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 87. School Festival Meeting

Thus, a few days passed since Hermes decided to stay at the academy. Compared to the first two days, peaceful days without turmoil continued. In Class B, the head of those who despised Hermes, Albert, had been strangely silent since that day.

Because of this, the other classmates didn’t know how to treat him, and although he remained an outcast, the blatant contempt had disappeared.

For a few days, there were no magic exercises with Class A. In a sense, calm and stable daily life continued. ──But this academy, and with Hermes here, it couldn’t end like this.

On the first day of the week, Hermes was walking down the hallway with Sarah for a certain purpose. The look on her face ahead was one of pure tension. Thinking that it was understandable, he followed her and stood in front of a certain door. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door wide.

“──Hello, everyone in Class B.”

The one who greeted them had an unnecessarily cheerful voice. With a smile as if nothing had happened before.

But his gaze at Sarah was possessive, and towards Hermes, it was filled with hatred. Such a male student──Clyde von Helmut, with Katia behind him, spread his arms as if to dominate the room.

“Let’s begin. ──The meeting for the upcoming school festival’s class representatives!”

That’s what it was about. This magic academy’s school festival is held next month. It’s a grand event where relatively many high-standing individuals, the noble children, shine.

And traditionally, the academy holds performances by grade. Therefore, to finalize these performances, a meeting was held with the class leaders and the festival representatives, totaling four people.

Incidentally, why Hermes, who had only been transferred for about a week, was here was simple: no one else wanted to do it. Of course not. Think about it; being a festival representative means you can participate in this meeting and express your opinions──

──But not at all, at least not for Class B. In this academy, for grade-level performances──where Class A and Class B jointly put on a show, there’s no way Class B’s opinions would be accepted. In fact, in the past, such performances were typically as Class A proposed, and Class B was one-sidedly tasked with the preparations.

No one would want to participate in such a meeting and take on the role of directly receiving Class A’s mockery. Thus, the role fell to Hermes──or rather, was forced upon him.

“……But you know,”

Clyde, not hiding his ridicule, directed his gaze at Hermes, who was there for the above reasons.

“Can Class B judge people well? Making a newly transferred, unknown person a representative. We don’t know what might happen, and it’s a pity for Sarah to be involved.”

“……”

“Miss Sarah, don’t worry. Let’s have a meaningful discussion without being swayed by selfish opinions, just the two of us.”

Clyde smiled only at Sara──could it be that he didn’t remember the words Sarah said during the lunch break the other day?

“……It’s four of us. I trust Hermes and Lady Katia.”

Sarah responded modestly but firmly, making Clyde frown and try to say more.

“──Clyde, get started. Meeting time isn’t unlimited.”

Katia intervened, and Clyde sighed irritably. That’s what we want.

“……Well, let’s begin. ──Here’s my proposal.”

He quickly composed himself and began the meeting, immediately stating his proposal as if he had no doubt it would pass.

“I’ve always thought Class A and Class B should interact more. By humbly thinking of each other and respecting each other, we can build a good relationship.”

“……”

It started somewhat off-topic, but knowing it would be troublesome to point that out, Hermes listened quietly.

“And this is a magic academy. The performance should be related to magic. So I thought of a plan that would show our magic training results to the guests and allow Class A and Class B to interact closely. That is──!”

Finally getting to the main point, Clyde confidently announced his proposal.

“──A group magic battle between Class A and Class B. What do you think?”

“……”

So that’s what he came up with, Hermes thought. Although it wasn’t a pleasant topic, Hermes roughly understood the process behind Clyde’s idea. Clyde probably lost some trust in his class after the joint magic exercise incident the other day. This proposal was to make up for that, to make his classmates feel good and regain their trust. In other words, it was to curry favor.

On a grand stage with many nobles watching, showcasing their magic and thoroughly defeating Class B magicians──for Class A, it was the perfect place to fulfill their self-approval desire. And Hermes looked at Clyde.

His face showed confidence, definite hostility towards Hermes, and pleasure.

──In a group battle, they could work with their classmates to crush Hermes, his true intention was clear.

“……Why a group battle? Isn’t there a proposal for repeated one-on-one matches?”

“That wouldn’t be as entertaining. It’s a performance, after all. We need to entertain the guests.”

“Why a class competition? Can’t we have mixed teams combining strengths?”

“That wouldn’t foster class unity! It’s about working together within the class and competing fairly between classes. That’s how true interaction happens!”

Clyde answered smoothly, as if he had prepared for such questions.

“Besides, why suggest mixed teams? Do you think Class B would definitely lose if we did it normally? Can’t you trust your classmates’ abilities? How deplorable!”

To be able to spout such blatantly false lines. The one who doubts Class B’s defeat the most is you.

……But.

“Herm…”

At that moment, Katia, who had been watching quietly, spoke to Hermes. Clyde tried to stop her, thinking she would say something inconvenient.

“Katia-sama! The final decision is mine, don’t disrupt──”

“Be quiet. Herm──are you aware?”

Silencing him with one word, she confirmed briefly. Understanding exactly what she meant, Hermes nodded. Yes, I am aware.

──This is a chance.

Indeed, Clyde’s proposal was excellent. It would regain Class A’s trust and satisfy his personal grudge against Hermes, a perfect two-birds-one-stone plan.

However, that was only under the assumption that Class A would absolutely win.

Therefore, this was an opportunity. A chance to break the preconceptions prevalent in this academy, and a chance to verify if Hermes’ decision to not give up on this academy was correct.

Through analyzing magic and skills in joint magic exercises and from his experience, Hermes predicted this:

If his Class B could change their thinking, like Albert did. If they could regain a sincere attitude towards learning magic.

──Class A’s victory wouldn’t be absolute. With their efforts, they could overturn it.

So he first confirmed with Sarah beside him. She, who knew Hermes well, understood his thought process and nodded if he believed it was possible.

“……Understood. Let’s go with your proposal.”

With determination and anticipation in his heart, Hermes replied to Clyde. Thus, the school festival performance──a magic competition between Class A and Class B was decided.