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?

Extra chapter thanks to Max

Chapter 45. Struggle

“…I win, Your Highness.”

Katia’s words, spoken while looking down at Aster carried a conviction. Aster, upon receiving her gaze, returned it with a face that seemed incredulous.

Then, he assessed his body and the current situation with a wandering gaze, objectively confirming how the situation appeared in terms of superiority or inferiority.

“…No…!”

He still refused to acknowledge it.

“No, no, no, no, no! It’s impossible, I can’t lose!! …That’s right, this is also a trial. I still have room for awakening; otherwise, it would be absurd!”

“…So you’re still clinging to the awakening of convenient power rather than your own will.”

“Shut up! You think someone like you can measure me with your own yardstick!”

As the man who had always measured others with his own yardstick screamed, receiving the consequences in real-time, he continued.

“Right, [Ahura Mazda]! The strongest magic dwelling within me! A magic worthy of reigning as king and guiding the people! Its true value shouldn’t be like this! Show your true worth, awaken, and rise! I am, I am indeed the foremost magician in this country!!”

The nature of magic is largely influenced by the emotions of the spellcaster.

Words once spoken by Hermes. Since magic is born from some wish or feeling, this nature seems reasonable.

The degree of dependence varies from magic to magic. For example, Katia’s [Soteira Trivia] exhibits this tendency particularly strongly.

―And so did Aster’s [Ahura Mazda].

At that time, Hermes spoke like this:

What matters most is the ‘purity’ of the feelings.

Aster Joseph von Eustia believed unwaveringly. That he was the greatest magician in the kingdom. He was chosen by God from birth, and there was absolutely no one superior to him.

Those superior to him either harbored some fatal flaw, or they were trials sent by God for him to surpass.

Such self-serving, twisted, and distorted—but pure feelings from the depths of his heart.

In a sense, Aster’s mentality as a magician reached an extreme, making him extremely suitable for handling [Ahura Mazda].

Therefore, this magic had been his strength to the fullest until now. Just now, it forcibly brought out the release of the magic inscriptions, which should not have been available at this moment, in response to his feelings.

And now, once again. To respond to his insanely strong wish, this magic was trying to grant him even more power.

―But he realized. It’s impossible anymore.

The true value of [Ahura Mazda] lies in flames and the manipulation of them by the host. It is magic that gives the owner overwhelming firepower and physical abilities. Thus, this magic had just used a feat of strength by manipulating Aster’s body to release the magic inscriptions.

But it’s already at its limit. Aster’s body is falling apart from the strain. At least for now, giving him more power will break his body.

He can no longer give Aster power. But Aster desires more power.

The magic, caught in a dilemma, mechanically searched for a solution to this situation—

—and found it.

The true value of [Ahura Mazda] lies in flames and their use in manipulation. But the host’s body is now too damaged for manipulation.

Then—manipulating someone other than the host will suffice.

Thus, Aster’s spirit and the nature of magic merged.

His wish manifested in a grotesque form.

Suddenly.

Flames radiated from within Aster’s body.

“What!?”

Instantly, Katia defended herself with ghostly soldiers as shields. Those flames didn’t attack Katia—more accurately.

“Was that… not an attack just now?”

Not only Katia but even the ghostly soldiers who should have been hit by the flames showed no signs of damage. The ghostly soldiers, who were prepared to disappear, were expressing confusion with childish voices.

So, what was that just now? Katia’s question was immediately answered.

“W-What… what is this!?”

“M-My body… is moving on its own…!”

The effects appeared on the surrounding people.

The flames struck soldiers who were supposed to be incapacitated by Hermes, and at the same time, they clung to their bodies.

The soldiers staggered to their feet—not voluntarily, but forcibly.

“Uwahh!”

As if being controlled… No, not quite. They were truly being controlled by the flames.

They all rushed at Katia simultaneously.

“Impossible!”

While taken aback, Katia defended against the assaults from all directions with her ghostly soldiers. She then counterattacked, blowing away all those who charged at her with the retaliation of her ghostly soldiers—yet.

“Ugh… ah…”

Like ghosts.

The soldiers, who had just staggered to their feet, attacked Katia again as if repeating the same actions.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!!”

Behind Katia, who was preoccupied with dealing with such soldiers, a loud laugh resounded.

“I see, so that’s how it is, [Ahura Mazda]! A true king not only needs to be strong himself but also needs to skillfully control those around him!!”

“D-Don’t be ridiculous!”

To Aster, who clearly acknowledged that the phenomenon was his own will, Katia retorted.

“This was supposed to be a battle between you and me! Yet you’re… not just controlling the people around you, you’re manipulating them!”

“What are you saying? As a king, therefore, the inhabitants of this country are naturally mine to control! What’s wrong with doing as I please? Besides, enemies of the state like you, demons, should be honored to participate in their own defeat! You should be pleased to sacrifice yourselves!!”

With a triumphant laugh, Aster asserted.

Immediately after. Crack. A dry sound echoed.

“Aggh…!”

The source of the sound was one of the soldiers attacking Katia.

It sounded like a bone breaking somewhere. Unable to even crouch due to the intense pain—let alone defend herself—the soldier continued his assault on Katia.

Forced to continue, against his will.

“Painful… it hurts…”

“P-Please… help me…”

“F-Forgive me… Your Highness…”

Clearly, they were being made to behave beyond the limits of their bodies.

As long as it’s not their own bodies breaking, it doesn’t matter; defeating Katia is the priority.

Aster’s will, prioritized over theirs, doesn’t allow them to stop moving.

It must be unimaginable agony. None of them were rejoicing in their actions.

However, Aster no longer seemed to hear such screams.

“Be grateful, soldiers! I am letting you fight because of your incompetence! And be prepared, Katia! This is the power of this country!!”

“How far will you go!”

The soldiers attacked with even more momentum. Despite the overwhelming movements, Katia was left only to defend herself.

Not only because the soldiers’ movements exceeded their limits, but also because she couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless towards those forced to fight against their will. Her attacks lacked determination.

And thus, her hesitation directly affected her magic.

“Ah!”

She felt the connection with the spirits weakens. As doubts arose in her heart about whether it was right to fight, the performance of her magic decreased, causing some of the ghostly soldiers to disappear.

Taking advantage of this opening, Aster, who was controlling the soldiers, didn’t miss a beat.

“Get her!”

In the gap left by the disappearing ghostly soldiers, the soldiers’ swords surged forward.

She couldn’t avoid it, and her defenses were lacking now. Powerless, a sword pierced her body—

“—Indeed, I cannot overlook this.”

Right before that.

A barrier of light unfolded in front of her body, stopping the swords with a sharp sound.

Cutting through the soldiers’ encirclement and reaching her side in an instant, the boy embraced her body.

“Herm…”

Strongly, he supported her exhausted body.

“Are you… alright?”

“Yes, I used magic to ward off those flames. It’s not just me; Sara over there.”

Turning his gaze in the direction he indicated, there was Sara, deploying a cage of light to protect herself and the surrounding soldiers.

“Um… I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. If anything, I’m sorry for the delay in reinforcements. I was a little confused by the unexpected turn of events.”

Even though he selfishly insisted on doing it alone, he couldn’t fulfill it.

With that guilt, she apologized, but Hermes denied it.

“Besides, this battle is undoubtedly your victory. The match between Aster and Katia was clearly settled in Katia’s favor. His side broke the agreement first and dragged others into it.”

So he spoke with quiet anger.

“If they are going to do that, there is no reason for us not to intervene. —With your permission, of course.”

With a cold gaze, he looked at Aster and said so.