Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 104 (Part 1):
Afterwards, they alternated opponents, and the sparring continued throughout the morning.
Even if it was against first-year students, Helmut and Asuka faced off their top students, creating a somewhat similar duel structure.
However, Asuka, who was very angry, had to be warned by instructors several times for knocking down his opponents, the thoughts about Helmut and Asuka’s abilities changed by the end of the duels.
‘They are truly strong.’
‘Quite impressive for commoners…’
Various thoughts crossed their minds, but at least any doubts about the skills of Helmut and Asuka were thoroughly erased.
Among the few first-year students, those who were presumed to be commoners did not show any remarkable prowess.
The commoners who concealed their status gained hope by watching Helmut and Asuka, and the first-year students slightly adjusted their views on commoners.
Helmut and Charlotte ultimately didn’t face each other that day.
Although they can’t arbitrarily determine the duel opponent, since both were representatives of their grades and strong, it would have been fitting to have them face off. However, the duel wasn’t set up like that.
The instructors’ intentions were not clear, perhaps they postponed it.
‘Perhaps there will be an opportunity during the exams.’
Helmut turned away. No lingering feelings. In fact, even if there was a resemblance in appearance, it was more likely a coincidence.
Even if they were to meet, there was no guarantee that he could inquire about anything.
‘Margret Irene.’
Helmut whispered the name inscribed on the pendant.
Would there be any significance in bringing up this name in a conversation? If he decided to find out, he could have done so easily.
He refrained from doing so because he realized that simply revealing that he knew the name could pose a risk to his true identity.
‘Even Ethan Kudrow doesn’t know about this name.’
Ethan wasn’t from the temple side. However, he was a noble obligated to uphold the honor of the family and Baden.
If he found out the truth, rather than siding with Helmut, who posed a danger with the seed of darkness, he would be more likely to lean toward the temple side.
Even if he had been dedicatedly supporting Helmut and had received favors from Darien, Ethan couldn’t stand with this side to the end.
‘Darien mentioned it. Betrayal is something you experience and expect from the close ones.’
Helmut had to be careful. If someone found out that the woman with the name he was mentioning had given birth to a child with the seed of darkness, it could even reach his true identity.
It wouldn’t be an easy trace. No one who possessed the seed of darkness had ventured out of the Forest of Roots.
But just as Helmut had overcome that slim probability and ventured out of the Forest of Roots, someone might reach that low chance.
If that happened, and if he ended up opposing the temple…
‘They will kill me.’
Helmut came to a simple conclusion. Just because the battles he had fought so far were relatively easy, he shouldn’t overestimate his abilities.
Could he escape? Even a strong man like Darian couldn’t stand against the temple.
But by that time, it seems that the temple will not be able to track him down easily. At least not as the archmage Antiol did.
‘I need to be careful.’
Helmut tried hard to erase his premonition. But when he made up his mind, she approached.
“Senpai.”
Helmut looked at Charlotte, who addressed him, with unfamiliar eyes.
In the Baden Academy, there had been only one situation Helmut had experienced when a girl approached him for the first time. It was Alea’s follower pestering him.
‘Surely not her too?’
It was a plausible scenario. Helmut didn’t let down his guard.
“What is it?”
“I saw Senpai dueling.”
The attention was directed towards them. It was unusual for Charlotte to talk to someone. A noticeable girl revealing her skills with a smile.
Moreover, she was the only female student in the swordsmanship department among the first and second-year students. Even the guys who were quiet when she was around wanted to talk to her. Given such an environment, it was natural for Charlotte to become reserved.
Yet, she was initiating a conversation. Even though he was a commoner, but a handsome and skilled male senior too!
However, the words Charlotte uttered were not in that direction.
“It’s a shame. I wanted to duel with Senpai too, but I didn’t get the chance.”
Was it a misunderstanding that he heard regret about missing the chance to easily defeat him?
Helmut’s thoughts naturally flowed in that direction. Perhaps it was because he had become too accustomed to Asuka.
But he didn’t feel hostility from the other side.
“Looking forward to facing you in the exam next week. If the opportunity doesn’t arise, then…”
Charlotte smiled slightly.
“Would you be my opponent at least once?”
It sounded arrogant, like a challenge. Bold enough to be provocative.
Helmut nodded.
“Sure.”
“Alright, then.”