There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Denise (3)

“Miss Denise. Are you, are you serious?”

“I was the first to discover the location of that wizard. We’re in the most advantageous position in the competition. We need to persuade him quickly before other families catch the scent and come looking.”

“But, but to stay in such a place… The lady of the house will be very upset when she hears of this.”

“Don’t worry about the servants; I’ll make sure they’re not harmed. Just say it was all my own decision.”

After being kicked out by Derek, Denise had no choice but to return to the entrance of the cave.

Bella thought she would take the carriage back to the mansion to report the situation, but Denise shook her silver-gray hair and shook her head.

Then, she ordered someone to gather various supplies before sunset, and instructed them to set up a modest campsite at the entrance of the cave.

Luxury firewood, thick tents, top-quality carpets, and soft makeshift beds were brought in, and by the time everything was set up, the sun was already setting. Each item was so luxurious that it hardly seemed like camping, but it was certainly no place for a noble lady to stay.

Yet, Denise didn’t seem to care at all.

*

The next day, as soon as the morning sun rose, Lady Denise entered the cave where Derek was training again.

Derek was still alone in the vast clearing, honing his magical powers. Denise approached him with an antique smile, laid down all sorts of food and supplies, and said,

“Training is good, but it’s not good to push yourself to the point of looking so haggard. I’ll assist you well so you can focus on your training, Mr. Derek!”

Derek looked at Denise with a bewildered expression.

Denise blinked her innocent eyes and twisted her hands together with a full smile.

“I may not be able to do much, but at least I can help you concentrate on your magic training.”

“…Your doing this won’t change my mind.”

“I get inspiration from watching you train your magic, Mr. Derek, and it helps me with my own magical achievements. Don’t worry too much about it; it’s all my own doing!”

Denise clenched her fists tightly and smiled.

From noble mtl dot com

There are many ways to win someone’s favor, but giving generously is the most basic of basics.

Denise had some confidence in her strategy to win favor so openly, even if there were doubts whether it would work on someone like Derek.

To persuade someone, the most efficient way is to make them feel sorry first.

Even if the giving has ulterior motives and reasons, the receiver can’t help but feel a bit of gratitude, knowing full well. That’s how business works.

‘I should tell the servants at the mansion to bring all the supplies needed for magic training.’

It was a common strategy among merchants who came to the mansion for supplies. Whether the intention was obvious or not wasn’t that important. What mattered was to have the nerve.

Maintaining contact like this, little by little, the heart would be moved, as if getting wet in a drizzle. Human hearts can’t stay hard forever.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept.”

Derek had been considering going out to gather supplies himself, so he didn’t mind much. In fact, it was awkward to push away a noble lady who had bowed her head so low.

So Derek casually accepted the supplies Denise brought every day.

But Derek was stubborn in his own way.

“Today, I brought some food and magic stones.”

“Thank you. However, working for the Beltus family is a bit difficult.”

“Good morning! Some precious fish have arrived from the Ebelstein side. The mansion’s chef cooked it; please have a taste!””I truly appreciate it. However, this doesn’t mean I’ll be working for the Beltus family.”

“Mr. Derek, look at this. It’s a Crystal of Light. It’s a stone that helps observe the surrounding magical energy more efficiently.”

“This precious thing… Thank you. But, working for the Beltus family is a separate matter…”

“Mr. Derek! I’ve brought you things to clean yourself with. You must maintain hygiene even as you train!”

“Thank you for your concern. However…”

Days passed, and even though I forced myself to see Derek’s face every time, he put up such a complete wall that I wondered if he truly had a human heart.

Honestly, by this point, one would feel a bit burdened or perhaps even apologetic, but Derek, without a second thought, accepted all the kindness Lady Denise offered and continued to focus solely on his magic training. He was not one to outright refuse hospitality.

After about five days, it felt like I was aimlessly hacking at an unyielding tree with an axe.

‘I didn’t think it would take this long…’

The noble Lady of the Beltus family, having cast aside her pride, came daily to exchange pleasantries, offer supplies, and bow her head, yet he still persisted in his own convictions.

‘Is there such a person?’ I wondered, but then again, at this point, I also thought that perhaps this is why he could teach magic without being intimidated by noble ladies.

‘If I knew it would be this bothersome, I would have just let it slide…!’

Lady Denise sat in a corner of the camp, pulling at her hair.

Her policy was to finish any task quickly and then relax for the remaining time.

However, despite trying every method over the past week, flattering, accommodating, and even pushing with authority, the man was like a mountain, wholly absorbed in his magic training all day long.

It felt as if Lady Denise was merely a background element that periodically visited the cave. And not just any element, but the most noble Lady of the Beltus family.

─He’s just mad about magic. Derek was the kind of person who would cast anything aside if it meant elevating his magical prowess.

‘Now that I think about it… I haven’t seen a hint of Drest. Surely, if he had met with this magician named Derek, they would have trained together…’

Derek had encountered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and now wished to devote himself solely to magic training.

It was obvious that the opportunity he spoke of was meeting Drest. Yet, this magician named Drest never showed himself before Denise.

In truth, Drest Wolftail wasn’t someone you could meet just because you wanted to.

Since his relations with the nobility weren’t exactly good, it wasn’t strange for him to avoid showing himself before Denise.

‘If he’s under Drest as his master, he must know where I am and when to meet… He’s not avoiding me on purpose. This could be a good sign.’

It was strange when I thought about it.

If he really wanted to avoid Denise, with Drest’s help, he could have avoided her completely, given the labyrinthine structure of the cave.

‘The fact that he’s meeting me isn’t too much of a burden… So, there’s still hope. At least it’s not to the extent of irritating him.’

How to persuade Derek had become more than a family issue; it was now a matter of Denise’s own pride.

Still, pushing with authority wouldn’t work. He was in a position where he could join the Belmier or Duplain families if he so wished.

The method to get him to join the Beltus family to teach Lady Denise, without offending him too much.

I had to think of that method quickly, before other families caught wind of it. There wasn’t much time to spare, given the time already wasted.

As Denis was deeply engrossed in thought, the moment came.

“Miss Denis! The head butler from the Duplain family is at the cave entrance!”

“What, already?”

Although Denis was the first to pinpoint Derrick’s location, it was only faster compared to other families.

Eventually, as time passed, even the advantage of having made contact sooner began to fade.

Yet, another thought crossed her mind.

‘Even after pushing so hard in every way, he remains unswayed. Would any other family have a better chance?’

He is a man obsessed with magic.

He will not teach anyone until he is satisfied with his own training.

It seemed unlikely that even the Duplain family could break his stubborn dedication.

His ironclad obstinacy now, in fact, reassured Denis. Until a method was found, he would not be swayed by any family.

“Miss Aislin herself sent a letter? Hmm…”

‘…Why hesitate?’

Shadowing the Duplain family’s head butler Delron with utmost stealth, she clenched her teeth in frustration.

Perched atop a rock, Derrick, seemingly acquainted with Butler Delron, greeted him warmly and began to read the letter he brought.

Denis had thought he would reject the Duplain family’s request as firmly as he had hers, but there he was, chin propped in hand, weary from training, yet deep in thought.

Aislin, Elente, Denis.

Among the trio of the Roséa Salon, Aislin was the one Derrick held in highest esteem.

She was a young lady who had reached the rank of two stars at the age before her coming-of-age ceremony, with an exceptional understanding of the magic of the discipline school.

Teaching Elente had made Derrick realize that the act of teaching itself greatly aided his own magical achievements. Engaging in magical exchange with someone as firm in their field as Aislin would bring significant insights to himself as well.

“Miss Diella has shown results when you taught her magic, so the Duke has high hopes. And as you know, the Duke rewards those who achieve results generously.”

Derrick was well aware of the Duke of Duplain’s nature.

He was the kind of man who could casually bestow a precious three-star grimoire on a mere commoner, provided they achieved comparable results.

“It’s indeed an honor for me, but as you can see, I am fully immersed in my magical training. I’ve caught a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m completely buried in training.”

‘Just as I thought…!’

Though his tone was much more polite than with Denis, Derrick still indicated his refusal.

As expected, Derrick’s own magical achievements were his priority. He wouldn’t be easily swayed.

However, Derrick’s following words were not what Denis had anticipated.

“So, once my training is complete, would it be alright to discuss it then? It will benefit Miss Aislin as well. The higher the level of the teaching mage, the quicker the disciple will ascend, right?”

“Hmm… Indeed, for such reasons, the Duke might be persuaded. For the family, it’s most important to find a good magical mentor for Miss Aislin.”

Derek was clearly showing a much more favorable attitude towards Lady Aislinn.

He hadn’t even broached the subject of further discussions after training had concluded with Denis.

After all the training and assistance, and even after swallowing his pride to come here, the favor he had not shown was now being casually extended to Aislinn.

Denis pressed his brow, letting out a pained noise.

Indeed, bridging that gap was not going to be easy. Whatever it took, a desperate measure was needed.

*

“Derek’s location has been pinpointed?”

“Yes. The head butler has gone personally with a letter. I heard it’s near the Raspa Caves.”

“To be training in such a dangerous place… Well, that’s just like Derek.”

It had been quite some time since the Ebelstein customs convention had ended.

Lady Aislinn, who had returned to the Duplain residence to exchange pleasantries with her family, was flushed with excitement at the report brought by head maid Katarina.

Ever since the last magical duel, the desire to learn magic from Derek had suddenly sprung up. It had been some time since she had suggested making a request to him.

“I’ve heard that other families are also inquiring, so it’s uncertain if that mercenary will really come to the Duplain side. However, Butler Delron is eloquent in such matters, so let’s trust him and wait.”

“No. In fact, it’s hard just waiting. I’ve been preoccupied with social activities, but now that I have some time, it seems better to take action myself.”

“Really?”

Lady Aislinn holds a unique position in Ebelstein’s social circles. Her schedule is always full, but at least while she’s at the Duplain residence, she can make some time.

“Actually, if I’m to ask for teaching, it’s proper to go in person. If it’s the Raspa Caves, I can easily stop by on the way to Ebelstein if I divert the carriage a bit.”

“Oh… It’s a bit dangerous for you to go there by yourself.”

“I’m now a two-star magician. I won’t be defeated by mere magical beasts, and I’ll bring plenty of guards, so what’s the worry?”

Aislinn had already intuited as much.

Derek might not be keen on teaching now, but it was clear he would eventually make a big name for himself centered around Ebelstein.

In the future, once his abilities are more widely recognized, more competitors will flock to him.

Not just Diella and Elente, but ladies who have been taught by him may be regarded as proven figures.

And before all that, she just wanted to learn more about magic. It was common sense to seek teaching in person.

“Please accompany me with the carriage. I must go to the Raspa Caves directly. The sooner I move, the better… I’ll just greet my family and leave right away.”

It was rare for Aislinn to be so busy.

Before Katarina could even nod, she was already rising from the tea table.

“First… Should I say goodbye to Diella before I leave?”

“It will be difficult for Miss Diella to exchange greetings right now.”

“Is she very busy? I heard she’s preparing for her debutante ball.”

“But that aside… once immersed in magic training, he does not wish to be disturbed.”

After being taught by Derek, Diella’s mastery of magic was skyrocketing at an almost alarming rate.

The Duplain bloodline was known for producing numerous high-ranking magicians, but even considering that, her rate of growth was hard to comprehend.

“Well then… there’s nothing to be done about it…”

Aislinn, too, would sometimes watch from a distance.

Sitting quietly on the annex’s terrace, she observed the world with eyes filled with magical energy. The young magician’s aura had a strange, extraordinary quality to it. Perhaps it would even threaten Valerian’s or her own achievements.

Diella Catherine Duplain.

The world was yet unaware of that name, but her sister Aislinn was watching closely.

She was Derek’s first disciple.

Soon, she would make her debutante entrance into the social circles of Ebelstein.

It was as if she was the first masterpiece Derek, the magic teacher, had presented to the world.

The second was Ellente, but at least the third she wanted to be her own, Aislinn.

Before the world recognized the value of Derek, the magic teacher, she wanted to claim him more quickly than anyone else.

When one discovers an undervalued treasure before others, it’s natural to be excited.