Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 139 (Part 2):

“AAAAAAH!”

Asuka came running out, pale-faced and wielding a sword, as if he had seen something horrific.

“What happened!”

“Asuka? What’s up with him?”

Confusion spread as Asuka, who should have exited elsewhere, emerged from the entrance. Everyone looked at each other, puzzled, as Asuka screamed again.

“AAAAAAK!”

Asuka clutched his hair, trembling. It was a sight of apparent distress.

“Did he go mad from the aftereffects of illusion magic?”

“He’s lost it.”

Though called mad, Asuka was sane, just acting disturbed.

The students hesitated to approach, merely watching. Helmut observed Asuka as if studying him.

‘He took his sword with him.’

The sword was at his waist, explaining everything. If he were truly out of his mind, he wouldn’t have thought to bring his sword.

“Asuka, what are you doing here? Forgot? The entrance is that way.”

Instructor Patricia approached him, arms crossed. Asuka’s focus returned, and he shouted, agitated.

“Professor, what kind of exam is this! I made it to stage 8!”

Snap! Patricia hit Asuka on the head, a familiar scene. She frowned.

“Didn’t you hear the announcement? No talking about the exam, did we or did we not say that? Didn’t you see this is the waiting room?”

Gently chiding, Asuka finally looked around, embarrassed by the strange looks from his peers. He snapped fiercely.

“What are you looking at, you lot! Show’s over?”

Snap! Patricia hit him again, this time pinching his cheek. Asuka yelped in a different tone.

“Ouch! Ouch!”

“Stop talking nonsense and follow me! Don’t make a fuss.”

Recalling the eighth stage beast, Patricia clicked her tongue. She led Asuka away, reassuring the students.

“It’s nothing to worry about. The exam has been thoroughly tested by the instructors and is not dangerous. Don’t get scared for nothing.”

After she and Asuka left, murmurs spread.

“What’s with him?”

“What kind of beast made him react like that?”

“If he’s that shaken, it must’ve been horrifying.”

The students who saw Asuka’s state felt fortunate. His behavior cast unnecessary tension, disadvantageous for the exam.

Yet, in this atmosphere, Helmut was an exception. He was curious.

‘What could it be? It couldn’t be a Naho-level.’

Naho, a sinister two-headed snake, was among the most horrific creatures Helmut had encountered. Merely seeing it could turn someone to stone.

However, replicating something like Naho at the academy’s magic department level was impossible, even for a grand mage.

‘Are they testing bravery and mental strength with a monstrous appearance?’

It made sense as a criterion. Mental strength is crucial in real combat.

“Helmut!”

After Asuka was taken care of, it was Helmut’s turn. He stood up, ready to face whatever awaited.

“Just to be clear, don’t slice the walls with your Vis-imbued sword.”

Patricia, having dealt with Asuka, seriously warned Helmut as he was about to enter the exam venue.

“Yes.”

“The place is protected by defensive magic. It should withstand normal attacks, but you can shape Vis with your sword.”

Being able to make a rank 1 mercenary-level assassin run away meant just that.

Patricia also knew of Helmut’s abilities from Ethan. There was a risk he might destroy this expensive exam venue.

“Breaking the defensive magic and damaging the walls would make this room unusable for exams, disrupting the schedule. Be especially careful.”

Despite Asuka’s reaction, Patricia was remarkably calm, as if Helmut wouldn’t face difficulties.

Objectively, even a rank 1 mercenary’s abilities varied greatly, but achieving that status wasn’t easy.

All instructors passed the test up to stage 10. Though not easy, their extensive experience helped.

Conversely, Helmut, though inexperienced, possessed skills beyond the instructors, making the exam unlikely to challenge him. Patricia smiled lightly.

“I didn’t mention it to avoid distracting you with greed, but reaching stage 10 earns a prize. It’s a perk from the magic department managing this exam.”

The reward would surely be better than the meal tickets he got for placing fifth in the hunting picnic. Mages were wealthy, so it would be more generous.

Suddenly motivated, Helmut enjoyed accruing gains, having known poverty. He appreciated the joy of accumulating wealth.

“Given it’s you, the challenge might be mental. Since Asuka delayed, I hope you finish quickly. Good luck!”

With those final words, Patricia was silent. Helmut bowed silently and entered the exam venue. The door closed behind him.

‘I was told to stand in the center.’

The room was spacious, slightly smaller than the swordsmanship department’s training field, likely expanded through spatial magic.

The strength of magical beasts usually correlates with their size. Considering the exam spanned 10 stages, expanding the space was essential.

As Helmut gripped his sword and stood in the center, the surrounding air vibrated.

Humming. A noise disturbs the eardrums. And the magic surrounds the body. As if a crack would appear on the floor, the shape of a magic circle was drawn over the entire spacious space.

The exam venue recognized the test subject: Helmut.

Otaku_Tensei

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