Priest (3)
While the duke of Duplein was giving instructions to head butler Delron, the door of the office was thrown open violently.
The sight of Lady Miriela, furious to the tips of her hair, and Prince Valerian who followed to stop her, came into view.
"Delron. Please step out for a moment."
"... Yes."
After dismissing Delron, Miriela strode forward and looked straight at the duke of Duplein who was sitting behind the desk.
"It seems you've returned from the southern High Society. It must have been a long journey, you must be tired."
"That doesn't matter. More importantly, you, I heard you hired a new private tutor for Diela ... "
"….."
The duke of Duplein looked as if he could already guess what Miriela was about to say.
When he glanced at Valerian who had followed her, he pressed his temple as if he had a headache, as always.
"It's someone Aiselin brought in."
"Even so, how can you put some lowly commoner as a teacher in the annex where Diela lives?"
–Bang!
Miriela slammed the desk and raised her voice. She glared with murderous eyes.
She was the mistress of this Duplein family. While the duke took care of matters inside and outside the territory, it was her role to manage this mansion.
She had to attend the social gathering of the southern Cradle marquis family, which had deep ties with the Duplein family, so she had no choice but to be away, but she never imagined there would be such a big change.
"Aiselin does tend to choose people too generously, but even so, as a father you should cut things off properly. We have to think about the dignity of the mansion. Isn't that right, dear?"
"I don't particularly like appointing commoners either. But as you know, all the magic masters with good bloodlines have already given up and left the mansion."
"Even so, you should at least bring someone with a minimum guaranteed status, how could you ... how could you bring in someone who used to roll around as a mercenary ...! And not for any other position, but as Diela's teacher ...!"
Miriela seemed to be furious to the very end of her patience. The duke of Duplein put down his quill and spoke with a frown.
"As you know, finding a usable magic master is never easy."
"Even so, there must be a minimum level of qualification. Fire that Derrick or whatever commoner immediately, and ... right, why don't you call back Flam who is stationed on the outskirts of the territory?"
Flam was the younger brother of the duke of Duplein, a man who roamed the outskirts managing the standing army that dealt with monsters or stood guard. He was also one of the few 4-star mages in the Duplein family, and had already tried teaching Diela before.
"Hasn't Flam already given up long ago?"
"That was back when Diela was a bit ... lost. Now she's matured, her mana has manifested, and she's come to her senses."
"You want to pull someone sitting in an important post managing the standing army on the outskirts and make him a private tutor? Do you think territory management can always be run so haphazardly?"
"Education of the next generation is just as important as territory management. It's dangerous to assume everyone will turn out fine on their own like Valerian or Raig. There should be plenty of adjutants who can handle soldier management."
Miriela stared silently at the duke of Duplein.
Miriela was almost the only person who could glare like that at the master of this ducal house. That was the authority of the mistress of the mansion.
She couldn't interfere in the operation of the entire duchy, but at least when it came to managing the mansion, her independent authority was acknowledged.
Considering that, the duke listened to Miriela's opinion in silence.
"Teaching magic itself is no different whether it's that Derrick commoner or Flam!"
"Well, it's not that there's no difference."
"What's so different?"
"He produced results."
The duke of Duplein stroked his beard a few times and leaned back. Miriela swallowed her breath when she saw that.
"Results aren't everything, dear."
"Then what could possibly come before that?"
"Men don't know Ebelstein's High Society. They don't know how important it is who your teacher is in a place like that thin ice field."
The men of the family, buried in territory management and training, were not well-versed in the social culture of young ladies.
But Miriela, as the mistress, knew. In Ebelstein's High Society, not only one's family background, but also one's personal achievements, who one learned from, and how many connections one had were all important ways to prove a lady's refinement.
If you mention the name of a famous magic instructor on the continent, there are often people who share the same master. Then they form academic ties and move around like powerful factions within High Society.
In such a culture, how great a disgrace it is to have to name an unheard-of commoner as one's teacher.
Ebelstein's High Society is as deadly as a sword fight among strong men in every word exchanged. She absolutely did not want Diela to carry such a huge weakness.
With that, Miriela frowned and raised her voice.
"Fine. That Derrick commoner has done his role well enough. I can't deny that he's produced considerable results for a commoner. But now it's time to attach a proper Upper-level Mage as her teacher. That's the right direction, both for Diela and for our family."
The duke of Duplein narrowed his eyes and looked at Miriela.
He couldn't say he didn't understand her worries. If she finally debuted in High Society only to be weeded out there, it would be meaningless.
Noble young ladies become the face of their family in High Society.
If she were a perfect lady like Aiselin, there would be nothing to worry about, but if Diela failed to adapt properly, it would more likely stain the name of the Duplein family.
"Mother. You're too heated. Let's calm down and talk again tomorrow."
"Valerian. Step aside. If we don't reach a conclusion right away, things will only get worse."
Miriela looked like she had come determined to settle everything today. She was famous for being decisive in all matters as the mistress of the mansion.
"If I don't personally drive out that commoner, I won't be able to sleep at night."
"Then in the end, isn't it enough to prove the quality of that commoner mage, mother?"
At that moment, the one who answered while entering was the second son of the Duplein family, Raig.
He had rushed straight to the office as soon as he heard about the situation. As always, he entered with his solid build, looking like he had something he really wanted to say.
The duke of Duplein's eyes narrowed.
"Raig!"
"I was out training. I'm sorry I couldn't come greet you, mother."
"You look healthy, that's good. We'll talk later. But ... did you also know about that mage called Derrick?"
"Yes. He's not bad, but he can't compare to uncle teaching personally."
Raig brushed off his arms and stood in front of the duke of Duplein.
"Father. I will test the quality of that Derrick."
"Stop. He's the real deal as a mage. If you become more mature, you who have noble blood might surpass him, but not now."
"…."
Raig felt momentarily offended by that evaluation, but kept his mouth shut. He couldn't understand how his magic proficiency could be inferior to a mere commoner.
Raig was already at a level where he could handle six or seven 1-star spells proficiently. Unlike Valerian, he hadn't crossed the wall of 2-star, but at least in terms of 1-star completeness, even Valerian would concede a step.
However, if the duke of Duplein judged it that way, he couldn't deny it. He had no choice but to propose another option.
At that moment, Raig raised the corner of his mouth as if he had a good idea.
"Then ... how about testing Diela?"
When Raig said that, everyone frowned. It was a possibility no one had thought of.
"What do you mean?"
"If Derrick is such a great teacher, then Diela who received his teachings must have achieved something great as well. I will personally have a magic duel with her and verify her quality."
"What are you thinking, Raig?"
"Exactly what I said."
The duke of Duplein held his chin and fell into thought.
He was a man who had measured people's capacity all his life. He could easily see through what Raig was thinking.
Raig simply disliked Diela. He thought that her entering High Society would only stain the family's face.
To humiliate her once in a public place, or even to cut off the teacher she trusted, and push her back into the annex. He clearly thought that was good for the Duplein family's reputation in the long run.
However, conversely, if even Raig, who was the most hostile to Diela, could acknowledge it, then no one in the family would object. Considering that, the duke of Duplein fell into even deeper contemplation.
"Father ... what are you hesitating for ... "
No matter what, Diela was still struggling even to learn 1-star magic. Telling her to have a magic duel with Raig, who could already use many 1-star spells, was too cruel.
This was nothing more than harming her. Valerian couldn't stay silent.
"Raig! Learn to distinguish when to step in and when not to!"
"Brother! I know that much! It's just that now is ... the time to step in!"
Raig raised his voice and walked right up to the duke of Duplein, speaking boldly.
"If you really think Diela has achieved something proper, then it's fine to go on like this. But if the conclusion is that she hasn't, then let's cut off that Derrick. That's all there is to it, right?"
" ..... The logic itself isn't wrong."
"Father!"
This time Valerian slammed the desk. But the duke of Duplein's face didn't even twitch.
Valerian gritted his teeth and was about to raise his voice again, but then relaxed once and spoke.
"It's too harsh for Diela. You know that."
"That's true. But if she wants to engage in High Society activities with a commoner as her teacher, she needs at least that level of achievement. On this point, Miriela's words are not without reason."
"But is there any reason to verify that right now? Diela has only just come out of the annex. She hasn't been learning magic for long either."
"If you keep postponing, there's no end. Time is not infinite. Rather, it's precisely because it's now that we must verify it. So, Miriela, what do you think? Should we go with Raig's suggestion?"
"…."
Miriela thought for a moment, then looked toward Raig.
Her dependable second son Raig was a man who had always trained diligently. He was about to come of age, and his achievements were excellent. There was no way he could be pushed back by a girl who had just manifested mana.
No matter how talented that Derrick was at teaching, what can't be done can't be done.
Soon, Miriela raised the corner of her mouth and smiled faintly.
"Raig!"
After finishing his business, Raig strode down the corridor, and Valerian followed and called out to him.
Raig closed his eyes briefly, then turned his head to look at Valerian.
"Yes, brother."
"What on earth are you thinking, Raig?"
"Was there anything I didn't explain? It's exactly what I said in the office."
Valerian was gritting his teeth, but Raig spoke without caring.
"Do you really believe that that brat has turned over a new leaf? I would never believe it even if the sky were turned upside down. She's just wearing a mask because she's obsessed with magic. Rather than letting someone like that go into High Society, I'd rather personally smear the name of the Duplein family."
"Even so, do you really have to cut off even the teacher she finally follows well?"
"That Derrick, you mean?"
Raig usually trusted and followed his older brother well, but in this matter, he seemed unwilling to yield at all. His expression was firm.
"Yes. I'll admit what should be admitted. He definitely has talent for teaching people. But does that mean we have to keep that Derrick attached to Diela?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Raig slowly walked toward Valerian and spoke with gleaming eyes.
"Diela should just stay buried in the annex. That suits her best."
After saying that decisively, Raig turned around and walked down the corridor.
Valerian gritted his teeth and tried to shout something, but couldn't bring himself to do it.
The one who had been hurt the most during Diela's vicious days was Raig. He couldn't say he didn't understand that wound.
He pressed his forehead against the wall and sighed.
Valerian was Raig's older brother and Diela's Orabeoni.
As long as those two positions coexisted, the day his worries disappeared seemed far away.
*
–Bang
The next morning, while Derrick was reading a book at the table in the guest room, the door flew open.
He had already heard the footsteps, so he didn't look particularly surprised and kept his eyes on the book.
"Please knock."
"You can still say that now?"
Diela strode into the room and signaled the maids who came with her to step out.
The maids broke into cold sweat and hurriedly closed the door and went out into the corridor.
Then Diela went to the opposite side of the table where Derrick was sitting and tossed down a handwritten letter written by the duke of Duplein. Derrick roughly knew what it was about.
"If I lose this magic duel, you'll be fired."
"I've heard. Young Master Raig is already a proficient 1-star mage, so it will probably be difficult."
"Is that all you have to say? You don't care if you get fired like this?"
"I was hired, and I only need to fulfill my duties. I am being sufficiently compensated for that."
Derrick had never been ignorant of the gap between commoners and nobles. That's why, unlike Diela, he looked calm.
Derrick had tried in many ways, but Diela's magic improvement was slower than expected.
In fact, her growth speed itself wasn't particularly bad, but reaching the target of 1-star magic in such a short time was unrealistic.
In the end, the situation had come to this, so she had to face Raig with only basic-level magic without even a star. Even if you can use 1-star magic skillfully and in many ways, it's a maybe-win opponent. That meant it was practically impossible to win.
Derrick closed the book he was reading and tied his bootlaces as he spoke.
"Young Lady Diela must have felt it by now, but your mana growth is already on track. You can't use 1-star magic right away, but if you keep up what you've been doing and don't neglect your research, you will grow quickly. After all, you were born with the Duplein Bloodline."
" ... What do you mean? Why are you saying that?"
"I told you before. Wild School-type mana is focused more on self-study than on inheritance."
Derrick spoke in his usual calm tone.
Diela, looking at him, felt both familiarity and strangeness at the same time.
In fact, Derrick had always been like this. He was staying in the ducal house of Duplein as Diela's teacher, but he looked as if he could leave at any time. Having lived his life as a wandering mercenary, it made sense.
Diela hesitated about what to say, then walked over and looked straight up at Derrick. There was a strange, wistful feeling in her eyes that wasn't usually there.
"Derrick. I ... I know very well that I'm not that great of a student."
" ... "
"But ... I still want you to keep teaching me magic. I don't want anyone else."
It was rare for Diela, who was always just grumbling, to express her true feelings so directly.
The girl was like a stray cat covered in wounds. She growled at everyone, but once she opened her heart to someone, she didn't bother to bare her claws.
However, just because you want something doesn't mean you can always get it. Even Diela, who had lived getting everything she wanted, had to understand that.
If you want something, you must fight for it. If you don't want something taken away, you must struggle.
That was an obvious truth to someone from the bottom-class commoners. Even now, this girl had to learn that.
"To be clear, I don't know much about the basics or detailed rules of magic duels between nobles. I've heard about it, but only at a superficial level. To begin with, I'm a mercenary who wandered battlefields."
"Then ... does that mean you can't teach me about duel combat?"
"That's right. But I can teach you how to win in a real fight."
Derrick lowered his posture to meet Diela's eyes and spoke.
"Do you want to win?"
Diela was a girl who used to stare blankly at walls in the thorn-covered annex.
Now, sparks flew in that girl's eyes.
*
A few days later, a platform for magic duels was set up in front of the garden of the Duplein mansion.
In noble culture, a magic duel was close to an elegant event. Even at the magic salons and exchange meetings regularly held in Ebelstein's High Society, it was mostly the duels of Upper-level Mages that were enjoyed. Magic duels were one of the most representative ways to prove one's achievements.
It wasn't that rare for a family to hold internal duels, but today was inevitably more special than usual. It was the very first time that Young Lady Diela would step onto the platform.
In the first duel, it was customary for retainers who knew a bit of magic to act as sandbags, but the one who would step onto the platform today was Raig, the second son of the Duplein Ducal House. Though he was soon to come of age, he was already a proper mage.
At noon, under the blazing sun, Raig was dressed neatly in formal wear, wearing a cloak, and smiling confidently.
The duke and duchess of Duplein were looking down at the garden from a large terrace attached to a private room, and the other retainers were gathered near the platform, ready to watch the duel with proper decorum.
While tracing the rim of his teacup with his finger, the duke of Duplein confirmed that Derrick was sitting near the platform below. He didn't seem tense at all.
'Is he giving up, or is he confident? I can't tell. No matter how excellent he is as a teacher, he probably didn't anticipate a situation like this.'
That mage had a strangely calm air even in situations where others would be swallowing dry saliva. Whether it was courage from countless mercenary days or not, he didn't panic much even in desperate situations.
'As expected, he's not someone to cut off too early.'
The duke of Duplein glanced sideways at Miriela, snorted, and then turned his gaze back to the platform.
There stood Raig, fully prepared, pressing his wrist and wearing a confident expression.
Soon, on the opposite staircase, the figure of Diela climbing onto the platform came into view. Her abundant golden hair wrapped around her upper body.
As always, her pretty frilled dress and ribbon decorations were the outfit that symbolized her as the cute youngest of the Duplein family. But today, she wore a reddish-brown robe over it.
It was a bit big for her frame, so the sleeves hung loosely. When a warm breeze swept across the garden, the hem of her robe fluttered gently along the direction of the wind.
Under the hood, it seemed like Diela's eyes were faintly visible, emitting a resolute aura.
"…."
Seeing that, Raig realized instinctively.
The girl had not come here today as the youngest of the Duplein family.
She had come here as Derrick's disciple, and as a mage.