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 124.2. The Fangs Of Malice

A hit.

Running through the other side with the momentum of the charge, Hermes thought so.

He didn’t know much about the monster’s nature, but since Clyde was still based on a human, there had to be a limit somewhere. With that in mind, this strike was undoubtedly a decisive blow. Clyde inside couldn’t have gotten away unharmed── or rather, from the feel of it, his right arm should have at least been blown off from the shoulder.

Of course, Hermes didn’t let his guard down. He’d finish this for sure── he turned toward Clyde and,

Saw the impossible.

“…Wha…”

Nothing.

No wound. No hole. The right side of the body Hermes had just pierced through was completely restored as if the battle had never begun. The creature standing before him was still the same unscathed black monster.

What’s going on? Did it really heal the wound in that split-second moment he took his eyes off it after the attack?

That’s impossible. Such abilities far surpassed the realm of normal healing magic── no, this was beyond any healing magic Hermes knew. He’d considered the possibility that Clyde could use healing spells. That’s why he chose a spell meant to inflict damage that couldn’t be healed instantly.

He couldn’t figure out the trick. As Hermes held his stance and ran through possible explanations, a voice descended upon him.

“……Ahh, it hurts. It really hurts.”

It was Clyde. Still in the form of a blackened monster, he turned around, distorting his crescent-shaped mouth into an ugly, sneering grin, his voice a discordant, grating sound.

“That’s pretty cruel, Hermes. You didn’t hesitate to tear off your classmate’s arm, huh? Are you even human?”

From those words, it was clear his attack had been effective. So then, why? Hermes’ question was answered by Clyde’s smug, triumphant tone.

“But you see, it’s useless. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you strain yourself to land a hit, it’s all pointless! Because── my loyal monsters will take the damage in my place! They’ll die in my place! Ahh, this is what you’d call efficient use of life, wouldn’t you──!” “…………No way.”

Hearing this, a theory crystallized in Hermes’ mind.

The bats’ ability to share information. He had earlier extended that ability, allowing them to share magic──

“……He’s sharing their lives too……!”

That would explain the unnatural speed of his regeneration. But if that were true, This terrifying monster. A being capable of powerful physical attacks, multiple types of magic, and even composite spells. Even though Hermes had gotten somewhat accustomed to it, it remained a dire threat.

How many more times would he have to kill it──?

“Tch!”

Calm down. Fear comes later. He scolded himself. If his theory was correct, the worst-case scenario was that he’d have to keep killing Clyde until all the monsters in the area were wiped out. That was impossible. His magic power would run out long before then, even if he had a method to achieve it.

He had to find another way. Either locate a part of Clyde that couldn’t regenerate── or buy enough time until the people back in the school could whittle down Clyde’s stock of ‘spare lives.’ In any case, he couldn’t stop attacking. He’d have to keep the pressure on until he found a way to break through. Having reached that conclusion, Hermes prepared to charge again.

“……Oh, right.”

At that moment, Clyde’s voice, which would’ve matched a human clapping their hands together, rang out.

──He turned his back on Hermes once again.

“What”

An impossible move. Under normal circumstances, turning your back on an enemy who had the means to kill you was nothing short of suicide.

However…… at that moment, Hermes felt a violent chill run through him.

“That’s right. If I can’t die even if you kill me, there’s no point in dealing with you.”

“!”

“So then──”

Clyde gathered several powerful spells into the many palms of his hands.

And unleashed all of them── in Sara’s direction.

“No……”

“If I just kill the easy ones first, everything’s fine, right?!”

It was an undeniably effective strategy. It didn’t matter if Hermes attacked his back. Clyde, with his multiple lives, could afford that risk. Sacrificing one of his monster’s lives to take out the weaker Sara. It was horrifically efficient, disgustingly pragmatic, and therefore, terrifyingly useful.

And because of that, Hermes didn’t see it coming. Caught off guard by a previously unseen ability, overwhelmed by Clyde’s refusal to confront him directly, Hermes had failed to grasp Clyde’s twisted intent.

That ‘malice,’ the one aspect in which Clyde surpassed him, was why Hermes had reacted too late.

Thus, they learned. That even the noble ideals Hermes cherished, the strength he believed in, and the lofty desires he pursued, Could be torn apart by the filthy, vile, and petty fangs of malice.

“Goodbye, Saint of Hypocrisy──!”

There was no time to cast magic, and Sara had no means to defend herself alone. The deadly barrage of spells, impossible to block──

──mercilessly flew straight toward Sara.