Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 109

EP.109 Good Changes, Bad Changes

It went without saying that priests and holy knights could not be treated the same.

The knights had strong bodies from the start and had consistently maintained their fitness.

Even though the holy knights had helped the priests with their physical training, there were limits.

After all, the knights had never been at the same level of physical fitness as the current priests.

“The gym I mentioned before… that is, the indoor training hall, how is it coming along?”

“It’s about halfway done, and we’re bringing in the equipment you mentioned, Brother Kyle. However, I’m concerned that some of it might be too much for the priests.”

The vice-commander was right. Doing planks during prayers was, of course, a good thing. It was a desirable change.

But just doing that wouldn’t improve poor physical fitness overnight.

A comprehensive overhaul, or rather, training was necessary. Starting from bodyweight exercises and gradually progressing.

Only then could they eventually handle weights and incorporate cardio.

Fortunately, Kyle had a very excellent member.

“Don’t worry, Brother Kyle. The commander and vice-commander are already working hard, and I’ll continue to encourage the priests whenever I have the chance.”

The Saintess, who might be weaker than the priests but had the strongest determination and will, was there.

Earlier, she had directly said to the priests:

“Brothers and sisters, we, the servants of God, have a duty to aim for the strongest from the weakest. Both in mind and body. A strong mind brings peace to people, and a strong body creates another kind of faith.”

She had even demonstrated push-ups in front of them.

Watching her perform perfect push-ups in her flowing priestly robes,

Kyle couldn’t help but clap several times.

As a result, the priests were visibly surprised.

The Saintess was doing the bodyweight exercises that they were still struggling with.

Even though the number of repetitions wasn’t high, her form was impeccable.

‘Even the knights standing behind were secretly impressed.’

The member who struggled with even one push-up had changed.

What could be more delightful than this? What could be more pride-inducing?

If the Saintess could do it, there was no reason the priests couldn’t.

They could do it. No, they absolutely had to.

If the Saintess could do it, then the priests certainly should. Absolutely.

“Saintess, if you have time later, could you please remind them to exercise as I instructed? If they do, the priests’ condition will improve significantly.”

Before leaving the Church, Kyle handed over a memo to the vice-commander, detailing basic bodyweight exercises for core strength and muscle building, along with some cardio exercises.

He even drew detailed illustrations to ensure there would be no confusion.

The only remaining concern was how diligently the priests would follow and how well they would keep up.

In Jonathan, such basic exercises were often skipped as they were considered too elementary and a waste of time.

But the priests here were ordinary people. Ordinary people striving to regain their health.

Therefore, even these basic exercises were sufficient and important for them.

With the knights around, there was no major concern about the overall process.

However, one thing that still bothered him was maintaining proper form.

No matter how much one exercises, if the form is incorrect, the effectiveness is halved.

In fact, if they were lucky, it would only be halved; otherwise, it could potentially harm their bodies.

“Saintess, please make sure they follow exactly as I wrote. I even drew pictures, so they must do it that way, even if it’s hard, bothersome, or they don’t understand.”

With Kyle’s repeated emphasis, the Saintess nodded earnestly.

She had the attitude of an excellent member who tries her best to follow the trainer’s instructions.

“Brother Kyle, you are truly a good person.”

On the way back to the academy, the Saintess gently held Kyle’s hand and said so.

When Kyle blinked, silently asking why, the Saintess smiled.

“You’re not only thinking of me but also the brothers and sisters of the Church. You care about their health and are more passionate about it than anyone in the Church, even though you’re not one of us.”

“Thank you for seeing it in a positive light. In fact, someone who has nothing to do with the Church might be seen as causing trouble for its members.”

“Not at all! Absolutely not! Brother Kyle, you’re doing this out of goodwill, and everyone knows that, so no one in the Church would think that way!”

That’s a relief. Kyle mumbled with a smile, following the Saintess.

In truth, he felt a slight pang of guilt, as it wasn’t entirely out of pure goodwill.

‘I hoped they would improve significantly, but it seems it’s still too much.’

He had thought there was no progress even after three months because it was the Saintess.

But seeing the situation in the Church, it wasn’t much different.

Even if it wasn’t 1:1 Jonathan training, the progress was too slow.

Kyle had secretly hoped to see the return of the combat priests.

However, at this pace, it would take years to reach the level of the knights.

He wanted to inject Jonathan-style training quickly, but he couldn’t openly interfere with the Church.

The remaining option was to stimulate and push the priests more through the Saintess.

Surely, if the Saintess could lift weights, the priests wouldn’t complain about not being able to.

This made the reason to improve the Saintess’s health even clearer.

‘So, Saintess, next time, let’s try to do a hundred push-ups… hmm, let’s start with fifty.’

If the Saintess heard this, she would probably faint in shock.

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“…Ah.”

It seemed he had dozed off. He wasn’t particularly tired, but maybe he had just relaxed.

As he quickly straightened up, his eyes met the Saintess’s, who had been watching him.

“You’re awake?”

“How long was I like this?”

“Not long. About 30 minutes?”

“I’m sorry. To fall asleep in front of you….”

“No, it was actually nice to see you sleeping peacefully.”

Did he snore or say something strange in his sleep?

He didn’t have rough sleeping habits, but he still felt uneasy.

“Brother Kyle.”

Yes, Saintess. Did I snore? Did I talk in my sleep? Did I say something weird…?

“The Fifth Princess isn’t such a bad person.”

Why is she bringing up the princess at this moment?

Even in his confusion, Kyle listened attentively to the Saintess’s next words.

“She’s just a bit different from others.”

“‘A bit’ different?”

“…I’ll correct myself. She’s quite a lot different. Yes. I admit it. She’s a strange person.”

For the Saintess to call her strange, the princess must indeed be quite peculiar.

At this point, even the Emperor might shake his head. Or maybe not? Parents tend to side with their children.

“You seem to know a lot about the Fifth Princess, Saintess.”

“It’s been a while. We’ve been friends since then.”

It was hard to imagine the princess and the Saintess being friends.

Their positions were one thing, but their personalities and actions were completely different.

Polar opposites. That phrase fit them perfectly; they had nothing in common.

“She’s been like that since the first time I met her. She had a knack for making others flustered.”

“She must have made people uncomfortable from the beginning.”

“Haha. Yes. She did. I’ve been in awkward situations many times because of her.”

The Saintess smiled softly, as if recalling those times.

She said the princess had put her in many awkward situations, but judging by her smile, it was one of two things.

Either the situations weren’t that bad, or the Saintess had a heart as vast as the sea.

Kyle was certain it was the latter. Yurika wasn’t someone who did things moderately.

“But why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”

“Lately, the princess has been sticking to you excessively, Brother Kyle.”

It was true. She was only absent now because she had been dispatched to the north.

If she returned, it was obvious she would visit the academy almost every day.

Why did she keep coming back even after graduating?

Did the princess not have a schedule? He wished she would stop coming.

‘And every time she comes, she keeps shouting, “I want yours!”‘

It was enough to drive him crazy, especially if someone else overheard.

And if those words were passed on, distorted, and eventually reached the Emperor’s ears….

“You must be very uncomfortable and sometimes even angry. I won’t tell you to just endure it. I just wanted to let you know that the princess has no ill intentions.”

“I know that. I do. The problem is she’s just too excessive.”

“I can’t argue with that….”

He was the one struggling, yet the Saintess seemed more deflated.

Kyle deliberately put on the brightest smile he could and spoke as if it were nothing.

“It’s fine. She’s a capricious person, so she might suddenly lose interest.”

“I hope so.”

Did the Saintess know Yurika too well?

Her answer lacked the usual certainty.

“Well, I’m fine. Because you’re here, Saintess.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say you would help block her?”

“Oh… yes, I did say that… but can I really be of help?”

“Absolutely. Just hearing you say that gives me strength.”

“Unlike the princess, I’m weak and still can’t exercise properly.”

“I believe the will and determination to do something are more important than anything.”

It would be ideal if she had the physical attributes too, but it couldn’t be helped.

For now, he was just grateful and thankful for the Saintess’s heartfelt intention.

“I will always believe in you, Saintess.”

At Kyle’s sincere words, the Saintess couldn’t help but avert her gaze.

She had felt it before, but his inexplicable kindness and trust were a bit overwhelming.

But at the same time, she found them not unpleasant. Rather, she liked them.

Moreover, another feeling was firmly taking root.

The trust and faith he showed her. She had to respond to that.

As much as he believed in her, as much as he trusted her, she had to make an effort too.

It wasn’t something to overthink. It was a natural response.

It wasn’t abandoning her duty as a Saintess. It was just reciprocating the trust.

‘Just as he does, I will also do my best for Brother Kyle.’