EP.157 The End of Semester is Always The Busiest Time
Kyle finally finished his entire routine before returning to his room to prepare for the visit to the Grand Duke's residence.
Others might have dropped everything and left, but that wasn't possible for Jonathan.
The only thing that can stop exercise is another exercise.
"Where's Leto?"
Leto, who should be attending to Elga right beside her, was nowhere to be seen.
Leto wasn't just a friend but also served as a secretary.
Yet at this crucial moment, he was nowhere to be found.
"He's waiting beyond the teleportation circle. He went ahead to prepare the carriage."
Of course. As if he would ever abandon his secretary duties.
Though he had no interest in Elga, he was passionate about his responsibilities.
He was a man whose loyalty to the Grand Duke's family and his master was absolutely genuine.
"My Lady."
After crossing through the teleportation circle, Leto bowed deeply.
While he used her name at the academy, once outside, he reverted to addressing her as "My Lady."
It was his way of clearly showing that he was now one of Littorio's retainers, not just a mere student.
"What about the carriage?"
"It has arrived. His Grace the Grand Duke specially prepared it, I'm told."
"That's nice."
Elga turned to look at Kyle. Her eyes clearly conveyed the message 'What do you think?'
The Grand Duke's personal preparation meant he considered them very special guests.
Kyle smiled and shrugged his shoulders to show he was also pleased.
Actually, he had considered suggesting they just run there instead.
But that would be pushing it too far. That's probably why Jonathan's will wasn't manifesting either.
"Shall we go, My Lady? Kyle as well."
The carriage interior was far more spacious and comfortable than expected.
It wasn't just a simple means of transport, but comfortable enough to stay in for several days.
While Kyle was thinking it was like some kind of luxury camper, Leto spoke up.
"How did your exam go, Kyle?"
Hey, don't ask about that on exam day.
Why do you keep poking at my wounds? Don't you have any basic manners?
Pop!-
The answer to the question came not in words but in action.
Kyle suddenly stood up and struck Leto in the stomach.
"Ugh."
"Leto? Kyle! What are you doing?!"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Just checking how well he's grown.
And simultaneously answering 'The exam? I totally bombed it.'
"Ahem. Hmm."
Leto's reaction was markedly different from before.
Initially, he would have writhed on the floor, gasping as if dying.
But now, while it hurt, his response showed it wasn't unbearable.
After clearing his throat a few times, he straightened up and looked at Kyle.
"How was that, Kyle?"
"Not bad. Getting used to pain reduces fear. How about your training?"
"I've been training continuously with Ian. Though I'm not at his level, I can say I have some confidence now."
Oh? Feeling confident, are we? Time for a scan then.
With sharp eyes, he thoroughly examined Leto's physical condition.
He could immediately tell whether those words were true or false.
The basics were already there, so no need to check that.
Though not explosively increased, there were clear signs of development in his arms and legs.
Above all, his eyes were different. That was the confidence of someone who had shed real sweat.
It was the evidence of someone who had gritted their teeth, worked hard, and succeeded after repeated failures.
"Don't let your guard down. What comes next is much more important."
He didn't offer separate praise. This wasn't something well done, but something that had to be done.
There was no intention of applauding or smiling for doing what was required.
Especially since the other party wasn't a woman but a man, even more so.
"Thinking you've gotten a bit stronger, thinking you've gotten tougher. Making careless mistakes with that mindset will get you knocked out in an instant. And becoming complacent with your current state is also something to avoid."
"I understand. That's why recently, with Ian, I've been doing something a bit more challenging than usual..."
"Overload."
"Ah, yes. As you said, Kyle, I'm doing exercises with more overload."
Only then did Kyle nod with satisfaction.
Leto let out a relieved sigh at Kyle's reaction.
"Ah, and by the way. About that student named Nell."
Nell's story at this timing? What? Did he notice she's a woman?
Kyle narrowed his eyes and looked at Leto, wondering if maybe...
If even the completely oblivious Leto and Ian had noticed, this could be very dangerous.
If it's discovered she enrolled with false information, she'd be out immediately.
Do I like Nell? No. Then why am I worried? Obviously. Because she's a member.
A member who works out diligently and follows her trainer's instructions perfectly.
It would be quite disappointing as a trainer if such a person suddenly disappeared.
What if he noticed? I suppose I'll have to tell him to keep quiet?
The fortunate part is that he's not a bad person by nature...
"Their swordsmanship is incredible. They'll surely become an outstanding knight in the future."
"..."
"...?"
"Is that all?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. Is there something else?"
Right. I was an idiot for worrying. There was no need to be concerned at all.
Being so oblivious, he must have gotten cursed out like crazy.
Looking at the current situation, he doesn't seem to have even a hint of romantic interest in Elga.
Instead, he's busy explaining his workout methods and seeking advice on what to do next.
I'm glad that Leto has been reborn as an excellent fitness enthusiast, but something feels... off.
'With this, the original story has truly vanished. It was there, and now it's gone.'
I wonder why I was so hung up on following the original storyline at first.
I didn't even know much about it anyway, so I could have done whatever I wanted.
If I had tried to follow the original storyline, my insides would have exploded a hundred times over.
Look at how peaceful everything is now. Ian and Leto are working out diligently.
Tisha and Elga are fully focused on their duties.
And as for me... well, I've gotten properly wedged between Tisha and Elga.
Not to mention having the princess above and the saint below.
It's karma. I'll just have to endure it. And to be honest, it's not so bad.
"By the way, Kyle, didn't you meet the Grand Duke once before?"
"Yes. It was brief, but I definitely met him."
"That's good then. You shouldn't feel burdened about visiting the Grand Duke's residence."
Just because I saw the Grand Duke's face doesn't mean visiting his residence won't be intimidating.
As I clicked my tongue internally and was about to say "Well..."
"Ahem!"
Elga, sitting beside me, cleared her throat as if she couldn't stand it anymore.
'Why do you keep talking only with Leto! I'm here too, Kyle!'
I'm starting to regret letting Leto ride in the carriage.
I deliberately brought him inside to avoid any awkwardness.
But now Kyle and Leto are the only ones having an animated conversation.
"By any chance... aren't you curious? Other people always are when they see me. What the Grand Duke's residence is like. Where and how we live. What the people are like."
"Well, life must be similar everywhere, isn't it?"
Right. Life is similar everywhere. Except for Jonathan.
These people climb mountains over 2000 meters high as if they're taking a stroll in their backyard.
'Actually, there is one thing I'm curious about.'
What if we meet those who are still uncomfortable with Jonathan in Littorio?
Or how to handle the mentally broken second prince.
Though he wanted to ask that, Kyle opted for small talk instead.
'Why should I be the one watching my step? They should be the ones doing that.'
I'm an officially invited guest. I haven't done anything wrong.
Above all, I couldn't care less about weaklings who only know how to wag their tongues.
Even if they provoke me, well, I'll try to be patient at first. But if they really cross the line...
'After destroying half the academy, we'll see the destruction of half the Grand Duke's residence.'
===
**
===
Clunk, clunk-.
The carriage slows down and comes to a complete stop.
The knights lined up adjust their postures once again.
"There must not be a single mistake in attending to the Young Lady and her guest."
All the knights recall their captain's stern order.
The usually quiet person seemed strangely tense today.
He had never shown any change even in front of the Young Lady, let alone the princes.
At first, they couldn't understand why he was suddenly showing such behavior.
Perhaps he was trying to make a good impression on the Young Lady, who was almost certain to be the next Grand Duke?
It's not impossible. It's a perfectly plausible prediction.
The first prince, who had a terrible reputation since childhood and was completely eliminated from succession.
And the second prince, who was originally a strong candidate but has recently fallen from grace.
Now most of Littorio naturally considers the third princess as the successor.
The captain of the Grand Duke's knights couldn't be completely indifferent to such political matters.
But soon, the knights could understand why their captain was so nervous.
As the carriage approached, they felt an incredible aura emanating from inside, enough to make their skin crawl.
Even without any particular hostility or killing intent, their hands trembled slightly.
Creeak-.
The carriage door opens, and the first to appear is Leto.
They had heard he enrolled in the academy along with the Young Lady as her secretary.
'That's Leto? That Leto?'
'He wasn't like this when he first enrolled.'
His physical condition has visibly improved. And his atmosphere is slightly different too.
Above all, his well-controlled presence was on par with an average knight.
"Young Lady."
As Elga steps out next, all the knights bow their heads in unison.
"You all came out here. Thank you everyone."
"Not at all, Young Lady."
"Have you all been well? I heard the news. William, I heard it's a daughter. Congratulations. Hans, it seems your previous injury has healed completely. I'm so glad."
The knights' support is extremely important.
That's why Elga had memorized recent events in the carriage, and successfully won over the knights' hearts once again by smoothly reciting everything as practiced.
"Ah. Everyone, I should introduce our guest. Kyle?"
Clunk-.
Finally, a young man with jet-black hair steps out of the carriage.
At his appearance, the Grand Duke's knights freeze and even shrink back.
"Pleased to meet you all. I am Kyle Jonathan."
For them to stand their ground as knights, the opponent before them was too overwhelming.
"Hmm."
The guest following Elga suddenly stops in his tracks.
Then he approaches the knights and begins to examine them closely.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Why, why? Why are you doing this to us?
Their attention stance is even more perfect than when facing the Grand Duke.
If this man were to command "at ease," they would change their posture in an instant.
They even felt ready to prostrate themselves if ordered.