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 99.2. The Reason For Victory

Surprisingly, it was Sara. She made her case firmly, despite her usual reserve.

“You are definitely the biggest contributor…”

“Indeed. None would dispute it.”

“Exactly.”

The other two agreed without hesitation.

Taken aback, Hermes saw their earnest expressions. Unwilling to refuse, he nodded and walked towards the crystal—and Clyde.

“Eek!”

Seeing this, Clyde backed away but, realizing he couldn’t escape with the crystal behind him, he began to shout.

“This result is absurd! We’re Class A, why did we lose? What happened?”

“…As you can see. Everything that’s happening in front of you.”

“Sh-shut up! No, you must have cheated! Or Katia-sama wasn’t really serious, otherwise—”

“Regardless of what you say, as long as the judges don’t intervene, nothing will change here. Besides—saying Katia-sama wasn’t serious… frankly, that angers me.”

Hermes’ calm rebuttal silenced him, nearly triggering his wrath.

Still unable to accept it, Clyde glared at Hermes with frustration.

“Why…! What reason is there for us to lose?”

“…A reason, you say.”

A reason for Class A’s defeat, or rather, Class B’s victory.

Faced with this question—there was no hesitation in his answer.

“We trained harder than you.”

“…What?”

Clyde was stunned by the straightforward response, but Hermes continued.

“We trained harder for battle. We studied our opponents more. We strategized. We practiced. We internalized it. And during the real fight—we executed it better than you.”

Simply put, he fixed his emerald gaze on Clyde.

“We won because we didn’t neglect our efforts to win. Conversely, how could you blindly believe in your victory when you lacked in all those aspects?”

To him, it was a matter of course.

But for Clyde, it was like a new ideology within the kingdom that he couldn’t grasp—leaving him bewildered.

Though questions still swirled in Clyde’s mind, Hermes was no longer interested, and stated plainly.

“Whether you understand or not—please surrender. Frankly, fighting you is tiresome.”

Clyde was easily infuriated by these words. He stood and charged at Hermes.

“Don’t mock me! Do you think I’ll yield to mere threats—ugh!”

Predicting this, Hermes had prepared a ground spike that tripped Clyde, causing him to fall, hitting his head with a reinforced ice block spell, efficiently knocking him out.

Ignoring the fallen Clyde, Hermes used a similar spell to shatter the crystal.

[…V-victor, Class B!]

The announcer’s bewildered declaration echoed.

After a moment’s pause, a mixture of confusion and excitement filled the audience.

No one knew the full extent of the strategies and dramas leading to this victory.

But the result spoke volumes—Class B had defeated Class A, leaving no room for doubt.

(…I’m exhausted.)

Finally able to relax, Hermes let his shoulders drop and sat down.

Reflecting on the ordeal, he saw Nina approaching, crouching beside him.

“Here.”

For some reason, she extended her fist.

“…Nina-sama? Um, this is…”

“Oh, you know, it’s what boys do after a fight. I always wanted to try it. Come on, you two!”

Seeing Hermes understand, Nina beckoned Albert and Sarah with her other hand.

Albert, recognizing the gesture, joined in, slightly less stern than usual.

Hermes followed suit, their fists stopping just short.

All that remained was—

“…Uh, um…”

Sara looked uncertainly.

She understood the gesture but hesitated, unsure if she belonged.

Seeing this, Nina and Albert looked slightly exasperated.

“Geez, we can’t complete this without the class leader. You didn’t fight directly, but you helped us immensely, so no need to hold back.”

“Indeed. In my view, you are one of the greatest contributors. Excluding you is unthinkable.”

Nodding in agreement, Hermes added his own words.

“If not for you, I wouldn’t be here. …Please, join us.”

“!?”

Surprised, Sara’s eyes widened. After a moment—

“…Yes!”

She smiled brightly.

Rushing over, she extended her loosely clenched fist.

And so—

With a light bump, their fists met in the center, a silent celebration of victory and camaraderie.

Hermes had once avoided involving others.

He had drawn lines even with those close to him, believing it essential for honing his magic.

But, persuaded by her, he saw the potential in others.

Now, exchanging the warmth of their fists and smiles—

(…I see.)

Witnessing this bond, Hermes thought.

“…This too, is beautiful.”

His faint, but clear, murmur.

It marked the end of the long-fought battle.