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 122.2. The Story Changes

The faint sound of a pat echoed.

“……?”

Clyde turned to see a small flying creature.

An oval-shaped body with a single flat eye attached, sprouting a pair of black wings from its back.

In short, it resembled a “cartoonish bat”—a creature that, depending on how you looked at it, could even seem adorable. This creature was one of the messenger monsters Hermes had seen several times on his way here.

“……What are you? You’re barely stronger than a carrier pigeon. What could you possibly—”

Just as Clyde, with a suspicious look, began to speak,

—Gape. The monster opened its maw wide before Clyde.

“…………Huh?”

The sudden movement of the creature, whose mouth had previously been non-existent, revealed savage, real teeth far sharper than its round form would suggest. The moment those fangs glistened before Clyde’s eyes,

Chomp! It sank them into his shoulder.

“Gy—Gyaaaaaaahhh!!”

Clyde let out a bloodcurdling scream as blood spurted profusely from his shoulder.

Stunned, Hermes watched the scene unfold.

Not just at the monster’s sudden violent act, but at the creature’s movements themselves.

It didn’t look as though it was rebelling against Clyde’s outbursts—it seemed to be acting out of pure loyalty, as if this attack was for its master’s sake.

The shock and the strange disparity between its behavior and action left even Hermes frozen, while Sara turned pale and could only stare in horror.

Then, after several seconds, the blood pouring from Clyde stopped.

At the same time, the monster’s form began to shift, its body pulsating unnaturally as it merged with Clyde’s own.

Realizing what was happening, Clyde’s face twisted in fear as he screamed,

“Stop! No! What are you doing?! Stop! Don’t come inside me! Don’t take over meeeeeee!!”

His scream marked the beginning.

The creature at his shoulder completely dissolved, its black essence bubbling and spreading over Clyde’s body, eventually covering even his terror-widened eyes.

What emerged was a black cocoon. Inside, Clyde’s desperate struggle continued, but the monster was already casting its magic.

It began to “share” Clyde’s nervous system and actions, fully “merging” with his body.

With high intelligence granted to it, the creature fully displayed its mastery of this advanced magic.

The cocoon grew larger, swelling with its new power, until finally—

“……What the hell is that?”

What emerged was a “monster.”

The monsters Hermes had faced before had, despite their grotesque appearances, maintained a semblance of biological integrity. Their forms made some sense as creatures that could exist in this world.

But this one was different.

It looked nothing like any living being.

It resembled a black shadow, solidified into a lumpy, bell-shaped form. Though it vaguely retained the silhouette of a human, its exaggerated size made it impossible to recognize as such.

Countless disorganized eyes dotted its surface, their white sclera contrasted sharply by pupils that absorbed all light, giving off a sense of lifelessness.

And protruding from the bell-shaped mass were a dozen or so arms—while they ended in palms, their twisting, writhing length made them seem more like tentacles. The attempt to imitate human form only made it more grotesque.

This thing wasn’t just a living creature; it was a black, malevolent thing. It was as if a child’s crude drawing had come to life in front of them.

Its many eyes suddenly all turned toward Hermes.

“…! Sara-sama, can you stand?”

In that instant, Hermes understood.

This creature was far more than it seemed. As much as he hated to admit it, the pressure it exuded was on par with—or perhaps even surpassed—that of the Cerberus.

“This monster is bad news. I can’t guarantee I can take it down alone. I’ll need your help.”

“…! Y-yes!”

Sara, knowing Hermes’ strength, grasped the weight of his words.

She realized they were facing an extraordinary crisis, and despite her confusion, she stood up.

“…Well then.”

It seemed this commotion carried greater problems than anticipated.

And to resolve it—one final monster had to be slain.

Facing the black creature in the shadowy room, Hermes raised his sword wreathed in violet flames, ready to confront the abomination.