[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-noble-lady-reformation-guide":3,"chapter-noble-lady-reformation-guide-noble-lady-reformation-guide-chapter-170":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Noble Lady Reformation Guide",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1706131,2179,"Chapter 170: Ancient Hero (4)","noble-lady-reformation-guide-chapter-170",170,"\u003Cp>“Father. It has been a long time since I last saw you. There are many things I want to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Siern greeting him with elegance as she lightly lifted her skirt with both hands, Melverot was breaking into a cold sweat, something quite unlike him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments earlier, he had seen her covered in blood from head to toe, so it was inevitable that the image of that former savage Siern overlapped in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not the only one—the servants were tense as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Siern who had neatly arranged her posture was the very image of a refined lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a year had passed since she had departed for the barony of Ravenclaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I thought that man was competent, but what in the world did he do to her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melverot rested his chin on his hand, wearing an uncomfortable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the cold lord of the north to react like this was not something common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic is the very foundation of nobility and a symbol of privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, no noble ever neglects the spaces dedicated to magical training within their mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the servants, the maintenance of magical facilities is always one of the highest priorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rochester mansion, nestled in the midst of the frozen desert of the north, was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the entire estate was fortified for defense, the magical dueling field was considered a key facility and was so well maintained that there was nothing to criticize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the far end of the enormous space, comparable in size to the grand entrance hall, a gaunt man leaned on an oak staff as tall as he himself was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his appearance alone, he looked like someone who might collapse and vanish into the snow at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Dereck clenched his fingers tightly inside his gloves, holding back the tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for having caused such a pitiful spectacle. But what must be done, must be done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance matched exactly what Dereck had seen in hero biographies—light brown hair, long and unkempt, speckled with gray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between his dim eyes, his pupils seemed barely able to hold on, as if he had lost all vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew it beforehand, and yet he could not help doubting it every time he saw him like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that man really the great archmage who had once dominated the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he truly receive Dereck’s magic with a body that looked like it might break from the slightest impact?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kalimford spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My body is no longer what it once was, and I cannot use my magic to its fullest either. The aftereffects of the necromantic magic clinging to this body affect me— even my eyesight is no longer the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words sounded miserable, but what followed was the complete opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, come at me with the intent to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem far too worried. Are you going to hold back against a specter that already died once?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Appearance and presence do not always go hand in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his fragility, there was a strange, intimidating pressure in his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right. There was no one who could afford to hold back in front of a six-star mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly holding his massive oak staff, Kalimford simply waited for Dereck’s attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Does he want to gauge my level first?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck inhaled deeply and hardened his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, magic surged around him, turning into a great flow that gathered at the tips of his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a dozen fire arrows materialized in the air and shot toward Kalimford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kalimford did not even defend himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than that, it seemed as though he did not even react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained there, gripping his staff, staring ahead with exhausted eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the fire arrows drew near, they broke apart into magic and dissipated without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a one-star spell, cast as a test, but seeing it nullified in such an unexpected way made Dereck flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He didn’t block them… nor intercept them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the arrows had simply vanished on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck felt a strange dissonance in the way Kalimford handled magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching the pinnacle of combat magic did not merely mean having a high level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant commanding domains that ordinary combat mages could not even touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing that he had glimpsed a fraction of that, Dereck was wrapped in a peculiar excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come at me with the intent to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those had been Kalimford’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck kicked off the ground and drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had confidence, but not arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his opponent truly was Kalimford, a legendary six-star combat mage, exchanging combat spells alone would never be enough to defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in his weakened state, that fact did not change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck feinted a frontal charge, then abruptly veered to the side and hurled two throwing daggers strapped to his thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he activated the four-star transformation spell Distortion to accelerate the daggers’ speed, and added a one-star shockwave from behind to inject them with brutal physical force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed of the daggers skyrocketed explosively, surpassing the threshold of visibility and reaching a domain where reacting was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sign they had been thrown was the brief sound of air being sliced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic and martial arts—an application that transcended the limits of each discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck’s combat style was neither that of a pure mage nor that of a mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Kalimford narrowed his eyes even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No wonder Fina desires him so much.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, Kalimford neither blocked nor intercepted the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daggers came to an abrupt halt around him and fell to the ground without strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the magic of the environment itself had been devoured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a mage would lose the will to fight upon realizing their magic was ineffective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Dereck’s eyes, as he closed the distance without hesitation, there was only killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did he throw the daggers to test whether even physical attacks fall under my magical domain?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment he confirmed that they did not work either, he chose close-quarters combat as his last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chain of decisions was fluid and took only a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reaction speed unbefitting someone facing Kalimford for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had mastered magic at a high level, he had not limited himself to training magic alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Kalimford observed him, the harder Dereck was to measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kalimford was also someone seasoned by countless battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without showing surprise, he forcefully swung his staff once, and his figure vanished from the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In its place remained a dense mist laden with magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Illusion magic!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck frowned, halted his advance, and swept his gaze around while simultaneously activating his detection magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well-trained detection is the natural enemy of illusion magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he could not immediately locate Kalimford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could only mean one thing—his illusion magic was, at the very least, four-star level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was famous as a combat mage, he had also reached an extraordinary level in other fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four giant earth constructs emerged from the ground and stretched their hands toward Dereck, but before they could even reach him, they were frozen and neutralized by his ice magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant freezing Dereck employed was the result of adding his own interpretation to the magic Siern often used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its speed would be enough to bewilder even veteran mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck deployed a three-star ice spell that froze the entire area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not only to suppress the earth giants, but to locate Kalimford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His magic comfortably covered the entire dueling field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Kalimford remained hidden, he would have to react to avoid being frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And indeed, within the mist saturated with magic, there was a single point of terrain that had not frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood Kalimford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without losing a moment, a two-star fireball from Dereck slammed into that spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the spell he could cast the fastest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to its speed, it did not seem as though it had flown there, but rather as if it had exploded directly on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the mist dispersed, there was nothing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalimford had deliberately materialized a barrier at that spot through transformation magic, thereby inducing Dereck’s confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To create an opening was, without a doubt, to seek out a lapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Dereck sharpened his senses, it was already too late—more than a dozen fire arrows were raining down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck leapt forward, wrapped one of his arms in mana, and rolled across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the sleeves of the wool jacket he was wearing was charred and vanished, though his skin was protected thanks to the mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he could not prevent a slight burning sensation from lingering at the tips of his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his hand, Dereck got back on his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the smoke on the opposite side, Kalimford appeared, walking with absolute calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dragged his staff along the ground, advancing slowly, as if he had simply gone out for a stroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those fire arrows were the ones I conjured.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrows he had launched as a probe returned now with a temporal delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reusing an opponent’s magic was a common technique among experienced mages, but seeing them return after so much time was something Dereck had never witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiosity and an almost euphoric excitement welled up in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Kalimford.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name of the legendary great mage who had once dominated the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Illusion and summoning at least four stars. Detection and transformation bordering on five. And combat…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Six stars.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the field of combat magic, his level was simply unreachable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even far from his prime, he was not an opponent one could measure strength against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, in front of someone like that, one would feel fear or reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Dereck was not an ordinary human either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a jolt run down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind that mage walking while dragging his staff along the edge of the dueling field, the image of a colossal mountain seemed to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were fixed, unwavering, on Dereck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His ability to adapt to unfamiliar magic far surpasses that of an ordinary mercenary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The talent the heavens granted him is not limited to magic alone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalimford, too, was revising his evaluation of Dereck again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world paid attention only to Dereck’s magical talent, but his true value went far beyond that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mercenaries were famous for their improvisational skills and response to ambushes, but Dereck already stood out even among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time someone had responded like this, from the very first moment, to his control of mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Melverot had fallen victim to that technique at least once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step. Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Kalimford’s original plan, Dereck should have been struck by the fire arrows, and the duel should have ended there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, while he recovered, he had intended to teach him a use of mana on a completely different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To learn his magic, it was necessary to abandon conventional notions entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all of that fell apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck was still standing, almost unscathed, after shaking his arm a couple of times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You returned my own magic to me? Even after it had already dissipated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems more like you captured the residue of a magic that had already fulfilled its role and restored it to its original state. It’s similar to the residual effect of my staff, Footprints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck had already fully grasped the core of Kalimford’s magical control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was the first time he had ever seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone do it without the support of a magic weapon. And using the opponent’s mana.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s better to do it directly than to rely on equipment. There’s no limit to its use, and it confuses the enemy much more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to reactivate an adversary’s spells at the desired moment forced the opponent to regard even their own past magic as a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a one-on-one duel, it was an ability that shattered all established rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you understood it that quickly, you can advance to the next level without delay. That’s good news. I don’t have much time left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant Dereck responded, his body was already sent flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he even managed to raise both arms to assume a defensive stance was already an absurd reaction, but his eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck slammed into the inner wall of the dueling field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he released mana instantly, managing to cushion the direct impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are going to face Fina… and if you intend to continue teaching Siern, four stars are not enough. Whether you like it or not… you must become stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of mana Kalimford possessed was surprisingly small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, with just the act of clenching his fist, an overwhelming pressure fell upon Dereck, difficult even for him to endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dereck’s arms trembled, but he clenched his teeth and focused strength into his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The absolute quantity of mana is low, but… is there a technique that amplifies its effect?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I understand the mechanism, I might be able to counter it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under attack, he did not stop thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, at that moment he could not grasp the exact basis of Kalimford’s magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will show you what the true essence of combat magic really is. It will be something on a completely different level from anything you have experienced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragging the massive staff along the ground, Kalimford advanced with steady steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That great mage, long past his prime, had nonetheless reached a degree of mastery that bordered on the inconceivable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in his eyes, sharp as blades, an even more intense light gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>",2342,"2026-06-06T14:44:05.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","724e2db7ee071a3d7611c3b9f43b6c42885e66400d0f485192ab7fd25a8173c7","noble-lady-reformation-guide-chapter-171","noble-lady-reformation-guide-chapter-169",177,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnoble-lady-reformation-guide-cover.jpg"]