Chapter 12

Chapter 12
## Chapter 12

That night, Lady Aiselin had completed all her commitments at the Duplain estate and was ready to return to Ebelstain.

Jayden, who had been accompanying Dereck as a precaution, also decided it was time to leave, so Dereck prepared to say his goodbyes and stood at the main entrance of the mansion.

“I’m glad I brought you to the duchy, Dereck,” Aiselin said with a radiant smile beside the carriage.

She looked genuinely pleased; lately, the atmosphere in the duchy had improved, and that made her happy. Although she now lived in the great house of Ebelstain, her concern for the family estate remained a distinctive trait.

“Not at all. Even if I did, I haven’t done much,” Dereck replied.

“There is no need for false modesty. It must have been hard from your perspective.”

After all, Lady Aiselin’s request was for Diella to learn first-class magic so she could integrate into society with confidence. Materializing magic was half the work, so an expression of satisfaction was natural.

“I wish I could stay longer with my family, but I must return to Ebelstain. There is still much to be done.”

With a gesture of gratitude, Lady Aiselin climbed into the carriage. Jayden, who was also heading to Ebelstain, gave Dereck a friendly pat on the shoulder before following her.

“It seems my work here is done. I’m just a lackey for a group of mercenaries,” Jayden said.

“And what about your fifteen gold coin commission from Aidel?”

“Honestly, I did almost nothing. Take one coin as payment; someday you’ll need it for a wand or a staff, right?”

Given that the mission had been organized by the mercenary group, Dereck could not leave without getting paid. If he had been a lone mercenary, he never would have secured such a noble commission.

Whenever Lady Aiselin had free time, she visited her family’s estate, so he would likely see her again. Jayden, however, would be busy leading the mercenary group for a while.

Dereck felt a certain nostalgia thinking about that.

“Alright, take three coins.”

“Ah? Now that you have your head on your shoulders, you’re becoming generous?”

“Is it not to your liking?”

“Of course it is. Ha ha ha.”

Both laughed; Dereck, with a somewhat hollow laugh.

—

After a moment, Jayden stroked his chin:

“Finish up quickly. The Beldern mercenary group always needs mages.”

“Do you want me to abandon my comfortable noble tutor job?”

“See? I know you have the making of a mercenary. A talent like yours doesn’t fit in the halls of the nobility.”

Jayden’s words were loaded with meaning. It was obvious that Dereck was made for the mercenary life, and his magic talent surpassed his current level.

Dereck knew it himself. He yearned to surpass the two-star rank. For a mage, the thirst for knowledge and the drive to ascend are almost a destiny.

But he was a commoner. Even a two-star commoner mage could be seen as hardworking or having some talent, but from three stars onward, the attitude of the nobles changes.

With four stars, one could be considered a dangerous element capable of destabilizing the system, and it would be difficult to show one’s abilities openly.

Historically, the number of commoners who reached four stars can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

In short, if one truly wants to ascend, one cannot remain wrapped in the lap of a noble family.

“If Pheline finds out you’re teaching magic on a duke’s estate, she’ll be furious. It’s hard to calm her down when she’s angry. So finish up quickly and come back.”

“And let me know before you accept your next job.”

“I’m no quill-pushing noble. Come see me at the tavern if you want to talk.”

With a laugh, Jayden climbed up.

“See you in Ebelstain!” he shouted as the carriage pulled away.

***

*Bang!*

“Dereck! I’ve materialized the power, but it always veers off course!”

*Bang!*

“Dereck! I tried to infuse cold, but it’s not uniform, why?!”

“Dereck! Look at this! I tried to give it a sensation of cold… but the power isn’t distributed evenly! Why is it doing this?”

—*Crash! Bang!*

“Dereck! I can feel the magic power, but when I try to materialize it, my senses go dull!”

“Dereck! Where have you been? What are you doing here? I told you to stay near the pavilion!”

“Dereck! I managed to cast the spell like you said last time! What should I do now?”

Dereck! Dereck! Dereck!

Because of Lady Diella’s habit of seeking Dereck out at every opportunity, the pavilion servants were always keeping track of his whereabouts. They had to quickly report his location whenever their mistress’s mood soured and she went out looking for him.

However, Dereck was not always near the pavilion. Sometimes he could be found reading in the sitting room, strolling through the mansion gardens while reflecting on various magical theories, or, with the Duke’s permission, reading spellbooks in the mansion library.

Although Dereck had come to teach Diella magic, from his point of view, the residence of Duke Duplain was an excellent environment for studying various magical theories.

After all, it was one of the most renowned magical houses on the continent, with a collection of rare and valuable spellbooks.

Although all the books were based on the rule-governed magic of the noble class and were not of direct help to him, Dereck was skilled at quoting magic theories and adapting them to his own style. It was a familiar process for him, taught by his mentor in rule-based magic.

The theories on magic were profound yet simple, and although the fundamentals varied greatly from one academy to another, a detailed analysis revealed many common elements.

Since opportunities to freely access magical texts were scarce, Dereck was eager to make the most of this occasion.

In this way, Dereck refined his magical skills while spending time supervising Diella’s magic.

It was logical that they spent a lot of time together, sharing many stories. The difference between a mercenary born in the slums and a young noblewoman was enormous, so they rarely had anything in common.

On the contrary, they could share many fascinating stories with each other.

Dereck sometimes spoke of the stars he saw from the slums, of his monster-hunting adventures with Katia on the outskirts of Ebelstain, and of the power struggles between mercenary groups.

Unlike the charming fairy tales that had adorned Diella’s room since childhood, Dereck’s stories were vivid and full of raw reality.

Diella pretended not to be interested and acted haughty, but as the stories became more intense, her eyes sparkled as she listened.

Sometimes she seemed enthusiastic, sometimes sympathetic, but at the end of the tales, Diella usually delivered a long speech about the greatness of her lineage.

In those moments, Dereck would put on a look of indifference and return to his book, as if he were used to her craving attention and making a fuss.

Over time, both Dereck and Diella progressed toward their goals.

Diella aspired to use first-level magic, while Dereck sought to expand the range of second-level magic he could handle… and, if possible, delve into the realm of third-level magic.

***

It was late when Valerian, the eldest son and heir of the Duplain family, called Dereck to his room.

It was the year when spring was coming to an end. Amidst the bustle of servants cleaning the pollen flooding the mansion, Valerian abruptly summoned Dereck.

“What is happening?”

“Are you teaching Diella well? How is she lately?”

“Some progress has been made. However, mastering first-level magic still seems far off. I thought it would be quick, but the pace has slowed, so I am looking for a new method.”

“I see… Understood.”

Valerian’s private room was almost twice as large as the room of Diella’s that Dereck had seen before.

As the future head of a prominent family, it was natural for him to be treated accordingly, but honestly, the room was so large that Dereck wondered if it actually had any use.

In a corner of the room, near the desk by the window, Valerian was sitting with his legs crossed. At first glance, he was a handsome man: tall and good-looking.

Occasionally, he was an object of affection among the maidservants; he was a rather attractive man. However, he seemed to spend most of his time fulfilling his duties as a Duke rather than indulging in worldly pleasures.

In his spare time, he supervised Leigh’s training, wrote letters to Aiselin, or looked after his uncle and his niece, thus demonstrating a deep love for his family.

“My mother, who went to a social gathering in the south, will likely return next week. Just so you know, she is not easy to deal with.”

“Really?”

“The Duplain family might not be so strict, but nobles in general are not very friendly toward common people like you who hold important positions. You know that, right?”

It was unusual for a commoner to teach magic to a high-ranking noblewoman. This was because Diella was not a common case. Normally, the position of magic tutor in a family like the Duplains would attract many applicants with the necessary skill. It wasn’t that capable people were lacking, but rather that many desired that position.

Once things returned to normal, it was likely that many veteran mages would try to displace Dereck and take his place. After all, Dereck’s goal was to teach Diella first-level magic, so he was focused on achieving that above all else.

“I will keep that in mind. Is that why you called me?”

“That is an important matter, but… there is something else I want to ask you.”

“What do you want to ask?”

Valerian stroked his chin and looked out the window, watching Diella as she practiced magic alone in the garden. Dereck was puzzled by Valerian’s hesitant attitude.

“I am the future head of the Duplain family. The role of the head of the family is to welcome and guide all members on the right path. To do that, one must sincerely understand and care for each of them from the heart.”

“…”

The conversation seemed to be dragging on too long, but Dereck listened in silence.

“But it’s not easy, is it? The human heart is very deep. Even living under the same roof, with different values and goals, misunderstandings often arise…”

“I see… May I ask what message you are trying to convey?”

Valerian adjusted his noble garments, leaned back in his chair, and spoke awkwardly.

“Diella doesn’t want to play with me.”

“…”

Dereck remained silent, but serene. He thought he understood why Valerian would say that. Since she began studying magic seriously, Diella had stopped looking down on common people. She could still be biting at times, but her days of behaving like a spoiled child were almost over.

When Diella’s reputation began to gradually improve, there was a moment when she and Dereck crossed paths with Valerian in the garden.

Valerian, who loved his family deeply, greeted Diella affectionately, but she, frightened like a cat before a predator, hid behind Dereck and watched cautiously. Valerian seemed quite surprised to see that Diella didn’t want to return the greeting, her eyes wide like those of a scared kitten.

“When she was little, she was always smiling and showing her drawings. There was no angel like her in this world.”

“…”

“My expression isn’t that bad… Tell me, how can I win Diella’s heart?”

“Why… are you asking… me?”

“Diella only follows you everywhere…”

It was true that, within the House of Duplain, Dereck was the only person Diella seemed to follow.

“…”

Valerian’s love for his family was truly admirable, but unfortunately, the emotional complexity of a teenage girl turned out to be a much greater mystery than any historical enigma for a grown man.

Even so, if one had to guess, it was probably shyness. Given her reckless past, it was no wonder she suddenly felt uncomfortable with her family.

Normally, time would solve such a problem, but Valerian seriously wondered if he himself was the problem.

“Look at this. I learned to embroider from the maids and made this doll to look like Diella. What do you think? Can you see the effort, sincerity, and affection I put into it?”

Even someone as skilled as Valerian seemed to lack a talent for fine needlework, as the doll looked more strange than pretty.

An adult might be moved by the gesture itself, but unfortunately, a teenage girl would probably be horrified.

The maids seemed unable to tell the truth. Handing it to Diella as it was would be a disaster, so someone had to step in and be honest.

“To be honest… that would probably only… upset her…”

“…Damn it.”

Valerian frowned, absorbed in his thoughts.

The only thing Dereck could do was offer his moral support for the initiative.

***

(New magic acquired)

One-star spell: ‘Shockwave’

One-star detection: ‘Life Detection’

Two-star transformation: ‘Earth Wall’

Two-star confusion: ‘Chaos’

“Lady Diella. It is time for the lady of the house to arrive.”

“Already?”

The elegant maid approached Dereck and Diella, who were studying magic at the tea table in the garden.

*Snap.*

Dereck closed the book he was reading with one hand and stood up, brushing the dust off the chair.

Over time, Dereck had made some progress. The magical resources of the House of Duplain were of great help to him. However, achieving his main goal of reaching the three-star level still seemed far off.

Perhaps it was reckless to aspire to the three-star level at his age, but the desire for self-improvement knows no age. Still, he was becoming increasingly aware that the three-star level was no ordinary level. It was not something that could be reached quickly.

Interestingly, his progress in combat and confusion spells was moving fast.

Dereck’s rapid mastery of combat spells was likely due to his past as a mercenary, filled with battles, while his rapid learning of confusion magic seemed to be influenced by his mentor, Katia, a three-star confusion mage.

On the other hand, he didn’t seem to have much talent for summoning magic. Despite having dedicated quite a bit of time to it, he had only achieved minor successes. It was disappointing, but inevitable. As Katia used to say, trying to master all branches might simply be greed.

With a sigh, Dereck followed the maid toward the main hall of the mansion.

The mother of the Duplain family, Miriela Daybell Duplain, had returned from a social gathering in the south, and many servants were attending her welcome party.

Miriela, tired from the long journey, maintained her noble composure. Her purple dress, her peacock feather fan, and her glittering accessories looked like luxury items.

She spoke politely with her family, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

“Is everything alright in my absence?”

“Yes, mother. In fact, we only have good news.”

“Oh, Valerian, if you say that, it must be wonderful news.”

The woman’s face showed signs of aging, but she retained the dignity of a noble. Upon entering, accompanied by Valerian, Miriela was immediately captivated by Diella’s appearance and seemed to understand the happy news.

“Di-Diella! You have come out of the pavilion!”

Diella, dressed in a beautiful ruffled dress and a pretty bow, looked like a true young noblewoman. Finding her so charming, Miriela rushed to hug her.

“Ah, hello, mother…”

“Diella. My dear Diella. I was so worried…”

“Don’t be surprised, mother. Diella managed to materialize magic recently and is now working hard to master a one-star spell.”

“Really? Diella! You have worked so hard! Oh, I’ll have to consider buying a wand or a staff. Perhaps I should look in the magic shops in Ebelstain…”

“Ha, ha… Mother, it’s too early for that.”

Valerian gently scolded his mother with a smile. Mages who carried their own wand or staff were usually intermediate practitioners of the three-star level.

Even so, many didn’t bother to do so unless necessary, as those magical objects were quite expensive.

It was an old custom for parents to get excited about their children’s achievements as a sign of joy.

“What has happened for such progress to be achieved in so little time…? It’s as if the world has changed.”

“Uh… well…”

While Diella hesitated, Valerian responded with a gentle smile.

“The new magic teacher Aiselin brought has played a pivotal role.”

“Oh. I must thank him. Is he here in the mansion now?”

“Here he is. This is Dereck, the mage from Ebelstain.”

Standing among the servants, Dereck met Miriela’s gaze and greeted her calmly.

Miriela approached with a sweet look in her eyes and spoke to Dereck.

“My daughter owes you much. Are you a mage from Ebelstain?”

“Yes. My name is Dereck.”

Miriela spoke in a soft voice, with a warm smile.

“Diella has changed magic teachers many times, but you have achieved magnificent results. I thank you very much. I cannot stand idly by; I want to send you a token of appreciation from our family… Could you tell me which house you belong to? I must express the sincerity of the House of Duplain.”

At those words, Valerian looked away uncomfortably, as did the other servants.

Dereck, who was watching the situation from the corner of his eye, seemed to understand what was happening.

“I have no family ties.”

“…Pardon?”

“I am a commoner.”

After that statement, an uncomfortable silence took hold of the main hall of the ducal residence.

The affectionate look Miriela had given him, as if seeing a philanthropist, vanished, replaced by a cold indifference.

Dereck already knew it, after hearing the news from Valerian.

She was the personification of aristocratic authority.