Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 52

EP.52 Is This the Main Story…?

Sunday. The end of the weekend and the beginning of a new week.

For some, it was a regretful day, while for others, it was still a sweet holiday.

“Huff, huff.”

For Kyle, it was a day to do a two-hour run that he couldn’t manage during the weekdays.

He didn’t stop to walk while running. He kept running, maintaining a pace just below a full sprint.

Others would have collapsed or slowed down to pace themselves after a short distance.

But Kyle didn’t. He maintained a speed just below an all-out sprint.

When he felt like he was about to run out of breath, he endured, persevered, and pushed through.

Eventually, his breathing stabilized, and his body felt invigorated.

Feeling that, he continued to run and run, never stopping.

“Haa, haa…”

The run that started at dawn only ended after the morning had passed.

Having achieved his target speed and time, Kyle gradually slowed down.

But he didn’t stop immediately. He continued running, gradually lowering his body’s tension.

‘Cardio is hell while you’re doing it, but once it’s over, the refreshing feeling is addictive.’

Maybe that’s why his father said once you start running, you can’t stop.

He had left the barony because he hated exercising, yet here he was, doing exactly that.

Is this the curse of the Jonathan family? But it feels strange for a curse.

A curse is supposed to be tragic and terrible, isn’t it?

This feels more like a “family trait” than a curse.

Thinking this, Kyle headed back to his room to wash off the sweat.

“…Huh.”

That was until he saw Nell running in a near-death state up ahead.

‘What the heck? When did he start running?’

Kyle resumed his run.

He then joined Nell, who was panting heavily.

“What are you doing? When did you start this?”

“Huff! Huff! Ka-Kyle! Huff!”

Speaking to him while he was barely maintaining his breath had an obvious result.

Nell collapsed on the spot, panting as if he was about to pass out.

“Hmm.”

Kyle tilted his head as he looked at Nell.

If Nell had been running from the start like him, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed.

This meant that Nell had started running much later than he did.

“Haa, haa…”

Once Nell’s breathing calmed down, Kyle waited for his answer.

“The truth is…”

“The truth?”

“I came out for my morning exercise… and saw you running in the distance, Kyle!”

“And?”

“I thought about saying something, but you seemed so immersed in your run… So, instead of interrupting, I decided to match your pace and run alongside you!”

For a moment, Kyle wanted to say to Nell,

‘Are you crazy?’

Kyle was from Jonathan. He was already well-trained and had no issues.

But Nell wasn’t. He was just slightly better than an average person.

In such a situation, early in the morning when his body wasn’t even fully warmed up,

he tried to keep up with Kyle, who was running at a pace that could be considered a sprint by others.

“…It’s a relief you didn’t get muscle cramps.”

“I’ve been diligently doing endurance training! Huff, huff…”

It seemed evident. The effort was visible, and even Ian wouldn’t have dismissed him so easily.

“But Kyle, you’re truly amazing. Even though I pushed myself to the limit, I couldn’t keep up. You didn’t slow down at all…”

Now that his breathing had finally returned to normal, Nell stood up.

Then, looking at Kyle, he began,

“Kyle! Please wait a little longer!”

“Suddenly, for what?”

“I’ll somehow prepare the money you mentioned! And once I do, please help me! I want a strong body, maybe not as strong as yours, but at least half as strong!”

“…”

Hearing that made Kyle want to set a time attack challenge, but he resisted the urge.

It was like hearing the devil’s whisper, but he remained silent.

Shouting, “I want to train my body!” in front of someone from Jonathan was not something to be ignored.

Kyle couldn’t dismiss Nell’s request, no matter how troublesome it seemed.

“Nell.”

“Yes, Kyle!”

“You don’t have to answer so loudly.”

“But Ian said to speak loudly when seeking guidance.”

What kind of nonsense is that guy spouting now? Seriously, it’s a mystery whether he’s really the protagonist.

“I have no intention of doing that, so don’t worry. Let me ask you something.”

It might be a bit sudden, but it’s an important question.

The ‘reason’ behind anything can significantly affect the outcome.

“You said you wanted to become a knight, right?”

“Huh? Oh… yes, that’s right.”

“Is that your dream? Or is it an obligation you must fulfill?”

When Kyle first met Nell, he had said he wanted to become a knight.

But the tone of his words didn’t feel like he was just talking about a simple dream.

It felt more like a promise to someone or something he absolutely had to do.

The look in his eyes conveyed a sense of urgency rather than just a sparkle of aspiration.

“Of course, I want to become a knight…”

“If you don’t intend to be honest, I won’t help you, even if you pay the price.”

“What? Why not?!”

“Because teaching anything to someone who isn’t sincere is meaningless.”

Wanting to become a knight and needing to become a knight are vastly different.

The mindset is different, and accordingly, the intensity of the training Kyle would choose also differs.

That’s why he was asking. Nell, what is your true intention?

“…I made a promise.”

After a long silence, Nell finally spoke.

“I promised to become a knight. A great knight. I made a promise.”

He didn’t elaborate on who he made the promise to.

But that was enough. Kyle could feel it without needing to hear more.

The strong resolve to become a knight, the necessity of it, was palpable.

“So, Nell, you’re working hard to keep that promise.”

“Yes.”

Nell, who had been deep in thought, raised his head with a more determined look.

“This is my true intention! So…!”

“I understand, so just make sure you get the money.”

A touching story is a story, but business is business.

Some might say it’s too mercenary or harsh.

Both the one giving and the one receiving the training would feel a sense of duty to do their best.

“I understand why you’re doing this. So, when you’re ready, come and formally request it. But think carefully. I’ll give you what you pay for, but it will be unimaginably tough.”

“Of course…”

“I’m not joking. You saw me running earlier, right? That was just a morning exercise for me. It will be much harder, several times harder. Are you still confident? Can you endure without saying you want to quit or give up?”

This was a very important question, at least from Kyle’s perspective.

If he decided to teach seriously and Nell ran away, it would be very discouraging.

Additionally, he would probably never consider teaching anyone else again.

Nell showed a moment of hesitation at Kyle’s words.

It was natural. Even though he had started running much later than Kyle, he had fallen behind.

And now he was being told the training would be even more intense, so of course, he was worried.

“If I follow your instructions, will I get closer to fulfilling my promise?”

“I don’t know. You said you wanted to become a knight, right? But I won’t be teaching you swordsmanship.”

“Then…”

“Instead, I can guarantee you’ll have a body that won’t give out, no matter who you fight.”

A smile spread across Nell’s face, as if that assurance was enough.

Being able to fight longer than the enemy was already a significant advantage.

No matter how skilled one was in swordsmanship, it was meaningless if their body couldn’t endure the fight.

“Don’t smile, Nell.”

“Huh?”

“This is no laughing matter. Absolutely not.”

He had no idea what was coming his way.

Kyle planned to give him a small taste of why people shuddered at the mention of Jonathan.

He was confident that Nell might beg for mercy from the very first day.

‘If he lasts a month, I’ll acknowledge him.’

Thinking this, Kyle clicked his tongue as he watched Nell still smiling.

He wondered why Nell was so happy when he was about to be crushed by the disaster he had invited upon himself.

Kyle even considered taking Nell to Jonathan during the holidays.

====

***

====

After sending Nell away, Kyle had a sudden thought.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder if Ian is doing okay.’

Although Ian had provoked him first, Kyle felt a tiny bit sorry.

After all, he had shattered both of Ian’s shoulders, which were crucial for a swordsman.

Of course, he had no intention of apologizing.

It’s not like Ian couldn’t use his arms at all; with proper treatment and a few days of rest, he would be fine.

Still, out of a minimal sense of conscience, it seemed right to check on his condition.

“Kyle Jonathan.”

Just as Kyle was about to head back to wash up and then go to the treatment ward, a woman’s voice called his full name from behind.

‘Why are there so many visitors this morning?’

Sighing, Kyle slowly turned around.

The voice, the use of his full name including his surname, and the fiery red hair—there was only one person at the academy who fit all these criteria.

“Good morning, Lady Elga.”

“…Yes. Good morning.”

Lady Elga of the Grand Duchy of Littorio slowly approached him.

However, there was a faint blush on her face.

‘…Is she coming from a workout too?’

It was a very Jonathan-like misunderstanding.