

Fina’s face, which until then showed the expression of a naive peasant girl, began to harden little by little.

Finally, she narrowed her eyes with a piercing gaze, straightened her back, and spoke.

“Sir Dereck.”

“Yes.”

“Sir Dereck… you are already a fully formed three-star mage.”

Her tone had lost all its liveliness.

A heavy sensation, as if descending into a deep well. It seemed as if the immortal necromancer, seasoned by time, was peeking through; a chill ran through the forest.

A coldness, as if a vengeful spirit resided in her light violet eyes.

She looked at Dereck silently and said.

“Do you want to become a four-star mage?”

Dereck frowned for a moment.

He didn’t expect Fina to ask that question so suddenly.

It was the first time that Dereck, who had had trouble with everything related to Fina, was plunged into deep reflection.

Finally, he nodded.

Isn’t it obvious? Every mage dreams of surpassing themselves.

“The four-star rank is completely different from the previous hierarchies. One must be able to perform magic by oneself and handle magical power imbued with one’s own attributes.”

Until reaching the three-star rank, one walks already explored paths. But from the four-star rank onwards, it is necessary to expand and develop one’s own understanding of magic.

The method is extremely difficult, so it is common to receive guidance from a high-ranking mage. Having such a mentor is a true blessing.

Even those born with excellent lineage cannot be sure of reaching that level before they die.

For a wanderer from the slums, reaching that level is more than difficult: it is practically impossible.

And yet, she knew there were those who had achieved it. The wandering ghost of the continent, Drest Wolftail.

This man seemed to possess the confidence and security of Kalimford, the passion for magic of Melverot, and the strength of Drest to overcome adversity.

Regarding his potential, he already seemed complete.

“By repeating such feats, how far do you plan to go?”

“Of course, to the top.”

The highest level a human being can reach. The six-star rank.

Could it be that he intends to reach that level, which only four people in this vast continent have achieved? The ragged beggar from the slums who used to gaze at the stars in the sky.

But in reality, he had climbed and climbed until he became a territorial noble.

He wasn’t just talking about ideals, but climbing that mountain in silence.

“Haha… I see. Sir Dereck, are you really trying to become a six-star mage?”

“…Eh?”

“You just said it. You aspire to the top.”

“Yes. I just said it.”

Dereck, as always, responded calmly while putting away his staff.

“My goal is to reach the top.”

At those words, Fina’s expression hardened for an instant.

Where is this man looking?

The six-star rank, the limit of human capacity. But not even that is the maximum for this man.

***

The great mage Adelbert, who was the first to compose the entire magical system, divided the ranks while observing the constellation of the Big Dipper in the night sky.

Ultimately, the peak is beyond those stars. It would be the North Star, the center of the firmament.

And, after an immeasurable time had passed.

In a corner of a stream by the slums. Late at night, when even the crickets do not sing.

A disheveled boy, with white hair and dressed in rags, looked toward the Big Dipper in the starry sky and reached out his hand.

From the deepest part of the world, where only darkness dwells, toward the highest peak of that starry sky.

The higher realm, whose very existence is still uncertain. That is the place where that man’s gaze is directed.

It is not about idealistic phrases like a man must have great ambitions or that aiming high helps achieve more.

That man’s gaze is completely serious, without the slightest trace of exaggeration.

The man who always talked grandiosely and meddled unnecessarily now doesn’t say a single word.

He is simply telling the truth as it is.

***

A forest brimming with life. Ironically, it is not a pleasant place for a necromancer who deals with death and souls.

The six-star necromancer, who sat silently among the spaces of life, looking at Dereck, finally spoke in a cold tone.

“You are a truly curious man.”

Dereck’s eyebrows arched for an instant.

At some point, Fina stopped using honorary titles with Dereck.

And her gaze was also much sharper than before.