The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

-Crash!

With a refreshing sound, I rolled on the floor a couple of times.

If you ask why I entered so noisily, it’s because I came in through the window, not the main entrance.

Quickly lifting my head, I saw the chancellor sitting at the desk.

I stood up indifferently and said calmly,

“Cyan Vert, a freshman at Royal Academy. I’ve come to lodge a complaint with the chancellor.”

“……!”

The chancellor wore a very enigmatic expression.

It could be interpreted in two ways.

Either he didn’t expect me to really come,

Or he knew I would come, but not in such a manner.

After setting up such a strong ‘restriction barrier’, did he expect me to enter through the main gate?

Unless I used the power of Aer, it was impossible to break through that barrier with my body alone.

But then, assassins usually don’t use the main entrance.

I went up one more flight of stairs on that floor and headed to the rooftop.

And then I jumped.

Using a mana sphere as a leap, I charged straight into the chancellor’s office window.

Although it was somewhat violent, I chose the most inconspicuous and ordinary method.

The chancellor then coldly asked me,

“You’ve come to lodge a complaint?”

“Yes. Since the warning letter was sent from the chancellor, I came directly.”

The chancellor chuckled as if amused.

“Audacious. You want to lodge a complaint about a decision to take action for missing classes in this sacred educational institution? Do you take the Royal Academy lightly?”

Every word he spoke was filled with a strong spirit.

He’s quite assertive.

Of course, I’m aware that the current situation is not in my favor.

If he wishes, he could charge me with unauthorized entry and property damage, imposing additional sanctions.

However, if that had been his intention, he wouldn’t have sent me a warning letter in the first place.

I replied in a restrained tone,

“The fact that I came to lodge a complaint was just a formal procedure to meet with you, chancellor. I have no intention of denying the warning you issued. Rather, I think it was a necessary measure.”

“Ha, that means you have another matter to discuss with me,” he said, snorting.

“Yes, I sent the same warning letter to you and Set. They were identical in form and format, but there was one difference: the sender. Set’s warning letter would have been written by the Academy’s administration, but the one you received would not have been. As you said, if there were objections to the warning, it would be correct to come to me, not the administration.”

The chancellor’s tone was sharp and unyielding.

“Why do you think I sent my warning letter to you and not both of you?”

“That would be to test me, I guess. Identifying and nurturing talent is what you do best, isn’t it?”

The essence of an educator lies in facilitating the growth of students to contribute to the development of the nation and society.

Especially the head of the continent’s leading educational institution wouldn’t just watch a talent like me go by.

Even if I curse the Academy as a cesspool of schemes and intrigues, at its core, it is a place of learning.

Historically, numerous talents have passed through this place, maintaining its reputation as the continent’s top educational institution to this day.

“Good. Although it was a somewhat drastic method, you have succeeded in attracting my attention, including the duel the other day. If you didn’t come to lodge a complaint, let’s hear it then. Your real purpose…”

I had mulled over this several times on my way here.

Whether to reveal some of my cards for a clear and straightforward path,

Or to choose a safer route that allows keeping everything hidden, even if it’s somewhat roundabout.

Honestly, the latter was not to my taste.

To someone who has lived a life with no backup plan, the word ‘safe’ doesn’t really suit me.

I’m not particularly fond of the saying ‘life is a gamble’, but once I’ve decided to deal with the chancellor, half-heartedness should be set aside.

With my mind made up, I looked straight into the chancellor’s eyes and said,

“I have one question for you first.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you wish for the empire’s prosperity, or do you seek the glory of your family?”

For a moment, the chancellor’s eyes sharply moved.

“Before being the head of Royal Academy, you are also the leader representing the Quisel ducal family. And you were the emperor’s father-in-law, maintaining a good relationship with him even after Empress Diana passed away.”

“What’s your point?”

“Please answer my question first. Your answer will determine what I’m going to say next.”

The chancellor’s heavy gaze was like that of a predator at the top of the food chain.

As if saying, ‘Why should I answer something like that to someone like you?’

I, too, did not back down and fully met his gaze.

“Prosperity and honor?”

After maintaining silence, the chancellor finally spoke.

“Neither is my concern.”

It was a somewhat unexpected answer.

“Currently, the continent is experiencing an unprecedented era of peace since the establishment of the Royal Academy. It has been already 100 years since nations last crossed swords. In fact, this period might very well be the most prosperous in all the empire’s history.”

It’s been roughly 100 years since the great sage Teramile Ishpa founded the Royal Academy.

Indeed, since then, there have been no wars between nations on the continent.

It’s undeniable that the Royal Academy has been a central pillar in this peace.

As the chancellor said, it’s true that this is an unprecedented era of prosperity in the empire’s history.

“Moreover, I’ve long lost interest in the honor of my family. The family has been running well without me, and I stepped down from the position of duke a while ago. Now, this academy is what matters most to me.”

There was a firm conviction in the chancellor’s words, devoid of any deceit.

I nodded and said,

“I see. So, if you neither care about the empire’s prosperity nor the honor of your family, you wouldn’t mind if neither the first prince nor the second princess succeed to the throne, is that what you’re saying?”

“……!”

Suddenly, the air in the room became heavy.

“Not audacious… but insolent.”

To me, who was smiling faintly, the chancellor murmured in a heavy tone,

“I have dedicated myself to this academy for nearly 30 years. In that time, I’ve seen countless students and nurtured many talents. Among them was your sister, called the child of the gods, and your brother, said to be the second guardian of the continent. I had thought of you as a talent in the same category as them.”

While I appreciate the high regard, being put in the same category as him makes me feel a bit ambivalent.

I decided not to show my feelings.

“But it seems I was mistaken about you. You’re just a fool, arrogant in the power you were given. Did you not consider the repercussions your words might bring, even as a child of the Duke of Vert? Or has vanity taken hold, thinking you’re favored by His Majesty the Emperor? I deeply regret having thought highly of you for even a moment. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what you just said. I’ll momentarily lift the barrier, so you should leave now.”

Quite dismissive.

The chancellor unequivocally instructed me to leave.

I continued speaking, undeterred.

“Currently, the empire is in an unprecedented era of peace, at least as long as His Majesty the Emperor enjoys a long life. But will this peaceful era truly continue after His Majesty’s death?”

“……!”

The chancellor’s eyes flashed for a moment.

“Even though you have stepped back from your family matters now, you are not unaware of the current political situation of the empire. The empire is walking a tightrope. The factions of the first prince and the second princess, associated with the former empress, and the factions of the third and fourth princes, associated with the current empress… It’s no exaggeration to say that internal conflict between them after His Majesty’s death is a foregone conclusion.”

There’s one more, but let’s leave her out for now.

“On what basis do you say this?”

“Randolph Nephelis, the Duke, is not someone who has grown indifferent to the world like you. He values the honor of his family above all and is a man who would kill the demons of hell for it. He will surely want his bloodline to ascend to the throne.”

A slight tremor passed through the chancellor’s eyes.

He knows about the Duke of Nephelis better than I do.

I continued speaking.

“By right of succession, the first prince should inherit the throne. But the Nephelis family won’t just stand by and watch. It will inevitably lead to internal conflict. Then, the empire’s prosperity will be shattered in an instant, and in the worst-case scenario where the first prince’s faction is defeated, even the Quisel family’s safety cannot be guaranteed.”

“Do you think our Quisel family is so powerless?”

“People’s affairs are unpredictable. It’s just a possibility, isn’t it?”

The chancellor might be thinking now.

A mere eleven-year-old boy already sees through the empire’s political situation so clearly?

To say I overheard it would not justify my confident demeanor.

Such words would not come from anyone but his direct retainer.

“The empire’s prosperity and the family’s honor… You said you didn’t care much about them, but both could be shattered in the near future. Would you really be okay with such a future coming to pass?”

Without saying anything, the chancellor looked at me intently.

His gaze was filled with many things, but one thing was clear.

He would no longer see me as just a freshman…

“I never expected to hear words that no one in my family has ever said to me from you.”

I felt his tone soften somewhat.

“So, you’re saying all this because you want to suggest a direction I should take amidst this chaotic situation?”

I smiled faintly and said,

“I am well aware of how formidable you are, Principal. If a civil conflict really breaks out, you would lead the dispute to a victory and make a Quisel the emperor.”

Indeed, Principal Kundel made revolutionary contributions in leading the Quisel family to victory in the succession dispute, making the first prince, “Luinel Sevellus,” the emperor.

But the conflict did not end there.

After the civil strife was settled, Principal Kundel wanted Emperor Luinel to peacefully embrace his four brothers.

He believed that unless they were won over, conflict could arise again at any time; if they were not to be killed, then it was better to maintain a friendly relationship.

However, Emperor Luinel thought differently.

Having grown up in the midst of power struggles, he never harbored any brotherly love.

They were merely rebels threatening his position.

Even Principal Kundel, who could foresee many futures, failed to foresee his own.

The civil strife led to another, and eventually, Emperor Luinel, opposing Kundel’s wishes, assassinated him and charged his remaining brothers with treason, executing them all.

Except for Princess Airen, who was merely exiled.

“Ha! Then what’s your purpose in telling me all this?”

Unless a major change occurs, the empire’s future will flow in the same direction.

Honestly, I no longer care about the empire’s prosperity or the family’s honor, not even the slightest bit.

But it might be different for this old man.

If nothing else, he would want the current peace to last for the remainder of his life.

Then, I can leverage such wishes of the Principal.

“You said that the academy is what matters most to you, right? Then, it shouldn’t matter who becomes the emperor, as long as the family’s honor remains as it is now. Wouldn’t you want to see the empire and the academy prosper in this peaceful era for a long time?”

“So, you’re saying you’ll help me with that?”

He sees right through it, as expected.

I responded with a smile, without a word.

“Yes, I acknowledge it. I don’t care who becomes the emperor as long as the well-being of this academy is assured. But, even so, what are you going to do about it? What power do you think you have?”

I had said all that could be said with words.

Now, what remained was to prove it.

I had to demonstrate to him that I possess the power to change the chaotic state of the empire.

-Zziiing

Then, I created a small mana sphere in my palm.

Do you think it’s just an ordinary mana sphere?

Correct.

This is a very ordinary mana sphere that even a 1-star student could make.

However, even something ordinary can feel different depending on who makes it.

“……!”

The chancellor’s eyes shook intensely.

He felt it.

The tremendous magical power emanating from the black mana sphere.

And he would also know.

That the magical power I’m showing now is not all I have…

“You are exactly what…?”

“You don’t have to think too hard. Consider me a genius, a prodigy, or perhaps a divine entity descended to the human world. As long as you don’t see me as just an ordinary student, that’s enough for me.”

The chancellor wore a look of incomprehension.

But that moment did not last long.

Soon, as if he had organized his thoughts, he asked me again.

“What do you want from me?”

Indeed, our chancellor knows what give and take is.

I answered without hesitation.

“Nothing much. Just to retract the warning, and let me continue my life at the academy as it is. I might not attend classes frequently, but I’ll attend them from time to time. And I’ll take the exams regularly.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s all. Nothing more.”

The chancellor looked somewhat surprised.

“And what do you gain from that?”

“Peace. I too want to attend this academy without any issues.”

With a smile as if searching for a catch, the chancellor wore a complex and subtle expression.

(To be continued)