There Are No Bad Young Ladies in the World

Journey (4)”

There’s nothing left to teach.

Those who heard Derek’s declaration could only tilt their heads in confusion at first.

Derek’s disciple, Diella, was mastering first-tier magic, while Derek had nearly perfected second-tier magic and was beginning to glimpse the realm of third-tier.

The magical levels between the two were as different as heaven and earth, yet Derek declared there was no longer any meaning in teaching Diella.

“From this point on, I cannot judge whether my intervention will have a positive impact on Miss Diella’s mastery of magic.”

The place was the Grand Duke’s office.

Even in broad daylight, the Grand Duke’s office, shrouded in a strangely dim atmosphere, felt oppressive.

Grand Duke Raymond Oswald Duplain sat, turning his chair, listening quietly to Derek’s story.

“Your Grace must have noticed when you saw Miss Diella’s use of magic; she employs her mana in a way that’s slightly different from the aristocratic and rule-based magic.”

“It would be the magic theory of the Wild School, I presume.”

“Did you know?”

“I had some inkling of Diella’s uniqueness after the last duel. Not quite certain, but…”

Raymond Oswald Duplain, the lord of this domain, was a magician who had reached the realm of five stars.

Being well-versed in most magical theories, he had also discerned that Diella’s magical achievements were not of the ordinary kind.

“So?”

“Originally, the magic of the Wild School presupposes self-study. Up to a certain level, a good teacher can lead efficiently, but beyond that, one must worry about negative influences.”

“What exactly are these negative influences?”

“It’s when restrictions arise in a magician’s free and unrestrained use of mana.”

Derek continued to explain, standing firm with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Miss Diella’s use of magic is like painting a picture. Among the free-spirited Wild School magicians, her use of mana is uniquely strong.”

“It’s almost like creating art.”

“Yes, that’s an apt comparison. The stronger the artist’s own color, the less one can carelessly advise. It might carve out their color and strengths.”

Derek added,

“Perhaps she will become a magician of a much higher realm than we first imagined.”

Grand Duke Duplain listened to Derek’s explanation and then closed his eyes tightly.

The Grand Duke, lost in thought, always looked similar. It didn’t take long to reach a conclusion.

“I see. I understand what you mean. So now, you have no reason to stay at the ducal residence any longer.”

“What’s the point of a magic teacher who doesn’t teach magic?”

“Diella relies on you emotionally quite a bit.”

“…”

Derek lowered his gaze quietly, offering no reply. The Duke, after observing such a response, eventually came to accept it.

It was a message that leaning on Derek excessively would do Diella no good. As a wild faction mage, one must learn to stand alone.

“…Indeed. You were always a man of high ambition. In the environment of this ducal residence, there are limits to training your magic on your own. Given your nature, it must be hard to endure any constraints on your magical achievements.”

“…Yes. I only truly advance in my magic in a practical environment. The ducal residence is too… peaceful for me.”

“It seems you’re not destined for an easy life.”

“I consider it a blessing of sorts.”

Duke Duplain turned his chair, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed out the window, and spoke.

“Even so, my youngest daughter, who was once a sore spot, has benefited greatly. I can’t quite say I’ve been a good father, but I’m fortunate to remain a father who cares for his daughter. It must be thanks to your efforts.”

“You flatter me.”

“How quickly children grow, it’s almost frightening. You get caught up in the affairs of your estate, and before you know it, they’ve grown by leaps and bounds.”

Valerian, Leig, and Aiselin are all doing their part, finding their place in the nobility.

Perhaps Diella’s wandering was the thorn in his heart.

As even his youngest daughter seemed to find her own path, the Duke felt as if he was entering a new phase as a parent.

The feeling of a mother bird looking at her empty nest after all her chicks have flown away lies somewhere between relief and loneliness.

Duke Duplain quietly indulged in his thoughts, watching his children set out on their own paths.

“When will you leave?”

“I plan to go to Ebelstain by carriage when Lady Aiselin visits the mansion and then returns.”

“I see. Return the library key now.”

“Yes. I’ll put back the magic book I’m currently reading and deliver it through the steward.”

“No need for that. Just return the key now.”

Derek took a moment to understand the implied meaning of those words.

He shuddered slightly and glanced at the three-star magic book tied to his waist.

Even for a Duke of a nation, it was a matter of caution to casually distribute such precious magic books to commoners. In terms of monetary value, this worn book could be worth as much as an entire house.

Yet, Duke Duplain seemed to have no intention of asking for the magic book back, simply resting his chin on his hand and turning away.

Derek placed the library key on the Duke’s office desk.

“If there’s nothing else, you may go.”

In the dimly lit Duke’s office.

As always, the Duke sat quietly, surrounded by a sense of responsibility and a touch of solitude. He resembled a steadfast statue.

Derek bowed his head in thanks and quietly left the Duke’s office.

In the corridor outside the office, Valerian and Diella were waiting.

Valerian wore a slightly worried expression, while Diella seemed unexpectedly composed.

“Have you reported to father?”

“Yes. Next time, I will leave for Ebelstain in Lady Aiselin’s carriage.”

“…So it has come to that.”

Valerian looked at Derek with a regretful gaze.

He had come to Derek early in the morning for a reason—to ask if he could take a closer look at Diella. However, Derek’s opinion was firm.

The point that teaching her any further may not have a positive impact on Diella. The point that Derek was also wasting time he could spend mastering his own magic.

From the point that there was nothing beneficial for either of them, the only conclusion was that it was pointless to continue the magic lessons.

In the end, Valerian had to accept Derek’s words and quietly patted his shoulder a couple of times.

“Alright. You’ve worked hard. The Duplain family owes you a great debt.”

“Not at all. Rather, I feel like my magical theories have been reestablished while teaching Miss Diella.”

“…Keep this with you.”

Valerian pulled out a metal medal the size of a thumbnail from his pocket. On the front was the large seal of the Duplain family, and on the back was the embossed seal of Prince Valerian.

“If you show this in the noble district shops of Ebelstain, it will prove that you are under the protection of the Duke of Duplain. I’ll show you some fine products that are exclusively supplied to our family.”

“…Thank you.”

Derek decided to accept the favor and tucked the medal with the Duplain seal into his pocket.

Then he quietly bowed to Valerian and turned to look at Diella.

Diella was looking at Derek with a surprisingly resolute expression.

“You come suddenly, and now you say you’re leaving just as suddenly.”

“That’s the life of a wandering mercenary, isn’t it?”

“I know you won’t listen, but I’ll say it anyway.”

Diella hesitated for a moment with her lips pursed, then, as if deciding she had to say it, she lifted her head proudly and spoke.

“…Can’t you just not go?”

Whether those words pierced his heart like a dagger, Valerian closed his eyes tightly.

Derek looked down at Diella quietly, and then, with a much softer expression, he said,

“As always, I’ll spend my time in the tavern streets of Ebelstain, playing the role of a mercenary. I’ll also study a lot of magic.”

“…Yeah. I suppose so.”

“Miss Diella, after you’ve acquired culture here, you’ll receive a mansion for social circle prep and come to the noble district of Ebelstain, won’t you? Just like Lady Aiselin did.”

Derek gave her a gentle smile. It was rare to see a smile from that stoic man.

“We’ll see each other again soon. If my realm has risen a bit higher by then, perhaps I’ll have something new to teach you.”

In the calm words of Derek, Diella could only nod her head.

Derek’s words were always so. He always spoke the truth, leaving no room for rebuttal.

*

That night, Diella had a nightmare.

It was a dream of the days when she was trapped in the annex, achieving nothing.

Sitting quietly in the room, wasting time, she heard whispers like those of a devil.

Diella, you are useless. Incompetent. A nobody, with nothing to show but your lineage.

The whispers filled her ears until the walls of the room seemed to close in. The world converged to a point, pressing down on her, suffocating her in her agony until she suddenly awoke.

Sweat-drenched, she sat up in bed, the moonlight filtering through the fluttering curtains of the dark room.

There stood a maid with a startled expression, hesitating.

“Miss Diella, are you alright? I heard a pained sound and came in…”

“…”

After catching her breath, Diella sighed deeply.

The thought of Derek leaving soon brought an inexplicable sense of emptiness. She realized how much she had come to depend on him.

Honestly, she wished Derek would not leave.

But there was no reason to hold him back.

– ‘After all, isn’t Miss Diella the one in control of the whole situation?’

Then, suddenly, a phrase he had said crossed her mind.

Yes. Ultimately, the control of the situation was in Diella’s hands.

Derek left because Diella had completely reformed, leaving him no reason to intervene further.

If she created a reason for Derek to stay, that would be enough. It was clear that if she reverted to her old ways, beating the servants, acting like a hooligan, causing chaos, she could keep him.

The one who had changed Diella was none other than him, and surely the Duke and Valerian would want to keep him at the mansion again. That way, she could continue to be with Derek.

Diella looked quietly at the worried maid.

She could slap her face, scold her for daring to enter the room of the Duplain family’s young lady without permission. By creating a scene and wreaking havoc, Derek would ultimately stay for Diella.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“…No. I’m fine. Could you just bring me a glass of water?”

“Yes! I’ll be right back from the kitchen. Please wait a moment.”

But Diella did not do that.

She sat quietly at the tea table in the center of the room, stroking her face in the soft moonlight.

For whom would she cause such a scene?

Creating such chaos would only deny everything that Derek has done so far.

Even if he were to leave her side, Diella could not bring herself to negate the significance of what Derek had built. She never wanted to tarnish the meanings he had left behind by her own hands.

How normal life has returned. The servants of the mansion all smile kindly at her, and her family spends each day with a light heart. How happy these everyday moments are.

Because Derek would not want her to cast this aside, Diella could only brush her face and sob quietly.

Above all, it was Derek’s own ambition that pierced her heart.

His ambition, revealed as they looked up at the sky together in the garden, was not to be content with his status as a commoner but to become a higher-level magician.

Staying tied to this ducal residence was nothing but a hindrance to his journey.

That’s why Diella couldn’t hold on to Derek. He was a man with wings.

The girl held back her tears, and soon, she wore a determined expression.

*

Four days later, when Lady Aislinn, who had visited the mansion, was about to return to Ebelstein.

At the grand entrance of the Duplain ducal residence, a large carriage and numerous servants were present to bid farewell to the lady.

Lady Aislinn, with a somewhat complicated expression, greeted the servants and then, as Derek approached, she bit her lip.

“Shall I drop you off at the entrance to Ebelstein? Or would the commercial district be better?”

“The commercial district would be more convenient. Thank you for your consideration.”

“No, it’s the least I can do.”

It was an early, damp dawn.

As is often the case in late spring, there was a bit of fog, but the refreshing feeling unique to the early hours still lingered.

The boundary between day and night.

In that subtle time, the world feels almost empty.

Only the chirping of birds through the garden not yet touched by sunlight echoed emptily.

Derek thanked Lady Aislinn and, before boarding the carriage, looked around.

Valerian and Raeg, who had come out early in the morning, bowed quietly, and Derek nodded in return.

Then Diella, who had been crouching among her brothers, stepped forward.

Diella still wore a resolute expression. Although she was often tearful, she surprisingly wore a determined face at the moment of farewell.

He had thought she would make a scene, crying and begging him not to go, but it was unexpectedly the opposite.

As if predicting Derek’s thoughts, Diella said with an old-fashioned smile,

“Why? Did you think I’d throw a tantrum and tell you not to go? I’m not a child anymore.”

“…Is that so. I see you in a new light.”

Derek chuckled and then, gazing at the sky beginning to brighten, he spoke to Diella.

“Still, it was an honor to teach Miss Diela. I may not be able to proudly declare myself as your teacher everywhere, but I do hope you’ll remember the magic we practiced together.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to proudly announce that you are my teacher.”

“…”

“I’m sorry to say, even if you wish for a quiet life, it won’t go your way. To be the teacher of Diela Catherine Duplain, imagine how much people will whisper. Ehehe.”

The girl let out a playful laugh, then ran her fingers through her lush golden locks a few times before speaking bluntly.

“Don’t get hurt doing mercenary work for nothing.”

“I’m fine. I hope you take good care of yourself first, Miss Diela.”

“I have nothing to worry about.”

Diela didn’t make a fuss. She quietly twirled the ends of her hair, and then, with a resolute expression, she spoke.

“I’m already an adult. Look. Now I can take care of myself.”

Saying so, she placed her hands on her hips, then boldly spread her chest open with a satisfied smile.

─At that moment, Derek was taken aback and his eyes widened in surprise.

It was a memory that had suddenly ambushed him.

A memory that had been buried deep in Derek’s subconscious, left unattended and misunderstood for a long time.

– ‘I’m already an adult. I can take care of myself.’

Long ago, Derek had said the same thing. Just like Diela now.

He didn’t want to burden someone who was leaving, so he spoke with a full smile, his body tense with strength.

So that the departing one could move on with their journey with a light heart, without worrying about the one left behind. With that sentiment, the young Derek had spoken to his worried teacher.

However, instead of a relieved expression, the teacher hugged Derek tightly with an even more worried face.

And… whispered something to Derek.

He had not understood why those words were said for a long time, but nonetheless, he buried that memory of farewell deep in his heart and lived on.

And as time passed, and he had a disciple of his own.

Watching his disciple boldly declare her adulthood as she prepared to leave… everything connected like dominoes, and he understood.

The girl is still too young. She has a long way to go.

There are many trials of life left, and as she moves along the journey of life, she will experience much more wandering.

On the waves of life, how precarious is the figure of that tiny girl, declaring herself an adult.

As she rises with unsteady steps, proclaiming herself an adult, how does the image of that small disciple remain in one’s heart?

Only now does Derek finally understand the emotions that lingered on Katia’s face that day.

The soft words that the teacher had whispered, he finally fully understood.

“Miss Diela.”

Therefore, Derek lowered his stance and gently placed his hand on Diella’s glossy golden hair.

And in a soft tone, he quietly told her,

“There’s no need to grow up too soon.”

Hearing those words, Diella’s pupils dilated for a moment, and then she bit her lip.

It seemed she was pressing down her emotions, trying to hold them in. Unable to stop the welling tears, she just blinked her reddened eyes quietly.

Derek quietly stood up and donned his robe hat.

“Derek!”

Perhaps there was no time for lengthy words, Diella called out shortly. The words that followed were not long either.

“See you again.”

The girl would come to the Ebelstein social circle. Therefore, Derek could bid her a carefree farewell as he boarded the carriage.

“Let’s meet again in Ebelstein.”

*

– Creak

The heavy carriage door opened, and Derek stepped down heavily.

Shaking off his light body, he looked around to find it was already quite late.

The narrow, winding alley still vibrated with the stench of life, and heaps of garbage were piled up in the street corners. Old wooden boxes, food waste, and rusted blades were scattered about in disarray.

“Mr. Derek, if you ever come to the noble district, please stop by our mansion. I’ll treat you to the finest tea. And if there’s any trouble, please consult with us.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You’re welcome at the mansion anytime.”

Lady Aiselin leaned forward to say her farewells. Although they had resolved many issues in the carriage on the way, it seemed there was still something troubling her heart when it came time to part.

As Derek bowed politely, the carriage slowly moved towards the noble district.

– Clatter clatter

After sending off the carriage, he crossed the streets of the commoners, now touched by moonlight.

Barefoot children played, and beggars sat here and there, begging from passersby.

From afar, the screams of a woman being beaten and the loud voices of drunken men mixed together, while from a cheap tavern, an indistinguishable song flowed out.

It was a scene completely opposite to the noble district, where the air was always filled with a luxurious fragrance.

It was there, taking a deep breath, that he felt an indescribable sense of fulfillment, like coming home after a long journey.

“Wow, your skin has improved a lot. The food at the noble’s house must be really good.”

As he walked towards the tavern street, a girl sitting cross-legged on an old wooden box in the corner of the alley spoke to him. Her indifferent voice, as she propped her chin, seemed quite comfortable.

Wearing an old, worn robe, she was the spitting image of a mercenary. A large bow hung on her back, next to her neatly tied platinum blonde hair.”Oh, Pheline.”

If this stench-ridden cesspool is called Derek’s hometown, then that girl is indeed an old friend from his long-ago home.

Derek finally felt he had returned to his hometown.