The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

As mentioned before, this duel is quite an interesting one.

A duel between two students whose attendance rate is close to zero since the beginning of the semester.

In other words, it was a duel between students who had yet to be influenced at all by the academy, the so-called ‘non-students’.

Those who don’t even attend classes dare to arrange and proceed with a duel?

Honestly, even the instructors and other officials couldn’t complain, though they found it distasteful.

But look at the crowd that has gathered.

Students and instructors alike filled the duel arena, with spectators everywhere.

Even in the VIP seats, the academy’s chancellor, Kundel Quisel, was present.

That must mean the academy has high expectations for this duel.

Thinking about it brings a slight smile to my face.

Should I meet their expectations?

“I’ve been waiting for this moment, Cyan Vert! You must feel the same, right?”

Set, facing me, said with an expression full of joy.

I just nodded noncommittally.

“I originally wanted to apply for a martial duel, but unfortunately, they said there’s nothing but swordsmanship and magic duels here. Do you plan to use magic?”

“If you don’t use it, then I won’t have to either.”

Despite my indifferent answer, he laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! That’s what I like about you, Cyan Vert! Alright, let’s have a pure sword fight without any magic!”

-Swoosh

He drew the sword that was sheathed at his waist.

The blade curved like a crescent moon, a scimitar.

It looked similar to the scimitars used by the Mist’s members, but it was longer and the end was more blunt.

In response, I also drew my sword.

Since I couldn’t use my magic sword in front of everyone, I had to use a regular longsword this time.

As I’ve explained before, the essence of a swordsmanship duel is to compete in skill and establish superiority.

The criterion for superiority is taking the opponent’s neck with the sword.

For me, it was the first duel in a year.

-Ding Ding Ding

With the ringing bell signaling the start of the duel, Set kicked off his position and rushed forward.

-Thud Thud

Faster than I thought.

With that kind of physicality, adding strength and speed, that sword strike would become an attack that couldn’t be withstood even if blocked.

“Ha!”

Intent on splitting me in two, he swung his sword without hesitation.

If I took that head-on, I would lose my sword and likely break bones.

But I had no intention of doing that from the start.

-Swish

I took Set’s full-force strike head-on, letting his scimitar slide off my sword, and soon our blades crossed paths and slid past each other.

“…!”

What an assassin needs is not strength, but sharp precision.

This simple difference in weight class was merely a light factor that could be overcome without the need for magic or secret techniques.

“Whoa!”

Having lost his target, Set’s center of gravity shifted forward.

I didn’t miss the opportunity and swung my sword at his exposed back.

-Clang!

It seems the nickname “Prince of Sand” is not for nothing.

Normally, one would have already dropped their sword and exposed their neck.

But in a critical moment, Set twisted his waist as flexibly as folding paper, barely managing to block my sword.

-Whoosh!

Then, he quickly regained his posture and swung his sword at me once more.

Dodging with a slight movement, Set hurriedly put some distance between us.

It was a situation that could have ended in one move.

He wore a considerably flustered expression.

“Ha!”

With a single laugh, he suddenly began to loosen up.

-Crack

A menacing sound of bones resonated throughout the duel arena.

Then, gripping his sword differently, he charged at me again.

-Tat!

This time, he didn’t come recklessly.

Using the range of his curved sword, he kept a certain distance, continuing his sword strikes from a range that didn’t allow for retaliation.

-Clang Clang Clang

The only sound in the arena was the clashing of swords.

He was persistently launching a barrage of attacks, but regrettably, none were effective hits.

Seemingly aware of this, his confident face gradually distorted.

-Swish

His sword, which he slashed diagonally, slid off my blade once again.

“Using the same trick twice won’t work!”

As if anticipating it, Set quickly changed the trajectory of his sword with a step.

The sword that had been swinging up from below suddenly turned into a thrust, rushing towards my neck.

-Swish

In response, I also stepped neatly to dodge the sword and then,

-Clang!

Aimed my sword at the bewildered Set’s neck.

Set’s curved sword had already fallen from his hand and was rolling on the ground.

“Ha ha….”

Set let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sigh.

The duel was over.

What remained was for this guy to fully accept his defeat.

Usually, those with great self-love have a strong pride and find it hard to accept their own defeat.

This muscular guy must have been accustomed to winning as well.

Whatever he was thinking, he just twitched his bulky body without saying anything.

For now, I sheathed my sword and stepped back a bit.

“You’re truly remarkable, Cyan Vert. I acknowledge my defeat.”

Contrary to expectations, he coolly acknowledged his defeat.

“Indeed, in terms of swordsmanship, you are at a higher level than me. It seems I cannot beat you as of now.”

The fact is, it wasn’t that his swordsmanship was ordinary; it was just that he met the wrong opponent.

It wasn’t about using his natural strength to overpower his opponent, but knowing how to use his own power efficiently.

For an eleven-year-old boy to grasp this was no easy feat.

He’s more straightforward than I thought, huh?

Set said with a stern expression as he picked up his sword.

“I don’t like to drag things out, but somehow, I don’t want to end it like this. If it’s okay with you, may I challenge you once more?”

So, he thinks it won’t work out with just one try?

Well, it’s better than whining about not being able to accept defeat.

I nodded in agreement, indicating my consent.

-Clang!

“…?”

What’s with suddenly throwing the sword?

I thought he meant to challenge me again with the sword, but it seems that was not the case.

Mana, along with a sand wind that grazed the skin, was rising from his body.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Now that it has come to this, I must beat you by any means necessary. Cyan Vert! I will pour all my strength into this, so you too, put forth all your strength!”

I was foolish to think him cool even for a moment.

This guy, he’s an incredibly sore loser.

* * *

Chancellor Kundel, sitting in the VIP seats, watched the duel.

He thought these two students in the arena were quite audacious.

The purpose of duels at the academy is to compete in skills among students, primarily through the use of magic.

Cyan and Set’s physical grades are S and A, respectively.

It’s an undeniable fact that these are among the highest grades among the new students.

However, the fundamental goal of this academy is the advancement of magic.

Physical grade? Of course, it’s important.

But, frankly speaking, physical grades are just a supporting factor for the application of higher-dimensional magic.

If you ask people what’s more important between physical and magical grades, ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred would say magic is more important.

Set Shaharkan’s magic grade is three stars, making him one of the highest among the new students in this aspect.

On the other hand, Cyan Vert’s magic grade is one star.

If it were a magical duel, it would practically not be a contest.

But look at their demeanor.

There’s no hint of using magic, only a pure intention to compete in swordsmanship.

‘Did they come to some sort of agreement?’

Considering Set initially wanted a martial duel, it seemed from the start they wanted to base the contest on their physical grades.

-Clang Clang Clang

The clashing sounds filling the arena were like a grand harmony.

Set was definitely using his power efficiently.

His scimitar’s long reach combined with brute force made for a formidable strike.

A typical student might not last even a single exchange before dropping their sword.

But look at Cyan’s movements.

He was not exerting power befitting of an S-grade.

Just the moderate strength an eleven-year-old boy could muster.

With only that much strength, he was deflecting all of Set’s heavy strikes.

Movements sharp and accurate enough to be compared to a senior knight.

Leaving the chancellor aside, the expressions on the faces of the swordsmanship instructors watching the duel were particularly noteworthy.

-Clang!

It was over.

Cyan, having parried Set’s final move, aimed his sword at Set’s neck.

Though the outcome might seem anticlimactic, the process was not.

Meanwhile, Silica, who arrived at the arena late, hurriedly took her seat in the stands.

“It’s unlike you to be late for a duel.”

“I’m sorry! I was delayed by some matters I had to attend to. How did the duel go?”

“It’s over. Even though it was a swordsmanship duel, that student Cyan essentially dominated.”

“I see.”

The chancellor glanced at her face.

She appeared calm, showing no sign of disturbance.

-Whoooosh!

At that moment, a fierce wind blew through the duel arena, and the aura of mana spread.

“That student! What is he doing now…?”

The swirling wind was mixed with thick grains of sand.

“Sand Hurricane!”

With the incantation, Set generated a powerful whirlwind from beneath his feet.

The whirlwind, mixed with sand, was chilling to behold and was expanding in size.

However, the problem wasn’t the sandstorm itself but the mana felt within it.

“Wasn’t it said that Set’s magic grade is three stars?”

“Yes, that’s correct. But the energy we’re feeling now is…”

-Boom!

Suddenly, a loud noise came from the magical barrier.

The current grade of the magical barrier surrounding the duel arena was four stars.

It was installed considering the magic grades of the students, but now its state was quite precarious.

That meant Set’s magic power being used was exceeding the barrier’s grade.

“Huh, surpassing his own magic grade… It’s truly exceptional, even if he poured all his effort into it.”

The chancellor stroked his chin and smiled with interest.

“Is this really the time to be smiling? If something goes wrong, the barrier might…”

-Crack

As expected, cracks began to form in the magical barrier.

But Set, unconcerned about this, surrounded himself with the sandstorm and charged at full speed towards Cyan.

“Strengthen the barrier!”

Alarmed, the instructors hurriedly moved towards the arena to reinforce the barrier when,

-Whoosh!

A mysterious black sphere appeared in the direction of Cyan.

“…!”

The manifested sphere began to absorb all of Set’s sand wind.

The storm that seemed to swallow everything gradually lost its strength and dissipated, and the mana energy was also diminishing.

“The Sphere of Void?”

Chancellor Kundel’s eyes flashed for a moment.

He knew what that power was.

Dark attribute magic fundamentally lacks lethality.

It can’t burn like fire, sweep away like water, or destroy like lightning.

This was a primary reason why dark attribute was not warmly welcomed across the continent.

However, lack of lethality does not mean it’s not threatening.

The alias of darkness is ‘Void (無)’, capable of nullifying everything that exists in the world.

The Sphere of Void.

A unique dark attribute magic.

Without the need for complicated explanations, it’s a magic that nullifies all other magic in its presence.

It’s simple enough for even a one-star grade holder to use, provided the attribute matches.

But to be effective, it always had to be at a higher level than the opponent’s magic grade.

But what about the situation right now?

Set’s magic, which momentarily soared to four stars, was nullified by Cyan, who only has a one-star grade.

“……”

In the duel arena swept by the storm, only a tranquil silence remained.

(To be continued)