Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 114 (Part 2):

On the holiday before the hunting picnic, Helmut, Sian, and Asuka visited the shops in Baden.

They browsed a store selling travel gear. Helmut, familiar with camping, insisted on buying only what was necessary, but Asuka and Sian had other ideas.

“What should we buy?”

“These, insect-repelling incense. Better to have too many than too few. The bugs are terrible here due to the mild climate.”

Bugs, like wild animals, act on instinct. Normally, Vis energy would keep them from piercing the skin.

But finely controlling Vis energy isn’t easy, and there was another issue.

“If you leave food out, it’ll be swarming with bugs. You’ll have to keep them lit the whole time.”

Sian solemnly raised a finger.

“Also, buy a small lantern. Hang it on a tree when you go out at night to pee. Here’s a magic scroll that creates a vacuum in a certain area for fire prevention. How about it?”

“Wouldn’t using it on someone sleeping suffocate them?”

“Could do. If there’s someone annoying, give it a try.”

“Alright, I’m buying it. If they die, it’s on their short lifespan.”

“Good thinking.”

It sounded more like plotting a murder than preparing for a trip.

Asuka was easily persuaded by Sian’s suggestions, buying seemingly useless items. Sian, perhaps seeking vicarious satisfaction, kept recommending various things to him.

“This grill pan is also great for cooking meat and vegetables. Don’t just skewer them on sticks; use tools.”

“It’s a bit heavy, can we load it on the horse?”

“We have Helmut’s horse too. He barely has any luggage.”

“Right, we can share the load.”

They were already in a holiday mood. Helmut glanced their way and left the shop.

He was looking to buy training gloves. The ones he had were for warmth, and with the weather warming, he needed something thinner.

Then, something caught Helmut’s eye.

‘A clump of cotton?’

The cotton clump on a stick looked white and fluffy.

Helmut glanced aside. A device emanating magical energy buzzed, spinning out thin strands of sugar that the merchant was wrapping around a stick. It was an exotic scene.

Having not seen such a thing before in this street, it must be a new business. The merchant cheerfully called out.

“Come, get your cotton candy! Cotton candy, only available at our store in Baden!”

“What’s cotton candy?”

Can candy be made from cotton? Muttering, Helmut wondered if this was some common knowledge he lacked. Suddenly, someone spoke to him.

“Sugar is melted and spun into very thin threads, creating a fluffy textured snack. It’s a new product developed jointly by the Mage Association and the Butan Trading Company. As expected of Baden, right? Such new products are already here.”

She seemed a year or two older. A young woman with reddish-brown hair, her mature yet enticing smile and her white, smiling face were unfamiliar.

Not someone he knew. Helmut immediately realized.

‘A mage.’

The faint magical aura suggested she was a female student from the magic department. Boys from the same department rarely spoke to him, let alone girls from other departments. Her reason for approaching was obvious.

‘Again, because of Alea.’

It was a now tiresome, familiar situation. Helmut considered ignoring her but decided to respond courteously since she had provided useful information.

“Who might you be?”

“Well, a female senior who is interested in you? You’re taking the Understanding of Magic class, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I took the same class. Don’t you recognize me?”

She smiled broadly, but Helmut didn’t recognize her. He tilted his head.

“I’m not sure.”

“Really? That’s disappointing. You don’t look around much. I’m Teresa, a third-year in the magic department.”

“I’m Helmut, a second-year in the swordsmanship department.”

“I know.”

She smiled, narrowing her eyes.

‘A one-year senior.’

Helmut had no intention of befriending students from other departments, especially when few approached the somewhat eerie Helmut.

Aside from a few girls who approached him because of Alea, and even they received no attention from Helmut, by halfway through the first semester, he hardly spoke to anyone in his elective courses.

“You’re so icy in class but seem more human here. You’re the top second-year in the swordsmanship department, right?”

“I’ve only taken the midterm so far. Anyway, what do you want?”

“Just happy to see you. I’m interested in you.”

Helmut didn’t take her words at face value.

“You mean you’re interested in Alea.”

“A lot of people approach you for that reason, huh? Well, you are Alea’s roommate. I first learned about you because of him too.”

She continued to play dumb. Given her reluctance to show her true intentions, Helmut quickly reached a conclusion.

“I have companions waiting, so I must go.”

“Wait a moment!”

Helmut turned to leave without acknowledging her further, but Teresa was persistent, blocking his path.

“Wait, I said!”

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