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 120.2. Myself

“—!”

Sara awoke, immediately aware that she had been kidnapped and had briefly lost consciousness.

She quickly scanned her surroundings—no sign of the academy. All she saw were black walls, similar to the ones surrounding the academy, yet dimly illuminated by some unseen source.

…Through her unique senses, Sara grasped the situation.

This black wall was likely magic similar to her [Theur Gy]. Someone had taken advantage of a weakness in her barrier and trapped her within their magic.

And the person responsible was—

“Well, well. You’re awake, Sara-dono.”

In the isolated space before her stood Clyde von Helmut, one of the masterminds behind the chaos, with a joyful smile on his face.

“……”

Suppressing her confusion, Sara tried to assess her surroundings.

It’s okay, the barrier I put up is still intact. I’m still protecting the students. Judging from the flow of magic, I haven’t been taken too far.

But of course, that might change at any moment. And the one controlling the situation was Clyde. So…

“…What do you want, Clyde?”

She spoke first, aiming to understand his intentions. In response, Clyde’s voice overflowed with delight.

“Why, I’ve come to save you, of course!”

……

“…What?”

She was genuinely caught off guard. Noticing her confusion, Clyde continued.

“It’s understandable you don’t get it. I didn’t either, at first. It’s only recently that I realized… the academy is the wrong one.”

“…”

“They’re too far gone. They don’t understand the vision of those who truly wish to change this country. That’s why… they’re going to serve as a stepping stone for the new future. I’ll be using them as the grand showcase for my marvelous magic!”

As Hermes had informed her, it was indeed Clyde who had summoned these creatures. And from the way he spoke, he had no qualms about involving the academy students. In fact, it seemed to be his main goal.

Clyde continued.

“But even in that rotten academy, there’s one thing that shines—you, Sara-dono!”

“…”

“Your compassion, trying to protect even those worthless students, is truly admirable. But… that’s exactly why it’s such a waste. You’re directing that compassion at the wrong people!”

With exaggerated gestures and a voice full of intoxicated self-importance, Clyde’s speech continued.

“That’s why I brought you here, and why I had those monsters attack the academy. You see it now, don’t you? They’re not worth protecting. Surely, you must feel that you want to direct your kindness toward someone more deserving!!”

There was no need to ask who he believed was “deserving”.

Finally, Clyde extended his hand toward her.

“So come on. Forget about those worthless people—join me, won’t you?”

He declared it without hesitation.

His expression shone with an unwavering desire and sense of justice. He was absolutely convinced that he was the one who had come to save the poor princess, with no room for doubt.

Seeing that, she understood.

That’s why she—relaxed a little and smiled.

It wasn’t a smile filled with positivity. It was more like the kind of smile one gives after seeing something cruel, or after giving up on something.

But Clyde could not possibly grasp such subtleties, instead, he took it as affirmation, spreading his arms joyfully—

“…How sad.”

—That voice made him freeze.

Even someone like him must have noticed it. The tone in her voice carried an intent that was the complete opposite of acceptance.

“…If I may say something rather convenient.”

This time, it was her turn to speak.

“For the longest time—I thought ‘if we talked, we’d understand.’ That even people who do terrible things had their reasons, and if we could understand those reasons and work hard to prevent such things, then surely, we could all understand each other.”

It was unclear if the dumbfounded Clyde was really listening, but she continued, as if confessing her past thoughts.

“Sounds foolish, doesn’t it? But that was the only wish that I felt made me ‘myself.’ …And I thought I could make it happen. I believed that if I was brave and tried hard enough, things would work out… Especially because the person I admired the most listened to me and changed their way of thinking. I guess I got carried away.”

But then, Sara’s tone dropped.

“It worked out, but only up to that point. My mother, and now you… There are people out there who, no matter what, just can’t be understood. People you just can’t I connect with… and they’re probably closer than I ever thought.”

“…”

“My wish was nothing more than a fantasy. There are no ‘fairy tales’, and none can be made. I’ve finally understood that… No, I’ve finally admitted it.”

Clyde’s expression… hadn’t changed. He wouldn’t understand this through subtle hints alone.

Seeing that, Sara took a deep breath and intentionally made her voice cold.

“I’m sorry. I can’t accept your offer.”

She declared it firmly.

“I can’t understand your thoughts. I can’t empathize with you, and… I don’t even want to.”

“…Wha—no, what… what are you saying?”

Clyde’s panic was obvious.

“Ah, so you’re being controlled to say this. If not, the kind-hearted you would never—”

“It’s my true feelings. You, who can control monsters, should know whether or not I’m being controlled.”

He had never been so clearly rejected by Sara before.

Because she was always so considerate and avoided direct expressions of denial. His obsession with her and his nature twisted that into something else, repeatedly refusing to acknowledge the truth.

But now.

At last, with nowhere to run, her words struck him head-on. Even if he couldn’t accept it mentally, the situation and the logic forced him to understand.

She had no intention of accepting him.

Yet still, Clyde tried to twist the situation to his advantage, but Sara, as always, stopped him with a sad yet calm voice.

“You once said that I ‘misdirect my affection’—but if I had to choose between saving you or the people at the academy, I would choose the latter without hesitation. You, who throw tantrums like a spoiled child without changing a single thought… are much more pitiful.”

“—”

It was… no, because it was her, it was an exceptionally harsh rejection.

Clyde, finally understanding everything, froze with his eyes wide open.

And then.

The obsession that people like him carry—it easily turns into hatred.

“Oh, I see now… You really are beyond saving, aren’t you!?”

As Clyde shouted, a deep, low roar echoed behind him.

Immediately afterward, a massive, earth-toned figure emerged through the black wall.

With reptilian scales, a long neck, and massive, muscular limbs and wings, the presence it exuded was overwhelming. Its vertical pupils, golden and filled with emotion, showed only one thing—pure killing intent.

Everyone knew the name of this monster.

“…A dragon…”

“Indeed, a pureblooded dragon, one of the earth dragons that lurks deep in the labyrinth! It’s on par with even legendary creatures, and yet, I can command a monster like this!”

Clyde boasted proudly. And what he intended to do next was clear.

“Fine then, if those outdated fools mean that much to you—I’ll bury you all together! Starting with you!”

“…Haha.”

A dry laugh escaped her lips at the sheer recklessness of his actions.

“…Sure. You, who I pity, and I, who am empty. It’s a pointless fight, but I guess it suits both of us.”

With a voice that suggested resignation, Sara prepared her own magic in response. She would resist as much as she could—facing the dragon with determination… until she quickly realized her mistake.

“Hahaha! You’re trembling!”

As she looked up again, the dragon’s massive form loomed. Clyde hadn’t been lying when he said it rivaled legendary creatures, its immense magical power made that abundantly clear.

And above all else… she had to face it alone. Where she had barely managed against the Cerberus before, this time, the overwhelming reality turned that courage into terror.

“That’s right, isn’t it? You’re just a magician who can only support others; you can’t do anything on your own! For all your bravado, you’re shaking in fear!”

“Ugh!”

The dragon’s front leg came crashing down.

She immediately raised a barrier to defend herself, but the impact was far beyond what she had imagined. She had no idea how many more strikes she could withstand.

And worse—standing before this monstrous violence, her primal fear—the trembling—it wouldn’t stop.

“Scared, huh!? I bet you are! Maybe you should call out for help from your precious academy! Yell ‘help me!’ though it won’t do any good! Most of them are too scared to do anything, and the few who are fighting are too busy with the main monster force!”

“…Guh!”

“Even if someone could come, I’ve surrounded this barrier with powerful sub-dragon creatures. No bloodline magic will break it! In other words—no one can help you!”

Clyde, reveling in his absolute dominance, taunted her mercilessly, thoroughly enjoying her torment.

“This is what happens when you refuse my hand and choose to save those worthless fools, oh ‘saint of hypocrisy’! When you’re gone, the rest of the academy will be wiped out too. Do you get it now? You won’t save anyone!!”

Unable to hide his malicious glee, Clyde proudly delivered his final declaration.

“You can’t protect anything, and the academy students, trembling in fear, can’t do anything either! The only ones who are worthless here are you lot. Come on, if you’re frustrated or scared, why don’t you scream for help? Not that anyone will come for you!”

An ear-splitting crash rang out.

“…Huh?”

That was the sound of the black wall being shattered. Clyde turned to look at the broken section, bewildered.

Then came another, louder crash. A massive hole opened, large enough for a person to pass through, and emerging from it—

“…Thank you for your tiresome lecture. I thought my ears would rot listening to it while dealing with the sub-dragons.”

A silver-haired boy, wielding a massive greatsword glowing with purple flames, stood there, exuding an overwhelming magical power.

“And now, though I understand it’s a rather unreasonable and barbaric thing to do—”

With eyes steeled in cold determination, an emotion he hadn’t felt in a long time, he gazed at Clyde, his face expressionless.

“—May I punch you once, just to get it out of the way?”

His declaration was chillingly quiet.

Yet his presence was far more terrifying than anything else in that place.

Unconsciously, Clyde took a step back.