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 85. The Same Path

“…Sara-sama.”

Hermes calls out the name of the girl who is holding his hand, stopping him.

Though Sara looks slightly intimidated by Hermes’ cold gaze, she slowly and carefully weaves her words.

“……Please, reconsider. I believe Albert’s words were indeed problematic. But… I will apologize for that as well, and we can talk it through properly. So, please.”

“Why should you apologize? You’re not the one at fault”

“…Because we are classmates. And I am the class president of Class B. The fact that I can’t keep you here… also carries some responsibility on my part.”

Honestly, it was a way of thinking Hermes could hardly understand.

From Hermes’ perspective, ultimately, an individual is just an individual. No matter what they do, the responsibility, whether good or bad, falls on them.

After all, that is the essence of magic. Even if influenced by others, in the end, it must be the shape of one’s own wishes.

Sara continues.

“Hermes. You once told me it was okay to believe in my own feelings. Thanks to that, I am here now. In the same way, can’t you also believe a little more in the feelings of others? Of your classmates?”

“…That was because I saw potential in you. I do not feel nor intend to feel the same for them. To be blunt, I don’t care.”

“…”

It might be a flaw, if it could be called that, of Hermes.

What he felt and did for Katia and Sara was truly an exception.

With his thin emotional highs and lows, his ability to empathize with others is extremely low. This is his default response to those he doesn’t wish to empathize with.

Sensing Hermes’ resolute will, Sara falters and lowers her head.

…At this point, he could have ended the conversation.

But her expression was so earnest and serious that he couldn’t help but feel a slight curiosity.

“Let me ask you instead”

“Yes?”

“Why do you go to such lengths to defend them? I know you don’t like your friends being spoken ill of, but why do you do so much for them?”

“!”

“That’s why I want to know. Your reason, your principles.”

Faced with Hermes’ question, Sara looks down and contemplates.

She wasn’t at a loss for an answer; she understood this was a crucial point to hold him back.

Then, she finally looks up and speaks.

“…Because I respect them.”

“Respect?”

“Yes. You, the class, and not just them but humans in general. People who have proper intentions and their own stories.”

“…”

Perhaps finding her words too vague, Sara takes a breath and continues with a slight smile.

“…Albert, indeed, is a bit stubborn. But on the flip side, he has strong willpower and works hard to do his best in any situation.”

“──”

“Nina is a bit of a joker and moody, but when it comes to what she can’t compromise on, she’s very determined. Also, she cares a lot about her friends.”

“Oh, stop it, you’re making me blush.”

“Beatrix might be hard to understand sometimes, but she always tries her best to convey what she wants to say. Rain might be quiet, but he’s very considerate. Castor──”

Thus, one by one, Sara sincerely and wholeheartedly lists the good points of her classmates. None of her compliments felt forced or redundant.

“That’s about it. Of course, it might not apply to everyone, but if you try to know them properly, you will find many respectable traits. …Much more than you might think.”

“──”

At that moment, Hermes understands.

The difference between himself and Sara, and the opposite nature they have.

If one’s impression of others is defined by their likes and dislikes:

Hermes’ impression of someone he meets for the first time is ‘neutral’. It doesn’t lean towards like or dislike, a very flat state. In other words, he has no interest at all.

In contrast, Sara’s impression starts from ‘like’. She approaches wanting to befriend and understand the other person and, as she declared, finds many respectable traits in them.

What makes this possible is her polar opposite nature to Hermes: her high empathy.

Because of this, she is likely so adored by her classmates.

“…”

It’s still hard to say he fully understands her way of thinking.

But──just her way of being. He felt a faint admiration for it.

“Herm-kun…”

Sensing the slight wavering in his heart, Nina calls out from behind.

“Honestly, I understand your feelings very well… so I can’t stop you as fervently as Sara. But…”

After this preamble, Nina shows a fleeting, somewhat wistful expression.

“If you go down that path──it’ll be very lonely. Just like the ‘Sky Witch’.”

“!”

Nina couldn’t possibly know that Hermes is Rose’s disciple.

But──precisely because of that, her words resonate deeply within Hermes.

…Indeed, it is so.

Hated, shunned, and rejected, giving up on any involvement.

Right now, he stands at the point where he could follow the same path as his mentor.

He doesn’t particularly see this as a bad thing.

But the fact remains, during his training days, he often saw his mentor’s face looking lonely, fighting near the royal capital after leaving it.

“…Hermes. I respect you too. I wish you could see the good in those I respect, in the same place. And more than anything, I want to know you better and for you to know me..”

“…”

“So, I apologize again. Please…”

With that, she clasps her hands together and bows her head.

It looks almost as if she is praying to bring back a monster that is straying away from humanity.

“──”

Sara and Nina’s words bring Hermes back to a certain level of calm.

But the fact remains that he is disappointed with everyone in Class B, except for those two.

Therefore, he.

“…If you intend to get to know the person properly──”

Repeating part of Sara’s words, he decides and looks ahead to confirm.

“…Sara-sama, and Albert-sama. Could you two alone accompany me to a certain place?”