I Took the Female Lead’s First Time in a Romance Fantasy

Chapter Twenty-Three: Teaching a crazy person a lesson

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After uncovering that the mastermind behind the attack on the duke's carriage was one of the hyenas from Grand Duke Lenokhonen's household, Duke Fervache immediately took action upon receiving the news via letter.

However, even knowing the culprit, there wasn't much he could do at the moment. There was no concrete evidence proving the accusation.

On top of that, capturing the hyenas to force a confession was impossible—they were bound by a high-level oath magic that killed them the moment they spoke the truth.

Not to mention that Yohan had no means of catching the hyenas, who were determined to flee.

It's always harder to capture someone alive than to kill them, and for someone like Yohan, who wasn't accustomed to using force, it was even more challenging.

Even so, the duke decided to discreetly leak the information to apply pressure on the grand duke's household. At least for now, it seemed Cassis would remain quiet.

Anyway.

Time passed, and before long, the long-term leave granted by the Imperial Bureau came to an end.

Naturally, Yohan and Francia woke up at dawn and headed to work at the Imperial Bureau.

The knights warming up in the training ground wore expressions that seemed to say, This can't possibly be real.

The mages inside the building, reviewing paperwork, didn't look much different either.

Their appearances weren't all that different from modern office workers.

Yohan's lips curved slightly into a faint smile. No matter how the world changes, it seems life is the same everywhere.

"Attention, everyone!"

Crown Prince Fedelian entered the training grounds and called out loudly.

"Today is the day of joint training with the First Division! I trust none of you have grown too lax during your leave?"

The knights and Mages shouted in unison.

"No problem!"

"We're ready anytime!"

Their voices echoed through the training grounds, the lethargy from earlier completely gone.

"The training grounds here are larger, so the First Division will come to us!"

Since the First Division, tasked with actual battlefield missions, operated as a small elite unit, their training grounds and facilities were smaller compared to those of the Second Division.

That's likely why the joint training would take place here at the Second Division's training grounds.

"The training will begin in an hour! Everyone, prepare thoroughly!"

With that, Fedelian shouted and went inside the building.

"Sigh, what if we lose again?"

"They are part of the Crown Prince's Division, after all…"

"And that battlefield demon is back, too."

Knights and Mages alike let out collective sighs. Judging from their conversation, it seemed they'd lost quite badly in previous trainings.

"Francia, have you participated in joint training before?" Yohan asked.

"Yes, a few times when I first came here, before going on reconnaissance missions. But honestly, it's less like training and more like a sparring match."

In other words, it was more about establishing a pecking order.

"Still, it seems necessary to consistently assess each side's combat strength."

"Exactly. That's why, even though everyone dreads it, no one openly complains."

Francia responded with a resigned tone before suddenly turning to leave with a downcast expression.

"I have some paperwork to finish before training, so I'll head inside. Good luck today, okay?"

"Sure."

Watching her walk briskly into the building, Yohan couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

If only strange people with ridiculous schemes didn't keep showing up, life here would be no different from that of an ordinary office worker.

'But I can't just suggest we both quit the Bureau.'

Francia was steadily building her career to become the future head of her household, while Yohan was working to raise his value to stand beside her.

In that sense, the Bureau was the best option for both of them.

Here, skill was everything, so evaluations always leaned favorably toward those who were competent.

"Oh, Yohan!"

Someone called out to Yohan, their voice familiar. He frowned as he turned toward the sound.

It was Violet, her face lighting up with joy as though she were delighted to see him.

"Sigh… Violet."

A sigh escaped him, and he shook his head.

"Is that how you greet me? That's so mean," Violet pouted, looking hurt.

"I can't help but sigh. What is it this time?"

"Can't I just say hello? Hehe."

Her sullen expression didn't last long before she smiled brightly again.

"About last time—I'm sorry. I think I made a mistake because I was drunk."

"Ah, okay."

"Will you forgive me? I'd like to formally apologize."

Yohan frowned at the seemingly sincere smile. This was not someone he should get involved with.

"Well, I'm not sure. I'd prefer if you didn't act so friendly with me in the future."

"Hmm."

Violet lightly tapped her red lips with her index finger, a mischievous smile forming on her face.

"Well, I suppose time will resolve our relationship. Anyway, I'm just glad you're safe, Yohan."

"…What do you mean by that?"

"Hehe, let's just say there's something like that."

With a playful wink, Violet walked past Yohan.

"..."

Yohan narrowed his eyes as he watched her retreating figure.

'Glad I'm safe, huh.'

She must be referring to the incident involving the hyenas.

But Violet didn't have the power to control the hyenas.

Which meant…

She and Cassis must have planned everything from the start."

Violet's flirtation at the party and Cassis's assassination attempt—those two events were connected.

'They're both determined to drag me down.'

Tsk.

Yohan clicked his tongue and scowled for no reason.

Given that the genre of this world seemed to be a hopeless and grimdark story, he knew it wouldn't be easy to end up in a peaceful relationship with the heroine.

Right now, he was walking on thin ice, where one slip could send him tumbling into the abyss.

Still, he didn't regret his decision. He had resolved to take responsibility from the beginning.

More than anything, he didn't want to see Francia's face filled with betrayal and disappointment.

'I couldn't just stand by and let Francia's misfortune play out.'

Since he was here as a reincarnator, maybe now she could finally find happiness.

Not yet, but someday.

'And this ordeal will end eventually.'

They say happiness comes after enduring hardship.

Surely, one day, he and Francia would have their happy days together—days free of worry.

***

The training grounds of the Second Division.

Public officers had gathered, surrounding the grounds.

"Next!" shouted Fedelian.

A series of duels were taking place between officers of similar ranks from the two Divisions.

Since there weren't many high-ranking members, Yohan watched the matches indifferently.

After a while, even watching became dull.

'Mage can't use spells above Tier 2, and knights can't use mana blades, huh.'

It made sense, considering how serious injuries—or worse—could occur if things got too intense. But Yohan, new to the Bureau, couldn't help but question whether such restricted training was meaningful.

Clang! Clang!

Two first-class knights were currently dueling.

Brilliant white sword lights flashed repeatedly, and afterimages trailed along their blades.

Their swordsmanship styles were different, but it seemed the level of their skills didn't lie.

Clang! Claang!

The two continued to clash, maintaining a precarious balance. It seemed it would take some time for the match to end.

"Hm. When do you think the training will end? It was fun at first, but now it's just the same thing over and over again."

In a corner of the training grounds, Francia sat hugging her knees, speaking with a bored expression. Her face mirrored Yohan's feelings.

"I feel the same. Maybe because I'm a Mage, but I don't quite understand the knights."

"Really? That's surprising," Francia said, blinking as though she'd heard something unexpected.

"Didn't you learn swordsmanship?"

"I didn't."

"Not even at the academy?"

"I only practiced enough to pass the exams."

Technically, he had learned it, but never seriously or properly.

"I thought you'd become a knight, Yohan."

"Why would you think that?"

"Uh… just a feeling?"

Francia gave a vague answer, laughing softly. Her bashful smile was so endearing that Yohan found himself smiling as well.

"By the way, did you meet the first-class Mage from Ratalen?" Francia asked.

"I did, earlier."

"I thought so. I could smell that bitch on Yohan."

"that bitch…?"

At the unexpected curse word, which rarely came out of her mouth, Yohan blinked in surprise.

"I've been looking for her. People need to pay the price for messing with someone else's man. But she keeps sneaking around, and I couldn't find her at her station."

A shadow fell over Francia's face. Her crimson eyes gleamed with a chilling sharpness—she was clearly furious.

'I'm fine, but…'

But this wasn't a matter that could be resolved just because the person involved said they were fine.

Francia wasn't just Yohan's lover; she was his partner in life.

This wasn't merely Yohan's personal issue—it was their problem as a pair.

'It's better to stay quiet here.'

It's best for women to resolve issues among themselves. Getting involved might only make things worse, so staying out of it seemed like the better choice.

"Yohan Harsen!"

Suddenly, someone called out to Yohan.

Yohan blinked and turned his gaze toward the center of the training ground.

Cassis stood there, holding a wooden sword, staring intently at Yohan.

"Come forward."

"..."

Yohan frowned. It wasn't unusual for one expert to challenge another, but this was a duel between a knight and a mage. Clearly, the knight had the upper hand.

To issue such a challenge? Did this guy have no pride?

"What's this? The Battlefield Demon is challenging Special-Class Mage Harsen?"

"A duel between a knight and a mage?"

"Doesn't seem fair…"

"This doesn't look good."

The other officers didn't seem to think much differently.

"Yohan Harsen, I challenge you,"

Cassis repeated, undeterred by the surrounding murmurs.

"Hmm."

Yohan smirked as he removed his coat.

"Fine."

Francia, startled, grabbed his collar.

"What are you thinking?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can't possibly fight a knight."

"It's fine. I have a plan."

"…Yohan?"

Yohan chuckled softly, gently removing Francia's hand from his collar, and stepped forward.

"Why are you challenging me?"

Standing in the center of the training ground, Yohan asked in a low voice, loud enough for only Cassis to hear.

"..."

Cassis pressed his lips into a thin line and remained silent. His amethyst eyes burned as they locked onto Yohan.

"Don't you feel ashamed? A knight challenging a mage to a duel—doesn't that go against the chivalry of the Rozino Empire?"

Yohan's smile deepened as he began to gather mana.

"Or perhaps… you're upset because I smashed the gift you carefully sent and returned it broken? I imagine the Grand Duke was quite displeased because of that."

Yohan's mocking tone continued, but Cassis didn't respond. He simply pointed his wooden sword at Yohan.

"Use every spell you have. I will refrain from using mana according to the standard rules."

"Are you sure about that?"

"..."

"If I use all my magic, you won't last five minutes."

At Yohan's taunting remark, Cassis's amethyst eyes darkened, unreadable. But Yohan could clearly sense Cassis's feelings.

Disdain and irritation.

"Well, since you told me to use everything, I won't hold back. However, I'll try not to kill you, Sir Cassis Lenokhohnen."

Yohan shrugged lightly, his smile unwavering. In an instant, an overwhelming torrent of mana surged around him, swirling like a storm.

It was as if an enormous, invisible wave was rippling through the air, shaking everything and radiating an oppressive, vast energy.

"Let's begin."