The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Three years flowed by like water.

It was a period that could be considered long or short.

Yet, for some, it was enough time for physical and mental growth.

The Royal Academy was busier and more vibrant than usual.

Today was the graduation ceremony for students who had completed the five-year curriculum of the Royal Academy, stepping into a new future.

“Arin Severus. Please, come up to the stage.”

Upon the Chancellor’s call, Arin walked through the crowd in the auditorium and up to the stage.

A rare top graduate in the history of the Academy, she never missed securing the top position with S grades in all subjects over five years.

No one doubted that she would be the one to receive the graduation certificate from the Chancellor on behalf of the graduates.

Truly, she could be considered the student who best followed the Academy’s virtues of pursuing learning and growth.

After the awarding of the diploma and the Chancellor’s congratulatory speech, three instructors stepped forward in front of Arin.

Each held a sword, a wand, and a book in their hands.

This was part of the Academy’s graduation ceremony tradition, where gifts were presented to a valedictorian like Arin, who then chose one in front of everyone.

Given that each gift held a special meaning, this was more than just a gift-giving ceremony.

“Choose, Arin. Your future.”

Arin calmly looked over the three gifts before her.

Whispers among the students began to spread.

“What will Lady Arin choose? The sword, or the wand?”

“It has to be the sword. Just like His Majesty the Emperor who graduated before, if you’re from the imperial family, naturally you’d choose the sword, wouldn’t you?”

The sword, the weapon humanity has used the longest to protect itself, signified Arin’s commitment to protect herself, the imperial family, and furthermore, the empire. Everyone thought it was the perfect gift to represent the future Arin was heading towards.

However, what Arin actually chose was,

“Eh?”

“Is that right?”

Neither the sword symbolizing protection nor the wand symbolizing the advancement of magic,

“I will choose this.”

It was the book, representing the pursuit of the unknown truths.

While the students and instructors were all baffled, only Chancellor Kundel, who had prepared the gifts, showed a calm reaction, as if he had anticipated her choosing the book.

“I respect your choice.”

With that, the graduation ceremony concluded.

* * *

“Congratulations on your graduation once again, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, and congrats to you too, Resimus!”

After the event, the two roommates and best friends at the Academy shared their congratulations.

“But are you really okay with this? Didn’t you get offers from other places? You don’t have to stay, do you?”

Resimus, whose talent in swordsmanship had fully blossomed at the Academy, received various offers from not only the Empire but also from foreign countries right before graduation.

Offers to become a noble’s bodyguard, join a renowned mercenary group, and even an invitation to the Order of Light Knights came her way, but Resimus declined them all.

“My place is beside Your Highness. It was in the past, and it will be in the future.”

“You’re really stubborn, aren’t you? No changing your mind?”

Arin smiled gently, respecting her decision.

Though she spoke lightly, the fact that Resimus chose to stay by her side was immensely reassuring to Arin.

Then, someone approached quietly from a distance and handed Arin a bouquet.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Senior Arin.”

It was Luna.

Arin smiled brightly, accepting the flowers.

“Thank you, Luna! I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it because of your academy duties. I’m really happy you came!”

“I had to come. It’s not just anyone’s graduation; it’s yours, Senior.”

Behind Luna, there were no fellow academy members, not even attendants in sight.

Naturally(?), she had sneaked out alone, without the academy’s knowledge.

“Senior Set didn’t come to the graduation ceremony, huh?”

“Yes. He said he’d rather spend the time training than participating in something like this. He asked to send his diploma later…”

Such a consistent move from someone who could well be called the foolish prince.

After delivering the flowers, Luna looked intently at Arin.

“Why, what’s up, Luna?”

“I heard you chose a book for your graduation gift?”

“Ah? Yeah, I did. You heard already.”

“Do you plan to continue studying in the Imperial City?”

“I’ll keep studying, but not in the Imperial City.”

“Then where?”

“I’m planning to stay in Luwen.”

Luna’s pupils dilated momentarily.

“Are you considering becoming an academic instructor?”

“No, not that. I just thought it’d be better to continue the studies I want to do here rather than returning to the Imperial City without purpose. The Chancellor also said he’d allow me to use the academy’s facilities after graduation.”

Luna found the situation unexpected, yet on another level, wise.

Currently, the imperial family of the Ushif Empire was in a state where after the first prince, Luinel Severus, voluntarily went into exile, the second princess, Violet, held most of the real power.

With Violet’s close associates dominating the key positions in the royal court, what more could one do upon returning but tread carefully?

In such a case, it seemed far better to remain in Luwen, where there was less surveillance, leading a free and unobserved life.

“Luna, you have one year left, right? Are you going to focus on academy research after you graduate?”

“That would be the case if nothing changes….”

Luna suddenly rubbed the side of her chest where her heart lay.

“It’s suddenly fascinating.”

“What is?”

“The fact that I’m here, perfectly alive, and pondering what to do in the future.”

Three years ago, Luna had no plans for her future.

Because there was no need.

The ‘Heart Curve’ implanted by the Garam Academy under the pretense of expanding her talent’s potential would have actually led to her premature death.

But now, three years later, Luna was perfectly alive.

Thanks to Cyan removing that Heart Curve.

“I wonder what Cyan is doing now….”

Luna rubbed her chest, still feeling Cyan’s warmth that she had retained.

Arin, observing her, looked up at the sky and murmured as if complaining.

“It suddenly makes me wonder.”

“What does?”

“If Cyan had safely graduated from the academy, what would he have said he’d do?”

Luna thought hard about the question but then,

“……!”

She suddenly turned to look elsewhere and sniffed around, as if smelling a familiar scent, several times before tilting her head in confusion as the scent seemed to have disappeared.

“What- what was it, Luna?”

“Just- I thought I smelled something familiar.”

“A smell?”

“Yes. But I must have been mistaken since it’s not there anymore.”

Luna continued to touch her chest with a feeling of longing.

* * *

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

The office of the headmaster of the Royal Academy, deep into the night.

Despite the late hour, the headmaster permitted entry without a care.

A woman with red hair reaching down to her waist entered and greeted him.

It was Silica, a former academic instructor of the academy.

“It’s been a while, Headmaster Kundel.”

“Three years, Silica.”

“I’m glad to see you’re in good health. You seem even younger?”

“You’ve become more feminine. It’s unusual for you who always preferred short hair to grow it out.”

Silica laughed softly and sat down in the seat Kundel had indicated.

“Whatever you’re doing, it’s been truly difficult to see your face. Do you remember how many letters I sent?”

“About ten? You kept sending them without any context, just asking me to come, not really expecting me to comply, did you?”

“Didn’t I write it in the letters? I have a proposal.”

“Yes, you did say that. But the problem was the lack of details about what you were proposing.”

Kundel silently smiled and handed over a strange book.

Seeing the book, Silica made a troubled expression.

“I believe I’ve replied several times that I’m not interested in teaching anymore?”

“I know. But what I want from you is not a teacher, but a researcher.”

Kundel opened the book in front of Silica, inviting her to examine its contents.

Upon reluctantly looking inside, Silica frowned at the first word she saw.

Nephilim.

However, she quickly corrected her expression and looked back at Kundel.

Kundel just shrugged his shoulders without saying anything, indicating she should continue reading.

Silica scanned the contents of the book quickly but thoroughly.

Nephilim.

Agents carrying out the tasks bestowed by the divine.

Possessing a massive body five times that of an adult male, and immune to any physical or magical means humans might employ.

Even if a part of their body is cut off or destroyed, they exhibit tremendous regenerative abilities, quickly recovering.

To the uninitiated, it seemed like a legend from ancient times, one whose truth could not be verified.

Publishing such research in the academic field might have invited ridicule or worse, but through the eyes of Silica, who served the divine directly, it appeared far from a mere legend.

Silica, keeping her thoughts closely guarded, closed the book.

Kundel spoke again.

“The book contains the research Arin and I have conducted over the past three years. It’s mostly related to the gods or the forgotten history of the continent.”

“And the purpose of your research?”

“To seek the truth.”

“Give me the real reason, not some abstract answer.”

Kundel paused for a moment before responding.

“Three years ago, on that day. The child said she saw it. A being presumed to be a Nephilim…”

Silica didn’t bother to ask which day he meant.

There was no need.

Like Arin, she too had witnessed a Nephilim on that day three years ago.

“Could Arin have been mistaken in what she saw?”

“That’s what the research aims to ascertain.”

“Indeed, the content is fascinating. Regardless of its truth, it’s enough to rekindle my dormant passion for learning.”

“That’s a welcome thing to hear.”

“But why did you specifically need to call me for this research? There are many other experts related to the continent’s ancient history.”

“The child has been particularly eager to have you on board for some time.”

“The child you’re referring to is…”

It was obviously Arin.

Silica couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“You don’t have to decide right now. I need some time to think about it.”

“Of course. Your lab has remained vacant. We’ve kept it clean regularly, so if you need a place to stay tonight, why not spend it there? It might bring back old memories.”

“That sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow, Headmaster.”

Leaving the headmaster’s office, Silica headed to her old lab.

The same building, the same hallway.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, Silica was about to enter her lab when,

“……!”

Her expression hardened as soon as she touched the doorknob.

There was a sound from inside.

It was too late at night for a cleaner to be working.

Hesitating only momentarily while holding the doorknob,

-Creak-

She opened the door.

The room was shrouded in darkness, with a man sitting alone inside.

Silica calmly entered, closed the door behind her,

-Click!-

And locked it immediately.

The man looked up at Silica with a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.

Rising from his seat, he walked steadily towards Silica.

Silica quietly lifted her chin to look up at him.

Then she said indifferently,

“It feels a bit awkward. Having to look up at you like this.”

“…I’m quite used to it, actually.”

Just then, the clouds covering the moon dispersed, and soft moonlight illuminated the lab.

Thanks to this, the man’s face, hidden in the darkness, was revealed.

“I’ve often looked down on you like this in my previous life.”

Cyan, having grown significantly over the past three years, showed off a more relaxed smile.

(To be continued)