I Became the Male Lead who was Clinging onto the Female Leads

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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For a week, the days continued as usual, no different from before.

Rising even before the crack of dawn, Eugene completed his meditation and swordsmanship training, then headed to school where he learned the minimum knowledge required for his examinations.

While he had no interest, he couldn't afford to neglect his studies.

After a month and a half, the comprehensive exams for the first years would take place.

Failing to perform well on the exams wouldn't prevent him from moving on to the second year, but those grades would be taken into consideration for advancing to the third year.

So, Eugene spent his morning classes grappling with basic lessons that didn't suit his temperament, giving him a headache.

In the afternoon, however, he was able to study and train more comfortably, practicing swordsmanship, magic, and martial arts.

Once school was over, he would immediately dedicate four hours to physical training, and from then until bedtime, he would swing his sword.

After such a crazy schedule, he would return to the dormitory with trembling arms and legs.

These all contributed to the foundation of his swordsmanship.

Eugene's sword was becoming stronger day by day.

'It's still far from enough.'

This kind of training required at least a month or more to yield noticeable results.

Now, all Eugene had to do was repeat this grueling regimen every single day.

Then, one day came.

Eugene headed towards the swordsmanship training ground.

The swordsmanship practical instructor for the day was Fritz, the homeroom teacher of the Orange Flower class, who had previously praised Eugene's attitude in class.

'Eugene over there! Your attitude in today's class was outstanding. I'm keeping my eye on you!'

Fritz was a middle-aged noble from the Oberman Baron family who, despite not doing anything in particular, was disliked by the female students.

However, when it came to the sword, he was more passionate than anyone, regardless of his own skill level.

He conducted high-level swordsmanship classes and was respected by both teachers and students who had an interest in the sword.

Today, he was in charge of the Blue Flower class's swordsmanship lesson, watching the repetitive training of the students with a passionate gaze.

"Good, exactly like that. Yuria! Stabilize your lower body and maintain your posture! From that position, unleash your sword attack using the strength drawn from your waist! Very well done!"

"Could you please step back a bit, Teacher?"

"I-I'm sorry. I got too focused on the sword."

Fritz, flustered, wiped the sweat from his brow.

'The young girls these days are not easy.'

He had just tried to take a closer look and they reacted so negatively.

'It wasn't like this a few years ago... the times are changing too quickly.'

Fritz turned his head and looked elsewhere.

Many students were repeatedly practicing the thrusting technique he had demonstrated.

'The Blue Flower class is full of talents.'

Among those students, there were three who were exceptionally shining.

Celine, Tina, Eugene.

In that order, they stood out as they practiced with their swords.

It was a given that Celine, renowned as a genius of the sword from the beginning of her academy life, excelled at this.

What caught Professor Fritz's attention, however, were Tina and Eugene.

'She said she wanted to focus on magic, but... her talent for swordsmanship is great too,'

Fritz mused.

Tina, her golden hair swinging, practiced her thrusts repeatedly.

'What should I say to her.'

She had the ideal physique.

Ordinary men might only see a captivating lady, but through Fritz's eyes, it was something different.

Her naturally excellent lower body supported her sword movements without any specific muscular training.

'A talent that would not lack at all if she put her mind to swordsmanship!'

His passionate gaze drilled into Tina's lower half.

"That teacher again....."

"Indeed... It's that, isn't it?"

His gaze was purely appreciative from a swordsman's perspective, but it made the girls wary.

Nonetheless, Fritz, whether he heard them or not, turned his gaze to Eugene next to Tina.

His expression grew serious.

'That boy is different.'

Before entering the Blue Flower class's swordsmanship practice today, Fritz had heard a story from Avel.

'Teacher. Are you going to teach the Blue Flower class's swordsmanship lesson today? There's something I need to tell you.'

'What is it?'

'Today, one student will stand out, your eyes might pop out.'

'Heh, how long have I been a teacher, to be surprised by a first-year student?'

'Confident, aren't you? Anyway, a certain student will catch your eye today, but you can't get excited and offer personal guidance.'

'Why would that be a problem, even if it probably won't happen?'

'That student likes to train alone. I've already been rejected once.'

'Hehe. Is that so? I don't think that'll happen, but I'll keep it in mind.'

That was the story of a student who would astonish him.

Fritz didn't believe it.

Until he saw Eugene swinging his sword.

'How surprised I was.'

His eyes almost bulged out.

He couldn't understand where such a boy had sprung up from.

How had he been hiding for over half a year?

If he had demonstrated that talent earlier, Fritz would have done whatever it took to ensure Eugene never put down the sword.

'I keep getting chills.'

It was merely a repeated thrust, yet he felt a mysterious allure that gave him goosebumps.

His unusual desire as a swordsman was stimulated.

'As a responsible teacher who faithfully follows the Royal Academy's curriculum, I shouldn't have such desires...'

He was incredibly curious about how that sword would look in a real fight.

He was so curious he could hardly bear it.

'Is it the curriculum, or is it my own personal curiosity....'

Fritz closed his eyes and agonized.

With his head bowed, the sunlight reflecting off his shiny head blinded several students.

At the end of those minor sacrifices, a conclusion was reached.

'It should be okay, just once!'

He gave in to his desire.

"Attention, all students! We are starting an impromptu spar right now!"

"A spar? Now?"

"What on earth!?"

"Swordsmanship is a discipline based on real combat! Nothing is more helpful than real combat experience! An unexpected spar like this can only enhance the effectiveness of the training!"

What nonsense is that!

Though the surrounding students protested, Fritz didn’t even blink an eye.

“All students, gather in groups of three and spar! Two people will spar, and the third person will stop the match before it goes too far! This will continue until every member has finished two sparring rounds!"

"Sudden sparring is...”

"Well, it's probably better than repeating the same drills…”

While most students were apprehensive, a few showed a positive reaction.

This led to groups of three quickly forming amongst them.

Once the majority of the groups were formed, Fritz, without turning back, headed towards the group containing Celine, Tina, and Eugene.

Due to where they were practicing, they naturally fell into a trio.

‘I'll have to exclude one from this group.’

In his view, there was a significant gap between the strongest member of this group and the other two.

It wasn’t just in swordsmanship.

'One hails from the Duke house known as the continent's greatest swordsmanship family, and the other is from a fallen baronet's family.'

The discrepancy in mana, stemming from their drastically different backgrounds, was the cause.

Celine, born in a wealthy duke family, had the highest mana among her peers since childhood, thanks to mana elixirs and the family's assistance.

Eugene, on the other hand, did not have such opportunities.

'If the difference is too great, there's no point in watching a spar.'

A spar between Tina, who had high mana but wasn't too exceptional in swordsmanship, and Eugene, who had little mana but showed incredible talent, would have some meaning.

Fritz, having gathered his thoughts, spoke.

"Celine, you are exempted from this group."

"Huh? Why?"

Tina sent him a puzzled look.

“Isn't Celine the top talent among the first-years? A huge level difference could cause someone to get hurt during the spar. There's also no point if she goes easy. We have no choice but to exclude her.”

"Ah... I see."

Tina, seemingly convinced, nodded.

"Now, proceed with the spar."

"Okay."

Tina turned her gaze to Eugene.

Although she was surprised by the sudden spar, there was nothing she could do.

"… Shall we get started?"

"Sure."

She spoke cautiously.

This was their first conversation since their falling out.

She had wanted to speak to him several times since he changed, but couldn't.

'Now that we've exchanged words...'

Maybe next time, they could talk more casually.

With that thought, Tina assumed the middle stance, the basic position in swordsmanship.

"Are you ready?"

"I am."

Despite saying he was ready, Eugene didn't even assume the basic stance of swordsmanship.

"You're not even in stance?"

"It doesn't matter."

"What?"

Tina's brow furrowed.

To duel without even taking a stance?

It was a clear sign of disdain for the opponent.

‘Is he underestimating me?’

The skill level of Eugene's swordsmanship, as she remembered, wasn't that high.

He had been too busy following her every day for it to be high.

‘Although he has pulled himself together recently.’

A week was far too short a time to dramatically improve his swordsmanship skills.

‘I don't know what he's thinking, but.’

There was no need to show mercy to a swordsman who didn't even properly take their stance.

"I'm coming!"

"Okay."

Tina stomped on the ground.

The innate power in her lower body, infused with mana, generated substantial thrust.

‘As expected!’

Fritz admired the sight, assured that his eyes hadn't deceived him.

Tina, who had quickly approached Eugene, swung her wooden sword.

‘It's over!’

Eugene, who hadn't taken any stance, was faced with the swift speed of her sword.

She had swung her sword with strong mana right from the start, intending to knock him off his feet.

The wooden sword, imbued with mana, flew toward Eugene's neck.

At that moment, Eugene lifted his sword.

Though slow, the speed was enough to block Tina's sword.

His blade collided with hers.

No, she thought it had.

‘Huh?’

Eugene's sword slid down like a snake, momentarily leaving Tina dumbfounded.

‘Oops!’

Sensing that she would lose if things continued this way, Tina instinctively clenched her sword again, swinging it strongly.

‘What?’

Eugene's sword suddenly shot upward, reversing the direction of her sword's momentum.

"Ah?"

Tina's wooden sword fell from her hand and rolled on the ground.

"Is that enough?"

"What on earth...."

Unable to understand what had just happened, Tina was visibly flustered.

"Teacher, may I spar once more!"

Fritz couldn't respond.

"Teacher? Why are your eyes so wide?"

"…I apologize! I momentarily lost myself."

"Anyway, can we spar again?"

"If your opponent agrees, it's fine!"

"Got it."

Tina tried her best to hide her confusion as she looked at Eugene.

"Can we... spar again?"

The cautious question came as she recalled a past incident.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, it would have been natural if he were still upset.

"If you want to, go ahead."

But Eugene's face was indifferent, as if it didn't matter either way.

"Okay...."

Tina hastily picked up the fallen wooden sword and took her stance.

"Are you coming?"

"Come."

There was no need to ask if he was going to take a stance this time.

Tina, who never thought of herself as a low-level swordswoman despite the sword not being her focus, found identifying the cause of her recent defeat more important.

"Ugh!"

Tina kicked off the ground, charging towards Eugene.

Their swords clashed, exchanging several blows.

Soon, Tina's wooden sword flew into the air.

“Why?!”

"Is it enough now?"

"Ah, no, just one more time, please!"

Eugene sighed and nodded.

She gritted her teeth at his reaction.

However, the loser has no say.

Tina bit her lip, picked up her wooden sword, and was defeated three more times.

"Why...."

Though there were differences in the number of blows exchanged, it didn't even take five minutes to lose five times.

"I guess I'm not cut out for swordsmanship......"

Tina slumped down, unable to come to any other conclusion.

Her current defeat was due to Eugene's exceptional talent, but her eyes were not at a level to recognize that.

‘Truly beyond imagination.’

Fritz, who had been watching the whole spar, furrowed his brow at Eugene's strange talent.

Even though he had much less mana than Tina, he won five times without a single crisis.

If Eugene had been the same age as him, he would not have been able to resist challenging him.

‘I want to face him.’

Celine, who was next to him, seemed to be in that state already.

"Teacher. Can I try sparring as well?"

Celine revealed the small flame blooming in her heart.

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