Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 96

EP.96 The Game of Wits Begins

After his trip to the west, Kyle returned to his daily routine.

There were some changes, the first being the way people looked at him.

After stopping the academy attack, the glances he received were quite positive.

Now, they had completely turned into looks of admiration, and the previous whispering had ceased entirely.

Moreover, the news that he had subdued the Three Heroes had spread, causing those who used to bother him—for instance, those asking him to teach them exercises or requesting sparring matches—to disappear.

Subduing the Three Heroes meant he was at least on par with the top ten strongest individuals.

Anyone who knew their own level well would understand that bothering such a person would bring no benefits.

Additionally, they likely considered the possibility of getting seriously injured if they clung to him.

Another change was in Kyle’s mindset, specifically regarding the Emperor.

‘Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live!! Oh, great Emperor!’

Upon returning, he found out that midterms had just ended.

And his grades were all set to ‘Above Average’ by the Emperor’s decree!

What was going on? Through Yurika, he learned that the Emperor had taken special care.

Since Kyle had gone on a state mission, the Emperor felt it was only right to reward him.

So, his attendance was guaranteed, assignments were waived, and when exams came, they were considered taken.

For Kyle, who hated exams, this was a ‘jackpot’ situation.

He had enjoyed his trip to the west, met a formidable warrior, disciplined the raiders, banned the drugs, and even received a medal.

As a result, no one bothered him anymore, and he had no absences.

On top of that, he had passed the most stressful midterms! And with above-average grades!

To put it in perspective, he didn’t get a D or a C; he got a B!

‘Now I understand why there’s a truce with the Empire! With an Emperor like this, a truce is worth it!’

Just a month ago, when he was suddenly dragged away by Schrelitz’s knights,

Kyle had been contemplating whether to overthrow everything, including the Emperor.

However, now he felt very good. He even greeted the suddenly visiting Princess Yurika with a smile.

“…What’s this? You seem a bit different from usual.”

Yurika tilted her head at Kyle’s change in demeanor.

Just a few days ago, he had openly shown how uncomfortable he was.

But today, he was smiling broadly and welcoming her.

“I’ve received the Emperor’s grace. I’m expressing my happiness about it.”

“I don’t understand what you mean. Well, it’s good for me, I guess.”

Yurika shrugged her shoulders once and then explained the reason for her visit.

“Spar with me.”

“You haven’t forgotten the conditions I set, right?”

“I remember. That’s why I’m asking so politely.”

Oh, so “Spar with me” is a polite request. Good to know, damn it.

“That didn’t sound polite at all, Your Highness.”

“Then how should I say it?”

“If you have the time, could you please spar with me? Try saying that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And while you’re at it, kneeling would make it even more effective.”

Yurika was one of the Empire’s top ten and the Emperor’s legitimate daughter.

For such a woman to say that to a young man several years her junior,

and even kneel, was absurd.

Anyone else would have turned their head, refusing to spar.

Even if they didn’t, they would have bitten their lip, deeply contemplating.

Kyle was making such an unreasonable request to tease Yurika, but….

“No problem.”

Plop-.

…Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Your Highness?

“If you have the time, could you please spar with me? I’m asking you, please.”

Yurika actually knelt and said exactly what Kyle had told her to say.

She even went as far as to ask, “Should I bow my head too?”

“What are you doing right now!!!”

Startled, Kyle jumped up and hurriedly tried to lift Yurika.

But Yurika questioned, “Why?” and after being lifted, she knelt again.

“What’s wrong? I did what you told me to.”

“Who actually does what they’re told in such a literal sense! And don’t you know you’re a ‘princess’?”

“I know. I’m aware I’m a princess, and I use that position well.”

“And yet you do this?! Kneeling just because someone told you to?!”

“Why are you yelling? You’re the one who told me to do it.”

I only said it to tease you!’

What kind of royal, especially a direct descendant, kneels before a mere noble?!

It’s a good thing the royal knights didn’t see this. Really, it’s a relief.

If they had, they might have attacked him for insulting the royal family,

or blamed themselves for their disloyalty and committed suicide!

“So, will you do it?”

“What?”

“The sparring. I did what you told me to. So, spar with me.”

It was absurd, but now he couldn’t refuse any longer.

She had even knelt as he’d asked; adding more conditions would be inhuman.

Kyle wasn’t the type to be so unscrupulous.

“…I have a lot of lectures today. So, after my afternoon classes, before dinner.”

“Hmm.”

“If you can’t wait until then, we can do it another time.”

“No, let’s do it today. Today’s sparring should be today, and the next sparring should be another day. If we postpone it, I’ll be at a disadvantage.”

This is why I dislike perceptive princesses.

“So, you’ll wait then.”

“If you could, please stay put quietly. If you wander around the academy, the students and professors will be uncomfortable to the point of death.”

“I’m fine with it, though.”

“Even if you’re fine, others aren’t.”

It was almost time for his lecture. As Kyle stood up, Yurika followed suit.

“Can I sit in on your lecture? If I ask the professor, it might be possible.”

“Don’t even think about it. If you sit in, both the professor and the students will be too burdened to focus.”

“Then where should I wait?”

“There are plenty of nice places outside the academy. Stay there. It’ll give your guards some breathing room too.”

In fact, it was amusing that knights were assigned to guard her.

It was more accurate to say that Yurika was protecting the royal knights.

To harm one of the Empire’s top ten, you’d need another top ten or someone of equivalent strength.

Or perhaps Jonathan suddenly attacking with a “Woohoo!” level of force.

Anyway, since she was a princess, the palace had assigned guards, but both the royal knights and special agents knew the truth.

In a crisis, it wouldn’t be them protecting the princess; rather, she would be protecting them.

Not out of a sense of duty, but because she’d be the first to charge in.

“Can you recommend a place? I don’t know where to go.”

“…There’s a café if you exit through the back gate and walk for about five minutes. Stay there.”

He felt sorry for the café owner, but there was no other choice.

Keeping her close by was the only way to feel somewhat at ease.

And honestly, the café owner had once said,

“It’d be great if a famous person came by and left an autograph!”

Being one of the Empire’s top ten and a princess, she was indeed famous.

If Yurika spent some time there and signed a few autographs, it would be a win-win.

The only problem was that she’d have to wait for at least three hours.

Today was a day filled with elective lectures.

If the princess got tired of waiting and suddenly barged into the academy, it would be troublesome.

After a brief thought, Kyle added one more condition to today’s sparring.

“Stay there quietly until I come. If you don’t, today’s sparring is canceled.”

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“Stay there quietly until I come. If you don’t, today’s sparring is canceled.”

That’s too much. With such a condition, she was stuck here.

Grumbling inwardly, Yurika emptied the teacup in front of her.

“Excuse me, Your Highness. Shall I clear your cup?”

“Yes. And please bring me the next item on the menu.”

“Ah, understood!”

More than an hour had already passed while she waited for Kyle.

During that time, Yurika had been sampling coffee, tea, and desserts as if she were touring the menu.

There was no particular reason. It just felt awkward to sit there for so long without doing anything.

Having been an academy student herself, she remembered the basic etiquette of a café.

‘This brings back memories.’

At first, being a princess, she had been surrounded by all sorts of students.

Those who wanted to establish a connection with the royal family, those trying to make an impression,

and those hoping to catch the princess’s eye to improve their lives.

Of course, Yurika had never paid any attention to such people.

She had no interest in weaklings. Only those she recognized as strong could approach her.

In that sense, Leo Jonathan was almost the man Yurika had dreamed of.

The only downside was that he was similar to Yurika in many ways.

As a result, while she was greatly interested in his strength, she wasn’t interested in him as a person.

After earning the title of one of the Empire’s top ten, she had fought many strong opponents.

But she rarely met anyone who stirred her heart strongly.

If they were strong, they lacked interest; if they were interesting, they were too weak. It was frustrating.

‘I wonder when he’ll come.’

In that sense, Kyle fulfilled all those conditions.

He was strong. Strong yet gentle, and gentle yet possessing a certain intensity.

“Your tea is ready.”

Receiving the cup from the waiter, Yurika stared blankly out the window.

She wished time would pass quickly, but today, it seemed to drag on endlessly.

Ding-dong-.

“Welcome! Oh, ah! Lady?”

Lady? Yurika subtly craned her neck to look toward the entrance.

There stood Elga, the Lady of Littorio, who had recently enrolled.

‘The Lady of Littorio. Perfect timing. I’ll keep her around to pass the time.’

Kyle had earnestly asked Yurika not to make people uncomfortable.

But Yurika didn’t think her current actions would make anyone uncomfortable.

So, she confidently raised her hand and spoke.

“Lady of Littorio.”

Elga turned her head at the sound of someone calling her.

She looked around, wondering who dared to address her so casually.

“…Huh?”

Elga blinked in disbelief, letting out a sigh.

“Come sit with me for a moment.”

I’m bored. Spend some time with me.