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 114.2. The Heretical Magic

That was the second trap she had set.

Though an adversary. Though she was now trying to ensnare him──

──There was no falsehood in her affection. The overwhelming power of the magic assaulting his body proved it. He understood it.

“Well then, I guess I’ll just say it. …I like you, Herm-kun.”

The moment he understood, a sweet voice confessed to him. It severely chipped away at his reason.

“Apparently, the higher-ups have been wary of you from the start. So in relation to that, I approached you──’with the intention of falling for you.'”

As she revealed the reason she first spoke to him in that class, she continued.

“…I didn’t expect this, though. Judging by this magic… I ended up liking you way more than I thought I would. …Haha, it’s honestly kind of embarrassing. But I can’t help it. I really did feel a connection with you from the start, and I indeed had fun being with you.”

She blushed genuinely, her cheeks flushed, her gaze shyly averted.

…Knowing that it was her true feelings made it all the more like magic, torturing him further.

Even so, Hermes fought to stay conscious, refusing to be overwhelmed. …Nina, noticing his struggle, puffed her cheeks just slightly.

“…So, after I went through all this trouble, confessed even though it’s super embarrassing, …you’re still holding out. …You’re starting to make me a little mad.”

Though she complained, she soon returned to her usual mischievous smile.

“…Then, I guess I’ll get serious.”

And with that, she finally took a step forward──towards Hermes.

“!?”

Of course, her charm magic grew stronger as she did.

More than anything, the fact that she was drawing closer──made him helplessly happy. He found himself wishing she’d come even closer.

To grant that wish, she slowly advanced… and not just that.

“I can’t afford to let my guard down around you. …It’s really embarrassing, but… well, it’s fine. Because it’s you.”

She removed her hair tie, letting her beautifully compact silver hair cascade down. As it unfurled in a sweep, it released an overwhelming allure.

She then undid her tie, and unbuttoned the top button of her shirt. The slight opening revealed more of her soft and ample chest than anticipated, casting a deep shadow that struck at his reason like an unbearably seductive visual assault.

“…It’s true, this way is more effective.”

Her cheeks were redder than before, but she didn’t stop advancing. Seeing that Hermes’s face was just as flushed, she mischievously smiled in satisfaction.

“…Wow. Even you get embarrassed by stuff like this. …Haha, how cute. It’s fine, you know? As long as it makes you fall for me.”

With even sweeter words, she came so close they nearly touched. Enjoying Hermes’s desperate attempts to avert his gaze from her now-visible, translucent skin, she whispered in his ear.

“…I just had an idea. Why don’t you join us?”

A clearer invitation than before.

“I can’t give you all the details, but we need strong mages right now. I’m sure you’d be welcomed with open arms… and of course, I personally would really love to have you.”

“Eh──”

“What do you think? I can guarantee you’ll be treated well, and if you ask, I think they’d even ensure the safety of the people close to you. You’re worth that much. And more than anything…”

Her eyes moistened slightly. Now, with a forlorn, almost pleading expression unlike before.

“…If someone like you… were truly on my side. …It would make me so happy.”

“──”

…Perhaps.

That statement might have been the final blow that shook him the most.

Suddenly,

Hermes’s head tilted toward her, as if all resistance had left him.

Nina, realizing she had finally succeeded, smiled as she spread her arms to catch him──

──and at that moment, he struck back.

“Spell reenactment──[Theur Gy]…!”

Summoning the last of his reason and willpower, Hermes tore himself away from Nina.

Taking advantage of her momentary shock, he re-cast the Bloodline Magic he had prepared beforehand. A transparent wall, like a cage, spread between them, physically dividing them completely.

──Her magic. The charm was conveyed through the magic power emanating from her body.

So, he first blocked that magic with a barrier. That way, at the very least, he wouldn’t be further charmed and could focus on removing the remnants already inside him.

“…Ha… ha…!”

Having succeeded in activating the magic, and after the separation, Hermes regained a sliver of rationality and thought as he gasped for breath.

…That was close.

Thanks to prior preparation, his nature, and──her restraint.

If even one of those had faltered, he would have been completely ensnared.

In a way, this was probably the most dangerous magic he’d ever faced.

…Still, he managed to barely hold on.

The correct thing to do now was to leave immediately, before any more magic affected him, and reunite with Katia and the others──

“…”

But Hermes thought. About her words, still fresh in his memory.

That she had been an enemy saddened him. But… he couldn’t bring himself to hate or resent her.

And most of all──the expression she showed at the end.

That terribly sad… almost childlike face, on the verge of tears.

He couldn’t get it out of his head.

So, he stood up──

──and began walking towards Nina again.

“Eh…?”

This time, it was Nina who looked surprised.

Of course. She had expected him to flee, and it was the logical thing to do. Anyone would think so.

But Hermes thought.

Though there was no proof. Though it was just an unshakable gut feeling.

If he left her here… he felt like they’d never meet again in the same way.

It would be easy to say it was impossible, but it wasn’t that.

It felt like abandoning something far more critical.

So, surely, he had to face her.

Maybe it was something he had learned at the academy──from the kind class president, who would never abandon anyone, no matter the situation.

That’s why, of his own free will, believing this wasn’t the effect of the charm…

Hermes faced Nina head-on once again.