There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

The Wall (2)

‘Isn’t Miss Pine and Mr. Derek spending too much time together these days…?’

Aisellin thought as she carried materials on court etiquette and left the lecture building.

As she spent her time engrossed in her given tasks, it had suddenly become full-fledged autumn, with blue skies and very pleasant weather.

After the start of the semester, the Ravenclaw mansion was filled with a chaotic atmosphere, but now the weekly schedule had stabilized, and a sense of leisure began to spread among the young ladies living their academic lives.

It was an afternoon when the week’s schedule was coming to an end, and the holiday was beginning.

In the central garden of the Ravenclaw baron’s mansion, where a cool and pleasant breeze was blowing, many young ladies were seen sitting and having tea or chatting.

Some young ladies were getting into carriages to visit Ebelstein Street during the holiday, and some diligent students were practicing magic on their own in the training ground without taking a day off.

When she came to her senses, the Ravenclaw baron’s mansion had become quite extensive.

After all, there were quite a few families that spared no support since it was a place where their daughters attended. Apart from the tuition fees, many families wanted to use their own money to create convenience facilities, cultural facilities, and additional academic facilities for the young ladies.

Delbritton accepted their intentions and decided to add various facilities, and before long, the Ravenclaw baron’s mansion, which originally had only one mansion, had become a place with seven large buildings and more than eleven small auxiliary academic facilities, becoming a well-equipped venue for social exchanges.

If you ask who made the greatest contribution, it was ultimately Aisellin.

She was walking down the hallway of the main building of the baron’s mansion with a grim face, without even realizing that she was becoming the real power of this Ravenclaw training center.

‘Since Mr. Derek is also human, he can’t treat all the young ladies equally. Among them, there might be someone he feels more affection for, someone who catches his attention, or someone he wants to teach more. It’s only natural since he’s human…’

Speaking of Derek and Pine, their private conversations had increased significantly these days.

Most of the time, it was about magic classes or impressions of the liberal arts classes held in the annex of the lecture building. It was the kind of conversation that a teacher and student would usually have, and Aisellin tried not to pay much attention to it.

However, no matter how close they were, they were too close.

After meals, she often saw Pine hurrying out of Derek’s office, or Derek and Pine having serious conversations about magic in a corner of the training ground, and even saw Pine visiting Derek’s office late at night.

At this point, Aisellin couldn’t help but have complicated thoughts.

Even though it was an impossible thing, she couldn’t help but think that there was a possibility that Derek and Pine could develop into something more than a teacher and student.

She was troubled by questions she couldn’t even answer herself, and eventually buried her face in her desk.

“Oh my, what am I doing? How undignified.”

Aisellin quickly lifted her head and brushed her ebony hair back.

Then, as she twisted the ends of her hair, she sighed deeply and thought. Indeed, Pine had a strangely captivating aura.

‘As a business partner, shouldn’t I confirm with Mr. Derek? If they develop an inappropriate relationship… who knows what might happen…’

Thinking that way, it felt strange again.

‘Inappropriate… what? Can it really be called inappropriate no matter what kind of relationship Mr. Derek and Miss Pine have? Saying that a man and woman of their age falling in love is inappropriate is a bit… Both of them are from baron families in the outskirts, so they would have a lot in common, and their ranks are similar, so there wouldn’t be any sense of incongruity even if they were together…’

In fact, Aisellin was a high-ranking noble from the Duplain family, already several levels above Derek.

Of course, recently the Duplain family’s fortunes have been faltering, and that too has become a thing of the past, but the saying that a rich man’s wealth lasts for three generations is not without reason.

When Derek and Aisellin were placed side by side, there was a clear sense of incongruity. The hierarchy of nobility was that ruthless.

“…I… what on earth is this?”

Suddenly feeling a sense of emptiness, she quickly lifted her head.

When she looked into the pretty full-length mirror in the corner of the office, the jewel of Ebelstein, who once reigned as the queen of the Rosea Salon, was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a vulgar person whose face was turning red for no reason.

Aisellin Eleanor Duplain. It was herself.

“Yes… let’s not make strange excuses that don’t suit me and speak honestly. Twisting and turning things around in a strange way doesn’t match my nature.”

Grabbing the innocent mirror and panting, Aisellin barely managed to catch her breath.

Even in the icy social scene, it was one thing, but in a room with no one listening, there was no need to be cautious or lie to the mirror.

If nothing else, one should be honest with oneself.

So Aisellin began an unexpected self-questioning.

“What am I so worried about?”

After waiting for a moment, she continued her questioning.

“No matter what Miss Pine and Mr. Derek do, it’s their judgment… It would be ridiculous for a third party to interfere in their personal relationship… So why am I so worried and dissatisfied that I’m pacing around like this…?”

“…”

“…”

Maintaining silence for a while, Aisellin quietly stared at the mirror.

There, a girl with a beet-red face was awkwardly touching her hands.

“…I have no choice but to admit it. I… I am jealous. Ugh…”

Stepping back, Aisellin slumped into a chair and covered her face with her hands. Her fingertips were hot from the strange rising heat.

No problem can be solved without clearly recognizing it.

Aisellin was a mature person for her age, so she didn’t lie to herself or make strange rationalizations to take unnecessary detours.

However, that didn’t mean the problem was solved.

“Ugly as it is… let’s admit it…! I am… jealous…! I am envious…!”

For someone who lived as the flower of the Duplain family and reigned as the queen of the Rosea Salon, the feeling of jealousy was unfamiliar.

Only Ellente, who had always lived under her shadow, was familiar with that feeling of envy.

Only then did Aisellin feel like she understood a fragment of the emotion that had been in Ellente’s burning eyes.

To be blunt, she was envious of Pine!

Even though she didn’t do anything special, she was very envious of Pine’s position, monopolizing Derek’s attention. She also wanted to be noticed.

Admitting it so frankly, a sense of refreshing relief began to circulate in Aisellin’s heart.

Human emotions… Once you acknowledge everything you need to, and let go of everything you need to, a refreshing and invigorating sensation seems to rise.

“…Am I, perhaps, a very troublesome woman…?”

Of course, the self-reproach that follows is entirely one’s own burden.

“Or maybe I’m just too naive…? At times like this, trying to attract attention somehow… Ah, no, I’m not a child throwing a tantrum, what am I saying… How far am I willing to degrade myself…”

Aiselin brushed her hair back and took deep breaths for a while.

After calming down to some extent, she adorned her hair with a pretty ornament again and approached the mirror, sitting down with a graceful and modest demeanor.

Once she composed herself, the noble lady who was the most renowned in the Rosea Salon was back in the mirror.

“Oh… I need to pull myself together.”

This was not the time to be whining about useless things.

Aiselin was a key figure in the Ravenclaw Training Institute. As she worked, cherishing every minute and second, the seasons changed, and each day was filled with newness, making her feel that life was fulfilling.

For a fallen noble lady, wasn’t this already enough happiness?

Trying to attract people’s attention, feeling jealous of someone, she suddenly felt pathetic for saying such indulgent things. Even at this moment, the servants at her family’s home, Diela, and Raig were working tirelessly for the family.

“Yes. I need to do my best too.”

Work had piled up to the point where she could only sleep two or three hours a day. She had maintained such extreme work handling for months.

Having a lot of work is a blessing. Grateful for the blessed environment she was in, she decided to diligently fulfill her given duties.

It was at that moment when Aiselin steeled her resolve.

– Drip

“Huh, what…?”

Blood was trickling down Aiselin’s nose.

Startled, she quickly grabbed the handkerchief on her desk and brought it to her face.

It was beyond clumsiness, it was disgraceful. If she had been bleeding like this in a crowded place, her dignity would have been greatly damaged.

Feeling dizzy, she was about to wipe the blood flowing from her nose.

“Oh… oh no…”

Suddenly, her vision became hazy as if clouds had covered it, and Aiselin’s body fell backward.

– Crash! Bang!

A loud noise echoed from her office, and it didn’t take long for the head butler, Delbritton, to rush in, sensing the unusual event.

*

A faintly glowing ‘Guide Fairy’ summoned by a first-class summoning spell was hovering at Derek’s fingertips.

Among the summoning spells divided into biological and non-biological categories, the spell to summon this Guide Fairy was uniquely classified as non-biological.

Could it be that a fairy that doesn’t communicate, has no self-awareness, and just moves as instructed is not considered a living being? In fact, the fairy summoned by this spell mechanically followed the summoner’s commands without making any judgments.

The guide fairy could do nothing more than retrace the path they had taken so far or observe the surroundings to report any potential dangers.

Even the so-called dangers were usually just the detection of the presence of monsters.

‘It’s not versatile, and it doesn’t help in combat. Although it has helped a few times during labyrinth explorations… I definitely need to learn summoning magic of at least 2-star level.’

It was when the week’s schedule was coming to an end, and Derek was sitting alone in a corner of the garden, quietly observing the fairy that was emitting a glow.

“Oh my, Sir Derek seems to have a great interest in summoning magic.”

With a chuckle, Fine had approached Derek from behind and raised her voice.

Seeing her cheekily addressing Derek with a chuckling smile, it was hard to believe that she was the same necromancer who observed everything with sharp, narrow eyes at night.

“Have you finished your liberal arts class?”

“Of course. As I said, there are many interesting things to listen to, so I’m quite satisfied. …Even if it doesn’t exactly match actual history.”

When Fine said that, it became meaningful. In fact, this girl had personally witnessed some of the events considered historical incidents.

“Someone might be listening.”

“That’s why I’m being so polite, isn’t it? Sir Derek is like a sky-high teacher to me.”

“…You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Role-playing is fun no matter how old you get. How about it? Do you think you can break through the 4-star barrier?”

“…”

To be honest, Derek still hadn’t fully grasped it.

It was impossible to reach a level that even pure-blooded nobles couldn’t easily attain with full support, just by getting a feel for it overnight.

Indeed, it’s not a level that can be reached just by learning the theoretical part.

Something was needed as a catalyst.

‘It would be better if I could ask a master of summoning magic separately… but there aren’t many summoners in the southwestern part of the continent…’

Derek was lost in thought.

‘A renowned summoner in the southwest… Rope Gale of the Drest Society, Pablo of the Krem Guild, and Viscount Blythe… No… there are others…’

There was one person who couldn’t be left out when it came to masters of summoning magic. It was Grand Duke Beltus.

He was a 5-star summoner who could summon the army of the sacred mountain spirits or a massive magical library if he wanted to.

‘…None of them are easy to meet.’

“Looks like you’re planning to fill your pockets elsewhere, leaving such a noble teacher in front of you?”

“…There might be eyes watching during the day, so could you maintain the formality?”

“Anyway, men are too timid.”

The presence of a necromancer was like a bomb that could wipe out an entire family. There was no harm in being cautious, so Derek didn’t concede.

Fine, knowing Derek’s circumstances, closed her eyes gently, smiled leisurely, and nodded.

“I originally had three more mentors.”

“I thought you only had good luck with women, but it seems you also have good luck with mentors. Of course, none of them would have had more magical insight than me.”

“Well…”

“…Are you joking?”

Even if it was a beggar from the slums or Katia, Derek’s third mentor was someone who could rival the legendary archmage, Pine.

This was also the reason why Derek’s search magic was a step above that of ordinary wizards.

Pine watched Derek’s reaction quietly, then furrowed her brows.

“My pride is hurt.”

“…”

“Who on earth could it be?”

As she said that, Pine was about to reveal a seductive smile.

– Tap, tap!

Delbritton, who always valued dignity and maintained a leisurely gait, was suddenly startled and ran towards where Derek was.

He didn’t care that his antique monocle was dangling from its chain, and he ran full speed to where Derek was, panting heavily.

“Huff, huff… You were in the garden, Baron.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Lady Aiseline has collapsed.”

At those words, even Derek, who rarely showed surprise, couldn’t help but widen his eyes for a moment.

*

– Squeak, squeak.

– Bang!

Aiseline, with a flushed face, was lying on the bed, making squeaking sounds as she slept.

The servant in charge of medical duties observed the situation next to her bed, and upon seeing Derek burst into the room, quickly bowed his head.

“Baron.”

“Report the situation.”

“The butler found her collapsed in her room. I rushed over and performed basic medical treatment.”

Derek strode into the room and examined Aiseline’s condition.

She didn’t appear to be in immediate danger. However, she was sweating a bit and her complexion was quite pale.

“It’s overwork. Sometimes people who are too immersed in their work don’t even realize that their condition is deteriorating.”

“It seems there’s no threat to her life or any serious aftereffects.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Once the fever subsides a bit, consciousness should return soon.”

The servant said only that much and then moved quickly to the outskirts of the room.

“…”

Derek stared quietly at Aislin, who had not yet regained consciousness, and let out a deep sigh.

Then he sat down on the wooden chair next to the bed, pressing his knees and lost in thought.

Come to think of it, it was more surprising that Aislin hadn’t collapsed from overwork sooner.

However, Aislin was such a strong and steadfast person that he thought she could handle it easily.

Although it was obviously unreasonable, her constant smiling face and the way she handled everything without a hitch made it hard to feel any sense of incongruity. She was always looking for more work to do.

But there is something that must not be forgotten. A person’s physical and mental strength is like a consumable.

Even though he knew that, he thought Aislin was an exception.

If sacrifice and dedication are taken for granted, the organization will eventually collapse.

Derek realized that he had made a very basic mistake as a leader.

“…”

Derek was relatively reserved in expressing his emotions.

However, there was a certain seriousness in the way he sat quietly, pressing his knees.

The servants, observing Derek’s heavy demeanor, could only bow their heads, not knowing what to do.