Genius 27

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Chapter 27. Reconciliation

'He'──Hermes, whom they reunited with after five years, had grown beyond Katia's expectations in various ways.

First and foremost, his magic. I don't know where or how he learned it, but he came back having mastered some unbelievable magic like 'recreating Bloodline Magic'.

His face still held traces of his boyhood, but he seemed much more mature than I remembered.

And his personality──it had become remarkably calm and grown-up.

I honestly think his way of speaking is unfair. It's like you can sense a kind of adult composure.

He can now casually give compliments that would have definitely made him blush in the past, and it's unsettling how he seems so experienced with women.

But if I ask, he'll switch back to his old way of speaking, reminding me of those fun times. At the same time, I can feel his growth, which makes my heart race.

Let's leave it at that.

There's one more thing that's changed: his values.

He was expelled from the Frenbleed family, becoming just Hermes, a commoner. If you look at it differently──he no longer has the obligation of nobility.

Instead, he's more genuine, and free. He's become more lively in his beloved magic.

Usually wearing a calm expression with little variation, it's somewhat hard to tell what he's thinking.

But when he's using magic or researching it, his face lights up like it used to. With the enthusiasm of someone deeply passionate about what they love.

──Feeling jealous of that must be an emotion I shouldn't harbor.

I wanted to ask if magic was more important to him than to me. But I couldn't. He's not the kind of person to be bound by me, and above all, I was afraid of hearing the answer.

I'm the eldest daughter of the Trarkia family. I've carried that burden, enjoyed those privileges, and lived with that pride in my heart.

I made that decision when my mother died. So, I can't afford to stop now.

Plus, there was new hope. His words.

He said magic isn't something given by the gods. It's the crystallization of human wisdom, something anyone can handle with effort.

My heart raced when I heard that.

Could I do it too? Could I wield the power to change the hopeless situation of this country?

He said I could. And indeed, he made it happen.

He easily taught me to handle my bloodline magic, which I had always struggled with.

Not only that, he promised to bring out even greater potential.

He even expressed a surprising amount of anger towards Aster's behavior. Well, I guess I was the final straw that led to my expulsion.

Thanks to him, I can move forward again. I can be a protector of the weak, a person who defends the people.

So, today too.

To prove that Aster's judgments can be wrong, I sneak out of the house to hunt down monsters──

"...Katia, milady."

I instinctively stop and widen my eyes.

Because right in front of the gate. Right before my eyes at this moment.

"Sorry for the sudden visit..."

Sara von Hartmann.

Once a close friend, now one of the central figures opposing us, though not openly.

And with modesty yet clarity, she spoke.

"...Could I have a little time to talk...?"

◆

What Sara guided me to was a hill near the ducal house. It's a good vantage point overlooking the bustling city below.

"I just couldn't help but want to talk to you again... I have His Highness's permission. Though he didn't allow me to come alone."

Of course, I considered it might be a trap.

In fact, I sense two high magical reactions nearby. It's probably Sara's escorts, but they could also be assassins targeting me.

But judging from the magnitude of the magic, it's definitely not Aster. Even if someone like him were to come forcibly, I believe I could handle it now. And I'm confident I could call for help from the ducal house.

Above all else. I also wanted to talk to Sara again.

With that in mind, I decided to respond to her summons.

Facing her directly, Sara first──bowed her head.

"I'm truly sorry...! I, what I did back then..."

It's undoubtedly about what happened at the party.

"...I heard from Her."

And she has no intention of blaming her for it.

Remembering Hermes mentioning their recent meeting, I replied.

"I know you still care for me. Regret what happened that day. And I also know your family fiercely pushed for your engagement with His Highness, not tolerating any remarks that could strain his relationship."

"..."

Sara's family situation was something she had told me about during our school days.

I'm well aware of the importance of marrying into the royal family. So I don't blame her.

Thus, there was only one thing Katia needed to ask.

"Sara. Do you truly have the resolve?"

With eyes that won't allow escape──simultaneously, with genuine concern for her, Katia asked.

"I'm fine. I'm not so fixated on being His Highness's fiancee."

What she's trying to do now is better off without that position.

And above all else──she probably can't truly love Aster from the bottom of her heart.

"So, tell me your true feelings. Do you really want to be His Highness's fiancee?"

"I, my own..."

"I can't help you anymore. Even if His Highness promises to protect you, it's not hard to imagine other houses will try to tear you down by any means necessary. Even so──do you still want it?"

If she wants it, Katia will support her wholeheartedly.

But if she doesn't, huh> At that moment──what would Katia herself do?

Such a sudden question arises. But before she can ponder it, Sara tries to respond.

"I, I..."

Seeming to hesitate, to waver. But finally, as if remembering someone's words. She lifts her head.

"Katia-sama, I──!"

At that moment.

The high magical presence I sensed nearby swelled.

"!!"

An unmistakable sign of an attack.

Katia instinctively chants a spell, deploying spiritual masses around her to protect herself.

As Katia predicted, a high-concentration magical mass flew towards her from afar──

──And was absorbed into Sara's chest.

"......Eh"

Just as Sara's eyes widened, magic struck her defenseless.

She was thrown off and fell from the hill.

"Sara──!?"

Without hesitation, I rush to the edge of the hill and look down.

She's there. Lying on the ground, not moving. Fortunately, the height difference isn't that great, so she's not dead──I want to believe that, but considering the direct hit of the magic earlier, she'll likely sustain serious injuries.

People from the city gather around the suddenly fallen girl with a commotion.

I recognize the magic from earlier. It's definitely [Mistle Teinn]. There's no reason for Hermes to do such a thing, which means the culprit is narrowed down by default.

But that can wait. First and foremost, I need to confirm Sara's safety.

With that in mind, I'm about to jump off from where I stand, as descending the stairs seems troublesome, when suddenly.

"I-I-I saw it! I saw it with my own eyes!"

A grating voice comes from the side.

Turning my gaze, I see another person with a high magical reaction, distinct from the one who attacked Sara earlier.

A middle-aged man with silver hair. Hermes's father, Xenos von Frembleed.

He shouts with an unnecessarily loud voice──as if he's trying to make sure everyone around hears.

"Ju-just now! Miss Katia von Trakia attacked Miss Sara von Hartmann with magic! She, she pushed her off the hill!!"

──Set up.

The situation and the reason are unclear. But, at least Katia understood that fact alone.