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 176. Johann

“…Huh?”

Northern Alliance base, in the office.

Seated leisurely, Archbishop Johann listened to Nina’s report upon her return—

And for once, let out a rare, startled voice.

A voice filled with disbelief, as if hearing something impossible, something unreal.

“…Is that true?”

“It’s true. You know I wouldn’t—couldn’t—lie to you, don’t you?”

When Johann raised his voice to confirm, Nina responded in her usual, cool tone.

“Just as I said. The reconciliation between the Third Princess’s faction and the Harvist Knights has already taken place. I heard it directly from the Third Princess when we encountered her—and judging from the behavior of the soldiers who arrived there, it couldn’t be anything else. Besides…”

Though her voice was calm, her tone hinted at amusement, as if she were enjoying Johann’s unusual fluster.

“The soldiers arriving at that moment? That wasn’t in my foresight or yours. The future has changed, Archbishop.”

“…Impossible.”

His eyes widened as he squeezed out the words, but Nina’s assertion remained firm.

After all, the Geass of Restriction still bound her, and having been commanded to “report without deceit”, it was impossible for Nina to lie or fabricate anything in her report. At the very least, her subjective observations were undoubtedly accurate.

“…Fine. Dismissed.”

Still, Johann considered the possibility that Nina had been deceived by false information designed to look genuine.

To verify the truth, Archbishop Johann dismissed Nina and chose to be alone, immediately taking a brief nap.

He activated the ancient artifact, Skaldrogia, which allowed him to glimpse the future through dreams.

By understanding a fraction of the future in his dream, he could discern the current state of the Harvist territory—whether or not Nina’s information was true.

Thus, the Archbishop dreamed.

He saw the enemy’s current movements, confirming that, as Nina had described, the soldiers and Liliana had reconciled and were now preparing to overthrow the Northern Alliance.

And then—

He vomited.

“Urgh… Gahh—!”

The moment he woke, Johann clasped a hand to his mouth, retching violently as he stumbled toward the sink.

Even when there was nothing left to expel, the heaving didn’t stop. He spat bile, clawed at his chest, but the nausea refused to subside.

The reason for his state wasn’t the unexpected turn of events in the future—

Rather, it was the sight of something within that vision that deeply disturbed him.

“Stop it…”

What caught his eye in that future was the soldiers’ expressions.

Gone were the faces filled with deceit and suspicion. Instead, they carried fear, yes, but also something greater: the belief that they could protect their land with their own strength.

A newfound resolve to take their first steps forward.

Their faces brimmed with joy for tomorrow, hope for the future, and a burning passion for glory—

—Expressive, radiant faces that made him feel physically ill.

“Stop it. What’s with those radiant faces, those elated expressions?! Don’t show me anything so revolting ever again…!”

Just as Nina had once been mentally worn down by the nightmares brought by foresight.

The Archbishop now found himself mentally eroded by the remnants of those detestable, hopeful expressions he had seen in his prophetic dream.

“Stop it. Don’t mock me… We don’t need things like that. Don’t be swayed by something so vague, so uncertain, so easily changed. That is not the form you should take. Don’t trust in such feelings…!”

Because—he finally said, as if spitting out his beliefs—

“…The only thing worth believing in is God…!”

Archbishop Johann von Cantabel had a purpose.

A grand goal, a path to walk for his lifetime.

That purpose was—

‘To create a world where all people can live in peace.’

Born into a family that had produced church dignitaries for generations, he had been taught that this was the proper way to live.

And Johann had no hesitation in setting that as his life’s goal.

He began his church training.

Interacted with countless people.

Listened to the woes of countless citizens.

Witnessed the behaviors of countless nobles—

And came to a realization.

When it comes to ‘creating a peaceful world’.

—Goodwill is, in fact, an obstacle.

Because—

[We have found true love! If even God stands in our way, then we shall defy Him!]

It’s always those filled with love and hope who cause chaos in the world.

[My way is the only right one. God disapproves? Then God must be wrong!]

And it’s always those who misuse justice who act most selfishly.

For example, the former Second Prince was a perfect case in point.

Moreover, such people easily abandon the feelings they once clung to. He knew the lovers who eloped ended up killing each other in a quarrel, and even the Second Prince eventually melded self-interest with his sense of justice, leading to his own destruction.

On the other hand, ‘malice’ could be trusted.

Malice simplifies human emotions, unifying them.

When directing malice at someone is justified, people display remarkable solidarity.

So he tried it once. He allowed malice to be directed, under God’s name, at a target so flawed that no one would feel guilt for condemning it.

The effect was immediate.

Everyone expressed gratitude to God. Disputes among those who swore allegiance to God vanished, and they united in pursuing the goal of annihilating God’s enemies, achieving ‘peace.’

Seeing this, Johann thought—

…Ah, this is how it should be.

From then on, he repeated the same pattern.

He designated convenient enemies of God, giving the people joy, hope, and purpose under God’s name.

It was the most effective and necessary method. After all, those who didn’t believe in God, and their goodwill, could easily change or betray.

Human nature is malice.

It’s natural for people to doubt, envy, and spit upon one another.

Goodwill is an illusion; humanity’s essence is suspicion, conflict, and mutual destruction.

—And that’s precisely why ‘God’ is necessary.

Believing this, Johann worked for the people, always preparing convenient enemies.

He ensured those targeted by malice weren’t considered ‘human’.

And in this way, he steadily brought ‘peace for all people’ closer to reality.

At some point, without realizing it.

Repeating such actions and rising to his position as Archbishop—

Hope, goodwill, and conscience became things he despised so deeply they made him physically ill.

Thus, this time as well—

“I’ll reject it.”

Archbishop Johann, now calmed from his nausea, declared firmly.

With unwavering conviction, he moved toward his goal.

“Very well. I’ll acknowledge it. …Third Princess Liliana, you are on par with the ‘Sky Witch’ of the past—or perhaps even a greater foe.”

Never before had Johann’s foresight truly failed.

Its mechanism was simple: the stronger a person, the more predictable their actions.

Using this, he had labeled the ‘Sky Witch,’ who could have destroyed nations, as a witch and had her defeated.

This time, Hermes, a potential major threat, was nothing more than an easily manipulated pawn to Johann.

Similarly, weak individuals—those unreadable to foresight—lacked the strength to alter destiny or the future.

So far, there had been no exceptions, and even the irregular Nina was ultimately on the weaker side. Even with similar powers, she could not escape Johann’s grasp.

Thus, in this moment, Liliana became Johann’s highest-priority threat.

A person immune to foresight, capable of altering fate.

Like Rose, she was a target for immediate elimination.

And at the same time, she was a being who could provide hope and goodwill to the people—things Johann loathed most.

“I’ll reject you… and every single one of your subordinates. Such things have no place in my world…!”

He muttered once more, then smiled ferociously.

A reflection of his fierce battle spirit—and a hint of joy.

Because he knew.

When he crushed the faces of those filled with hope and goodwill, reducing them to despair and malice—

It brought him unparalleled satisfaction.

With that anticipation fueling his resolve, he began calculating, swiftly and coolly.

Crafting a plan to drag the Third Princess and her allies into the depths of despair.

Using every piece of information he had, every scheme he’d planted, combining them into an intricate trap to deliver the ultimate checkmate.

At unprecedented speed, with complete focus—

—The Archbishop smiled.

“…Perfect.”

At the height of his calculations, he found it.

A flawless, supreme path forward.

His heart raced in anticipation of its fruition, but he steeled himself to stay disciplined until that moment arrived.

Thus, Johann—the Archbishop, who spoke for God through malice.

Moved with all his might to utterly reject the Princess he had, for the first time, recognized as a true adversary.