Chapter 148

Chapter 148
## Chapter 148

“In any case, I have a feeling that I will meet Baron Ravenclaw again in a higher place in the future.”

Kohella viewed the expansion of Baron Ravenclaw’s territory favorably—much more so than one might expect. Certainly, as she herself said, not all nobles were like Grand Duke Beltus.

After concluding the conversation and stepping out into the garden, Kohella, receiving the farewells of Dereck and the servants, wore a meaningful smile.

«I will inform His Majesty Guttrel that Baron Ravenclaw’s plan to build the Academy is solid and that it could also contribute to the cohesion of the Empire. I don’t believe there is any reason to oppose the diversification of the Empire’s magical education system. However…»

“…Yes?”

“I see. It would be best to limit the possibility of completing professional magical training exclusively to nobles with titles.”

The sense of monopoly that the nobles held over magic was something that did not seem to change with the passage of time.

In an era where a good bloodline was considered indispensable to becoming a good mage, it was difficult to expect great results when teaching magic to commoners without any foundation.

Even so, Kohella, as a representative of the Empire’s noble mages, showed a certain nervousness. One way or another, magic had to continue to be perceived as a privilege of the nobility.

“Understood.”

When Dereck nodded, Kohella smiled, satisfied, and looked for a moment toward the roof of the Ravenclaw mansion.

“There are many eyes watching.”

“…”

“Today we have only dealt with formal matters, but if one day we meet in the center of the Empire, I would like to have a deep conversation about various magics. Baron Ravenclaw seems to be, like me, someone deeply immersed in magic itself.”

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That said, Kohella narrowed her eyes and spoke in a meaningful tone.

“I’m sure we will have many things in common. Especially regarding magic.”

After those final words, Kohella walked toward the main gate just as she had arrived. Each of her steps, light and ethereal, seemed to contain a strange power.

Regardless of whether she truly intended to return to Gremport Palace on foot or not, she flatly rejected the servants’ attempt to prepare a carriage for her.

“We will meet again in the center of the continent.”

The meaning of that phrase depended on how it was interpreted.

«The next time we see each other, it will be difficult to know if it will be as an enemy or an ally.»

Kohella’s cloak, fluttering in the wind as she moved slowly toward the open field, made her figure look like that of a nomad wandering the world.

“What sharp sight! Despite the years that have passed, her intuition remains as sharp as ever.”

On the roof of the Ravenclaw mansion, under the sunlight, Fina—who was basking as if she were performing photosynthesis—let out a giggle as she watched Kohella walk away.

“If she still wishes to obtain the magic of the death field from this servant, I must at least acknowledge that obsession. It truly gives me the chills.”

Fina, who had lived through hundreds upon hundreds of seasonal changes, felt that although it was already cold, spring had not yet arrived.

***

Kohella was undoubtedly a sinister person, but it was also difficult to deny that her words had been quite comforting.

To further expand the power of the territory, increase his influence, manage the academy well, and, as a result, become a mage of an even higher level, there were many things he had to do.

«Taking a fifth direct disciple is not a bad idea in itself, but there are still aspects that worry me.»

Dereck was deep in thought while increasing his magic power in the training ground set up behind the barony.

Every time he practiced magic, the maids assisting him had to stay away for fear of being struck by that force.

Consequently, there was no better place than this wide space to organize his thoughts without anyone attending to his side.

«Taking someone as a disciple just to raise the prestige of the house would not be respectful to that person.»

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Dereck was a man who placed special significance on the master-disciple relationship.

From the beginning, he had received so much grace from the masters he met during his training that he himself, when teaching his own disciples, always offered to help them in every way possible.

For him, that was natural.

Despite having reached a superior magical level and status, he continued to send greeting letters to Katia and treated her with respect.

It was the same when he quickly went to see Ellen for family matters, and when he pressured the Beltus family while trying to protect Denise’s authority at the same time.

For Dereck, the master-disciple relationship was not something that could be created and discarded lightly.

«If I’m going to do it, I must do it right. If I’m really going to take another disciple, I have to commit to teaching them correctly.»

¡Fwoosh!

3-star transformation magic, “Acceleration.”

Dereck interpreted the magic that Siern used in his own way and managed to implement it with a more efficient method of using magic power.

Furthermore, using the residual magic effect embedded in the staff “Traces,” he could use Acceleration once more without consuming magic power.

Then, if he properly combined the transformation magic “Elemental Conversion” and the illusion magic “Refraction,” he could transfer that acceleration—originally applicable only to his own body—to the movement of other substances.

It was as if time flowed faster only for that particular substance.

4-star transformation magic, “Distortion.”

Even the most experienced transformation mages would need quite a bit of time to understand and apply this principle in actual combat.

But Dereck, a mercenary mage of the wild school, independent of the rigid framework of orthodox magic systems, was able to adapt immediately and learn a new 4-star magic.

¡Tap!

When Dereck threw a knife affected by Distortion, it flew toward the trunk of a distant pine tree and embedded itself in it.

Although the tree was quite far away, it took less than a tenth of a second to reach it.

It was as if the time and force applied to the dagger were distorted.

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Predicting that movement was not easy.

‘If I manage to apply this in combat, it will be easier for me to attack the enemy’s weak points.’

Dereck closed and opened his fist while evaluating his own growth.

Perhaps it made no sense to teach this to someone who could not intuitively understand the process of manifesting this magic.

As he had said himself, if he was going to do something, he had to do it right.

Due to the residual effects of having pushed his magic power to the extreme, a cold sweat ran down his forehead.

He sat in a nearby wooden chair to catch his breath.

At that moment, the maids stationed at the perimeter approached and handed him a towel and fresh water.

When Dereck reached out to receive them, he saw that the fingertips of the maid were trembling.

“…”

Upon observing her closely, she seemed new.

It was the first time she had seen Dereck training magic, and she looked at him as if she were contemplating a dangerous weapon.

And when he looked around the training ground, the scene was devastating: the grass was torn up, the ground twisted; it looked like a battlefield.

“You don’t need to bring it to me unless I ask for it.”

“Y-yes. U-understood.”

Dereck, with an apathetic gaze, sent her back to the perimeter.

Although Delbriton had surely given her instructions, showing that reaction all the time would only make him more uncomfortable.

That was it. Teaching magic made no sense if the one receiving it was not prepared to accept it.

Seeing the maid flee awkwardly, Dereck thought that.

If he taught for reasons of worldly prestige and chose just anyone at random, it did not suit him.

So he had to choose someone authentic, someone worth teaching.

And at the same time, he had to fulfill the original goal of helping the Duplain family recover.

He had to catch two rabbits at once.

***

“The result is that I considered Lady Diella the most reliable person.”

The following day, news spread that Baron Ravenclaw had personally gone to Diella’s mansion in the noble district of Ebelstein.

At that moment, what most shocked the noble society of Ebelstein was who would be accepted as the Baron’s new direct disciple.

And given that context, the fact that he—who lately had never left the barony—appeared directly in Ebelstein was an event of enormous importance.

And the first thing he did upon arriving was visit Diella.

The Duplain sisters were already gaining prominence in the Rose Salon; this event was like giving them wings.

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The nobles of society, always attentive to news, immediately informed their families.

But the most bewildered person was, of course…

Diella herself.

“M-me… me… me…?”

Since early in the morning, Diella had an expression as if lightning had struck her head.

She had studied magic before sleeping and was exhausted, with her hair completely disheveled.

Upon learning that Dereck had come in person, she almost fainted.

She fixed herself up as best she could with the help of the head maid, but even so, the tips of her nails were broken, her eyelashes slightly lifted; it was a situation so embarrassing she wished she could die.

But she couldn’t leave Dereck waiting, staring at the wall, so she hurried out.

“Yes. It may seem a bit sudden, but I reached this conclusion after much reflection. As I said, although my background is humble and my position still modest, there are already several people to whom I teach magic. And since there must be discipline among them, I thought about who could occupy the central figure position. And Lady Diella is the most suitable.”

Diella Katherine Duplain was one of the youngest among Dereck’s disciples.

And he wanted to give her the position of chief disciple.

If the choice were based simply on who had the greatest magical achievement, the choice would be Siern or Denise.

Siern was born a genius, and Denise had an astonishing learning speed.

If it were about choosing the “star disciple,” it would be one of them.

But if it were about choosing the person who would be in command regulating the other disciples, Dereck chose Diella.

She was born with the qualities of a ruler. Similar yet different from Ellen of Belmierd: if Ellen guided people with harmony, Diella had a charisma that made others follow her willingly.

Although she seemed bold, rude, and inconsiderate, if her temperament were refined, she could become a leader who dominated everyone.

“Chief disciple… and does that… change anything…?”

“I have heard rumors that in high society it is whispered that Baron Ravenclaw might accept a new disciple. And well, you know, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. It’s not a lie.”

“Are you going to take another disciple?”

Diella’s lips protruded.

Lately, Dereck was very busy, the disciples were more numerous, and she felt increasingly distant from him.

And although she wished to get closer, her pride did not allow her to be possessive.

But keeping silent only made her want to complain more, and she realized that she herself was a headache.

And now, on top of all that, another disciple.

“Of course, I’m not going to accept just anyone. But since I don’t have time to analyze each person in depth, I will announce only one condition: whoever wants to receive my teaching must obtain the approval of the chief disciple.”

In any organization, the authority in personnel matters always falls to the central figure.

Dereck planned to leave all decisions regarding future disciples in Diella’s hands.

She was the one who knew Dereck best, as she had observed him closely for a long time.

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“I will trust Lady Diella’s judgment completely. I will communicate this to everyone and announce it officially.”

Dereck said it clearly. Diella remained with a dumbfounded expression and then blushed instantly.

“N-no! Dereck, your disciple… you should decide that!”

“I already told you that, given the circumstances, that is very difficult. And that I trust your judgment.”

“N-no… there are other people… with a good eye for others… like Aiselin…”

“Officially, Lady Aiselin is not my direct disciple.”

“T-then… Lady Ellen… or Lady Denise…”

Derek responded firmly:

“If we talk about qualities to see, use, and judge people as a ruler, I trust Lady Diella much more. That is what I have been saying, right?”

Faced with such a confident statement, without the slightest hint of doubt, Diella felt the heat rising up her back.

With such brilliant companions around her, she wondered if her own brightness was being eclipsed. But for Dereck to tell her personally “You are the best”… how could she not be moved?

Diella began to move restlessly with emotion while her eyes sparkled.

Seeing Dereck nod, she snorted hot air through her nose and squeezed her knees.

“T-then there’s nothing to be done. Well… Dereck is busy, after all…”

The rumor that Dereck would take a fifth disciple had been circulating for a long time. And undoubtedly, Dereck intended to teach magic to more people.

But Diella, in her heart, apologized to him.

‘Thank you for trusting me, but I’m sorry, Dereck.’

With a smile very typical of a young girl, she thought.

‘I’m not approving anyone.’

Becoming a direct disciple of Baron Ravenclaw: there were not many people in the noble society of Ebelstein capable of overcoming that obstacle.

The next day, the Barony of Ravenclaw officially announced that it would accept a fifth direct disciple.

The news reached the Elfontaine Hall bulletin board instantly.

– Whisper, whisper…

Although many thought a large crowd would gather, upon seeing the announced condition, the young ladies of the nobility swallowed hard.

Everyone doubted what they saw.

They had to receive approval from Diella, the true figure of Duplain and the tyrant of the Rose Salon.

“…”

Trisha and numerous nobles looked at it with dead fish eyes.

There was no possible answer.