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 3. Cold

“… No way…”

One day at the duke’s mansion. Katia was in shock. She had just seen something unbelievable.

“That can’t be… Herm…”

Her body trembled, and her voice shook. She gazed at her most trusted servant in disbelief, unable to predict what had happened to him. And with surprise, she uttered an impossible conclusion.

“Herm… has caught a cold?!”

—There were several reasons behind it.

First, ever since Hermes transferred to the academy, he had barely had any time to relax due to the overwhelming number of things happening. On top of that, after the commotion at the academy, Hermes, Katia, and Sara had been called upon repeatedly for interrogations across the kingdom.

… At times, he was forced to give answers he didn’t want to, in order to protect the duke’s house and its secrets. For someone like him, that must have been a heavy mental burden. Katia and Sara, being nobles, were somewhat used to such situations—however, Hermes had been away from the aristocratic world for quite some time, which only added to the strain.

In short—he had experienced far too much, far beyond what a normal person could handle. All that accumulated stress had finally hit him, leading to this moment.

(… Even so…)

That’s what Katia thought. Even so, the idea that Hermes, who had recently honed his magic and other skills to the point where his humanity was in question, would…

—collapse from overwork was something she had never imagined.

… Well, in a way, it was a relief. Confirming that he was human, the entire duke’s house realized they had been relying too much on his superhuman abilities. Even the head of the house, Jurgen, reflected on this and granted him ample time off and thorough care.

With that settled…

“So, Herm…”

In Hermes’ room. Katia sat by his bed, speaking to her servant with a concerned expression.

“Father has granted you enough time to rest, so take it easy. … I’m sorry, I think we pushed you too hard.”

“No… It’s my fault for not managing myself better…”

Even Sara’s magic couldn’t cure a cold. So Hermes, confined to bed for the day, answered in a somewhat heavy voice. Although he seemed like his usual self… his slightly lowered brows, flushed cheeks, and feverish breath told a different story.

“…”

Seeing this, Katia’s heart raced. She had always relied on his strength, but now she saw him weak for the first time. … For this highly personal reason, she fought tooth and nail with Layla, who insisted she could catch the illness, and also turned down Sara’s mildly forceful request, ultimately winning the right to visit him.

Thus, in a space reserved for the two of them, albeit with a time limit imposed by Layla, Katia savored this rare opportunity to see a different side of Hermes. … Well, “savored” might be a stretch, as his feverish appearance was almost overwhelming. Usually calm and composed, the effect of his flushed expression was all the more powerful.

It might be inappropriate, but she couldn’t help wondering where this peculiar allure that only people with colds seemed to have came from. Such thoughts ran through her mind… as a means to stay calm, for she couldn’t keep her composure otherwise. In a way, she felt even more feverish than he did.

But still, she had no intention of leaving. With her cheeks slightly flushed, Katia spoke, blending her concern for him with a touch of her own desires.

“So, um, Herm… Is there anything you want me to do for you?”

“… Something I want you to do?”

“A-anything’s fine! Right now, you’re sick, so don’t worry about being my servant—just rely on me… You can ask for anything. Don’t hold back, okay?”

“… Uh…”

Though she mustered all her courage to ask, he only tilted his head in confusion. Thinking it would help to be more specific, she timidly gave examples.

“For instance… um, are you hungry? I-I could feed you—”

“I’m fine, really. I’m not so weak that I can’t move my hands… And I did have a light meal earlier, so thank you for your concern.”

“Then, um, have you broken a sweat? Do you need a change of clothes—?”

“Rest assured, I have plenty of spares at hand. I can’t cause more trouble than necessary.”

“A-are you feeling too hot? I could get a fresh cloth to cool you down—”

“I can manage that with magic. Even with a cold, I can still use basic spells without issue.”

“…”

—He left no openings. Even with a cold, he was still Hermes. Katia’s desire to care for him, to see him in his vulnerable state, was quickly dashed.

… But well. He was still being considerate, even in his condition, doing what he could for himself. He really wasn’t any trouble… but still.

(At least… rely on me this once…)

With a slight pout, though she knew it would be unreasonable to voice such a complaint, she sighed. She reassured him that nothing was wrong when he worried about her change in mood, then sat back down. Determined to ease his boredom, she started some casual conversation.

“… Still, I was honestly shocked. I never imagined someone like you would collapse from a cold. No offense, but… I just never pictured it.”

“… Haha. Yes, I was surprised too. I never caught a cold once when I was at Master’s place.”

“Wait, really!?”

That truly surprised her.

“During the five years you spent with Rose-sama… not even once? That’s amazing…”

“Yes, well… I couldn’t afford to catch one.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, um… Because…”

Katia tilted her head, unsure of what he meant. Seeing her confusion, Hermes hesitated, then chuckled awkwardly.

“If I couldn’t move… my master would die. Literally.”

“…………Oh.”

She understood immediately. Katia was well aware of Rose’s eccentric personality, particularly how utterly useless she was in non-magical matters. It made perfect sense that Hermes would’ve been responsible for everything in their daily life.

Indeed, Rose’s dependency on him was staggering. The fact that she was so reliant on him that even her life was in his hands… what on earth was that lazy woman doing?

As Katia reminisced about the red-haired witch she hadn’t seen in a while, she noticed something.

“So… yeah. I guess, I haven’t caught a cold since then… Not since my time in the Frenbreed family, when I was locked away.”

“… Herm?”

Something about him had changed. His cheeks were even redder now, and his words slurred. His eyes seemed unfocused.

“Come to think of it… that day too. The cell was so cold… unbearably cold.”

“Herm, are you okay?! Is this…”

Was his fever rising? In a way, it was a sign of recovery, but he was clearly in distress.

“My body was burning, and it was unbearable… lonely, and painful.”

“Wait, hold on! I’ll get Layla to bring something cold right away—”

Panicking, Katia stood up to fetch something to cool him down, but—

—Suddenly, she felt a hot grip seize her hand.

“Herm…?”

There was only one explanation for this. As expected, when she turned around, she saw Hermes’ hand reaching out from the bed, holding hers.

“Wh-what is it? If you need something—”

“… No.”

And so, she sees it.

––His face, awkward and lonely, twisted as if he’s about to cry.

“Don’t go, Katia. It’s strange… I’m usually fine, but… sorry. Today, for some reason, I just feel so… lonely.”

“…Herm.”

At the same time, she realizes. This isn’t his usual self. Judging by his tone and manner, it seems his fever has blurred his memory, and he’s regressed to his childhood.

“…!”

Realizing this, her actions had no hesitation. She sat back down, clasped his outstretched hand with both of hers, and pulled it to her chest. To share her warmth with him, who seemed so lonely.

“…It’s okay, Herm.”

And then, she reassures him.

“I won’t abandon you. I’ll never abandon someone as important as you. I’ll always be here… so, rest easy.”

Whether he heard her or not, she didn’t know, but hearing her voice, he gave a faint smile. Then he closed his eyes. …Soon after, his steady breathing filled the air. His fever was rising, draining his strength, but this was a sign of his recovery as he slipped into sleep.

“………”

…It was a surprise. She never imagined he could show such vulnerability, and… most of all, that expression. His face, usually so stoic and devoid of emotion––even if his mind had regressed, that pained expression meant…

“…Could it be, he’s coming back?”

The part of him that was lost in the capital, the part he’s been hoping to reclaim. Is his heart… slowly starting to return, after living here and attending the academy? If so––it made her so happy. With that joyous thought, Katia watched his peaceful sleeping face and finally let her shoulders relax.

––Only then did she realize what she had been doing, and what she was doing now.

“–––!?”

She finally noticed she had been clutching his hand tightly, pressing it firmly against her chest. And at that moment, her face flushed with heat all the way up to her scalp. A tingling sensation ran through her entire body, like a soft, sweet itch from within.

…And yet, for some reason, she didn’t feel like letting go. His expression, his attitude from earlier––those images were burned into her mind.

––Layla had told her she only had five minutes. But how could she leave him now, when he’d finally shown his vulnerable side, when he asked her to stay?

“…There’s no way I’m leaving…!”

She murmured, her face as red as ever, and tightened her hold on his hand even more.

And so, for quite a while after, she experienced a time filled with an unbearable yet oddly satisfying warmth––and relished every moment of it.

◆

“………So.”

The next day.

“As a result of completely ignoring my instructions and staying by his side for hours, the one thing we wanted to avoid the most has happened––”

As expected––the occupant of the bed had swapped places.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself, Katia, who has so thoroughly caught the cold?”

“…Absolutely, nothing.”

Layla stood in front of the bed, arms crossed, exasperation and anger both evident. Meanwhile, Katia, with a feverish breath, half-hid her face under the blanket as she responded apologetically.

“Are you reflecting on your actions?”

“Of course. But…”

Even as she answered Layla honestly, Katia, now suffering from impaired judgment, said something she shouldn’t have.

“…Honestly, I don’t regret it at all.”

“Katia-sama?”

“Be-because…!”

As Layla’s smile grew more intense, Katia hid her face even more. From behind them, a voice called out… it was Elmes, now fully recovered.

“Um, Layla. My memory’s a bit hazy, but if this is partly my fault, I should take care of Katia this time––”

“Please don’t! I can already foresee an infinite loop of you two getting each other sick! Plus, your presence will only make Katia-sama’s body temperature rise for other reasons!”

“No, but since it’s my responsibility––”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you two are adorable! But just this once, leave it to me!”

Thus, an exceptionally rare sight unfolded in this household––an adult scolding the younger ones. In a way, the heartwarming dynamic between the two, showing a side befitting their age, only deepened the affection everyone felt toward them.

And as Katia lay in bed, watching them with a fond, albeit feverish smile, the matter came to a peaceful close.