Magic (5)
Sir Robein is a fictional character, so he lacks some realism. If one were to be precise, he is closer to a character embodying an ideal male image.
His shoulders are broad, his eyes sharp, every gesture refined and classical, he always carries roses with him, and he is a gentlemanly yet aristocratic figure.
When working, he is always cool-headed and rational, but to his woman he is warm, bathes in a tub with rose petals floating in it, drinks wine while looking at the night view, and for some reason likes to wear clothes with a deeply open chest, and if there is a woman he likes, he gently strokes her chin and smiles slickly. Despite such rude behavior, the women whose chins were held would end up blushing.
Especially when it came to the heroine Tracy, that cool-headed man often became somewhat emotional.
He would press her against the wall and whisper to her (usually not even saying anything particularly important), or unnecessarily brush her hair and try to guess the scent of the incense candle used that day, and so on... if an ordinary man did these things instead of a handsome man like Sir Robein, he would be dragged away immediately, yet he did them without hesitation.
On a quiet afternoon, Derrick read through the writings that Denise had written with a graceful touch, tilting his head several times.
At first there were some rather embarrassing parts, but as he read on, there was a certain narrative and contemplation within, making it enjoyable to read. Even Derrick, who was a layman, found himself absorbed at once, so it was clearly something written with real seriousness and intent.
The family's secret is revealed, trials come to the love between Sir Robein and Tracy, and in the end he even throws away his authority and runs through the storm calling Tracy's name, and that appearance even felt noble.
In the end, the two reunite in the storm, embrace tightly, get soaked by the rain and enter a nearby log cabin together (in the end, it was never clear why there was a log cabin in the front yard of an aristocratic mansion), dry their clothes, sit beside Tracy who is completely soaked and catches a cold, and eventually watch her mutter in her sleep by the fireplace.
The last scene is Sir Robein covering Tracy with a blanket while watching her talk in her sleep about missing her departed family, and sorting his complicated thoughts. While describing the lonely back of Sir Robein, who has lived his whole life without ever feeling family affection... that is where the story cuts off.
"Perhaps it's because the setting for Sir Robein's family background wasn't fully established... it was a really interesting scene..."
"...."
"I think I understand why there were people secretly reading it even among the maids of the mansion."
"Young Lady Denise. I'm not just saying this, you really are very skilled."
"That's enough... now I know I was wrong... just... I'm sorry for everything... please stop...."
The day's work had ended, and Derrick had stopped by Denise's room before returning to his quarters.
Denise was lying sprawled on the bed, as if her whole body ached.
Normally she always looked like everything was a bother, but today, to the point that it was hard to believe that usual appearance, Denise had devoted herself with all her strength to training at Derrick's request.
At this point, it went beyond being admirable and looked pitiful, so Bella was holding back tears while massaging her shoulders.
"...."
Derrick had a very complicated expression.
Looking at Denise suddenly working so hard in her lessons, it seemed as if she thought Derrick was using her shame over her embarrassing creative work as a hostage to wield power over her.
There was some misunderstanding there. As Derrick had said again and again, he truly thought Denise's writing skill was good.
Of course, it wasn't that he couldn't understand the shame that made the back of her neck burn, but honestly, from Derrick's standpoint of being indifferent to most things, it only made him think, is this really something to make such a fuss over?
Unfortunately, Derrick was also far too rational to fully embrace the sensitivity of a girl going through her stormy youth.
So he tried to logically and sincerely explain what parts of Denise's work were impressive and what parts were good, but that was nothing more than killing Denise twice.
The victim was lying on the bed like a corpse after being beaten, but there was no malicious perpetrator anywhere to be found.
That paradox made Denise want to die even more.
*
About ten days after Derrick began teaching magic, Ellente sent a separate letter and came to visit the mansion, bringing good tea.
Unlike just meeting at Rosea Salon, the fact that she came directly to this mansion had great significance.
For a young lady of the Belmiard family, it was not a status that allowed her to casually make private appointments, so even for such a small meeting, a justification had to be prepared.
They gave the excuse that it was a meeting to promote friendship between families, but no one knew what kind of political meaning even such a small meeting might have. Naturally, the servants also had no choice but to be somewhat tense.
However, in reality, Ellente was just curious about how Derrick and Denise were doing.
'It might be too bold... but it's better than just stamping around in place, right.'
Denise is not someone who can be taught easily even with empty words.
She was a mysterious person in everything, and also had a temperament of quickly becoming wary if someone tried to cross the line she had set for herself.
At Rosea Salon, she always smiles elegantly and chats, but all of that is just because they are things she must do as a formality. Ellente had long since noticed that kind of Denise's nonchalant nature.
She would clearly be very different from someone like Ellente, who shows everything openly where necessary.
Derrick might be having quite a hard time. If he was already judging that he didn't fit well with the Beltus family, Ellente was even thinking of offering good conditions.
'But that would be difficult unless His Grace Duke Beltus gives permission.'
Anyway, not to spy... but to socialize, Ellente hurried her steps.
First, she planned to test the waters with Denise, whose inner thoughts were hard to read.
"..... Since Young Lady Ellente has come, I can finally get a bit of rest..."
However, the Denise who came out to the audience hall looked so haggard that it was hard to believe she was the same person seen at Rosea Salon.
In fact, the word haggard might not be quite right. She just looked tired and worn out, but her body lines themselves had become a bit sharper and her movements felt more brisk.
It was a change that made it seem as if she had done a lot of outdoor activities or focused intensely on exercise in that short period.
However, her expression was going its own way separate from her body. She was showing off her beauty with pretty makeup and lovely accessories, but one could clearly feel the fatigue lying underneath.
The servants and maids had rushed in and tried to dress her up somehow, but this was the best they could do.
"...You look tired. Young Lady Denise must be fully devoted to magic training."
"...Yes, yes... that's right. That magic master named Derrick is so exceptionally enthusiastic."
Anyway, it was an occasion where a distinguished guest from Rosea Salon had come in person.
Denise forced out her most beautiful smile and barely managed to show her usual self.
"I, I heard he's famous for teaching magic well, so I was looking forward to it... b, but the method is a bit different from what I imagined. It's physically quite hard... um... and emotionally, it feels a bit pressuring too..."
Denise, who had always spoken without trailing off in her words with an elegant demeanor, was making an extremely complicated expression.
Ellente, looking at that expression, suddenly remembered the time Derrick had taught her.
* 'From now on, it's real hell.'
"Ugh."
In an instant, a chill of fear ran down Ellente's back.
Like many things in the world, once they pass, they often turn out to be nothing much. The painful memories fade away, and only the enjoyable parts or the results remain.
However, she ended up recalling the memory of running together with Derrick at a thrilling pace, being forced to repeatedly manifest mana until collapsing from exhaustion, and the appearance of organizing magic theory while cutting down on sleep.
Even thinking about it again made her swallow dry saliva. Derrick was the most ruthless magic instructor she had ever seen.
At that moment, Ellente's eyes met Denise's.
Denise also seemed to realize what Ellente was thinking when she saw her expression.
Ellente thought.
In Ebelstein High Society, there were many cases where young ladies who had the same master formed factions or became familiar with each other. Since each connection is a weapon in such a place, they try to band together with anyone they can tie to themselves through even a small sense of sameness.
'Right. Instead of as a member of Rosea Salon, how about forming a relationship as people who learned from the same master? Then would that turn into some kind of faction...? I'm not sure how people around would see it....'
'But... if we gather like that, maybe we can continue relationships in a different way from Rosea Salon... the culture of Rosea Salon, where you have to keep up appearances so much, has a lot of uncomfortable parts...'
On the other hand, Denise, who had put down her teacup, was thinking something completely different.
'Young Lady Ellente also seems to have suffered quite a bit after getting caught by that master named Derrick... it feels like a victims' meeting, so my mood is really complicated...'
Denise was someone who had watched up close as Ellente gradually became more haggard after accepting Derrick as her master. Unfortunately, now it was no longer someone else's story.
Still, it wasn't that there was no hopeful aspect at all.
Denise quickly saw through the reason Ellente had visited the mansion at such an odd timing. It was clearly to test Denise after seeing Derrick's condition.
In other words, it could mean that the Belmiard family had not yet given up on taking Derrick. It was truly good news.
Because Denise wanted to get this magic instructor out as soon as possible. However, he was a product that could not be refunded once purchased.
Leaving aside that Duke Beltus would not let him go, he himself was also completely determined to somehow make Denise into a great mage.
There were plenty of good young ladies to teach in that Ebelstein High Society, enough to trip over them, and even Aiselin had willingly wanted to learn from him... so why on earth did he come to Denise and cause all this trouble?
From Denise's standpoint, not knowing Derrick's inner desire to maintain connections with all three great families, it was enough to drive her mad. His appearance of charging like a madman saying he would teach her the fun of magic had now gone beyond disgust and into the realm of admiration and awe.
If he were bad at socializing, that would be one thing, but he got along well with the servants too and before she knew it had blended well into the mansion, so he was truly a socialized monster.
'Ugh... I think my head is starting to hurt again...'
However, in the eyes of other young ladies, Denise's appearance could only look like she was worrying over a full stomach. That was the worst part.
She couldn't understand why Aiselin and Ellente were both so desperate to bring that magic master named Derrick into their families.
Could it be that young ladies as proper as that had a hobby of torturing themselves?
Denise quietly looked at Ellente, who was carefully reading the room, and couldn't help but think that the world was truly wide.
"By the way, Young Lady Aiselin is doing well, right? Since I've been doing magic training, I think I've been a bit negligent in my activities at Rosea Salon. I only went to the really important gatherings, and couldn't even properly greet her... I hope she didn't feel too hurt."
Denise quickly turned the topic of conversation elsewhere.
She felt she needed to think more about how to deal with Derrick, and it was also ambiguous what kind of reaction she should take to Ellente's attitude.
"Young Lady Aiselin is also back at her main house right now. I heard she has to attend the departure ceremony of her two Orabeoni, and also help directly with her younger sibling's debutante. Since someone who has done it once is the best to help."
"If it's your younger sibling's debutante... does that mean Young Lady Delia is coming to Ebelstein?"
"Yes. From what I've heard... they say her magic achievement is far greater than the rumors suggested."
She was the younger sibling of Aiselin, who had entered the 2-star realm, and someone who had inherited the blood of the Duplein Ducal House.
If another person like Aiselin appeared, it would be no different from a huge Crustal Shift in Ebelstein High Society.
"They said she would come in advance to show her face at the next gathering.... If you attend the regular gathering, you'll be able to meet her. It's my first time meeting her too, so I'm a bit nervous."
The next gathering was already next week.
'Now I even have to worry about the state of High Society...? Ugh... my head hurts too much...'
Denise wanted to lie down immediately. However, once Ellente left, she would have to throw herself back into the hellish training schedule.
It was truly sad, but the time she was chatting with Ellente right now was Denise's only time to rest.
As always, Derrick would have finished preparing for training in the room below the audience hall and be waiting with a satisfied smile.
Little by little, his face was starting to look like a demon.
*
"Young Lady Delia. This is the document with the schedule for the Rosea Salon gathering. It's next week."
The annex of the Duplein Ducal House.
Delia's private room was magnificently spacious, but there wasn't actually that much furniture. On one side of the room, easels covered in all kinds of landscape paintings were lined up irregularly, and on the lace bed full of frills, various Magic Books were strewn about.
At the center, a blonde girl who was quietly staring at the ceiling and wielding mana this way and that was a Wild School mage born into a noble family.
Her abundant, wavy blonde hair wrapped around her doll-like figure, and the hem of the frilled dress she always wore covered her knees like a blanket.
In her eyes, as she quietly sat and observed the widely spread mana, there was already a hint of the extraordinary.
It was an achievement that couldn't even be compared to when Derrick taught. She had already completely mastered the basic theory of Wild School magic, and most 1-star magic had already become trivial to her.
Her outward appearance hadn't changed, but the speed of her magical improvement was already such that, if not for Derrick, she would outstrip anyone else.
"Rosea Salon? Why there all of a sudden?"
The girl was already walking the path of a master.
After listening to the head butler's report in a flat voice, she lowered her cold eyes and said.
"Why should I go there?"
She was already someone who almost met the requirements to make a name for herself even in Ebelstein High Society, but she had no interest in such games of honor.
She was born with the most noble blood, but she was a person who did not want to be easily bound by any rules or systems.
It was a consistent characteristic of geniuses born with extraordinary talent.
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