Chapter 40 Translator: XZY
Chapter 40: Magic (2) ***
Aiseline was crestfallen.
The servants were all worried seeing her darkened expression ever since she returned to the mansion in Ebelstein, but she managed to put on a smile.
It was the first time she had been rejected so openly by someone.
'There is nothing more for you to learn from me, Lady Aiseline.'
Derek's words held many meanings.
Young ladies whose magic skills had not yet fully matured often held diverse possibilities. However, Aiseline, in particular, had a definite magical world of her own.
She was following a growth curve that was like the standard of the noble Scholastic School of magic.
The free-spirited use of mana by Derek, a Wild School mage, might actually slow down her growth rate.
Although she had to nod her head at Derek's opinion, she couldn't just accept it.
'Come to think of it, I am always just walking the right path.'
She felt as if she were blankly watching the birds outside the cage.
It was said that people long for what they do not have. Aiseline was a girl who was admired by all, but she herself admired what everyone else had. It was that free-spiritedness.
She didn't have to look far. Her own younger sister, Diella, was the very symbol of that free-spiritedness.
That young painter, who casually captured the world's scenery by splashing paint on a canvas, was also using magic in a free-spirited way like Derek.
Although she was born into a noble family, she, who had absorbed the Wild School's way of using mana on her own, seemed to be moving towards a realm that Aiseline could not reach.
'I also want to experience magic outside the system...'
Aiseline monologued, blankly looking out the window.
From the window of Aiseline's mansion, which was built on a large hill, one could see the entire view of the vast Ebelstein.
Starting from the noble district, which was luxurious and brilliant just by looking at it, various districts where numerous commoners gathered and struggled to make a living were spread out, and outside the city walls, the grasslands and granaries were spread wide.
The world was so wide, yet the number of times Aiseline had gone outside her cradle could be counted on one hand.
Because she was born in the highest position, she could not go to any place lower than that. Because that was the girl's position.
"A letter has arrived from the main house. It says that Lord Valerian will have his first campaign ceremony next week. Lord Reigh will also be accompanying him, so it seems it will be a bigger event than expected."
"Yes, I heard. Since it is Orabeoni Valerian's first campaign ceremony, I must prepare a good gift..."
As the maid informed her of the news from the main house, Aiseline let out a deep sigh and gathered her complicated thoughts.
The story that the eldest and second sons of the Duplein family were setting out to conquer the White Labyrinth region north of the territory was already being heard in Ebelstein.
The Grand Duke of Duplein had entrusted the pioneering of the White Region, a long-cherished project, to his two most reliable sons.
The White Region was a place full of all sorts of dangerous labyrinths. That also meant that it would be full of all sorts of undiscovered treasures. In particular, there were widespread rumors that materials related to ancient necromancy and the staff of the 5-Star Summoning Mage, Rozin, were sleeping there.
Hoping that her two Orabeoni would return with good news, she thought that she should choose a good gift.
"I should go out to the shopping district. Since it is an important gift, I must see and choose it myself."
Aiseline stood up from her seat, pulling at the hem of her navy blue dress.
She was too busy a person to just sit around in dejection.
<><><>
"T-This is the seal of the Duplein family, isn't it? You, are you under the protection of the Duplein family?"
"It's not to the extent of protection... I once received a request from that family. I received it as a reward at that time."
Derek was showing the Duplein seal he had received from Valerian to the owner of a shop in the noble district.
It was because there was something he wanted to take care of before heading to Denise's mansion today.
"Seeing the crest of Lord Valerian engraved on it, it's certainly an item received from him... I can show you the items that the Duplein family exclusively supplies."
The shopping district of the Ebelstein noble district.
The atmosphere itself was different from the shopping district where commoners came and went. No matter which place one chose to enter, elegant carpets and curtains were a given, the inside of the shop was filled with the fragrant scent of scented candles, and the display shelves were always kept neat.
Food, magic supplies, equipment, clothes, books... not a single speck of dust was on anything.
When one thought about how in the shopping districts in the commoner's district, one had to blow off the dust first no matter where one went or what one looked at, the gap could not be more real.
He had just shown the Duplein family's seal in a corner of that shopping district. The shop owner's eyes widened in surprise.
The person he had thought was a trivial mercenary was a person who had a connection with the Duplein family.
Merchants were people who lived and died by their connections.
If an opportunity came to maintain even a slight contact with such a noble family, they were ready to give up their liver and gallbladder.
"I would like to purchase some magic supplies. Do you also handle things like wands and staffs?"
"There are many magic supplies, but of course, for wands and staffs, there are only high-priced items. Do you think you can afford an item that even the noble lords save up gold coins with great determination to buy?"
"Hmm... I'll have to see the price first."
Derek followed the shop owner into a space inside the shop. It seemed to be a space that was only shown to distinguished guests.
The items displayed outside were also high-quality, but the deeper one went, the more special-looking items popped out. It seemed that the merchant's personal collection was also mixed in.
"Hoh..."
Derek's eyes lit up as he entered the inner part of the shop in the noble district.
A cloak that made the flow of mana smoother, an elixir that filled up a lack of mana at once, and even a 3-Star grimoire, which was so precious, was on display.
As a rare goods merchant who had a lot of valuable items, his pride in his collection must be great. As Derek looked around with curious eyes, the old and fat merchant had a satisfied smile.
"Even the Grand Duke of Duplein has visited once or twice. The Grand Duke himself generously praised these precious goods. You won't see things like this just anywhere."
"How much are the wands and staffs?"
"...Right now, there are only two items for sale in the shop. The 'Eye of Salas' made by the Alonden Society in the northern part of the continent, and the 'Andante' brought from the Drest Society in the southwest. One is a wand and the other is a staff. Both are items that go for several hundred gold coins. It's about the price of a decent mansion."
Magic weapons often had their own unique names. This was because most of them were items created by renowned transmutation mages with all their might.
Transmutation mages, who were in charge of alchemy, magic weapon production, element stone production, and mana stone production, considered it a great honor for their creations to be called 'masterpieces'. That's why renowned transmutation mages would often give their works unique names.
There was nothing as unsightly as putting a grand name on a trivial piece of junk, but still, famous creations were talked about for a long time and would raise the reputation of their creator.
The most famous wand was the wand 'Dawn' made by the 5-Star Transmutation Mage Dalok, and the most famous staff was the 'Light of the Empire' made by the 6-Star Transmutation Mage Kohella.
'Dawn' was known to be owned by Lord Melverot, the ruler of the north, and the 'Light of the Empire' was known to be owned by Emperor Gutrel. They were all pies in the sky.
'I don't expect an item of that level... but just the price of the wand in this shop is ridiculous.'
Magic weapons were items that could be handled in earnest by 3-Star or higher mages.
They were already rare items, and those who wanted them were all renowned people. It was not unreasonable for such ridiculous prices to be formed.
'I knew it was expensive, but seeing it in person, I can't even dare.'
Derek nodded his head a few times and quietly looked at the staff, which had a magnificent appearance.
In any case, if he could have a magic weapon, he would be able to achieve a higher level of magical achievement.
After reaching the 3-Star level, he felt that his desire for a magic weapon was growing stronger.
And so, Derek was lost in thought for a while, looking at the displayed weapons. Then, as it was time for his next schedule, he quickly left the shop.
<><><>
Thump, thump, thump!!!
Derek was striding across the mansion of Denise, which was located in the outermost area of the Ebelstein noble district.
Usually, the corridors of a personal mansion of a young lady from the three great noble families would be luxurious. Elente's mansion was so full of all sorts of artworks that it was at a level where one couldn't distinguish whether it was a young lady's mansion or a museum.
However, Denise's mansion was not much, contrary to his thoughts. It had a strong feeling of being equipped mainly with what was necessary. It seemed that Lady Denise's style of controlling unnecessary expenses was also reflected in the mansion.
Derek was walking straight across the corridor, and Bella was following him with a troubled expression.
Bella, the maid who had looked after Denise the longest, spoke to Derek in a worried tone, asking him to move a little slower, but Derek was not paying any attention.
Rather, the servants of the mansion were looking at Derek's expression. In fact, he was in a position to be that confident.
Derek was a talent whom the Beltus family had first sought out and even requested to bring in.
He had not come begging to be accepted, but had graciously come because they had earnestly requested him to, so he had no need to watch anyone's expression.
In fact, hadn't Denise herself come to the Raspa Cave and begged him to just be her master once? Even if she regretted it later, that one fact did not change.
'It would be good to stay close to the three great noble families. It depends on how the future unfolds, but surely some families will fall greatly, and some will rise greatly.'
'However, there is no need to be completely loyal to one place. Rather, it is best if you can walk the line and make them anxious. That way, your value will rise, and you will be recognized by all.'
It was the advice that his master, Drest Wolftail, had given him.
He, who had looked at the future that was branching out in various ways, had first advised Derek, a commoner-born mage, to get close to the nobles. He knew well about the nobles' way of behaving.
If one did not have a particular antipathy towards the nobles, there was not much harm in getting close to them.
The Grand Duke of Duplein had turned a blind eye even after seeing Derek's magical level. No matter how outstanding a commoner's magical achievement was, if they had a favorable relationship with that family, they would not openly be hostile.
Especially when it came to the three great noble families, the meaning was great. If one accumulated a debt to them and became their benefactor, there was a high possibility that they would become a reliable ally rather than an enemy in the future. Therefore, if one wanted to build a higher level of magic, it was good to maintain a smooth relationship with the nobles.
In the end, there was only one way for a commoner mage to reach a high level without any checks. It was to have influential high-ranking nobles, whom even the nobles themselves feared, as backers.
He had at least broken the ice with the Duplein and Belmeade families. If so, the only one left was the Beltus family.
This aspect was the biggest reason why Derek had answered that he would teach Lady Denise. However, if asked whether that was the only reason, it was not.
'I hate magic.'
Denise, who had not even properly licked the beginning of the field of study called magic, was regarding the profound world of magic as nothing more than a means of showing off for old-fashioned authoritarians. Derek was very displeased with her.
So, was his pride scratched? If asked, Derek had to admit it. It was scratched.
In front of a person who was completely immersed in magic all day long, if one discussed how magic was not a big deal, a cross-shaped vein could not help but pop out.
How long had she lived to discuss nihilism with a world-transcending gaze? The privilege to discuss the futility of life and years was for those like Drest, who had experienced all the turbulent events of life.
He wanted to reform the girl's childishness, who had an indifferent look at the world after experiencing a few moments of futility.
Denise, who did not know the profundity and beauty of magic, was truly pitiful. And so, Derek was exuding a fiery will for the first time in a long time.
Thud, thud, thud.
Derek confidently walked through the middle of Denise's mansion, went up the central staircase of the main hall, approached the bedroom where she would be sleeping, and knocked.
"L-Lady Denise mostly sleeps in the morning. She is surely in a deep sleep right now, so..."
"I see."
Thump!
And Derek opened the door without any hesitation and went in.
The sight of Denise, who was sleeping soundly in the darkness with the thick curtains drawn, came into view at a glance.
Her silver-gray hair was spread out like a blanket, and with a half-read romance novel placed by her head, her panting appearance looked like a baby bird.
Seeing her smacking her lips adorably as if having a pleasant dream, her sleeping appearance was just that of an ordinary girl of that age.
Derek walked in without hesitation and shouted.
"Wake up! Wake up! The sun is high in the sky, My Lady!"
"Hkyaak!"
If he wanted to make Denise a proper person, he had to first move up her wake-up time.
Derek raised his voice without any hesitation, went into the room, and pulled back all the heavy curtains that were drawn over the window.
The bright sunlight of the day mercilessly invaded Denise's dark room.
"Kyaahaak! It's bright! W-What is this!"
"It's morning, so let's get some ventilation and some sun! Are we children of darkness?"
"D-Derek?! What is this! T-Today is the weekend! I don't have to go to the Rosea Salon and I don't have any academy schedule!"
"Yes, it is the weekend. But you can't just keep sleeping when the sun is high in the sky, can you?"
"C-Can't I rest a little on the weekend!"
Derek did not care even if Denise raised her voice.
The matter had already gone to the Grand Duke of Beltus, and his letter of permission had even arrived. At this point, Derek's employer was the Grand Duke of Beltus, not Denise.
"Yes. You should rest on the weekend. I am not saying you shouldn't rest, Lady Denise."
"T-Then what is it?"
"Even when we rest, let's rest while doing the basic things. Get some sun, wake up early and exercise a little, get some sun, and finish the basic tasks in advance. Wouldn't that be good?"
"..."
"Isn't it a matter of just doing the basic things well? I was hired as a teacher, but I am also a person. You know well that there are no touches if you just keep the basic things, don't you?"
Denise already felt as if she was losing her mind. Although the sun was high in the sky, from Denise's perspective, it was no different from the middle of the night.
For Denise, who mostly slept all day or just read novels on the weekend, the lifestyle of Derek, a man of righteous living, was no different from poison.
"Derek, weren't you hired as a magic teacher? You can't tell me what to do with my life...!"
"Lady Denise. Do you know what the basis of magic is? It comes from a healthy body and a sound mind! I was hired as a magic teacher, and I will do anything for your magical achievement!"
"E-Even if you try to interfere with me with such a logic that seems to be attached anywhere...!"
Before Denise could finish her words, Derek placed the Grand Duke of Beltus's letter on the table.
He had already been recommended by Denise and appointed as a magic teacher. He was Denise's teacher, who had received the legal permission of the Grand Duke of Beltus.
Who had made that recommendation? Denise herself.
Denise's complexion was turning pale.
"I will tell you today's schedule. First, please wake up quickly and after finishing breakfast, we will check the level of your detection magic. And you also need to learn some combat-type element magic, so we will start with basic mana training, and in the afternoon, there is also some physical training. Physical strength is the basis of all things."
"....You even made a time schedule?"
"I do things properly when I do them. The schedule is set until the evening, so please take a look."
It was a hellish curriculum that would have made even Lady Elente, who was burning with a desire for achievement and will, exhausted.
Of course, he would not demand a schedule as harsh as what he had demanded of Elente, but for Denise, this alone was enough to make her feel as if she had entered the beginning of hell.
"Don't worry. I won't demand that you handle all this by yourself. I will also do my best by your side, so let's work together to become mages of a higher level. I will personally show you how reassuring it is to have a pacemaker by your side."
"Derek... I-I'm sorry... I was too selfish at the Raspa Cave, wasn't I? I did apologize before... but this time, I will apologize really politely. I respect your will, and I think your intention is also very n-noble. So will you accept my apology...?"
"Apology? Why are you apologizing? It is not good for the young lady of the Beltus family to easily bow her head to a lowly commoner. Please act in a manner befitting your status. A noble young lady must always be noble."
Derek's eyes were already filled with madness.
Denise realized. This boy was not moving with a one-dimensional purpose like wanting to receive an apology from Denise or wanting to break her pride.
He didn't care about such things. He was just purely doing his duty.
And so, Denise was dragged out by Derek's hand, finished her breakfast, and began her magic training.
There was no way to refuse. Derek was a person who had come in as a teacher, properly recognized through the appropriate procedures from the Grand Duke of Beltus. The servants could not stop him either.
The boy, who was united with the will to properly recite how profound and wonderful magic was, did not even care about Denise's face, which was becoming the form of a dying corpse.
"Lady Denise, let's try to awaken the feeling of materializing the form of mana more concretely. It might be a bit tiring, but if you repeat and master it all day, you will be able to succeed a few times."
"Today, we will run in the mansion garden for a bit. As I said, physical strength is the source of all things. Don't worry, I will run with you. You will not get hurt."
"Romance novels are good, but it would be good to pore over some books on the history of mages today or tomorrow. I will ask about the content during class tomorrow. Not much is needed, let's just go over the history from the Alantra Great War to the Dawn War era. I will point out the parts to memorize."
"Let's also start the mastery training for the basics of transmutation magic tomorrow. It won't be very difficult. However, there is a lot of repetition and mastery process, so you will have to concentrate for about three or four hours. Please sleep well tonight."
When she came to her senses, the sun had set and the moon was up.
A day had clearly passed, but she couldn't even tell what had passed or how.
Denise lay down on the bed, her body aching.
Bella brought a cup of herbal tea that was good for fatigue recovery, with a worried face.
"Bella... I... can't breathe...."
"A-Are you okay? Lady Denise. If you don't at least simply loosen your muscles and sleep, you will have muscle pain tomorrow."
"I-I can't live like this. To spend the whole day under the sun like this... my body will turn into smoke and disappear..."
"Lady Denise..."
She wanted to say that people don't die that easily, but it seemed like it would just make things worse, so Bella just quietly bowed her head.
"S-Somehow, I have to dismiss that mad magic teacher. Even if I have to look through the documents separately... right away..."
"W-Well... as I said, it's a matter that has been reported to the Grand Duke of Beltus, so the authority to dismiss that man is in the hands of His Grace the Grand Duke, isn't it?"
"Then even if I have to make a separate suggestion to Father..."
"..."
Bella's expression was dark. Denise felt as if she knew the true meaning of that expression.
Derek was a talent whom all three great families were covetously eyeing.
He was a talent they had managed to get, so the Grand Duke of Beltus would not easily let him go to another family. This was because the Grand Duke of Beltus was a person who was sensitive to the war of nerves between the families.
If he at least caused a scene or did some harm, she could at least find a fault and kick him out.
However, the things that the man of righteous living, Derek, demanded were always sound and right.
The scariest people in the world are those who speak the right argument. Because it is impossible to refute.
Thump!
At that moment, that very Derek opened Denise's door again and came in.
Even though he had been watching Denise's magic all day and had even done physical training with her, Derek did not seem to have accumulated any fatigue at all.
On the other hand, Denise was already half a corpse.
"Lady Denise."
"Hic...! W-What! It's so late, and you still haven't gone back?!"
Denise hugged her knees and pushed her body to the corner of the bed.
She was trembling like a baby bird that had lost its mother.
"Is there still something left?! I worked hard enough today...!"
"Ah, of course, we will finish for today. It's not good for the body to overdo it."
"Y-Yeah...?"
"I will just confirm tomorrow's early morning schedule and then I will also return to my residence for today. Tomorrow, we need to learn how to handle the yin-energy mana before the sun rises, so please wake up at least before dawn. Understanding that subtle difference in mana will be a great help later on."
"..."
"You don't have to worry about oversleeping. I will come to wake you up early. If you fall asleep right now, you will be able to sleep for over five hours at a generous estimate."
Derek clenched both his fists and gave Denise strength.
"Then let's do our best tomorrow too! Fighting!"
And so, showing a burning will, Derek gave a polite greeting and went home.
She would not see Derek anymore today. Of course, he, with his steel-like stamina, would come out to the mansion again early in the morning, so it would only be a few hours.
"..."
Now, she couldn't even dismiss him. The Grand Duke of Beltus would never permit it.
She should have realized sooner that it was up to her when she hired him, but not when she dismissed him.
Denise wanted to die.
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