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

Chapter 17: Time flows like flowing water (2)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

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In another room of the girls' dormitory.

This room, bathed in a soft pink hue, stood in contrast to Tina von Elia Florence's pristine white one.

It was Yerina von Bliss Beruz's room.

She tended to use polite language with everyone, maintaining a more formal demeanor compared to the other three female leads.

This was primarily due to her upbringing, which emphasized upholding a noble's dignity in public.

However, in private spaces like her own room, where no one else could see, she decorated it according to her girlish tastes.

The presence of a massive teddy bear occupying a corner of her bed spoke volumes about her personal taste.

If someone were to discover her room, the sophisticated image she had carefully built over the years would instantly crumble.

But thanks to her usual dignified behavior, she didn't have any close friends, and no students ever dared to enter her room.

"Ugh... This is so hard..."

Dressed in her adorable light pink pajamas, she sat at her desk, studying magic.

Studying this particular subject was difficult, even with her talent.

Knock, knock, knock.

Huh?

The sound interrupting her was a knock in the middle of the night.

'Who could it be at this hour?'

Yerina approached the door with caution, swallowing nervously.

Her eyes were filled with apprehension, wary of someone seeing her room decorated to her liking.

"Who is it at this hour...?"

"It's your grandpa!"

"...Grandfather?"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, her caution evaporated instantly.

It was her great-grandfather, Madreia.

To Yerina, Madreia was not only the grandfather who had doted on her since infancy but also a revered archmage who, as an elder, protected their family name.

'I'm happy to see him, but...'

Why is he here?

Yerina opened the door, revealing Madreia leaning casually against the frame.

He had finished Tina's personal tutoring and, having some free time, decided to visit Yerina, bringing gifts with him.

"Grandfather... what brings you here?"

"Just wanted to see my granddaughter's face. Sounds like you're not happy to hear that."

Madreia feigned disappointment.

"No, I'm sorry! I was just taken by surprise. Please, come in."

"Hehe, thank you. Huh?"

Madreia's gaze landed on Yerina's pink pajamas.

"Your pajamas are quite cute, aren't they?"

"...Please don't mention it."

Her face reddening, Yerina quickly ushered Madreia inside.

"The pajamas are cute, and so is the room. That bear seems even bigger than me."

"Didn't I ask you not to mention it..."

"Hehe, alright, alright."

Madreia, having teased his granddaughter, took a seat.

Meanwhile, Yerina headed to the kitchen, busily preparing some refreshments.

The scattered books on her desk suggested she had been in the middle of her studies.

Yet, she welcomed her grandfather's unexpected visit with open arms and gracious hospitality.

His presence was truly captivating.

'It's been a while since I've seen her, but she seems even more radiant now.'

Her beauty, which I've known since her youth, was beyond words.

She had always been the beloved of the family due to her charming looks.

And as she grew up, her beauty blossomed, far surpassing her youthful days.

'If she ever marries, I might have to lodge a fireball right between that son-in-law's brows.'

I felt that would be the only way to find peace in my heart.

Any man trying to court such a beautiful granddaughter could hardly be seen as human.

A despicable villain who deserves to be consumed by flames.

Anger surged in him at just the thought of such a man, who didn't even exist yet.

"Grandfather, why such a face...?"

"Eh? Oh, I apologize. I was reminded of an enemy I pushed off a cliff a hundred years ago."

Seeing Yerina's concerned expression, Madreia quickly changed his expression.

To his granddaughter, he was always a gentle grandfather.

"Don't dwell on such thoughts, have some tea."

"Thank you."

Yerina sat opposite Madreia.

After he took a sip of tea, Yerina spoke up,

"Did you come after tutoring Tina?"

"You're quite observant. I had some time after Tina's lessons, so I thought I'd see my granddaughter and brought a gift."

"Are you talking about the box you brought with you?"

"Indeed, my granddaughter always has such a keen eye."

Yerina chuckled, finding the compliment a bit exaggerated.

However, when Madreia opened the box, her face was a picture of shock.

"That... That is...!"

"Do you recognize it?"

"It's alcohol, and a very precious one at that!"

"Lower your voice. The other students might overhear."

Yerina immediately hushed.

"I thought of you, knowing how hard you're working at the Royal Academy. So, I brought your favorite drink. The 50-year-old Marlan, worth more than ten gold coins a bottle."

"50-year-old Marlan...!"

Yerina's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Though she had tasted alcohol barely five times in her life, being the daughter of the Duke of Beruz, she had occasionally sipped the drinks Madreia secretly brought.

She had come to love their sweet taste.

'Just a sip... and all the fatigue will melt away...'

Yerina swallowed hard, her throat audibly reacting.

She clearly craved the drink.

"But... it's not allowed. Drinking alcohol is against the Royal Academy's rules..."

"What's the harm if no one finds out?"

"To say it's okay as long as I'm not caught diminishes my dignity..."

"Ugh..."

Madreia's looked downcast.

"I've lived 180 years*... and not a single granddaughter to share a drink with..."

"That's... not what I..."

"I've wasted my life... truly..."

With that, Madreia dramatically slammed the ground.

The elder, steadfast in supporting the family for years, looked so disheartened because of her.

This wasn't just a matter of dignity; it was something that shouldn't be happening.

"I'll get the bottle opener!"

Yerina dashed to the kitchen.

Madreia, watching her retreat, wore a pleased smile.

She could have used magic to open it, but she chose to get the opener.

She must have been quite taken aback.

His dear granddaughter was both strikingly beautiful and innocently pure.

'I really must deal with any future son-in-laws.'

If I can live to see that day, I'll die without regrets.

Nodding to this worthy life goal, Madreia shared a drink with Yerina.

And when they had drained half the bottle,

"Grandfather... I... find magic so hard..."

'I got this drink especially to hear her say that.'

This is heaven, true heaven.

Seeing his granddaughter, who becomes even more endearing with every sip, Madreia's face broke into a gentle smile.

'Lately, the other old timers have been relentlessly training, even in their old age.'

All that seemed like nonsense to him.

With a granddaughter of unparalleled beauty playfully chatting away, making jokes and laughing, this place felt like heaven.

Why would one want to ascend to the heavens, become divine, and endure all that effort in the twilight years of their life?

Tsk, tsk.

Shaking his head, Madreia felt a mix of pity and amusement thinking of his friends.

He cherished every moment with Yerina.

Tomorrow being a weekend and no school, it was okay if she drank a little more than usual.

"Grandfather..."

"Yes, Rina?"

"When I'm practicing magic... and hit a wall, how do I break through?"

"Just get a hammer."

"...Are you teasing me, Grandfather?"

Yerina's cheeks puffed up in mock indignation.

For Madreia, this very moment was pure heaven.

---

Raei Translations

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As dawn broke in the east,

Celine from the Luberuta family, the continent's most esteemed swordsmanship lineage, arrived.

"Huff... Huff..."

She was drenched in sweat, having run non-stop.

Her silver hair clung to her face, obstructing her view.

Pushing it aside, she entered the family estate.

"Lady Celine, why are you here?"

"You're covered in sweat. Let's prepare a bath for you..."

"It's fine, I'm okay."

Seeing Celine, the servants rushed over in astonishment, but she dismissed them and continued on her way.

She hadn't returned for such courtesies.

She had come to seek guidance from her father and teacher, Drayn von Bennet, about her slowed progression in swordsmanship.

Choosing to run rather than take a comfortable carriage (at her level of skill, running was faster) was to make the most of her short weekend, meet her father and then head back.

Using mana for prolonged running also served as training, hoping it might help her overcome her current plateau.

But ultimately, it was to save time.

"Is Father inside?"

"He's in the garden, enjoying some tea."

"Thank you."

"It's nothing, Lady Celine."

With a nod to the bowing servant, Celine directed her steps toward the garden.

While other noble families might expect her to freshen up and approach formally, her father valued substance over such minor decorum.

After all, he was the continent's greatest sword hero, holding an unparalleled reputation in swordsmanship.

'Father might be strict, but...'

He would have the answer.

Even though she felt exhausted after her journey, finding a solution to her stagnation in swordsmanship was incredibly important.

Celine opened the door leading to the garden.

Autumn had taken hold, and the garden was awash in the fiery hues of blooming camellias.

At the heart of it was a white table, contrasting with the red flowers.

Two figures sat there.

The silver-haired Duke, Drayn von Bennet, looking at ease, and beside him, a maid was pouring tea.

Drayn, his silver hue contrasting the vivid red of the camellias, looked as if he stepped out of a masterpiece.

He looked no older than his early twenties.

Though he had surpassed fifty, his unparalleled mastery in swordsmanship had significantly slowed his aging.

"Hm?"

Noticing Celine's approach, Drayn, mid-sip, raised an eyebrow.

"What brings you here?"

His voice, mature and seasoned, at odds with his youthful appearance.

Celine, now before him, bowed deeply in greeting.

"I've come seeking your guidance, Father."

"There's no need for such formalities. Maid, you may leave. My daughter and I have matters to discuss."

The maid bowed and retreated.

"Alright, what do you need from me?"

Celine began, standing from the ground.

"For the past few weeks... my skills have noticeably plateaued. They're not stagnant, but I don't have the insights I used to. My connection to the sword feels more distant than before..."

"Hmm."

Drayn took a moment to consider.

"You say insights don't come easily anymore?"

"That's right..."

"Well, insights were never meant to come easily in the first place. Why would you think that way? Sometimes it takes months, even decades, solely focusing on the sword to finally gain even a measure of insight. It feels to me that you've come for a rather trivial concern."

"No, that's not it at all!"

A flustered Celine raised her voice.

"I can't quite pinpoint the reason, but it's been really frustrating... Ever since I joined the Royal Academy, I had these frequent minor epiphanies which greatly boosted my skills. But in the past few weeks, that sensation has vanished. I feel so stifled..."

"I see."

It was uncharacteristic of his daughter to be so open about her feelings.

Drayn took a moment to consider Celine's words and then responded.

"I understand your frustration."

"..."

"That state of yours must have been the perfect time for honing your swordsmanship."

"Yes, it was."

"But without knowing the root cause of that state, I can't offer much assistance. After all, I'm not a deity of the sword."

"I understand..."

Celine's face showed her deep despair.

However, Drayn continued,

"Nevertheless, I might have an answer about that period of insight you experienced."

"I'm all ears."

"It's what you'd call 'karmic affinity'."

"...Karmic affinity?"

"Yes. While karmic affinity takes many forms, a sudden surge in one's skill can be attributed to it. You likely experienced a beneficial karmic moment, which has now passed. It's best to see it that way."

"Does that mean there's no way for me to regain that karmic affinity...?"

Celine's voice trembled as she spoke.

Seeing his daughter's anguish, Drayn looked regretful.

"It's unlikely."

"..."

"Consider that fortunate period as a fleeting moment. Your inherent talent isn't low. It's quite high, like mine. If you continue to train diligently without pause, you'll eventually become the next continent's greatest swordsman, succeeding me. There's no room for doubt."

"...Thank you for your wisdom."

Was she doing something wrong?

Was there a mistake in her training methods?

Such doubts plagued Celine, leading her to Drayn.

Reclaiming her past state now seemed a distant dream.

"...I should be on my way."

Her journey had worn her out, both physically and mentally.

With a respectful bow, Celine turned and slowly walked away.

Seeing Celine resembling a sheep drenched in rain, Drayn's heart was filled with sympathy.

But there was nothing he could offer her.

'For a swordsman, achieving enlightenment is an extraordinary feat in itself.'

A person who continuously receives such enlightenment.

If there were a swordsman of Celine's age with that capability, he would eagerly seek them out, even if it meant humbling himself to take them as his pupil.

After nurturing them with care and dedication, they'd surpass him, drawing enlightenment from his teachings and reaching greater heights in the art of the sword.

"However, such a swordsman probably doesn't exist."

With a soft chuckle, Drayn dismissed the thought of this imaginary swordsman.

It was impossible, no matter how much he considered it.

In this era, even he, recognized as the continent's greatest, was regarded as a talent that emerged once in a century.

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