Afterward, Ermes was shown to one of the guest rooms by Leila's guidance.
It seemed Katia would need some time to tidy up her disheveled appearance and explain matters about Ermes, so he was left idle in the spacious guest room during the wait.
However, seeing an opportunity, he repeated the chant from before.
The spell activated. An emerald tablet appeared before his eyes.
Currently inscribed on the surface of that disc was the Bloodline Magic he had just reproduced moments ago—the information for the "Magic Bullet Archer."
Back then, it had been a hasty reproduction with no time to spare, but now, taking a closer, more leisurely look at it—
"—As I thought, Bloodline Magic is beautiful."
He murmured, half in admiration, half in longing.
The intricately constructed technique. The layered magic power circuits.
Compared to General-purpose Magic, Bloodline Magic truly was in a different league when it came to structural complexity. Numerous magical elements intertwined in a complex web, all converging into a single, magnificent effect.
It was like a grand ensemble, where a diverse array of instruments each contributed their own voice.
*(...A magic like this—I want to—)*
Just as he was about to reconfirm his own purpose, a sudden knock echoed through the room.
"Ermes, sir? May I come in?"
The one who opened the door and peered inside was Leila, the maid who had guided him earlier.
He dispelled the spell and called out that it was fine to enter.
Leila gave a gentle bow at the entrance and spoke.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Katia and the head of the household, Yurugen, would very much like to speak with you. Could you please come to the receiving room?"
◆
Leila opened the heavy, imposing door of the receiving room.
Beyond it, seated on the nearer sofa, was Katia, now changed into a simple dress.
And on the farther sofa sat a man who regarded him with a calm, yet somehow appraising gaze.
Neatly arranged purple hair and the same amethyst eyes as Katia. A slightly sharp-featured face, framed by thin spectacles.
He gave an impression of intellect and was younger-looking than one might have expected—but this was Yurugen von Trackia. Katia's father, and the current head of the Trackia Duke House.
Yurugen acknowledged Ermes and spoke.
"Well. How should I put it—long time no see, Ermes. You've grown."
"...Yes. I was a bit surprised, Your Excellency—you look about the same as I remembered."
Given that their families had interacted during his childhood, Ermes naturally had prior acquaintance with Yurugen as well. When he conveyed his honest impression from that time, Yurugen returned a wry smile.
Katia gestured, and Ermes took a seat on the sofa beside her.
"I've heard most of the story from my daughter. ...First, I should thank you for rescuing Katia when she was in danger. Thank you."
"N-No! It was nothing!"
Those of high standing should not bow their heads lightly. And yet, when thanks were due, Yurugen offered them properly. Ermes recalled having felt favorable toward that quality in Yurugen during childhood, and it seemed that hadn't changed.
"So, Katia says she wants to hire you as her bodyguard based on the magic you demonstrated... but before that, there are a few things we need to confirm. First—"
"Erm, sorry, but could you activate your magic? Right here, right now."
Katia picked up where Yurugen left off. He wasn't sure why, but it seemed necessary.
"...[Thus was the world created; the infallible truth is recorded here; throughout all heaven and earth without distinction, it is for the sake of the sole miracle.]"
As in the guest room before, he activated the Phantasmal Tablet.
"It's beautiful. What is the inscription on that spell?"
"It's called the 'Primal Inscription.'"
"...Hmm. I've never heard of it, nor seen it before."
Yurugen nodded with a trace of surprise, then continued with his questions.
"How did you come to acquire it?"
"Someone taught it to me."
"Who? Someone from this country?"
*Here it comes*, Ermes thought.
"...I'm sorry, but I cannot answer that."
It was part of the promise he had made with his teacher, Rose, before coming to the Royal Capital.
One clause in that promise was: *"Never speak of Rose."*
"...Oh."
Receiving this answer, Yurugen's eyes narrowed.
"I'm asking this as the head of the Trackia Duke House. And still?"
"!"
Suddenly, the pressure emanating from Yurugen grew intensely heavier.
...It was easy to forget, given his mild demeanor, but he was the undisputed head of one of the premier Duke Houses. Moreover, he also served as the Minister of Justice in the Royal Palace.
To hold such a position in this country demanded exceptional talent, ability, and magic power.
This was the intimidation of a man who possessed both the ability and the authority to match. Any ordinary noble's son would have spilled his secrets long ago—even Katia was breaking into a cold sweat under the pressure. And yet, Ermes—
"I cannot answer that."
He repeated his answer with composure.
"Is it because someone of higher status than me has forbidden you to speak of it?"
"No, the prohibition wasn't that strict. However... I don't want to be the kind of disciple who breaks a promise with the teacher I respect most."
Rose clearly had deep ties to this Royal Capital, given her handling of Bloodline Magic and her manner of speaking.
If he were to carelessly reveal information about his teacher here, it would inevitably cause trouble not only for himself but for Rose as well.
If he were the sort to do such a thing, he would leave the Royal Capital immediately. With that conviction, Ermes returned Yurugen's gaze straight on.
"...Hmm, good answer."
Yurugen regarded him with an expression of approval, then changed the subject.
"Then let's set that aside for now. Next—the details of that magic.
From what Katia told me, you used the 'Magic Bullet Archer,' which is wielded by Chris von Frenbreed, by replicating its effects through that spell. Is that understanding correct?"
"Yes."
"So then—would you say that magic's ability is 'to copy Bloodline Magic'?"
"Strictly speaking, it's not a copy... but in the sense of reproducing a spell one has seen, yes."
"...Is that really the case?"
Yurugen mixed even more surprise into his voice than before.
"Are there any limitations on this 'reproduction'? For instance, only once per activation, or a hard cap on the number?"
"? There are neither. Once I've reproduced a spell, I can use it anytime as long as I remember it, and learning a new spell doesn't erase previous ones."
"—!!"
"Wait, really?!"
This time, it wasn't just Yurugen—even Katia showed genuine astonishment.
His "reproduction" was not a simple conditional copy; it was, in essence, the kind of ability that made him learn *how a spell was constructed*. Naturally, there were no limitations like the ones they had described.
However, even Ermes hadn't expected a reaction this strong.
He was confident in this magic, sure—but for the Duke House, which stood at the pinnacle of Bloodline Magic, to be this surprised felt like an overestimation.
In truth, he himself was somewhat overestimating Bloodline Magic, so that assessment wasn't entirely off base.
"Oh, but! Of course, since Bloodline Magic is so complex, reproduction doesn't happen instantly. The 'Magic Bullet Archer' was an exception because I'd been watching it since I was young. For other Bloodline Magic, it would take a correspondingly long time."
"No, even so, that's absolutely incredible..."
"...Indeed. In short, the more spells he reproduces, the more magic he can wield without limit..."
"Theoretically, yes, but the real question is how long it would take to reach that point..."
Even as he tried hard to deflate their overestimation, their expressions remained unchanged.
"...If this goes wrong, it could overturn the entire foundations of noble society... Katia, you were right to have secured him. Well done."
"I didn't expect things to go this far either, Father..."
In the end, the assessment settled on something rather outrageous.
"...Well then, the final question. Now that I know you possess magic of this caliber, I must ask very carefully."
He gave a deliberate cough, straightened his posture, and Yurugen resumed his stern demeanor as he posed the question.
"What is your purpose?"
"My... purpose?"
"That's right. Someone with power like yours—why did you come back to the Royal Capital? Until I know the answer to that, I cannot allow you to remain in this household."
Under normal circumstances, he would never have asked something so probing.
But given the power Ermes possessed—and furthermore—
"Why you helped Katia is also baffling. According to her, at that time you helped her without knowing any of the background details."
"That was..."
"By any noble's common sense, it's far too unnatural. At the extreme, one could even suspect that you and her brother staged the whole thing to deceive Katia and ingratiate yourself with the Trackia Duke House."
"!"
"Father, that's—!"
"Is your reward a return to the Frenbreed Marquis House? If so, everything falls into place—it's the most natural explanation. In fact, merely having that suspicion would be reason enough for us to drive you out of here."
Not a single falsehood would escape his notice.
That was the message in Yurugen's gaze and words, backed by even greater intimidation than before.
"...Very well. Then let me start with my purpose."
He understood that this suspicion was natural, both as the head of a Duke House and as a father worried about his daughter.
And so Ermes decided to speak his true feelings without pretense.
"My purpose is to find magic that is truly my own... That's a roundabout way of putting it. I want to create my own magic."
"Create... magic?"
"Yes. By reproducing many spells, understanding their underlying principles—and beyond that, to craft a Unique Magic of my own. A spell as wondrous and beautiful as Bloodline Magic, or even more so, to serve as my own proof."
Not a forger, but a creator. Not a performer, but a composer. That was his wish.
Reproducing many spells was, for him, merely the process.
He wanted to understand the process by which magic was born, find his own magic, and bring it into being.
That was why he—and his teacher, Rose—called the "Primal Inscription" a "seed." It was the medium for fertilizing countless spells and blossoming into the flower of Unique Magic.
"...That's an extraordinary goal. But with that magic of yours, it may not be impossible."
"Thank you. As for why I helped Katia..."
In truth, that was entirely a matter of circumstance.
The largest factor within himself was the feeling of wanting to stand by Katia's side, to whom he felt a strong sense of gratitude.
But if he were to point to another reason beyond that—
"—'There was no need for you to get involved.' That's what she said."
Yes, at that moment.
No matter who looked, she was clearly at a disadvantage—she was, without question, in a situation where she needed someone's help. And yet, she had tried to drive Ermes away.
That was when he had thought it. ...Ah, this person hasn't changed. She's still the same kind girl who once reached out to him.
"Someone like that being called a criminal—that had to be some kind of mistake. That's what I wanted to believe, so I helped her. Even if my judgment was wrong, dragging someone away without question is absurd, isn't it? ...Is that too weak a reason?"
"It is weak. Rather, it's naive. Basing your actions on such a fleeting impression is, I have to say, rather short-sighted."
It had come from the bottom of his heart, but Yurugen cut it down without hesitation.
"...However."
Then, without warning, his expression softened.
"As a father, I'm genuinely happy that there's someone who trusts Katia that much. And if you acted with full consideration that you might be in the wrong, then I can't fault you entirely. Everyone makes mistakes, after all."
With that, Yurugen released the pressure and returned to his original calm demeanor.
"Well then, sorry for keeping you so long. As for hiring you... yes, I approve."
"!"
"In fact, I'd like to ask this of my own accord. If someone like you is protecting my daughter, then we can rest easy. Katia, you're fine with this too, aren't you? ...Katia?"
"...Y-Yes!?"
Something was off about her response, so he glanced sideways—and found Katia's face had turned completely red.
"Um, Ermes, for you to think of me that way... No, that's not—! Thank you for approving Ermes's employment, Father! This means Ermes will be by my side around the clock... serving as my bodyguard, correct!"
"...Yes, I understand your enthusiasm. But as a daughter of a Duke House, perhaps you should learn to conceal your feelings a bit better?"
In any case.
Thus was Ermes's position secured: he would serve in the Trackia household as both a retainer and Katia's bodyguard, finding his place of employment in the Royal Capital.