Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 116 (Part 2):
After a bit of contemplation, the horse’s name was decided to be White. Because it was a white horse. Asuka complained about the incredibly simple naming sense.
“What’s your horse’s name?”
“Whiskey.”
“…A name of alcohol?”
“Yep, cool, isn’t it?”
Asuka shrugged his shoulders.
‘Cool? Where?’
Helmut thought it was no different from his own, but he vaguely nodded his head.
After the inspection of the luggage was completed, a brief briefing followed. They all mounted their horses immediately. They had to hurry with the schedule.
“Alright, let’s depart! We need to ride diligently all day to reach the campsite, so make sure not to fall behind!”
The schedule was not complicated. The events of the swordsmanship department had a rustic feel. Neither luxurious nor boisterous. Firstly, the instructors themselves lacked the motivation to make grand plans.
On the first day, they would ride all day to reach the camping site adjacent to Baden in Pedica Forest.
The number of second-year students totals over a hundred. There weren’t many campsites where this many people could stay.
The campsite in Pedica Forest, often visited by students from Baden for experiential learning activities, was quite well-equipped.
On the first day, they move and enter the campsite by the afternoon. Then, some free time is given.
After preparing for camping, they have a barbecue party in the evening. It feels like a real picnic until the first day.
But the hard work started from the second day. On the second day, a hunting competition is held.
The one who caught the most impressive game would win. They said separate prizes are given according to the ranking.
The third and fourth days were for group activities. The groups were divided into twelve, each consisting of about eight people.
The second-year students of the swordsmanship department were divided into groups and moved to specific areas of Pedica Forest. From the third to the fifth day, they experienced camping for two nights and three days.
Helmut’s group was Group 9. Before departure, they each received a paper with the names of the members.
Helmut, Asuka, Andro, Michel, James, Basil, Dino, Wesley.
Some were familiar, and some were strangers.
Given the large number of people in the swordsmanship department, it was common not to have spoken to many of them.
Of course, everyone knew Helmut and Asuka.
The members of Group 9 had no choice but to accept their fate of being in the same group with Asuka.
On the last day of the group activities, they had to return to this campsite by noon and regroup. Once all members had gathered, they would return to Greta Academy.
A total of three supervisors were dispatched from the academy: the instructors Patricia and Alan, and Dwayne, a professor from the magic department.
It was known that magical beasts did not inhabit the Pedica Forest. However, this was not an absolute fact. They could cross over the mountains.
Forests are places of the wild. Although filled with trained students from the swordsmanship department, unforeseen dangers could arise, so the mage professor Dwayne was dispatched as a precaution.
The start was smooth. The sky was clear, and the sunlight shone brightly.
The hunting picnic procession moved directly onto the road through the inner gate of Greta Academy, adjacent to the forest, without passing through Baden. The horses trotted lightly along the road.
‘Leaving Baden, it’s been a while.’
Riding in the refreshing wind lifted his spirits. A completely different feeling from practicing the sword alone in the narrow training ground.
The Forest of Roots was like a vast prison, yet it was free. As Helmut headed towards Pedica Forest, leaving Baden, he felt liberated.
Life felt like running on a hamster wheel. Though not devoid of joy at times, whether for the sake of becoming stronger or becoming human, he endlessly repeated the same processes.
Attending Greta Academy offered more novelty than the days in the Forest of Roots. However, riding out, Helmut realized.
The times before coming to Baden, even if they were brief travels, were moments of freedom he enjoyed.
Asuka seemed to feel a similar sentiment and shouted out.
“Ah, it feels like living again, leaving Baden behind. Damn Greta Academy, still over four years left to attend!”
“If you graduate and become a knight, living will be more stifling than attending the academy. Enjoy this moment.”
Andro murmured from the side. There was no need yet for the group members to stick together, but somehow, the members of Group 9 were following around Helmut and Asuka.
Asuka had a personality that ranked and discriminated against others. He considered Andro, who was third, worthy of his attention.
“Who said I’d become a knight?”
“Then will you become a mercenary? There aren’t many options with swordsmanship skills.”
Andro’s friends joined the conversation.
“Yeah, being a mercenary isn’t bad. It’s perfect for living freely without being tied down.”
“Even our family would pass on you if you become a knight, Asuka.”
“Why would it be hard for me to become a knight? With my skills, they should be grateful to have me.”
Asuka was indignant yet curious. If only considering skills, Asuka was a talent that everyone would covet.
Since Helmut’s appearance, although slightly overshadowed, by the time Asuka graduated from the academy, he would reach a level where he could easily overpower most knights.