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 191. This Story

With a thud, Lucius collapses to the ground.

He only loses consciousness for a moment, and judging by the impact, he should be able to get up soon. In fact, it’s likely he hasn’t sustained much damage at all.

……Hermes’s light weight makes it difficult for his strikes to carry significant force, but even so, Lucius’s endurance is astonishing.

Yet, despite that. The outcome, the victory, is undeniable.

For a moment, silence fills the battlefield.

The series of unexpected events has left everyone unsure of how to react.

After a few seconds of such silence——however.

——A cheer erupts.

A cheer filled with bewilderment, confusion……and yet, overwhelmingly, with admiration.

“……”

Hermes looks around.

Everyone present is cheering. Yes, the soldiers of Harvist territory are, of course, but……even the knights of the Northern Alliance. Despite the fact that their symbol, Lucius, has been defeated——they are surprisingly sincere in their praise for the battle itself.

Of course, there are some voices of disbelief and doubt. But……far more knights than expected are visibly excited, their faces filled with admiration.

Hermes watches this with a hint of surprise.

Even so——he thinks it’s good that they were able to witness a battle worthy of such a reaction. And……if they can react like this, then surely this country can change. He genuinely believes that.

In any case, this outcome aligns with Lucius’s plan. By demonstrating his strength and defeating Lucius, the integration of the Northern Alliance into the Third Princess faction should proceed relatively smoothly.

Thus, with this.

——The Northern Rebellion is completely settled.

（…………）

……Hermes reflects once more.

——It was a close battle, he thinks.

The enemy’s strength, cunning, and scale were on a completely different level than before. There were numerous moments where a single misstep could have led to a swift defeat.

……Previous enemies were strong, but they were individuals. They were arrogant, underestimating the world due to their ignorance, and above all——they underestimated Hermes.

But from now on, it will be different.

His power is now known. Countermeasures are being developed. The stronger the enemy, the more they will mark Hermes, devising cunning strategies to seal, defeat, and kill him.

This means facing not children, but adults. Not individuals, but organizations——and perhaps even entire nations.

Surely……it will be an incredibly difficult path to face this alone.

Of course. After all, if it weren’t for that——Rose wouldn’t have had to leave the royal capital in the first place.

……But there’s no need to worry.

He knows the power that comes from shared feelings. The strength that arises when hearts are connected. And……it was because of that, that they were able to win this time.

Hermes looks up once more.

The members of the Third Princess faction, those who shared his will.

This victory would have been impossible without any one of them. Katia, who held Hermes together when he was on the verge of collapse. Sara, who desperately mediated between them and the Harvist territory.

Liliana, who undoubtedly showed the greatest evolution and demonstrated a new possibility for this country. Albert, who seems to have been the catalyst for that idea. Jürgen, who worked tirelessly on various behind-the-scenes tasks and procedures that they couldn’t handle themselves.

And above all——Hermes gazes ahead.

Through the crowd, a girl walks toward him.

“……Nina-sama.”

The girl——Nina, with her delicate appearance, wears an expression filled with various emotions……clearly, there’s so much she wants to say, but she seems unsure of where to start.

Honestly, Hermes feels the same. Ever since they parted at the academy, so much has happened that he doesn’t know where to begin.

Of course, he has much to say as well. An apology for not being able to do much when she asked for help. Gratitude for her assistance, despite being limited by her position as an enemy.

……But, surely. The first thing he should say is this.

With all his emotions, Hermes smiles and speaks.

“——Welcome back.”

“……!”

The words seem to pierce her heart. Her cheeks flush as she tries to hold back her emotions, looking down and murmuring, “……I’m back.”, in a small voice.

Then, she looks up again, with a troubled……yet somewhat mischievous smile, and says this.

“Hey, Hermes, have you noticed?”

“Huh?”

Hermes is confused by the sudden question. Realizing he hasn’t noticed, Nina’s expression becomes even more mischievous……similar to what he saw at the academy, but different from before.

She declares.

“I——am completely captivated by you right now.”

“…………Ah.”

He had forgotten.[

The [Il Ferllina] spell he had cast to protect Nina from the Archbishop’s brainwashing magic. He had modified it slightly to function remotely and had left it active, completely forgetting to dispel it. Or rather, he hadn’t had the chance to.

But the battle is over. It would be rude to leave it as it is, so he quickly tries to dispel it——but Nina is faster.

“Well, it can’t be helped. ……Yeah, I’m captivated by you, so it’s the magic’s fault……right?”

Before he can dispel the spell, she murmurs this, then lightly kicks off the ground. In an instant, she closes the distance between them——a distance she had struggled to bridge until now——and embraces him head-on with all her strength.

She tightens her arms around him, not letting him escape, her flushed cheeks fully visible as she leans in close to his ear.

With a voice as sweet as melting honey, she whispers the words that conclude the Northern Rebellion.

“——I love you.”