Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 107 (Part 2):
The first exam Helmut faced during midterms was the swordsmanship test.
The duels with the first-year students took place twice, spanning three days. The evaluation was conducted with at least three instructors present.
The evaluators were different for each of the two duels. In one instance, three instructors, including Patricia, participated; in the other, three instructors, including Alan, took part.
Two duels and two opponents, much like the transfer exam. Considering the one-sided result during the transfer exam, it was unexpected to face another duel for the test.
‘It’s strange to exclude a duel from the test just because of me.’
Dueling was an appropriate way to evaluate skills. It was challenging for students and instructors to face each other one-on-one.
If it were a tournament style, an unfortunate individual with excellent skills could be eliminated quickly, making it unfair. However, currently, it wasn’t a significant issue.
Helmut summed it up briefly.
The duel would start soon, and before him was Charlotte.
“Nice to meet you again, senpai.”
Helmut briefly shook Charlotte’s outstretched hand before letting go.
Charlotte rarely initiated a handshake. It was a sign of respect for the opponent and it also meant that she was going to do her best.
“It’s a shame we can’t settle it with real swords.”
“Do you have confidence in winning with real swords?”
“I always have confidence. No matter who the opponent is.”
Charlotte showed a challenging gaze. It was the mindset of a swordsman who fought without thinking about defeat. It was also a mindset that always strived for the best.
But to Helmut, it sounded so arrogant that it was ridiculous. He raised an eyebrow.
Whether it’s related to him or the Alea problem, it doesn’t matter.
“In that case, I’ll have to break that confidence of yours.”
He preferred weak guys to understand the subject. A weak and stupid guy is the worst.
Needless to say, in Helmut’s eyes, Charlotte looked just like that.
It would be fine to step on her a bit. His gaze became ominously dark.
“One, two, three!”
At the same time as the instructor’s shout, Helmut moved.
As quickly as possible, end it without mercy. That was his intention. But it didn’t go as planned easily.
“Tsk!”
Thud! Charlotte, who barely blocked Helmut’s sword, squinted her eyes. Although she blocked it, her wrist was numb from the strong impact.
She was used to deflecting attacks in any situation.
But this attack, if she hesitated even a little to deflect it, she would have had to admit defeat right away.
Without a moment to catch a breath, the disengagement came flying. The sword that aimed for her shoulder was retrieved just like that and thrust toward her chest like an arrow.
If she blocks it, the wooden sword will break. If she tries to dodge to the left or right, the trajectory will change.
‘Then, down!’
Charlotte lowered her body as if crouching, sinking straight down to the ground and then rising again. There weren’t many who could properly parry this strike.
Helmut seemed to have left an opening. A sword cutting through the air and Charlotte’s sword thrusting from below to above. If it had been a real sword, it would have pierced through the heart.
However, in the next moment,
Thump! Something hit her wrist. She felt an intense pain in her wrist as if it was twisted. The wooden sword slipped out of her hand.
Charlotte’s eyes widened. She heard the sound of her wooden sword flying and colliding with the floor. Thump, thump.
Helmut looked down at her indifferently. The black eyes felt distant. In an unreal voice, she murmured,
“I… lost.”
Helmut nodded. The attack style just now was quite amusing. So, he ended it without causing much pain.
Charlotte clutched her wrist. Due to the short and fierce attack, she only felt a momentary pain; it wasn’t likely to have affected her muscles.
“Wait a minute!”
The three instructors in charge of grading stood up from their seats. One of them was Patricia, who was in charge of teaching the first and second-year classes. She had a deep frown on her forehead.
“Young man, now.”
“This is…”
“Is there a problem this time too?”
Helmut asked in surprise. Since the rule wasn’t explicitly stated that there needed to be three attacks, he hurriedly finished, but did he have finished too quickly?
Efficiency should be pursued in the sword. Since it’s an exam, he naturally put too much strength into it and was faithful to the teachings.
“Do I have to attack three times this time?”
“No, that’s enough as it is.”
“Parrying the attack was good, but one thing…”
“The method…”
The way Helmut blocked her wooden sword was simple. Instead of forcibly twisting the wooden sword down, he kicked her wrist accurately by giving strength to his free leg.
Although the duel is fought with a wooden sword, it is assumed that they are holding a real sword. If it was a real sword, the leg could have been cut.
But he couldn’t pick on that. Because Helmut’s foot kicked Charlotte’s wrist accurately, avoiding the wooden sword.
Anyway, there was no contact with the wooden sword.
“Well, it seems there’s no problem.”
A conclusion was reached among the instructors. Patricia, the instructor, came close to Helmut and Charlotte alone.
Seeing Charlotte, who couldn’t get up due to shock, Patricia scolded Helmut.
“Young man, you should help your injured junior up. It’s a matter of manners.”
She could just get up. Is she waiting for him to extend his hand?
As soon as Helmut glanced at Charlotte, she quickly stood up.
“I’m fine. I can get up.”
She was gritting her teeth, even refusing Helmut’s help.
Patricia patted her shoulder.
“Young man, you can go now, good job.”
The opponent is a second-year student and a likely candidate for the top student of the second-year. There’s no need to be upset.
But people who usually win have a hard time accepting their defeat.
Charlotte turned her back straight away. The shock hit her belatedly.
‘I lost, so one-sidedly like this!’
Against Asuka, she managed to buy some time, but this time, she couldn’t resist at all.
Her pride as a likely first-year top student was completely crushed.
‘I need to go to the training room quickly.’
Charlotte bit her lip. The only thing that could restore her pride was training and effort.