Chapter 116

Chapter 116
## Chapter 116

As one experiences multiple deaths throughout countless reincarnations, the weight of death itself naturally becomes lighter.

That was why the girl would sometimes wander through the communal cemetery of the Barony of Tigris and reflect.

Death is nothing more than the final destination that arrives equally for everyone.

All human beings are entities that will one day end up in a grave and experience the rest called death.

Thinking this way, she felt that her life was like a journey without a destination.

What meaning can there be in a life that only drifts along, swept away by aimless currents?

Now, her self from the first life—buried in a past so distant she barely remembered it—why had she studied necromancy?

In the end, all that remains is emptiness and a lack of meaning.

A cold wind blew through the communal cemetery of the Barony of Tigris.

In the midst of that wind that stirred the girl’s hair, she thought of only one thing: the appearance of the few six-star mages who still existed in this era.

Melverot, who lived to fulfill a promise made to a friend who passed away long ago.

Kohella, whose life was driven by a pure desire for magical knowledge.

Drest, who lived by remembering happy times.

But for Fina, nothing remained anymore.

What futility.

A life that simply continues and repeats itself without end cannot have meaning.

Occasionally, some extraordinary ripples occur, but even these are nothing more than slight tremors before the enormous wall of time.

And only then does the girl understand.

A person’s life has value precisely because it has an end.

***

“I am a seeker who pursues the pinnacle of necromancy, devastating both the living and the dead.”

Dereck remained motionless, observing Fina with his staff lowered.

Behind Fina, who was sitting on a large rock, a sinister aura began to emanate. It was, indeed, a concentration of vengeful spirits, and its energy was clearly abnormal.

When Dereck frowned, Fina let out a mocking giggle.

“I am a master of necromancy, that art which everyone on this continent despises and rejects… so you truly are unfortunate.”

Dereck simply stood there, looking at Fina. He needed to organize his thoughts on how to handle the situation.

Fina, a six-star necromancer, rarely revealed her identity until she reached her goal.

But seeing her manifest a power imbued with vengeful spirits so naturally before him, it was clear she had no intention of hiding.

After putting away his staff, Dereck adjusted his posture and spoke.

“Is what you say true?”

“Your reaction is so bland; you are like boiled water.”

Fina clicked her tongue and, with her white hair—tinged with a faint shade of lavender—fluttering in the wind, she floated to the top of the rock.

Sitting there, with her legs crossed and her chin resting on her hand, she looked like a true queen.

Fina Raffaella Tigris. The Witch of Tigris.

A six-star necromancer completely different from Melverot, Drest, or Kohella. It was impossible to predict her mood or behavior.

Capricious. Emotional. Vicious. Cruel.

More like a demon than a human being, those who came into contact with her rarely had a happy ending.

Dereck did not fully understand why she had revealed her identity, but he decided to remain calm.

“If what you say is true, I have committed a great discourtesy.”

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“Yes. Indeed, you have been very discourteous to me.”

“…”

“You took every opportunity to spout third-rate philosophy, meddle in everything, throw cheap criticisms, and pass off your superficial wisdom as universal truths. I felt my patience being tested.”

“I did so with the best of intentions for Lady Fina.”

“What a funny man!”

Fina shivered, her small body trembling.

Dereck’s condescending attitude, into which he had put all his effort, had undoubtedly affected her deeply; as she recalled everything, her expression showed a trace of agitation.

Then, she rested her chin on her hand again and swung her crossed foot while she continued speaking.

“Seeing you use magic, I can see that you have talent. But why do you only bother me? Am I supposed to get angry or not? You behave normally with all the other girls at the training center…”

“Even so, I didn’t expect you to reveal your identity so suddenly.”

“Well, it wasn’t just because of that; it’s just that, since things have reached this point, I wanted to say it. Why are you only strict with me…?”

It was because Fina knew Dereck was a mage. A rival. A threat.

Of course, Dereck couldn’t tell her the truth, so he quickly improvised.

“Lady Fina, perhaps you haven’t noticed, but considering your handling of magic, your understanding of basic magic theory, and your reaction speed during practice, it was evident that you were no ordinary mage. I already mentioned to you that I observed how you were holding back your power.”

“So you knew my true identity?”

“Not to that extent. I simply thought you had exceptional talent. One cannot teach the ordinary and the extraordinary in the same way. When one has high expectations, one also demands more. That is why your education was different from the others.”

His words flowed like a river.

And he wasn’t entirely lying. Fina was a mage on a completely different level than the others, and it was possible that even in her carefree behavior, hints of her true ability were glimpsed.

What Dereck meant was that she was so excellent that he only wanted to teach her with greater seriousness.

Hearing that, Fina seemed pleased, swinging her crossed leg with an amused air.

“Well. Even if you have that annoying condescending attitude, you have a good eye for people. The fact that you recognize even a glimpse of my power means you have talent.”

Fina seemed to be arrogant and proud by nature, and quite sensitive to praise.

Indeed, Fina, who laughed with a nasal melody, seemed to be in a very good mood and did not give the impression of wanting to kill Dereck immediately.

After laughing for a while, she spoke again with her eyes narrowed.

“I have lived through countless eras that you cannot even imagine, and I have met all kinds of people. Some of them you surely only know from history books.”

“I see.”

“But like you, I haven’t seen many. Above all, someone so sincere about their magical achievements.”

“That should be normal. A mage always looks upward.”

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“Yes. You are not a pile of straw chasing empty dreams. You have talent, at least in my opinion. But you seem to be stuck before a wall.”

Fina smiled mischievously, and her lavender eyes shone with a reddish tint.

At a certain moment, the wandering spirits surrounding her made the atmosphere of the forest turn more somber.

It was said that the path traveled by the Witch of Tigris was always marked by the footprints of souls unjustly murdered.

Dereck understood that this was not simply a metaphor from games or novels. It was pure reality.

She was a fearsome witch who guided spirits and fed on corpses.

“I can teach you and raise you to the rank of a four-star mage.”

“…”

“Trying to overcome that barrier alone is absurdly inefficient. The best way is to explore the method of using your own magic alongside someone with enough experience. And in that sense, I have no rival.”

The old wanderer who had taught him one-star magic, Katia Flameheart who had taught him two-star magic, Drest Wolf-tail who had taught him three-star magic.

And now, at the four-star level, a legendary necromancer whom the entire continent wished to see beheaded; thinking about it, this could be considered a rather dangerous situation.

“It would be an honor, but it is not a favor I can accept so easily.”

Dereck spoke in a calm voice. Fina kept her chin resting on her hand and let out a “hoh.”

Even with a six-star necromancer in front of him, he showed no sign of fear.

Those who are born with a firm heart do not lose their composure before anything.

Fina liked that attitude very much, and spoke again with a crooked smile.

“Don’t you want me to be your teacher?”

“I don’t see the point. A six-star necromancer who doesn’t even appear when the royal family of Kohella personally searches for her—why would she present herself to me and help me reach level 4? This situation only generates more questions for me.”

Dereck continued to look at Fina coldly.

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“Lady Fina has no reason to help me. Accepting a favor without knowing the intention rarely ends well.”

“Yes. It’s fine for you to be so cautious. Don’t worry. Teaching you directly about magical achievements, even if we have no connection, is for my own sake.”

Fina did not erase her mischievous smile. She had something hypnotic about her, like a naughty child and an authoritarian queen at the same time.

“Of course, I’m not obligated to explain the reason. But I know it. You are someone who would do anything to achieve magical feats.”

“It seems you know me well.”

“I have a good eye for people. You’re crazy. You’re crazy for magic.”

Finally, Fina’s seductive eyes shone again.

Dereck’s figure was already engraved in her pupils. As if she were trying to see through his very essence.

“No magic fanatic would reject the teachings of a six-star mage. Even if you say no, you are calculating how much knowledge you could obtain from me. Do you think I don’t know that?”

“…You have a good eye. That perception is worthy of a six-star mage.”

“Mmm. You’d better not underestimate me.”

When Dereck sincerely acknowledged it, Fina hummed with satisfaction and raised her chin again.

By now, Dereck had understood perfectly. This girl was vulnerable to flattery.

“But at least you should know this.”

Sometimes she smiled with the innocence of a child, but instantly her eyes would shine again with a sinister energy. And every time she spoke seriously, the spirits around her trembled and agitated.

“I am a villain.”

“…”

“I kill people, desecrate corpses, and amass blood and flesh. I snatch life from others and commit evil acts to satisfy my own selfishness. I violate death, ignore taboos, and break laws without hesitation.”

Fina lived a life permeated with the stench of blood.

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In that process, she killed many. It wouldn’t be strange if the blood on her fingers formed a river.

“I am the witch who dwells in the Barony of Tigris. I don’t know if learning magic from me will be beneficial to you or not. Well, that’s none of my business.”

“I have also killed many people.”

“The number is not the same as mine. I am used to looking at the world from atop a mountain of corpses.”

Dereck was sitting on a rock, observing Fina with satisfied eyes.

Seeing her hair float, carried by the energy of the vengeful spirits, he felt as if he were looking at a ghost instead of a person.

What does it mean to learn magic from the Witch of Tigris?

Depending on the situation, if that fact were made public, Dereck could also become an enemy of the empire.

“I’m not sure that learning necromancy is a wise decision.”

“Hahaha, I don’t even intend to teach you necromancy. And let me warn you: it’s better not to touch it out of curiosity.”

It was an unexpected statement, and Dereck tilted his head.

He thought that Fina, who had dedicated her entire life to the study of necromancy and had become a master, would naturally try to spread the greatness of that magic.

However, Fina showed a complex expression and, while she continued swinging her legs, said:

“I don’t care about the commoners of the Island who can’t even understand half of my writings. But you, who have a deep knowledge of magic, a great learning capacity, and the potential to become someone important in the future, should not touch either my writings or my magic.”

“May I ask why?”

“Necromancy beyond the 5-star level is a curse, not a blessing. Generally, it ends up devouring even the practitioner. Well, if you truly desire it, I have no reason to refuse to teach it to you.”

Fina said that and then smiled mischievously, without offering further explanations.

Dereck observed her in silence and nodded, without asking more questions.

“I am a compassionate and kind person. If you accept my offer, I will help you reach your goals as much as possible, to the point that you will shed tears of gratitude.”

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“…What are the conditions? Lady Fina doesn’t seem like someone who works for free.”

“How perceptive. Well, it’s not even a bad situation for you.”

Fina chuckled and said:

“In the future, if you manage to become a 6-star level talent, you must grant me one request without conditions.”

“A request?”

“It won’t be anything complicated. If it worries you, I formally promise that my request will not negatively affect your life, your status, your body, or your soul in any way.”

Dereck listened to Fina’s words and couldn’t help but tilt his head.

From any point of view, it was a favorable proposal for him.

And when things seemed too good to be true, his principle was to be suspicious.

However, in reality, he had no other option.

Fina had already revealed her true identity. If Dereck refused now, it was unpredictable how she would react.

In any case, Dereck was also stuck, blocked by the barrier of the 4-star rank.

Since this situation had been reached, perhaps it was best to steer things in a direction that was also beneficial to him.

“This is also good for me. However, there is something that must be promised to achieve mutual stability.”

“Are you proposing a negotiation to me? Your courage is admirable, but I don’t see why I should accept it.”

“Well, Lady Fina, you cannot ignore this. After all, are you not hiding from the eyes of the Empire?”

Dereck continued with a serious expression.

“It is good for me to serve Lady Fina as a teacher and receive her teachings. But we must take public opinion into account. Before the world, I am the Director of the Ravenclaw Training Center, and you are a young noblewoman from the outskirts who has come to receive instruction.”

In reality, Fina was a figure of overwhelming power, a great mage without equal who dominated the world.

But her hidden identity was nothing more than that of a low-ranking noble lady from the remote Barony of Tigris.

For Dereck, the fact that she was his teacher would arouse suspicion among those around them.

Fina listened in silence and then nodded, as if she agreed.

“Yes. Even if I am your teacher, we cannot ignore appearances.”

“Exactly. Therefore, during the day, I will be the master of the center, and when there are no curious eyes, you, Lady Fina, will teach me as my teacher.”

“It’s a reasonable suggestion. I agree. When there are many eyes on us, you will be my teacher.”

Perhaps it wasn’t a conventional master-disciple relationship, but given the circumstances, it was the best they could do.

“At least during the day, when the center is active, I will be the teacher. When the sun sets and everyone sleeps, Lady Fina, you will teach me as my teacher.”

“Hehe… sounds like role-playing, which is quite fun. I’m starting to get excited. Yes, I will also be one of the nobles attending the training center.”

Fina jumped off the rock where she had been sitting and landed softly on the grass.

Her movements were so fluid that it seemed gravity barely affected her.

“The magic classes at the center are terribly boring, but those on etiquette and culture have some value. Perhaps my values have become obsolete over the years, but tea ceremonies and history are interesting to me. That girl, Aiselin, has a quite persuasive way of speaking.”

“Ah, really?”

“Yes. So playing the role of a disciple during the day and enjoying the role-play doesn’t seem so bad. If you have something to teach me, go ahead.”

Her smile of satisfaction and the way she puffed out her chest with arrogance were striking, but in reality, it was an absurd demand: to teach something to a 6-star mage.

While Dereck looked worried, Fina sketched a faint smile again.

“The most renowned magic teacher in Ebelstein and pioneer of noble education seems worried. I believed you had a great sense of professionalism; I am disappointed.”

“Miss Fina, you are a very special case.”

“Although my past is complicated, I am still a noble lady. Didn’t you always say that there are no bad girls, only wrong ways of teaching?”

Fina put her hands on her waist and looked at Dereck with narrowed, seductive eyes.

Her relaxed attitude was like that of a stray cat that has settled in its territory.

“Yes, in a way, perhaps it is I who will test your values.”

“…”

“They say there are no bad girls in the world, but I am living proof that that is not true. Didn’t I tell you? I have no qualms about killing people, desecrating corpses, or doing anything for my own benefit.”

Fina let out a laugh, then regained her seductive smile and continued speaking.

“I am a villain.”

There was not a trace of hesitation in the girl’s words.

“Yes. Is the most renowned professor in Ebelstein trying to rehabilitate someone like me?”

Fina’s confident smile had a clear basis.

In the entire vast continent, only four people had reached the level of a 6-star mage.

Taking into account the monstrous 6-star mages Dereck had encountered in his life, it was understandable that Fina showed such confidence.

While Dereck thought about how to respond, Fina spoke in a slightly softer tone.

“Well, I think we have reached a conclusion. And it seems an unexpected guest has arrived, so let’s leave it here.”

*Whistle.*

“Oh! There you are, Mr. Dereck! There has been a change in the schedule for next week and I need your confirmation. Forgive me for bothering you on your day off!”

As soon as that voice was heard, the ominous energy permeating the forest vanished instantly.

The peaceful landscape of lush vegetation returned to normal, and Aiselin appeared among the bushes, carrying a bundle of documents in her arms.

***

“Ah, were you exercising? Just the two of you, Lady Tigris…”

“Miss Aiselin, I’m sorry to have made you come all this way. If you had left it at the office, I would have reviewed it later.”

“No, it’s a quite urgent matter.”

For her part, Fina had already left behind her arrogant air and had resumed her elegant and self-assured bearing as Lady Tigris.

As she made a polite bow to greet Aiselin, she was the living image of a refined noble lady.

“Forgive me, Lady Aiselin. My lack of talent has caused Sir Dereck to spend part of his day off taking care of me.”

“It’s nothing, Lady Tigris. It is something that should be done by the Ravenclaw Training Center. By the way… you’re sweating a lot…”

“Yes, yes… I’m not used to physical exercise…”

“I see…”

Aiselin looked alternately at Dereck and Fina, nodding nervously.

After finishing fixing his staff, Dereck spoke to Aiselin.

“It seems there are quite a few documents, so it would be better to go to the office to handle them. I’m sorry, Lady Fina, but we’ll have to end today’s supplemental class here.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Dereck. I have learned a lot and I am very grateful to you.”

Fina showed a refreshing smile along with her usual elegance. Despite the great incongruity, Dereck took a deep breath and said:

“Later we will finish by jogging back to the baron’s mansion. Do you remember the breathing technique? Haha… you mustn’t forget that rhythm.”

“…Excuse me?”

Fina truly did not know the man named Dereck.

He was the most renowned mercenary in the tavern district of Ebelstein, and his motto was to do everything correctly if he was going to do it.

He never did anything halfway, not even the smallest task, and that seriousness had earned him the affection of many clients. That seriousness and diligence were the secret of Dereck’s success.

During the day, Dereck was the teacher, and during the night, Fina was.

And now, the sun was high in the sky.

Without a doubt, as a teacher, Dereck never did anything halfway.

“Ah, I don’t mean… I’m too tired now… besides, I’ve never been good with physical activity…”

“Oh, Lady Fina. Haven’t you rested enough? If you keep avoiding this kind of endurance training, you will stay stuck forever.”

“No… it’s just that…”

Fina hesitated, throwing a glance at Aiselin, but Dereck spoke firmly, showing no mercy.

“Come on, let’s run. Let’s run together. Haha.”

“…”

Fina was dumbfounded, but Dereck didn’t care in the slightest.

His inflexible character could not be changed even with a little fear.

In fact, Fina also knew it.

People with extraordinary talents often had their peculiarities.

And Dereck was no exception.

“Let’s go, we have work to do, Lady Fina!”

That afternoon, Fina had the opportunity to learn thoroughly what true muscle pain meant.