Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.117 Not Enough Effort! Not Enough!!

Elga pondered her current situation.

From a societal perspective, her position was quite ambiguous.

One might argue that there’s nothing ambiguous about having the title of a duke’s daughter.

But that alone isn’t sufficient. The title of a duke’s daughter only goes as far as social circles.

Winning over the person you desire is a far more important and challenging task.

She could easily be overshadowed by not only the imperial princess or the saint who secured spots in the top 10, but even by Tisha if she’s not careful.

Although Tisha is a commoner, she possesses the exceptional talent of sorcery.

The Empire is generous to those with ability. Even commoners can become nobles.

If by any chance Tisha were to become a noble, they would all be on a similar starting line.

‘This is an area where I need to put in effort somehow.’

But there was an even bigger issue. What kind of relationship did she currently have with Kyle?

Their meetings so far had been not as ‘Kyle and Elga’, but as ‘the son of Jonathan and the lady of Littorio’.

Even if she didn’t see it that way, Kyle probably did.

This shouldn’t be the case. There needed to be more progress.

The time spent chatting over tea. The reasons for exchanging greetings when they met.

It should be as Kyle and Elga, not as the children of their respective noble families.

‘What kind of opportunity would be good to get closer? How can I make it comfortable for both Kyle and myself?’

This was something she had been pondering for a while. And surprisingly, the answer wasn’t hard to find.

It was the common point that both Tisha and the saint possessed. It wouldn’t be difficult to capitalize on that.

Above all, Kyle himself takes that matter very seriously!

Creeak-.

She opened the door to the indoor training ground and stepped inside.

Those who had been chatting instead of exercising turned their heads.

“…Isn’t that Lady Littorio?”

“What?”

In the academy, they’re taught that status and family background aren’t important.

But that’s only superficial; they’re never truly disregarded.

It can’t be done. After all, the academy only lasts for four years, while the world keeps turning.

Therefore, the appearance of a lady from one of only three ‘grand ducal families’ in the empire was always a surprising event.

“Junior Elga. What brings you here?”

“Are you here to exercise? Well, it’s always good to do basic exercises regularly.”

“Shall we chat a bit while you warm up?”

While dealing with those who flocked to her immediately, Elga surveyed the room.

It was clear at a glance. There were two groups in the indoor training ground.

Those who, like the ones clinging to her now, were trying to ride the momentary current for their benefit.

And those who were exercising without caring about her arrival.

Naturally, the former group was much larger than the latter.

Rather than exercising for its own sake, they were trying to create common ground through the hobby of exercise.

And through that common ground, they aimed to form bonds and secure insurance for the future.

Even here, they were thinking and acting as an extension of the social world.

‘I might have been like that in the past too.’

Internal support ultimately divides based on external evaluation and perception.

Becoming the head of a family means dealing with everyone externally.

In that case, it’s more advantageous for someone with a good external reputation to become the head.

‘But… not now. That’s right. Not now.’

She now had a good grasp of Kyle Jonathan, that man.

And she knew well which group Kyle would prefer among those.

He exercises on weekdays, weekends, days when he’s been out, and days when he hasn’t.

He never rests. He constantly hones himself. He values effort highly.

From Kyle’s perspective, it was obvious which group he would prefer her to be in.

“Lady Elga….”

“Lady Littorio….”

She completely ignored those who came to the exercise area but weren’t actually exercising.

Instead, she moved to mingle with the people who were doing what they were supposed to do.

Most of them were male students. And they had visibly sturdy bodies.

Although Elga had a much more delicate frame in comparison, she wasn’t particularly worried.

‘I’m quite confident when it comes to exercise too!’

She considered it unsightly for a grand duke’s daughter to merely linger at parties, fluttering fans.

Insisting on carriages and panting after just a short walk. What kind of noble behavior was that?

Nothing could be achieved that way. They wouldn’t even gain the support of their own knights.

So Elga had pestered the knights to train her beyond the basics in physical conditioning.

Her father, the Grand Duke of Littorio, hadn’t particularly objected either.

“Those who don’t know where to start, make sure to read this!”

Of course, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to overestimate herself or be arrogant.

Right in front of her hung a guide that Kyle had meticulously prepared.

If she wanted to get closer to that man, if she had made up her mind to do so.

Creating reasons that would appeal to him was of utmost importance.

‘It should be about time he arrives.’

As she cautiously began to exercise in front of an unfamiliar piece of equipment.

Finally, the door to the indoor training ground opened, and the person she had been waiting for stepped inside.

===

**

===

“…Sigh.”

It’s the same sigh he lets out every time he sees this, but today it feels even more frustrating for some reason.

He’s in that kind of relationship with Tisha now. Yet he has no intention of doing anything like that in this sacred gym.

He came alone, leaving Tisha in the library where she might feel upset.

And these people aren’t doing the exercises they’re supposed to, just chatting away excitedly.

‘I get it, it’s a romance fantasy. I understand there’s no need to exercise like crazy. But, damn it. If you weren’t planning to work out in the first place, why the hell did you come? You should’ve just gone to a café instead.’

It’s a trend he started himself. There’s nothing he can do about it.

With the stock prices soaring, there will be plenty of people trying to pick up even the fallen crumbs.

For them, exercise isn’t the main purpose. They’re just here to gain other benefits.

He knows. He’s fully aware of it. Still, he can’t help but feel annoyed.

He wants to tell them to get out right now, but it’s not the time yet. He has to endure.

‘Right. Let’s hang on a bit longer. After all, once the expansion is done, this place will be under my management, won’t it?’

When that day comes, he’ll start with entrance interviews for the gym right away.

To see if they’re really interested in exercise, or if they feel the need for it.

Lies won’t work. Those who yearn for training or are desperate for health stand out immediately.

Jonathan is unrivaled when it comes to anything related to ‘training’.

Kyle, as a member of the Jonathan family, possesses that level of ability as well.

‘That person’s out too. That guy and that woman are out as well. …Damn it. They’re about to hug at this rate. Oh really? Go to hell, seriously. You deserve to be hit with a stick.’

Kyle himself, being a noble, tries not to discriminate.

But most of the people messing around in the gym are also nobles.

And not even from some backwater nobility, but the sons and daughters of supposedly influential families!

Somehow, they seem to have misunderstood this place as somewhere they can do whatever they want.

Holding hands, subtly getting close, then hugging, they’re really doing all sorts of nonsense.

‘The only thing you should be embracing here is the equipment, you fools!’

Shaking his head, he moves further inside.

Fortunately, beyond that point were the truly dedicated gym-goers.

Although most of them fit the term ‘gym newbie’, they have passion and perseverance.

Yes. That’s exactly the reason people should come here!

You come to the gym to exercise. Not to ogle or date!

How dare they do such things in this sacred place of sweat and effort. It’s intolerable!

Tap tap-.

“Excuse me. Could you show me how to use this?”

“Which equipment? Ah, this one. Its official name is the lat pull-down…”

Kyle kindly explains how to use the equipment to the female student without a moment’s hesitation.

“You know pull-ups, right? It’s similar to that. First, grip the bar a bit wider than your shoulders, and pull down using the strength of your back, not your arms…”

Is he being kind just because it’s a woman? No way. Absolutely not.

A true gym enthusiast becomes kind to anyone who asks about how to use the equipment, regardless of the situation.

With proper form, feeling more overload, and exercising together!

There couldn’t be a more desirable and beautiful sight than this!!

“…”

But to Elga, who was quietly watching from behind, it wasn’t beautiful at all.

‘Should I be wary of that woman too?’

She thought for a moment. But soon gave up on the idea.

Both Kyle and that female student weren’t focusing on each other, but on the moving equipment.

And they were concentrating on the muscles handling that equipment.

Once again feeling how much Kyle loves exercise.

Praising herself for suggesting the expansion of the indoor training ground.

Elga approached Kyle, who had just returned to his spot, with careful steps.

“Um, Kyle.”

“…Oh. Lady Elga? What brings you here?”

“You’re asking the obvious. I came to exercise.”

“Exercise? You, Lady Elga?”

I’ve never seen this woman exercising in the gym before?

A hint of doubt flashes in Kyle’s eyes. It’s an unavoidable reaction.

Right in front of them are many noble ladies who claim they came to exercise but are just chatting away.

Disliking physical activity is a common trait, regardless of gender.

Knowing this well, it’s surprising that a woman who hasn’t shown up before suddenly comes saying she’s here to exercise.

“What’s with that look? You seem to think I’m a woman completely unrelated to exercise.”

“…Ah. No, of course not. I was just thinking about the others…”

Kyle’s gaze shifts towards the slacking students up front.

Elga snorts once and then parts her lips.

“I’ve received training from the knights in my family, you know. Want to see?”

Elga effortlessly does push-ups right there.

Not with her knees touching the ground. It’s the proper form. Perfect proper form!

“Oh…”

It was a moment when Elga’s score suddenly went up.

‘I guess I can allow her access to the gym.’

Of course, the catch was that it wasn’t her score as a woman, but as a member.