Chapter 18

Chapter 18
## Chapter 18
Whish!

Bluish magic gathered at her fingertips and then completely vanished.

At the edge of the ancient training ground, Aiselin lifted the hem of her dress and greeted her opponent with an elegant smile.

“Excellent work.”

Marble statues sculpted by ancient masters, gleaming wooden floors, and oak columns surrounded the space. The polished stands were adorned with purple velvet cushions. Every detail exuded luxury, and the surrounding space was clear enough for spectators to bring their companions.

At the opposite end of the opulent duel hall sat a desperate young noblewoman. She was the youngest daughter of the Barony of Glaven.

She had earned the chance to duel Lady Aiselin, one of the most prominent figures in Ebelstain’s social circles, but the encounter ended in less than a minute.

She should have calmed her nerves after the night before, studied more, but she was so fascinated by Lady Aiselin’s elegant magic that the duel ended before she realized it. She felt deeply disappointed for having wasted such a valuable opportunity.

“I hope I can learn from you again in the future.”

Lady Aiselin descended from the podium before the admiring gazes of numerous nobles.

***

Discover more
Books
Sci-fi and fantasy movies
Action and adventure movies

If someone mentions the largest city in the Western Empire, it is undoubtedly Ebelstain.

True to its nickname, “the city of a thousand faces,” this place has many facets: from slums to commercial and residential areas. Among the various neighborhoods of Ebelstain, the noble district stands out like a flower in a field. Commoners simply call it the aristocratic district.

The noble neighborhood is located outside the northern walls of Ebelstain, where nobles from all the western provinces gather. Upon entering, one is met with a view completely different from anything seen before.

The dilapidated wooden houses disappear, replaced by imposing mansions surrounded by well-kept gardens, fountains, and ancient statues.

Compared to the slums where Dereck had lived, this noble road in Ebelstain might as well be a paradise. Instead of the stench of rotting food, the air smelled of flowers; instead of muddy paths, pristine sidewalks stretched out.

The shops located among the mansions sold only luxury items, and the carriages traveling the streets were richly decorated for high-ranking guests.

Strolling among cherry blossoms, one could look up at the blue sky and watch the petals float gently through the garden courtyards. The attire of the nobility was dazzling. The men wore elegant brocade jackets and waistcoats with elaborate designs. The women wore silk dresses adorned with jewels.

No one appeared neglected. Their dignity was reminiscent of a royal palace.

Looking at the sun-drenched square, it was not hard to imagine that one had entered another world. The contrast with the grimy slums was indescribable.

“Lately, Miss Aiselin seems to be in a very good mood. At the last meeting, she looked quite worried. I feared it would affect her porcelain skin.”

Was it that obvious? I didn’t want to cause concern… But in any case, most of my worries have been resolved and now I feel much more at peace.

To one side of the central path of the noble district, a tea house adorned with beautiful flowers served as a meeting place for the ladies of the nobility.

After finishing their morning magic duel practice, acquaintances gathered to converse.

Passersby could not help but stare. Among them were the most admired figures of Ebelstain’s nobility.

Lady Denice of the Ducal House of Beltus.

Lady Aiselin of the Ducal House of Duplain.

Lady Elente of the Kingdom of Bellmead.

Among the noble families of the Western Empire, these three were the most influential young women. They did not meet for grand purposes, but simply had the habit of socializing regularly.

Discover more
Anime and manga
Translator recruitment
Coin packs

The Hall of Roses.

An association formed around the nobility supported by these three houses.

They met to exchange knowledge about magic, engage in artistic activities, or participate in light sports.

The Hall of Roses was, in fact, the most prestigious magic salon in high society.

Many nobles in Ebelstain vied for an invitation to these meetings, as the truly powerful gathered there.

Although it called itself a magic salon, magic was only a part of it. It was a place to exchange ideas on art, culture, and politics. All sorts of stories emerged there, including the rumors circulating among noble families.

“I was very worried to hear that Miss Aiselin had ventured outside the noble district to help someone. Especially near the slums or the taverns; those places are dangerous. Please, be careful.”

“…Thank you for your concern. Actually, I needed to find someone to teach magic to my little sister, Diella.”

“Diella? From House Duplain…?”

Under the warm sun, Lady Denice asked cautiously as she raised her teacup.

Even someone as esteemed as Lady Aiselin was not exempt from flaws. Her younger sister was one of them.

Spreading rumors about a problematic woman in one’s own family was undesirable, so most houses tried to suppress such talk. But there was a limit. Among the servants who had left House Duplain or the magic tutors who had tried to teach her, Diella’s reputation was well known.

No one expected Lady Aiselin herself to bring up those rumors, as no one dared to speak of them in her presence.

“I visited the mansion recently and saw Diella. She has become a very refined young woman; you wouldn’t recognize her. She has even manifested first-class magic… and her bearing is so elegant that it made me think I must also work harder.”

“Miss Diella achieved that?”

“Yes. Even I, as her older sister, was surprised by how much she has changed… It’s like seeing the innocent child she once was, and that fills me with joy. Lately, I find myself humming or smiling for no reason, almost lightheaded. I always try not to appear too frivolous.”

Lady Aiselin’s smile bloomed like a flower. Lady Elente, sitting quietly beside her, sipped her tea while reading some brochures, and then looked sideways.

With her serene countenance and her flowing red hair, Lady Elente tilted her head slightly and asked in a low voice:

Discover more
Action and adventure novels
Translation services
Language learning tools

“So, have you found a good magic teacher?”

“Yes. His status or skills might not be extraordinary for a magic teacher… but he seems to have an exceptional talent for teaching. I never imagined someone could guide Diella so well in such a short time.”

“That is extraordinary. It is said that finding a magic teacher nowadays is harder than plucking a star from the sky; Miss Aiselin, you have made a great contribution.”

“What did I do? All the credit goes to Mr. Dereck. Ah, Dereck is the name of the magic teacher. He is a former mercenary from the Beldern Mercenary Corp, and his magic power is extraordinary. Even his method for channeling mana is unique…”

Of mercenary origin. Those words were woven into Lady Aiselin’s enthusiastic explanation of Dereck.

Upon hearing them, both Lady Elente and Lady Denice felt a chill. They could not believe that a low-born mercenary was giving classes to a lady of the prestigious House Duplain.

Lady Aiselin was known for her open-mindedness and fairness, but the other two members of the Rose Hall were not like that. They could only smile uncomfortably.

However, Lady Elente’s reaction was slightly different.

“If it’s Diella Catherine Duplain… isn’t she that infamous troublemaker the chef talked about…?”

The chef of Countess Belmiard’s estate, where Lady Elente lived, had belonged to House Duplain. He had been reprimanded and fired for serving Diella soup that was too hot.

The burly chef held a deep grudge against Diella. After being fired, he wandered aimlessly until Countess Belmiard took him in. From then on, he served her with gratitude and loyalty.

“From what I’ve heard, it’s as if that little demon never existed… To not only reform someone like that, but to turn her into a first-class mage…?”

It was difficult to believe that someone who barely knew how to use magic had become a first-class mage in such a short time. But the source of the information was Lady Aiselin.

Lady Elente knew well that Lady Aiselin never boasted without reason. Her gaze sharpened.

Lady Elente was a person who never overlooked stories of exceptional talent.

***

Miriela felt joy and frustration at the same time.

It had been a long time since she had experienced such mixed emotions, and even with her dear daughter Diella before her, she could not find the words.

“The tea leaves are from Delarvail’s shop in Ebelstain, brought especially by sister Aiselin. It has been a very long time since I tasted them, but the aroma is just as I remembered it.”

Discover more
Web novel platform
Video game related content
Online reading platform

In the ladies’ reception room. After finishing all her etiquette lessons for the day, Diella hurried to her room and was now sitting elegantly at the tea table, speaking in a refined tone.

What could be said? Her bearing was everything Lady Miriela had hoped for: it brimmed with the elegance befitting a young noblewoman.

With Aiselin’s impeccable example at her side and numerous etiquette books for reference, she had all the necessary resources. Before straying from the right path, she had taken etiquette classes, and her instructor, Dereck, had not ignored them. Combining these factors, she had sufficient knowledge to behave like a lady of the nobility. Books and literature.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t before; she simply didn’t want to.

Miriela knew it, but she never thought someone like Diella could reform so completely.

“Di-Diella. I understand you have been studying etiquette on your own.”

“Yes. A bit of self-study, and Dereck taught me some things. I cannot be a child forever.”

“…Indeed. Studying on your own is very admirable.”

“Yes. I studied on my own, and Dereck also taught me.”

“Were there any parts of self-study that you found difficult?”

“There were some obstacles, but Dereck knew more than I expected.”

Dereck, Dereck, Dereck.

The subtle emphasis on Dereck’s contributions was significant. Miriela had to suppress the urge to put her hands to her head.

Supposedly, Dereck had taught Diella what it meant to be a noble. Despite the facts, that was what Diella claimed. Dereck was not an etiquette teacher. His knowledge was undoubtedly limited.

It was true that Diella’s manners were still quite basic… But it was Diella, precisely. Diella, who had gone through so many difficulties, was now showing true elegance.

Miriela remembered the expressions of the servants as they walked together to the reception room: their eyes almost popped out of their sockets seeing Diella behave with such elegance. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief or pinched their cheeks.

It was not hard to predict the rumors that would soon spread through the mansion.

“The new instructor, Dereck, has perfected Diella’s elegance.”

Discover more
Character products
Swords and knives
Graphic novels

“It must be Dereck.”

“No one believed that rebellious child could reform, but he is an exceptional instructor.”

It was easy to imagine such comments. This meant that Miriela’s justification for firing Dereck would soon disappear.

Had she not always opposed hiring Dereck because he would stain the dignity of the nobility?

But if Diella was now correctly learning the norms of noble etiquette, Miriela’s authority would be trampled.

In any case, it was checkmate. Miriela felt her mind go blank.

***

✦ Combat Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Magic Arrow

★☆☆☆☆☆ Shockwave

★☆☆☆☆☆ Full Power Manifestation

★★☆☆☆☆ Fireball

✦ Transformation Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Light Creation

★★☆☆☆☆ Earth Wall

✦ Confusion Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Silence

★★☆☆☆☆ Hallucination

★★☆☆☆☆ Confusion

✦ Summoning Magic

Discover more
Manga comics
History
Coin shop

★☆☆☆☆☆ Summon – Fairy Guide

✦ Exploration Magic

★☆☆☆☆☆ Sense of Direction

★★☆☆☆☆ Clairvoyance

★★☆☆☆☆ Life Detection

Dereck diligently studied the three-star grimoire he had brought with him, having received permission to read it at the desk in his private room.

However, even Dereck, born with exceptional magic talent among the common people, could not easily master three-star magic at his age.

Among commoners, those who reached the three-star level were respectable men who had dedicated their entire lives to magic, or elderly mages.

For Dereck, still young and inexperienced, this level was a bit out of his reach.

“Hmm… The knowledge of the Regulated Academy is a bit limited. Learning through practical application is most effective for me… but it’s hard to do that in this environment.”

Most of the spells he had learned so far he had mastered quickly through practical application on the battlefield as a mercenary.

That was how most mages from wild academies learned. Although he found it somewhat limiting, Dereck experienced a strange sense of satisfaction.

For some unknown reason, he felt that if he applied himself to his research, he could reach the three-star level. It was a strange intuition, without any logical basis.

“Is it not said that magic and ambition are inseparable?”

He remembered the words of his mentor, Katia.

—Knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of his private room. Before Dereck could respond, the door opened and a broad-shouldered man entered.

It was Leigh, the second son of the noble Duplain family.

With his arm muscles bulging, he sauntered in and stopped firmly, observing Dereck in silence.

“What brings you here?”

“…I came to talk about Diella.”

“…?”

Dereck closed the book and left it on the table. When Leigh glanced at it and recognized that it was a three-star grimoire, he flinched.

Leigh, wondering why Dereck was reading a three-star magic book that even he couldn’t understand, remembered the words of Grand Duke Duplain.

Dereck’s current magic level was far superior to his own. Whether Leigh, heir to the Duplain bloodline, could surpass him in the future was uncertain, but for now, their levels were not comparable. He must not challenge him recklessly. Only someone like Valerian could be a worthy rival.

Leigh remembered that those words were not empty. Furthermore, access to three-star grimoires was restricted without the Grand Duke’s permission.

Leigh narrowed his eyes and finally sat down across from Dereck.

His serious countenance made Dereck straighten his posture as well.

“You have come all this way to ask me something… What is it?”

“…Don’t misunderstand me, just listen.”

“Understood.”

“…”

With a serious face, Leigh asked:

“What do teenage girls like nowadays…?”

“…”

“Would they like it if I made them a doll embroidered in their likeness?”

“That wouldn’t work at all.”

Remembering Valerian’s look of horror, Dereck quickly dissuaded Leigh.