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 107.1. Persuasion

On a day off, Clyde suddenly appeared at the Hartmann residence.

In a panic, Ilmina welcomed him, issuing high-handed orders to the servants to quickly prepare tea.

After a string of flattering remarks from Ilmina, Clyde accepted them and took a sip of the tea that had been brought to him, finally getting to the main point.

His business was, more or less, what Sara had anticipated.

“…That’s the gist of it. Sara’s brilliant performance greatly contributed to B-Class’s victory, despite the unfair circumstances. This, in turn, proves that Sara possesses magical power far too valuable to be wasted in B-Class!”

“Exactly right, Clyde-sama!”

…What was unexpected was that he came at the worst possible time, just as she was discussing this matter with her mother.

Because of this, her mother became overly excited and completely in sync with Clyde.

“That’s why I’m here to propose—Sara, would you like to transfer to A-Class?”

And so, he made one of his primary proposals.

“Don’t worry, I’ll persuade the faculty. After all, those incompetents couldn’t uncover the wrongdoings of B-Class, so using that as leverage, it should be easy to convince them. I’ve always thought it was odd for someone of your caliber to be stuck in B-Class.”

“As expected of Clyde-sama! Sara, of course, you’ll accept, right?”

Clyde, confident in his righteousness, displayed a graceful expression. And Ilmina, blushing at his noble demeanor, agreed wholeheartedly.

“Clyde-sama himself is saying this much! Yes, of course, we’ll proceed positively. But Clyde-sama, you see… Sara has been approached by many noblemen…”

“Ah, that’s a grave matter. Of course, it would be wise for me to decide on a lifelong partner sooner rather than later. Sara would be a perfect choice, and I’ll consider it positively.”

“Oh, my!”

Understanding Ilmina’s roundabout words perfectly, Clyde responded with an answer that was perfect in her eyes. Ilmina’s cheeks flushed with joy, and she exclaimed happily.

“Oh, what a wonderful day this is! My Sara is finally being properly recognized! Rejoice, Sara, your happiness and glory are just around the corner!”

Ilmina looked at Sara with genuine joy.

—No. Surely, her mother had never truly seen her.

…That was what made it sad.

Even though there were likely no proper memories, only the image of her mother harshly and forcefully remaking her remained.

Still, they were family.

So now, more than ever…

To convey her own feelings, Sara took a deep breath.

‘You are surely overlooking your own heart.’

That boy, Hermes, whom she met by chance in an alley in the downtown area.

Katia’s childhood friend, who carried an air of something different from others. The words he spoke had stunned Sara deeply.

[—It’s not that I’m not my own person, but I don’t care what happens to someone like me.]

Why, she wondered.

How could he so accurately articulate what was in her heart?

It piqued her interest. She wanted to know what kind of heart he had. She wanted to see it.

—And she admired it.

Calm, yet intense. Though filled with doubts and worries, his core remained unshaken.

Striving towards his goals, not with words but through his way of being, he changed those around him one by one. Sara felt an intense admiration.

Even after entering the academy, that admiration never waned. Expecting that, she even made a rather forceful attempt to keep him.

…She wanted to be like that.

No matter how helpless or easily swayed she had been.

If she could move forward with something that defined her, how wonderful would that be?

She wanted to become like him.

She wanted to become someone who could influence those around her with certainty.

—She wanted to become someone who could change others.

With that desire, she opened her mouth.

“…Clyde-sama. Let’s stop this.”

First, Sara spoke to Clyde.

Without averting her gaze, without hesitating in her words, she faced him directly.

“Even if you were to pull me into A-Class, it doesn’t mean you’d win.”

“What!? Wh-why do you say that?”

“It’s obvious. …In fact, I think it would backfire. In that case, Hermes would surely do whatever it takes to win. The members of B-Class would become even stronger than they were before. —In the end, it would only prove that B-Class is strong even without me.”

First, with her natural insight, she accurately saw through Clyde’s intentions for coming here.

Then, calmly, she told him that his plan would fail.

“And above all else—B-Class has done nothing wrong. They gained that power fair and square. …I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I cannot lie about that.”

She firmly presented the part of herself that she couldn’t compromise.

“I understand how you feel… but I think it’s time to acknowledge it. The academy is changing, with Hermes at the center. It’s a change that surely can’t be stopped anymore. If you act accordingly after accepting that, there’s still time.”

“……”

“But if you don’t, you may end up losing even your current position.”

And finally, she sternly, yet sincerely, persuaded him with a logical argument. Understanding his desires, she carefully chose words that were neither excessive nor insufficient.

“…Mother, as I just mentioned, the academy is in a time of great change.”

She then turned the same gaze toward her mother.

“Born as a noble daughter with such magical power, the issues you’ve raised will always follow me. In that sense, I appreciate that you’ve thought seriously about this… But that’s why I ask that we refrain from such discussions for now.”

“……”

“Once the changes in the academy and this country have settled, I believe I’ll be able to make a choice I won’t regret. After that, I want to carefully consider and decide for myself… That’s what I wish to do. So, please.”

After saying all this in one breath, she bowed her head, her will unwavering.

Sara’s words were, in terms of persuasion, exceedingly commendable.

She expressed her own intentions while respecting those of her opponents. She laid out her reasoning clearly and honored her opponents without unnecessarily provoking them. Her words were truly persuasive.

…However, she didn’t know. She had so little experience in expressing her will that she couldn’t fully grasp it.

In a sense, her misfortune lay in the fact that the first person she tried to persuade with her own will was—Hermes.

And that persuasion succeeded in the best possible way.

…Yes. In demonstrating her opinion and persuading others.

She hadn’t realized that not everyone was an ideal conversational partner like Hermes, who would listen sincerely, understand, and consider the argument. Such individuals were, in fact, rare.

Most people weren’t like that. In fact—

—Some people have no intention of listening from the start, something she hadn’t yet realized.

“—How dare this child say such awful things!!”