Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 170 (Part 2): Side Story

In a library filled with books, Alea was engrossed in reading as usual.

Even during the vacation, her routine hadn’t changed.

She must gather strength quickly to escape. Just then, the person she wished to escape from appeared.

“Alea.”

“What do you want?”

Alea looked up from her thick tome of magic, her gaze toward the woman calling her devoid of any warmth.

But the woman smiled unperturbed.

“About your roommate, I heard he’s incredibly handsome?”

Alea’s expression twisted sharply.

“And what, you’re interested?”

The look in her eyes was as if to say, consider the age difference.

But the woman, shamelessly unprincipled, was Archmage Heike, a public enemy of the temple.

The reason she was marked by the temple wasn’t for committing crimes or dabbling in dark magic, but that was disdainful enough.

Alea would never grow fond of her, no matter she was her mentor.

“No, not interested.”

Her reply, accompanied by a luminous smile, made her stunningly beautiful. Her long silver hair and violet eyes shone.

Even her face bore a strong resemblance to Alea’s, albeit more seductive and mature.

Her figure was so voluptuous that it could captivate anyone’s gaze.

“Good to hear your room allocation worked out well.”

“Did you tamper with it?”

Alea raised a suspicious brow. Somehow, the dean had insisted on fairness and other excuses.

Manipulating a strict dean was no difficult feat for this woman. She didn’t answer but asked:

“How does it feel to share a room with a boy? Isn’t it novel?”

“Don’t even dream of me becoming like you.”

Alea turned her back coldly.

“You seem to get along with that roommate?”

“Not at all.”

Watching Alea leave the library, a deep smile crossed her lips.

‘That boy, he asked for an artifact to change his appearance, didn’t he?’

The dean was suspicious and relayed the information. The artifact wasn’t like Alea’s gender-changing one but had similar properties. It seemed too coincidental.

Heike had a good hunch. If she pretended not to know, it meant their relationship was quite good.

Alea would have done anything to drive away a roommate otherwise.

‘Alea is like me. Despite her denials.’

Her innate magic, intelligence, even her beauty, was unmistakably inherited. Watching her grow was like reliving her own youth.

‘This could be fun. Maybe I should stir things up a bit.’

With a sly scheme in mind, Heike smiled. Alea’s situation was of no concern to her. Her amusement was all that mattered.

Returning to her room with several books, Alea pondered.

‘That witch is unsettling.’

She worried she might meddle with Helmut. Heike had lured many men to their doom with her young, beautiful body. Her being an Archmage was a calamity.

‘When I return… I should keep my distance from him. There’s still a business between us, but just for a while.’

Alea revisited her resolution, unfulfilled throughout the first semester.

Being roommates was unavoidable then, but with the semester over and rooms changing, it seemed possible.

Yet, she couldn’t help but mutter,

“But that guy, didn’t even contact me once during vacation when I told him to if he’s in danger.”

Helmut, in his simplicity, likely hadn’t contacted because he wasn’t in danger. Alea knew this.

Jealous? Ridiculous. Yet, Alea couldn’t shake off a slight unease.

But soon, they would meet again. Back at the academy in Baden.

*

Sian sat before a table laden with a lavish meal, fork in hand. Every dish suited his taste perfectly.

It was a harmonious dinner with his family. His mother, with a gentle demeanor, asked,

“Sian, vacation is almost over, isn’t it? You’ll be returning to the academy soon.”

His father added,

“Just last year, you were complaining about how boring the academy was. Seems like you feel differently this time.”

“It’s a bit more interesting now. Compared to last year.”

Sian smiled. His younger sibling burped, and his mother quickly wiped the child’s mouth. His father, embodying the role of a parent, scolded him,

“Then try to secure the top spot. Being second for three terms in a row, don’t you find it regrettable? It’s just one rank difference.”

“That’s impossible. There’s an extraordinary genius above me.”

“You’re a genius too.”

“Um… A different kind of genius?”

Sian tilted his head. Dropping his fork, he complained,

“Isn’t it enough to have a son who’s second in his class? It’s tough securing the second spot at Greta Academy, filled with geniuses! You’re too harsh for not being satisfied with second place!”

His father cleared his throat,

“Who said I wasn’t proud? It’s just a pity, that’s all.”

“Yeah, yeah. Our honor student son.”

Sian’s mother patted his back reassuringly. Among the four, he was the only one who had a truly vacation-like break, surrounded by a loving family.

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