The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

It’s been ten days since leaving Sapheren.

According to sporadic reports, the Lord of Sapheren was found on the streets the day after I left the city.

Of course, he wasn’t found in one piece.

His body was covered in dozens of broken bones, and one of his legs was so mangled that it was beyond recovery.

No matter how much they asked him, he only repeated pleas for mercy like a madman, claiming that demons were chasing him and fled Sapheren in a panic.

It seems he enjoyed the excruciating pain of almost dying more than actually dying. Yet, it seems he didn’t indulge him in his pathetic plea for mercy.

Well, at least he didn’t foolishly set him free.

Well, from now on, it’s up to that father and daughter to handle.

I let out a tired yawn as I gazed out the window.

Peaceful.

Perhaps the most peaceful moment of my ten-day journey.

Everywhere I went, there were riff raff asking me if I needed a bodyguard, thieves popping up as soon as I passed a slightly deserted place, and even animals rushing towards the smell when I stopped to camp.

Why do they interfere with my journey so ghostly?

Most of them seemed to dislike living in this world, so I kindly sent them to the underworld.

“My lord, I see Luwen!”

Beyond the fluttering leaves of grass, the white city situated at the end of the winding road came into view.

It was the final destination of my journey, the radiant city of harmony, Luwen.

Usually, border areas between countries are volatile, but this place is different.

It’s where the Ushif Empire, the Garam Kingdom, and the Spania Kingdom share borders.

Until the establishment of the Royal Academy, this place was just a desolate wasteland.

No one could have expected that an academy would be established in such a wasteland.

The Royal Academy is a national institution established under the ideology of pursuing the endless development of magic and humanity.

As the word ‘national’ implies, it’s not something just anyone can establish.

Archmage Terramail Ishfa, hailed as one of the greatest magicians of all time, was the founder of this academy.

Starting with the successors who followed the archmage’s ideology, it gradually grew and developed into the multinational city of Luwen we see today.

Enclosed by pure white walls on all sides, Luwen was surrounded by a complete wall, and only those with permission could enter the city.

As I reached the gate, like other cities, guards blocked the way.

As usual, I got off the carriage myself and showed the insignia of Duke Vert.

“Greetings, son of the Duke of Vert, and welcome to Luwen, the City of Harmony!”

The guards raised their spears and bowed.

Brian, who was driving the carriage, asked as if it were natural by now.

“Where to next?”

“For now, just a little further, and you’ll see a road adorned in gold. Just follow that road straight.”

“Understood.”

Brian followed the instructions, and the carriage moved slowly along the road.

Peering out the window, I saw a procession of numerous carriages and nobles from across the continent wandering the streets.

This is getting a little nostalgic…….

I can’t say it’s a great memory, but every time I return to this space, I feel like I’m traveling back in time.

At that time, it was difficult for me to even look out the window and watch people.

Looking back, I realize how much this place, the Academy, has changed me.

If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have caught the devil’s eye in the end.

I’ve said it many times, but I no longer have anything to learn here, nor will anything change because of me.

I have no intention of socializing among nobles, and the academy is merely a barrier to protect my current status as a student.

Well, who knows, maybe if my heart changes again… this time, I might change the decaying and stagnant place myself…

With various thoughts crossing my mind, the carriage was gradually approaching the Royal Academy.

* * *

When I arrived at the main building’s administration office, there were a variety of people gathered, including students who had come to complete procedures like me, instructors, and administrators.

They seemed engrossed in their own conversations, not paying much attention to my presence.

I approached the receptionist in charge of the procedures and submitted my application.

The female staff, reading my application, adjusted her glasses and asked, “Could you show me a document to prove your identity?”

I reached into my pocket and placed the family crest on the desk.

As the receptionist examined the crest, she seemed slightly taken aback.

“What’s your name, sir?”

“Cyan Vert.”

At the mention of my name, everyone’s attention turned towards me.

“Cyan Vert? The incompetent son of Duke Vert?”

“The one who spent a whole year behind the front lines with senior knights?”

“I heard he was just lingering in the rear. Probably got a tag made by Duke Vert to feel important.”

“He doesn’t resemble Cranz at all.”

Sometimes having sharp hearing is a problem.

Most of these rumors I usually let go in one ear and out the other, but as you know, I’m not exactly a saint, so I hope those words don’t reach my ears when I’m feeling bitter.

Otherwise, I might just tear those flapping mouths apart…

Well, I can’t start off like that from the first day.

Today, I want to move forward with a fresh mind.

“All procedures are complete. You can wait in the prepared dormitory, and attend the inauguration ceremony in two days.”

The female staff said, handing me the stamped admission form along with the key to the dormitory.

“…?”

The golden key had a crown engraved on it, and sensing something was wrong, I immediately asked the staff.

“Is this given correctly?”

“Yes, Mr. Cyan has been assigned to the Royal Quarters. You’ve been selected through the proper procedures, so there’s no need to worry.”

The mention of the Royal Quarters caused another stir around me.

Well, going through the proper procedures already sounds unreasonable, doesn’t it?

In my past life, the dormitory I was assigned to was the Noble Quarters, a typical dormitory where most noble students lived.

There were lower-ranked dormitories as well, but usually, regardless of status, nobles were assigned to the same Noble Quarters.

However, the Royal Quarters I received now wasn’t the typical dormitory.

Royal, as the word implies, signifies the highest class only accessible to the descendants of kings and emperors from a few countries, not just any noble lineage.

Even though there are cases where influential families closely related to the royal family sometimes receive Royal Quarters, I wasn’t one of those cases.

Someone must have had a hand in this.

Could it be my father’s decision?

Well, it’s not impossible if he directly appealed to the emperor, but honestly, there’s no reason to go that far.

Even Sister Alice and that damn bastard didn’t receive Royal Quarters.

Cranz is a given.

He’s already getting a lot of attention even on the first day.

Maybe by tomorrow, rumors will spread about a noble’s child getting Royal Quarters, but I just hope I don’t hear those words.

For now, I went to unpack my luggage and headed to the dormitory.

It’s a place I’ve never visited even during my six years at the academy in my past life. I thought it might be a little more luxurious than the Noble Quarters, but…

“This, this is…”

Brian, who looked at the scenery of the dormitory, couldn’t close his open mouth.

It’s not just luxurious, it’s like they’ve built a castle within the academy.

There was even a neat lake and a garden in front of the building.

If someone sees this, they might think it’s a separate palace built by the imperial family.

After slapping Brian to come to his senses, I entered through the main gate.

The place where my room was located was at the end of the left corridor on the second floor.

Despite the luxurious building, the room was surprisingly ordinary. With a slightly puzzled mind, I unlocked the door and entered…

Thud!

It was nothing special.

The sound of Brian dropping my luggage with both hands.

He seemed quite surprised, and without even thinking about picking it up, he was admiring the scene in front of him.

It’s much larger than the width of the corridor, and the doors were quite spaced out.

It was about three times the size of the Noble Quarters where I lived.

“I, I’m sorry, my lord! I’ll immediately move the rest of the luggage!”

Brian, who quickly came to his senses, was sweating like rain.

“You’ve worked hard. You can leave now.”

“Yes, I understand… huh?”

Brian tilted his head as if he didn’t understand the meaning.

“You can leave now. We’ve arrived at the academy, unpacked the luggage, so your job is done.”

I handed him a small purse from my pocket.

Since there’s no need to spend money within the academy, I put all the gold coins I had in it.

The look on his face when he opened the purse was quite amusing.

“Why would you give me this…?”

“If you’ve worked, you should receive something in return. Whatever you do next, you’ll have enough funds for a fresh start. Still, try to avoid Velias if you can. Well, I won’t stop you if you really have to go…”

Brian remained silent, staring intently at the purse filled with gold coins.

It might seem a bit excessive, but I’m not the type to just ignore someone’s efforts.

He provided me with a smooth ride and satisfactory service, so it’s only fair to give him compensation accordingly.

As for what he’ll do next and how he’ll live, that’s up to him now.

Thunk!

“…?”

Just when I thought he had made up his mind, he suddenly kneeled before me.

“I am Brian Kendrick, the official knight of Velias! I dare to say that I wish to serve the esteemed Sir Cyan!”

Did he lose his mind after seeing the gold coins?

“My father always said, ‘If you meet a master whom you can trust and follow for a lifetime, do not hesitate to serve under him and devote everything!’ Today, I choose Sir Cyan as the new beginning of my life, not just for a few gold coins, but as my lifelong master! Please accept me!”

Well, whoever his father is, he taught him how to speak politely.

I thought he would just say thank you and leave after receiving a few gold coins, but he’s a bigger deal than I thought.

Is he a seed?

He feels different from a servant like Emily.

“Did you say a master whom you can trust and follow for a lifetime?”

“Yes! I wish to serve Sir Cyan as my master!”

“That’s a very foolish thing to do.”

“Excuse me?”

Brian, who had his face buried in the ground, finally raised his head.

“Even though you are giving me infinite trust right now, I have no trust or emotion towards you. That means I wouldn’t find it strange to abandon you anytime.”

“It’s okay! Even if I am abandoned, if my existence can be of any help to you, I will be satisfied!”

He was as firm as a fortress.

“How foolish is that! What if I end up stabbing you with a knife for your false words later?”

“Still, it doesn’t matter… I mean?”

For a moment, there was a long silence in the room.

I got excited and said too much.

I wonder if that damn bastard in my past life felt this way when he looked at me. A seedling who would do anything for me…

Come to think of it, even in my past life where I would have done anything for him, I never had someone under me.

It’s quite funny that the first person to step forward to serve me would be a groom.

Well, it’s not a bad thing, is it?

If it’s fate, then it’s fate.

If he’s willing to devote his life for me, I’ll surely take responsibility for his well-being. After all, I’m different from that bastard.

With a faint smile, I said,

“Don’t regret it later…”

———