Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 117 (Part 1):
The response from the noble students of the swordsmanship department, who would be potential employers for Asuka, was not positive.
“Isn’t that obvious? Who would deal with you? You even snap at the instructors.”
“Always disobeying orders, it’d be hard for you to join any knight order.”
“You’re the kind of guy who would grab a royal by the collar if you got upset.”
Harsh assessments followed. These were honest opinions from the perspective of potential employers, excluding personal feelings.
Aside from Helmut and Asuka, everyone in Group 9 was from a noble family.
There were differences in the power of their families, but all of them had knights. It wasn’t unheard of for a commoner to be accepted as a knight.
It wasn’t that a commoner couldn’t become a knight due to lack of skills.
However, Asuka didn’t match the so-called commoner knights at all. He flared up again this time.
“I don’t grab instructors by the collar, okay? What do you take me for, the scum of humanity?”
“Well, that’s true? Even if instructor Patricia Treats you like a rat, you wouldn’t dare lash out at her.”
“It’s a wonder. Maybe you secretly like instructor Patricia? She is a beauty, after all.”
“Are you asking to be thrown off your horse by me? Begging me to make you fall.”
As Asuka glared and sharply turned his horse’s head, the other backed off, waving his hands.
“No, it was a joke, a joke!”
“Since when were we close enough to joke around?”
Asuka clenched his teeth. He didn’t like how, ever since Helmut appeared, those who used to avoid eye contact were now provoking him, as if Helmut’s presence was a safety net.
He felt the need to teach them that life doesn’t always go as planned. It was a very intense educational spirit.
“Asuka.”
Helmut called his name. Luckily, Helmut was there between Asuka and the others.
Helmut had to prevent the loss of a group member before they even arrived at the campsite.
If a fight broke out here, it would surely, clearly be his responsibility. Such was the fate of owning a mad dog.
Asuka turned his head sharply.
“Fine, we have plenty of time anyway.”
The forest was a place where anything could happen, as long as it wasn’t killing.
Asuka’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, looking forward to the group activities in a few days, but the others herding horses around didn’t notice.
‘What? With Helmut around, this guy can’t do much, after all.’
‘Asuka has really toned down his temper.’
Snickering, James from the swordsmanship department, who was 12th in rank and one of the few who dared to speak to Helmut, spoke up.
“Don’t go around beating up kids from other academies. That could cause disputes between academies.”
“If it weren’t for jerks like you, no one would start trouble with me.”
“So, you don’t start fights when you go elsewhere?”
“Am I a thug? I don’t go around picking fights everywhere.”
“Well, if that were the case, you wouldn’t have been able to return to Baden during the holidays. You would have been caught or locked up somewhere.”
“What, so it’s only within our department that you do this?”
“You’re surprisingly cautious, aren’t you?”
“I’m not very confident in my archery. I might accidentally hit someone.”
Blocked by Helmut, Asuka resorted to threats.
“No killing.”
Helmut interjected in an indifferent voice. Not because killing was bad, but because it would be troublesome.
Feeling a chill, the others kept quiet, while one bragged.
“Anyway, unlike the others, I’m willing to hire you after graduation. If you can’t find a place, come to me. My family has many positions.”
Asuka sneered after glancing at the guy’s face.
“What’s your name?”
“We, Wesley.”
Wesley, who hadn’t expected Asuka not to remember his name even after becoming a second-year, was taken aback.
‘How does he not know me?’
Nobles from notable families generally have pride, assuming they will naturally be remembered.
Even in an academy where one’s status and family background couldn’t be disclosed, such pride often seeped through their attitudes.
Among nobles, especially those from prominent families, distinctions were naturally made without words.
Thus, Wesley was quietly known in the swordsmanship department as coming from a good family.
But Asuka didn’t know. Even if he did, he disliked such displays of family pride.
Those who flaunted their families typically ended up in unfortunate situations with him.
“I didn’t know your name, but I know one thing. Are you within the top 50?”
What mattered to Asuka wasn’t someone’s status or family. He was closer to the academy’s spirit than anyone in the swordsmanship department, discriminating solely based on skill or grades.
“…No.”
Wesley felt slightly wronged. He was 52nd, just missing the top 50 by a narrow margin.
Asuka snorted disdainfully.
“Someone who can’t even make it into the top 50 wants to make me their knight? Presumptuous! Worry about your own academy life before my distant future, okay?”
As if promising a stormy future, Asuka swung his fist through the air.
“Meeting me in a duel and not even being able to make eye contact, and you think we’re on the same level just because you’re on a horse? Ridiculous.”
“Hey, that’s harsh.”
“I’m always harsh. If you know that, then don’t talk to me!”
Helmut realized one thing. Although Asuka had a bad mouth, he hit the nail on the head with everything he said.
“And Wesley or whatever, did you forget that flaunting your nobility is against the school rules? You’ll find out soon enough when I report you to that mage.”
Wesley clammed up, suddenly receiving sympathetic looks.
Instructor Patricia, who was particularly strict with troublemaker Asuka, would be meticulous in such cases. It wouldn’t just pass without issue.