Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 92

EP.92 Oh, Jonathan! Hero of the Empire!

“You all know what’s happening tomorrow, right? It’s the midterm exam you’ve all been waiting for.”

“Boo!!”

The words, “We’ve been waiting for nothing! Down with the demon professor!” lingered on the students’ lips.

Whether noble or commoner, freshman or senior, no one liked exams.

Except for a very few individuals.

‘A midterm check of our efforts so far.’

Tisha clenched her fist tightly, holding a stack of books.

She had come to the academy with a recommendation from the Lord Byun-kyung, but that alone was not enough.

She had to prove herself from within. And exams were the best way to do that.

Additionally, they were only halfway through the first year, and she had already spent a lot of money.

To receive a scholarship, she had to achieve high grades.

Only then could she stand confidently before nobles, despite being a commoner.

And she could change the perception of her true dream, sorcery.

One day, she would make all the people of the Empire recognize that there were good things beyond just magic!

“Are you heading to the library again, Tisha? You’re working hard.”

“You might harm your health. It’s good to take a break sometimes.”

“Thank you for your concern. I’ll try to take it easy.”

Those who spoke to Tisha were not fellow commoner students.

They were noble students, children of quite prestigious families.

Until recently, they had called Tisha a strange commoner obsessed with sorcery.

Or referred to her as a ‘witch.’ The reason for their sudden change was simple.

Tisha had made a connection with the Grand Duke Littorio’s family. That was it.

Thanks to this, the nickname ‘witch’ had disappeared, and interest in sorcery had slightly increased.

It was to the extent that some students had formed a sorcery club with Tisha.

Of course, for now, all the members were ‘commoner’ students. The nobles were still wary.

They naturally avoided being the subject of gossip among other nobles.

“Is your exam preparation going well?”

Tisha was having tea time with Elga again today.

After she had accidentally protected Elga during the academy attack incident,

they had established a regular time to spend together like this.

“Yes, it’s going well.”

“Tisha, you’re such an outstanding talent. Not just in sorcery, but you’re naturally smart, aren’t you?”

“Thank you for the compliment. But there are many who are smarter than me. I just keep working hard and harder.”

She was a woman close to Kyle and an exceptionally talented person herself.

Even if not now, she would surely be helpful in the future.

A hardworking genius is always right, Elga thought as she sipped her tea.

And she began to slowly bring up the reason she had called Tisha today.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“Pardon?”

“I received news yesterday. About the situation on the western front.”

At that moment, flames of interest flared up in Tisha’s eyes.

Kyle had suddenly disappeared and had been absent for nearly a month.

The only news she had heard was that he had moved to the western front.

At first, she thought it was nonsense.

Kyle wasn’t a soldier or a knight; he was a noble’s child.

She had heard of commoners being conscripted, but never nobles.

“I heard that Kyle’s brother and sister took him with them.”

“My guess is that there was some sort of deal between Jonathan and the Imperial family.”

She still remembered Elga, who had kindly provided her with information.

Though she was a bit taken aback by Elga’s sudden kindness, it was welcome nonetheless.

She had heard news about Kyle and confirmed that there were no issues with his attendance.

“H-how did it go?!”

“They won.”

“R-really!? The Empire won!”

“Yes. The alliance surrendered, and the Empire accepted their surrender. The important part is that it was Jonathan’s siblings who brought about that surrender.”

Elga’s subsequent words were nothing short of astonishing.

Without any significant battles, Kyle and the other two from Jonathan had resolved the situation.

They had subdued the Three Heroes, who were said to rival the Empire’s Top Ten, completely crushing the alliance’s will to resist, leading to their ultimate defeat and surrender.

“That’s an incredible… feat, isn’t it?”

“Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe it. This is unprecedented. Even during the Empire’s great wars of the past, nothing like this happened. Usually, they would fight evenly, pass the torch, and then have their armies clash to determine the victor. Occasionally, strong individuals would duel to decide the day’s outcome if the military situation was poor, but even that was rare.”

Kyle must be incredibly strong. Tisha thought as she fiddled with her teacup.

She now understood why Ian had been practically living in the indoor training hall lately.

Whenever she ran into him, he would ask, ‘When is Kyle coming back?’

She had heard professors say that Ian was one of the top talents among the freshmen.

They mentioned that his swordsmanship was at a level where he could easily compete with fourth-year seniors.

Such a person was training like mad, wanting to be acknowledged by Kyle.

“And the most important part. They’re preparing for a commendation ceremony right now.”

“A commendation ceremony… isn’t that where the Imperial family awards medals to those who have achieved great deeds?”

“Yes. And it’s said that a high-ranking member of the Imperial family will personally award the medals. The recipients, of course, are Jonathan. It’s an honor that would typically be reserved for a Grand Duke who has achieved great feats.”

Though Grand Duke Schrelitz was the commander, and usually, the highest-ranking person would receive the greatest honor,

he would likely acknowledge that it wouldn’t look good if he were the one to receive it.

The war ended without a single skirmish. The alliance buried their heads and surrendered.

In such an incredible situation, it was clear that there was no room for greed.

“Really amazing….”

“Right? That Kyle is truly amazing. I knew he was impressive, but I never imagined he would remove the stigma attached to the name Jonathan in such a way.”

In reality, he had simply followed his brother and sister to judge the raiders.

Unaware of this, Elga thought Kyle had chosen to change people’s perceptions.

‘They say young men just coming of age are usually oblivious and shallow… but Kyle, he’s the real deal.’

Elga, unusually excited, continued to talk, thinking that the long-standing positions of the Top Ten might change.

Thanks to this, Tisha was only half-listening, lost in her thoughts.

‘He’s truly an amazing person, Kyle….’

He always worked hard, was always diligent, and never became arrogant.

Despite his immense strength, he never looked down on others or boasted.

Instead, he was kind to everyone, extending a hand to work together.

And such a person showed special care towards her.

‘I… I need to work harder. I need to try even more!’

Kyle had become so incredible, she couldn’t just stay idle.

She had to work harder, achieve greater results, and become someone worthy to stand by his side.

So that people wouldn’t say Kyle was friends with a commoner or close to a witch obsessed with sorcery.

‘I need to become someone worthy to stand by his side. To do that, I must become the best!’

With a burning determination for success, Tisha aimed to be the top scorer in the midterms.

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***

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“…Wait, wait a moment. Brother, and sister? What did you just say…?”

Kyle asked again in a bewildered voice.

In front of him, with an indifferent expression, Leo answered.

“We’re not going to the capital. We plan to head back directly from the northern route.”

“Then what about the commendation ceremony? The Imperial family is coming to personally award the medals.”

“Brother and I will go back, and you can receive it alone, Kyle. Whether the three of us receive it together or you alone, it’s the same. It’s Jonathan receiving it, after all.”

While that might be true, it still didn’t seem right.

The Imperial family had gone to the trouble of personally thanking Jonathan.

If those returning suddenly went back home, it would look very strange.

“Brother, Sister, let’s just go together. We can receive the medals, thank them for their hard work, and leave right after. It won’t be difficult, right?”

“It’s not sufficient. And it’s a very difficult task, little brother.”

“Brother is right. We’re already experiencing severe muscle loss. Our bodies feel stiff.”

No, not the muscle loss again! You said you loosened up by fighting vigorously!

Muscle loss is important, but this time it’s really not the issue!

Attending the ceremony is the most beneficial path for Jonathan!

The Empire had concluded its conquest wars and remained silent for nearly 30 years.

Naturally, there hadn’t been a commendation ceremony during that time.

In such a situation, if two of the recipients disappeared from the first ceremony in decades?

It would be a blow to the Imperial family’s pride and make the ceremony itself very awkward.

“Could you please reconsider, Brother, Sister? I’m begging you.”

Kyle clasped his hands together, almost pleading.

But to them, muscle loss was more important than their youngest sibling’s tearful plea.

“You receive it all, little brother. You deserve it.”

“We’re not staying in the Empire any longer, are we? But Kyle, you’ll be here for at least three more years. It’s better for you to shine alone in such a place!”

“I don’t want to take your share, Brother, Sister!”

“It’s a rightful share. My sister and I merely took down two beasts drugged out of their minds.”

“On the other hand, Kyle, you fought a true warrior and won a real battle.”

Calling a Top Ten-level warrior, who had gone berserk with mana amplification, a beast really highlighted the immense strength of his brother and sister.

“Then what should I tell Grand Duke Schrelitz…?”

“I already told him.”

“You did? Personally?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“When I said we were going back home, he immediately agreed. He didn’t even ask for a reason. He seemed to take it seriously.”

“….”

Kyle imagined Leo’s serious expression. A serious expression on that face.

‘…How could he say no to that?’

His brother was truly kind and good-hearted, but his stern appearance often led to misunderstandings.

Even in Jonathan’s territory, if Leo squinted his face from too much sunlight,

people from other territories would cautiously pass by, fearing something might happen.

Leo had spoken with a serious expression and a serious voice.

Anyone who could give a negative response to that would either be blind or insane. And the Grand Duke was neither.

‘Maybe it’s for the best. If Brother or Sister clashed with Princess Yurika….’

If they fought at the commendation ceremony, it would be a disaster!

And the problem was that both Yurika and Leo were capable of such behavior.

Thinking this far, Kyle began to feel confused.

It seemed like it could be a problem, but then again, it seemed like a relief.

There were both good and bad aspects, making it hard to pinpoint.

“Please, little brother.”

“Do well. Got it? We’ll explain everything to our parents!”

Unaware of their younger brother’s turmoil, the Jonathan siblings were eager to return home and resume their training.