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 102.1. Teachers

“A-Are you saying that a B-Class student could defeat someone from A-Class?”

“Is that all you can say? I hardly think that argument is more convincing than the evidence laid before us.”

Despite everything, Legendre, the head of the grade, repeats the same argument, and Hermes gives him a cold stare. The mask of friendliness the head once wore had shattered long ago, and now only a face ruled by elitism and fixed ideas glared resentfully at Hermes.

“W-Why do we even have such convenient evidence lined up here? It’s as if you knew we’d be questioning you! You’re only so desperate to prove your innocence because you have something to hide!”

Oh? He’s making a point, though it’s only a small one. However, Hermes had already received a lecture from Jurgen on this. Or rather, everything this group had done so far was exactly what Jurgen and Hermes had anticipated, making their responses far too easy.

“Yes, Duke Thracia expected you to make such unreasonable accusations. He instructed me to ‘prove that there is nothing to hide.’”

“Impossible! The Duke of Thracia, who has a child in A-Class, would never see these results and not harbor doubts!”

“I see. So, are you implying that I’ve falsely invoked the Duke’s name? Shall we confirm it with him directly?”

“Y-You idiot—Excuse me. Why would I need to tell such an obvious lie? If you want to confirm it, go ahead. I have no right to stop you.”

Hermes paused briefly and then delivered his words like a challenge.

“In that case, you’ll be directly stating, ‘We doubt the Duke of Thracia’s judgment.’ If you’re fine with that.”

The teachers collectively held their breath.

…By now, Hermes had figured out their mindset.

These were people entrenched in rigid classism. Therefore—they had no choice but to heed the words of someone higher in status.

Truly, Hermes was grateful to Jurgen for allowing the use of his name in this situation. In fact, Jurgen had smiled wryly and said, “Go all out.” So this was exactly what he wanted.

Jurgen, who wished to change this country. If so, Hermes would act according to that expectation and his own will.

“B-But even so! It’s not as if everything can be explained with just these documents!”

As he thought about this, another teacher seemed to find the next flimsy excuse.

“After all, what’s recorded here is only what happened during the competition! What if something was done before—before the competition, during practice?”

“Yes, exactly! Didn’t you lot spend every day in the training grounds doing something suspicious? You must have prepared something there!”

Sigh.

Hermes, expecting this next move, intentionally let out a disinterested sigh to irritate the other side before replying slowly.

“I see. During those after-school training sessions… So, are you saying, for example, that we used drugs or tools to unfairly enhance the students’ magic power or performance?”

“Exactly!”

“I see, during that time. So, during training at the academy, in that place you often came to mock, I supposedly did something—and yet…”

Once again, Hermes drastically changed the tone of his voice and the temperature of his gaze.

“…You’re saying you couldn’t detect anything, but something must have happened?”

It was a scathing remark.

It wasn’t just during training. The same applies to the actual competition. If Hermes had done something unfair to the B-Class students—

The teachers, who should be watching the students more closely than anyone, couldn’t detect a thing.

In other words, Hermes was challenging them, declaring, “You’re publicly admitting that your observation skills are worthless.”

If the teachers truly doubted Hermes, and if they considered themselves teachers, they would continue their pursuit.

But… Hermes could confidently say that the adults before him were different. Drenched in self-consciousness, these people had the instinctive need to justify themselves.

When faced with the balance of “exposing dishonesty” and “hiding one’s own incompetence,” they would unhesitatingly choose the latter. This was something Hermes both knew and had heard of.

In this case, there was no wrongdoing, but even if there had been, the outcome wouldn’t change.

No, before that—even in this competition, they had exposed their lack of leadership. Whatever the reality, many of the instructors in charge of A-Class were present here. The defeat of A-Class might already have led to backlash from the parents, meaning high-ranking nobles.

In other words, if they forced the issue of dishonesty, they’d be criticized for their lack of insight, and if they couldn’t uncover anything, they’d be mocked for their lack of leadership.

Either way, it would be hell for those who valued their honor.

Realizing this, the teachers fell into a heavy silence.

The effect was profound. Although there were still some minor questions, Hermes calmly and consistently refuted every point.

Eventually, as the silence became more dominant—the head of the grade, Legendre, finally spoke up from the front.

“…Who are you, anyway? No matter how favored you are by the House of Thracia, you’re just a commoner and a servant. You were once called a prodigy, but that’s all in the past. Now, you’re just a mediocre magician.”

“…”

“And as proof, you couldn’t defeat a single A-Class student using their bloodline magic in the competition. You were powerless and beaten by the Duke’s daughter. Yet you dare speak so arrogantly? Have you ever considered knowing your place!?”