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 79. A Class

While Hermes, in Class B, was engaged in battles during magic exercises that hardly resembled any form of training, Katia’s A Class was currently enjoying idle chatter before homeroom.

Amidst this.

“Katia-sama, please join me for a meal sometime!”

“……”

Again, she sighed.

Since yesterday, such invitations had been incessant. No one had come forward with sudden marriage proposals as someone had the day before, but invitations to meals and the like were still unending.

It seems the duke’s daughter, who overcame the flaw in her magic that led her to be called the “Defective Lady,” appears quite attractive to them. Enough to make them want to get close by any means.

She knew her appearance was rather exceptional. While not the best in the capital, as her maid Layla claimed, she could sense from the reactions around her that she was still quite striking. This undoubtedly contributed to the constant attention.

However, she had no intention of accepting their invitations.

Because she knew: all the people now inviting her had looked at her with scorn and disdain when she was in Class B.

How could she trust such people? How could she trust those who never believed in her?

Directing a cold gaze filled with this conviction at the boy, he flinched and, realizing he stood no chance, backed down. It was a relief that he was at least more understanding than others.

As a duke’s daughter, she should probably expand her social circle.

But she would rather spend time with those who believed in and cherished her.

For instance, someone who came back to fulfill a small promise, resolved her magic troubles, and helped her regain her shattered confidence──

“…………”

She reflected on her current thoughts.

Even the smallest things seemed to lead back to him, showing just how much he occupied her mind. It was as if she was constantly thinking about him──not entirely wrong. Embarrassed, she let out a sigh.

Though she modestly deemed herself ‘quite exceptional,’ others saw her as nothing less than an exquisite beauty. Her pensive and slightly blushing look captivated the surrounding students once again…… though she remained oblivious to this.

With a shift in focus, Katia surveyed the classroom.

Class A was in the midst of an unseen power struggle.

With Aster, who had wielded absolute power, gone, the top spot was vacant. Many students were busy forging alliances and strategizing during breaks, vying for that position.

There were two main candidates for the next central figure.

One of them was── Katia herself.

Though she found the contest extremely trivial, her position seemed to drag her into it. In short, the others were pushing her forward.

The other candidate──

“──Clyde-sama!”

A fervent voice from a count’s daughter reached Katia’s ears.

She turned to see a male student.

With smooth, bright blue hair and deep purple eyes, he exuded an air of mystery. His overall sweet and refined demeanor softened this impression──he epitomized the noble gentleman.

Clyde von Helmut.

The eldest son of Marquis Helmut, and apparently a very skilled magician.

“Apparently” because of certain circumstances, but setting those aside for now.

The important points were that he belonged to a high-ranking marquis family──with Katia being the only duke’s child in this grade, his status was considerably high.

Moreover, he had been the aide to Aster, the second prince, in the previous term.

His name, family status, and he treated everyone gently made him one of the central figures of the current A Class, alongside Katia.

However, she was only vaguely aware of this due to her general lack of interest.

Clyde was chatting joyfully with other high-status students.

With no further interest, she turned her gaze back to the front of the classroom just as:

“…… Everyone, I apologize for my tardiness.”

The classroom door opened, and the homeroom teacher of A Class walked in.

The students ceased their chatter and returned to their seats as the teacher took the podium to begin homeroom.

After some routine announcements and updates about the upcoming school festival next month, the teacher paused.

“Now, I’d like you all to decide something important. First, regarding the class president.”

A murmur of tension spread among the students.

“Since His Highness Aster, who was our previous class president, has left the academy, we need to elect a new class president for the second term.”

That was the situation.

In Class B, Sarah, despite various incidents, remained class president and would continue in that role.

But A Class needed a new class president.

This was crucial.

Although it was just a role, in a school where noble power struggles were prevalent, the position held significant weight. Formally, it determined the class’s leader.

Thus, tension filled the air as students wondered who would step forward──or rather, who they would support. Silent calculations and intentions flew among them.

A student broke the silence.

“──I nominate Katia-sama!”

It was the boy who had invited her to a meal earlier. His glance at Katia revealed his somewhat transparent motive.

He probably thought he was doing her a favor, assuming a noble like Katia would desire to be the class’s official leader.

…Honestly, it was quite misguided and she wished he wouldn’t.

However, those around her had no clue. On the contrary, the male student’s nomination sparked a chain reaction.

“Katia-sama is the only child of a duke in this class, no one is more suitable.”

“I’ve heard she overcame her magic flaw. Awakening at such a young age is rare, a testament to her prowess as a mage.”

“And that dignified attitude, she’s impeccable in terms of grace.”

While they praised Katia, their ulterior motives were clear—they wanted to ingratiate themselves with the capable duchess.

She was about to refuse, tired of the flattery.

“──Could you wait?”

A soft voice interrupted.

Everyone turned toward the beautiful sound.

The speaker was, as expected, Clyde von Helmut.

Confirming he had everyone’s attention, he spread his arms theatrically and began to speak.

“I understand why you all want to nominate Katia-sama. A duchess who overcame her magical flaw, it sounds great. It seems like she’d lead this class well. ──But, think about it!”

Clyde adopted a slightly exaggeratedly sorrowful expression, yet it looked genuine due to his handsome face.

“──What about Prince Aster?”

A different kind of murmur spread through the class.

He had touched on a taboo topic.

“He was too strong and tried to handle everything alone. We depended on him and entrusted him with everything! But as a result, he faced misfortune!”

With a compelling, almost pulling expression, he continued.

“You all know it by now, that he wasn’t the answer. Entrusting everything to one person won’t work anymore.”

“……”

“What I’m saying is, from now on, this Class A must work together without power struggles!”

Pausing for dramatic effect, Clyde turned to Katia.

“So, Katia-sama. According to this principle, having someone as excellent as you as class president would repeat the same mistakes. Don’t you think?”

“Haa. And?”

“What I’m saying is, cooperation requires ‘concessions’!”

Though momentarily flustered by Katia’s indifferent response, Clyde quickly resumed his argument.

“Grasping for everything will lead to becoming like Prince Aster. We must restrain ourselves to some extent. So, Katia-sama, shouldn’t you concede the class president role to me?”

“……Why you?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because I──can’t use bloodline magic at this academy!”

That’s why there’s only speculation about his magical prowess.

Like Nina, his family forbade the use of bloodline magic. Shouting this out, he continued.

“You give me the class president’s position. In return, I’ll let you shine using bloodline magic. This is a mutual concession, a class united through small sacrifices!”

He looked around the class.

What do you think, he seemed to ask.

“…Indeed.”

A voice responded.

“It’s not right to leave everything to Katia-sama.”

“With Clyde-sama, the class would be fairly managed, reassuring.”

Voices of agreement arose one after another. Mostly from those who resented Katia’s prominence or were jealous of her looks.

Unfortunately, many in Class A felt this way.

Soon, Clyde’s supporters became the majority. Even those who had pushed for Katia changed their stance under the pressure.

The tide had turned.

…Did they realize?

Sure, cooperation and concessions sound great.

But Clyde’s ban on using bloodline magic was a family matter, no sacrifice at all. Thus, he claimed the central role without giving anything up.

And he had been Prince Aster’s aide.

He openly denounced his former master without hesitation.

Do they truly believe he can make fair decisions?

……They must, to praise him so blindly, Katia thought.

There were still many contradictions, but pointing them out would likely fall on deaf ears.

Thus, there was no way to overturn the class’s decision.

“Everyone, thank you! ──Well, Katia-sama. As such, I will be the class president. Surely you won’t overturn the class’s will with your selfishness──like Prince Aster, right?”

With a sarcastic tone.

A righteous-looking face──but briefly showing the joy of taking the position from Katia.

He waited for her reaction.

However.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

──As repeated.

Katia had no interest in such honors. She once thought they might be necessary but since their reunion, it truly didn’t matter.

In fact, the result was rather convenient. So she responded indifferently.

Clyde, surprised by her light response, showed a fleeting grimace but quickly regained his composure.

“I see, you too can swallow your discontent. ──Now everyone, thank you for nominating me. Let’s fulfill our noble duties together!”

He concluded with pleasant words, receiving applause.

(……Nonsense)

Katia thought again.

What he’s doing is the same as Aster, though it seems the opposite.

Even without Aster, this country remains unchanged, making her feel despondent.

And she thought. If this man and Hermes met, it would be quite troublesome.

It might be vexing, but also a bit amusing.

“…Haa. I want to see Herm.”

After witnessing this farce, she sought solace.

Calling the name of her most trusted attendant, she sighed.