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 78. Praise

In front of her, Hermes collapses with a declaration.

(…I won.)

Breathing heavily, Nina thinks.

Her assessment is almost the same as Hermes’. If they had continued on the battlefield, she could have definitely finished him off.

In exchange, his magic would have hit her at point-blank range, causing serious injury and forcing her out of the fight. But she estimated a fifty-fifty chance of survival based on the power of his previous spells.

In other words, it was nearly a draw. If there were a judgment, she would barely win.

…However, contrary to that result, she felt no sense of victory at all.

Simply put, she didn’t feel like she had won.

Because this match started with an extremely favorable situation for her.

First, there was an informational advantage. Nina had a rough grasp of Hermes’ abilities and nature, whereas he was seeing her for the first time. The unexpected advantage of not being known as a swordsman also played a part.

The starting position of the fight was decisive. For two magicians, it was relatively close, a distance she could close in a few steps. He had almost no time to chant, making it nearly her range.

Against any magician student──no, against anyone at this school including the teachers, she was confident she could win in this situation. Anyone who knew her would think so, and she herself had the confidence to make it happen.

Yet, it ended in almost a draw.

The fact left her with an unprecedented shock.

At the same time, admiration for him and the excitement of having a good match filled her heart.

──But, throwing cold water on her mood.

“…Ha, ha ha, hahahaha!”

Albert, who had been watching the fight, laughed nervously.

“Did you see that, everyone? That commoner truly relies on Trakia’s power, just a braggart. After all──he couldn’t even win against someone who can’t use bloodline magic!”

His words drew hesitant agreement from those around, especially those who scorned Hermes.

Yes, Nina defeating him served to demean him. Regardless of the process, the result perfectly aligned with Albert’s script.

(…Sigh.)

She sighed involuntarily.

They were classmates, after all. She understood they had no choice──that was the only way to protect their pride. As a noble lady, she understood their psychology and the circumstances leading to it.

…But even so, she wished they could restrain themselves now.

She felt sorry for him. For making him part of this ridiculous noble charade. The situation was born of their malice and her curiosity──tainting such a good match and disgracing him as they intended.

…That’s why she was reluctant from the start.

Aware of her own abilities and being a natural enemy to magicians, she knew this situation would likely occur.

Yet, she thought he might surprise her. Ultimately, he fought far beyond her expectations──but inevitably, this situation happened.

“…I’m sorry.”

She apologized, sheathing her sword and offering her hand.

“You couldn’t help it, Herm-kun. Starting at that distance and seeing me for the first time. Considering those disadvantages, it’s practically your win. I’ll explain to everyone later──”

Honestly, she wasn’t sure if this would help, but she tried to console him.

“？ No, I don’t really mind about that.”

Surprisingly.

Hermes, with a nonchalant expression. He genuinely didn’t seem to care about the jeers and insults.

“More importantly, Nina-sama.”

He took her hand, stood up──and looked at her directly, his eyes shining.

“──Could we spar again?”

He said something quite unexpected.

“……What?”

She was momentarily stunned──but it might not be a bad idea.

With the new information, if they fought again, he would probably win this time. That might alleviate the bad reputation of ‘losing to someone without bloodline magic’.

“Y-yeah. Let’s start at the same distance as before, and maybe increase the starting distance a bit──”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I mean. …I might be presumptuous, but…”

He lightly shook his head at her suggestion, somewhat reservedly.

“…I’d like to fight under the exact same conditions. In other words──without me using magic as well.”

“──What?”

She was genuinely caught off guard.

“Well… You know what that means, right? Under those conditions, you’ll almost certainly──”

“Yes, I’ll lose again.”

He nodded calmly.

So, knowing he would lose.

He proposed this, knowing it would give others more reasons to belittle him. What on earth──

“But, you see… I was moved by your swordsmanship. I’ve dedicated myself to magic, and in a way, I looked down on martial arts, but your mastery──”

He spoke with surprising honesty.

“That’s why, I want to see more. Your sword──under the exact same conditions. I want to see the difference between us clearly.”

“…Ah.”

Finally, she understood.

He truly didn’t care about what others said about honor and shame.

What mattered to him was genuine admiration for something superior. His curiosity to know more and his desire to improve himself. That was all.

“…I see.”

She realized she was caught up in what others were saying.

At the same time──the pure respect directed at her swordsmanship. In this country and academy that valued magic above all, it had been a long time since she felt this, and it brought a mix of embarrassment and joy.

“Okay, sure. I’d actually like to ask you myself.”

With that realization, she responded without hesitation.

“Your main focus is martial arts, right? You were quite skilled. I’d love to see more.──Of course, my sword too.”

“！ Yes, please!”

“Oh, come on, don’t look at me like that. …You’re going to make me fall for you.”

With a slight mischievous smile, she agreed.

The two faced each other again, this time in a purer form.

Naturally, Hermes was overwhelmed even more than before. He was thrown around and had the sword pointed at him multiple times.

But despite his frustration, he seemed to enjoy it. Nina, too, felt none of her earlier reluctance and swung her sword with pure exhilaration.

“…What is he…!”

Watching the two of them.

Albert, the one who orchestrated this situation, watched with a bitter expression.

To him, Hermes was an incomprehensible existence.

Once called a prodigy but ultimately exiled. He thought little of him and provoked him on the first day, only to be met with overwhelming magical prowess.

He defied the teachers’ tyranny that they couldn’t resist, saving them, which only infuriated him more.

And now. He had created a situation where any noble would be humiliated──yet Hermes seemed genuinely happy, doing something that to them seemed like piling on more shame.

…What on earth!?

Seeing his demeanor and actions, somehow.

It made them, who were supposed to be chosen by magic, feel insignificant.

But he couldn’t accept that.

He looked at Hermes again, frustrated, bitter──yet with a faint mix of admiration.

The other students watched him similarly, observing the two.

Only Sara watched with a sense of understanding, and a stronger admiration than the others.

Until the class ended.

All the classmates continued watching the two──like a literal demonstration match.

Filled with various emotions, they kept watching.