Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 151 (Part 1):

After the preliminary rounds ended, the final 10 contestants for the main event were selected through a losers’ revival match.

The main event of the martial arts tournament began after a day’s break, starting from the round of 32.

The round of 32, requiring 16 matches, was held over two days.

Helmut checked the tournament bracket that was released the day before the main event.

‘Luke is on the opposite side of the bracket.’

They would have to win up to the semi-finals to meet in the final. It seemed like good fortune. Darien’s descendant was shining bright, and Helmut was reluctant to pull him down too early.

Upon returning to the inn with the participant’s bracket in hand, Michael asked,

“Who’s your first opponent?”

“A guy named Gordon.”

“Gordon? Ah, a swordsman from Basor, a 6th-year at the Matessis Academy. He won’t be a challenge for Hyde. It should be an easy win.”

“How do you know?”

“I told you, I’m not here just to have fun.”

Michael smiled.

“Besides, I’ve been looking into what Hyde asked for. I’ll tell you after the round of 16.”

“Alright.”

***

Hyde! Hyde! Hyde!

The chants were deafening.

Helmut looked around. The number of spectators was incomparable to the preliminaries.

On this stage, where well-tanned, muscular men competed, Helmut looked like a nobleman’s son who had wandered onto the wrong path.

Yet, his presence was unparalleled.

The unfamiliarity that the people of Basor underestimated shook the martial arts arena the moment he swung his sword.

The audience began to frenzy over his presence. According to Michael, every match Helmut participated in was sold out.

‘Yet Michael managed to get tickets.’

He’s a quite resourceful guy. Helmut looked forward to the information Michael would gather after the round of 16.

The situation was uncertain, and there was no catalyst for action. The enemy was formidable, and they had to keep themselves hidden.

‘It’s a tough situation.’

Helmut didn’t feel stifled. If anything, this situation motivated him even more in his swordsmanship training. The harder the path, the more rewarding it is to navigate through it.

“Are you an academy student?”

Gordon asked as he took the stage. He didn’t look like a Basorian but was equally robust.

Helmut was about to deny it but stopped short.

“It’s none of your business.”

“Right, that’s not important.”

Gordon closed his mouth with a nervous face. The match was about to start. Helmut lightly gripped the handle of his sword. Gordon was not an opponent who could manifest Vis.

The difference was clear.

Ding―!

The sound of the bell echoed. Gordon dodged the swift thrust directed at him.

Helmut had no intention of revealing Vis. He concealed his strength as much as possible. Helmut also dodged Gordon’s counterattack.

Or, it seemed like he dodged.

But Helmut twisted to the side and thrust again.

Cling! The sound was terrifying as their swords clashed. The difference in their builds was stark. However, it was Gordon who grimaced.

‘It’s like hitting a rock!’

Being able to form Vis meant he could control the intensity of his sword. At the moment of impact, Helmut strengthened his sword as if it would explode. Gordon was a trained swordsman. He could withstand it once.

‘A trained body protects itself from Vis.’

In this aspect, Helmut was not at an advantage. He was still growing.

Gordon, a contestant in the main event, was significantly different from the second-year academy students Helmut had faced before. Gordon was quick to adapt and knew how to fight.

With a numbed grip, Gordon took a defensive stance and sidestepped Helmut’s second attack, slashing horizontally!

Helmut moved like a shadow. He slid across the stage on his feet and unleashed a barrage of attacks. It was extremely rare for anyone to perform the common swordsmanship so gracefully.

‘Now it’s ingrained in my body like Darian’s swordsmanship.’

Opposites attract, especially in the realm of swordsmanship. Helmut could seamlessly execute two different styles of swordsmanship as if they were his own.

However, Darien’s unique swordsmanship was on a completely different level from the common swordsmanship. If two fighters of equal skill fought using Darien’s swordsmanship and the common swordsmanship, the former would win.

Switching from defense to offense, and vice versa, the techniques and stances flowed together.

But now, there was no need to think about such things. Even with a handicap, Gordon was a sufficient opponent.

“Ugh!”

With a groan, Gordon spilled blood from his shoulder and dropped his sword. They were fighting with real swords. It wouldn’t be strange if a limb was severed. But there was no need for such extremity.

The gap was clear.

‘He’s probably on Asuka’s level.’

“I lost.”

Gordon admitted defeat straightforwardly. Helmut casually sheathed his sword.

Cheers erupted once again. The fervor was like a strong wind, a powerful surge that battered his entire body.

The ground thudded heavily. With every step Helmut took, cheers followed.

Helmut glanced over the crowd waving their hands in the air with indifference.

A tingling sensation flowed through his heart. On stage, his presence was elevated. It was different from any other attention-grabbing duel. Unfamiliar, yet… a pleasantly good feeling.

In the Forest of Roots, no matter how strong the opponent, such a scenario would never occur.

“What a boring guy. You should at least wave back to the audience.”

Luke Yeager approached him as he stepped off the stage. It was his turn next.

“Isn’t your opponent a fellow member of the Palma Knights?”

“Yes, we don’t play tricks. We draw lots fairly and face each other head-on, even if it’s a comrade. You’re lucky. I wanted to see your skill for real, but you got an easy opponent. Was that common swordsmanship you used?”

“There’s no need to use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken.”

Helmut lightly used a proverb.

“It seems my next opponent will be a member of the Palma Knights.”

“Based on the bracket? That might be interesting.”

Next was Luke’s turn, but the stage was still being prepared. Luke glanced over and then asked,

“Why ask about my lodging if you’re not going to do anything?”

He must have expected a visit. Curiosity was evident on his face. A potentially fatal level of curiosity.

“I’m waiting for the right time.”

“What time are you waiting for?”

“You’ll know when it comes.”

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