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 177. Final Confirmation

“──Two days from now.”

At the fortress in the Harvist territory.

Within the now-familiar meeting room, Hermes’ resolute voice resonated.

The fatigue that had heavily stained his expression until yesterday was now entirely gone. His jade eyes brimmed with their usual sharp intellect and vitality as he addressed the meeting attendees.

“Two days from now—that will be the date of our decisive battle… Or rather, it must be.”

That date was, of course, quite abrupt for Hermes and his team. Honestly, they would have preferred to take more time to refine their magical training and coordination.

However, the date remained fixed—two days from now. There was a reason it had to be so. Because──

“After that… they will come, won’t they?”

“Yes, they will come.──Reinforcements from the Church.”

At Katia’s words, Hermes nodded.

“According to Albert-sama’s scouting report, there’s a large force moving not far to the east from here, correct?”

“Yes. It was confirmed from a distance, but their equipment design clearly belongs to the Church.”

“Given the situation… it’s almost certain they’re reinforcements summoned by Archbishop Johan.”

Albert and Jurgen added their input. Hermes agreed. Even now, the balance of power was razor-thin. If the enemy forces joined up, their chance of victory would vanish completely.

That’s why they had to strike before the reinforcements arrived. Considering various factors like travel speeds and potential enemy tactics, two days from now was judged as the best timing.

No one raised objections. In fact, the setting of a firm date invigorated everyone’s resolve.

Seeing this, Hermes moved on to the next topic.

“Now that the date is set──let’s go over the enemy we must defeat in the Northern Alliance. I’ll break them down into four key threats.”

This was the main topic.

Since their arrival, they had gathered and analyzed information, but they hadn’t had the trust necessary to share it comprehensively. Now, however, they did.

With that resolve in his gaze, Hermes turned to one of the attendees──the knight commander Toa, who returned the look with a respectful nod.

After confirming this, Hermes began to speak.

“──First, the knights of the Northern Alliance, composed of the six northern houses. With their unmatched strength, combined with Lucius-sama’ leadership and the Archbishop’s training, their coordination and unity are likely flawless.”

The Northern Alliance represented the kind of cohesive force Hermes’ group lacked. That made them a significant threat not to be underestimated.

“Next, there’s Lucius-sama, the leader of the alliance. To be frank, there is no foolproof strategy to completely counter him.”

Lucius’ magic and abilities weren’t particularly tricky. His ability to ‘cut magic’ was unique but straightforward in functionality.

And that simplicity was precisely what made him so dangerous.

He was incomprehensibly strong in a straightforward way.

──However.

While difficult to counter completely, his abilities were predictable. The same applied to the knights of the Northern Alliance: they posed no irregular, unpredictable risks to the battlefield.

Thus.

The focus of today’s discussion wasn’t these two threats but rather the remaining two.

“Next… Nina-sama.”

Katia, Sara, and Albert’s expressions changed.

Nina-sama, a wildcard with a deep connection to them, was the topic. Calmly, Hermes elaborated.

“She was the most ‘unknown’ factor. From her behavior, I hypothesized she was under some kind of binding geass. But the extent and specifics of it were unclear. The fact that I couldn’t meet her personally made it even harder to gauge.”

And so, they──

“──That’s why you sent me, wasn’t it?”

Liliana spoke up.

Acknowledging her prior mission, Hermes nodded.

“What I wanted most was to understand the extent of the threat. That’s why I dispatched Lily-sama──to see how well you, using my magic, could match her.”

After this explanation, Hermes produced a black crystal artifact.

This artifact allowed its user to wield the caster’s magic as if the caster themselves had used it.

In this case, Liliana wielded Hermes’ bloodline magic, significantly enhancing its performance. This support enabled Liliana to survive what might have otherwise been a fatal encounter with Nina. Though──

“…I didn’t anticipate that Lily-sama would end up being charmed as a consequence…”

“Th-that was…! I-I deeply apologize…”

In other words, Nina had somehow inspired a degree of affection from Liliana during their brief skirmish, despite likely trying to avoid such an outcome. Just what had they talked about?

…Nonetheless, the results justified the means.

Liliana’s report provided insights into Nina’s current state and abilities. This allowed them to devise countermeasures and──

“──Ensure that Nina knows we don’t intend to abandon her.”

“Ah…”

Sara let out a small sound, and Katia and Albert wore solemn expressions.

Thanks to Liliana’s mission, they now understood Nina’s plight and could convey their willingness to help and welcome her back.

All that remained was to eliminate the obstacles in her way. Chief among them was the man who bound her with geass and orchestrated the Northern rebellion:

“──Finally, Archbishop Johann.”

Hermes began explaining the fourth and greatest threat.

“Archbishop Johan likely doesn’t possess significant combat abilities himself. However, he has a variety of magical artifacts, including those used for the so-called ‘divine punishment’. And most critically──there’s one thing we must be especially wary of.”

The most important revelation.

“…Archbishop Johann’s Bloodline Magic, capable of brainwashing.”

“…We’ve heard about this before. Is it really true?”

Katia asked for confirmation.

Hermes addressed this, reiterating his earlier explanation.

“Typically, thought-altering magic is not that convenient. It should be impossible to significantly alter someone’s perceptions or consciousness.”

This is a fundamental principle of magic. It’s not something that can be overcome by sheer power.

──But.

“The Archbishop’s magic bypasses this limitation. It’s likely transformed a significant number of people into his puppets, even those who would never willingly follow him.”

One notable exception seemed to be Lucius, who retained his core self despite being under the Archbishop’s influence. But that was because he was Lucius—an exceptional case.

“For anyone else, resistance is essentially impossible if they’re fully subjected to his magic. Keep that in mind.”

“…That much?”

“Isn’t there any countermeasure…?”

Katia and Sara voiced their shock. Hermes shook his head lightly.

“Without understanding the mechanism behind it, not specifically. So when facing the Archbishop, avoiding his brainwashing is our top priority.”

That said, his magic likely had limitations. For instance, it couldn’t immediately subjugate someone on sight. Otherwise, their side would’ve been defeated already.

Despite the significant disadvantage in information, Hermes concluded:

“──We can win.”

A current of energy ran through the group.

Having overcome numerous obstacles with his wisdom and resourcefulness, Hermes’ confidence carried weight.

“I’ve outlined a general strategy. What remains is simple: deciding how to counter these four threats.”

The Northern Alliance’s soldiers could be matched with Harvist’s forces. Thus, the focus was on the remaining three: Lucius, Nina, and Johann.

“──Who will face whom. I’ll share my proposed matchups, and I’d like your feedback.”

Hermes presented his plan.

Though initially surprised by the unconventional pairings, the group eventually saw the rationale behind them. After some adjustments, the preparations of Harvist territory were complete.

◆

──Meanwhile, in the Northern Alliance, the night the Archbishop’s foresight first failed.

(…I’ve never seen that expression on the Archbishop before.)

Nina returned to her room after reporting the failure of Johan’s foresight.

Sitting on her bed, she felt a sense of accomplishment she hadn’t felt in a long time.

…But her heart wasn’t entirely at ease.

(…So, foresight can be disrupted. Even without me doing anything… even without my power, those people alone…)

It was undoubtedly a good thing.

But part of her had wanted to change the future herself, to stand proudly alongside people like Hermes and Lucius.

She laughed bitterly.

(…Right. No matter how hard I try, I’m still just… me.)

That lingering self-doubt resurfaced, worsened by her current exhaustion. As dizziness overtook her, Nina made a decision.

(…I’ll sleep.)

She lay down, thinking of one more good thing. If the future had changed, if foresight had failed──

──She wouldn’t have to see Hermes’ death in her dreams anymore.

For the first time in a while, she thought she might sleep peacefully. And even if the future showed Hermes dying again, she’d do everything to change it.

With those thoughts, Nina closed her eyes.

──And dreamed of Hermes’ inexplicable death once more.

In the fortress, the Archbishop’s lips twisted into a smile.

Two days later, the decisive battle would begin.