Male Lead, Don’t Push, Pull!

“You’ve waited a long time, ladies and gentlemen, for the main event of the Arene Academy Festival: the finale of the Swordsmanship Competition!”

“Waaaah!”

A moment later, the long-awaited main event began, and the crowd cheered.

On the stage, I could see Kyle’s face, which I hadn’t seen for a long time, and I could tell that he had been eating well and living well.

‘Ehhh. But I’ll still give him a little extra treat.’

I waved wildly at Kyle as he took the stage and shouted, “Kyle! Fighting!”

He must have heard me because he turned his head. Our eyes locked and I smiled broadly at him.

The corners of his mouth twitched, and he quickly turned away.

“Eh…?”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

What Kyle had just done was a blatant disregard. Was he still mad at me?

“Okay, here we go!”

While I was still dazed, the duel began.

Kyle shook his head.

“You go first.”

As a five-time winner of the Swordsmanship Festival, Kyle was considerate of his opponent.

His opponent, however, was more pissed off by Kyle’s attitude, and he growled, a tendril sprouting from his forehead.

“That’s the last time I’m going to let you play with me, Kyle.”

He raised his blade furiously and charged at Kyle at full speed.

Swish!

The opponent’s sword was blocked by Kyle’s upright blade, causing a harsh sound.

As expected of a final round, the opponent’s swordsmanship was formidable. Even if it was blurry, the shape of an aura was imprinted on the blade.

However–

Kaang-! Bang!

It was no match for Kyle.

Kyle stepped lightly to dodge the attack and slashed at his exposed opponent’s left side as fluidly as a stream of water.

Slash–

The opponent narrowly avoided Kyle’s attack.

But the hem of his robe had already been sliced off by Kyle’s blade. His brows raised in surprise.

“You… Kyle!”

The agitated opponent lunged at Kyle. His opponent’s blade sliced deeply, oozing fierce energy.

Kyle’s movements were like water. He dodged his opponent’s attacks with minimal steps, like a dancer.

Instead of taking his opponent’s attack head-on, he used his blade to sweep it away. It was a very elegant move.

“This is practically overpowering.”

“Is it just me, or does it look like he’s toying with Erkin?”

“Regardless, very impressive, Kyle.”

The people standing around murmured. Judging by their training uniforms, they were students of the Swordsmanship Department.

Kyle watched his opponent’s movements for a while, like a teacher giving instruction.

“Huh, humph.”

Until the exhausted opponent gasped for air.

Operating an aura required a great deal of concentration. It was no wonder that someone who hadn’t yet reached the level of mastery would tire easily if they tried to overdo it.

Kyle, on the other hand, hadn’t even drawn his aura yet.

“Phew,” Kyle let out a light sigh, and soon he was in position, sword raised. “Watch.”

A dark blue aura began to wrap tightly around his blade. This was a real aura, not a poor imitation. It was an aura that was awe-inspiring to behold.

The blue aura became a tidal wave. The two swords clashed as the other rushed forward again.

Chang–

The humble sword was unable to withstand the tidal wave and broke in two.

The opponent collapsed at Kyle’s feet. Kyle held his sword to his opponent’s throat and spoke.

“Well done.”

It was an undeniable victory for Kyle.

“Woo, whoa, whoa, whoa!”

The cheers of the frenzied crowd erupted around the stage.

“As expected! Another year, another victory! The winner is Kyle Ygritte!”

“Kyle! Kyle!”

“Wow! The best!”

Kyle, who hadn’t broken a sweat, raised his head triumphantly, his actions causing the cheers around him to intensify.

“That’s great! That makes our five-time champion a six-time champion! Let’s all give Erkin a round of applause for trying his best!”

“That’s great!”

“Ha. I wish I could bring out my aura like Kyle.”

People chanted Kyle’s name happily, a mixture of congratulations, envy, and admiration.

I, on the other hand, was feeling a little sour.

I was more than happy that Kyle took the title of champion this year as well. But at the same time, I remembered how he had ignored me before the match started.

I stared at him. It was more like a glare.

His fine features glistened as if he were using the sunset as a light.

My gaze must have stung, but he didn’t look my way the entire time.

Kyle, what do you think you’re doing?

Are you going to keep ignoring me like that?

“Kyle! Kyle!”

“Ouch.”

That’s when the student next to me bounced up and down in his seat, getting excited, and elbowed me in the shoulder.

The emotions that had been coursing through my veins at the thought of being pushed aside by Kyle and run over by people suddenly flooded through me.

“Fine, have it your way.”

I don’t want to hang on to someone who doesn’t want to make up with me. I turned and walked away from the stage. I knew where my steps would take me.

The Tower of Truth with the mirror that Helinoa had made.

Now I’ll find my destined mate and live a good life.

***

Kyle had a strange belief.

It was the thought that no matter what he did, Vivian would always remain by his side.

There were some things in life that were never changing, and Vivian was the one constant in Kyle’s life.

She was always there for him, even when they fought.

This belief was further strengthened by the case of Kyle’s early graduation.

When it was confirmed that he could graduate early by becoming a Sword Expert, Vivian had been deeply depressed.

She didn’t want to be alone at the Academy without him. As much as he hated to be apart from her, she hated to be separated from him, too.

That day must have been the first time Kyle’s racing heart kept him awake at night.

Vivian was getting prettier by the day. Maybe that’s why she was attracting more and more flies to her side. Like Daniel, for example.

But what kept Kyle going was the knowledge that he would always be Vivian’s number one.

‘You’re not going to answer me?’

‘Because….’

That belief was shattered when Vivian started hiding things from him. He felt perplexed and alarmed at the same time.

What if this happened again and again and he ended up drifting away from her?

Is it really okay to approach slowly so that the other person does not feel awkward and run away?

He wondered how he had ever been so foolish as to think that. He was in no position to take it easy.

He realized that if he took his time, Vivian could possibly change her mind.

He was ashamed and unable to face her. So, he avoided her for a few days. And then Vivian started avoiding him.

“Kyle, help me with this!”

Realizing that something was wrong, he tried to go to see her, but was stopped by the other students who were busy preparing for the sword festival.

As the festival began, he glanced offstage during each preliminary round, but Vivian was nowhere to be seen.

‘At least she’ll come to the finals.’

He knew Vivian would be there to cheer him on at the festival. And indeed, on the day of the finals, when he spotted her in the crowd, Kyle felt both joy and elation.

Vivian hadn’t changed. Here she was, back by his side again.

The final match was over in a flash. Kyle had won, of course.

Maybe he was so happy that Vivian had come to see him that he performed even better than usual.

“As expected! Another year, another victory! The winner is Kyle Ygritte!”

He could feel Vivian watching him from a distance. He turned his head quickly, afraid she would see him blush.

He tried to catch his breath and calm the joy that was bubbling up from the depths of his heart.

“That’s great! That makes our five-time champion a six-time champion! Let’s all give Erkin a round of applause for trying his best!”

“Huh?”

But when Kyle turned his head to look, he was once again forced to confront Vivian’s absence.

Where had she gone?

She’d disappeared out of nowhere.

The moderator approached Kyle, who was in a rather embarrassed state, although it did not show it on the outside.

“Kyle! You’ve won six times in a row this year! Tell everyone how you feel about it!”

Originally, Kyle was going to ask Vivian out on a date during his speech. Now that he learnt the hard way that he shouldn’t be so coy anymore.

But the object of his affection, Vivien Rosiere, had disappeared.

“Senior?”

Seriously, was Vivian really okay without having him around?

Was she okay with leaving him behind and going on with her life on her own?

The moment he thought that his heart started beating like crazy.

“Senior? Can you say something….”

“Sorry. I’m busy.”

“Huh? What, Senior!”

Realization was late, but action was quick. Kyle rushed offstage in search of Vivian, who was nowhere to be found.