Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 65

EP.65 If You Can’t Handle It, You’re Weak!

Having received the commendation, Kyle thought there was no longer any need to be cautious.

He had received thanks in the name of the Minister of Education, but he knew it wasn’t the end.

For a minister-level official to step in, it meant the royal family had approved it.

In other words, the Emperor was behind it, meaning Kyle now owed a debt to the Empire.

‘Now, even if someone picks a fight with me, I don’t have to hold back… Hmm, but who would dare?’

It was quite unfortunate. He wished there was someone foolish enough to provoke him at a time like this.

He would have gladly separated their bones from their flesh on the spot.

But now, even the most clueless person would be cautious.

Breaking swords with bare hands, splitting desks in two, defeating opponents that even knights couldn’t handle,

and receiving a commendation directly from the minister—who would dare mess with him now?

It would take someone like the second son of the Grand Duchy of Littorio to even consider it.

Even then, that person would have to overcome significant pressure.

Whether the second son of Littorio would return to the academy was still uncertain.

“…So, what do you two want?”

Of course, even Kyle, who had nothing to fear anymore, showed a bit of leniency to certain people.

Those were the main characters of this world and the central figures of the incidents.

“I want to spar with you.”

“I want to become stronger.”

The ones who appeared before Kyle were none other than Ian and Leto.

Normally, these two would never be seen together.

But today, they appeared simultaneously, as if they had made some sort of pact.

“Ian.”

“I’m listening.”

“You want to spar with me.”

“Yes.”

“….”

The words “Do you have a death wish?” hovered on the tip of his tongue.

Ian was strong. One day, he would become one of the finest swordsmen.

It was his destiny. He was meant to be that way as the protagonist.

But that was something for the distant future. A very distant future.

At this point in time, challenging Kyle was crossing a line.

It wasn’t bravery; it was recklessness. It wasn’t pride; it was arrogance.

Ian must have felt the difference in their skills, so why was he doing this?

“I know there’s a gap between us.”

“And you’re still doing this?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m asking.”

So, this is how someone asks for a favor. Good to know.

Thinking how remarkable the protagonist was, Kyle turned to look at Leto this time.

“You want to become stronger.”

Leto nodded, his face filled with determination.

It seemed the recent attack had made him realize something.

No matter how loyal a secretary he was, he couldn’t protect Elga against overwhelming power.

So, he was doing this seemingly out-of-the-blue act of wanting to become stronger.

‘Looks like I’ve become some sort of goal for them, huh?’

As expected, Kyle had become a rival for Ian and a role model for Leto.

Ian, who dreamed of becoming an overwhelmingly strong swordsman, wanted to surpass the wall that was Kyle.

Leto, who wanted to protect Elga to the very end, wanted to learn the way from Kyle.

Everyone was seeking Kyle’s help for their own goals.

‘Who gave them the right to make such assumptions?’

From Kyle’s perspective, it was an absurd situation.

He had treated Ian and Leto well out of minimal courtesy to the main characters.

That was all. Nothing more. He didn’t even think about extracting anything from them since he didn’t know the main plot.

They weren’t women. They were men. And he had no interest in men.

Moreover, Kyle had long abandoned the idea of being an extra or a supporting character.

Didn’t they say the protagonist of one’s life is always oneself? Why should he give up that position?

‘I don’t even know what to give up. So, there’s no problem living recklessly.’

With that thought, Kyle called Ian forward.

He raised one hand slowly and showed it to Ian.

“Ian. You want to spar with me.”

“Yes.”

“Prove it.”

“Prove what?”

“That you’re worthy of sparring with me.”

“What do you mean….”

“Try to push my arm down, even a little.”

Ian’s expression turned serious at Kyle’s words.

He was a skilled swordsman in his own right, capable of handling monsters with ease.

It was like asking a child to bring down an adult’s arm.

It was enough to make Ian angry, to hurt his pride. Especially since he was skilled.

Kyle had targeted this exact point by setting such a condition.

Having such pride, or rather arrogance, at this stage was dangerous.

It was a poison, an absolute toxin that should never be harbored. There were many strong people in the world.

Even if he was the protagonist, such an attitude was unacceptable.

So, Kyle had decided to thoroughly crush this man’s pride.

“Try to push it down. If you manage, I’ll do whatever you ask without complaint.”

Finally provoked, Ian bit his lip and grabbed Kyle’s arm with all his might.

He poured all his strength into achieving his goal.

“Grrrr!!”

Ian was almost hanging off Kyle’s arm, using every ounce of his strength.

In contrast, Kyle stood still, his arm slightly raised.

Yet Ian couldn’t budge Kyle’s arm even a little.

It didn’t move. Not even a tremor. If anything, Ian seemed to be struggling more.

“That’s enough.”

Kyle swung his arm as if swatting a fly.

Ian, who had been clinging to it, was flung to the ground.

“Ugh.”

“See? You couldn’t even pass this simple test.”

“Just one more time! Let me try one more time!”

“We’re done for today. Once a day, that’s the condition.”

“But….”

“You want to spar with me to become stronger, right? At your current level, you wouldn’t even last a second, let alone find a way to get stronger.”

Kyle’s criticism was harsh, unlike before.

It was only natural. It was absolutely necessary. Someone who sought pride just because they were a little strong.

Ian had a tendency to underestimate his opponents.

Even as the protagonist, this was crossing a line. So, Kyle decided to crush him.

‘A true strong person never looks down on others.’

Jonathan despised the weak. But there was an important nuance.

Jonathan despised those who didn’t strive. They hated those who pretended to be strong.

Conversely, they quietly observed those who, despite being weak, strove to become stronger.

If someone genuinely wanted to become stronger, they were always welcome.

Exercise is the same. Just because he has bulging muscles doesn’t mean he look down on others.

Even if someone is just chubby, if they are exercising to take care of their body, he doesn’t laugh at them.

Instead, he silently admires their will and determination.

“…I’ll challenge you again tomorrow.”

“I hope you’ll be a little better tomorrow than you are today.”

The fortunate thing was that Ian knew how to train his body.

He had already carved and pioneered his own path with the sword. In other words, he was a genius.

It was only natural for the protagonist. And as the protagonist, his growth would surely be remarkable.

Kyle predicted that there would be some noticeable change within a month.

“Next.”

After defeating Ian, Kyle turned to Leto.

“You said you wanted to become stronger?”

“Do I also have to… like Ian….”

“Sorry, Leto. You can’t even do that. Don’t dream.”

He hoped Leto wouldn’t even dream about it. It was only because it was Ian that he gave such a tough trial.

In comparison, Leto would need to train desperately for a year just to reach Ian’s current level.

Let alone pushing down Kyle’s arm with strength? That would take at least three years of effort.

“Don’t worry. This will be over quickly.”

One hit would be enough.

To see if he was even qualified to talk about wanting to become stronger.

– Thud! –

Worried that he might burst, and wondering who would clean up the mess if he did,

Kyle swung his fist with as little force as possible, almost no strength at all.

At this level, it wasn’t even a punch. It was just a handshake with his fist.

In Jonathan terms, it was like lifting the bar without any weights.

“Ugh?!”

Of course, an ordinary person would say that even the bar has some weight.

Leto was exactly like that. It was as if he had been hit by the bar.

“Ugh….”

Kyle had hit him gently, but Leto crumpled to the ground.

Kyle wanted to shout at him, “How can you protect Elga at this level? It’s a miracle if you’re not a burden.”

“Get up, Leto.”

“Ugh….”

“Get up before I kick you.”

In a moment of irritation, Kyle spoke informally without realizing it.

The chilling atmosphere made Leto momentarily forget his pain and quickly get to his feet.

“The beginning of all training is endurance. If you can’t handle this level of pain, don’t even start.”

“Th-that’s….”

“Don’t make someone who’s already disappointed in you even more disappointed.”

By now, Leto might have realized his mistake.

He might have thought that Kyle, who had shown a mostly kind demeanor, would grant his request.

But Kyle was Jonathan. Kyle Jonathan—that was his true identity.

If nothing else, the desire to become stronger was a topic more important than mere survival.

“Don’t worry, Leto. I’ll make you strong.”

You may have come here on your own terms, but you won’t leave the same way.

This was the fate of those who asked Jonathan for ‘training.’

If it’s too much to handle, that means you’re weak.

So, get stronger. Because you’ll have to handle it anyway.

Recalling his father’s words, Kyle raised his fist.

“W-wait?! Kyle? Once a day….”

“That’s for Ian. Leto, you’re different.”

Indeed, each person’s training plan was different.