Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.7 It’s a Given that Things Get Twisted from the Start

Hmm, did I mistakenly enter the wrong room?

No, I didn’t. This is indeed the headmaster’s office.

But why is the academy headmaster standing here like an anxious dog?

“Welcome. Kyle, the son of the Baron Jonathan. It’s my first time seeing you.”

The man seated at the headmaster’s desk is a middle-aged man.

They say first impressions are crucial, and that man looks remarkably disheveled.

Dark circles under his eyes, as if he’s been through a week of overtime. Or perhaps he’s been chewed out by his boss for ten days straight.

“He’s the one in charge of the empire’s education.”

“…What?”

If someone is in charge of education, there’s only one possibility.

“The Minister?”

In response to Kyle’s question, the Minister of Education nods.

Besides the Emperor, he’s the only one who could be considered a superior.

Rather, he’s the superior of countless education ministry officials.

So why is he in such a disheveled state? It’s not like he could be tormented by his superior.

It’s quite strange.

“Could the headmaster step out for a moment?”

He calls me to the headmaster’s office and asks its owner to leave.

But there couldn’t be anything more absurd.

The headmaster, quietly escaping from his own office, was indeed a strange sight.

“…Would you like a smoke?”

The Minister’s words made Kyle shake his head.

Cigarettes or alcohol were foreign substances not found in the Baron’s residence.

They were like invasive species that, once introduced, would be promptly eradicated without a trace.

The official stance was that they were inventions of demons that harm the body.

“Then, I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

It seems the concept of passive smoking was still unknown.

Otherwise, one wouldn’t dare smoke in front of others.

Though the smoke was a bit strong, it wasn’t unbearable.

After all, he used to smoke with his colleagues before his possession.

Now I wanted to light up, but my body resisted.

“I heard you want to enroll in the academy, Kyle.”

The Minister, who had been smoking for a while, speaks up.

“I heard you even received a recommendation from the Lord Byun-kyung of the North.”

“That’s correct. So, I’ve already completed all the enrollment procedures.”

“I know. The recommendation letter directly issued by His Majesty is the authority. Unless he intervenes, even if I’m a minister, there’s nothing I can do. Damn it.”

He grinds the cigarette on the ashtray and looks straight at me.

“I was chewed out by the Minister of Finance like crazy today. He’s a friend I know, but he told me to address him as a senior because he passed the civil service exam a year before me. What a jerk.”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it strange? We’re both ministers, so why was I chewed out? Why did I just sit there and take it?”

My head started spinning wildly.

If I was called in to hear such words, it meant there was some connection to me.

But I myself had no connection with any education official.

So, it must mean there was something about my family, not with me specifically.

“…Is it because of my sister?”

“Lea Jonathan. Yes, that’s right. The unprecedented student who brought the academy to its knees. Look, Kyle. Do you know how much money has been poured into rebuilding the academy since that day?”

“Well, I’m not sure. But it seems like a tremendous amount.”

“Let me put it this way. The finance guys would have crucified us education officials if they could.”

“…”

“The Minister of Finance wanted to nail me to the ground.”

With the Minister’s words, Kyle gulps, feeling a dryness in his throat.

The tension between the finance and education officials, who could be considered family, was that severe.

‘Sister, just how much did you wreck?’

Surely, Lea said something like that when she returned home.

Just a bit of destruction here and there, nothing to worry about.

But now, hearing the Minister’s words, it seemed it wasn’t just that.

“And not long after that incident, your sister, Lea Jonathan, came to the academy. Thanks to her, they came chasing after me, asking why I didn’t stop her. What could I have done there?”

“Damn it, how could I stop a recommendation letter?” The Minister grumbled.

He had really worked hard, but he never expected things to turn out like this.

For a minister who oversaw education, he seemed quite pitiful.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Kyle. Keep quiet and behave. Don’t cause a big incident like your sister. If you do, I might permanently revoke the Baron Jonathan’s academy admission.”

At that moment, it felt like a thunderbolt struck.

If his academy admission were permanently revoked, all that would remain was hellish training.

While humans are out having a good time dating, he would be enduring torment!

“Don’t worry. I’ve received strict warnings from my family as well.”

“I doubt that.”

The Minister’s words were correct. If anything, the family encouraged trouble rather than preventing it.

“Did you really receive such warnings?”

“I did.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

‘It seems like a delayed response,’ the Minister muttered.

He seemed about to say something more but stopped, raising his hand as if to dismiss it.

“Alright. Let’s trust you. I hope it becomes an enjoyable academy life for you.”

He still had doubts written all over his face. It was mind-boggling, but the only acceptable response was a simple “Understood.”

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***

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“Sigh.”

A sigh escapes involuntarily.

Once, twice, it continues without pause.

Kyle knew that Lea had caused a big stir. And he had expected to become a central figure to some extent.

But now that he directly received a warning from the Minister, worries overshadowed everything.

This, it seems, will be an incredibly tumultuous academy life.

‘…But where did these people go?’

He thought they would be nearby, waiting.

But no matter how much he looked around, there was no sign of Ian or Tisha.

Did they coincidentally meet eyes and leave him behind during that short gap? If so, it’s quite disappointing.

But surely they wouldn’t just leave without him? Lost in these thoughts, his concentration naturally wavers.

And that carelessness was enough to invite a second accident.

“Oops.”

– Thunk! –

Unlike Kyle, who staggered slightly, the other person stumbled all the way to the ground.

A look of sudden realization, as if hit by lightning, is directed squarely at Kyle.

“Oh! I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

“…You should walk more slowly. Especially in crowded places like this.”

Walk more slowly? He hadn’t even run.

He was simply sturdy enough not to fall over.

As he helps the fallen female student up, a desperate voice is heard.

“Princess! Princess, are you alright!?”

Lady? Princess? Did he hear that wrong?

“I’m fine, Leto. Don’t make a fuss, I’m okay.”

Leto. Clearly, the male student approaching from behind was called Leto.

Come to think of it, this female student had flaming red hair.

And her eyes looking at Kyle even resembled fiery flames.

” Crazy. No way, Grand Duchess Elga and Leto? Why are they here?”

If Ian and Tisha were the first male and female leads, then these two were the second male and female leads.

First, there’s Elga Bless de Littorio, the Western Grand Duchess. The precious youngest daughter of the Littorio Ducal House, which holds both wealth and reputation.

Unlike the villainous image associated with a grand duchess, she showed a decent side as one of the protagonists.

And the man beside the Grand Duchess is Leto Summit.

As the son of the Summit family, vassals under the Littorio Duchy, he serves as both the Grand Duchess’s guard and secretary.

Although ordinary in both appearance and ability, he is a ‘true’ man loyal to the Grand Duchess.

These two are the second (real) couple mentioned in the preface.

‘In the almost concluding part of the free portion, it’s a bit confusing, but there’s still one word that can predict the future of Elga, the Grand Duchess, and Leto.’

The magic word that must appear at least once in romance.

The law that makes viewers spit blood if it doesn’t happen even in this relationship.

Childhood friends.

Yes, Elga Grand Duchess and Leto were childhood friends!

‘Could it be that I’ll meet these two here?’

The flower of society, the rose of Littorio, and various other epithets are applied to Elga Grand Duchess.

But Kyle couldn’t even appreciate the Grand Duchess’s beauty properly.

He had to sincerely convey his apologies.

“I’m truly sorry, Princess Elga.”

The Baron Jonathan may be a noble family, but the Littorio Grand Duchy is on a different level.

Isn’t it a place even the Lord Byun-kyung of the North has to be careful with?

If he gets on this woman’s bad side, his academy life will become incredibly miserable.

So, Kyle quickly bowed his head and asked for forgiveness once again.

“…”

Thanks to his apology, he failed to notice the hint of interest in the Grand Duchess’s eyes.

“Who are you?”

‘Damn it! Why ask that? Are you trying to provoke me? Why are you curious?’

“…Kyle, the son of Baron Jonathan. Lady.”

“Baron Jonathan?”

“Yes.”

Hmm, Kyle faintly heard a sigh of exasperation. It sounded like, “How can I deal with this arrogant son of a Baron?” So Kyle had to tightly shut his eyes as if to block it out.

“Raise your head, Kyle.”

But contrary to such worries, Elga’s voice was quite calm. It even contained a faint hint of a smile.

“So, you’re Lea Jonathan’s brother, right?”

“Yes. That’s correct. But how did you…”

“Of course, I know. She’s a famous figure at the academy, isn’t she? When your sister caused a commotion at the academy, my older brother was injured as a result.”

…This is a nightmare. Yes, this must really be a nightmare.

Why did it have to be a member of the Littorio Grand Duchy?

Why did it have to collide with Elga Grand Duchess?

Should he kneel down and apologize sincerely?

It became a serious consideration.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry, Princess Elga. I apologize once again for my sister’s actions…”

“No need for apologies. Why would you apologize?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Rather, I should thank you. Kyle Jonathan.”

A sweet fragrance of a woman wafts forward.

As she smiles, she seems like a burning flame, like a red rose.

With a smile, she whispers in Kyle’s ear with an incredibly soft voice.

“Thanks to you, I seized an opportunity.”