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

Chapter 16: Time flows like flowing water (1)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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Returning to the dormitory, Eugene locked his door and took a seat on the floor.

Carefully, he unfolded a piece of cloth and gently placed the golden bead upon it.

"What an unexpected twist of fate."

He had always been concerned about his lackluster mana, and now, by unexpected fortune, he had acquired this bead.

"There's poison in it, so I'll have to endure some pain."

But if it meant an increase in mana, he was willing to accept that pain.

"It will hurt... a lot."

He swallowed hard, his apprehension visible.

Eugene was well-aware of the bead's properties.

Properly absorbing the golden bead would grant a surge in mana and even immunity to several poisons.

However, the absorption process was far from simple.

Without extracting the bead's inherent mana and toxins, one had to slowly and cautiously absorb them, ensuring they didn't overwhelm the body.

This required not only a high proficiency in mana manipulation but also an exceptional physical recovery rate.

Meeting just one of these conditions was already challenging; now, two were necessary.

Absorbing the bead was an act reserved for the strong in this world.

But for those who were strong, their mana was sufficient.

The golden bead was merely a bonus: a luxury, not a necessity.

On the other hand, those who desperately needed mana but lacked mana control would face death upon consumption.

The bead was, in essence, an exorbitantly priced gamble.

One needed to be a young prodigy with low mana but high mana manipulation skills, and naturally, a robust constitution capable of withstanding the potent poison.

"That's me."

Born with a multitude of talents, Eugenes prowess in manipulating mana, thanks to his Sword Soul and Magic Genius, surpassed anyone else in the world.

Additionally, due to Martial Arts Genius, his physical recovery rate was exceptionally high.

'If not me, then who?'

Eugene closed his eyes and placed the golden bead into his mouth.

As it melted and flowed down his throat, a burst of immense mana sweetly caressed his taste buds.

Simultaneously, the bitter sting of the beads potent poison pierced his tongue.

...!

A hellish agony, as if his entire body was aflame, overtook him.

The overwhelming torment made it impossible to maintain his senses.

Eugene clenched his teeth, nearly to the point of breaking, and crossed his legs, focusing intently to regulate the flow of mana and poison.

He had to focus intently, striving to control the flow of both the mana and the toxin.

The mana raced through his body with a wild momentum.

If left unchecked, it would wreak internal havoc, resulting in death.

'Control the flow first!'

In his fading consciousness, Eugene strived to rein in the mana.

Sensing the body's imminent danger, mana from his magic circuit flowed rapidly, trying to subdue the overpowering force of the bead.

Maintaining focus amidst this excruciating pain was beyond human capability.

And amidst all this, he still had to contend with the poison.

His eyes rolled back, consumed by the immense pain.

Giving everything he had, Eugene attempted to control the mana flow while simultaneously fighting the encroaching toxin.

Blocking the absorption of all the poison was inherently impossible.

Some of it had to be allowed into the body.

The majority of the potent poison, had to be confined using magic and then slowly absorbed over several weeks.

Even accomplishing just one of these tasks would label someone a genius of the highest caliber, yet Eugene was striving to achieve them simultaneously, battling the pain that came with it.

The frenzied flow of mana within his body began to calm down gradually.

The act of restraining the invasive poison became slightly easier.

'Just a bit more... If I can hold on a little longer...!'

Clutching onto his thinning consciousness, Eugene wrestled with the overwhelming pain.

At the end of his flawless mana manipulation, the mana of the golden bead within him was suppressed.

A faint mist of mana rose from his body, swirling around him.

The pain started to slowly subside, and the potent poison attempting to infiltrate his body was fully restrained.

"Whew..."

Eugene slowly opened his eyes.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but outside the window, the dusk had already set in.

The pain had been so intense that, when he opened his clenched fist, blood oozed from where his nails had dug in.

'It hurts.'

But it also brought joy.

Because he had successfully absorbed the golden bead.

After enduring hellish torment, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

He smiled broadly, feeling a power inside him that was incomparably stronger than before.

'If I slowly absorb this immense mana over several weeks...'

He would possess a power incomparable to before.

With such strength, even if he were to face a swordsman with mana as high as Celine's, there would be nothing to fear.

Eugene closed his eyes once more, meditating until sleep took him.

He had to quickly absorb this vast mana circulating within, making it truly his own.

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Raei Translations

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And so, five days passed.

Today was a Friday.

With no classes scheduled in the afternoon, he would had free time after the morning classes are over.

Eugene immediately returned to the dormitory and sat down to meditate.

Lately, he'd been reducing his swordsmanship and physical training, placing more emphasis on his meditation.

Until he fully absorbed the mana from the bead, he would maintain a balance between meditation and everything else.

A subtle smile graced his lips as he felt the flow of mana within him.

My magic circuit is overflowing.

The level of mana was incomparably higher than before.

'Even though I've only absorbed a third of it, it's already at this level.'

In about another ten days, he would be able to completely absorb the mana from the bead.

Once that happens, his mana level would be on par with those wealthy heirs who, since childhood, had been nurtured on various elixirs and pills.

That would be more than enough.

Among the first-year students, there were already none who could match Eugene's prowess in swordsmanship.

If they were to duel on equal mana levels, he would confidently claim victory, even against Celine, who was regarded as the top talent of the Royal Academy.

'Keep improving.

Shoving away his stray thoughts, Eugene concentrated fully on his meditation once more.

Meditate, hone the body, and swing the sword.

For the next few weeks, he would focus solely on these three tasks.

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Raei Translations

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Inside a room at the girls' dormitory.

The desk was neatly organized with various magical tomes, while uniforms and dresses were hung on a clothes rack.

Beside it was a bed, draped with pristine white sheets and pillows, adorned with petite dolls.

It looked so inviting that one would easily fall into a deep slumber just by lying down.

On that bed lay a blonde female student with a beauty so famous that rumors claimed even the Emperor might tilt the nation for her.

"Classes ended early, I should have trained more, but somehow, I feel even more exhausted than usual today..."

Her long golden hair was sprawled around her, her body, comfortable in a simple dress.

A sight that would easily make male students' hearts flutter.

Tina's physique had its naturally alluring features.

Hailing from the Florence Earldom, she was celebrated as a beauty unparalleled in the family's history.

Though she'd never genuinely experienced romance, the daily confessions from numerous men had somewhat dampened her interest in the opposite sex.

"Ugh... I'm so tired..."

She pouted, covering her face with her arm.

A few days ago, she had consumed a high-quality elixir sent from her family.

Though she should spend several hours each day meditating and consolidating her mana, she couldn't shake off her tiredness.

"But I still have to do it..."

The elixir she consumed wasn't just any ordinary one; it was a treasured potion bought from the top of the Magic Tower for a hefty sum.

"Father did buy it for me, after all..."

The elixir was hard to come by, even with money.

Typically, elixirs were valuable commodities, and money was merely one method to secure them.

This particular elixir was obtained by her father, who had mobilized all his connections and capabilities.

"I have private lessons soon as well."

In a few hours, a renowned archmage, brought in with the family's wealth and connections, would come for a tutoring session.

Since she slacked with today's meditation, she didn't have the luxury to relax further.

She got off the bed, settled into a meditative pose, and began a long session of meditation.

By the time she finished her meditation and opened her eyes, there were only 15 minutes left before the tutoring session.

Teacher always arrives 10 minutes early...

The tutor, who seemed quite fond of Tina, consistently arrived 10 minutes ahead of schedule and often lingered longer than necessary.

One day, he showed no intention of leaving, forcing her to make up an excuse to send him away.

'I should change first.'

Tina slipped out of her dress and changed into attire suitable for magic training.

As she did, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

As Tina hurried to open it, there stood her familiar tutor.

"Tina, how have you been?"

Madreia von Denaria Beruz.

This elderly mage donned an exquisite robe, holding a staff in hand.

Embroidered on his robe was the emblem of the Beruz family.

He was an elder of the Beruz family and a renowned Archmage, the great-grandfather of Yerina.

"Teacher, would you like to come in for some tea?"

"Yes, I do enjoy tea. Let's go inside."

Madreia, with a gentle smile upon seeing Tina's face, followed her into the room.

While men were typically not allowed in the female dormitory, Madreia was an exception.

As an Archmage whose reputation spanned the continent, he wasn't one to be bound by regular conventions.

Considering his impeccable reputation, the Royal Academy of Lucia was confident he wouldn't cause any issues.

The thought of an elder from the Duke of Beruz stirring up trouble in the female dormitory was almost unthinkable.

Sitting at a small table, Madreia warmly smiled as he watched Tina prepare tea.

'How can she be so captivating?'

Madreia, who was well-known for his exceptional magical prowess and kind-hearted nature, had a hidden side to him.

Few knew of his lascivious tendencies.

He had concealed it well due to his intelligence; it remained a secret known only to those within his family.

'Such a flawless figure...'

His smile melted as he looked at Tina's silhouette, to an expression that would seem intense to anyone that saw it.

'I must restrain myself. Staring too much would be risky.'

Although he had these inclinations, he was always sure to maintain decorum.

Every feature of Tina could stir a man's desires.

Yet, Madreia had always managed to suppress these feelings, especially as the revered elder of the Beruz family.

He had received a significant sum from the Earl of Florence for these personal lessons.

Overstep and risk it all?

The mere thought of it was preposterous.

Such an act would disgrace not only himself but his entire family.

'If only I were 180 years younger...'

If he had been of Tina's age, he would have openly confessed and pursued a romantic relationship.

But the age gap was just too wide.

"Here's your tea, Teacher."

"Thank you."

"I hope it's to your liking."

"As long as Tina prepared it, even if it had poison, I'd find it sweet. Don't worry."

"You always have a way with words, Teacher."

Tina chuckled, a bit awkwardly.

Madreia savored the tea she made, relishing its flavor.

When it was time for their lesson,

"Let's head out for today's training."

"Yes!"

"Give me your hand."

Tina extended her hand with an innocent look, and Madreia, smiling gently, took hold of it.

Then he announced,

"Warp!"

Seven-Star magic, Warp, a spell that allowed long-distance travel.

They were instantly transported to a mountainous region filled with cliffs.

Fire and earth were Tina's primary magical attributes, with her having a slightly greater talent for fire.

'When it comes to fire attributes, even I, an Archmage, wouldn't dare belittle her talent.'

That's why their training focused on fire magic.

Fire magic, known for its immense destructive power and vast range, required an expansive training area.

This mountainous region, filled with cliffs, was the perfect place.

"Are we training on this cliff today?"

"Yes. This old man used to frequent this place a lot when learning magic back in the day."

"That explains all the cliffs."

'He must have used a massive amount of magic here.'

"Seeing just one can lead to realizing ten. Incredible."

Madreia, laughing, continued Tina's private lesson.

Placing his hand on Tina's back as she stretched both hands toward the cliff and cast her magic, he taught her how to use her mana efficiently.

"Tina, as a noble, you've consumed many elixirs and rare herbs. As time goes on, you'll possess mana as vast as the great seas. The key is how you channel that immense mana into your magic."

"Teacher, I'll keep that in mind."

"Feel the way I guide the flow of your mana, imprint it into both your body and mind. When you fully grasp this method, not only will it become easier to learn more advanced magic, but the potency of all your spells will also ascend to a new level."

"Yes, Teacher!"

As Madreia's voice grew more solemn, Tina devoted herself entirely to the training, absorbing his teachings.

'That figure of hers keeps testing me.'

Internally he was caught up in his own fierce battle, with his hands still on Tina's back.

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