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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The first day of the comprehensive exams spanning two days.

'I... think I'm going to die.'

After enduring the relentless written exam that swept over him all morning, Eugene let his face fall onto the desk, defeated.

He had mentally prepared himself for the bare minimum - not scoring below the passing mark - but the difficulty level of the test was no joke.

'I lost the entirety of the first semester... and I couldn't even attend half of the second one.'

His timing for inheriting this life was rather inconvenient.

The test covered the whole second semester of the first year.

Having only stepped into this life during the mid-to-late semester, he couldn’t even attempt more than half of the exam questions.

He found himself guessing answers more often than actually solving the problems, driving him nearly mad.

'Still, I think I managed to avoid failing.'

Out of the ten questions on the test, Eugene felt somewhat confident about his answers to three.

Since the failing grade for the Royal Academy of Lucia's written exam was 30 points, this eased his anxiety a bit.

'Well, whatever I lack in the written part, I can make up with swordsmanship and magic.'

He was certain of ranking among the top in the practical exams for both swordsmanship and magic due to his talent.

Even if he scored below passing in one or two subjects, his overall performance would still be decently balanced.

A good result with the least amount of effort.

'This afternoon is the practical magic exam, huh?'

Today, students had to take practical exams for the magic attributes they had registered for.

'At least the practical exam won't be as mentally taxing.'

However, he foresaw a physically draining future.

While most students had one or two exams, Eugene had three due to the body's previous owner whimsically enrolling for three different magic attributes, wanting to impress the heroines.

'It was already inconvenient having reduced personal time during the semester.'

Tsk. What can be done now?

He simply had to do it.

The magic attributes Eugene would be tested on today were water, fire, and wind.

The content of the exam?

A real battle against the academy's teachers.

While he didn't need to win, showcasing exceptional skills would earn him higher marks.

'Let's see.'

Eugene opened the note distributed to all students.

「Eugene von Lennon Grace Exam Schedule Water Attribute: 14:00 Fire Attribute: 15:00 Wind Attribute: 18:30

If a student finishes their exam early, subsequent exams might start sooner. Therefore, please be present at the designated exam venue at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time.

If you fail to check in 30 minutes before the exam, points will be deducted. If you're absent without a valid reason, you will receive a failing grade.」

Due to the limited number of teachers available for the practical exams, the Royal Academy of Lucia efficiently allocated time slots to every student and communicated them via the note.

Of course, this 'efficiency' was from the academy's perspective, not the students.

They had to manage with fewer teachers to make sure all exams were properly conducted.

'The last exam is at 6:30 in the evening...'

It seemed another day would go by without proper training.

He had missed his sword training yesterday because he was up late studying, and today didn't promise any different.

'It's my fault, all of it.'

Even though the mistakes were made by the body's previous owner, since it was this 'body' that caused the mess, it was now up to Eugene to set things right.

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Raei Translations

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Eugene arrived at the Magic Practice Field with plenty of time to spare, a full 40 minutes before his test.

While waiting for his turn, he watched the other students perform their magic.

"Ice!"

A girl with an unremarkable appearance summoned her magic with all her might.

Moisture formed in her hands and turned into ice, which then shot towards the teacher at a commendable speed.

"Using a one-star magic in a test that evaluates what's been taught throughout the first year..."

The teacher, standing in the path of the incoming spell, adjusted his glasses and exuded a chilling aura.

He swiftly cast his own spell.

"With such a move, you can't expect a high score!"

He seemed quite agitated.

"Water Strikeeee!"

'Huh?'

Wasn't 'Water Strike' a four-star spell?

If the student had used a one-star spell, was this appropriate?

BOOM!

Before Eugene could process his thoughts, the massive water pillar the teacher released knocked the female student off her feet, sending her flying.

"Jane von Kristi, 20 points!"

"Recorded!"

As soon as the teacher announced the score, a student teacher quickly jotted it down on a document.

The efficiency was astonishing.

'Maybe he's in a hurry because there are so many students to evaluate?'

From that perspective, Eugene could somewhat understand.

He felt a bit sorry for the girl without any innate magic talent who had been blown away like that.

However, with the academy being short on instructors, there weren't many alternatives.

'They should probably spread the exams over three days instead of two...'

As a mere student, Eugene refrained from voicing his dissatisfaction.

The Royal Academy must have had its reasons for this approach.

CRASH!

"Ugh!"

"Allen von Chester, 30 points!"

"Recorded!"

Meanwhile, another student was sent flying, crashing into a wall.

With heightened enthusiasm, the teacher shouted,

"Next student, step forward!"

'Is this really a test?'

It felt more like watching a magical duel between the teacher and the students.

Soon, another student approached the front.

"Hmm."

The previously exuberant teacher now wore a serious expression.

It wasn’t the look of someone confident, but rather someone focusing intently on a formidable opponent.

It was clear the student wasn't just an average pupil.

"Yerina von Bliss Beruz, I look forward to our exchange."

Yerina, with hair reminiscent of blossoming cherry blossoms, set her gaze intently on the teacher, her staff poised.

"It's the turn of the best water-element mage in the first year. Very well, I expect much from you."

Seeing a student of such a high caliber, the teacher adjusted his glasses and took hold of his staff.

"I will give you the first move. Just because you're skilled doesn't mean you should be treated differently from other students."

"Thank you for the courtesy."

With a slight bow, Yerina began to summon her magic.

An intense cold emanated from her, feeling as though it would freeze the skin of anyone nearby.

Slowly expanding outwards, the chilling aura intensified until— WHOOOSH!

The moment her staff struck the ground, the freezing cold spread out at an unimaginably rapid pace, turning the surrounding ground to ice and significantly cooling the air.

'This is... five-star magic?'

A chuckle escaped from Eugene’s lips.

For a first-year to use five-star magic...

He had almost forgotten since he hadn't been paying attention, but she truly was a prodigious mage born from the continent's most prestigious magic family.

"That's impressive."

Even the instructor seemed genuinely impressed, eyes wide in amazement.

“Is this the blood of the Beruz Duke family? Breaking through the barrier of five stars at the age of 16.”

"I was able to do so thanks to the teachings of great individuals."

“Being humble is... commendable, but it's okay to take pride in your achievements.”

“Thank you.”

“However...”

The instructor adjusted his posture.

“The spell you just cast merely strengthens the power of water-elemental magic by freezing everything around. You haven’t used the right to attack first. When do you plan to launch your attack?”

“Actually...”

Yerina raised her staff and created a massive orb of ice.

“I was just about to!”

The orb shot towards the instructor with great speed.

It was the four-star magic spell, Frozen Orb.

“Casting a spell with such power after altering the surroundings.”

It was a rational choice for someone holding the initiative.

The instructor adjusted his glasses, smiling.

“You've done exceptionally well. Regardless of the outcome of this test, Yerina von Bliss gets a perfect score.”

With that said, the instructor firmly planted his staff.

“Ice Wall!”

Boom!

The icy wall conjured by the instructor intercepted the orb Yerina had hurled.

The wall shattered in the process, but the instructor chanted the next spell with unbelievable speed.

“Ice Rain!”

In a flash, a torrential downpour of ice enveloped the space, cascading towards Yerina.

She, seemingly anticipating this, erected an ice barrier in advance.

Crash!

The icy rainstorm collided with the barrier, creating a thunderous noise.

“She’s truly on another level.”

“This is the magical genius of the first years...”

Students observing the test had their mouths agape, awed by the high-level magical duel.

Unlike her peers who fell one after another, Yerina exchanged impressive blows with the instructor.

The battle lasted a good five minutes before reaching a conclusion.

“Argh...”

Yerina tried to raise her staff again, but her arms wouldn’t budge.

The accumulated frost from minor ice spells had immobilized them.

"Let's call it here. Well done, Yerina."

Snap!

With a flick from the instructor, the ice binding Yerina melted away.

“Thank you...”

Yerina bowed her head, biting her lip.

Despite showcasing a spectacular battle, the taste of defeat was bitter.

“There's no need for such a face. At your age, I was nowhere near your level.”

“I still can’t help but think I could’ve done better...”

“At a first-year level, you couldn't have performed any better. Yerina von Bliss, full marks!”

"Recorded!"

As the instructor announced her perfect score, cheers erupted from the students around.

“Yerina's the best!”

“The future Archmage, Yerina!”

“...”

Yerina, head bowed, exited the duel arena.

‘I can see her face is red.’

Perhaps the cheering made her blush.

She probably thought her hair covered it.

"Next student!"

“Here I am.”

Eugene approached the teacher.

"I am Eugene von Lennon."

"Good, let's start right away."

The teacher raised his staff.

"Alright, I'll let you have the first move."

The attention Eugene received was significantly less than when Yerina was up.

If this teacher had ever supervised one of Eugene's classes, he wouldn’t have acted this way.

But he appeared clueless, probably because he usually taught upperclassmen.

‘Surely, he must have heard the rumors.’

Didn't the other teachers tell him?

Eugene always took activities in his water attribute magic class seriously.

Each time, the teachers were quite surprised.

If this teacher had any interaction with those instructors, he surely would’ve heard about Eugene.

But seeing no recognition...

'Does this teacher also not have any friends like me?'

Upon reflection, his tone and mannerisms suggested a rather prickly personality.

With his simple appearance, he gave off the vibe of a reclusive mage, spending his entire life dedicated to magical research in solitude.

'I wanted to give my best for my grades, but... should I go easy?'

No, that wouldn’t be right.

Even if Eugene was a magic prodigy, he was still a first-year student.

His opponent was an experienced mage.

It wouldn't be easy.

'Besides, my exam score is on the line.'

He couldn't mess this up.

“I’ll start.”

"Proceed."

"Ice."

Deliberately chanting aloud, Eugene activated his magic.

A small shard of ice emerged from his fingertips, flying at a moderate speed.

'Just another average student, huh.'

The teacher casually used a spell to deflect the shard and readied himself for the next attack.

But in that instant, Eugene closed the distance, standing right before him.

'What?!'

The teacher's eyes widened in shock.

But the surprises weren’t over.

From Eugene's hands, small icy formations bloomed like snowflakes.

These formations rapidly merged, taking on the form of a sword.

It was the five-star magic, Ice Blade.

'How can a first-year use five-star magic...?'

The frosty blade now aimed for his throat.

'Was that initial one-star attack just a feint?'

Seizing the momentary lapse in the teacher’s guard, Eugene shortened the distance and swung the icy blade.

'This is unbelievable!'

One shock followed another, making it difficult for the teacher to maintain his composure.

Putting aside how Eugene had closed the gap, the mere fact another genius existed besides Yerina who could overcome the barrier of five-star magic was baffling.

Moreover, Eugene hadn’t chanted fully.

Skipping chants usually results in a decrease in the magic's power and precision.

Yet, that icy sword lacked in no aspect.

'I can't believe it!'

The trajectory of the ice sword flying towards my neck was slowly visible.

I had no time to think.

Almost instinctively, a six-star destructive spell unfolded from my outstretched staff.

Kwa-aaah!

A bubbling mass of ice materialized out of thin air and fired.

'...That would have been fatal if it hit.'

I expected the teacher to counter with a moderate defensive spell, but in his shock, he'd cast a lethal one.

I could probably still dodge it, but there was no need for such risk.

Injuries would prevent me from training.

Ditching my sword, I threw myself to the side.

Kwa-aaang!

"Kyaaah!"

The ice crashed into the ground, creating a massive shockwave.

Sharp shards of ice scattered in every direction.

"Damn it!"

The teacher, suddenly realizing the gravity of his actions, hastened to cast a spell to contain the damage.

Kwa-aaah!

A massive water pillar emerged, drawing in all the ice shards.

Thanks to his swift intervention, a catastrophe was avoided.

"What have I done..."

But he held his head in disbelief.

Caught off guard, he had inadvertently cast a dangerous spell.

Not only could it have hurt me, but the watching students could have been injured as well.

Although he managed to control the situation, the blunder was undeniable.

He looked around hurriedly and found me brushing myself off and getting up.

Realizing his mistake, he knew he had to apologize.

"I'm sorry. I acted without thinking."

"It's okay. I'm not hurt."

"...Thank you for understanding."

Though he'd made a mistake, he had managed to rectify it in time.

It was understandable why he reacted the way he did, especially after I targeted his neck with that dangerous strike.

It's only human to panic in such a situation.

'What matters is the test score.'

The exam might have been short-lived, but I showcased all my skills: spell casting without incantations, five-star magic, and real combat ability.

All that remained was for the teacher to grade me, and even the student teacher beside him seemed curious.

"Teacher, so the score is...?"

"Obviously, it's perfect. Why even ask?"

"Huh?"

"You might have missed it, but Eugene von Lennon cast a five-star spell without an incantation. From that moment, his perfect score was guaranteed."

"Oh, I see. Got it."

The student teacher nodded and noted down the score.

"I should get going."

The test was over, so I bowed and turned to leave.

I had a fire attribute test scheduled immediately after and didn't have time to dawdle.

However, the teacher, shining his glasses, grabbed my shoulder.

"Hold on a moment."

"...Yes?"

As I turned back, he said, with utmost seriousness, something I never expected.

"I never thought I'd find a raw gemstone like you. It must be fate that brought us together."

"A gemstone? What are you talking about?"

"Become my disciple. Learn magic under me. You have the potential to become a master of water magic. Becoming an archmage isn't a distant dream for you."

"...Ah."

This teacher, probably too immersed in his work, must have missed the rumors that I'm only interested in swordsmanship, not magic.

How could he so passionately propose to take me as his disciple?

I gave him a slight smile and responded.

"I can't."

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