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?

Short Story 1. A Request From Master And Servant

After settling the past issues surrounding Sara at her family home for the time being.

The master and servant decided to follow their initial plan and take her around the royal capital to cheer up the mentally exhausted Sara.

(…Now then)

Her face still bore traces of sorrow.

…It was only natural. Leaving that house must have been a monumental decision for Sara, one that would shape her life. She likely felt a mix of anxiety and fear for the future.

To cheer her up… Katia’s order was to ‘treat her as you would treat me.’

“Sara-sama.”

First, he made her a suggestion.

“──May I have your hand?”

“…………Huh?”

Sara seemed momentarily confused by the outstretched hand.

But soon realizing its meaning, her cheeks flushed lightly.

“W-what!?”

“The royal capital is crowded on holidays. It would be dangerous if we were to get separated, so when I go out with Katia-sama, we usually hold hands like this… Is this uncomfortable for you? If so…”

“N-no!”

Thinking she might dislike it, he started to retract his offer, but Sara quickly responded, and then, timidly, she extended her hand as well.

Feeling relieved that she didn’t seem to mind, he gently took her hand.

Her fingers, smooth like whitebait, were soft and delicate.

The moment their hands touched, Sara’s body tensed up, and she hesitantly asked.

“S-so, after this…?”

“Well… since you mentioned wanting something sweet, I was thinking of taking you to one of Katia-sama’s favorite places. I’ll lead the way, but it will be a bit of a walk.”

Silence wasn’t ideal. With that in mind, Hermes decided to break it.

“──I’ll compliment you.”

“…………What?”

Sara tilted her head slightly at the abrupt statement, and Hermes added.

“It seems that I tend not to show my feelings well and often lack the right words. …There was a time in the past when this caused a rather significant misunderstanding.”

He recalled, with a wry smile, the time he conflicted with Aster. Specifically, the incident when he rescued Katia from her imprisonment.

While it wasn’t entirely a misunderstanding, hearing ‘You probably don’t care anyway,’ had stung, even for him.

So, he thought he’d take the opportunity to reflect on that. Besides, his goal was to cheer up someone who seemed to have little confidence in herself.

“That’s why, I’m going to compliment you. I’ll thoroughly explain how I evaluate you and how much respect I have for you, with as much care as possible.”

“Eh, no, um…”

“Misunderstandings and underestimations aren’t good. It would help if you fully understood your worth. Now, then.”

With their hands still linked, Hermes started walking, smiling as he spoke.

Sara, overwhelmed with confusion, embarrassment, and the anxiety of what was about to be said, couldn’t bring herself to stop him.

“First of all, it’s about how you treat others. Maintaining a certain level of respect for everyone, no matter who they are—how difficult that is. The word ‘kind’ is often overused, but I think there are very few people like you who truly embody its meaning. Then there’s──”

Thus began an extremely polite torrent of praise.

◆

“──Well, that about sums it up. How was it?”

“…………Please… spare me…”

The result was as one would expect.

Sara, her face entirely overtaken by embarrassment, with no part left unreddened, covered her face with her free hand and, in a voice barely above a whisper, managed to utter those words.

(…Well, of course it would turn out like this)

Watching over the two from a step behind, Katia smiled softly.

To be honest, it wasn’t as though she didn’t feel some twinge of discomfort.

Even though she had instructed him herself… Hermes was her servant, after all.

But today was different. Katia deeply cared for Sara too.

Today, Sara had been hurt enough. She deserved to be spoiled a little in return.

(…Besides…)

As Katia thought this, she glanced at Sara.

The girl still had her face covered, her cheeks not yet cooled. Of course, part of it was due to embarrassment, but… it was also likely that she didn’t want anyone to see her softened expression.

Even if she tried to hide it, her body language and the atmosphere gave it away. …Receiving such sincere praise, especially one that acknowledged her inner qualities, was something that made her undeniably, undeniably happy.

She was trying desperately to hide her joy, but not quite succeeding, and it was apparent to those around her just how elated she was… frankly, it was incredibly adorable.

(Hermes is good at spoiling people──and Sara is just as good at being spoiled)

Katia thought this as she watched them, feeling a tinge of envy.

“…………Um…”

Sara, after momentarily letting go of Hermes’s hand, approached Katia.

Seeing her slightly out of breath, Katia asked.

“What’s wrong? Did you reach your limit?”

“Y-yes… I think… I’ve learned a lot.”

She must have been referring to Katia’s warning from earlier, telling her to be prepared.

Katia wondered if she should feel relieved that Sara had understood. Just as she pondered what to say, Sara spoke up first.

“…Um, Katia-sama, may I ask you something?”

“? What is it?”

“Hermes said he was ‘treating me the same way he treats you’ earlier, but…”

“────”

“So, um… does that mean he… always does things like that for you, Katia-sama?”

……………Apparently, this girl…

had noticed something she wasn’t supposed to. Maybe her instructions had been a bit too revealing.

Katia thought about how to dodge the question for a moment, but the innocent, expectant look Sara gave her, coupled with her own conscience, wouldn’t allow it.

“…I can’t help it, okay…!”

She admitted it, slightly defensive.

Yes, he does. He spoils her, and quite thoroughly at that. Ever since Rose had come to the Thracia household, it had been this way, and after the competition had ended, things had only escalated a bit… just a bit.

The reason for that was…

“Because Hermes… if I ask, he’ll pretty much do anything! So it’s hard not to push a little sometimes…!”

From spending time with Hermes after their reunion, Katia had learned something very well.

He was… the type who treated certain people with extreme contrast. His demeanor was always calm, making it hard to notice, but in this way, he was the complete opposite of Sara.

He generally had little interest in others, and while his manners remained polite, his treatment could be quite harsh when he didn’t accept someone. Just looking at Clyde made that clear.

However, for those he did accept, those he considered close, he showed immense respect.

Simply put──Hermes was extremely indulgent when it came to his own people.

So yes, he listened to Katia.

Of course, he maintained boundaries. If left unchecked, Katia feared she’d become completely dependent, which neither of them wanted. They both had ideals to strive for, after all, and restraint was necessary.

…But, aside from that. She would occasionally ask for small favors, and there had been more physical affection lately. They even held hands when they went out together. Was that a problem?

“…I see.”

…Though she didn’t spell it out, Sara seemed to pick up on everything from Katia’s expression. She nodded, then with a slightly wistful look, she murmured.

“…I’m jealous.”

──Hearing that, Katia understood.

Sara’s envy wasn’t directed at Katia alone, but at the relationship between Hermes and Katia itself.

That much was clear. For Sara, such a relationship was something she couldn’t hope for. Something she felt she wasn’t allowed to desire. A sign that she still believed she wasn’t worthy of it.

…And that was something Katia simply couldn’t tolerate.

──”Huh? Ka-Katia-sama?”

Without a word, Katia took Sara’s hand, holding it firmly as if to say she had no intention of letting go.

“You’re right, it’s not fair to leave everything to Hermes. I should follow his lead.”

With a firm resolve to spoil Sara today as well.

Katia tugged her along, walking ahead. After a few steps, she glanced back at Sara with a teasing smile.

“Today, I’ll grant your wishes too. Whether you tell me or not… I’ll pull them out of you and make them come true. So be ready.”

“!”

Exchanging a knowing look with Hermes, who had caught up, he took Sara’s other hand, as if in agreement.

May this sweet girl regain her sense of self, they silently wished as they walked together with the now blushing, adorable girl between them.

……And then, by evening, in the guest room of the Trakiia household.

Sara, who had been thoroughly praised, affirmed, and acknowledged, spent some time lying facedown on the bed, steaming like a boiled octopus.

Whether or not it had the desired effect… only the future could tell.