The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

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Chapter 100: Winds of Change (2)

Two hours had already passed.

The chair and her buttocks seemed inseparable, with not even a hint of discomfort.

Truly remarkable concentration.

Still in her late twenties, not yet thirty, Silica found the man’s first impression quite intriguing.

Before entering the Headmaster’s office, the sense of unease wafting from beyond the door was so palpable it could have made her hair stand on end.

Yet, as soon as she laid eyes on him, that sense of unease vanished like a gust of wind.

He embodied the typical image of an academic scholar.

Seemingly secluded in some remote chamber, devoting a lifetime to magical research, with an impression that he wouldn’t harm a fly, let alone a person.

So Silica cautiously approached and struck up a conversation.

“You seem deeply engrossed in your work.”

As if unaware of her approach, Boris appeared slightly flustered.

“Haha. With so many outstanding students around, I thought they might feel apprehensive about me. I just wanted to get a bit closer first, even if it’s through conversation.”

He was looking at stacks of students’ records stretching into the thousands.

Including freshmen and even graduating students, it was certainly not an easy task to individually verify hundreds of students’ records, and for the most part, it was an action that most wouldn’t even attempt.

“Instructor Boris is probably the first instructor to check students’ records as soon as he takes office.”

“R-really? I wonder if I’m doing something wrong…”

“Oh no! Rather, wouldn’t you want to learn from his passion? Do you have any students you’re interested in?”

Boris reacted with a smile as if he had been waiting for this.

“Yes, there are. The student I’m currently looking at seems quite interesting…”

Silica’s gaze naturally shifted to the record book he was holding.

[Cyan Vert]

“Ah!”

It felt like a needle had pricked her somewhere in her body.

But Silica kept her smile without showing any signs of discomfort.

“Do you also know about this student, Instructor Silica?”

“Of course. He’s quite famous at our academy.”

It would be strange if someone didn’t know about him.

Since entering the school, almost every student has had some interaction with him at least once.

He’s neither a top student nor a problem child, but rather a truly ambiguous student.

Moreover, he has a very close relationship with her.

“As the youngest son of the famous Continent’s Guardian, Duke Vert, and with unprecedented attribute scores of over 90%, they’re quite talented. But what’s interesting is that among our instructors, they’re known as a student who’s hard to come by.”

Indeed, Cyan’s attendance record was quite remarkable.

Their attendance rate was just enough to avoid failing grades, yet they never received a single academic warning, and they diligently attended every exam.

What’s amusing is that in theoretical subjects, they usually received grades close to failing, but in practical subjects like swordsmanship and magic application, they consistently scored near perfect marks.

With a strange smile, Boris asked,

“So, is this student currently in the academy?”

* * *

*Trot trot*

The thundering sound of hooves broke the silence, coming from beyond the horizon.

Any experienced knight could easily recognize whose carriage it was from the distance alone.

A white carriage running in the center,

Surrounded by dozens of escort knights, their surroundings are closely guarded.

Even the golden flag, swaying vigorously in the wind, bears the emblem of the imperial Sevellerus family, descendants of the divine Lumendel, the god of light.

Since the Fabian and Nerobian brothers graduated last year, there was only one person who could carry that flag to the academy.

“Welcome to the city of harmony, Luwen!”

As the carriage arrived, the guards presented their arms in salute.

– *Creak*

The carriage door opened, and a short-haired woman with a sword at her waist emerged.

Though just past her youth, her confident demeanor was evident in her sturdy face.

After exchanging pleasantries with the guards, she quietly handed over two badges.

“Excuse me, would it be possible for another companion inside to present their credentials? Due to recent events, the security measures have been tightened…”

Another woman emerged from the carriage at once.

As soon as the guards saw her face, they immediately made way without hesitation.

“Allow me to introduce Her Highness Arin Sevellerus, princess of the Ushif Empire!”

Without any issues, the two women were allowed entry into Luwen.

“Please go ahead and unload the luggage first. I want to take a walk around with Ressimus.”

“We will follow Your Highness’s command!”

Some of the knights, who received the order, immediately entered the city along with the carriage.

Arin, along with the remaining knights including Ressimus, slowly walked through the city.

“It’s unusually quiet. It wasn’t like this before…”

Not even students, nor merchants crowding in for the start of the semester, were visible.

It felt like seeing the deserted city after a war evacuation.

“The aftermath of the banquet incident seems to have been significant. And on top of that, the incident from a fortnight ago…”

Arin sighed heavily with a sense of sadness.

“It’s really unfortunate for that child. Enduring such events in the Empire, and now experiencing the disgraceful act of kidnapping…”

Ressimus’s heart ached even more upon hearing this.

She knew.

Despite Arin’s efforts to appear strong, her inner turmoil was evident.

No matter how brave and resolute she appeared, she was ultimately just a 13-year-old girl.

It was truly cruel to bear the responsibilities of a princess, unable to show distress or shed tears even when facing difficulties and sorrows.

“Let’s go, Arin. Even if you go back to the dormitory, Cyan will be there.”

“Cyan…?”

Contrary to what was expected, Arin’s expression turned sullen.

“Never mind! It’s not like I came here to see that guy…”

Ressimus couldn’t help but feel flustered for a moment.

“A-Are you serious?”

“Anyway, whether I come or not, he won’t care, right? He didn’t even bother to meet me when he came to the banquet! I don’t care anymore!”

Arin’s face was covered with a layer of resentment towards Cyan.

However, beneath that troubled facade, her girlishness, which had been hidden, was subtly revealed.

“B-But that doesn’t mean I won’t go!”

“Huh?”

“I-I made a promise! I said I’d visit him first when I come back! How boring must it have been for him to be with boring Cyan all this time?”

“Well, I suppose… ”

Ressimus sighed with a sense of relief for some reason.

As the two women were about to head towards the royal palace,

“Welcome to the city of harmony, Luwen!”

Suddenly, the sound of guards’ spears came from behind.

Normally, Luwen’s guards only present spears to nobles or high-ranking academy officials.

When Arin turned her head, thinking it might be another student like her,

“….?”

Arin was faced with a very familiar face.

“L-Luna?”

Both women couldn’t hide their surprise, as if they had seen someone they shouldn’t have.

Upon passing through the gate, Luna also noticed Arin and reacted.

“Princess Arin?”

Unlike Arin, she didn’t seem particularly surprised.

Dozens of wizards clad in robes followed behind her.

“Uh… Are you okay?”

“Was there something wrong with me?”

In her confusion, Arin unintentionally asked about her well-being, but Luna just grinned in response.

The initial shock of the unexpected reunion soon faded away.

Arin and Luna found themselves walking side by side towards the academy.

Following behind them was Ressimus, and behind him, knights from the palace and wizards from the society maintained a certain distance as they followed.

“Speaking of which, how have you been all this time?”

“Not much has changed. After returning from the empire, I just stayed holed up in my room.”

“Same here. I didn’t step outside my room until I came to the academy.”

Arin responded with a clap of her hands, feeling a sense of camaraderie.

For a moment, an uncomfortable expression crossed Luna’s face.

“You can speak freely.”

“Huh?”

“After all, this isn’t the empire, it’s the academy. So just feel free to call me by my name. But in return, can I call you Senior Arin?”

“Oh, uh, sure, why not…”

Arin was taken aback by the sudden informality.

Sensing a bit of ease, Luna continued speaking as if nothing had changed.

“In truth, it wasn’t because of the banquet, but rather my grandfather’s strict confinement. One day, I got too bored and decided to escape without his knowledge. Eventually, I made it to the academy.”

“Oh, how did you manage that?”

“It was simple. The guards around me were always stationed at designated times and places. Their shifts were consistent. Actually, I could have escaped anytime before. I just didn’t have anything to do outside, so I didn’t. Although my grandfather seems to have tightened security a bit since then, it’s still not impossible.”

Arin expressed her admiration a beat later.

“Wow, that’s impressive. I had no idea you were so perceptive. Honestly, I was really worried when I heard about your kidnapping.”

Luna maintained a nonchalant gaze as if it were no big deal.

“Well, it wasn’t much. So, why did you go to the academy? Can I ask?”

“Oh, I went to see Senior Cyan.”

Arin’s steps, which had been moving steadily forward, suddenly halted.

This caused not only Luna but also Ressimus and the guards following them to stop in their tracks.

“W-what? You went to see Cyan?!”

While Arin was visibly excited, Luna’s expression remained calm.

“Yes. I just wanted to see Senior’s face because I was bored. So, I went to find him.”

“And, did you meet Cyan?”

“I did manage to meet him when I went to the royal palace by myself. But instead of letting me in, he grabbed my hand and took me to the cafeteria.”

Arin immediately understood that it was because of Nana.

“Anyway, we talked for a bit there, but while Senior went to the restroom, I got kidnapped. Looking back, it was really foolish of me. I should have realized something was off when I saw those strangers I’ve never met before. It was entirely my fault.”

Luna was actually blaming herself for what happened.

Seeing her self-blame but also her lack of discouragement, Arin felt a strange mix of emotions.

Despite blaming herself, Luna exuded a strong sense of confidence that she would never fall prey to such a situation again.

“….!”

As the girls continued their conversation, they soon arrived at the academy without anyone noticing a man approaching them.

“S-sorry for startling you. Did I interrupt something?”

Ressimus quickly stepped in front of Arin.

The knights and mages following them did the same, unaware of the man’s presence until now.

The man who suddenly appeared quickly bowed his head and apologized.

“W-who are you?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Boris Ruchelheim, the new instructor at the academy for this semester.”

“A new instructor?”

To dispel any doubts, the man immediately presented his badge.

It was a clear badge with the emblem of the academy.

“I apologize for the intrusion. I happened to approach you unconsciously when I saw you in the academy. Are you Arin and Luna?”

“Yes, but…”

Despite it being their first meeting, the man seemed to already know who they were.

“Indeed, the top students of the academy. I was quite surprised by your abundant mana energy. If it’s not too much trouble, may I check your mana for a moment?”

“How would you do that?”

“It’s simple. Just create a small mana orb and hand it to me. But if you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to! It’s just a request.”

Although his identity as an instructor was confirmed, Luna didn’t ease her guarded gaze.

Meanwhile, Arin seemed somewhat intrigued and effortlessly created her mana orb.

“Should I just hand it over?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

As the white orb emerged from her delicate hand and was about to be handed to Instructor Boris,

*Thunk*

Someone’s rough grip forcefully grabbed Arin’s wrist.

“…!”

Caught off guard, Arin stumbled backward, only to find herself embraced by someone moments later.

Arin was stunned when she saw the owner of the hand.

“C-Cyan?”

His face seemed oddly furious.

————