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 71. Trend

So, here’s the situation.

Currently, in Class B where Hermes is, Katia’s figure is absent.

She has likely transferred to Class A from the second term, probably doing something similar right now.

The only concern is whether she’s still dragging along last week’s dejection.

Thinking such things, Hermes finishes his self-introduction and heads to his designated seat.

From somewhere in the classroom, a voice could be heard.

“…What. So, he’s just a ‘failure’ after all.”

(……I see.)

Honestly, it was expected.

During his self-introduction earlier, when he revealed his magic, and said it was ‘just reinforcement general magic.’

Most students showed expressions of relief and ridicule.

So, he was once called a prodigy, but he’s no big deal.

His Bloodline Magic is just as he said, versatile but mediocre, not praiseworthy. Understandably, he was driven out of his family.

Moreover, his family has already fallen. His current status is extremely low, and his magical power is trivial.

──In other words, he is someone they can look down upon.

Many students internally categorized him in this narrow, one-sided manner.

As a result, now, as Hermes walked to his seat, he was met with scornful stares and whispers, clearly meant for him to hear.

“In the first place, since he didn’t mention his family name, he must be a commoner, right? What made him think he could come to this academy?”

“Exactly, and what’s with his magic? It’s just basic general magic. It’s audacious to even call it noble bloodline magic.”

“He must have gotten into the Trakia family by sucking up to them and forcibly transferred here. Both his magic and family status are failures. It seems he has no sense of shame.”

(…Ah, here we go again.)

Hermes murmured inwardly.

The distortion of this country. The absolute view on magical power and the associated family power. Those who need clear hierarchies to feel satisfied.

No matter how hard one tries. No matter the achievements.

Even defeating the embodiment of this trend, the Second Prince, wouldn’t change it so easily.

This sentiment was deeply rooted, as evident in this academy, in this class.

Even though he had been warned beforehand, facing it so blatantly was somewhat disheartening.

Thinking so, he quickened his pace to reach his seat.

It was then that Hermes sensed something──his face subtly contorted, and he muttered softly.

“…Would they go that far…?”

What he sensed was the movement of magical power.

Not content with just throwing scornful looks and words, some students were about to cast magic at Hermes.

Probably not to cause direct harm, but to trip him up and embarrass him.

Three students──behind him, to his right, and his left rear──were generating magic. It involved wind to entangle him, ice to trip him, and a minor electric shock to jolt him.

As expected, the magic, though general, was executed with a high degree of skill by these elite noble offspring.

However.

They underestimated Hermes.

“……”

Without looking at the sources of magic, he accurately pinpointed their positions using only his magical sensing ability. He erected a barrier of light, perfectly blocking all the magic.

Then, in return, he simultaneously activated three types of general magic: lifting the student behind him with wind, making the chair of the student to his right slide with ice, and shocking the student to his left rear with lightning.

He did exactly what they intended to do to him, but to all three simultaneously.

The students likely thought Hermes looked gentle and wouldn’t retaliate, which was a gross miscalculation.

For he was a disciple of Rose.

Influenced by her straightforward and quick-to-act nature, he would not quietly endure such treatment.

More directly──he would not avoid a fight, rather he would actively show his strength to prevent further such actions.

A loud thud echoed simultaneously in three parts of the classroom.

“──Oh, what happened?”

Hearing this, Hermes turned slowly, feigning curiosity and surprise.

He made sure to meet the eyes of each perpetrator one by one.

──Sending a silent message that he knew exactly who did what.

“…Strange things do happen.”

Without saying more, he turned back and resumed walking.

Most of the class likely didn’t understand what Hermes had done.

But at least the three culprits did.

They realized their magic had been perfectly blocked and returned to them in the same way, simultaneously, without Hermes even looking.

They could sense the strength hidden within the seemingly gentle boy.

With anger, shame, and a slight, unacknowledged fear, they watched him.

Despite this, Hermes took his designated seat.

Immediately, a restrained voice came from beside him.

“Um… sorry…”

Looking over, he saw a familiar face.

With light blonde hair and deep blue eyes, giving a gentle impression.

Sara von Hartmann. Katia’s friend and a girl are deeply involved since the royal capital turmoil.

At present, she was the only familiar face in this class, and she spoke to Hermes apologetically.

She was likely referring to the attempted magic attack on him. She must have understood exactly what happened.

As expected of a ‘dual affinity’ mage, her magical abilities were exceptional here. But…

“Why would Sara-sama need to apologize?”

“…Because. With Katia absent, I am this class’s representative. And…”

Answering Hermes’ question, she revealed some new information.

“I know you were looking forward to your school life. Yet, suddenly this…”

“…Well, it would be a lie to say it didn’t affect me.”

Being subjected to such blatant emotions was somewhat shocking.

But he had expected such things and inferred as much beforehand. Moreover…

“Rather, I’m grateful that you… having a known person here is a relief.”

“!”

“I apologize… but until I get used to this academy, I might rely on you. I’m not very experienced in social interactions… Is that okay?”

“Y-Yes!”

Hermes’ words, spoken with a slight smile, seemed to stimulate something in Sara, who clenched her fist in front of her chest and declared.

“Please, rely on me as much as you want! Even after you get used to it, it’s absolutely fine!”

“I’m honored.”

Though somewhat taken aback by her enthusiasm, Hermes was sincerely grateful for her offer.

Meanwhile, Sara’s excited words were loud enough for others to hear, and the surrounding male students’ gazes included something different.

However, having already considered most others hostile, Hermes lumped these gazes together, remaining oblivious to their true nature.

Thus, the morning assembly, including Hermes’ introduction, ended.

In the brief moment before classes began, he pondered.

(…The Duke was right…)

The prevailing ideology in this country won’t change easily.

Even in educational institutions for the next generation, it’s deeply ingrained.

And.

Understanding Duke Jurgen’s intent to change this, and the expectations placed upon him.

He was grateful to Jurgen.

Despite initial calculations, Jurgen accepted him into the Thracia family and respected his freedom unusually for a mere servant.

Moreover, Hermes resonated with Jurgen’s thoughts, influenced by Rose.

(The Duke said ‘do as you wish’…)

If changing the pervasive ideology in this academy is the expectation upon him.

He wasn’t unwilling and even wanted to meet those expectations.

Then, for that, first…

(I need to understand this academy’s mindset, its roots, and its breeding grounds.)

Determined, he faced the upcoming classes with renewed focus.

Fortunately.

The opportunity to learn came quickly.