Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 38

EP.38 I’m So Glad! This Is Such a Relief!

“Look at this, Kyle. It’s a method to overlay a stronger power onto existing spells!”

“Is that so? Is that a good thing?”

“It’s incredible! Layering one spell over another is an extremely difficult task!”

“Ah, I see what you mean. Congratulations, Tisha.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Kyle! How on earth did you find such a book?!”

Remembering the location of such opportunities is essential. Always be prepared for a turning point.

Muttering this to himself, Kyle simply replied that he was just lucky.

He had found it while looking for something that might be of help to Tisha.

Honestly, attributing it to luck was an explanation that was impossible to justify.

These were contents that even Tisha, who was knowledgeable in spells, had desperately wanted.

Thus, the book was quite important, yet no one in the academy knew about it.

It seemed right to view it as an arrangement made by a transcendent being.

‘Honestly, I was worried about what I would do if Tisha seriously asked me if that made any sense.’

Fortunately, Tisha was too engrossed in examining the book.

Just moments ago, she had been completely disheartened, her spirits low.

Now, as if that had never happened, her eyes, no, her whole body was ablaze with scholarly fervor.

“Tisha.”

“Prepare the next ingredients to set the formation…”

“Tisha!”

Raising his voice a bit finally made Tisha lift her head.

Her eyes were full of questions, ‘Why? Why did you call me? If you don’t need anything, can I go back to reading the book?’

“Anyway, no one knows about this place, and no one comes here. So, calm down a bit.”

“But….”

“I’m thinking of leaving soon. Are you going to stay here? Leave me to go by myself?”

Then, Tisha seemed to finally come to her senses, shaking her head indicating that wasn’t what she wanted.

“Let’s leave the books here for now and head out. We’ve already been here for an hour.”

“…What? An hour? Not, not ten minutes?!”

“Yes, an hour. Thanks to you, I was so bored I even dozed off.”

That was a lie. In reality, while Tisha was engrossed in reading, Kyle had sat beside her doing squats and push-ups.

Feeling that wasn’t quite enough, he even used thick books as dumbbells for arm strength exercises.

One must compensate for muscle loss anytime, anywhere. Even in a corner of the library, there are no exceptions.

Of course, Tisha, who was completely absorbed in reading, was utterly surprised by this.

“Sorry, Kyle! I, I should have noticed earlier! Once I get into a book, I can spend hours without eating, without realizing anything else!”

“I couldn’t interrupt. You seemed to be enjoying it too much.”

“Ah….”

Tisha’s face turned red for a moment, but Kyle didn’t see it.

He had turned around to put the books back in their place, and that was why.

“Remember this location well. Next time, you might have to come here by yourself.”

“Um, Kyle. This information was hard-earned by your brothers or sisters, and it seems like you invested time as well. Is it okay to just share it like this with others?”

“You’re not ‘others.’ We received recommendations together from the Lord Byun-kyung and came here together. What’s the point of having friends if you can’t do at least this much for them?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Things should go to those who need them. Anything related to spell should go to Tisha.”

So don’t feel burdened. There’s no need for that at all.

Kyle said this as he started descending the stairs first.

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“Um, Kyle.”

As they left the library, Tisha thought.

Knowing Kyle’s personality, he would probably suggest parting ways now that their business was done.

But would it be proper etiquette to just send him off like this?

Considering what he had done for her, that would be absolutely wrong.

This was a plausible reason.

Moreover, the feelings she had while preparing earlier resurfaced.

Wouldn’t it be okay now? Yes, it seemed like it would be fine.

Since he had given her such a precious gift, the least she could do was treat him to a nice meal.

Their previous meeting had felt short and somewhat unsatisfying.

She had vowed not to make any mistakes if another opportunity like this arose.

She hadn’t expected it to come so soon, but it was a good thing.

“So, um, how about having dinner together tonight?”

“Dinner? Uh, didn’t we just eat together a few days ago?”

“Well, yes, but… that’s why I found a place that Kyle would like.”

She thought she could probably find a place that served less spicy food.

She had heard of restaurants that use only a bit of salt to preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Tisha believed that such a restaurant wouldn’t be a burden for Kyle.

“Dinner tonight… tonight’s dinner…”

It’s a bit of a dilemma. He had a lot of things on his plate today and hadn’t even managed to get in a proper workout.

He was considering creating a new workout routine to fit his academy life.

He had even planned to go home today and completely overhaul his current routine.

‘What to do.’

His mind urged him to accept the invitation quickly, while his body protested, asking if he was going to skip his workout today.

He was caught in a dilemma, unable to decide one way or the other.

As Kyle’s contemplation dragged on, Tisha’s eyes grew anxious.

If he declined even after she had dressed up so prettily and suggested dinner,

it would be reasonable to assume that Kyle’s feelings for her were non-existent.

Especially since she had a good reason for the invitation, wanting to thank him with a meal!

‘What should I do? Ah, this is troubling.’

‘What if he says no? What will I do then?’

While the two were earnestly conflicted for similar yet different reasons,

“…”

A figure watching them from a distance began to move.

The figure who had approached them, hood drawn low, whispered in a soft voice,

“What are you doing here, brother?”

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***

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“What are you doing here, brother?”

At that question, Kyle reacts with a start!

This voice, it’s definitely the same one he heard a few days ago. No mistake!

“Saintess?”

“Yes, it’s me, Brother Kyle.”

As she slightly lifts her hood, silver-blue hair reveals itself.

And within it, the mysterious, silver eyes emit a clear light.

“It’s good to see you again. It hasn’t been long, but… you’ve been well, I trust?”

“Thanks to the Saintess’s prayers, I’ve been very well. But, did you come alone again?”

“Actually, I do have guards with me, but sometimes I like to wander on my own. The academy is as safe as the imperial city, so there’s no need to worry!”

As the Saintess says, aside from the imperial city, the academy is the safest place in the empire.

It’s a city in itself, built directly under the imperial jurisdiction, surrounding the academy.

That’s why the recent incident of Jon Nassen’s attack on the academy was so shocking.

“Saintess…?”

At this moment, Tisha mumbles in a dazed tone, as if wondering what was happening.

“Ah. Saintess. This is Tisha. Though she’s a commoner, she’s someone who could be called a true student, more dedicated to her studies than any noble.”

“That’s nice to hear. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sister Tisha.”

When the Saintess extended her hand, Tisha reflexively took it.

Of course, her eyes strongly conveyed a sense of ‘What on earth is happening?’ despite her actions.

“Are you really… the Saintess?”

“If a fake claimed to be real, they would be struck down by divine punishment. Like this, kaboom!”

She gestured grandly with her arms as if trying to express something magnificent, but it seemed a bit awkward.

“I didn’t expect you to come so soon after hearing that the chapel was completed.”

For a Saintess to take up residence in a mere chapel would normally be dismissed as preposterous.

But this is no ordinary place; this is the Imperial Academy, second in importance only to the imperial city itself.

It’s a gathering place for the offspring of noble families, talented commoners, and the educational hub for those who will lead the empire’s future. Naturally, the church would want to establish connections early on.

Without ties to power, even the church would find it burdensome.

Thus, the conclusion, dispatch the Saintess to strengthen the church’s influence!

“This academy is where all the talents of the empire gather. I felt it was my duty to bring peace and light to their hearts.”

Of course, the Saintess has her own ecclesiastical duties, separate from such worldly objectives.

However, since their interests align, the chapel has become her base of operations.

“It seems you have a great interest in the academy.”

“Hehe! You caught me, Sister Tisha! I just couldn’t wait and had to come as soon as I could!”

With a flourish and a cute fluttering of her arms, the Saintess added a playful exclamation.

“Ta-da!”

The sight of her brought a smile not only to Kyle’s face but to Tisha’s as well.

“But, Sister Tisha. I noticed that you were having a conversation with Brother Kyle just now, and you didn’t seem very happy. Is something wrong?”

“Me? Oh, that’s… well…”

Tisha glanced at Kyle, wondering if she should speak or keep silent.

After a moment of hesitation, she closed her eyes tightly and recounted the recent situation.

She had received a great deal of help and always saw Kyle giving to others. She wanted to repay him, but Kyle hadn’t yet responded to her offer.

“Hmm!”

The Saintess nodded vigorously, indicating she understood.

Then, suddenly turning to Kyle, she crossed her arms.

“You shouldn’t do that, Brother!”

“Excuse me?”

“If you don’t want to be in debt to someone’s kindness, please accept Sister Tisha’s invitation to dinner!”

“The thing is, Saintess, I also…”

“I understand it’s sudden, Brother. But this is not the way to handle it. If it’s a no, then clearly say no. There’s nothing more painful than leaving someone in hanging. You know your own heart best, Brother, so you should be the one to decide.”

Following the Saintess’s words, Kyle looked at Tisha.

She was looking at him with eyes full of tension.

It started simply because she was one of the protagonists. That’s why he had taken care of her.

Afterward, he felt pity for her because of the stress she was under due to Ian, so he looked after her.

And after that… after that… Well, why hadn’t he kept his distance?

“Tisha.”

“Yes, yes, Kyle.”

“Let’s go, together.”

“Really?!”

The reason for that, it seems, will have to be discovered slowly. Bit by bit. That’s how it should be understood.