The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

In the auditorium, there would be roughly 300 new students gathered.

Some of them already know each other from noble circles, and others might not recognize faces but have heard names.

From the first day of the entrance ceremony, they would likely be building camaraderie, chatting with those next to and around them.

The atmosphere would gradually become noisy, and the hall would grow rowdy.

Around that time, the chancellor would appear on the podium.

Using mana, he would amplify his voice and start with these words:

“You are born with obligations. I mean the moral duties that correspond to your high social status.”

The students would probably react with indifference, wondering what nonsense this was.

Then, the chancellor would say again:

“The title of nobility is not something to be taken lightly. The power you hold is akin to a gift bestowed by the gods. Therefore, you must bear the responsibilities and duties that come with it, and show exemplary conduct befitting your social position as the upper class.”

Some naïve students might be moved by these words.

To bear the responsibilities and duties worthy of the name of nobility and the upper class.

How splendid does that sound?

So splendid, in fact, that it seems almost absurd.

Rather than wasting time listening to such superficially glittering words, one might find more value in staying in their room and exercising.

As I was doing pull-ups on the horizontal bar, Brian, who had recently been promoted from coachman to valet, approached me.

“Sir, are you sure it’s alright not to attend the entrance ceremony?”

I asked him in return.

“Why should I?”

“It could be an important foundation for starting your new life, sir. You could build friendships with other students, and perhaps hear some wise words from the chancellor or professors…”

At the mention of “wise words,” I couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

“Wise words? Sure. So wise that I still remember them.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you know what the principle of the Royal Academy is?”

“I’m not sure, but…”

“Lead by example. Whatever you learn and master here, refine it to later serve the country and its people.”

“That’s a good principle, isn’t it?”

He tilted his head, not understanding what the issue was.

“How many nobles do you think actually live up to that on this land?”

“…”

“For your information, the duchess who first bought you was also a graduate of this academy.”

“Ah…”

With a sigh of understanding, Brian nodded.

If only these nobles would truly lead by example without greed or arrogance, imagine how harmonious our land would be?

Even without the Mist spreading its wings, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Of course, it’s not that there are no exemplary nobles at all, but by nature, nobles are not of a lowly status merely seeking means of livelihood; they are of a noble status, possessing power and wealth.

They are the chosen ones from birth, with no need to worry about how they will live the next day.

And yet, to those who endlessly pursue desires, talking about sharing and generosity…

In the already rotten world of the nobility, such talk is nothing more than a good story.

Even more so, there’s even less reason to attend an entrance ceremony where such stories are told.

After all, it’s not like you get expelled for not attending.

“Phew!”

As soon as I finished the targeted number of repetitions, I moved on to the next exercise without a break.

The room was equipped not only with a horizontal bar but also with various exercise equipment reminiscent of a training ground, and potions that help with muscle stimulation.

Having fed on the blood of beasts, such potions wouldn’t have much effect on me,

but still, it’s better than nothing. I was gradually getting used to the convenience and comfort provided by the royal space.

-Knock, knock, knock

A knock on the door during the entrance ceremony…

Whoever it is, they must not know I’m in here.

I sent Brian to see who it was.

Brian quickly returned and handed me a piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a notice from the administrative office. They’re planning to do an attribute test at the magic training ground at 16:00 today, and ask that everyone gather without using mana until then…”

What now?

After all, while the students are in the auditorium, the servants disguised as guardian knights must be in the dorms, so they distributed it in advance.

“Sounds troublesome…”

“Excuse me?”

Brian’s eyes widened.

“Well, isn’t the attribute test important? It helps you know which direction to develop your magical abilities in…”

“Right. Extremely important.”

But, I already know what my magic attribute is.

It wouldn’t have changed with my return, and it’s just a meaningless test anyway, couldn’t I just write it down on paper and send it?

Of course, that wouldn’t work.

I really am thinking of all sorts of bothersome thoughts.

* * *

In the center of the room, there was a large magic circle emitting multicolored lights.

A student, having finished preparations, stepped onto the magic circle with a nervous face.

-Woong

A small circle appeared beneath their feet, and starting from the tips of their toes to their head, it slowly rose, scanning their entire body.

After the examination was completed, red letters were engraved on the blue parchment placed in front of the magic circle.
『Magic Grade: 1 Star

Physical Grade: C

Attribute: Fire 31%』

The student who had finished the examination left the room with the parchment, and the next student immediately entered. The process was the same, and letters were engraved on the parchment as before.
『Magic Grade: 2 Stars

Physical Grade: D

Attribute: Water 37%』

Some students cheered while others showed disappointment upon seeing their grades revealed so directly.

Meanwhile, there were also those who appeared puzzled by their unexpected attribute scores.

“It seems the overall scores of the new students are high this time?”

Instructor Rodin remarked as he reviewed the results.

“But it’s disappointing that the attributes seem mundane. Most are limited to fire, water, wind, etc.”

Instructor Silica seemed somewhat disappointed.

“It can’t be helped. It’s not like we can wish for special attributes to appear. This year, there might not be any students chosen by the gods.”

Everyone is born with mana and a magical attribute in their body.

If mana is the energy needed to use magic, then an attribute is the innate quality that determines what kind of magic one can perform.

Fire 31%, Water 37%, Wind 42%.

Thus, the magic circle in this training ground identifies the highest attribute value the subject possesses and transfers this to the parchment filled with magical energy to display the result.

Of course, the figure engraved on the parchment only shows the highest attribute value, which doesn’t mean the subject can’t use other types of magic.

If the highest attribute is Fire 31%, the remaining 69% could be a mix of various other attributes like water, electricity, wind, earth, light, darkness, etc., allowing the individual to use other types of magic as well.

However, the higher the percentage of an attribute, the broader the range for developing that particular attribute.

Mostly, it’s common to enhance one’s magical abilities based on the attribute confirmed through this examination.

“Next student, please come in.”

Instructor Silica called for the next examinee, and a petite girl with silver hair entered.

The two instructors immediately recognized who she was.

“Princess Airen, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Let’s proceed with the test first.”

Silica approached Airen, who was standing hesitantly, and informed her of the precautions.

“Please take off your shoes and stand on it, and don’t step down until the test is over. Just stay still, and it will do everything for you!”

“Yes…….”

Airen stepped onto the magic circle as Silica had instructed, and soon the examination began.

-Woong

The examination took about 1 minute longer than it did for other students.

Soon, somewhat special white letters were engraved on the parchment.
『Magic Grade: 2 Stars

Physical Grade: B

Attribute: Light 52%』

“Li, Light attribute?”

Airen covered her mouth in surprise at the unexpected attribute.

The instructors were equally surprised.

“My goodness, who would have thought Princess Airen would have the light attribute……”

“And the figure is over 50% too. With this level, we must consider her as chosen by the gods, right?”

The chosen by the gods.

During the attribute examination, occasionally students appear whose figures exceed 50%.

As mentioned earlier, the higher the attribute figure, the wider the scope for elevating the magic grade. For instance, when that figure exceeds 50%, it enters an entirely different category.

Depending on the level, one can even wield transcendent magic of that attribute, rivaling the power of the gods.

Thus, some say that this is as if the gods themselves have bestowed their power, calling it being chosen by the gods.

“Emperor Dione also had the light attribute, right?”

“Yes. It seems the daughter has inherited her father’s attribute. Moreover, her physical grade is quite impressive.”

The instructors meticulously recorded her information as the first light attribute among the new students.

Princess Airen bowed to the instructors with a rather happy face and then left the room.

The examination continued.

“Next student, please come in.”

A man with dark skin and a large build appeared past the curtain.

His bulky size, not quite fitting his age, made the instructors shrink a bit in their shoulders.

“Just take off your shoes and stand there, waiting. You must not come down until the examination is over.”

The magic circle conducted the examination just like it did for the other students.
『Magic Grade: 3 Stars

Physical Grade: A

Attribute: Sand 71%』

“Sa, Sand 71%?!”

Both instructors exclaimed in unison upon seeing the results.

The surprise was not just about the figures.

“Th, This isn’t a mistake, right? Magic grade 3 stars and physical grade A? Is he really a freshman who enrolled this year?”

Silica even went so far as to directly approach the freshman to ask.

However, the male student named Set silently took the parchment with his information and left the room.

“My, his personality grade must be F.”

She muttered sarcastically as she glared at his retreating back.

“Aren’t such students rare or something… Moreover, that student, now that I see, was Set Shaharkan.”

“Are you referring to the first prince of Spania? Known as the Prince of Sand…”

“Yes, his physical grade is at a top level, and he has a comparatively rare sand attribute. He might be the student with the highest figures among this year’s freshmen.”

Just like with Airen, the instructors meticulously recorded his information.

“Next student, please come in!”

As time passed, the last student eventually entered.

A boy with black hair immediately took off his shoes and stepped onto the magic circle upon entering.

Silica was momentarily lost for words at his too natural action, even before she had mentioned the precautions.

“Uh, so, let’s start!”

She hastily ran behind the curtain, and the examination began immediately.

“The last student is the youngest son of the Duke of Vert.”

“Ah! That’s the young lord who spent a year on the front lines! No wonder his eyes looked so sharp, almost as if he was looking at demons!”

“He was originally called the incompetent of the family, but it’s curious to see what attribute he will have.”

-Woong

Unlike before, the magic circle took unusually long to complete the examination.

The two instructors waited anxiously for the letters to be engraved on the blank parchment, growing more nervous as time passed.

Finally, as the examination concluded, letters began to appear on the parchment.

『Magic Grade: 1 Star

Physical Grade: S

Attribute: Darkness 92%』

“???”

Upon checking the parchment, the two instructors were left speechless.

(To be continued)