Chapter 69

Chapter 69
## Chapter 69

“4-star magic weapons…? This implies a lot. It couldn’t have been an easy decision to put such items in the hands of a commoner.”

Roen placed two weapons on the table.

One was the 4-star wand called “Reversion,” and the other was the 4-star staff called “Footprints.”

Magic weapons are usually created by high-ranking transformation mages who invest a great deal of time in their crafting. Each weapon has a unique name because they are not common objects.

Most magic weapons possess special effects due to the influence of transformation magic, and it was likely that these two objects also had their own unique powers.

Dereck rested his chin on his hand and observed the objects alternately for a moment.

Roen, sitting across from him with his legs crossed, sketched a faint smile and said nothing. He seemed anxious to see which of the two objects Dereck would choose.

“Choosing one without receiving prior information?”

A 4-star weapon was worth as much as several mansions. Making such a decision based solely on intuition was quite difficult.

Dereck sensed he was being tested and contemplated the weapons for a few seconds.

“Can I touch them?”

“Of course.”

Dereck picked up the wand adorned with a large gem and ornamental feather decorations, and tested its reaction to his mana.

It was undoubtedly a high-quality object, and he could feel how easily it absorbed magic.

“Its name is ‘Reversion.’ It seems to have the power to reverse magic.”

With just one touch, Dereck roughly deduced the wand’s ability.

*Does it have the power to erase the effects of used magic and return it to its original state? It would be very useful for summoners or transformation mages.*

It seemed it could be used to summon a large creature and then reverse it to recover mana, or to erase various constructs created through transformation magic and recharge energy.

After thinking for a bit, Dereck picked up the staff.

After briefly holding the large staff made of ancient wood, he spoke without even looking back at the wand.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Oh. Any reason?”

“It just feels better.”

“Instinct…? It’s good to be guided by intuition, but you don’t seem like such an impulsive person.”

Roen, intrigued, adjusted his posture and asked Dereck.

“Sure, there wouldn’t be any defects in items granted by the imperial family, but… what if there is a difference in quality between the two?”

“As you said, they shouldn’t have defects. However, this staff seems more practical.”

Roen’s gaze narrowed. Dereck, still seated, lifted the staff and said:

“In the first place, it is light. Of course, the wand is much smaller and lighter, but considering the amount of mana it can handle, its efficiency doesn’t seem that good.”

“Efficiency in terms of weight and performance? Do you usually take that into account when evaluating magic weapons?”

“It is an important factor. And if we consider the name of the staff, ‘Footprints,’ and the feeling that something gets trapped near this gem when accepting magic… it is very likely a magic weapon that leaves an echo.”

Dereck placed the staff back on the table with a serious expression.

“The magic echo is a difficult ability to handle, but extremely practical. Above all, it is useful in duels and one-against-many combat. It can be used for surprise attacks or simply to increase offensive power.”

“Oh. Do you know what magic echo is?”

“I’ve heard it’s a phenomenon that appears in magic weapons of 4-star grade or higher. It is the ability to replicate the same magic in the same place with a time delay, without consuming mana.”

“You have a fairly broad knowledge of magic.”

“Barely superficial, compared to the academic world.”

Magic echo was an ability often found in high-end magic weapons.

It allowed the remains of previously cast magic to concentrate and replicate in the same place.

Two fireballs launched seconds apart… or a wall of earth rising repeatedly… depending on its use, it was an ability that greatly helped in controlling the battlefield.

Dereck preferred a power that allowed him to actively dominate the battlefield, rather than a passive ability that simply used mana efficiently.

That tendency was clearly reflected in his choice of weapon. Roen smiled and said, resting his chin on his hand:

“Academics only see magic as a science. But I believe a true mage should be able to use their power in all fields.”

“I agree. But I believe magic develops best when academic and practical fields are combined.”

*Yes. And there aren’t many talents who manage to integrate both. Most mages prefer to recover energy instinctively through magic rather than learning to use the complex echo effect. Under the excuse of versatility, many neglect practicality and efficiency.*

With an expression of relief, Roen took the wand and tucked it into his robe.

“I won’t go into detail about the value of that weapon. But… isn’t it a bit cumbersome to carry such a large staff? Did you choose it for its practicality?”

“There are several ways to solve the portability problem. I will keep it in mind. Thank you for your concern.”

“I suppose you plan to adjust the weight with transformation magic or disguise its appearance with illusion magic.”

“…”

“Do you master several types of magic? Do you also know something about exploration magic?”

“I was trained by Drest Wolftail, a mage from the Drest Academy in the southwest.”

“Ah… that old man? Does he take disciples?”

Roen looked at Dereck with curiosity. He found it amusing to see Roen, who was only a 3-star mage, calling a great mage like Drest an “old man.”

However, Roen, as if he didn’t care, chuckled and said:

“For an old man who wanders the world as if he were oblivious to everything, he has done quite a few crazy things. But yes, there is no doubt about his talent.”

At that moment, Roen was smiling with satisfaction.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Someone knocked on the reception room door. It seemed that Sir Melverot of the north, who was scheduled to visit that day, had arrived.

Dereck quickly composed himself and stood up just as the door opened.

*Creak.*

However, the one who entered through the door was the imperial magic advisor, Roen.

The man, who appeared young despite his age, widened his eyes upon seeing the scene inside the room.

There were two Roens in the room.

“…No, is this…?”

Before he could react, an immense magical energy began to swirl around the Roen who had been sitting across from Dereck with his legs crossed.

In an instant, the magical energy filled the entire reception hall and, shortly after, a man with silver hair, an arrogant face, and crossed legs revealed his true identity.

It was 4-star level confusion magic: “Perfect Mimicry.”

A high-level spell that allowed one to completely replicate the form of someone known and act like them. It wasn’t a simple illusion, but a perfect imitation that neither ghosts nor mirages could equal.

The silver-haired man, with long hair falling over his shoulders, smiled and spoke.

“Roen. You’re late. Don’t you know that old men like me resort to boring jokes when we have nothing to do?”

“I’m sorry. I was delayed in gathering the materials you requested.”

“It doesn’t matter. Thanks to you, I had the opportunity to test this boy.”

While Dereck alternated his gaze between the two, Roen quickly entered the reception room and bowed.

“I committed a great discourtesy, Lord Melverot.”

When Roen greeted him, the man named Lord Melverot waved his hand as if to say it was nothing.

Although he claimed to be an old man, his appearance was that of a fairly young man.

***

“As you might have imagined, the reason I personally brought the imperial message here… is because I wanted to see you in person.”

“…It is a great honor.”

“They say you are the most renowned magic instructor in the southwest of the continent. Duplain, Beltus, and Belmierd are desperate to hire you… Now that I’ve spoken with you, I understand why. You are different from those so-called magic masters who only play with books.”

Lord Melverot, the greatest mage of the northern continent, had spent his entire life on the battlefield.

He deeply despised the armchair academics who saw teaching simply as the transmission of knowledge.

In fact, this silver-haired man always wore gleaming silver armor, and from his boots to his bracers, everything was perfectly maintained.

He was always ready to enter combat at any moment. From his perspective, Dereck, who had also lived combat very closely as a mercenary, seemed a truly valuable talent.

If it were a matter of teaching swordsmanship or instilling courage, many warriors could do it. But training a truly practical mage… that was another story.

However, it was rare to find someone who possessed the strength that Lord Melverot valued and who, moreover, taught the ancient art of magic.

“Have you heard much about my daughter, Siern?”

“I’ve heard she is a strong and valuable person.”

“That is nothing more than a facade. Surely you’ve also heard rumors that she is a lunatic who kills people for no reason.”

“…”

It was a difficult question to answer. Dereck’s silence provoked a disappointed laugh from Sir Melverot.

“If those rumors were true, would you reject my proposal?”

“One thing is clear: I have no right to refuse.”

“That may be true. But I am not a foolish ruler who entrusts tasks to someone without their own will. I just want to hear your sincere opinion, from your own perspective.”

Dereck knew it. If he showed the slightest hesitation or shook his head, Lord Melverot wouldn’t even bother taking him along.

He might seem like a whimsical man acting on impulse, but that was just a mask to intimidate his counterpart.

He feigned being unpredictable while internally evaluating every gain and loss. That kind of person was truly dangerous.

*‘His way of speaking is strange.’*

Dereck noticed a peculiar nuance in his words.

— *If the rumors are true, would you reject the proposal?*

There was something implicit in that phrase. As if he took it for granted that his daughter was not crazy.

But if that were really the case, he could have said it directly. It was Dereck’s decision to believe him or not.

“My daughter Siern is so violent and aggressive that it’s a pity, considering how beautiful she is. She is probably more brutal than you imagine. As a father, I am ashamed I didn’t correct her sooner.”

“Do children always grow up as their parents wish? You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

“By your expression, it seems you are quite willing to accept the proposal.”

“As I said, how could I refuse? However, I have not yet heard what your conditions are, Lord Melverot.”

“Do you think I don’t know what someone like you wants?”

Lord Melverot let out a loud laugh and rested his chin on his hand.

“I’ve already evaluated you. A mage born a commoner who aspires to a high position will always encounter much resistance. It’s not hard to guess why someone of your level would bother instructing noble ladies.”

“…”

“Do you want to win at least some allies in this cold world of the nobility?”

Lord Melverot looked down and examined Dereck from head to toe before continuing.

“Everyone at the top of the magic world has their flaws. Old Drest is obsessed with wandering and doesn’t care about the world. Kohella, the lunatic, is indescribable. And I, well… I’m not exactly normal either.”

Lord Melverot didn’t even bother to mention the other six-star mage, Pine. Her existence was an absolute secret, known only to a few.

“Connecting with all those noble families might be a good strategy, but… wouldn’t it be more advantageous to associate with someone from the elite?”

“Undoubtedly, it is a wise suggestion.”

“But your expression says otherwise. Speak truthfully. I value honesty above all else.”

Dereck hesitated for an instant. Being someone as well-known as Lord Melverot, Dereck knew him well. In fact, he knew that he preferred people who expressed their opinions frankly.

He held his breath and then spoke as if exhaling it with a sigh.

“The promise of a powerful person almost never has value. Breaking it depends solely on that person’s will.”

“That makes sense. But do you think I would so easily get rid of the instructor who looks after my daughter?”

Lord Melverot leaned forward and said:

“If you are truly capable of controlling my daughter, I wouldn’t be able to touch you at my whim either.”

“…That means that, depending on the situation…”

“That you take my daughter as a hostage? Why? Is that suggestion too cruel?”

When Dereck looked at him in silence, Lord Melverot laughed again.

“You can always sugarcoat the words. If you really connect with my daughter and become her true instructor, how could I treat you lightly? But even if I say it softly, the meaning doesn’t change, does it?”

“…”

“My daughter Siern needs to learn social skills. And, of course, magic as well.”

It was hard to discern if he was benevolent or ruthless. He was a man of double nature. Even leaving aside his true intentions, what was clear was his current situation.

If the rumors about Lady Siern were true, countless servants and escorts would already be dead. And that wasn’t something that could be made public.

She was different from the somewhat arrogant Diella. She was a true maniac who saw no value in human life.

“…”

Many had tried to dissuade Dereck. But he thought with his head down.

Risk and reward usually go hand in hand.

And if the client was none other than Lord Melverot, he would never be left completely in the dark.

“Is it okay if I ask for a lot of money? Or perhaps magic items?”

“The amount you’re imagining is obvious. Such a trivial question doesn’t even deserve an answer.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s no need for such formality. But I do have a couple of requests.”

Lord Melverot spoke in a tone that showed he didn’t have great expectations.

“Even if we set aside magic and social skills, she needs to learn the rules of etiquette for a lady. In the end, Siern will have to debut in society.”

“I know quite a bit about feminine etiquette, but I am not qualified to teach it.”

“Yes, I know. Ideally, we would find a tutor of noble lineage, but as you know, it’s not easy to find someone among the nobility who can handle Siern.”

It was hard to imagine how deranged she must be for that to be a problem, but for now, Dereck simply nodded. He was not someone who showed much emotion in situations like this.

“There are no nobles in the north willing to take on something like that. That’s why I thought about looking in the southwest, but I’ve spent my whole life in the north, so I don’t know the people there.”

“Ah, I see?”

“If you, who have contacts among the nobility of the southwest, could find a suitable candidate, it would be great. I don’t have much hope, but if you know someone, recommend them.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure…”

The rumors about Lady Siern seemed to be well known even among the noble circles of Ebelstein.

Teaching etiquette to a deranged assassin… there was no reason for rich and well-to-do nobles to volunteer for such a task.

Although Dereck had many noble acquaintances with whom he maintained good relations, he couldn’t think of any ideal candidate.

Even Denise would probably back down if he mentioned Siern’s name. It didn’t seem like the others would react differently.

Just as Lord Melverot looked down, disappointed by Dereck’s lukewarm reaction…

“Hmm… There might be someone.”

Lord Melverot’s eyes narrowed at Dereck’s words.

***

“I think we can offer up to 400 Northern Rotay gold coins as a salary.”

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it without a doubt! Let me do it! I really want to do it! Really!! I really want to…!!!”

The next morning, when Dereck arrived early at the Duplain mansion on horseback, Aiselin was spreading fertilizer behind the half-ruined estate.

With her sleeves rolled up, she gazed ecstatically at the growth of the plants. She looked like a genuine peasant.

The sun hadn’t even come up yet, and her diligence was so impressive it was almost unsettling.

“Ehm… Have you heard the rumors about Lady Siern?”

“Of course! But the Duplain family is not in a position to be picky right now…!”

“…”

“Money…! We need money…! Money!! And cash!!!!! Cash we can use right now…!!!”

Aiselin’s eyes already seemed to spin with the shiny shape of gold coins.

She was the most noble and renowned lady in the southwest of the continent… but also the poorest.

Anyone who had witnessed such an ironic scene would have been moved to tears.