Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 15

EP.15 The Storm Strikes Twice, The Storm Strikes Twice

The Imperial Academy is undoubtedly a prestigious educational institution.

Just by looking at the way it meticulously manages its educational effectiveness, it’s evident.

Many talents have been nurtured here to support the empire.

Of course, it’s not all praise.

Some criticize the academy as nothing more than an exclusive privilege of the nobility.

They see it as an extension of social life rather than a place for study.

Providing opportunities to commoners is merely for show, they say.

‘…Is it really as bad as they say?’

On the first day of the semester, Kyle thought so.

Clearly, one student was a noble, and the other, a commoner.

Yet, they interacted much more informally than he expected.

It seemed like the new first-year students, including himself, were having trouble adapting.

They couldn’t understand how nobles could be so friendly with commoners.

Kyle observed their expressions and came to a conclusion.

Those who criticize the academy either have never attended it, or they’ve only surveyed first-year students.

“…The atmosphere is better than I thought, isn’t it?”

Once again, Tisha, who was clinging to Kyle’s side, whispered so.

It seemed she also had misconceptions about the academy.

She thought it was exclusively for nobles, where commoners were just carrying bags for them.

She came here to show off her abilities but ended up feeling the limits of her social status.

“Come to think of it, openly expressing such thoughts wouldn’t be wise, I suppose.”

“What do you mean?”

“The academy is a place to nurture those who will be loyal and strong for the empire. Stirring up discord among social classes won’t do any good. We might even attract unwanted attention from the palace.”

It cannot be said that there is no gap between social classes altogether.

However, compared to the outside world, the academy is somewhat less so.

When you think about it, it’s only natural, nobles also ultimately desire competent commoners.

Those who will faithfully serve their family with outstanding abilities.

There’s no better place than the academy to find and establish connections with such individuals.

“So, advertising oneself as a good master to find excellent slaves.”

Upon hearing Kyle’s words, Tisha paused for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“…I understand what you means.”

“Really? Anyway, there shouldn’t be any talk about you being a commoner.”

“I’m not worried about being a commoner. It’s just…”

Because of her interest in sorcery, which even commoners find awkward, Tisha chose her words carefully.

“More importantly, Kyle, you’re smart, aren’t you? To think of that right away.”

“It’s nothing special. I just predicted based on the situation, that’s all.”

“If it were just a prediction, you wouldn’t say it so confidently. You must be sure.”

“If you put it that way, I appreciate it.”

Tisha smiled at Kyle’s response and continued.

“It seems rumors about the Jonathan family were all lies.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“They hardly ever use their head. Oh, of course, I never thought that…”

“There’s no way Tisha would think that. Please continue.”

“Yes. Anyway… they say when a child is born, they checks if it’s physically healthy, and if there’s any problem, they kills it right away. also they raises them tough, even in dangerous places like cliffs. Such ridiculous stories.”

Ridiculous.

This isn’t some kind of animal kingdom.

No matter how strong Jonathan is, they wouldn’t do such a thing.

Instead, if there were any issues, they would overcome them themselves.

It’s not about pretending to be strong by trampling the weak but about pushing oneself to become strong.

That’s the pride and curse Jonathan family carries.

“It’s absurd that such rumors circulate.”

“Right? There are even more. They say they strictly controls their diet, doesn’t use sugar, and eats bland food. If they sick, they will pushes themselves even harder.”

“…”

Oh, that’s not just an exaggerated rumor,

Tisha. Especially the first thing you mentioned.

Probably everyone is still managing their diet even now.

Seriously, lately whenever I eat, I can’t help but feel guilty.

It’s because of thoughts like, ‘This might not be good for my body.’

“But when people see Kyle, they’ll realize it’s all just exaggerated rumors. If such a good person exists in the Jonathan family, then the other members of the Jonathan family must be good too, and the people below them must be good as well.”

Kyle’s family members are indeed good people. It’s just that they’re so intimidatingly strong that it’s a problem.

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The lectures were better than expected.

Both classmates and professors were all suitable for the academy.

However, encountering Ian again made Tisha very uncomfortable.

Yet Ian, sitting next to her, seemed oblivious to Tisha’s discomfort and continued to turn her insides out.

“…”

Still, Tisha’s situation was preferable, at least Ian didn’t stare at her throughout the lecture.

‘I’d go insane. Why does she keep staring at me like that?’

Elga Bless de Littorio, the noble lady, kept staring at him.

Her gaze was so burdensome it was giving Kyle a stomachache. It was like openly advertising, “Marry into the ducal family!’ It was akin to proclaiming oneself as a madman. Or appearing like an ignorant youngster about politics. Considering her own status, it would be natural to keep her distance. Why she keeps showing interest is beyond comprehension.

‘Could it be that the choice made back then was wrong?’

With that thought in mind, Kyle couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

What he knew was truly minimal. Considering that the novel had over 400 episodes, the parts he had read for free could be considered as merely the prologue.

In such a situation, if he were to get involved in the succession battle of Duke Litorio…

It’s best not to think about it. Even nightmares shouldn’t be that nightmarish.

‘Leto, please take care of that woman. Please, make sure she doesn’t have strange thoughts about me. Please, just handle it well. Huh?’

He muttered, but as the introduction of the novel came to mind, Kyle wanted to grab his head.

‘The childhood friend of the duchess, yet a faithful man who never crosses the line.’

One guy would provoke a wide-ranging conflict at the slightest provocation. The other would starve even if you offered him food.

‘Damn it, why does every guy have some kind of issue?’

Someone might say something like this.

Then it’s just better for you to have them all, isn’t it? Even now, both the first and second choices seem interested in him.

What’s there to hesitate about?

If Kyle were asked, this is what he would answer, though it would lead to all sorts of incidents.

If he gets even a little involved in trouble, he’ll be expelled from the academy right away.

Moreover, there was a woman Kyle was eagerly anticipating.

‘Saintess, please appear soon.’

Although he hadn’t seen her in the main story, he had seen her a lot in the comments. A lady with an incomparably dignified name, Saintess.

She’s not the protagonist of the novel but rather a ‘supporting character’ who gives them relationship advice.

The trap here is that she’s never actually met a man in real life.

Of course, as a Saintess, it’s only natural, but it’s strange that the female protagonists who listen to her advice are also quite peculiar.

However, her advice is unexpectedly well received, and she herself has quite a cute side.

Despite being just a supporting character, she had gained tremendous popularity just from the comments.

‘Kind, pretty, not involved in any incidents. This is the epitome of a Saintess! I want to meet her once!’

Of course, considering she’s a ‘Saintess’, even uttering a single word to her would be difficult. And whether the Saintess would even glance his way is honestly unlikely.

It’s a fact that Kyle has an excessive amount of confidence.

But humans aren’t animals that turn away from happiness, right? Maybe, just maybe, he’ll give it a shot!

This is why so many people fail in the stock market.

By the way, Kyle also has a history of losing tens of millions of won in stocks.

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***

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“Ian is driving me crazy. Why is he doing this? Is he trying to torment me?”

“I’m not sure it’s that…”.

After the lecture ended, as Tisha and Kyle exchanged various stories while walking, Kyle suddenly felt a strange sensation and glanced around.

“… … …”

Students from the academy, precisely those excluding the freshmen, were staring at him. It wasn’t a hostile feeling, but it wasn’t friendly either. What should he call it? Yes, it was like seeing an uninvited guest.

He didn’t know why they were sending such looks. They were probably either victims or involved parties from the previous incident.

“Please, I beg you, just let it pass quietly.”

Almost begging, the image of the Minister of Education came to mind.

How significant must the incident have been for both the minister and the students to react like this? If Kyle were to show a hint of defiance here, they would all flee.

‘It seems like it’s going to be a rough ride. Ominous, ominous…’

This couldn’t go on. If he just kept his mouth shut here, he’d truly be treated like an ogre.

‘I’m not dangerous! I don’t mean harm!’

He had to make it clear. And conveniently, the next lecture was a general education class where all grades gathered.

It is said that first impressions have a significant impact on evaluating a person.

“There seem to be many new students this time as well. Shall we all just briefly introduce ourselves?”

Though it was the utterly cliché time for self-introductions, Kyle actually welcomed it.

If he could show the same polite and cultured demeanor he had shown to Tisha,

he might be able to shake off the label of being the academy’s destroyer, Jonathan.

“…I am from the family. In this place full of His Majesty the Emperor’s grace, I will follow the wise professors and trustworthy seniors without betraying their expectations…”

Nobles and commoners alike, everyone spoke eloquently, revealing their ambitions.

After a few introductions, it was finally Kyle’s turn.

He had already practiced several times in his mind what he would say.

He would show that John Nassen was not just a place obsessed with power.

They are the same people as you… honestly, a bit different though.

He could no longer stand to see baseless rumors circulating!

“Kyle Jonathan.”

With a heavy sense of responsibility and the excitement of starting life at the academy,

he embraced all the heart-pounding feelings, stood up from his seat, leaning on the desk as the professor called his name, and then.

– Crack!! –

At that very moment, the desk Kyle had leaned on split into two pieces.