Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 18

EP.18 The Storm Strikes Twice, The Storm Strikes Twice

“Welcome, new students who have entered the Imperial Academy. Sincerely, welcome. While it’s tempting to only speak pleasant words in such a fine setting, as the headmaster of the academy, I feel it necessary to address this point. Ahead, truly arduous and taxing studies will challenge you. It will be tough, but if you endure, surely brightness will dawn. I hope everyone gathers their strength and moves forward.”

Starting with the headmaster’s brief yet weighty speech, the freshman welcome party began.

It was the grandest festival of the academy, held in an enormous banquet hall.

Since even freshmen were adults, there would be no issue with drinking tonight.

“Nice to meet you! I am…”

“Oh! Look who’s here! This person is…”

Those who were already acquainted from before their enrollment exchanged greetings.

Asking about each other’s noble lineage, how their parents were doing, and the status of their territories.

It wasn’t entirely wrong to criticize the academy as an extension of the aristocratic social circle.

Of course, that didn’t mean commoners just stood around idly.

If a commoner made it into the Imperial Academy, they were a certified talent.

Therefore, nobles would seek out commoner students to befriend after exchanging pleasantries.

Students from all directions, enrolled and newly arrived, laughed and chatted with each other.

Especially the freshmen, who received everyone’s attention in the midst of it all.

Conversely, there were three individuals completely detached from that attention.

To be more precise, one was labeled as arrogant from day one.

Another had an interest in the least popular sorcery on the continent.

And the last one found even burdensome to be approached, let alone speak.

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‘This is chaotic, utterly chaotic. Ah, I just want to go and exercise or something.’

Such insane thoughts crossed my mind. I wasn’t feeling particularly good.

“It’s so noisy here.”

“If it’s noisy, just go back to your room.”

“I was told to attend, so I have no choice but to come.”

Tisha looked at Ian with a bewildered expression at his word.

It felt like, ‘Do you hate me, or do you do this because you like me?’

However, since she wasn’t good at expressing dislike towards others, she kept it to herself.

“…Why are you suddenly saying such word?”

“Because it seems like you get I angry with me whenever I say something.”

“Do you think I get angry every time I speak to you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right. I get angry every time you talk. So, why am I angry?”

“Because you hate me?”

At this moment, Tisha does indeed hate Ian.

The problem is, it’s not just a simple dislike, there’s definitely another reason behind it.

Because of that reason, she gets angry every time she speaks to him.

Ian either doesn’t know the reason or pretends not to, blinking innocently.

“You’re wrong, Ian. I get angry with you not because I hate you, but because you easily say hurtful things to people. That’s why I get angry, and that’s why I dislike you. Understand?”

“But I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Tisha sighed as if astonished by Ian’s confident response.

Even Kyle, who had been silently listening nearby, was equally astonished.

If all those words Ian had said so far were meant with good intentions, then he needed to keep his mouth shut.

“Fine… I feel like I’m going to explode if we continue this conversation.”

Despite Kyle and Ian being the only ones present who she knew, Tisha turned away and disappeared somewhere.

“…Is she angry?”

“Then does it look like she’s angry or joking around?”

Seriously, to think someone as clueless as him would be the protagonist.

I felt frustrated, as if I had eaten 2,000 sweet potatoes and my stomach feels sick while watching.

‘I’ve thought about it, but it’s really not going to work. Stick to the original flow? Just forget about it.’

Pushing ahead with the original story would either kill me or Tisha from frustration.

Knowing a bit about the characters is all there is to it, even with the original flow.

Destroying the original might actually be much better in this case.

“Ian.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’ll go and calm Tisha down and come back, so just stay here.”

“I have nowhere else to go anyway. You worry too much for no reason.”

“…Ian.”

“What?”

“That’s why Tisha really hates you so much.”

“…?”

“I understand, but do you really have to make a fuss over something that could be solved with a single word? Are you trying to stir up trouble?”

Upon hearing this, Ian furrowed his brows and glanced at Kyle.

When Tisha said something, he showed no reaction whatsoever.

But when Kyle said something, he reacted as if saying, ‘I feel uncomfortable.’

‘What’s your problem? Jerk. Do you think I’ll back down just because you’re glaring at me?’

I know Ian’s swordsmanship is outstanding.

I’ve never seen it, but still, being the protagonist, he shouldn’t be weak.

But being the protagonist doesn’t mean he’s invincible.

Maybe he’ll become an absolute powerhouse in the future, but not now.

Right now, Ian is quite exceptional among our peers, that’s all.

‘If I put big brother Leo or big sis Lea against Ian…’

No matter how much I think about it, all I can imagine are scenes where Ian explodes.

Even when imagining him exploding, I’ve softened it as much as possible, envisioning a cute outcome.

If they were to really fight, I’d probably be worried about losing limbs.

Turning away from Ian, I walk in the direction Tisha disappeared.

Laughter and chatter echo around me.

Occasionally, I catch snippets of conversations about myself, but I pretend not to hear.

“Tisha.”

I stop at the second-floor balcony, where Tisha was leaning.

“Kyle? Why did you come all the way here?”

“If I do that there, will you follow me and come back to Ian? I’m frustrated too.”

“Of course, right? It’s not like I got extremely angry for no reason?”

Getting angry and then worrying about it oneself.

Meanwhile, Ian, who caused the anger, doesn’t even know what the problem is.

People can be so oblivious, Kyle mumbles as he stands next to Tisha.

“I wish I could say to think positively, but I can’t.”

“I truly wish I could. I know it’s not a lie that there’s no ill intent. But… really, just listening to what he does and says makes me feel like I’m going to explode. Am I weird or bad for feeling this way?”

“No. Of course not. It’s only because it’s Tisha that you’ve tolerated it this much.”

It wasn’t just empty words, if it were anyone else, they would’ve been very upset.

Even Kyle himself was curious why this guy was acting like this.

“Sigh…”

Unlike the vibrant atmosphere in the banquet hall, the balcony felt very serene.

With darkness surrounding and only moonlight shining, perhaps that’s why.

Combined with the cool night air, all the turmoil inside calms down.

“To be honest, I’ve thought a few times about getting along with Ian.”

“You have?”

“He’s been wandering around for quite some time. It’s a bit pitiful, you know? There must be some reason for it. So, when I see someone change like that, I can’t help but think there might be a reason. So, I think maybe I should treat him better next time we meet… But…”

Tisha, who had been lost in thought, shook her head as if to say it wouldn’t work.

“It’s just not possible. Ugh! That guy is seriously the worst!”

– Thump! –

Tisha tapped the balcony railing a few times.

Kyle, who agreed with her, was about to go inside.

Spending too much time alone with someone of the opposite sex could lead to unnecessary rumors.

“Hey.”

However, Tisha suddenly grabbed his hand, not following inside.

“Kyle. Can I ask you one thing?”

Nodding, he saw a hint of conflict in her eyes as she continued.

“We… we’re friends, right? Not just casually saying hi, but actually friends. More than just acquaintances who briefly met on the way here. Are we really friends?”

“Of course. We’re more than just casually saying hi. If we were, I’d feel more upset.”

‘I don’t know about Ian, but Tisha would probably be fine.’

If Ian tends to cause trouble wherever he goes, Tisha is usually the one to resolve it.

Still, if I was to choose a good protagonist from those getting closer, Tisha would probably be the first choice.

“Let’s go inside slowly. I’m worried Ian will cause trouble if left alone.”

“It seems like Kyle is subtly concerned about Ian too, huh?”

“A bit. But we both received recommendation letters from Lord Byun-kyung to come here.”

“That’s true. I just want to ignore him, but since we’re not complete strangers, I can’t do that either.”

As Kyle and Tisha chatted, they were about to enter when suddenly, a man appeared before them.

“Kyle Jonathan.”

The man’s identity was none other than Leto.

“My lady wishes to see you, uh… I mean, Lady Elga would like to speak with you briefly.”

‘…Oh, not again. Please, My lady. Why are you doing this to me?’

Kyle was about to face another storm from Lady Elga, the Grand Duchess.