The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Boris pondered.

The emotion of interest in humans is quite fascinating, indeed.

When they become fixated on something, they charge at it as if their life depended on it, which might be the driving force behind humans’ rule as masters of this land, overcoming physical weaknesses perhaps even more vulnerable than beasts’.

Right now, he found himself showing interest in this student named Cyan, just like that.

Although he was nothing more than a mere janitor in terms of status, the information he acquired about Cyan was far from trivial.

‘Spends most of the day inside the dormitory. Conducts exercises with the guardian knights in the early morning or at dusk.’

‘The total number of residents, including the guardian knights, is three. However, they consume meals for at least six people daily.’

‘They do not allow outsiders to enter their room. They also reject regular cleaning services.’

‘Occasionally, they completely vacate the premises for three days, sometimes even up to a week, without any measures taken by the chancellor.’

It wasn’t about typical things like grades or training records; rather, it delved into sensitive areas, perhaps even their private life.

However, Boris felt somewhat disappointed; the facts he acquired weren’t satisfying enough.

“It’s a well-known fact at the academy that Cyan Vert receives the Chancellor’s attention. But besides the Chancellor, there seems to be someone else showing considerable interest in him.”

“Who might that be?”

“Well, that’s still just speculation…”

The man hesitated to speak but seemed to demand something.

Boris handed him two gold coins, and with a satisfied smile, the man spoke again.

“It’s Instructor Silica!”

Boris’s expression subtly changed.

“As you know, it’s not common for instructors to personally visit students’ dormitories. Regardless of the reason, it’s likely to arouse negative attention. If it happened once or twice, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but consistently for two years indicates there’s something between them, don’t you think?”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course! It’s a fact directly conveyed to me by the royal hall administrator!”

The man asserted confidently that his words were true.

“And I have another very important piece of information to share with you…”

Continuing with another interesting fact, he asked if Boris was interested.

“Do you know about Barrett Louisemill?”

“The son of Baron Louisemill of the Garam Kingdom, isn’t he?”

He was also a student currently attending the academy.

“Correct! I happened to meet him while gathering information about Cyan Vert! He said he would reveal secrets about Cyan that others don’t know if certain conditions are met!”

Boris’s brow slightly furrowed.

“What are the conditions?”

“Well! According to him, there was some friction between him and Cyan Vert before. He said he would reveal everything if his safety is guaranteed.”

Demanding safety rather than money or favors in negotiations?

That implied that the party in question was deeply afraid of the repercussions if the information were to be exposed.

“How about it? If you’re just thinking about it, we’re willing to facilitate the arrangement on that end!”

It was an urging atmosphere, but Boris remained nonchalant.

“Very well. It seems worth meeting him at least once.”

Standing up from his seat, he took out a book from the shelf and placed it in his arms.

“Is it possible to meet him right away?”

* * *

A rendezvous, naturally, should take place in a secretive location where nobody but the parties involved are present.

It could be a storeroom filled with supplies or a secluded area like a forest thick with foliage where one can hide their presence.

However, the location the man guided Boris to for the meeting with Barrett was a quiet wilderness a little away from the academy.

Not a soul in sight, not even a single bug buzzing around.

It was indeed an ideal spot for a rendezvous.

“How much longer?”

“We’re almost there! Just a little further, and we’ll reach the designated spot!”

With a mechanical response, Boris chuckled and asked again,

“I think I phrased my question wrong. Let me ask again.”

“Yes?”

“How much longer until your despicable appearance is exposed?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the area above the man’s head shimmered with a bright white light.

A lightning spell.

Not only did it burn everything it touched pitch black, but it was also impossible to dodge if it struck from behind.

However, the man not only avoided the spell but also distanced himself considerably from Boris.

It was a movement that a mere janitor could never exhibit.

“-Sssss

“…!”

After a moment, as the mist cleared, the masked villains who had not been there until just now revealed themselves.

Though a fierce aura emanated from behind their masks, pressing down heavily on the surrounding air.

Without showing any signs of surprise, Boris calmly observed the process.

Once again, he asked.

“If you don’t speak, I’ll have to make assumptions. Are you okay with that?”

Despite the warning, the ominous figures remained silent, as if waiting for someone’s command, observing only Boris’s movements with restraint.

“Should I assume you anticipated this, or should I assume you’re pretending not to be surprised?”

Suddenly, a voice of a woman echoed from somewhere in the space.

Seemingly in response, a smile formed on Boris’s lips as if someone had arrived.

“It’s safe to say it’s half and half.”

It was a response as if the person he had been expecting was here.

Soon, from the direction he was facing, the familiar yet unfamiliar figure of a woman began to reveal itself.

For an ordinary person, there might be two thoughts upon facing her: she resembles her but is not her, either a twin, or she is her, but a different personality is now dominating her body.

That’s how familiar yet unsettling she appeared.

Silica Nigriti.

Once the respected and dignified academic instructor of the academy, now standing before him was a stranger exuding a sinister aura with no hint of recognition.

However, Boris’s reaction to her was remarkably calm.

“Excessive attention tends to arouse suspicion. Your surprise gift was a bit too blatant.”

Though he was a caretaker with the ability to observe everything from a third-party perspective, it was inconceivable for someone like a janitor to monitor a student’s every move.

Even before Barrett’s story came up, Boris had noticed.

The enigmatic group is now luring him in.

“The chancellor’s words were correct. When trying to understand a person, one should be wary of their unseen motives. It seems like the advice applies to figures like Silica as well.”

“Isn’t it the same for you too? Even you, Boris, are hiding something…”

She chuckled mockingly.

“Who said that? Someone mentioned that you were the one who summoned the Marionettes and the Specters at the recent palace banquet…”

Boris’s expression momentarily froze.

“Don’t misunderstand! It’s just baseless speculation. It’s absurd to think that a vile sorcerer infiltrated this sacred academy, right? It’s ridiculous~”

For the first time, he showed signs of agitation, disrupting his usual composure.

But it didn’t last long, as he quickly retorted.

“I still can’t believe it. Could such vile followers of the Black Mist exist in this sacred academy?”

A chilly wind blew, reflecting their current state of mind.

After a moment, Boris casually took out a book he had been carrying and unfolded it.

“Among the assassins on this continent, they define their actions like this, don’t they?”

Silica’s face subtly contorted.

“Purification…”

The eyes of the other specters around them also turned cold.

“They don’t hesitate to resort to violence and murder to cleanse the dirty and vile aspects of the human world… Am I also included in this operation?”

It was a bold and straightforward question.

Nobody responded, and silence filled the air for a while.

“You know about that?”

Silica, who had been silent until now, spoke again, her tone and mannerisms changing as if another personality had surfaced.

“The assassins you mentioned have one rule to abide by no matter what…”

Boris took a slow breath as her smile became even more creepy and murderous.

“It’s simple! Don’t show your face to anyone other than allies. It’s the same as exposing your entire body…”

For clandestine assassins, it was a given.

“But, they’re still human and don’t always hide. Sometimes they reveal themselves to their targets. Like now! What do you think that means?”

Boris couldn’t easily answer the sudden quiz, not because he didn’t know the answer.

From the moment she appeared, Silica had unabashedly revealed her true intentions.

If she was indeed an assassin, the meaning behind her actions was clear.

“It means they simply want to kill you…”

Suddenly, a surge of black mist erupted from Silica’s body.

It was the moment when her suppressed desire for battle surged forth into the world once again.

Though it was a profoundly repugnant aura, Boris wore a peculiar smile on his face.

“A presence shrouded in mist… that’s what you would say about beings like yourself.”

With a sudden burst, the immense mana latent within Boris erupted outward.

“Show me your power, one by one!”

In his hands gathered not just mana, but an indescribable evil energy as well.