Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 12

EP.12 It’s a Given that Things Get Twisted from the Start

“Well, I really don’t know why there are guys like that. Could it be that he was chased away because he was too rude to people? I just can’t understand why he acts like that.”

Tisha isn’t usually like this. She’s an incredibly kind and upright heroine.

Thinking that Ian, who made even Tisha gossip, must be quite remarkable.

Kyle just went along with Tisha’s words for now.

If you suddenly take Ian’s side or stay neutral here, you’ll immediately get criticized together.

“He certainly is a bit blunt, isn’t he? Doesn’t know how to hide things, doesn’t seem to even consider it.”

“If he’s been alone for a long time, I guess I understand. That’s fine up to a point. But now that he has to live at the academy, I’m worried if he can keep quiet.”

Exactly. In fact, Ian has been dueling since the first day of enrollment.

While the other party initiated the duels, the cause was always Ian.

Even someone with abundant patience might shout ‘shut up!’ if they hear Ian speak.

“I don’t know why he does that. The academy is mostly nobles.”

Kyle couldn’t help but smile at Tisha’s muttering.

Even as he complains about Ian, he finds himself worrying without realizing it.

Metaphorically, isn’t he like a tank unconsciously trying to protect a constantly poking ADC?

“He’ll manage on his own. Well, he seems confident in his swordsmanship, so I believe in him.”

“Have you seen it, Kyle? Ian’s swordsmanship?”

He’s never actually seen it. He’s only seen it described in novels.

But Kyle answered immediately without any change in expression.

“I’ve seen it occasionally on the way here. He was a bit late coming back from gathering firewood, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. Was he?”

“He went to gather firewood and was casually swinging his sword. That’s when I saw it.”

“Really? I’ve never seen it. How was it?”

“Hmm. He certainly seems to have confidence in his swordsmanship.”

At that, Tisha let out a light sigh.

He who seemed to only cause trouble every time now claims to be skilled, which is quite surprising.

Or maybe Kyle was surprised because he admitted it.

“Here we are. The Second Library.”

A huge and majestic building that could easily smack the cheek of any noble family in the face.

It’s surprising that such a grand structure is merely used as a library.

There are even two other libraries that are similar or even larger than this one, they say.

“Phew.”

Tisha breathed evenly, placing her hand on her chest.

It’s quite unusual for her to have such an anxious expression.

“Are you looking forward to this?”

“Of course. The Imperial Academy’s library is renowned for its immense and vast collection. They say there are books here that are hard to find even on the continent. So, there will be plenty of information about sorcery.”

“I’m worried that you have built up too much anticipation and will end up disappointed.”

“It’s okay. Even if there’s less material than expected, I’ll be fine with it. Thank you for worrying, Kyle.”

If Ian were here, what would he have said?

Just imagining it sends shivers down Tisha’s spine.

“Hmm… The books about sorcery are probably on the 5th floor. Want to go together?”

“Oh. I actually wanted to check out the 3rd floor.”

“The 3rd floor… is it about territory management and finance? Are you interested in that?”

“Not really, but I’ve been thinking about what I could do to help with the territory, you know? Maybe that’s it. My current goal is to go back to my hometown later and help my brother develop the territory a bit more.”

“I see…”

Tisha sighs lightly and looks at Kyle with a puzzled expression.

Isn’t he overflowing with consideration just as she thought?

Even here, he’s thinking about what he can do for his family and lineage.

‘He’s really a good person. If Kyle is like this, his family must be good people too, right? Maybe the rumors are wrong. They say there are so many monsters there, but someone like him couldn’t come from such a place.’

Yeah, that’s right. The rumors must be wrong. They’re exaggerated and distorted.

Thinking so, Tisha nods to herself, reaching her own conclusion.

“Then I’ll go to the 5th floor. If it takes too long, don’t wait for me.”

“How long do you think it’ll take? Surely we’re not going to stay up all night from today, right?”

“Hehe. Of course not. It won’t be that long, but I think it’ll take a few hours.”

“I think I’ll have a few hours too, so don’t worry and look for the sorcery books. If you don’t come back, I can just go to the 5th floor.”

“Ah… Th-thank you if you do that.”

It was really grateful that he didn’t insist on going first until the end.

Although she doesn’t show it, being alone is quite lonely.

She may have officially shed the label of being a sorceress, but people’s perception of sorcery hasn’t changed much.

In that situation, for some reason, even her family dispersed, and Tisha had been alone.

In any situation, it’s inevitable to feel extreme loneliness.

Tisha endured loneliness through her strong passion for sorcery and her desire to be recognized for it, but she couldn’t stay indifferent forever.

“We’ll see in a bit, Tisha.”

“Oh, yes!”

“I hope you find some good materials.”

To Tisha, Kyle standing in front of her right now was a great comfort.

He wasn’t hiding cheap sympathy or hidden intentions.

He genuinely had a thoughtful heart, and he even held a friendly view towards sorcery.

“Y-you hang in there too, Kyle. Work hard to be a big help to your family.”

Trying to suppress the constantly rising smile, Tisha waved her hand lightly.

It’s just a brief farewell, but why does it feel so regretful, she wondered.

Kyle waves his hand to Tisha as she stands on the stairs, going up.

Finally, as her figure completely disappears, he slowly lowers his hand.

…Is she gone? She’s gone, right? She’s gone. Kyle let out a sigh of relief.

He was almost dragged up to the 5th floor and forced to listen to stories about sorcery for hours.

No matter how good a person Tisha is, that’s completely different from this.

He wants to give up forcing discussions about sorcery. Stop the sorcery!

‘If I keep listening, I might end up enchanted.’

They say even lies need sincerity to be believed.

Remembering the book type guide seen on the 1st floor was helpful.

Adding some embellishment and presenting reasons made them believe right away.

‘The problem is that I really have to look into management and finance without any wiggle room.’

I want to just run away like this, but there’s a little conscience left.

So, I opened the door to the 3rd floor and stepped inside, where countless books greeted me.

Just looking at the books visible in front of me, it seems like there would easily be thousands of them.

It’s said that any book published on the continent will find its way to the academy.

It’s not just an exaggeration; it’s actually true.

I never planned to read books. I just thought I’d sit down and take a nap.

Honestly, there seem to be more things to do in the library than reading books.

Of course, there are no phones here for music or texting.

‘…But why did I have to meet that girl of all people?’

A female student sitting in the spot where the sunlight enters best.

Her flaming red hair is quite striking.

All I can see is her back, but even that feels beautiful.

Even the delicate touch as she flips through the pages exudes faint elegance.

Lady Elga Bless de Littorio.

She was sitting by the window reading a book.

In front of her were various books on territory management and finance.

Is it because she’s a noblewoman from the huge Littorio Duchy that I find her interesting?

‘Let’s go to another spot.’

I cautiously turn my body, hoping not to make any noise.

As I try to take a step, I hear Elga’s voice from behind.

“We meet again, Kyle Jonathan.”

“…”

Is there eyes behind your back or something? How did she notice me again?

With a sigh in my heart, I turn around again.

If the other person hadn’t noticed my presence, I wouldn’t know, but she knew from the beginning.

If I ignore her like this, it might not be right.

“Yes. It seems we meet again, Lady Elga.”

“This is not Littorio Duchy but the Imperial Academy. You can call me comfortably.”

“Even though it’s not Littorio Duchy, you’re still a lady. It’s not a matter of comfort or discomfort, it’s about the proper etiquette and formality that should be observed.”

Translated, it means calling her comfortably is more uncomfortable. So, just leave it.

Elga seemed to vaguely perceive Kyle’s inner thoughts, but she didn’t say much.

“I apologize for disturbing your reading. I’ll leave.”

“Sit down.”

“… I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, then sit down. I have already been disturbed, so my concentration is broken.”

What does sitting down have to do with being disturbed?

While grumbling inwardly, Kyle obediently took his seat.

The Baron of Jonathan and the Littorio Duchess, this comparison is incomparable.

It’s best to comply with unreasonable demands rather than provoke unnecessary animosity.

“…..”

With someone sitting right in front of her, Elga remained silent.

Then she stared at Kyle intently, making his discomfort a thousand times worse.

‘She’s driving me crazy.’

I have no idea why this lady is acting like this, so naturally, all sorts of fantasies unfold.

Maybe she got a bruise from our collision last time? Is that why she’s holding me accountable?

If I ask her where she keeps her eyes, would she say they’re stuck to her butt?

“The weather is really nice today.”

That sounds like “It’s a nice day to annoy you.”

So, with a forced laugh, I barely managed to answer, “Yes.”

“I’ll tell you.”

“… Yes?”

“The thing I didn’t tell you at that time. The thing about seizing an opportunity.”

Elga spoke with a tone that belied the gravity of her words, with a completely flat voice.

She stared directly at Kyle as she spoke.

“Last time, your sister caused quite a stir in the Academy. She mentioned that my second brother got hurt there, right?”

“Yes.”

“As a result, the succession plan for the Littorio Duchy has been greatly shaken.”

… Excuse me, Lady? Your tone sounds casual, but the content doesn’t match at all?

I wanted to break the window and jump down to the 1st floor for an emergency escape.