Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 102 (Part 1):
“Can’t believe we’re being looked down upon by first-year students.”
“Damn, they should experience it themselves to understand.”
“Somehow, it makes me reflect. Didn’t we do the same?”
Treating commoners with contempt, mocking them without reason. They either stood by or subtly enjoyed it. Because they were nobles, if commoners suddenly became equal, resentment was inevitable.
But now that they saw the first-year students doing the same, it felt uncomfortable. It was a clear reversal of roles.
“Honestly, we did that, but Asuka make it worse.”
“If only he was as quiet as half of Helmut. His image would have changed when he showed his skills.”
“But the expelled guys wouldn’t have stayed quiet.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
After a brief moment of empathy, the topic shifted.
Though there were situations that could make them furious, after being constantly harassed by Asuka, they had become resilient enough to let most provocations slide.
They had already experienced many unfair and infuriating situations.
“Is that the first-year girl?”
Someone said, and immediately, everyone’s attention turned in that direction.
There was a girl standing there with neatly tied black hair behind her head and bright blue eyes.
Tall height with white skin. Her features were noble and elegant, exuding a cool yet neutral vibe.
Calm gaze, stubbornly closed lips. Everything about her, even from her stance, was different. Her straight posture emphasized distinct angles.
While not particularly muscular, her body seemed quite firm. Clearly, she had been trained as a swordsman.
“She’s really pretty.”
She was indeed pretty, but the word ‘pretty’ didn’t quite capture the feeling. What was clear was that she would grow into a noticeable beauty.
Yet, somehow, she looked familiar. It became more apparent when observed in the same space.
“She looks a bit like someone, doesn’t she?”
Someone murmured. Without asking who, everyone nodded in agreement.
The person that came to their minds was one:
Helmut.
There was something about the atmosphere and appearance that felt similar.
“Is it because of the same hair color?”
“Well, they might be from the same region.”
Nobody knew the identity of Helmut, who was known as a commoner. They all thought that he might not be a commoner.
“Why not ask him directly?”
Someone boldly suggested.
“Hey, Helmut. Do you know that girl?”
“I don’t.”
“Take a good look and tell us.”
There was no need for that. He had seen her briefly earlier, and naturally, he didn’t recognize her face. Helmut didn’t know many people.
“I don’t know her.”
“Really? She looks a lot like you.”
Helmut, who was trying to ignore it, hesitated. The resemblance is an inherent problem that has nothing to do with whether you know it or not.
It might not be unrelated to him. Perhaps a relationship connected by blood, like a relative.
‘Maybe I can know which family she’s from?’
And it might be possible to know which country she comes from. When he made up his mind to inquire, Instructor Alan raised his hand.
“Everyone, pay attention! Starting now, competing between first and second-year students will take place. Since it’s a preliminary duel for the main duel next week, don’t overdo it. You can’t choose or decide your opponent at will. The instructors have arbitrarily selected the opponent. Follow the rules and participate sincerely. I will call out names now, come forward one by one and line up.”
One by one, students from both sides started coming forward. Helmut waited patiently for his turn.
After calling about a dozen names, Instructor Alan called out.
“First-year, Charlotte.”
“Yes.”
The girl, who had been said to resemble him, stood in front of Instructor Alan. Helmut observed her carefully. He could feel the refined aura.
Probably among the first-year students, she seemed to be the most skilled in the the swordsmanship department.
Among the big guys from the swordsmanship department, she stood alone as an unusual presence.
The moment of anticipation for who would be her opponent.
“Second-year, Asuka!”
At the sound of that call, sighs escaped from everyone’s mouths. They opened their mouths, which they had kept tightly closed and leaned in to murmur among themselves.
“Oh, the crazy dog is going to face the pretty girl of the first-year!”
“Wait, does this make sense? Did they choose properly?”
“Just when a female freshman finally arrived, and now it is going to be 0 again with this?”
“Quiet!”
Instructor Alan calmed the students.
As Asuka sauntered forward and stood in front of the instructor, a hushed silence fell. He glanced casually at his opponent.
‘She looks quite somthing. But why the hell did it have to be a girl.’
Asuka, who had been burning with hostility towards the first-year student, seemed a bit uneasy. It was an opponent he hesitated to beat up as he pleased.
She wasn’t a girl who couldn’t be distinguished from a boy, but she was a particularly beautiful girl.
Moreover, Charlotte’s reaction was different from the other first-year students.
Upon hearing that Asuka was her designated opponent, she didn’t show disdain or dislike.
She simply accepted the fact that her dueling opponent had been chosen and took it in stride.
Actually, it was a very carefully selected decision. Both Allan and Patricia instructors deeply pondered over who to match with Asuka.
While Asuka had been quiet lately, it was necessary to pair him with a tough opponent, as trying to avoid any accident was necessary. Charlotte caught their attention at that moment.
Charlotte didn’t have a disdainful attitude towards commoners, and her skills were commendable. If paired with Asuka, it wouldn’t be an entirely one-sided confrontation.
There was also an idea that Asuka might find it unfamiliar to ruthlessly beat up a girl, so he wouldn’t go all out.