There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Pine (2)

『I’m sorry, Derek. I asked around focusing on the Count of Elvester’s side after hearing your request, but I couldn’t find a teacher who could teach you 4-star magic.』

『Please don’t be too disheartened, and try to reach higher through your own contemplation of the realm of magic. I am an inadequate teacher, so it seems difficult for me to be of more help to you.』

『Always take care of your health, and I wish you constant happiness. – Katia Flameheart』

*

“Now, breathing technique is important. Inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale. Follow me. Inhale-exhale.”

“…inhale…exhale…”

“If you do it like that, it will be even harder. Even if you are out of breath right now, maintain the breathing technique. In the long run, it will help you maintain your strength for a longer time. Now, inhale-exhale.”

What is a holiday? It means a day off.

Even though it was a holiday with no schedule at the Ravenclaw Training Center, Pine couldn’t understand why she had to run up the hill behind the mansion with Derek.

The path itself felt like a gentle trail, but running for a long time with her small frame was extremely difficult.

As always, Derek spoke to Pine with a refreshing expression.

“How is it?”

“It’s, it’s hard…”

“Yes, it is hard.”

“…”

Is he a madman?

Such thoughts crossed her mind, but she couldn’t say them out loud.

At least until she found a clue about the advanced necromancy she was researching, it was not good to attract public attention.

Although Pine was overwhelmingly superior to Derek in terms of strength, she couldn’t harm him for that reason.

However, whether Derek knew about Pine’s agony or not, he spoke cheerfully in a clear voice.

“That feeling of difficulty is important, Miss Pine. Humans grow through adversity, so it’s good to enjoy that feeling of difficulty.”

“Enjoy the feeling of difficulty… What kind of nonsense is that…”

“Ah, no backtalk.”

“But, still… your words… don’t make sense… huff… huff…”

“Inhale-exhale, Miss Pine.”

“Sniff… Sniff… Cough! Cough!”

After completing the basic physical training, Derek finally allowed himself a moment of rest only after reaching the heart of the peaceful forest.

The early afternoon forest was a place teeming with life.

As he leaned against a rock, panting for breath, he could hear the sounds of wild animals scurrying through the underbrush and the rustling of leaves.

The chirping of sparrows echoed hollowly among the trees, and Derek began to stretch his body on the opposite side of the rock.

“For a warm-up, that was quite well done.”

“A w-warm-up…?”

“Weren’t we here for a magic lesson today?”

“…”

Derek changed his strategy.

He thought that if he repeatedly nagged and criticized Finne like a madman, she would eventually get fed up and leave on her own.

However, Finne’s mental fortitude, determined to hide thoroughly from society’s eyes, was stronger than he had anticipated.

Having lived in hiding like that countless times, it was no wonder she had become adept at it.

Realizing that this approach would lead nowhere, Derek had no choice but to devise a new strategy.

If expulsion wasn’t an option, then graduation would suffice.

“In fact, I have observed Miss Finne’s eyes several times during the lessons.”

“Her eyes…?”

“Miss Finne is diligent in everything she does and seems to devote a lot of time to mastering magic. Other young ladies who study with her often praise her, saying she is very diligent and has much to teach.”

“Huff… Huff… Th-thank you for the compliments. I was just doing what I had to…”

“But…! I have seen the true nature of Miss Finne.”

The most renowned magic teacher in Ebelstein.

Finne couldn’t help but wonder if his reputation was undeserved as she looked at Derek.

“Miss Finne is hiding her true abilities.”

At that, Finne’s fingertips trembled slightly, and a chill ran through her eyes.

He had hit the mark.

If Derek had indeed noticed Finne’s true identity, then many assumptions would be overturned from that point on.

Finne had rarely left alive anyone who had discovered her true identity. In this era, a master of necromancy was treated no differently than a criminal who should be immediately executed.

“Hiding my abilities… What do you mean by that?”

“Even if you speak nonchalantly, I have already noticed everything. The bored look in your eyes during the lessons, the welcoming smile you show to everyone, but the emptiness that lies beneath it—I have already sensed it all.”

“…”

“There is a sense of ease in the way you handle magic during training sessions, something only veterans usually possess. I wonder if Miss Fine is aware of this.”

His tone was somewhat theatrical and verbose, but he certainly hit the mark.

Fine was a person who found it difficult to take a deep interest in worldly matters, even in idle talk. Although she was currently pretending to be the naive young lady of a rural baron’s family out of necessity, she could not erase the deep-seated emptiness engraved in her heart.

However, it was somewhat surprising that this man had seen through it.

She had thought of him as frivolous, meddlesome, and old-fashioned in his thinking… but he had an unexpectedly delicate side.

“In fact, it is not uncommon for noble young ladies to hide their abilities. Some do not want to reveal their exceptional talents due to internal family circumstances.”

In reality, Dennis had hidden the fact that he was a second-class exploration mage for many years.

From Derek’s perspective, he wasn’t lying.

“So, I won’t ask for the reason why Miss Fine is hiding her abilities. However, isn’t it a waste? You’ve come all the way to Ravenclaw territory, and it’s a waste to just kill time.”

“…”

“So, I will teach you higher-level magic.”

At those words, Fine scoffed inwardly.

Indeed, this man had seen through the fact that she was hiding her abilities. His insight was commendable.

However, he still thought she was only a second-class mage. That was only natural.

It was too unrealistic to imagine that the only daughter of a rural baron’s family, whose name was hardly known, was actually a sixth-class necromancer.

It was more realistic to assume she was a girl who had reached the level of a second-class mage.

‘It seems he hasn’t seen through my true identity.’

There was no need to cause a commotion by using her power. As Fine took a deep breath and leaned against the rock, Derek took out the staff strapped to his back and manifested his magic.

The entire forest area, covered with vegetation that exuded the energy of life, froze over.

*

In life, there are times when you encounter extraordinary people.

It’s not just a matter of talent or quick achievement. Those who fit the description of extraordinary often give off the feeling that they are fundamentally different as human beings.

Having lived a long life, Fine had encountered all sorts of human beings, including many mages who were considered exceptional.

In particular, she was the only one who had met almost all of the known sixth-class mages, including those who were now dead or gone.

Sometimes, they were individuals who had fully blossomed and dominated the world, sometimes they were still growing and had not yet seen the light, and sometimes they were children who had not yet learned to read.

However, regardless of their age, the raw material of mages who would one day dominate the world was different from the start.

Melverot learned fourth-class magic shortly after his coming-of-age ceremony.

Drest, born a commoner, reached the rank of a high-level mage without anyone’s help.

Kohella reached the rank of a fifth-class mage before she was thirty and created a fifth-class magic weapon the following year.

Being extraordinary is like that. It goes beyond being superior to others; it must be incomparable.

There is no meaning in distinguishing between first and second place. If one is truly extraordinary, they must run with the second place far out of sight.

Only such people can advance to a level of five stars or higher.

– Whoosh!

– Crack!

And the young man in front of him, who seemed to have just come of age, was already casting a fully matured third-level magic without batting an eye.

With the third-level combat magic ‘Freeze,’ he had frozen all the trees in the area, bringing winter to the forest that had not yet arrived.

A scene that created the illusion of a season change.

The level of magic that the young man, who had no wrinkles on his face, could wield was absolutely not something a young man could perform.

Watching his demonstration, Pine narrowed his eyes.

‘Using third-level magic at this age?’

Pine shook his head with his arms crossed.

‘He’s not just a smooth talker…’

Having been tormented by Derek’s meddling for several days, Pine’s internal evaluation of Derek was already at rock bottom.

He was sincere about magic, but he talked too much and was an annoying person who unnecessarily rambled on.

However, he had no choice but to acknowledge Derek’s magical skills.

‘It’s not just imitating third-level magic. He already handles third-level magic proficiently… a fully-fledged third-level magician.’

Of course, Pine had somewhat expected that Derek was not an ordinary person.

For a mercenary from the slums to be recognized to this extent in the cold aristocratic circles, he must have had solid skills.

However, Derek’s level of magic went beyond being good; it had reached a level that could be called extraordinary.

‘Didn’t Melverot master fourth-level magic at this age? He’s almost at that level.’

Pine looked at Derek, who was leisurely dusting off his collar, with a serious expression.

The arrogant central aristocrats seemed unaware of the situation, but at this level, it was safe to say that a new force was emerging on the continent’s outskirts.

Considering Derek’s potential, it wouldn’t be surprising if he eventually wielded influence comparable to Melverot.

Although his force was still weak and not yet under serious scrutiny, if he started to open his eyes to politics or power struggles, the situation would change completely.

This man is at his lowest point now.

Although he felt certain of this, it was actually a separate issue.

“The third-level combat magic ‘Freeze’ I just showed you is useful for suppressing approaching enemies and buying time for incantations. Although it may lack the elegance of the orthodox school theories, its practicality is truly excellent.”

“Amazing. As expected, Sir Derek’s magical skills are incredible.”

Pine pretended to praise Derek with a sly smile.

However, Fine had already reached the level of a 6-star in necromancy, and in other types of magic, she was mostly between 4-star and 5-star.

The level of magic that Derek used was something she could easily master with a little practice.

“If you just keep admiring, it will be difficult. I am confident that Miss Fine will be able to use this level of magic before leaving the training center.”

“Yes, yes? Well… how could I use that level of magic in just half a year?”

“I think it’s possible. Where is there anything that can’t be done with determination?”

Derek spoke to Fine with serious eyes.

Fine thought he was making a boring joke. In this era, even manifesting 1-star magic before the coming-of-age ceremony was considered quite talented.

For a girl who hadn’t even properly debuted in society to handle 3-star magic was an anomaly that would turn everyone’s heads.

Those who manifested 3-star magic before the coming-of-age ceremony could be counted on one hand, even if you searched the entire continent, not just Ebelstein.

In the southwestern part of the continent, there was only one lady, Siern.

Derek surely knew this, yet he still looked at Fine with unwavering confidence.

She was curious where that confidence came from.

Confidence.

Speaking of confidence, it reminded her of a great mage who rose to the ranks of heroes with nothing but confidence in the distant past.

The 6-star combat mage, Kalimford.

Even at the age of nearly fifty, he smiled like a boy and used magic. She heard that his younger days as a combat mage were just like that.

Thinking only of magic, indifferent to everything else.

It was the most important trait that extraordinary mages possessed.

Fine’s face, which had been wearing the expression of a naive country girl, began to harden little by little.

Eventually, she narrowed her eyes, with a sharp gaze, straightened her back, and spoke.

“Sir Derek.”

“Yes.”

“Sir Derek… you are already a fully mature 3-star mage.”

Her tone had completely lost its liveliness.

A heavy feeling, as if diving into a deep trench. It felt as if the immortal necromancer, honed by time, was peeking out─ a chill swept through the forest.

A chill, as if a vengeful spirit was dwelling in her light purple eyes.

She looked up at Derek quietly and spoke.

“Do you want to become a 4-star mage?”

Derek furrowed his brows for a moment.

He hadn’t expected Fine to ask such a question suddenly.

It was the first time Derek, who had been struggling with everything about Pine, fell into deep thought.

Eventually, Derek nodded.

“Isn’t that obvious? Every wizard dreams of achievement.”

“The rank of 4-star is completely different from the previous hierarchies. One must be able to implement magic on their own and wield magical power imbued with their unique traits.”

Up to the 3-star rank, one walks a path that has already been pioneered, but from the 4-star rank, one must be able to expand and develop their own understanding of magic.

The method is extremely difficult, so it is common to receive advice from a high-ranking wizard. Having such a mentor is also a blessing.

Even those born with excellent lineage cannot be sure if they will reach that level before they die.

For a vagabond from the slums to reach that level is beyond difficult; it is practically impossible.

Yet, I know there are those who have reached it. The wandering ghost of the continent, Drest Wolftail.

This man seems to possess the confidence and self-assurance seen in Kalimford, the passion for magic seen in Melverot, and the strength to overcome adversity seen in Drest.

In terms of potential, he already seemed complete.

“By repeating such achievements, how far do you intend to go?”

“Of course, to the very top.”

The highest level a human can reach. The rank of 6-star.

Is he trying to reach that level, which only four people on this vast continent have achieved? The shabby beggar from the slums who used to look up at the stars in the sky.

However, in reality, he climbed and climbed until he became a noble of the territory.

He was not just spouting ideals but was silently climbing the mountain.

“Haha… I see. Sir Derek, are you really trying to become a 6-star wizard?”

“…Yes?”

“You just said it. You’re aiming for the top.”

“Yes. I just said it.”

Derek, as always, calmly spoke while putting away his staff.

“I’m aiming for the top.”

At those words, Pine’s expression hardened momentarily.

Where is this man’s gaze directed?

The rank of 6-star, the limit of human capability. However, even that is not the ‘top’ for this man.

“…”

The great wizard Adelbert, who first composed the entire magical system, divided the ranks of magic by looking at the Big Dipper in the night sky.

In the end, the pinnacle is beyond those stars. It would be the North Star, the center of the sky.

And, after an immeasurably long time has passed.

In the corner of a stream attached to the slums. Late at night when even the grasshoppers are asleep.

A tousled-haired, white-haired boy in rags looks up at the Big Dipper in the starry sky and reaches out his hand.

From the very bottom of the world, where only darkness resides, towards the highest peak of that starry sky.

The realm above, whose very existence remains a question. The place where the man’s gaze is directed.

It’s not about the idealistic self-development stories like a man should have great ambitions or that higher goals lead to better achievements.

The man’s eyes are endlessly serious, without a hint of exaggeration.

The man, who always spoke theatrically and meddled unnecessarily, now doesn’t utter a single word.

He’s just telling the truth as it is.

“…”

A forest full of life. Ironically, it’s not a very pleasant place for a necromancer who deals with death and souls.

The 6-star necromancer, who was sitting quietly among the gaps of life, staring at Derek, finally speaks in a cold tone.

“You’re really a funny guy.”

Derek’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.

At some point, Pine had stopped using honorifics with Derek.

His eyes are also much narrower than before.