A Genius Boy Who Was Exiled From His Family Home for “Not Being Able To Use Magic” Becomes a Witch’s Apprentice and Masters All Magic in the Right Way. This Is How You Use Your Magic, You Know?

Chapter 199. Relationship

From there, there were no particularly mysterious attacks.

The carriage proceeded smoothly as planned, without the escorting church soldiers meddling unnecessarily.

And on the second night, at the lodging they stopped at as scheduled.

(…Well then.)

Hermes was thinking on the inn’s balcony.

…If things continue without issue, they should arrive at the church headquarters by tomorrow morning.

The flow of events after their arrival had already been mostly decided during the discussions in the carriage. No matter what, their goal—to uncover the mysteries of the church and, if possible, secure a means to strengthen their forces. To eliminate any lingering concerns for the retaking of the royal capital.

As long as they didn’t lose sight of that goal, they should be able to manage… or so he thought.

“……”

That’s precisely why he was concerned about other matters.

The inner thoughts of his companions, other than himself. The warning from Jurgen about the church’s inexplicable technology… something unimaginable, something beyond comprehension.

And then, one more thing.

Recently… or rather, since around the end of the northern rebellion. The behavior of a certain close female friend had been somewhat off, and it was still on his mind—just as he thought that.

“…Herm?”

A voice from behind.

Turning around—he recognized the familiar purple hair and responded.

“Katia-sama. What is it?”

Coincidence or inevitability.

The very person he had been thinking about. The girl who had been acting somewhat stiff around him lately, especially in front of him. And now, here they were, meeting alone for the first time in a while.

——There was a reason why Katia had been acting more distant… or rather, more formal around Hermes.

It was, of course, because of that time. When she had gone to the infirmary to talk to Hermes, only to be dragged out by Nina, who had confronted Hermes——

“…Yeah, I like you. I really like you, Herm-kun, as a girl.”

Once again.

Nina, with a heartfelt tone. Her cheeks adorably red, she shyly confessed.

“That… what?”

“I want you to look at me more, Herm-kun. I want you to look only at me. ——I want to be your number one.”

“——!”

Nina, of course, knew Katia’s feelings.

That’s why, if put into words… it was unmistakably a declaration of war.

And… Katia, upon receiving it, felt more confusion than… dark emotions.

“…Uh, well… that’s…”

Because it was the first time.

Someone so close to her had directed such strong emotions… so directly and clearly at her.

Nina was an enemy. Since she had said so herself, at least regarding Hermes, they had become adversaries. That meant… the darker side of herself, the ruthless side, should be directed at her——

——But.

When it actually came to such a moment… she couldn’t help but…

“…Hehe. You’re hesitating. I’m glad. I really like you too, Katia-sama.”

As if seeing through her inner conflict, Nina smiled.

“Um, let me say this first. I want to get along with you, Katia-sama, just like before… no, even better than before.”

“!”

“Before, at the academy, I felt a bit guilty. From now on, I want to have lots of fun conversations and do wonderful things together. With Herm-kun, with you, Katia-sama, and with everyone. …That’s why I’m saying this.”

Taking a small step closer to Katia. Facing her directly, she declared.

“Like I said earlier… I don’t think you should assume that only those who take ‘that kind of attitude’ will back off or forgive you.”

Her tone.

Just like before, it was filled with genuine concern… for herself and for them.

“Herm-kun is kind. He’s really kind to those he lets into his heart. So if you sulk, he’ll pay attention to you. If you’re down, he’ll worry about you. …He spoils you so much, it’s almost ridiculous. …That’s why.”

With that same tone… she took another step closer, firmly.

“That’s why… ——we can’t let ourselves be spoiled rotten.”

“!”

“To prevent that, I think we need to be careful ourselves. Herm-kun is very strong, but he’s not invincible. So if we lean on him too much, if we spoil him too much… he might break. I think you probably already know that, right?”

“……”

Katia looked down, recalling the events of the early days of the northern rebellion.

Seeing Katia’s honest reaction, Nina smiled wryly and stepped even closer——hugging her gently, showing genuine affection.

“Sorry for saying all these presumptuous things. What I mean is… if you want to properly advance your relationship with Herm-kun——you should probably face him more directly.”

“…Nina.”

“Otherwise, I think you might really fall apart someday. …I just have that feeling.”

Her words were filled with a strong intuition, much like what Jurgen had told Hermes recently.

And as those words were etched into Katia’s heart, Nina continued with a heartfelt voice.

“…It’s frustrating, but I also think that Herm-kun and you, Katia-sama, have a really good relationship. That’s why… I don’t want it to fall apart for some terrible reason.”

With a slightly sulky tone, unlike her usual self, she expressed her adorable concern.

Katia, surprised once again… nodded and lightly returned the hug.

And now.

Standing in the night breeze, Katia walked up to Hermes.

“Katia-sama. Um, it’s cold here, so you shouldn’t wander around too much…”

“You’re the same, aren’t you?”

Katia responded with a somewhat cold tone to Hermes, who approached with a worried voice.

…But, despite her tone.

The fact that he was worried made her heart race, and with each step he took closer, her body temperature rose and her mood soared.

——I love him, she thought.

A feeling she had harbored since long ago, which had only grown stronger since their reunion, and was now stronger than ever.

Until now, she hadn’t explicitly confessed.

…No, she hadn’t needed to.

Because even without saying it, their current relationship was so comfortable. He served her, cherished her, and indulged her whims. She had been somewhat satisfied with their current master-servant dynamic.

…But surely.

From now on——both the surrounding circumstances and they themselves were beginning to change significantly. She had a strong intuition that things couldn’t stay the same.

(Then——)

Should she confess her feelings here and now?

…If asked, that probably wasn’t the right move either.

Not because of embarrassment… well, honestly, that was part of it, but the main reason was probably…

——She didn’t have the confidence to confess her feelings.

Because——

(…I decided to catch up, but… I’m still not there yet.)

That day, when Rose visited the Trakia household. The words she had sworn in front of her.

She had vowed to find something that would allow her to stand by his side, as he continued to progress at an astonishing pace…

…Yet, she realized she still hadn’t found anything definitive.

That must be it.

Improving her magic, changing her heart, moving forward——that alone wasn’t enough. Something more.

Something that would define her, something solid.

She needed to find that first, she was sure.

…So, until then.

She decided to keep her overflowing feelings hidden, just as before.

——Someday, she would make him accept all of it.

With that resolve, she organized her thoughts once more.

“Um… Katia-sama…?”

Seeing Katia like this, Hermes tilted his head, showing concern and… a bit of guilt as he asked.

“Did I… do something to upset you…?”

“…Huh?”

“Since the end of the northern rebellion, you’ve been acting somewhat stiff… I’m sorry, I can’t figure out the reason… If you tell me, I’ll do my best to fix it.”

“……”

…It seemed he had mistaken her recent behavior for displeasure.

Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong, and she understood that he couldn’t possibly know, and she didn’t want to burden him with having to ‘figure it out without being told’… but still.

(…It wouldn’t hurt if you noticed a little.)

That kind of honest thought was probably unavoidable.

…Feeling a bit more displeased by his words, Katia replied.

“…It’s nothing. I’m not avoiding you or anything like that.”

“Is that… so?”

Her tone, now even more displeased, lacked persuasiveness, and Hermes naturally tilted his head in confusion…

(…Ugh!)

At her wit’s end, Katia faced him directly.

“!”

And hugged him tightly.

Burying her face in his chest, she stayed like that for a while… then slowly looked up.

From close range, her beautiful amethyst eyes half-closed, she looked up at him and said.

“…Do you get it now? That I’m not avoiding you or anything.”

“…Y-Yes.”

To be honest, Hermes was even more confused, but her tone made it clear that he shouldn’t object, so he nodded.

Seeing this, Katia… buried her face again, hiding her gaze.

“…Herm. I’ll work hard too.”

She murmured softly, finally.

“I’ll work even harder than before, so I can stand by your side. So…”

He probably wouldn’t understand this either.

But even so, she whispered a small, selfish request along with the words she wanted to convey.

“So until then… don’t leave me behind.”

——Realizing that he should respond intuitively, Hermes…

“…Yes. Understood.”

He answered in a serious voice.

And with that, the small rift between master and servant was resolved… as the night deepened.

◆

The next day.

Without any major incidents, the group arrived at their destination as scheduled.

“…………This is…”

Stepping out of the carriage, guided by the escorting church soldiers to the front gate.

Standing there, Hermes couldn’t help but mutter.

A cathedral that seemed to pierce the heavens.

A grand, majestic structure with intricate white designs.

The well-maintained, expansive grounds further enhanced its sacred aura.

…Truly.

It was as if the word “authority” had taken physical form in this massive structure that now stood before them.

First-time visitors would be awed by its size and grandeur, while those who had seen it before would once again feel the overwhelming pressure it exuded.

Such a building, thrusting its authority upon them. This was——

“——Welcome. To the church headquarters.”

——A familiar voice rang out.

Everyone turned in that direction… and Lilliana was the first to show a look of shock.

No wonder. After all, the one who had spoken was…

“What a wonderful reaction. The sight of people who come here clueless, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the cathedral, is always a delight. In light of that, I’ll forgive your rudeness of not kneeling immediately——or something like that.”

Vivid golden hair, and familiar ruby-like eyes.

A strikingly beautiful girl with sharp, slightly arrogant eyes.

There were many things they should ask, many things they should say.

But for now… this line was the most appropriate.

“…You’re safe.”

During the coup in the royal capital, she had likely been one of the first targets, yet here she was, having escaped.

“Onee-sama…”

The second princess, Laila——responded to Hermes and Lilliana’s words with a fearless, beautiful smile.