Chapter 6: Return to the capital

“Are you sure you want to go?”

　It had been five years since Hermes became Rose’s apprentice.

　In the depths of a deserted forest far from the royal capital, the voice of Master Rose echoed.

　Her appearance has not changed since we met. Her youthful good looks and well-proportioned body have not changed at all in their life together.

　In the first place, he does not know the age of his master. He has a pretty good idea, but he is still skeptical because of the discrepancy between his guess and her appearance.

　The boy answers the stern question of his teacher, who is still as mysterious as ever even after five years.

“…… Yes. I’m going back to the capital.”

　Hermes, on the other hand, had naturally changed a lot in five years.

　He is 15 years old this year. Although he is not as attractive as most boys of his age, he has a strong body and a gentle face. His face, while retaining a gentle expression, has become a part of him that is less timid than before.

　And the atmosphere. Hermes has become more mature than his age, and has become more relaxed.

　Hermes, with a glint of determination in his jade eyes, declared without wavering.

“I don’t want to waste my master’s teachings. I want to regain the feelings I once lost. And… in order to find ‘my own magic’. I need to see all the different kinds of magic in King’s Landing. Above all, I want to do that.”

“…… I see.”

　After the firm words, Rose turned over as if she was thinking about something.

　Eventually, I felt my body trembling.

“………… I still don’t like iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!”

　She clung to me with all her might.

　Without any shame or pretense, she hugged me as if she was not going to let me go, with a trembling voice and teary eyes.

　I’m not going to lie, he looked so pathetic that the solemn atmosphere we had just been in was shattered.

“Hey, Herm!　I think you should reconsider!　I don’t think I can bear to be separated from you anymore!”

“No, no, no. It was Master who suggested that I should return to …… the capital in the first place, right?”

“Yes, but you know what?　You may not know this, but my life was terrible before you came!”

“Yes, yes, I know. After all, I’m probably the one who helped you improve your terrible life.”

　His mentor, Rose, is an amazing wizard without a doubt.

　…… No, let me rephrase that a bit.

　As a wizard, she’s a wonderful person without a doubt. In fact, the past five years she had taught him a lot of knowledge and skills.

But, to put it bluntly, Rose was otherwise a horrible mess.

Her lifestyle was disorderly and unhealthy. Her room was a mess and she had no idea how to clean it up.

　She skips changing her clothes, washing her clothes, and even taking a bath when she’s working on her magic. There are countless times when I’ve had to force my teacher into the bathtub because she insisted, “I’ve already cleaned the dirt with magic, so it’s fine.”

　Hermes realized that it was not a good idea to conform to his teacher’s lifestyle, and decided that he should take care of Rose.

　So, for five years, he worked on various household chores that he had never done before, as well as understanding his master’s preferences in cooking, in between his training.

　The master, on the other hand, had improved to the point where I was proud to say that she had become as good as anyone else.

“I cant, I can’t live without you anymore!”

　As described earlier, she had successfully evolved from a mere useless person to a useless person without Hermes.

When I met her, I thought she was a really cool person, but … Hermes soothes the clinging teacher while nostalgic for the past.

“…… Well, Master. It’s hard for me to leave if I’m being held back that hard. ……”

“Ugh, that’s the most painful thing to be told ……!”

　I think she is aware that she is being more selfish than usual.

　She loosened her embrace a bit, but still spoke at close range as if she was regretting my departure.

“But you know, …… I won’t be able to eat Herms food often anymore, and I won’t be able to pet your head, cuddle you, or sleep with you. …… I’ll miss you.”

“The second half is about to get embarrassing, so even if I’m here, I’d rather not.”

　Fortunately, Rose took care of him in ways other than magic.

　But as she said, there were times when he was more adorable than she had imagined, and the excessive skinship of the older beautiful woman had made me feel quite embarrassed since I began to go through puberty.

　But all in all, she has been a great help to me. I can’t thank her enough.

“As for the rice, I’ve left some recipes that even Master can easily make. I’ve also done the chores that can be automated with magic, and I’ll be back as soon as I can…”

“Ah mooh, why are you such a healthy, cute, and nice boy!　　I would have happily kicked him out if he hadn’t been so hateful!　But I don’t want to see Herm like that!　I don’t know what I’m going to do. ……”

“Master, I think it’s best if you calm down for a while. ……”

After that, Rose made a lot of noise and held me back, but in the meantime, I guess she finally calmed down.

“…… I know, I know. It’s the start of the apprenticeship. ……”

　As soon as she let go of his body and muttered quietly, she showed a serious face – that of a wizard.

“Herm, I think you know what I’m talking about. What I’ve taught you for the last five years is just a seed.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s up to you to choose what kind of magic you want to learn from it, and what kind of magic you want to make bloom. To do that, it’s good to see a lot of better magic – bloodline magic, in other words.”

　That’s why I’m heading to the royal capital. To be near the nobles who have a lot of excellent bloodline magic is for me to study magic.

　Hermes was, indeed, suggested a few days ago by the Master herself.

“But if you just want to see bloodline magic, there is more than one way. There are plenty of things you can do while you’re there.”

“Right…….”

“And to be honest, King’s Landing is a terrible place. It’s a place for lazy, insidious people who live on what they’ve been given since birth and don’t think for themselves. I’m sure you’re going to see things you don’t want to see.”

　Rose then asked again.

“Will you still go?”

　I didn’t hesitate to reply.

“Yes, I will go. There are things I want to do in King’s Landing.”

　That place is where I used to live as a nobleman. I had very few good memories of that place, but I still have a little bit of regret.

　I want to see with my own eyes how the people I was once involved with are doing now.

　Above all, I want to get back what I lost there for my own magic.

　…… and hopefully.

　I want to show a new path to those who are troubled by magic, just as I was once saved by Rose when I was at rock bottom.

　I’m sure that’s the kind of great wizardry that I admired in the past and still admire today.

“…… I see.”

　She murmured in the same way as he replied.

　She hugged him tightly once more and then – this time with a big smile on her face.

“Go on, then!　Go to King’s Landing and go on a rampage!　Show the people who once dismissed you as incompetent that you’ve come this far in strength!”

“Y-yes!”

　Finally, his master gave him a push.

　Without a care in the world, he runs away. He heads for the exit of the forest and beyond, to the place where he was once driven out.

“I love you, my apprentice ──────!”

　The loud voice of the bright and powerful master reverberated throughout the forest forever.

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　A few days after that. Just about the same day that Hermes arrived at the royal capital.

　In a deserted alleyway in the outskirts of King’s Landing.

“Ha~ Ha~”

　The girl’s ragged breathing was echoing.

　She was running frantically. As if in a hurry to …… something, or to escape from something.

　As if to confirm this, a voice sounded from behind the girl.

“Hahahaha!　It’s no use, you can’t escape from me here!”

　Hearing the voice, the girl put more strength into her legs, knowing that she couldn’t shake them off at all.

But I couldn’t go any faster with my exhausted body, and while I was doing so, I heard a voice. Closer than before.

Why don’t you give up your unnecessary resistance, Miss Katia!

“!”

　I knew I couldn’t escape, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Why…”

　The girl, Katie von Trakia, spills her words with a sad expression.

“Why, Your Highness, Astor!”

　The timing could only be described as a trick of fate.

　The fate of the past was looming close to Hermes.

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