Genius 1

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Chapter 1. The Failed Boy

"You're a failure." 

A bitterly cold voice echoed in the study.

"I've invested so much in you since the day you were born, only to have you betray my expectations." 

A voice filled with equal parts anger and disappointment was directed at the 10 year old boy standing in the center of the room.

"No results, not even a hint of awakening. Do you understand the frustration I feel for having such a useless freeloader in this household?"

The desk got angrily slammed, causing the boy to flinch in fear.

He knew what was happening here and what would happen next wouldn't end with mere reprimands.

Yet, clinging to a sliver of hope, the boy spoke up.

"F-Father. I..."

"Silence! You no longer have the right to call me father!"

But such fleeting hope was quickly extinguished by the thundering words.

"Hermes, from this day forth, you are disowned!

You are forbidden from bearing the name of Frembleed ever again! Do not ever cross the threshold of my house again!!"

Hermes von Frembleed—no, the boy who had become just Hermes.

It was the moment he was expelled from the prestigious Frembleed Duke family by his father, Zenos von Frembleed.

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Magic Kingdom, Eustia.

True to its name, magic permeated every aspect of this kingdom.

The noble families of this country used magic to protect the people from invasion and the atrocities of monsters, gaining high privileges and status in return.

Such a magic-based caste system formed the foundation of the kingdom.

Hence, the nobles needed to possess significant magical abilities, without exception.

Yes, without exception.

Because if one didn't possess magical abilities, they were not considered nobility.

Among such noble families in the magic kingdom of Eustia was the Frembleed Duke family, a prestigious lineage of magic.

Hermes was born as the second son of this family.

"Oh, this child is a genius!"

After celebrating Hermes' birth, they quickly conducted a simple magic power measurement on the newborn sibling. 

Zenos' words, after this, were filled with jubilation.

"So clear, and such immense magical power! Indeed, this child must be the prodigy sent by the gods to save our family!"

A digression, but the Frembleed family, tracing back to ancient times, was originally a branch of the royal family—meaning they held the title of duke, and up until a hundred years ago, they were known as the Frembleed Duke family.

However, due to the failure to produce useful magic users for several generations, and financial troubles in their territory, they were demoted to the status of a count. Depending on future circumstances, they might even become an earl, a family in decline, so to speak.

Thus, Hermes, born with vast and high-quality magical power, seemed like a savior to Zenos, the current head.

"You all, this child is the savior of our family. Make sure to raise him with utmost care. Anyone who acts against his interests will be executed immediately! Treat him as such!"

Zenos' eyes, issuing such imperious instructions to the surrounding servants, gleamed with ambition and desire.

Thus, Hermes spent his childhood excessively pampered, but contrary to expectations, he didn't become a spoiled brat.

It was fortunate that he was surrounded by conscientious servants. Though he had a bit of confidence, he grew up as a straightforward and rational boy.

"Father, father! I received praise from the teacher for today's magic release training! It seems my output is the highest among my peers!"

"Oh, Hermes, truly my son! Alright, let's reward you. Is there anything you desire?"

"Then, a magic tome said to be held by the royal family!"

Hermes' relationship with his father remained excellent as long as he kept delivering results.

Hermes found it delightful—more than anything because he genuinely loved magic. He diligently trained in magical manipulation and release, gradually spreading his name as a prodigy.

"Wonderful, Hermes. You will surely become the greatest mage of our family. Ah—what kind of [General Purpose Magic] will manifest in you, I can't wait!"

Hereditary magic.

It was the symbol of nobility being able to inherit magical abilities through bloodline.

Its capabilities were, in short, unparalleled.

Compared to other magic that anyone could use—so-called [General Purpose Magic]—the difference in performance was like heaven and earth.

Being able to inherit this was what kept one noble, and depending on the hereditary magic one inherited, it determined their status. 

For nobles, it was no exaggeration to say that this magic could dictate their lives.

"Perhaps I or my predecessors inherited powerful magic, or a potent magic from a collateral line. No, our family descends from the royal bloodline. There might even be the lost magic of the royal family manifesting...!"

"Exciting, isn't it, sir!"

"Yes, it's about Hermes, after all. He's bound to receive splendid magic!"

Zenos began to speculate, and the servants enthusiastically supported his vision.

Hermes himself innocently believed in the future his father spoke of.

He had a talent for great magic.

Surely, powerful hereditary magic would manifest in him.

Hereditary magic manifested at the age of 5 or 6. For Hermes, it would be next year or the year after.

Regardless of what magic it was, he would master it and become a great mage, running through battlefields, defeating evil, and becoming a magnificent mage like the heroes in fairy tales.

He believed in such a future without any doubt—and then.

◆

"...N-nothing."

Hermes von Frembleed, age 7.

It was a day marked by ominous rain.

"...What did you say?"

Zenos asked, incredulous.

"S-so, there's nothing. No response from Hermes-sama's hereditary magic."

The appraiser, as shaken as Zenos if not more, replied in a voice equal in turmoil.

"Hereditary magic naturally manifests when the body grows enough to withstand the magic inscribed in the blood. In Hermes-sama's case, his growth is sufficient, yet there's not even the slightest response. So..."

A loud thunder resounded.

"So, Hermes-sama hasn't inherited any magic. In other words—[No Aptitude]. As the royal appraiser, I must guarantee this result."

"Ridiculous...!!"

Zenos' voice of despair echoed in the hall.

"Is such a thing even possible!? Hermes, the prodigy of our family, unparalleled in both the quantity and handling of magic, undoubtedly loved by the gods—yet, you're saying he has no aptitude!?"

"...I can't believe it either... but it's not an impossible story."

The appraiser, perhaps slightly calmed by Zenos' despair, continued calmly.

"What hereditary magic one receives is somewhat influenced by bloodline thickness, but fundamentally, it's a matter of fate. The amount of magical power doesn't matter much."

"That's...!"

"Unfortunately, Hermes-sama truly... was not loved by the gods."

The appraiser directed a sympathetic glance towards Hermes.

(Eh...?)

Hermes was dumbfounded.

He didn't possess hereditary magic—essential for any mage, no matter how much magical power he had or how skilled he was in handling it.

If he didn't have the magic to demonstrate it, it was all for naught.

In other words, he.

Wasn't the prodigy he had been called since birth?

On the contrary, he was the opposite. Hopeless, a defective.

"What is this...! My ambitions! The plan to restore the family to ducal status through Hermes. It's all ruined...!"

Zenos knelt on the floor, despair pouring from his mouth. It was clear to anyone that he was currently consumed by despair.

"After all I've done for him... all the things I've given him, listening to his meaningless bragging every day...!"

And then, that despair.

"...Damn it, you failure!!"

It didn't take long for that despair to transform into anger and hatred towards Hermes.