Chapter 111 - The Start of the Semester (3)
The Start of the Semester (3)
Translator: XZY
Chapter 111: The Start of the Semester (3)
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— 'Stay close to the Baron of Ravencrow. Since you have received teachings from him before, it wouldn't be a strange thing.'
The Grand Duke of Beltus looked at people as if they were pieces on a chessboard.
His most beloved thing was the prestige of this Beltus family that he had built; each and every one of its members were merely puzzle pieces for the bigger picture.
That cold-blooded nature was similar even towards his own sons and daughters who shared his blood, and he would sometimes speak to Denise with a cold gaze, as if telling her to prove her usefulness.
Denise had a little dissatisfaction with that, but she had never strongly rebelled.
Rather, if she just thoroughly proved her worth, she could laze around without much trouble, so there was a convenient aspect to it.
'That aside…'
She didn't know what picture the Grand Duke of Beltus was trying to paint by using the connection between Denise and the Baron of Ravencrow, but Denise didn't particularly care.
She had just come to show her face at the Ravencrow Barony, following the family's will, as always.
However, the Ravencrow Barony she visited after a long time had a much different atmosphere than before.
It was one thing that Aiseline had taken the lead in various construction projects, but what made Denise turn serious more than anything else was the change in Elente.
"It's about time you refrained from staying at the Ravencrow Barony. Lady Aiseline is a member of the Duplein family, and with the family's prestige in such a perilous state, does it make sense for Lady Aiseline, who should be its focal point, to be away from the main house?"
In truth, when she first met Aiseline in Ebelstein's high society, they were at odds with each other, but after a few conflicts and crises, the two had become quite close.
However, the relationship between Elente and Aiseline, whom she met after a long time, was once again on a path of steady deterioration.
Since Denise had to always be bright on the trends of high society, she naturally wanted to find out the cause of the change in their relationship.
However, the reason was completely different from Denise's expectations.
"Th-that… D-Diella is handling it well… and I-I'm supporting the family in my own way…"
The sight of Aiseline fidgeting and avoiding her gaze was quite refreshing.
Denise was a person who would be sad to be called second when it came to being quick-witted.
She could easily figure out how the two, who had been so gentle, had formed such an atmosphere, just by quietly listening to their conversation.
'Don't tell me… even Lady Elente…?'
She had known for a while that Aiseline harbored some private feelings for the Baron of Ravencrow.
No matter how much she was the flower and pillar of the Duplein family, she was a girl of that age, so it was possible for her heart to wander to this person and that person as she went through this stormy period.
She had thought of it as a passing gust of wind and was just letting it be.
However, at this point, she was starting to get a little serious.
Lady Elente, too, was protecting the Baron of Ravencrow as if she had been possessed by something, making her look like a heroine from a third-rate romance novel, and it was making her feel dizzy.
The romance novels that Denise would read whenever she was bored at least had their emotional lines revealed frankly, but Elente was trying to hide her feelings in her own way, which made it feel even more realistic.
Denise's innate observational instinct, which had been schematized by such third-rate romance novels, was at some point drawing a triangle between Aiseline, Elente, and the Baron of Ravencrow in her mind.
'I don't know if I should be thinking this, but… the composition is interesting…!'
In the midst of it all, Denise, who couldn't abandon her instincts as a creator, felt as if a strange excitatory substance was being secreted in her brain.
In any case, the Baron of Ravencrow was a person who had no interest in things like the fairer sex, and was a person who was truly crazy only about magical achievements.
The fact that he had set up a facility to teach noble young ladies was also highly likely to be a means of fundraising to maintain the prestige of his family, in addition to increasing his own magical skills.
The sight of the two young ladies from the greatest noble families of the southwestern continent bickering over such a straight-laced man gave her a premonition that all sorts of incidents would not cease even if she just watched from the side.
Just imagining it seemed to make numerous inspirations well up, and she couldn't gauge what kind of influence it would have on her unfinished masterpiece, .
Of course, the parties involved were probably on the verge of losing all their hair from their war of nerves, but what did that matter to Denise? It was 'someone else's business.'
After thinking that, Denise's eyes became even more brilliant.
'Right. If I just stay strictly in the position of an observer, what could possibly happen?'
Just like that, Denise sat down and looked at the two with a satisfied expression.
All sorts of inspirations were already blooming in her mind. Of course, she couldn't be completely engrossed in just that.
'Father seems to think that there must be a great meaning in him starting something like this at the Ravencrow Barony…'
Leaving Aiseline and Elente, who were having a war of nerves, Denise once again put down her teacup and fell into deep thought.
The Grand Duke of Beltus was extremely wary of new powers emerging, or of unexpected figures influencing noble society.
The fact that he was getting a foot in with the Baron of Ravencrow, whose prestige had been rising suddenly recently, was also probably due to his exclusive nature.
Denise knew well that Derek had little interest in secular power, but in any case, people could change at any time.
When the place you stand changes, your perspective also changes. In any case, she felt that she had to carefully observe the situation at the Ravencrow Barony and had no choice but to stand up from her seat.
"It's already gotten this late. I'll go check on the training grounds and exchange some greetings with the other young ladies."
She wanted to stay a little longer, but in any case, she had to do what she had to do.
<> <> <>
Death walks.
The footsteps of the 6-Star necromancer, Pinne, are imbued with the grudges of numerous specters.
The legendary necromancer, who breaks taboos and deals with corpses and resentful spirits, creates an army of the dead with a single gesture, and easily takes the life of one without mana just by snapping her fingers.
There is not a single person on the continent more well-versed in necromancy than her, and even death fears her and hides itself.
That incarnation of death arrived without a care.
Tap, tap-tap—
She descended step by step from the stairs of the Tigris Barony's carriage, and silently observed the entrance of the Ravencrow Barony, which was not magnificent but had everything it needed.
The two-toned silver hair, with a faint purple hue visible inside, seemed to be proof of the damp aura of death that clung to her.
However, looking at her appearance alone, she was just a simple and spirited baron's daughter from the countryside.
She had the appearance of a beautiful country girl who had grown up receiving plenty of affection and playing in the meadows and on the mountain ridges.
"This is the Ravencrow Barony. I hear many high-ranking nobles have visited, so please always be careful of your conduct, Young Lady."
Pinne raised the corners of her mouth and smiled.
The coachman and the retainer were already on edge as if they were nervous, but Pinne was just walking demurely with her eyes gently closed.
The sight of her walking with her hands clasped together demurely, indeed, did not cower at all even among high-ranking nobles.
Third-rate nobles who are puffed up with pride, relying only on the prestige of their family, do not exude grace in their behavior.
Conversely, there are cases where a person, even if they are from a shabby barony in the rural frontiers, has an aura that makes them difficult to approach.
If one were to look for an example, it would be a person exactly like Pinne.
In her quietly half-lidded eyes, a refined air that is hard to describe in words flickered. At a young age, not having even made her high society debut yet, an atmosphere that would make it difficult for even the average lower-ranking nobles of Ebelstein to strike up a conversation already flowed from her.
In front of the gatekeeper of the Ravencrow Barony, she smiled and spoke in a quiet and gentle voice.
"I am from the Tigris Barony. My name is Pinne Rafaela Tigris."
The gatekeeper of the Ravencrow Barony heard her words, asked for her understanding for a moment, and looked at the visitor list.
And it was the moment he confirmed that her name was recorded and looked back towards Pinne.
In an instant, the gatekeeper, who was holding a spear, couldn't help but hold his breath for a moment.
Compared to the aged gatekeeper, Pinne's age seemed to be not even half.
Her height only reached around his solar plexus, and her build was so small that he had to lower his head to meet her eyes.
Despite that, a power that drew people in was felt in her light purple eyes.
A strange feeling as if one's very soul was being sucked out just by looking at her. The gatekeeper, who lacked proficiency in magic, could not even detect this strange aura and just quietly nodded his head at her.
Pinne did nothing. However, her naturally born bewitching eyes had a strange ability to grasp a person's heart.
There were cases where even those who saw Pinne for the first time were fascinated by her and nodded their heads even to unexpected requests.
At first, it was merely perceiving the other person as attractive, but after slowly falling into her grasp over several months, several years… one would eventually reach a state where they would even nod their head to a request for their life.
There was only one way to resist it. To be aware of Pinne's bewitching eyes in advance and be directly wary… or one had to be truly immune to this type of magic.
It went without saying, but most of those without proficiency in magic were unable to even resist.
"Pl…ease enter…"
Just like that, without even finishing the basic inspection procedure, the gatekeeper, who had become strangely dazed, nodded his head.
Pinne bowed her head with a refined smile and passed through the main gate of the Ravencrow Barony.
'The facilities are crude, but considering the time frame, it's surprisingly excellent.'
Pinne organized her evaluation of the Ravencrow Barony as she crossed the garden.
'However, at best, it's just an educational facility that teaches those who have barely opened their eyes to magic.'
She closed her eyes gently and felt a strange sense of futility as she led her retainers.
It was a good thing that she had hidden her identity and reincarnated, becoming the only daughter of the Tigris Barony.
The small barony in the rural frontiers that no one cared about was the optimal environment for her to hide her identity and research necromancy, or to write books.
However, no matter what, a noble was a noble, so she could not be completely free from high society activities.
In the end, she couldn't overcome the nagging of the Baron of Tigris and ended up entering the Ravencrow Training School, but there was no reason to stay long in a facility attended by such third-rate mages.
She didn't know how the educational process would proceed, but she was full of thoughts of completing it as quickly as possible and leaving.
Wasting time in a barony with only vineyards was not a very welcome thing. She had a cherished desire that she must achieve.
This Ravencrow Barony was too small a vessel to contain a talent like a 6-Star necromancer. There would be no one who would deny that fact.
Therefore, Pinne grasped the hem of her dress, which was a fitting mix of pure white and light purple lace, and quietly headed towards the main building of the Ravencrow Barony.
It was because she felt she had to meet the master of this mansion in person and first observe what kind of person he was.
"..."
Just like that, Pinne led her retainers and headed to the office of the Baron of Ravencrow.
There, indeed, a man with a rather sharp impression was seeing to his work, moving a quill pen.
She had thought she wouldn't be able to see his face as many distinguished guests had visited, but surprisingly, he had readily granted Pinne's entrance.
Pinne raised the hem of her dress and offered a greeting to the man sitting at the office desk.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity to offer my greetings. I am Pinne Rafaela Tigris, from the Tigris Barony. It is a true honor to meet Sir Derek, the master of the Ravencrow Training School."
"You are the young lady of the Tigris Barony."
Derek Ridolf Ravencrow.
As the young baron, the master of this mansion, rose from his seat, the retainers who had accompanied her from the Tigris Barony bowed their heads.
It seemed there wasn't much of an age difference, but in any case, that man was a person of the same rank as Pinne's father, the Baron of Tigris.
The fact that a person of such a young age, and one from a slum background at that, possessed this much authority meant that there was some extraordinary quality about him.
Of course, from the perspective of a girl who had reached 6-Star magic, the highest realm a human body could reach, everything just looked cute.
It was merely a play to blend in naturally with the world and hide the dagger she held in her heart.
In short, the sight of Pinne, who was closing her eyes gently and raising the hem of her dress to offer a greeting, was full of composure.
Derek looked at her, swept his head for a moment, and then spoke with his hands clasped behind his back.
"I know the Tigris Barony well. I've heard that the efficiency of its agriculture is so great that ten percent of the southeastern grains come from that small territory, and that the quality of the equipment made with the iron from the northern Lapran mountains is also good."
"It is an honor for me that you remember a territory at the edge of the frontier. My father always puts his efforts into the internal affairs of the territory, and the people of the territory are also moved by his sincerity and always do their duty and live diligently. From my perspective of receiving that benefit, it is something to be thankful for."
A hint of youthfulness still remained in her calm, settled voice.
However, this girl was a monster who had reincarnated for hundreds of years. It was dangerous to let down his guard against her by being deceived by her naive appearance.
Therefore, Derek gently closed his eyes and was lost in thought for a moment.
Power? Magic? Such things would never work on this monster who had entered the ranks of 6-Star.
He also didn't know what kind of impulsive action she might take the moment she realized her identity had been discovered.
Therefore, what was needed here was a strong-hearted disposition that was not afraid.
Derek cleared his throat and then approached with long strides and spoke.
"Come to think of it, it seems the young lady of the Tigris Barony is inconsiderate."
"...Pardon?"
"Leaving aside the other high-ranking nobles, how can someone coming from a barony in the frontiers arrive so perfectly on time?"
No matter what anyone said, Derek's social authority was higher.
As he said, although Derek was not much older than Pinne, his rank was on par with her father.
"Once the training school schedule officially begins, will I not become Lady Pinne's teacher?"
"Yes. Th-that's right."
"Since that is the case, I cannot help but step forward and say this. Punctuality is important. If you were coming from such a distant place, you should have at least started half a day… no, a day in advance to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
Pinne was momentarily flustered by Derek's sudden outburst of words, and said, breaking out in a sweat.
"B-but… fortunately, I arrived without being late."
"Ahem. Not being late is not what's important. As you said, isn't it merely that you were fortunately not late? What if the carriage wheel got stuck in the mud on the way? What if you ran into bandits?"
"...S-such things…"
"Could you be certain that they would absolutely not have happened? No one can be certain of that. Therefore, you must have a habit of preparing and dealing with things in advance. Haa…"
Derek, now fully wound up, pressed his temples and poured out more words.
"It's a bit much for me to say this, but… in my day… I didn't even talk back for fear that my master might be negligent in his teachings."
"If-if it felt like talking back… I-I'm sorry."
"Sorry isn't enough. Do you think saying sorry will end your time at the training school?"
"What? No. Th-that's not it… then how…"
Derek crossed his arms with a gloomy expression and lowered his voice in earnest.
"What do you mean, 'how.' You must think about such things for yourself. Why do you try to rely on the opinions of others? A great mage means one who thinks and contemplates for themselves."
"Th-that's right…"
"Yes. Indeed, that is so. Do you perhaps carry around magic tools or grimoires as well?"
"O-of course! I always carry them so that I can devote myself to magic at any time. I am very thorough in my preparations."
"Oh dear… don't rely on such things too much…"
"Pardon?"
When Pinne gave a dazed reply, Derek made a more tiger-like face and began to speak as if firing a volley.
"A person's mindset is bound to be influenced by their body and spirit. Always looking for the easy way, always chasing the answers others have prepared… will your mental strength be trained that way? That's not enough, I'm telling you. Grimoires? Magical artifacts? It's because they rely too much on such things that mages these days all look for the easy path. It can truly be called the end of days."
"..."
"In my day, Lady Tigris. It was natural to memorize all the incantations without such things, and to use one's own body as a medium to cast magic. It might seem a bit harsh looking back now, but wasn't it because we all went through such hardships that our contemplation and proficiency in magic deepened? They say that one should even buy hardship."
The strategy Derek had come up with was something that was hard to describe in words…
But certainly, it was something that even a mage who had entered the ranks of 6-Star could not easily judge how to respond to…
"This is all fine for me… but I'm worried you might be called an uncultured mage somewhere, and that's why I'm saying this, because I'm worried Lady Pinne might hear some bad things. I'm fine. It really doesn't matter to me."
"Ah, if that's the case…"
"But…! Somewhere…! It wouldn't do for Lady Pinne to be spoken ill of, would it? So don't just let it go in one ear and out the other, this will all become your flesh and blood… this is all experience… listen with passion. This is content you'd have to pay to hear anywhere else. But since you have passion, and there's nothing that can't be done with passion, I'm also speaking to you nicely."
"B-but I paid money…"
"Ahem… talking back again…!"
Ravencrow Training School opening, Day 1.
Pinne thought to herself amidst her gradually fading consciousness.
'Th-this isn't right…'
It wasn't even a type of illusion magic… but she felt as if her mind was being eaten away.
However, it was only the beginning.