Chapter 3: Childhood friends

　It was not that there were no …… good things.

　A servant who was sympathetic to Hermes would secretly put dried meat in the soup, or bring him things under the watchful eye of the guards.

　And most importantly, …… ‘she’ came regularly.

“…… Herm, are you okay?”

　A girl about the same age as Hermes appeared out of the darkness.

　She has vivid navy blue hair that looks as if it’s trapped in the night sky, eyes and nose that look lovely and strong at the same time. The girl, who is so beautiful and graceful that she doesn’t look out of this situation, runs up to the dirty cell without hesitation and takes Hermes’ hand.

“More scars, Uncle Xenos and Chris must have gotten to you. I’m sorry ……. I’d love to heal you, but that’s not what my magic is about. ……”

No, it’s fine. I’m glad you feel that way, Katia.

　Her name is Katia von Trakia. She is the eldest daughter of the Dukes of Trakia, a more prestigious family than the Frembreeds, in other words, she is a duchess.

　Like Hermes, she is a magical genius with a promising future, and because of this similarity, she and Hermes have been friends since childhood.

　…… And unlike Hermes, the girl blossomed into a bloodline magic worthy of the dukes.

However, unlike the people around her, she was the only one who still treated me the same way even after she found out that Hermes was unsuitable, and still came to see me like this.

“Both Uncle and Chris are horrible. I don’t care how important magic is to you, you can’t treat your family like this. ……”

“…… Maybe so. But.”

　Her voice carried her heartfelt indignation, but Hermes, now that he was mentally trapped, couldn’t honestly sympathize with her.

“…… I’m a failure. As my father said, I have to believe that just getting food is enough. No matter what they do to me, I can’t complain–?!”

But his self-deprecating words were forcibly interrupted by Katia’s hands clasping his cheeks.

“Herm. I believe in you.”

“Eh?”

“You’re blessed with magic, and you’ve always worked so hard. You love magic more than anyone else. You’re the one who’s always praised my magic, and you don’t have any bloodline magic, so it’s definitely a mistake.”

　The purple crystal eyes shone beautifully in the dim darkness, reflecting the light of the candle.

“So I believe you. I believe that you are not a person who belongs here. I believe that one day you will become a great wizard and stand in front of me again.”

　As if the words and the sparkle in her eyes had caught her attention, a faint light returned to Hermes’ eyes as well.

“Yes, you’re right.”

　He slowly takes back his hand and tells her.

“Father said he’d let me out of here if I showed up with the bloodline magic. I can’ t give up, can I?”

“Yes. That’s the spirit.”

I think I’ve been a little weak. I’ll try again. Thanks for the ……, Katia.”

　I thanked her with a carefree smile that I hadn’t done in months.

　She was taken aback for a moment and immediately turned her head away.

“Okay, you know what? I can’t stand the thought of someone I admire languishing in a place like this. That’s right.”

　After that, he almost said something a little too quickly, but then the sound of someone descending the stairs echoed in both of their ears.

“Not good, they’ll find us. I have to go!”

　Apparently, she had come here secretly.

“Yeah!　we’re definitely getting out of here and I will see you again!　I promise, I promise!”

　…… I wondered if she would eventually be found if she shouted that loudly.

　Hermes also waved his hand modestly, smiling at her slightly tomboyish behavior.

　And so, although my life was as terrible as ever.

　Katia was still supporting me, and I had a faint hope that I would be able to leave as long as I mastered my bloodline magic.

　With those two things as his mental support, Hermes continued to search for his own magic in his cell.

　Even though it was hard, deep down, he never broke down and did what he could in the poor environment.

　He endured the unreasonable, believed that he would be rewarded, and worked relentlessly.

　And then, when Hermes was ten years old.

　—-All of this will be destroyed in the worst possible way.

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“……Herm , if you don’t mind.”

　It all started with a visit from Katia.

　For the past three years, she was the only one I took pleasure in meeting people, so I rushed to the bars with a smile.

　And then I realized. She looked more sorrowful than he had ever seen her before.

“…… I’m sorry, Herm.”

　A bad feeling rapidly occupies my heart. Before I could shake it off, she said something critical.

“I, I can’t come here anymore.”

“…… Why?”

　My thoughts went blank. It was almost a miracle that I was able to ask the question.

“His Highness Astor, the Second Prince. Do you know him?”

　The next thing Katia told me was the name of the person.

　Of course I know him. Zenos, my father, who came here from time to time, had told me.

　The prince of this country. He is the same age as us, and is said to be a beautiful and intelligent boy. He’s a strong candidate to be the next king along with the first prince, who has been given the bloodline magic that is said to be the strongest in this generation.

　And both Hermes and Katia are members of prestigious noble families. It’s easy to predict what they will say next.

“……, no way.”

“Yes. I’ve heard about my engagement. Me and His Highness, Astor.”

　It was no surprise. As a prince’s betrothed, the Duchess of Trakia is not only a perfect match, but the most suitable one. In addition to that, Katia is a girl with excellent magic and looks, so it’s no surprise that she was approached.

“…… Are you going to accept that offer?”

“I’ll take it. It’s a role to support His Highness Astor, the greatest treasure of this country, both in private and in public. As a duchess, I would be honored, but there is no reason for me to refuse.”

　The expression on Katia’s face was unreadable, and Hermes became confused.

“Well then, …….”

“I’ll be living in the royal palace from now on, receiving my education as a queen and working with His Highness. So ……”

　she can’t come here anymore.

　That’s not all. This is the girl who has been encouraging me all this time, who has kept my heart from breaking, who has a debt of gratitude and love that I can never repay.

　It’s hard to put it into words, but she’s going to be very, very far away.

“B, but!”

　Perhaps seeing the look of despair on her face, Katia hurriedly tried to add a few words.

“I’ll make time for you in a year, no, in six months!　And then, somehow, I’ll—“

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

But at that moment, a voice came from the side.

“…… Chris.”

“Brother …….”

　We both looked at Hermes’ older brother, Chris von Frembreed, who appeared.

“Chris, what’s going on?”

“Miss Katia. With your engagement, we, the Frembreeds, will also be joining His Highness Astor.”

　Chris’s voice was filled with unconcealed joy, and his voice rose even higher.

“And me!　I’ve been recruited to be His Highness’ bodyguard and right-hand man!　Oh, His Highness is very intelligent. He also has a keen eye for discovering smoldering talent. This is what a king is made of—“

“I don’t care about that!　I’m asking you why it’s impossible for me to see Herm again!

　It was a natural correction, but when Chris was interrupted, his lips twisted in displeasure.

　However, it was only for a moment, and then he immediately turned his mean smile towards Hermes.

“When the Frembreed family joined His Highness Astor’s faction, His Highness said this.

‘I don’t need incompetents under my command. I don’t care if they are suitable, pretend they never existed.’ Is what he said”

“!”

　Katia gasped.

　Hermes understood exactly what it meant, and his blood ran cold.

“You know what that means, Hermes?　It’s so refreshing to finally not have to live in the same place as a piece of s**t like you!”

　Chris took one look at Hermes with an expression tinged with contempt and mockery, and finally raised his hand.

“Come on, your father wants to see you. You guys, take Hermes with you!”

　At the same time, strong knights appeared from both sides and took Hermes away like he was a righteous criminal.

“Wait!　That’s crazy!”

　Katia shouted and tried to get closer, but the knights stopped her.

“You’ve gone too far. Wait a minute, Herm, if I go to His Highness and tell him–!”

“No, Mistress Katia. From now on, you will serve His Highness. Why are you so obsessed with that trivial man?

“You…!!”

　You can hear the argument between Katia and Chris very far away.

　Hermes was taken to his father’s office in a stupor, and as expected, he was disowned.

　All of his efforts over the past ten years have been in vain… He is exiled from his family home and thrown out into the wild as a mere Hermes.

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