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 130.2. Atonement And Observation

“…Ah, guess it didn’t work out.”

From afar, a man watches the academy, using a spell of farsight. It’s the same man who earlier deployed the black barrier. He had taken great care to retreat to the limit of the barrier’s range before dispelling it, ensuring no pursuit, and even erased all traces of magic using his own special spell before fleeing to a safe distance. 

Now, he watches the outcome from a secure vantage point.

“Honestly, I thought his magic would work pretty well. That thing with the demon was a nice miscalculation, but… [Ars Paulina], huh? That was unexpected. Even if it was only a fragment, as expected of the Second Magic.”

Muttering to himself, he dispelled his farsight spell. …There’s no need to kill Clyde. He hadn’t been given any significant information, and thanks to magic, he hadn’t even gotten close to uncovering his identity. The guy probably wouldn’t even remember his face anymore. It wasn’t mercy. ─He simply couldn’t care less.

Even the magic tools he lent were disposable. The risk of retrieving them was greater than the reward. Thus, he had no intention of returning to the academy.

“The boss sure asks for some impossible stuff. ‘Inflict major damage to the academy on your own, and without using much magic’, they say. I got lucky finding someone easy to manipulate, but without him, I’d have needed more magic tools. …Seriously, our resources aren’t unlimited, you know.”

He complained, though his tone carried no real malice. If anything, it felt friendly, as if these mutterings were simply a habit of his.

…Well, in any case, the objective was achieved. The fact there were no human casualties was surprising, but the academy itself? That was a different story. Coupled with the threat of the incident, it wouldn’t function as an educational institution for some time.

With that recognition, the man glanced once more at the academy. …And remembered. The reason for attacking this academy. The reported change is said to be occurring within its walls.

“…The oppressed class rises up, and in doing so, they recognize that magical power isn’t everything. That way, the academy would be revitalized by this new value system, huh? Haha, I see─”

Confirming both the effect and its usefulness, the man─laughed, and said…

“─Are you kidding me?”

His tone was far heavier and darker than before, a voice laced with unmistakable honesty.

“Like they’d ever change. No, it’d be a problem if they did. Those fools need to remain as they are—pathetic and ignorant, but with power swelling unchecked.”

If you were to try and change them, you’d have better luck teaching a monkey to speak. It’s nothing but a futile endeavor. Yes, to him, people like Clyde were the perfect ‘nobility’. He valued them for that very reason, and made them the keystone of his plan.

“Don’t change. Stay stagnant. Stay foolish. Keep waving that banner of nobility, gaze at its dazzling light with those stupid faces of yours, and continue staring in awe.”

He continued, his breezy manner barely concealing a hint of true emotion as he spoke.

“Otherwise─how will you properly fall into ruin?”

These words were the heaviest yet. Perhaps aware of his rising exhilaration, the man took a deep breath, returning to his usual tone.

“…Well, I’ve seen all I needed to see. No point sticking around any longer.”

Shifting his gaze away, he murmured to himself, as if convincing himself of the fact.

“Especially─that silver-haired boy. Dangerous. He’s probably the key to the academy’s transformation, and I’d heard he was powerful, but… he was about three times worse than I expected. If I fought him… well, I’d barely scrape by, maybe.”

That’s something to report to the boss, he thought, as he turned away.

“Mission accomplished. Time to retreat. Fighting that kid would be a hassle─”

“It’s an honor.”

─He froze.

“…You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Despite taking every precaution to avoid pursuit, and watching from an undetectable location, there he was. The silver-haired boy─Hermes, who had definitely been in the academy just moments ago, was now standing right behind him in a full combat stance.

…It seemed that, if he wanted to complete the mission successfully, he had one more job to do. The man, breaking into a cold sweat, began to quickly plan his next move.