Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 17

EP.17 The Storm Strikes Twice, The Storm Strikes Twice

If one were to point out the difference between men and women,

it would be the time spent contemplating attire when going somewhere.

While Kyle finished his upper body workout, lower body workout, even cardio, and even taking shower.

“Ugh…”

Tisha was in her room, laying out her clothes and tying her hair.

‘Did I buy too much for nothing…?’

She was a commoner. And nobles looked down on commoners as poor.

So, to avoid hearing such remarks when entering the academy.

She had saved up relentlessly beforehand and entered with as much money as possible.

With the additional money given as a scholarship, there was no need to worry about financial difficulties.

Thanks to that, she spared no expense buying what she needed near the academy.

Among them were clothes to wear to today’s freshman welcome party.

In fact, there was a somewhat excessive amount of spending.

But to avoid being ignored by the nobles, and to hear good words from Kyle.

Tisha opened her wallet without hesitation and bought five dresses.

However, the problem was that Tisha had never had to contemplate clothes like this in the first place.

As she grew up, she bought a few of the cheapest clothes, wore them for a few days, then did laundry.

The next day, she wore different clothes and did laundry for those, repeating the pattern, so there was naturally no need for such contemplation.

‘What should I do, exactly?’

The colors are different, the shapes are different, and the decorations are different.

Buying as recommended by the dress shop clerk led to a disaster.

And it’s not just dresses, there are capes to wear over them, jewelry, shoes…

‘I should have at least asked what style he likes! Or at least asked about his favorite color! What an idiot! Stop talking about spells all the time and ask about those things!’

– Thump! Thump! –

Tisha was hitting her head with her hand, regretting it.

Why does she always end up talking about spells automatically when standing in front of Kyle?

It’s probably because Kyle is kind-hearted and listens to her, if it were Ian, a man like him…

‘This dress is too short at the bottom… H-How am I supposed to wear this?’

It was a very aggressive dress with a deep cleavage.

If she wore this, she would probably attract the attention of others, whether positively or negatively.

After almost an hour of agonizing, Tisha finally made a decision.

A purple dress with subtle silver embroidery that complements her hair color.

She covered it with a cape and even wore a brooch that she usually found bothersome.

As for jewelry, she was afraid that if it was too much, it might seem extravagant for a commoner, so she only wore a bracelet.

“Hmm….”

Finally, after putting on her shoes, Tisha stood in front of the full-length mirror to examine herself.

Although she is not vain, she thinks she looks decent enough.

‘Okay. Let’s go, without being nervous.’

Tisha lightly tapped her cheeks and left the room.

It’s an academy where she doesn’t know anyone. There’s no need to impress anyone.

Right now, Tisha is only doing this to show herself to Kyle.

After buying clothes, spending an hour contemplating, and spending another 30 minutes in front of the mirror adjusting, she leaves the room.

“Tisha.”

As she leaves the dorm and walks along the street, Kyle, who was sitting on a bench, stands up and waves his hand.

He was dressed in formal wear like other nobles, but his excellent posture made his clothes look even more splendid.

Some nobles passing by only shivered at the clothes they wore, showing their negligence in self-care, either overly thin or overly fat.

“I’m sorry, Kyle. I said I’d get ready quickly, but did you wait long?”

“No, I just got here a moment ago.”

In truth, he had arrived earlier, but he didn’t feel the need to emphasize that.

After all, he had already finished today’s training, and while waiting, he had been doing knee-ups.

If you have the will to do so, you can train your body anywhere… No.

“Your outfit is pretty.”

“What? Oh… I bought it recently. Does it look good on me?”

“Yes, it suits you very well. It looks nice with Tisha’s hair color.”

Thinking about Tisha’s luggage when she came to the academy, she didn’t have such clothes.

So, the clothes she bought after coming here were a hundred percent new.

Therefore, when he said the new clothes looked good, a positive reaction was obvious.

It’s never difficult to make someone feel good.

With just a few words like this, you can easily make someone smile.

It was a problem that Ian, the first man, couldn’t do such an easy thing.

“Shall we go then? We need to go to the banquet hall before the party starts.”

“Oh, yes! Let’s go, Kyle.”

Tisha replied like that and stood close to Kyle.

A distance where you can hold hands or even link arms.

But Tisha judged that it wasn’t the time for that yet.

She just followed Kyle around, watching his reactions, and matched her steps with him.

“What’s wrong, Tisha?”

“Yes?”

“You seem to be thinking about something.”

In fact, she was thinking about whether to hold his hand or link arms with him.

But she couldn’t say that, so Tisha just exclaimed, “Oh!” and flustered.

As she was momentarily conflicted about what to say, she said without realizing it.

“Wh-Where’s Ian? I don’t see him this time?”

Then Kyle sighed.

“Why? What’s wrong, Kyle?”

“Forget it. I asked him to come to the party, and he asked why would he go to such a place.”

“Huh? No, we must go! Even if the current students don’t know, it’s essential for freshmen to attend!”

“I said the same thing. But he said he didn’t want to because it’s noisy and crazy.”

Ian really didn’t attend the freshman welcome party.

A freshman who was asked to come but didn’t. Not a noble, just a commoner.

It was natural for some classmates to ask why he didn’t come to the party the next day.

But if anyone happen to provoke the crazy protagonist who immediately challenges anyone to a duel at the slightest provocation, it becomes a problem.

‘”It’s a real mystery why the real Tisha gets along with that crazy guy.’

When Kyle shook his head, Tisha did the same.

“I just can’t understand that guy. Why did he come to the academy?”

“He said he wants to become stronger. There are many excellent swordman trained at the academy, right? Maybe he thought he could gain some insight and overcome his limits by coming here and hearing those stories.”

“It’s absurd. You should learn conversation etiquette before swordsmanship training. That person, I tell you.”

Kyle burst into laughter at Tisha’s words.

Seeing him laugh, Tisha couldn’t help but smile too.

It felt subtly good that Kyle laughed because of her.

“You are right. Ian should learn conversation etiquette first.”

“Exactly, right? Hehe.”

Their steps became lighter. She had been nervous, but Kyle’s reaction was good.

She had reduced her interactions with the townspeople while focusing on spells.

As a result, she had hardly interacted with male peers.

In such a situation, if Kyle’s response was positive, she couldn’t help but expect more.

‘Calm down. Calm down, Tisha. We’re not even anything yet! Kyle and I are nothing… right…? If I had to say, could we still be considered friends?’

Suddenly, the idea of being just friends filled her mind.

What does this man, Kyle, who is walking beside her, think of her?

One of her classmates who happened to receive the same recommendation letter and came to the academy together?

A platonic friend with similar interests in spells and good conversation?

Or maybe, is he in conflict about feeling romantic attraction?

‘Ask? No, no! What if I hear an answer I don’t want to hear! …But I’m curious! I can’t just sit around and wonder! But what if Kyle doesn’t even consider me a friend, just a classmate? What should I do! Ask! Ask… No, I can’t ask!’

– Rolling around. –

Tisha’s eyes rolled around, fiercely pondering what to do.

Should she ask? Should she not? What if it’s not the answer she was hoping for? But she wants to ask!

An angel and a devil were sitting on her shoulders, tempting Tisha with the test.

The angel’s chin strap, which said not to ask, was knocked away by the devil, who said to ask.

Thanks to that, just as Tisha was about to make a decision, she took a deep breath and was about to speak.

“Tisha.”

Instinctively, she was about to answer, “Yes! Kyle!” But the voice wasn’t Kyle’s.

This voice belonged to a man she absolutely did not want to hear.

“…Ian?”

The moment the name came out of Kyle’s mouth, Tisha tightly closed her eyes.

Why on earth! Why now of all times! Why did this foolish man appear again!

Tisha felt like rushing at Ian and throttling him.

‘Why did you come! Why! Were we sworn enemies in our past lives?! Stop bothering me!!’ She wanted to shout.

But even if it was Tisha, she wouldn’t have been more surprised than Kyle.

‘Why is this guy here. He’s not supposed to be here in the first place.’

Ian, who didn’t come to the freshman welcome party, suddenly showed up.

With this turn of events, it’s impossible to predict how things will change in the future.

No, forget predicting, they should worry about what kind of provocation this master provocateur will come up with next.

‘This is going to be a mess. What should I do now?’

It’s the feeling of your head spinning again.

Glancing sideways, Tisha saw that her face was already contorted, glaring at Ian.

It’s not a face that shows liking or embarrassment.

It’s the kind of face that anyone, even the protagonist in a comedy, would say, ‘She’s angry.’

She silently cursed while heading to the banquet hall.

Ahead, there was a scene where some freshmen bowed their heads to someone.

Of course, it was Elga they encountered again.

“Lady Elga.”

Led by Kyle, Tisha and Ian also bowed their heads.

Of course, Ian tried to stand stiffly, but Tisha immediately tapped his head and pressed it down.

Nice, Tisha.

“…..”

Elga, who didn’t even glance at Ian, looked only at Kyle.

After briefly glancing at Tisha next to him, she turned her body without even acknowledging the greetings from the three and went into the banquet hall.

This left Leto, who was accompanying her, in a dilemma.

“Um, everyone. I’m sorry. Lady Elga is not in a good mood… Please don’t think badly of her. She must have acknowledged your greetings inwardly. I don’t know why she’s acting like this when she’s not usually like this.”

‘Are you asking because you don’t know? It’s obvious you’re the culprit.’

Kyle muttered to himself, realizing once again.

‘Whether it’s the first guy or the second, you’re just best off staying single.’