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 110.2. Punishment

“……I had heard the rumors, but I never imagined something like that happened yesterday.”

“What… exactly… happened?”

It was lunchtime.

The four of them gathered for lunch as usual, but today, things were different. The usual cheerful atmosphere was nowhere to be found.

Katia-sama recounted the morning’s shocking events, along with what had happened the previous day, causing Hermes to ponder with a serious expression. Sara and Nina were just as troubled.

“So… it seems likely that Clyde is the most suspicious person, given the circumstances. …Is there really no evidence at all?”

“…None.”

Katia-sama nodded in response to Sara’s question—the most perplexing doubt at the moment.

“Right after homeroom, I contacted my father. According to the response I received just now—it’s been concluded that all three incidents were just ‘a series of unfortunate accidents.'”

There were no reports of suspicious figures around the cliff during the rockfall incident.

The fire incident happened inside the shop. It seems that no one had the chance to sneak in.

As for the stray bullet, the soldiers of the noble family involved in the hunt showed no suspicious behavior or connections.

And above all—

“Clyde… didn’t seem to be lying.”

Katia-sama revealed the most terrifying fact.

“As a duke’s daughter, I can tell when someone is lying, at least to some extent. But with Clyde… there was absolutely nothing.”

“…That’s…”

“From the bottom of his heart, he believes it was ‘a coincidence’ and that ‘punishment was dealt.’ …What on earth is going on…”

It must have been more terrifying than any clear threat. Katia-sama trembled as she clung to Hermes.

“…I’ve heard about something like this before.”

As if to add to her information, Nina spoke up.

“They say something similar happened last term. Some A-class student apparently said some things to Clyde—calling him ‘the prince’s lackey,’ ‘a powerless nobody,’ and so on. And then, the next day—well, you know what happened.”

Katia-sama finally understood.

Clyde, who couldn’t use his family magic, was able to say whatever he wanted at the academy because it was advantageous for the A-class and because Aster’s influence still held sway.

And in addition to that—they feared him. There was an unknown terror that made everyone unconsciously comply.

If that’s the case, it explains the classmates’ reactions yesterday.

“What is this? Why…”

“──Please, calm down, Katia-sama.”

Seeing Katia-sama overwhelmed by fear from witnessing the events firsthand, Hermes placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

…He couldn’t help but feel grateful for his calm demeanor in moments like these, and he began to speak logically.

“First, let’s sort this out. Three people had accidents. Given the circumstances, it’s hard not to suspect Clyde. Yet, there’s no evidence of his or anyone else’s involvement in these incidents.──So far, is that correct?”

“…Yes. My father’s investigation is trustworthy.”

Katia-sama nodded firmly as she leaned closer to Hermes.

“In that case, if no human force is involved, the first thing we should suspect is one thing.”

“Magic──Clyde’s, bloodline magic.”

“Yes. …Even the fact that he seems unaware of it could be explained if it’s ‘magic activated unconsciously’ due to his bloodline.”

Sara’s response, reaching the same conclusion, was met with a nod of agreement as Hermes continued to voice his thoughts.

“Thus, the most likely cause is that. The problem lies in identifying what exactly it is──Nina-sama, you seemed to know something earlier…”

“From the time of the competition, right? …Sorry, I only know that it’s ‘apparently not an attack magic.’ And I only heard that from someone else, so it might not be reliable.”

It’s said that the Helmut family strictly conceals their bloodline magic. That would make it difficult to obtain any information from others.

But, it’s not a problem. Even if they can’t hear it──they can deduce it.

“Katia-sama, it’s alright.”

To reassure his trembling mistress, he spoke logically.

“The cause of all this is most likely bloodline magic. And as for its effects… let me say this with certainty. There’s absolutely no way it’s some vague curse or manipulation of luck.”

“…Wh-why are you so sure?”

“As someone deeply knowledgeable about magic. …And besides, think about it.”

While it’s possible that some unknown magic technique that Hermes isn’t aware of could be involved, that possibility can be dismissed from another perspective.

“If, by any chance, Clyde’s bloodline magic was something uncontrollable like ‘bringing misfortune to a target’──”

With a brief pause, Hermes stated plainly.

“──Why haven’t Katia-sama and I been targeted first?”

“…Ah.”

“Undoubtedly, the ones he holds the most resentment towards right now are you and me. If he possessed such magic, he would have used it already. He wouldn’t hesitate to ignore his family’s restraints for that purpose.”

If he hasn’t done so──then it means he can’t.

“There’s definitely some kind of trick or restriction. …Therefore, the next thing we must do is uncover it. So──Katia-sama, do you have any idea who might be targeted next?”

“That…”

She started to question why Hermes asked, but then, thanks to his calm reasoning, she understood his intent.

“…You’re planning to protect that person, aren’t you?”

“Yes. If they make a move, it could provide clues to uncover the truth, and even if they don’t, it would serve as a deterrent. Given that there’s a reason they can’t target me, this seems like the most effective course of action.”

However, without knowing the details of the other side’s methods, the risk is still significant.

Katia-sama hesitated for a moment at the thought of sending Hermes into such danger──

(…No)

She realized that it would be like saying she didn’t trust his abilities.

If she trusted him more than anyone, then there was only one thing to say to her servant, who was working to resolve the situation.

“…I understand, I’ll leave it to you. But, please, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yes, I only ask that you allow me to stay on guard. And──if possible, Sara-sama, Nina-sama.”

“Understood. So we’ll protect Katia-sama in the meantime.”

“Got it. I’ll take care of anything like a rockfall.”

If these three stay together, it should be safe. Sara staying at the Thracia household wouldn’t be suspicious, and Nina, unexpectedly, proved to be more reliable than anticipated.

Anyway, Hermes decided that to repay the two for their willingness to help, he would definitely uncover Clyde’s magic.

And besides, this was a good opportunity.

If it became known that Clyde directly harmed his classmates, his downfall would be inevitable.

(At this point, he really needs to be stopped.)

Here and now, Hermes was determined to expose everything about him and put an end to it.

With that resolve, Hermes began to act.