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 174. Encounter

Nina reflects.

On the turbulent month at the Magic Academy.

A boy who suddenly appeared at the academy midterm became the center of a thrilling revolution, breaking down rigid conventions with invigorating force.

By sheer luck—or rather, some prior knowledge—she was able to witness it all unfold right by his side.

Around him were many others… so many bright, radiant individuals.

To have been able to spend time among such people was a great honor for her.

In fact, that one month was undoubtedly one of the happiest times in Nina’s life.

But… deep down, the truth is—

Each time she spent with those amazing people.

With those earnest, sparkling individuals—

An unbearable, feverish feeling, a gnawing thought, would torment her.

In other words—

—Am I really allowed to be here?

◆

Dusk, at the Harvist Territory’s fortress.

After reconciling completely with the soldiers, everyone had hurriedly set about planning to crush the Northern Alliance.

Amid the ensuing chaos, Hermes and Liliana were once again facing each other in the meeting room.

“Today is the day.”

With that, Hermes began.

“Judging by the patterns so far, it’s likely the Archbishop conducts her future readings from night into morning. In other words—right now, before she performs her next reading, and after today’s predictions are no longer valid— This is the moment. While I can’t say for sure my actions won’t be read, they should be harder to predict.”

Yes, today, they were already walking a path completely diverged from the Archbishop’s foresight, thanks to a massive irregularity.

But the moment she performs her next prediction, that irregularity would likely be corrected.

That’s why—today.

Right now, before the Archbishop could foresee their actions—

“We’ll finish all the preparations.”

Hermes declared.

Among the preparations underway for the Northern Alliance campaign in Harvist Territory, Hermes had two key tasks.

“One of them, the ‘development of the magic you conceptualized, Lily-sama,’ is already underway.

I’ve received your draft.”

Saying this, he summoned a slate—the [Emerald Tablet]—to his hand.

It already contained Liliana’s blueprint for the magic she envisioned—not just envisioned, but was striving to create.

Of course, even with the [Emerald Tablet], Liliana had only inherited it a month ago.

This creation magic wasn’t so lenient as to allow her to develop a spell with such little experience.

Even with her strong will, she lacked the skill and knowledge to shape it into reality.

And that is precisely why Hermes—

Though he lacked the emotional drive necessary to create magic. Having once created a spell, and possessing unparalleled development skills,

Would fill the gap.

In essence, it was a joint project.

Liliana, with her drive and budding knowledge of creation magic, would craft the concept.

Hermes would refine it into a usable form.

A feat possible only because two [Emerald Tablet] users, Hermes’ exceptional skill, and Liliana’s extraordinary learning speed were involved.

Additionally, Hermes’ active involvement raised the risk of the Archbishop foreseeing the spell as a trump card.

But, as he just mentioned, working on it now mitigated that risk.

“I will—”

With firm resolve, Hermes spoke.

“I will resolve every technical issue by the end of the day. Final adjustments will still fall to you, Lily-sama, But I’ll ensure you have everything you need to complete it. So…”

So, what Hermes now wanted Liliana to do was the second task.

“—Contact Nina-sama.”

It was a critical mission involving the girl who held the key to defeating the Archbishop.

And given the circumstances surrounding future predictions and other constraints, Liliana was the only suitable person for the job.

“That’s fine, but… can I make contact?”

“You can. Nina-sama is likely a valuable pawn for the Archbishop, bound by a geas. If the Archbishop foresaw this moment, she would undoubtedly deploy a saboteur to overrun this fortress. And Nina, a solo operator, is the most likely candidate.”

Thus, Liliana would be sent to persuade Nina.

Nina was close to the Archbishop’s side. The Archbishop had fortified herself thoroughly against Hermes.

She would likely avoid any scenario where Nina and Hermes met, as it could undermine her plans.

Hence, sending the unpredictable Liliana instead.

“With this, Nina-sama will be approached, persuaded, and brought to our side. It’s a dangerous mission. Ideally, I would go myself, but…”

Here, Hermes clenched his teeth.

This was a first—being the least able to act.

In this critical moment, he had to rely on others, a frustrating sense of helplessness washing over him.

Seeing this, Liliana felt admiration for Hermes’ deep sense of responsibility toward his allies.

But at the same time—

—Do you think so little of me?

Though she understood it was the logical choice, she felt a twinge of frustration.

“Leave it to me, Master.”

With a touch of protest, Liliana stepped closer, taking his hand.

“Master, you’ve worked far too hard up until now. The masters I know sit back with dignity, quietly imparting wisdom, guiding the way. Watching over their disciples, staying nearby when needed—”

She added a hint of her own ideal master.

“And—when their disciple succeeds, they lavish them with praise.”

“!”

She gazed up at him with a sweet, expectant look.

Releasing his hand, she smiled once more.

“So, please rest assured. I will fulfill your wish without fail.”

Hermes, with a smile of gratitude and relief, entrusted her with a few final instructions and a crucial tool.

And with that, Liliana dashed from the fortress, ready to deliver the final blow against the Archbishop.

◆

Then, Liliana circled the fortress’s outer walls, guided by a mix of logic—predicting areas “Hermes absolutely cannot reach”—and intuition, patrolling for about an hour before finally—

“…A perfect hit, it seems.”

She found her.

Just as Hermes had predicted, the silver-haired girl was working to sabotage the Harvist Territory for the next day’s assault.

Approaching swiftly, but carefully, she ensured not to provoke excessive caution.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you—or perhaps that’s not entirely accurate, is it?”

She spoke to the girl.

“…May I have a moment of your time, Nina von Frodite?”

“──!”

The addressed Nina turned toward her, faint surprise in her gaze.

Though technically their first direct encounter since the initial skirmish, the two stood as if meeting for the first time.

“…”

Liliana took a good look at Nina once more.

(…What a beautiful person she is.)

Her silky silver hair, tied up for practicality, could not hide its allure. Coupled with her refined features and rare golden eyes, she exuded an almost otherworldly charm.

Yet now, her face bore clear traces of fatigue, her movements languid. Oddly, this only heightened her unique allure, giving her a kind of decadent beauty.

“…Ah, the charming princess,”

Nina said, quickly recovering from her initial surprise.

Her tone, though casual, carried the weight of an adversary.

“Well, I suppose it’s no wonder your appearance wasn’t foreseen.”

“Yes… I’ve heard about you too. You’re one of my master—Hermes’—old friends.”

At that, Nina widened her eyes slightly.

“Master… Hmm. I ‘know’ about you as well. Hermes’ apprentice, right?”

And then—

“…I’m envious, really.”

“!”

Her tone shifted. Though still friendly, it carried an unsettling edge.

She continued, her words tinged with both melancholy and inevitability.

“…You want to talk, don’t you? Sure, I’m up for that. But I’m sorry—meeting you means there’s something I have to do.”

She dropped into a stance, pulling a tool from her pouch.

“The Archbishop isn’t foolish—far from it. Naturally, they anticipated your unpredictability to some extent. So, they gave me a command in advance.”

With practiced ease, she transformed the tool into a sword using general-purpose magic.

“If, by some chance, I encounter you—under no circumstances am I to let you escape.”

“!”

“Well then, let’s chat… while we play a little game of tag.”

Her demeanor left no room for doubt.

…Or rather, it was as though she was compelled not to hold back. While her actions seemed unrestricted, her overarching behavior betrayed a coercion to capture Liliana.

(…Just as predicted.)

Naturally, Liliana—Hermes—had accounted for this scenario.

That’s why he had entrusted her with “this.”

Like Nina, Liliana reached into her pouch and produced something—a black, crystalline magical artifact.

“! …I see. Well, I suppose you wouldn’t go quietly.”

Nina recognized the artifact and nodded in understanding.

Indeed, when planning for contact with Nina, they had fully anticipated that she might attempt to capture Liliana. Though she seemed to hold some special regard for Liliana, any other envoy would have faced a direct clash.

And that was precisely why Liliana had been chosen.

Among those capable of reaching Nina, she alone was immune to Nina’s magic.

Because Nina didn’t know her. Because there was no bond between them. Only Liliana could stand on equal footing, ready for the confrontation.

However, the power gap between them was still significant.

To bridge that gap, Hermes had entrusted her with this artifact—a countermeasure specifically designed for Nina.

Thus, Liliana took up her stance. Evading Nina’s attacks while fulfilling her mission: to gather information and draw Nina to their side.

“…I’m sorry.”

Sensing the imminent clash, Nina spoke softly.

“I’m really glad you came. But… I can’t do anything about this.”

Her face was deeply troubled, her expression a mix of resignation and frustration.

“And… seeing you now, I can’t help but feel a bit jealous.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

Recognizing Nina’s circumstances, Liliana responded firmly, unwavering.

“I understand. I know how fortunate I am right now—and how terribly cruel your circumstances must have been.”

“!”

“So don’t hesitate to come at me. I’m quite confident in my skills at tag, and… showing my worth to my future subjects is part of my duty as well.”

Her words carried the unmistakable dignity of a future queen, causing Nina to—

“…I said something pretty unreasonable, didn’t I? But you still forgave me. Oh, princess, you’re making this tough for me. Because—”

The same words she had once said to Hermes at the academy escaped her lips.

Yet this time, with a chilling understanding of how formidable she truly was, Nina uttered them as a prelude to battle.

“──I might just fall for you.”

And so, to fulfill the command forced upon her by the Archbishop, Nina advanced.

And to outmaneuver her and achieve Hermes’ objective, Liliana stood firm.

Thus began the unseen clash between two extraordinary girls.