EP.155 Finals Are Always The Busiest Time
A week has passed since the unplanned hunting festival.
Kyle looked at his final exam paper and thought.
Wow. I’m screwed?
“Hmm…”
There were some things he could write, but there were more things he couldn’t.
These weren’t questions designed for easy points. They were practically screaming “get this wrong!”
At least the students who attended last week’s lecture got some hints.
They’re definitely nailing the questions that were specifically targeted.
As expected of the Imperial Academy. It’s not easy. Now I understand why Tisha always works so hard.
How on earth did his brother survive in this hell?
To think that someone who was already an exercise freak far beyond his level also studied.
And like his sister, he did it all without causing any trouble, so smoothly.
‘No wonder he’s the future Baron of Jonathan. But really, it’s incredible. They say the scariest people are those who work, study, and still hit the gym.’
If he were to be reborn in reality, he’d probably be exactly that type of person.
The kind of person that makes others gasp and say “Are you crazy?”
Come to think of it, he’s really overpowered. Perfect body, perfect mind, and even decent social awareness.
If only his expression was a bit more gentle, he could have had women lining up for him.
Ah, would that be difficult? Right. My brother was never interested in women in the first place.
“…I don’t know.”
Writing “I love you, Professor! Please take care of me in the future!” seemed a bit over the top.
So after writing some nonsense, he got up from his seat.
Glancing around the lecture hall, there weren’t many people who had left yet.
Tisha was still writing diligently. Elga was frantically writing too.
Nell… seems to be struggling. She’s really having a hard time.
‘Since Leto and Elga will be working as secretaries, they must have some studying ability…’
He glanced sideways to check Ian’s seat.
As expected, just as he thought. The guy had left the lecture hall long ago.
“Here’s my answer sheet. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Good work, Student Kyle.”
Haha! As expected! I failed the exam! Damn it, I failed!!
They say heroes don’t need to study. Aren’t I an Imperial hero?
I went west and fought monsters, won’t the Imperial family make an exception?
“Sorry. You didn’t tell me in advance.”
The princess’s kind response to his inquiry.
Thanks to that, Kyle was able to give up quickly without regret.
Right. Wasn’t this what he expected when he took those absences to go west?
If he had stayed to study for the exam instead, that would have been more regrettable.
“What if I push a little harder? What can you do for me?”
Actually, the bigger reason was what came next.
The princess’s stubbornness. Isn’t this clearly asking for trouble?
Even if an ordinary princess caused such trouble, the Imperial Palace would have to step in.
If one of the ‘Imperial Top 10’ princesses does it, both the Imperial Palace and Special Operations would have to get involved.
If that happens, those two would team up to give our poor Ministry of Education hell.
Then the Ministry of Education would get angry and put pressure on the Academy again.
“Student Kyle! Please save me!!”
He could picture the Academy Dean on his knees, grabbing his pant leg.
So Kyle quickly shook his head saying “No, no, no!”
Saying that was more than enough to be grateful for. No need to say more.
Like a true man, he would accept what he had decided with a clear conscience.
“Heh. That’s so like you. I don’t dislike that side of you.”
In the end, it turned out to be not such a good choice.
It seems his actions really resonated with the princess.
He felt a bit of regret, but it was too late now.
‘Right. I need to ask about that sometime too.’
The question being, ‘Would it be okay if I wasn’t the first wife?’
But when he actually tried to ask, there were too many concerns.
The fact that she was the Imperial princess, and that Yurika was one of the Imperial Top 10.
She must have her pride. Without it, she wouldn’t be human.
It would be uncomfortable being chosen rather than doing the choosing.
And on top of that, to not be first but second?
‘It’s fifty-fifty. Either she’ll get really angry, or she’ll be completely indifferent.’
Fortunately, Kyle had some faith based on the princess’s past actions.
She was the one who said if she couldn’t have him, she’d rather belong to him.
It’s not that she doesn’t have pride, but if he asks, she might give in again…
‘…Well, whatever happens, happens.’
How should I put it? It feels like getting a life extension. The urgency is gone.
And with that urgency gone, the thought occurs to just put it off for now.
Instead of worrying about this, wouldn’t it be better to go lift some weights?
He heads toward the newly expanded indoor training ground.
In Kyle’s words, the ‘Jonathan Gym – Imperial Academy Branch.’
Littorio’s proposed training ground expansion. The area was doubled, no, nearly tripled.
All the missing equipment was installed and sufficient space between each piece was secured.
Plus, they perfectly equipped it with beginner spaces, rest areas, and large shower rooms.
‘But the most impressive thing was the Imperial gift.’
The gift sent by the Imperial family to celebrate the training ground expansion.
It was none other than a treadmill.
At first, he couldn’t believe his eyes. This shouldn’t be possible.
The treadmill Kyle remembered used an electric motor to turn rubber rollers.
Without a motor, no matter what you did, you couldn’t turn the rollers.
But the item sent by the Imperial family was definitely a treadmill.
How was this possible? Well, it was Leo’s creation.
“Leo Jonathan designed this while attending the academy. I wondered if it was possible too, but he said that if mages use magic stones to infuse it with magic power, it could work similarly.”
The Crown Prince’s letter that came with the magic-powered treadmills.
Kyle responded with an “Ooh!” and once again gave praise to the Imperial family.
Indeed! The Imperial family was worthy of Jonathan’s recognition!
‘But I doubt Jonathan would particularly welcome this.’
His hometown people prefer cardio that’s incomparable to mere treadmills.
Running non-stop to mountain peaks, sprinting from dawn until morning.
Running distances that others would travel by horse, and all sorts of other cardio exercises.
However, that’s limited to Jonathan.
Here at the Academy, there isn’t enough space for proper cardio.
Therefore, the treadmills that the Imperial family successfully developed and willingly provided were truly a great gift.
“Going to work out?”
“What?” he turned his head to see Ian in his view.
The person presumed to have finished his answer sheet first and left the lecture hall.
They say he’ll eventually become good at studying too, but it seems that’s not the case yet.
“You’re out early, Ian. How was the exam?”
“I was the first one out.”
“Ah.”
That was answer enough. Being the first one to finish.
Even Tisha, who was diligently writing her answers, couldn’t have filled in all the correct answers yet.
“Kyle, you came out early too.”
“I learned my lesson that I need to study harder next semester.”
“Same here. Me too.”
Finding something in common with Ian was somehow both awkward and amusing at the same time.
As they chuckled together and came to the conclusion that ‘holding a sword or staff is definitely more comfortable than holding a pen,’ Ian carefully broached the main topic.
“Kyle. I have something to say, and I’d like you to listen seriously. Really.”
“I can listen seriously. Though giving a serious answer is another matter.”
“…Actually, I have a favor to ask. I want to visit Jonathan during the break.”
“My hometown?”
“Yes. I really want to go. No, I must go. I absolutely have to go there.”
He didn’t ask the foolish question of ‘what for.’
Why Ian, who was destined to become the greatest swordsman, would seek out Jonathan.
The reason was so obvious even a passing dog would bark out the answer.
‘If this was when we first met, I might have told him to get lost.’
A prideful person who constantly bothers others and only cares about swordsmanship.
If he still had his initial personality, Kyle would have punched him in the mouth right away.
Telling him to stop talking nonsense and just go home to train more.
But after being put through the wringer by Kyle this semester, Ian had become human.
Now he doesn’t speak carelessly, and even when he makes mistakes, he knows how to apologize.
Crushing his pride had unexpectedly positive effects.
“To my hometown in about three days? Yes. We’ll leave around then.”
“Please… Huh? Wait. What did you just say?”
“We’re leaving in three days, so prepare at your leisure. Pack whatever you need.”
He clearly hadn’t expected Kyle to give permission so easily.
Perhaps because Kyle had been running him ragged until now.
Maybe he thought this time wouldn’t be any easier either.
‘This is my minimal courtesy to the protagonist, Ian.’
Once he gets to Jonathan, he’ll deeply realize his own foolishness.
If he’s underprepared, he’ll regret it and scream.
Conversely, if he can accept anything, it will surely become a turning point for greater growth.
“Thank you. Really, thank you, Kyle.”
“I’m letting you because you’ve been working out hard lately and haven’t been picking fights.”
It was like seeing a formerly disobedient dog successfully trained and receiving praise.
Needless to say, Ian was the dog and Kyle was the trainer.
“Well, I’m going to work out, so let Nell know too.”
“Are you taking Nell along as well?”
“What would she do alone if we left her behind? Anyone who wants to become stronger is always welcome.”
More precisely, anyone willing to throw themselves into hell is welcome.
After parting with Ian, Kyle entered the gym and started his routine.
With nothing to do and exams finished, he could work out a bit before heading home.
When he gets home, his brother and sister will immediately rush to check his physique.
As he was wondering how to escape their clutches…
“Kyle.”
Wonder who it is this time, he thought as he turned his head slightly.
A woman like red flames entering the gym.
“Lady Elga.”
“How did your exam go?”
Do you really have to ask that right now? How tactless on exam day.
“Well, I think I did okay.”
“That’s good. So, are you free today and tomorrow? Since exams are over.”
Unlike others, Elga got straight to the point.
As Kyle remained silent, slightly taken aback, she continued.
“I’d like to formally invite you to the Grand Duke Littorio’s residence.”
After the Saintess’s turn, it seemed it was now Elga’s turn.