SWNOVELXO Chapter 86
Chapter 86. The Beginning
Albert von Yelk was confused.
Just as Hermes was about to leave, following Albert’s words, their class representative Sara stopped him.
After a brief silence during her and Nina’s persuasion, Hermes suddenly made a mysterious request.
Due to Sara’s pleading, they reluctantly came to a secluded place as per Hermes’ request.
Albert was puzzled about what Hermes intended to do as he nonchalantly spoke.
“Well then, Sara-sama. Could you set up a barrier using [Theul Gy] around this area?”
“Eh…?”
“A barrier focused on blocking magical power, please. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
Hermes made another mysterious request.
Although Sara seemed to be struggling to grasp his intentions, she set up the barrier as he asked.
Albert wondered if Hermes intended to eliminate him here. No, he wouldn’t call Sara if that were the case—Albert’s confusion was apparent.
Hermes increased his magical power and began to chant.
“…’Thus the world was created, and here is recorded the true truth of who created it, without distinction between heaven and earth, for the sake of one miracle’… Genesis Magic—[Emerald Tablet]”
It was the jade disk he showed during his transfer. His bloodline magic—or wait.
What did he just call this magic?
“Albert-sama. Do you remember the effect of this magic I explained during the transfer?”
Ignoring Albert’s doubts, Hermes questioned him.
With suspicion and irritation, Albert reflexively responded.
“I remember. ‘Simple multi-attribute magic manipulation,’ right! What about it—”
“I’m sorry. That was a lie.”
“—What?”
Albert couldn’t understand the words for a moment and was confused. At the same time, Sara widened her eyes in surprise.
Meanwhile, Hermes started another unbelievable incantation.
“‘Gather, southern wind Notos; Tear, northern wind Boreas; Reach the godless wind’s end’—[Aiolus]”
“Wha—what—!?”
An unimaginable scene unfolded before their eyes.
Hermes, who claimed his bloodline magic was the ‘Primeval Inscription,’ was using another bloodline magic—specifically, Albert’s magic.
And he executed it with far greater power than Albert himself.
The instant guess that he might have dual affinity like Sara was quickly overturned.
In a more unbelievable direction.
“My magic is Genesis Magic, [Emerald Tablet]. Its effect is—’reproduction of observed magic.’ Of course, bloodline magic is no exception, and this too is a reproduction.”
Albert took a moment to absorb and repeat what Hermes said.
—And as he understood it, he was struck with an overwhelming sense of dread.
“No…way. Hey, you, how many bloodline magics have you…!”
“Let’s see. At present—about 20 or so.”
A monster.
Not just a former prodigy. He hadn’t fallen from grace.
As a result of being expelled from his noble house—he returned as a monster beyond noble understanding.
The shock was so great that the surprise numbed him.
The next thing that rose in Albert’s mind was…a question.
“—Why are you telling me this!?”
“……”
“You should absolutely keep this a secret! So why tell me! Do you think I won’t spread this around!?”
After a brief silence to this quite reasonable question, Hermes answered.
“……Because I wanted to know.”
“Want to know, what?”
“Yes. What you—think of this magic. What impression it leaves on you, and what you will do.”
He guided Albert’s gaze to the magic.
[Aiolus]. The bloodline magic of the Count’s family. The bloodline magic that Hermes succeeded in reproducing through a different route, Albert’s bloodline magic.
“I don’t mind what you think. If you want to spread it, go ahead. —In that case, I’ll leave the royal capital without hesitation.”
Hearing this, Albert observed the magic again.
It was clearly more refined and had an order of magnitude higher performance than what Albert could use.
And if Hermes’ words weren’t lies, he could handle multiple other bloodline magics as well.
It was beyond belief.
This must not be allowed. It wasn’t just about the academy; such an existence could shake the entire noble society.
…In that case, it would be best to have him leave the royal capital as he declared.
Please spread the word as he said, and expel him as an outsider. That way, the capital remains peaceful, and they can continue their roles quietly, and the country will function without issue.
Yes, even dreaming recklessly or rebelling wouldn’t lead to anything good.
Then, as he suggested, expel the disruptive element quickly. Preserve the current way of life. That is the duty of a noble—
(—No!!)
It was the primal thought left within Albert.
Yes. The duty of a noble or the stability of the academy, weren’t what he should think about now.
What he should think about, what he should see—
—Is this magic?
Remember. Before coming to this academy, even earlier, the initial thought that was born within him.
The pure will that was born when his magic manifested, without considering duties or anything.
(I wanted to enhance this magic further. That was my only wish!)
Then look.
Look at [A-olus] unfolding before your eyes. Far superior to his, yet the same magic. In other words.
—The future of his magic. The perfect model was right before him.
Then not as a noble, but as a magician. There was only one thing to do!
“……Let me ask one thing, Hermes.”
After a long silence, Albert spoke.
Intentionally or not, he called Hermes’ name for the first time.
“—Can I do the same thing?”
To that question, Hermes widened his eyes.
He received the question he had hoped for, but never truly expected to come.
“……No.”
Thus, Hermes answered.
“You can do even more.”
“!”
“As someone who inherited this magic as bloodline magic, you can’t handle other magics like I do. —But in terms of [Aiolus], you can handle it more freely and powerfully than I ever could. Bloodline magic works that way, as I was taught recently.”
The answer from Hermes exceeded even Albert’s expectations.
Receiving it, his blood boiled. His heart beat so hard it hurt, and he felt a long-forgotten exhilaration.
…Ah, what a greedy feeling. Bowing to someone he had looked down on so far was the height of humiliation and utmost disrespect to Hermes.
But even so. Compared to this exhilaration—such things were no reason to hesitate.
Therefore, Albert.
“—Please.”
He bowed his head.
To the commoner. To the one who was once expelled. To Hermes, who was deemed a failure by noble standards.
“I know it’s selfish to ask this after saying those things. It’s absurd for the one who tried to expel you to make such a request!
—But! I want to advance further as a magician! I don’t want to give up on my goal, I want to meet my family’s expectations! So please—teach me how to enhance my magic to that level, how to train…”
“——”
Such straightforward words.
Receiving them, Hermes was momentarily stunned.
“…With a strong will and hard work, I see. —Indeed, you’re right.”
Saying so, he turned to the girl maintaining the barrier.
“Sara-sama.”
“Y-yes!?”
“My apologies and thanks. …I see, it seems the one lacking the effort to understand was me.”
…Honestly, although he still held some grudges, seeing such superior magic before him.
Without denying or rejecting. —To see someone purely wanting to learn, even if they had held disdain.
Certainly, it might have been a bit early to give up.
Hermes turned back to Albert and stated.
“There are two conditions.”
“W-what?”
“First, don’t disclose the details of my magic to anyone. And second—don’t give up.
If you can do that, though it might not be immediate… I promise you’ll eventually master this magic better than I do.”
“!”
Without any hesitation, Albert nodded.
And so—at last, in a way.
The first step to changing this academy was taken.