Chapter 155

Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Siern’s breathing was not even disturbed.

Both the white blouse and the light blue skirt were impeccable, as if they had just been washed.

In contrast, looking at Trisha was so pitiful that it was hard to keep one’s eyes fixed on her.

It was a relief that most of the spectators had already left the venue, because almost no one was left to witness that deplorable state.

Trisha, panting, stood up and looked up through her completely disheveled hair.

“Certainly… you are really good…”

It wasn’t just “good”; she didn’t even come close to reaching her toes.

At this point, even if she put on airs of grandeur and raised her voice, there was no one left to admire her.

Even so, Trisha increased her magic and finished preparing to start the fifty-sixth duel.

Siern, with a drop of sweat sliding down her temple as if she were bewildered, watched Trisha in silence as she stood up slowly and shook her head.

Her expression, with narrowed eyes and a silent sigh, was as if she were watching a fool repeating a useless effort.

Again, Siern looked toward Diella.

Since Dereck had asked her to respect Diella’s will, she thought to consult her opinion.

Diella, sitting at one end of the spectator area, watched the duel with a bewildered expression.

‘I certainly thought she would make a fool of herself and faint…’

Seeing Trisha, broken and barely struggling to stand up, something familiar surfaced in her mind.

It was the image of a young girl, from some distant place in the past.

That girl had been born as the youngest of a famous family, but she showed no outstanding magical ability and was cast aside.

Locked in an annex, covering herself in thorns and rejecting everyone, she sank alone into the darkness.

After wandering aimlessly, she found a good teacher, discovered the essence of magic, and began to fight for recognition.

She fought in a duel against her second brother, whom she could never defeat.

With her body full of wounds, she tried to stand up to win, but ended up defeated.

In that duel, held in the garden of the Duplain House, Diella lay there, unable to move her body, crying non-stop.

Covered in dirt, her face stained with tears, with no strength in her arms or legs, she still tried to stand up, but could not, and continued crying.

It was a deeply buried memory, from a long time ago.

The Diella of then and the Diella of now had changed positions and authority.

Under the constant guidance of Dereck, she was ascending to the 2-star level.

After being recognized by several young nobles of the Rose Hall and the Ravenclaw Academy circle, Diella had obtained true authority.

Compared to the days I spent in the annex, everything had completely changed.

Now she had loyal followers, recognized magical achievements, and the respect of other young women from the academic circle.

Even so, sometimes one had to look back.

Just as Dereck remembered his days as a mercenary always taking care of his weapons, Diella also had to learn something from his attitude toward life.

Why do you keep standing up?

Diella was still young.

The young academics feared her like a wild lioness, but if one looked past the surface, there was only a desire for recognition, emotional emptiness, and ambition.

Things that anyone her age could have.

That is why, upon seeing in Trisha an overlapping image of her former self, she could not mock her coldly.

It was strange.

Considering how she struck servants without hesitation, mocked nobles, and reigned as a tyrant, that reaction did not correspond to her current state.

At that instant, she felt a drop of sweat run down her cheek.

“If this continues, it will become a problem, Lady Diella.”

Ellen, who had been observing the situation from the spectator area in front, had approached without Diella noticing.

With her hand gripping the hem of her dress, the young redhead spoke.

A young woman recognized as the new mistress of House Belmierd, without a reputation as a tyrant, respected by her servants.

Trisha was the daughter of the Countess of Renuel.

Even if it was part of a duel, they could not leave her in pieces like that.

Although technically it was a challenge she herself had requested, one more step and they would cross the line.

Siern was a monster who felt no aversion to killing.

If they let her continue, she could truly overstep the limit, and the responsibility would fall not only on Diella, but also on Dereck.

Neither Diella nor Ellen wanted that.

“……”

Diella turned her head.

Despite being broken, and with her breathing ragged, Trisha continued to stare fixedly at Siern.

In her, Diella saw someone who was fighting desperately to prove her worth.

Even someone as arrogant and haughty as Trisha had things she could not give up until the end.

The main one: she never bowed her head.

“…”

Finally, Diella slowly closed her eyes and lowered her head.

It was the first time, since the young tyrant had entered Rose Hall, that she lowered her gaze before someone else.

***

“Ufufufu. Uhuhuhuhu. Oh-hohohoho.”

Thanks for the instructions, Christopher.

Winter is in full swing. For spring to arrive, one still has to endure a little more cold.

While the construction work of the Ravenclaw Academy proceeded without setbacks, Dereck visited the house of Count Renuel to receive the supply of support that Countess Rodelia had promised him in advance.

While waiting for Countess Rodelia, sitting in the reception hall, her daughter Trisha appeared in her place.

Upon seeing her, Dereck could not help but be momentarily surprised, for she who always maintained an elegant appearance like that of a delicate flower had her body bandaged in several places.

The wounds on her face seemed to have been treated in some way, but those on her body had not yet healed.

For a young woman of the nobility who had to maintain an impeccable appearance at all times, it was a serious matter.

However, despite her pitiful state, Trisha was smiling broadly with her usual mischievous expression.

Thump.

What she placed on the reception table was a document containing something truly absurd.

In that letter, sealed with the seal of Diella Katherine Duplain, daughter of the Duplain family, it was stated that Trisha was recognized as a member of Ravenclaw.

The handwriting was exactly the same as the one Diella Dereck knew, and the Duplain emblem was also authentic.

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He checked it two or three times, but there was no error. Even Dereck, who was rarely surprised, could not help but tilt his head at something so unreal.

“How is it? Fufu. Fufufu…”

“Although she said it, I never thought you would actually receive recognition from Miss Diella. How did you get it?”

“Well… I was also a little surprised when I received the letter this morning, but… it’s not such an incredible thing, don’t you think?”

Trisha put a hand on her waist, raised her chin, and, covering her mouth with a feather fan, laughed maliciously.

She literally looked like a third-rate villain.

Her arrogant and brazen laugh was so exaggerated that, at this point, it was almost impressive.

I am Lady Trisha, of the house of Count Renuel. Authority, elegance, character, talent, and a radiant grace worthy of a high-society flower. How could I not resolve something so simple? It seems that Baron Ravenclaw underestimated me too much.

And then she narrowed her eyes and laughed “oh-hoho.”

Seeing Trisha boast so much and puff out an imaginary chest with pride, anyone would feel like flicking her on the forehead.

But Dereck simply left the letter on the table and listened silently to the empty praise Trisha heaped upon herself, while at the same time taking a look at the bandages on her right wrist and those protruding near her left ankle.

If those were just the visible parts, it was not difficult to imagine the state of the rest of her body.

“…”

“Baron Ravenclaw shouldn’t underestimate me so much either. Listen carefully. I, Trisha…”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…”

The phrase that wounded her words pierced her like a stab.

It wasn’t even anything special, but for an instant, it felt as if a knife had struck her chest.

Trisha was left speechless, her eyes trembling. Then came the silence. A second, perhaps. That brief silence filled the entire room.

Trisha began to pout, but then raised her head again and smiled in an exaggerated way.

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“That I worked hard? Not at all! It was so obvious and simple that it required no effort. I don’t know why you say that…”

“Really?”

“Anyway! Now Baron Ravenclaw has no way to retract. Even if he wanted to, he won’t be able to avoid accepting me as his youngest disciple. What an unfortunate situation for him! Fufufu…” Fantasy audiobook series

“It will be an honor. My teachings will be simple, but I hope you find them useful.”

“Oh…!”

Dereck does not react to useless provocations.

Since he never responded the way she wanted, Trisha always ended up feeling a strange frustration every time she spoke to him.

Even so, her pride was as big as a mountain and she would never let herself be intimidated.

“Of course! What a strange thing to say…!”

“But if you are going to enter as the youngest disciple, you must respect the opinion of others. As I already said, hierarchy exists and it is clear.”

“T-that… of course…”

The joy of having received recognition from Diella did not last long.

Then came the wall of reality.

No matter what others said, Trisha would be the last to join Dereck’s disciples.

That meant she would have to submit to those above her, and the people on that list were not easy: Diella, Ellen, Denise, Siern.

“Enduring that might be even more difficult than learning magic…”

“Well… I don’t think it’s that difficult. They are reasonable people, aren’t they?”

“Reasonable…?”

“…”

Dereck’s expression as he stared fixedly into the distance made Trisha’s blood run cold. Being “reasonable” was relative.

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Dereck clenched his fist and raised it toward her.

“In any case, don’t be discouraged. Even if the sky falls, there will always be a way out…”

“What kind of saying is that? As if the sky were going to fall…”

“No matter how stormy the sea of life is, the rain always ends…”

“Why have you become so poetic all of a sudden…?”

Dereck sighed.

He had planned to evaluate Trisha’s magical level starting the following week, but no matter how much he checked, the result would not change much.

Trisha’s growth limit as a mage was already practically established.

If she had been destined to shine, she would have done so already. While she was not bad compared to common nobles, her problem lay in who she was compared with.

That is why Dereck clenched his fist even tighter and insisted.

“Just in case, I will say this…”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to feel intimidated.”

At those words, Trisha smiled broadly, almost with a childish air. She was still arrogant, but that mixture of pride and innocence had an ironic charm.

“What an unnecessary concern.”

Perhaps that was Trisha’s true nature.

***

When Trisha finished her conversation with Dereck and left the reception room, Countess Rodelia, who had just finished her duties, was approaching from a distance down the hall.

Seeing her, Trisha’s shoulders tightened completely. Although the news about the letter sent by Diella would have already reached Rodelia, she had not yet given a personal explanation.

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As soon as Countess Rodelia saw Trisha, she approached her with a satisfied smile and spoke.

“I heard the news, Trisha. You have already become an official disciple. I am so proud of you…! It is such good news that I couldn’t even focus on work!” Fantasy audiobook series

“Mother, please… you are exaggerating too much.”

It was not common to see the always strict Rodelia with such a cheerful expression.

She knew very well how difficult it was to become a disciple of Baron Ravenclaw, so she sincerely celebrated her daughter’s achievement.

“I sincerely feel that I treated you like a burden for too long, and I am beginning to regret my behavior. Trisha, you have done very well.”

“This result is not a big deal, mother. As you can see, I managed to establish a connection with Baron Ravenclaw… Now you will be able to use me politically in a meaningful way. Of course, it is an important event that deserves to be celebrated.”

“It is not because of that, Trisha.”

Countess Rodelia placed both hands on Trisha’s shoulders and gave her a sweet smile.

“Of course, the relationship with Baron Ravenclaw is important. But beyond that, I am impressed by your sincere effort. As your mother, I cannot help but feel proud of you.”

“…”

“I heard about what happened in the Elfontine building. Also about your injuries… I imagine it couldn’t have been easy.”

“It seems they exaggerated a little, mother. It is not something worth calling effort or anything of the sort; it was child’s play.”

Trisha raised her voice again. Her attitude implied that none of this was worth such a fuss.

“And who am I? I am Trisha, the noblest lady of the Renuel house. Jumping for joy at having entered as a disciple of a mere frontier noble would be a vulgar attitude, unbecoming of my status and authority.”

“Is that so? I am glad that you are taking it calmly.”

“The Baron Ravenclaw is waiting. He has many matters to deal with regarding the construction of the Academy. Hurry. I will retire to rest.”

After showing a confident smile once more, Trisha bowed and crossed the hall.

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Her firm steps echoed as she advanced.

Rodelia watched in silence as her daughter moved away with determined steps and, finally, smiling with satisfaction, opened the door to the room and entered.

Creak.

Steps.

After walking for a while, Trisha remembered something suddenly and took out the letter she had received that morning to read it again.

The letter written word for word by the tyrant of the Duplain family, in which Diella recognized Trisha.

And immediately the image of her mother, Rodelia, came to mind, smiling as if she were the happiest person in the world.

All that mixed together and caused a strange sensation in Trisha’s chest.

Of course, without showing it. Her figure continued to advance firmly. Only, subtly, the tip of her nose became damp.

“The air is very humid for winter.”

Trisha rubbed her face with the sleeve of her coat and continued walking down the hall with a firm expression, as if nothing had happened.

It seemed that the procedures for the construction of the Ravenclaw Academy were also entering their final phase.