Ornest's reason for calling himself a "genius" is... an episode from his childhood that makes you think, "He's carrying a heavy past..." - Anime "Hojo Maho" Episode 9

In Episode 9 of the anime The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest, which aired on November 29th, the childhood of Ornest Rain (CV: Masaaki Mizunaka) was depicted. The reason Ornest calls himself a genius was revealed, leading to a strong reaction online, with comments such as, "So that's why he's a genius and strong... because of his past!"

Ornest, who is the party's strongest physical fighter and proclaims himself a genius, struggled in Episode 9, "Blood is Burning (Blood Magic)." Facing Gloria (CV: Kishou Taniyama) of the Dark Guild, Ornest was challenged by an opponent who kept resurrecting using the heretical magic "Blood Magic," even after Ornest inflicted fatal wounds.

It was in this moment that Ornest recalled his childhood. When he was young, Ornest had a friend (CV: Daisuke Kasuya) who was like a rival. This friend repeatedly defeated Ornest and, much like the current Ornest, proclaimed himself a genius, saying, "You can't possibly beat me. I'm a genius." Ornest kept working hard, determined to win against him someday, but then his friend suddenly fell ill. When Ornest declared, "I won't let you run off with the win!" his friend replied, "Then I'll concede it. You win. You're the genius, Ornest."

Returning to the present, Ornest, carrying his friend's feelings with him, shouted, "The fact that I am a genius is unshakable! No matter what anyone says!"

With Ornest's past finally revealed, comments immediately poured onto social media, including: "He inherited the title at that moment," "So that's why he's a genius and strong... because of his past!" "This was an excellent episode that touched upon the core of Ornest's character," and "He's carrying quite a heavy past..."