NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70
Chapter 70. Master And Servant’s School Life
Eustia, Royal Magic Academy.
Located in the central part of the royal capital, this vast educational institution was established to gather and train children with exceptional magical abilities from across the country—or so it is said.
This academy is now entering its second term after a long break.
On the first day of the second term, in a certain first-year class.
“──Now, please introduce yourself and briefly explain ‘your magic’.”
“Yes.”
Prompted by the homeroom teacher, a male student stood at the podium.
With silver hair and distinctive jade-colored eyes, his youthful face and slender build gave him a slightly childish appearance. However, his composed demeanor contrasted with this, giving him an impression of maturity.
This boy──a transfer student starting this term, began to speak.
“My name is Hermes. My family name should have been Frenbreed, but as you know, it no longer exists. Currently, I’m under the care of the Trakia family, so think of me as a former noble’s child.”
Even with such information-packed words, there wasn’t much surprise in the classroom.
They knew. About the recent major incident in the royal capital.
The imprisonment of the second prince, Aster, and the complete downfall of the Frenbreed family.
Moreover, those savvy with rumors would also know.──That this boy, once called a prodigy but expelled from the Frenbreed family as a ‘failure’, is Hermes.
Therefore, there isn’t much surprise. What they are most curious about is──the information that follows.
Accurately grasping this, Hermes continued.
“Well, regarding my magic.”
As he spoke, he summoned his pre-chanted magic, the jade chronograph.
And without any hesitation.
“──Bloodline Magic, [Emerald Tablet].
The effect is the manipulation of simple multi-attribute magic.”
He stated what, to those who understood, was clearly peculiar information.
He demonstrated by creating small fireballs, modest wind blades, spheres of lightning, and so on.
The teacher’s eyes widened slightly. Likely because it was an unknown magic, they probed with a few questions.
“……Simple multi-attribute magic manipulation?”
“Yes, as you can see. Unlike other Bloodline Magics, it can handle various attributes, but each one’s performance is──”
“──Not particularly impressive.”
“Right. It’s probably stronger than general-purpose magic, but far inferior to Bloodline Magic. Essentially, it’s a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.”
“Any other effects?”
“No, that’s all.”
He answered decisively.
Those who knew his magic would understand by now.
Yes. He had hidden the most crucial effect of [Emerald Tablet], ‘magic replication’.
He boldly claimed that the effect of his magic was merely ‘enhanced general-purpose magic’.
“──Huh?”
Upon hearing his declaration, a voice involuntarily rose from the back of the classroom.
A blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl──Sara von Hartmann, who would be his classmate.
Although she had been briefly informed beforehand, hearing it directly must have surprised her.
Thinking he should explain in detail later, he recalled why it had come to this.
Declaring his magic as Bloodline Magic, hiding its true essence, and portraying it as something of little consequence.
In other words──the reason he decided to lead a school life without showing his true abilities.
◆
“──I can’t accept this, Father”
About a week ago, in a room of the Trakia household. Before the head of the family, Jurgen.
Next to Hermes, his master Katia’s sharp voice rang out.
“Why do we still need to hide Herm’s power?! Herm has proven his magic is real! So why?!”
It was Jurgen who first suggested that Hermes keep his magic a secret at school.
Hermes’ magic, [Emerald Tablet], held true power.
Magic replication. If mastered, it could freely control even Bloodline Magic. In fact, he had already mastered several Bloodline Magics.
With that power, he exposed the second prince’s wrongdoings. He even defeated a disaster-class monster that could have required the entire nation to handle.
The proof should be sufficient. Katia questioned her father why it still needed to be hidden.
“Can we even hide it? Many soldiers witnessed the fight with that monster.”
“Many, but only a few dozen. They have been silenced and they respect Hermes. They understood there must be reasons.”
“What about the times he defeated monsters in various places?”
“Mostly in remote areas far from the capital. The rumors won’t reach here, and even if they do, few nobles will believe them.”
“Ugh.”
Realizing it could be hidden if desired, Katia gritted her teeth.
She had seen it. Since he was expelled as a failure, he had gained power through tremendous effort. Furthermore, he continued to pursue magic without being satisfied and achieved real results.
Yet, he still could not see the light of day.
“…Herm should be recognized. Why go to such lengths?”
“As I said before, the impact on various sectors would be too great. Especially now with the upheaval due to Prince Aster’s case. Unscrupulous people might take advantage of Hermes.”
“That’s──”
“──That’s the official reason.”
Katia, about to retort further, stopped.
“…The real reason is, it’s frightening.”
“──Huh?”
She showed confusion at Jurgen’s uncharacteristic words.
“I know. People who were persecuted because they stood out too much. Friends who had to leave us due to isolation… No one knows better than me.”
“!”
Both understood who he was referring to.
Because that person had recently visited the Trakia household.
“Since then, I’ve tried to change this country. But it’s not enough yet. I haven’t changed it enough to be confident… If I let you suffer the same fate as her. I will never forgive myself.”
“Duke.”
“Father──”
“I’m sorry for binding you for selfish reasons. But for now, please.”
With that, he bowed his head earnestly.
“…”
…Hermes knew. Contrary to the outside view of the duke as a ruthless, power-clinging old fox.
He acted with a proper belief. He had emotions, and a heart, and swallowed both clean and dirty to protect them.
And above all──his master Rose still called Jurgen a friend.
So.
“I understand. I know you made this suggestion with us in mind.”
There was no hesitation in his answer.
“Katia-sama, I don’t mind…”
“If Herm says so, I won’t argue. I understand what Father is saying, too.”
“Thank you, Hermes. And Katia.”
Jurgen expressed his gratitude again to Katia, who showed some understanding despite her slight dissatisfaction.
“As an apology, I won’t restrict your activities in the academy… Well, I expect you’ll do something remarkable without any need for restrictions. That’s why I decided to let you attend.”
With a wry smile, he concluded.
“Anyway, the second term starts next week. Learn a lot──and enjoy school life to the fullest.”
“Yes.”
“You’re right, Father.”
As the conversation ended, Hermes felt a hint of joy about the upcoming school life.
──And Katia looked even more delighted than him.
“So, Herm! We can finally go to school together next week!”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”
Katia expressed her excitement by bouncing with joy.
“Listen, Herm. There are many rules at the academy. Some are strange, but many are necessary for so many people living together.”
With a proud hand on her chest, she started speaking with an elder-sister-like attitude.
“You’ll probably be confused at first. But don’t worry, I, your master and classmate, will──”
“──Huh?”
At that moment, Jurgen reacted to a word Katia said.
“Father? What’s wrong?”
“…Well, Katia, I hadn’t told you, assuming you’d figure it out, and I’m sorry for that. But…”
Looking at his puzzled daughter, Jurgen hesitated unusually before speaking.
“You won’t be in the same class as Hermes.”
“……………………, What?”
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Katia barely managed to squeeze out a question.
Facing her, Jurgen explained with a troubled expression.
“You know there are two classes in your grade, right?”
“Yes. I attended the first term, after all.”
“One is Class A. Students with no issues in family background or magic are assigned there. The others, with low status or magic problems, are in Class B. I think this division is problematic, but that’s the current system.”
“I know. So Herm, who’s almost a commoner now despite being from a former marquis family, will be in Class B with me──”
“You’ll be in Class A from the second term.”
Katia froze again.
“…………What?”
“You were in Class B because you couldn’t handle your Bloodline Magic well. Now that weakness is gone, and you’re a duke’s daughter who can fully use powerful Bloodline Magic. It’s natural to change classes.”
“…………Oh.”
“The numbers work out well. You take the place of Prince Aster in Class A, and Hermes takes your place in Class B… Even I can’t interfere with class assignments. Getting Hermes into the academy was my limit.”
After hearing the extremely reasonable explanation, Katia finally realized the possibility she hadn’t considered due to her excitement about attending school with Hermes.
And she understood it was already an unchangeable fact.
“…………No.”
“…Katia-sama, don’t be disheartened.”
Hermes’ attempt to console her came too late.
“Why──────?!!”
The duke’s daughter’s anguished cry echoed throughout the mansion as she collapsed to her knees.
……After that.
While taking care of and comforting the despondent Katia.
For some reason, he patted her head, offered her sweets, and promised to visit her during lunch breaks.
By the time night fell, their school life, in different classes, had finally begun.