Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 13 (Part 1):

Four years passed like a flash. At fourteen, Helmut, with his tall stature and physique, appeared to be around sixteen.

He wasn’t naturally large, but regular life and training had their effects.

His lanky height and muscular body were complemented by well-fitted clothes, made roomy on purpose as he continued to grow.

In the dimly lit Forest of Roots, his pale face contrasted with his deep black eyes, which emitted a strange light. They were deep eyes filled with a lively spirit.

Cleaned up and dressed, his hidden good looks resurfaced.

His neat and handsome features exuded nobility. Standing straight, he would look like a young noble if dressed properly.

Seeing his growth, even the blunt Darien was filled with emotion. Clearing his throat, he commented,

“You’ve grown quite a bit. When we first met, you were just a little kid.”

‘Speaking of which, Darien is.’

About to remark on his age, Helmut closed his mouth. He had become more tactful.

Since Darien was ninety-six when they first met, he must be a hundred now.

Despite his age, the powerful swordsman didn’t look his age due to his vitality.

But lately, he seemed to have lost some of his strength, as if finally starting to show his age.

“Of course, Because I’m older. Rather, how are you feeling today?”

Helmut confidently straightened his waist. Today, in their sparring, Helmut managed to land a hit on Darien for the first time.

It was a spar without using Bis, and even though it was just a light touch to the abdomen out of ten attempts, it was a significant improvement compared to not even grazing Darien’s clothes before. Helmut’s attacks were becoming sharper day by day.

“You’ve become somewhat useful. But there’s still a long way to go.”

Darien added, somewhat dismissively.

“Show me your Vis.”

Helmut raised his hand, which had been hanging at his side. The tip of his wooden sword rose into the air.

Holding it still, Helmut focused. A faint light shone along the tip of the sword.

‘Vis manifestation at fourteen.’

It had been about a year since Helmut could shape his Vis.

It was extremely rare for a swordsman to manifest Vis in their teens, and those who did almost always became renowned swordsmen across the continent.

At just fourteen, Helmut was beyond merely talented.

‘The seed of darkness is a fearsome power.’

Darien watched Helmut’s achievement with a heavy heart. He was one of the few swordsmen who had manifested Vis in their teens.

But he hadn’t done so within just four years of training.

The Temple of Lumen would search for newborns born with a seed of darkness, killing them or moving them to the Forest of Roots, with odds of one in several hundred thousand.

Darien felt as if he was seeing the reason firsthand. Just for having a seed of darkness, that child might grow into some kind of monster.

If he grew up good, there would be no problem, but if he turned evil…

‘An unparalleled disaster would come upon the world.’

The seed of darkness was known to be a fragment of the Demon King scattered across the world. If the Demon King were to resurrect through him, the world would have to face destruction again.

Since meeting Helmut, Darien had been troubled.

‘But I took this child as my disciple.’

Had Helmut shown any sign of losing control during their rigorous training, Darien would have given up, if not killed him.

The seed of darkness tends to make one’s nature more ferocious. A young boy filled with vigor, gaining strength, would be especially susceptible.

But Helmut, with his calm temperament, seemed to mitigate the influence of the seed of darkness well.

He rarely got angry. When he did, his eyes changed, but even then, he knew how to control his feelings and impulses. He wasn’t cruel or impulsive.

But that thing. Darien looked heavily at the tip of Helmut’s sword.

The manifested Vis was a dull ash color. The first Vis Helmut manifested was much lighter. Originally, his Vis was a clear blue-white.

Over time, it had darkened to gray. The implication was…

‘The seed of darkness is influencing him.’

No matter how careful with his diet or how hard he tried not to absorb magical energy, this was the Forest of Roots.

In this magic-rich forest, there was no way to completely halt the growth of the seed of darkness.

The seed of darkness was slowly growing deep within Helmut’s heart.

‘Can I guarantee that this child will not be consumed by it someday?’

Darien could not answer that question.

‘But what does it matter to me if this child brings about the end of the world?’

After all, it would be after his death.

Otaku_Tensei

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