Genius 25

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Chapter 25. Aster

The exploits of Hermes and Katia continued to expand gradually.

While voices praising Katia among the nobles remained as high as ever, what was simultaneously drawing attention was Hermes' existence.

A significant factor was Aster's grand revelation of his status at that party. Numerous connections were made between the servant wielding powerful magic, unmistakably her Bloodline Magic, beside Katia, and the genius boy once expelled from the Marquis family.

As much as Katia was praised if not more so, the nobles whispered such lines with increasing frequency:

"That boy truly was the genius the rumors spoke of."

"His talent was so immense that it took time to awaken."

"Frankly, it was excessive to expel him from the house at age 10. It seems Marquis Frembleed could not truly recognize talent."

"Originally a Duke, from a prestigious magical lineage contributing to the nation's founding. Truly, how far the mighty have fallen..."

"...Which shows, these nobles fail to grasp the essence."

"So, Your Highness..."

The current head of the Frembleed family, the subject of such rumors, was now present with his son Chris, Hermes' brother.

In a palace chamber, under the disapproving gaze of the second prince Aster, seated at the head.

"You both disagree, don't you? Surely you don't think it was a mistake to expel Hermes?"

"Y-Yes, Your Highness!"

Zenos affirmed with a face aged more than when he expelled Hermes, prostrating with fervor.

"That Hermes is undoubtedly a failure, devoid of Bloodline Magic! Your Highness, your decision to expel him promptly was correct! Undoubtedly, he and Miss Katia are dabbling in some suspicious sorcery together!"

"Indeed. Then—why has such ridiculous gossip spread so far?"

"Hm!"

But all words were sealed shut by a cold voice posing further questions.

"Furthermore, there, Chris cowering next to you—when I ordered him to capture Katia, he got repelled by Hermes and returned in disgrace, fleeing like a coward, wasn't he?"

"Y-Your Highness!? Why would you—"

"Oh, so it was indeed Hermes. And you, knowing it was Hermes, concealed it from me."

"Ugh!!"

Chris, who once falsely reported out of foolish pride, now bowed with a face consumed by fear.

"You can't even admit your own mistakes. Your lack of integrity is clear, Chris von Flembridge."

"I-I apologize! I'm truly sorry!"

"So that was about Hermes!? Y-You, you fool of a son!!"

"You're no different, Zenos von Flembridge. I ordered you to expose the true nature of the sorcery Katia and Hermes are practicing, yet why have you failed to produce any results?"

"Y-Your Highness!!"

"Fa-Father, please!"

Chris, who had been designated as the next head in place of Hermes, whom they once expelled, lost to Hermes himself.

Zenos, learning of this fact, struck Chris's head with rage, but upon Aster's observation, trembled, allowing Chris to take advantage and accuse others, disregarding himself.

Uninterested in the ugly conflict before him, Aster muttered to himself alone.

"...It's infuriating. There are far too many incompetents in this country. Why can't anyone execute my orders satisfactorily? Why are there so many who obstruct me? Why do those who are inferior believe themselves superior!"

And Aster spoke those words with absolute conviction.

"There can't possibly be anyone superior to me!!"

◆

Kingdom of Eustia, a magical kingdom at the pinnacle of a society founded on feudal magic, ruled by the Eustia royal family.

Aster Joseph von Eustia was born as the second prince of such a royal family.

"Oh, this child is a genius!"

Aster was celebrated at his birth, followed by a simple magical power measurement of the newly born children. After that, the words of his father, the king, were filled with pure joy.

"What vast and vivid magical power! There's no mistake! This child will become the representative magician of the royal family, a heroic prince!"

Whether sensing such expectations from the king or through calculated intentions of those around him.

Aster spent his early years as a royal indulged excessively. He becomes a spoiled young tyrant befitting such treatment.

However, under normal circumstances, he would have encountered someone superior to him at some point, humbling him to some extent.

But Aster was undoubtedly a genius.

He quickly absorbed his teachers' teachings, his memory and physical abilities were exceptional, and his magical power grew steadily and remarkably without any effort.

No matter how he behaved recklessly, no one was in a position of authority or strength to restrain him.

Even his tutors were crushed in a magical showdown when he was merely four years old, and from then on, his arrogance only accelerated.

But even he faced his first defeat.

"What? Someone has greater magical talent than me?"

"W-Well, it's only a possibility! But the current head seemed to boast quite a bit, so..."

Upon hearing such rumors from one of the palace staff, Aster naturally dismissed it with a laugh.

"What's his name?"

"Uh, I believe it was Hermes from the Flembridge Marquess family."

Interesting, he thought. Let's see it for myself.

Several days after hearing those rumors, Aster learned that Flembridge, the Marquess, was coming to the palace with Hermes.

He confidently decided to teach them that there were always people above them and stealthily approached Hermes from behind, trying not to be noticed, and looked at him.

He couldn't win. He realized.

What was that?

Was there a human possessing such vast, pure, and beautiful magical power? Moreover, a boy of the same age.

"It's impossible. There's no way!"

He immediately returned to his room and covered himself with a blanket, muttering as he trembled in bed.

He, who had always thought himself to be the greatest magician in the world, had just experienced a shock as if the world had shattered into pieces.

He couldn't accept it. If he did, he would break himself.

He felt it intuitively. He couldn't accept it.

So he thought.

"It's a mistake. There must be some mistake! Another person being the greatest magician in the world instead of me—!!"

As if to answer his wish.

At the age of seven, it was revealed that Hermes did not possess Bloodline Magic—meaning he was a 'failure with no aptitude' as per this country's standards.

"Hahaha!!"

As he thought! Just as he thought!

That guy wasn't born with Bloodline Magic, despite having such high magical power. So magic is useless to him.

In other words— he's not a magician. I am the best!

And finally, he was convinced without a doubt.

He was undoubtedly the most superior human being in the world, chosen by God.

There was no doubt about him, everyone would worship him, and he was born to lead this country and this world with his own hands.

He was the protagonist of this world.

His thinking became firmly entrenched due to the experience of once being on the brink of collapse. It was no longer changeable by anyone.

One day, he was taught by one of his tutors in a morality class.

What kind of person is a hero? What is nobility, and what is the definition of a just person?

I see, then I must be one.

Because he was chosen to be that way.

Without doing anything, without needing to change anything, he knew what was right and what was wrong.

He would eradicate evil and do justice, a noble hero.

So, he chose Katia as his fiancée because she was a distinguished duke's daughter suitable to stand beside him.

It was not because Hermes, who had made him feel defeated, was close to Katia, and he wanted to snatch her away out of spite.

Therefore, it was not because he found Katia's critical personality annoying and preferred Sara, who was obedient. Both in appearance and character.

Therefore, it was not because he wanted to capture Katia because she constantly challenged him and conspired to disrupt the country.

Therefore, it was not because he was angered by her lack of attachment despite being rejected by him.

Believing that, and pushing forward without doubting it.

Therefore, everything has gone well until now. So there was no mistake.

Therefore, this time too.

"I've come up with something."

"Eh...?"

"W-What is it, Your Highness?"

The Frembleed father and son, who had been fighting to escape punishment from Aster, cautiously spoke up.

"Firstly, they are freely moving because that old fox, Duke Trakia, is interfering with our actions."

"Yes, indeed. Even if we try to capture them, the Minister of Justice uses his authority."

"They insist on 'no charges, no action.' It's truly infuriating..."

"In that case, let's prepare those charges."

"Th-That means... accusing Miss Katia falsely...?"

"It's not a false charge. They undoubtedly have sinned. They've cleverly hidden them, and foolish nobles have been deceived by them! So let's intentionally step onto their turf! Nobles may be foolish, but they are the subjects supporting this country. Like with the party incident, sometimes falsehoods and theatrics are necessary to lead them to the truth!"

"O-Oh..."

"Show those who think they've cleverly won that they're no match for us. That's not your cunning, but the strategy of truly superior individuals!"

And then, he stood up slowly, turning his previously discontented face into a triumphant smile as he reveled in his own idea.

"You two will cooperate. Since you can see the truth, you're somewhat better than other nobles. Regain my trust lost due to this failure and show it!"

"Y-Yes!"

"We will serve with all sincerity!"

Hermes and Katia are gaining power by dabbling in some sorcery.

Because there couldn't be a magician superior to him, any human who appears so must have fatal flaws.

Just as Hermes was revealed to be unsuitable.

With such unshakable convictions and those who blindly believe in them.

Just as before, movements began to bring about favorable outcomes for Aster.