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 91. Training Part 2

Thud. One of the students collapses onto the ground.

“Haa… haaa.”

Without caring about the eyes around him, he crawls on the ground, desperately gasping for air.

But no one scolds him.

──Because all the other students are in similar states.

[…………]

Utter exhaustion, a scene of dead bodies.

In fact, those who can still speak are among the healthier ones. Most of the students are lying on the ground as if dead, unable to move a single finger, desperately fighting off sleep.

The training he devised──though strictly speaking, he adapted what he learned from his master to suit the students──was exactly as he declared, hell itself.

First was the training for magic control. Simply put, it involved continually using ‘general magic of the same power and attribute to cancel each other out’ in reverse directions. If a student succeeded even once, they could move on to the next training.

At first, the students scoffed. Don’t underestimate us. They were eager to prove how easy it was──

──But in the end, not a single student succeeded on the first day.

They understood anew how difficult precise magic control is and how much it drains mental energy. How carelessly they had been handling magic until now.

And that day of the joint magic exercise. How much of a divine feat Clyde──not themselves, but Clyde──displayed when he did the same thing against an enemy.

Next was training for magic capacity and output. This was harsh in a different way from control training. After all──they had to fire general magic at their maximum output continuously, in a simple yet hellish task without any clever tricks.

Moreover, they had to do it until they ran out of magic──no, until they felt they were out of magic and then fired five more shots. It was demonic.

According to Hermes,

“‘It’s meaningless if it’s not tough’ might be an overstatement. …But at least for this training, ‘the toughness’ definitely has meaning.”

In short, it was like physical training. Pushing themselves to the limit to forcibly convey the message ‘the current state is not enough’ to their bodies, prompting evolution.

Non-technical, simple foundational training ultimately boils down to that.

Indeed, thinking about it that way, they hadn’t really been using magic desperately until now. Before entering the academy, they relied on their hereditary magic, and after entering the academy, they gave up using it as an excuse, never truly trying their hardest at magic.

Thus, for the first time in their lives, they put in genuine effort and, exhausted, all the students lay on the ground with no magic left.

Hermes had likely been doing this for years. To them, it was unbelievable.

…And something even more unbelievable.

Despite having individually adjusted his fighting style to teach them personally and despite the grueling 27 mock battles with each of them as he had declared, he was now.

Why was he still able to train in close combat with Nina in front of them?

The sound of swords and fists clashing echoed. Though Hermes’ movements were slower than usual, he still skillfully used his body techniques, occasionally inserting precise magic, and holding his own against a superior opponent.

His boundless stamina, inexhaustible magic power. His polished skills, and his extraordinary mental strength.

The students, lying on the ground, watched this scene in awe, reconfirming how far away he was.

──Yet, none of the students felt fear or resignation.

Because──at the core of his instruction, there was ‘logic’.

If you do this, for this reason, you will improve here.

To achieve this, I followed this principle and did this.

This method is more efficient due to this logic.

Such logical explanations. He thoroughly and carefully taught them how he achieved his current strength, both in group and individual lessons.

Hearing this, the students thought.

Indeed, it’s far. Extremely far.

──But, if they proceed step by step. Even if it’s far, he’s on the same continuous ground.

Then they too can reach it; they have the right to strive for it.

Because of their hereditary magic, where everything is decided at birth.

For them, who were forced to give up just because of what they were born with, it was a significant ray of hope.

And his teaching method also reflected this.

…Well, honestly, it’s a bit scary. He’s somewhat detached, and it’s clear he’s not deeply invested.

But his words are sincere. He accurately points out faults and purely praises improvements.

He views them flatly, without any preconceived notions, which is a kind of comfort unknown to those who grew up in noble society.

…At the time of enrollment, they thought he was an unknown entity. So, they initially decided he was an underachiever, and when they realized he wasn’t, they decided he was different from them and tried to exclude him.

But now, finally.

As Sara said, they might──for the first time, be trying to properly recognize Hermes.

“──Alright.”

Nina’s sharp sword strike, was as impressive as ever. Attacking relentlessly, it finally disrupts his stance as he fails to dodge the impact.

She doesn’t miss the slight opening and presses the sword to his neck.

“…I surrender. That’s it for now.”

“Yeah. What you need to focus on next is the difference in range between sword and fist. Sometimes closing the distance is safer, and if you can incorporate that awareness, your options will expand. Mages instinctively want to maintain distance, but if your opponent is also a mage, they’ll dislike it if you close in on them.”

“Indeed. I’ll adjust.”

He, who usually pointed out issues to his classmates, now found himself on the receiving end of critiques.

Yet, he accepted it honestly and updated his tactics in his mind.

As he completed that and was about to say ‘once more,’ his body wavered.

…Have I overdone it this time?

Thinking that, he adjusted his future plans and tried to steady himself.

“Ah!”

“Oh.”

A presence supports him from the side.

Looking, he sees a blonde girl hurriedly extending a hand to support him.

She──Sara, raises her hand, emitting a blue light.

A gentle magic flows in, melting away his fatigue.

“Thank you. Are you alright…?”

She looks at him with concern, and he responds calmly.

“Yes, thanks to your magic, I just felt a bit tired──”

“Aww, you’re getting Sara’s magic! I want some too!”

Mid-sentence, Nina interjects with a dissatisfied tone.

“Hey, come on. I worked hard too.”

“Um, well… Nina doesn’t seem that tired yet… and I can’t waste it now.”

“Ehh.”

Nina pouts as Sara apologetically refuses her request.

Hermes comments with a hint of exasperation.

“…It’s my first time seeing someone ask for healing magic when they’re not tired.”

“But I love the warmth of Sara’s [Ars Paulina]. After healing, it leaves a warmth inside that energizes me. Don’t you get that feeling, Hermes?”

“Well, sort of.”

Not as fluffy as Nina described, but Sara’s hereditary healing magic does leave a lingering sense of magic inside even after it takes effect.

Whether that’s just a characteristic or an unknown effect of the magic──it might be worth analyzing later, Hermes thought, speaking to Sara.

“Thank you, Sara. …But, are you still okay with your magic?”

“Yes. It’s quite reduced, but I can manage a bit more.”

Unlike her classmates, Sara doesn’t possess offensive hereditary magic, so she is excluded from combat training.

Instead, she was asked to heal her injured and exhausted classmates with her magic.

…On the surface, it seems like thorough injury prevention, but in reality, it’s a message of ‘we won’t accept “I can’t do it anymore because I’m tired” as an excuse,’ which all classmates had already realized.

“But really, thanks. Some might’ve endured because of your magic and support, especially the boys.”

Nina praised her, adding a slightly amused tone.

Indeed, she cast a barrier over the entire training ground, watching over her classmates and encouraging them with magic and words.

On this first day of training, there were no dropouts, making her possibly the greatest unsung hero.

…Hermes thought that was something he couldn’t do.

“…? W-what is it?”

As he thought that and looked at her, she seemed uneasy, perhaps misinterpreting his gaze.

“No, just… feeling respect anew. Trying to understand and believe in others without giving up. It’s something I lacked, and it’s admirable.”

“Eh, uh…”

He spoke sincerely, but perhaps that wasn’t the best approach.

Sara, flustered, waved her hands in front of her chest, her face a mix of confusion, joy, and embarrassment.

“…Th-thank you…”

She averted her gaze, but her mouth softened, whispering her gratitude in a delicate, lovely manner.

──Simultaneously, Hermes felt an intense emotion from about half of the collapsed classmates.

“…The male students seem very motivated.”

“Of course. …Well, it’s good for the future, right?”

Nina responded ambiguously to Hermes’ comment.

Thus, gaining understanding, respect, and some hostility from his classmates, the first day of training ended smoothly.