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 13. Labyrinth Exploration

The next day.

Hermes immediately had the opportunity to work at the Trarkia family estate.

“Well then, Hermes. Let me confirm again, today’s task is to explore this ‘labyrinth’ with me.”

Katia declared as they arrived at the border between the Trakia territory and the neighboring territories after a short carriage ride from the main Trakia estate, in the mountainous region.

The entrance to what appeared to be a cave was in one corner, and Katia explained the task.

The primary duties of nobles are managing their territory and protecting the people living there.

The two major threats to the people. Aside from other humans, are monsters and their lairs, the labyrinths.

It’s still unknown how monsters are born. What their purposes are, or why they attack people.

Some say it resulted from some magic going out of control, but the truth remains unknown.

Nevertheless, as long as they threaten humans and become a menace, nobles with powerful magic have the responsibility to subjugate them.

Eliminating monsters threatening the territory and conquering labyrinths with many monsters are part of a noble’s daily life.

Moreover, there are benefits to conquering labyrinths.

If monsters are defeated efficiently, they also can obtain valuable materials, serving as a source of wealth.

Above all, whether due to the nature of the labyrinth or the habits of monsters, occasionally rare magical tools can be found behind powerful monsters or in hidden rooms, adding to the incentive.

Therefore, Katia’s exploration of the labyrinth today serves both duty and profit.

Considering yesterday’s events, it might have been better to stay home today, but it seems urgent to explore the labyrinth.

Nevertheless, Hermes accompanied the exploration as one of the guards.

Yes, as one of the guards.

“Miss Katia, I oppose this!”

Apart from the two, about five Trakia knights were also accompanying them.

They were probably guards for the labyrinth exploration before Hermes arrived. One of them looked at Hermes suspiciously and spoke up.

With a well-built physique and a strong sense of justice evident in his features, he resembled a typical knight.

“I heard we are hiring a new guard exclusively, but to think it’s just this weak-looking slender child! Aren’t we dissatisfied with this arrangement?”

While others didn’t openly oppose, their gazes towards Hermes were similar.

“If I heard correctly, this person is Miss Katia’s childhood friend. But you see, labyrinth exploration is like a battlefield! Do you know how much of a burden it is to carry dead weight?”

“…Well, I expected to hear something like that.”

Katia listened to the knight’s words with a sigh and responded calmly.

“To clarify, I have no complaints about your guarding abilities. Moreover, with him, the efficiency of labyrinth exploration increases significantly. That’s why I hired him. It’s not because of personal reasons…”

There was a subtle pause at the end, which was a bit concerning.

“Anyway, Herm, that’s the situation. You’ll be leading today’s exploration. Show us your strength.”

“Y-Yes.”

After confirming, as they were about to step further into the labyrinth…

“Oh? Could it be the defective young lady over there?”

A shrill voice echoed from the direction of the labyrinth entrance.

Everyone turned to see a middle-aged man there.

He had a quite round figure, almost obscuring the boundary between his neck and chin.

Depending on how you looked at him, his almost circular face could seem cute, but his mocking expression left no room for such interpretations.

“…Count Eldridge.”

Katia muttered the man’s name softly.

“Eldridge?”

“The neighboring territory of Trakia. This mountain is the boundary. What’s the matter, Count?”

“It should be obvious. Can’t you see my knights here?”

In response to Katia’s question, Count Eldridge, accompanied by about ten knights, replied arrogantly.

“We are about to conquer this labyrinth. You better leave.”

“W-What… This labyrinth falls under Trakia’s jurisdiction. We have priority in handling it.”

“Hmph! Forget about that outdated agreement!”

The count laughed at Katia’s objection.

“Rumors say this labyrinth gets infested with powerful monsters, and the legendary ancient magical artifact, the Artifact, is sleeping here! Such a dangerous labyrinth can’t be entrusted to a defective lady like you! I am here out of kindness to assist in the exploration. You should be shedding tears of gratitude! Right?”

His smile was devious.

It was evident his intentions were focused on the rumored ancient magical artifact, intending to discover it quickly and claim the credit.

Considering the rarity and value of ancient magical artifacts, especially those that cannot be replicated with current magic, finding one would be a significant achievement, worthy of rewards from the royal palace.

Just the rumors were enough to make the exploration worthwhile.

“…Regardless of age, agreements are agreements. Shall I report this as an overstep?”

“Do as you like! Not that anyone will take your words seriously anyway!”

The count spread his arms dramatically, mocking her.

“Look at you, a discarded fiancée of a heroic prince, a defective lady who can’t even use magic!”

“…Can’t use magic?”

“Ah.”

Ermes wasn’t fully informed about Katia’s situation.

He hadn’t heard much beyond the broken engagement with the second prince last night, as Katia had clammed up afterward.

She likely didn’t want to talk about it, and Ermes didn’t intend to force her.

…But even so.

It was undeniable that this ugly, fat man was insulting Katia.

“A disgrace to a noble ducal house, abandoned by the heroic prince. What are you doing pretending to be a noble? You should just leave everything to a true magician chosen by the gods like me──ugh!?”

Count Eldridge, who had been talking non-stop, suddenly grimaced.

Because, with a whoosh,

A fireball had passed at incredible speed right by his flabby cheek.

The fireball continued past the knights protecting him──

“Yelp!”

And struck a wolf-like monster that had been sneaking up behind the count, reducing it to ashes in an instant.

“A monster!?”

“Impossible, when did it get here!?”

“Did this child shoot that just now?”

“It was quite powerful… and when did she chant…?”

The first comments were from the count’s knights, and the latter from Katia’s knights.

And Ermes, who had cast the spell and quickly dispatched the monster, said,

“My apologies, Count Eldridge. I took the liberty of aiding you, sensing you were in danger.”

With an overly polite tone, smiling sweetly.

“I interrupted your story. Please, continue. What happens when we leave things to a self-proclaimed god-chosen magician who can’t even notice a minor ambush?”

“E-Ermes…?”

As an aside,

There had been times when Ermes, living with his mentor Rose, couldn’t stand her lazy habits and had reprimanded her.

Recalling those times, Rose once said,

‘When a usually gentle person snaps, it’s scarier than you’d think──even beyond imagination.’

“Please, continue. You were about to impart your wisdom, weren’t you?”

Polite yet with a mysterious forcefulness, Ermes urged.

“W-W-Who are you!”

The count, his round face red with embarrassment and anger, spat out his words at Ermes.

“A servant boy dares defy me! Do you know who I am!”

“I do not, sir. I am uneducated. And I am offended by your accusation of defiance; I was merely helping. You should be shedding tears of gratitude, Count.”

Ermes intentionally repeated the count’s earlier taunting words verbatim.

The count, at a loss for words, turned even redder, resembling an apple.

“~~Hmph!! I’ll remember your face, boy. I’ll make sure you regret insulting me!”

With a trite parting threat, he stormed off deeper into the labyrinth with his knights.

“You slackers! It’s your job to protect me from such attacks! I’ll have your heads!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

The count’s angry voice faded into the depths, leaving a moment of silence among those left behind.

“…Ah, Katia, I’m sorry. I got a bit carried away.”

Hermes, now calmer, apologized and bowed to Katia.

“Huh, no, it’s… f-fine.”

Katia waved her hands in dismissal, avoiding eye contact.

“…Actually, thank you for getting angry. I-I appreciate it.”

“I apologize, young man! I misjudged you!”

A loud apology came from the side.

“Your splendid magic and courage to stand up against the Count’s insults! I deeply regret my ignorance!”

“Uh, um, sure.”

The knights who opposed Hermes’ joining earlier were now praising him fervently.

They were quick to jump to conclusions and were more passionate than initially thought.

“Sorry again for an earlier, young magician!”

“Oh, no problem. It’s understandable given your concern for Katia. I’m not angry, but…”

“You’re such a big-hearted young man! Let’s protect Lady Katia together from now on!”

The knight extended his hand enthusiastically, and Hermes shook it.

“…Is it time to go?”

Katia interjected amidst this heartwarming (or not) scene.

“If you’ve made up, it’s fine. Let’s move forward.”

“Oh, um, Katia, are you really not upset?”

“I’m not upset. Come on, you lead the way!”

“Y-Yes! Still upset, huh?”

With this, except for Katia, everyone was in good spirits, and they ventured into the labyrinth, albeit a bit delayed.