“Stay close to Baron Ravenclaw. Since he was your instructor in the past, it will not seem strange.”
The Grand Duke Beltus saw people as pieces on a chessboard.
What he loved most was the prestige of the Beltus family he had built, and each mber was nothing more than a piece in the great puzzle.
That cold and calculating nature was also reflected in his sons and daughters, who shared his blood, and from ti to ti he directed a chilling gaze at Denise, as if evaluating her usefulness.
Denise might have had certain dissatisfactions with that, but she never rebelled strongly.
Rather, she found it convenient to demonstrate her worth efficiently and then laze around without too much complication.
‘Even so…’
Denise did not care in the slightest what kind of plan the Grand Duke Beltus was drawing up using her connection with Baron Ravenclaw.
She only ca to present herself at Ravenclaw Mansion as usual, following her family’s will.
However, the atmosphere at Ravenclaw Mansion, which she was visiting after a long ti, was completely different from before.
Though it was understandable that Aiselin had spearheaded several construction projects, what truly made Denise’s face turn serious was the change in Ellen.
“It’s about ti she stopped staying in Baron Ravenclaw’s mansion. Lady Aiselin is a mber of the Duplain family, and given the precarious state of her family’s prestige, is it appropriate for Lady Aiselin, who should be the central pillar, to remain away from the main house?”
When they first t in Ebelstein’s social circle, they often clashed harshly, but after multiple conflicts and crises, they had grown rather close.
Nevertheless, the relationship between Ellen and Aiselin, who were eting again after a long ti, was deteriorating once more.
Since Denise always had to stay inford about social circle trends, of course she wished to understand the cause of the change between them.
However, the reason was completely different from what Denise expected.
“T-t-t… That… D-Diella is managing everything well… A-a-and I am supporting the family in my own way…”
Seeing Aiselin avert her gaze and stutter was sothing completely new.
Denise was soone unrivaled in perceptiveness.
It did not take her long to understand why those two people, who had been so harmonious until then, were now creating such a tense atmosphere if she paid attention to their conversation.
‘Could it be that… even Lady Ellen…?’
Denise had known for a long ti that Aiselin harbored certain personal feelings toward Dereck.
No matter how much she was the flower and pillar of the Duplain family, she was still a young woman of that age, and it was natural for her heart to waver amid so many turbulences.
She had considered it a passing whim, a light storm, and simply let it be.
However, at this point, things were starting to get serious.
Ellen, as if bewitched by sothing, was also defending Dereck — she looked like the heroine of a third-rate romance novel, which made Denise feel dizzy.
The romance novels Denise used to read passionately in her spare ti at least showed their emotions brazenly, but Ellen was hiding her feelings in her own way, which made it feel even more realistic.
Denise’s brain, simplified into the sches of a cheap romance novel, now drew a triangle between Aiselin, Ellen, and Dereck.
‘I don’t know if I should think this, but… the structure is interesting…!’
Unable to suppress her instincts as a novelist, Denise felt a strange excitent welling up inside her.
In any case, Dereck was a man with no interest whatsoever in won and truly obsessed with achieving magical success.
The facility he had built to teach noble ladies was probably just a ans to perfect his magical skills and secure funds to maintain family prestige.
Seeing two noble ladies from the most powerful families in the southwest of the continent fighting over such a serious and stoic man gave Denise certainty that incidents and accidents would not stop occurring.
Just imagining it brought her endless inspiration, to the point where she could not predict the impact it would have on her unfinished work, The Arrogant Lord Robain.
Of course, those involved were on the verge of collapse from the tension, but what did that matter to Denise? It was “soone else’s problem.”
Thinking so, Denise’s eyes shone even brighter.
‘Yes. As long as I strictly remain in the role of observer, what could possibly go wrong?’
With that thought, Denise leaned back and watched the two with a satisfied expression.
All sorts of ideas were already sprouting in her mind.
Of course, she could not let herself get completely absorbed in those fantasies either.
‘Father seems to believe that behind Baron Ravenclaw’s actions lies a great purpose…’
Leaving behind Aiselin and Ellen, who were still locked in a battle of nerves, Denise put down her teacup and sank back into her thoughts.
The Grand Duke Beltus was extrely cautious about the ergence of new forces or unexpected figures who might gain influence in the nobility.
His vigilant attitude toward Dereck, whose influence had grown rapidly in recent tis, was probably due to his exclusive nature.
Denise knew well that Dereck had little interest in worldly power, but people can change at any mont.
When the place you stand in changes, so does your perspective.
In any case, she felt she had to observe the situation in the Ravenclaw Barony carefully, so she had no choice but to rise from her seat.
“It’s quite late already. I will go check the training grounds and greet the other ladies.”
*
Death walks.
The steps of the six-star necromancer Fina were steeped in the resentnts of countless spirits.
The legendary necromancer who broke taboos and dealt with corpses and vengeful spirits could create an army of the dead with a single gesture and snatch away the life of a defenseless person with just a snap of her fingers.
There was no one on the continent who knew more of necromancy than she did, and even death itself feared her and hid away.
The incarnation of death arrived unhurriedly.
Tap, tap.
She descended the steps of Baron Tigris’ carriage one by one and silently observed the entrance of Ravenclaw Barony, which, though not grand, had everything necessary.
Her silver hair, streaked with purple-tinted highlights, seed to testify to the aura of death surrounding her.
However, in appearance, she was just a simple, bold daughter of a rural baron.
She looked like a beautiful country maiden who had grown up running through adows and hills, surrounded by affection.
“This is Ravenclaw Barony. Many high-ranking noble ladies have co, so, miss, please maintain proper conduct.”
Fina smiled, slightly lifting the corners of her lips.
The coachman and servant looked tense, but she walked calmly, her eyes softly closed.
Her demure bearing, with her hands clasped in front, did not seem out of place among the highest-ranking nobles.
Third-rate nobles who only relied on family prestige lacked elegance in their behavior.
By contrast, even soone from a humble barony on the outskirts could radiate an aura that imposed distance.
Fina was the perfect example of that.
Her half-closed eyes shone with an indescribable, ancient aura.
Despite her youth and not yet having debuted in society, she already possessed an atmosphere that made even the lower-ranking nobles of Ebelstein’s social circle hesitate to speak to her.
She smiled gently and addressed the guard at the entrance of Ravenclaw Barony in a calm voice.
“I co from Baron Tigris’ household. My na is Fina Raffaella Tigris.”
The gatekeeper listened to her words, asked for a mont, and checked the list of visitors.
Upon confirming that her na was registered, he turned his gaze back to Fina. For an instant, the guard holding the spear held his breath.
Compared to the guard, who was already an older man, Fina looked less than half his age.
She barely reached his chest in height, and her slight figure forced him to lean down to et her eyes.
Yet, her lavender-colored eyes held a captivating power.
It seed as though just by looking into them, one could lose their soul.
The guard, lacking magical knowledge, did not perceive this strange aura and simply nodded silently.
Fina had done nothing.
However, her charming eyes, a natural gift, had the peculiar ability to capture people’s hearts.
Even those who saw her for the first ti were captivated and nodded to unexpected requests.
At first, it was only a superficial acknowledgnt of her beauty, but over ti, over months or years, they slowly fell into her nets until they would even be willing to give up their lives.
There was only one way to resist it: to know in advance the ability of her charming eyes and stay on guard, or to be truly immune to that kind of magic.
Naturally, most people without magical training could not resist at all.
“Go ahead… please…”
Thus, the gatekeeper, in a strangely dazed state, nodded without even completing the usual inspection procedure.
Fina gave a graceful bow with an elegant smile and passed through the main entrance of Ravenclaw Barony.
‘The facilities are rustic, but considering the ti, they are better than expected.’
As she crossed the garden, Fina was internally analyzing the place.
‘However, it is still just an educational facility for those who have barely awakened to magic.’
She felt a strange emptiness as she guided her attendants with her gaze, keeping her eyes half-closed.
Hiding her identity and reincarnating as the only daughter of Tigris Barony had been a wise decision.
A small rural barony, where no one paid attention, was the perfect environnt to research necromancy or write books in peace.
However, no matter how much she wanted, a noble was still a noble, and she could not completely sever ties with social activities.
In the end, unable to withstand Baron Tigris’ pressure, she had entered the Ravenclaw training center.
But there was no reason to stay long in an institution full of third-rate magicians.
She didn’t know how the educational process would unfold, but all she thought about was finishing it as quickly as possible and leaving.
Wasting ti in a barony surrounded by vineyards was not appealing. There was a desire she had to fulfill.
That Ravenclaw Barony was far too small a vessel to contain a six-star necromancer. No one could deny it.
That was why Fina calmly headed toward the main building of the Barony, slightly lifting the hem of her dress adorned with white and lavender lace.
She thought she should et the owner of that mansion in person and see what kind of man he was.
“…”
Thus, Fina led her servants toward the office of Baron Ravenclaw.
There, just as it was said, was a stern-looking man working with a quill.
She thought that, given the number of distinguished nobles present, he would not be able to see her, but to her surprise, he granted her an audience without hesitation.
Fina lifted her dress and greeted the man behind the desk.
“Thank you for granting
the opportunity to et you. I am Fina Raffaella Tigris, of Tigris Barony. It is an honor to et Lord Dereck, proprietor of the Ravenclaw Training Center.”
“So you are the young lady of Tigris Barony.”
Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw.
As young baron and owner of that mansion, he rose from his seat, and the attendants who had co with Fina from Tigris Barony bowed their heads.
The age difference did not seem large, but after all, that man held the sa rank as Fina’s father, Baron Tigris.
For soone from the outskirts to have attained such authority at such a young age, he must possess extraordinary abilities.
Of course, from the perspective of a girl who had reached the highest magical level possible for a human—six stars—it all seed almost cute.
It was simply an act to integrate naturally into the world and conceal the dagger she carried in her heart.
In short, Fina’s greeting, with closed eyes and a asured bow, was full of composure.
Dereck, observing her, briefly touched his head and spoke with his hands clasped behind his back.
“I know Tigris Barony well. Its agricultural efficiency is so great that a tenth of the grain in the southeast cos from that small territory, and I understand that the quality of the equipnt produced with iron from the northern Lafran mountains is also excellent.”
“I am honored that you rember our humble border territory. My father works very hard on internal affairs, and the inhabitants, inspired by his dedication, live each day diligently. It is sothing I am grateful for.”
Fina’s voice, calm and composed, still carried a hint of youth.
However, this girl was a monster who had reincarnated for hundreds of years. It was dangerous to lower one’s guard in front of her just because of her innocent appearance.
That was why Dereck closed his eyes and sank into thought for a mont.
Strength? Magic? Those things would not work against that monster who had reached the six-star level.
The mont she realized her identity had been discovered, there was no way to predict what sudden action she might take.
Therefore, what was needed here was a fearless and resolute nature.
Dereck cleared his throat, stepped forward with determination, and spoke.
“Now that I think about it, the young lady of Tigris Barony seems to lack manners.”
“…Excuse ?”
“Even if it is nobles of high rank, how can soone from a border barony arrive so punctually?”
Whatever anyone said, Dereck held greater social authority.
As already ntioned, he was not much older than Fina, but his rank was equivalent to her father’s.
“When the training schedule truly begins, will I not beco Lady Fina’s instructor?”
“Yes. T-that is correct.”
“Since that will be the case, I cannot help but raise my voice. Punctuality is important. If you were coming from such a faraway place, you should have departed at least half a day earlier—no, a full day earlier—to be prepared for any unexpected event.”
Fina, montarily bewildered by Dereck’s sudden scolding, began to sweat and replied.
“B-but… fortunately, I arrived on ti.”
“Ah. It does not matter that you were not late. As you yourself said, it was only luck that you did not arrive late, was it not? What if the wheel of the carriage had gotten stuck in the mud? What if you had encountered bandits?”
“…Those things…”
“Could you be absolutely certain they would not occur? No one can. That is why you must acquire the habit of preparing and anticipating. Sigh…”
Dereck, now fully imrsed in his lecture, rubbed his temples and continued.
“I hate to say this, but… in my days… I did not even dare to talk back to my instructor for fear of neglecting his teachings.”
“If… if it seed like I talked back… I-I apologize.”
“Apologizing is not everything. Will an apology resolve your stay in the training center?”
“Eh? No. T-that’s not what I ant… Then, what should I…?”
Dereck crossed his arms and lowered his voice with a grim expression.
“What should you do? You must think for yourself. How can you depend on another’s opinion? A great magician is soone who reflects on their own.”
“T-that is true…”
“Exactly. Do you carry magical tools or books with you?”
“Of course! I always carry them so I can devote myself to magic at any mont. I am very ticulous with my preparations.”
“Well… don’t rely on them too much…”
“What?”
When Fina replied in confusion, Dereck’s face adopted an even sterner expression, and he began to speak in a sharp tone.
“A person’s ntality is influenced by their body and spirit. If you always seek comfort and follow the answers others have prepared… how will you strengthen your will? That will not do. Magical books? Magical tools? Relying too much on them is the reason why today’s magicians only seek the easy path. It is truly the end of tis.”
“…”
“In my days, Lady Tigris, we morized incantations without such things and used our bodies as a channel for magic. It may seem harsh now, but it was thanks to those hardships that my magical understanding and intuition deepened. They say you should even pay for hardships, if necessary.”
Dereck’s strategy was hard to put into words…
Even a six-star mage could not easily decipher how to respond to him…
“I don’t mind… but I say this because I worry that sowhere you may be called an uneducated magician, and that you might hear unpleasant things, Lady Fina. I am fine. Truly, I don’t mind.”
“Oh, if that is the case…”
“But…! If sowhere you are criticized…! That cannot happen, can it?! So don’t take it lightly, take it seriously… All of this is experience… Listen to it with passion. Anywhere else you would have to pay to hear this. But since you have passion, and because there is nothing passion cannot achieve, I tell you this kindly.”
“I-I did pay…”
“Oh… talking back again…!”
*
Ravenclaw Training Center, Day 1.
Fina thought with her mind growing increasingly clouded.
‘This is not right…’
It wasn’t even a confusion spell, yet it felt as though her mind was being devoured.
And yet, this was only the beginning.
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