Genius 3

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Chapter 3. Childhood Friend

It wasn't all bad.

Some sympathetic servants secretly put dried meat in the soup for Hermes or slipped things in when the guards weren't looking.

And above all else, 'She' came regularly.

"...Herm, are you okay?"

Peeking out from the darkness was a girl about the same age as Hermes.

She has vivid purple-blue hair like the night sky, and round, endearing features that show strength and charm. 

Despite being out of place in this setting, she exuded beauty and elegance as she unabashedly rushed to Hermes' side in the dirty cell, taking his hand.

"You've got more wounds again, huh? Courtesy of Zenos-sama and Chris-sama. Sorry. I wish I could heal you, but my magic doesn't work like that..."

"Nah. Just having you here makes me happy, Kati."

Her name was Katia von Trakia. The eldest daughter of the Trakia Duke family, a noble lineage even more prestigious than the Frembleed family.

Like Hermes, she was a prodigy in magic, highly anticipated for her future, and had been childhood friends with him due to their shared talent. Unlike Hermes, however, her magical aptitude bloomed in line with the expectations of her noble lineage.

Yet despite knowing Hermes lacked lineage magic, she continued to stand by him, making her the only person who still visited him.

"Zenos-sama and Chris-sama are so cruel. No matter how important they think magic is, to treat family like this..."

"...It may seem that way. But you see,"

Though her voice carried genuine indignation, Hermes, currently mentally overwhelmed, couldn't fully empathize.

"...I'm a failure. Father's right. Just getting food should be enough. No matter what they do, complaining won't change anything...!"

Hermes' self-deprecating words got abruptly cut off as Katia clasped his cheeks with both hands.

"Herm, I believe in you."

"Huh?"

"With all the magical talent you have, and how hard you always try. Your love for magic surpasses anyone's. It's impossible that someone like you, who praised my magic despite lacking lineage magic, is a mistake."

In the dimness, her eyes, reflecting the candlelight, sparkled with amethyst brilliance.

"So, I believe. You're not meant to be stuck here. I believe you'll become an amazing mage and stand before me again."

As if struck by her words and the sparkle in her eyes, a faint light returned to Hermes' eyes.

"Yeah, you're right."

Taking back his hand slowly, he spoke.

"Father said if my lineage magic manifests, he'll get me out of here. Giving up isn't an option, right?"

"That's the spirit."

"He seemed a bit discouraged, but I'll try again. Thank you, Kati."

It had been months since he had smiled so openly, expressing gratitude.

She seemed momentarily taken aback, then quickly turned her face away.

"It's... it's fine. It's unbearable for me to see someone I have high hopes for wasting away here. Yes."

She seemed to start saying something else in a slightly hurried manner, but at that moment, they heard footsteps descending the stairs.

"Oh no, they'll find us. I have to go!"

It appeared she had come here in secret.

"Okaaay! We'll definitely get out of here and meet again! Absolutely, I promise!"

If she shouted so loudly, wouldn't they ended being found after all?

Smiling wryly at her slightly tomboyish behavior, Hermes waved his hand modestly.

And so, despite the continued harshness of their lives.

With Katia's unwavering support and the faint hope that he could leave once, he mastered lineage magic.

With these two as his pillars of strength, Hermes continued to explore his magic within the cell.

Though his heart remained unbroken despite the hardships, he tirelessly did what he could in the dire environment.

Enduring the unjust, believing in eventual reward, and relentlessly striving.

And then, when Hermes was 10 years old.

All of it would shatter in the worst possible way.

◆

"...Herm, listen."

It all started with Kati's visit.

For the past three years, Hermes' joy of meeting people had been dominated by her, so he ran to the iron bars with a smile.

And then he noticed. She wore an expression of sadness he had never seen before.

"...Sorry, Herm."

A nasty thought rapidly seized his heart. Before he could shake it off, she uttered decisive words.

"I can't come here anymore."

"...Why?"

His mind went blank. It was a miracle he could form a question.

"Prince Aster, the second prince. Do you know him?"

Next, she mentioned a name.

Of course, he knew. His father, Zenos-sama, who occasionally came here, had talked about him.

The prince of this country. The same age as them, a boy praised for his handsome looks and intelligence. 

He was bestowed with the most powerful lineage magic of this generation, making him the leading candidate for the next king.

Both Hermes and Kati were members of noble families. The next words were easily predictable.

"...No way."

"Yes. Talks of engagement have arisen. Between me and Prince Aster."

It wasn't strange. As a fiancée to a prince, the Trakia Duke's daughter was not only suitable but the most fitting match. Moreover, Kati was exceptional in magic and appearance, so it was only natural she was chosen.

"...Will you accept that?"

"I will. I'll support Prince Aster, the treasure of this country, both publicly and privately. While it's an honor as a duke's daughter, there's no reason to refuse."

Kati's expression as she spoke matter-of-factly was unreadable, and Hermes grew more confused.

"So, from now on, I'll be living in the palace, receiving queen education while accompanying the prince. So..."

She wouldn't be able to come here anymore.

And it wasn't just that. The girl who had encouraged him all along. The girl who had held his broken heart with her unrepayable kindness and feelings.

It's hard to express, but she was going very, very far away.

"B-but!"

Seeing his expression of despair, Kati hurriedly tried to add more words.

"Within a year—no, within six months, I'll make time somehow! Then, we'll somehow meet again—"

"Sorry, but that's impossible."

But at that moment, a voice came from beside them.

"...Chris."

"Brother..."

They both looked at Hermes' brother, Chris von Frembleed, who had appeared.

"Miss Kati, alongside your engagement, the Frembleed family will also be attached to Prince Aster."

A barely concealed delight seeped into Chris's voice, which grew louder.

"And I! I've been appointed as the prince's guard, his right-hand man! Ah, as expected of the prince. He has the discerning eye to properly recognize talent like me that's been wasting away. This is truly the mark of a king—"

"That doesn't matter at all! Why can't he see Hermes again?!"

It was a natural correction, but Chris interrupted in his narration and twisted his lips in displeasure.

But that was only for a moment, as he immediately turned a malicious smile towards Hermes.

"As the Frembleed family aligns with the Aster faction, the prince said this: 'I have no use for incompetents under my command. Those lacking aptitude are out of the question. Get rid of them quickly.'."

"Damn it!"

Kati gasped.

Hermes understood what that meant, and his blood ran cold.

"Do you understand, Hermes? I'm relieved because now I won't have to live in the same place as a failure like you!"

With a contemptuous and mocking expression, Chris glanced at Hermes, then raised his hand.

"Now, Father calls for you. Take Hermes with you!"

At the same time, strong knights appeared from both sides, leading Hermes away like a criminal.

"Wait! This is ridiculous!"

Kati shouted and tried to approach, but the knights stopped her.

"You're going too far! Normally, you'd wait until he's 15! Wait, Hermes, if I plead with the prince—!"

"That won't happen, Miss Katia. From now on, you will serve the prince. Why bother with such a worthless man?"

"You—!!"

Kati and Chris's argument sounded terribly distant.

Still in a daze, Hermes was taken to his father's office as expected, where he was promptly disowned.

All his efforts of the past ten years were in vain—he was banished from his home, cast out into the wilderness as just Hermes.