Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 176 (Part 2):

“I see, that’s why. I thought your skin looked a bit tanned, like you’ve been on a long journey. But remember, this is the academy, and your opponents are not enemies. You’re banned from dueling for a while.”

Patricia patted his shoulder. She didn’t scold him too harshly or get angry. It seemed like she was trying to help him adjust his mindset.

It was effective. Helmut felt something swelling inside him slowly subside, as usual.

Only then did Helmut realize he had been a bit too excited.

“If you’re struggling with something or have a problem, don’t suffer alone. Talk about it.”

With a bit of a pep talk, Patricia let him go. As he walked out of the instructor’s office, Helmut felt a bit down.

‘I almost killed him without realizing.’

If Patricia hadn’t intervened, he doubted he could have stopped in time. This lack of control was a problem.

The last time he fought was against the Commander of the Palma Knights. He had become accustomed to fighting with all his might during the tournament, but the tension was different. Dueling, where he suddenly restrained himself, felt suffocating, like being weighed down by iron.

Helmut acutely felt that he no longer fit the level of the swordsmanship department.

He was like a carnivore hiding among herbivores. But choosing the academic department to develop other skills didn’t seem right either, as the basic training of the swordsmanship department was beneficial.

He was suited for the swordsmanship department by nature. The problem was that there were no students capable of a proper duel with him.

‘Would the Palma Knights be okay?’

There was something about them that reminded him of the Forest of Roots. They respected the strong. Plus, the level of the Palma Knights was decent. He might find a worthy opponent there.

But even if they were hostile to the temple, it was problematic that they wouldn’t accept him with his seed of darkness.

And the weather was an issue. So was the periodic demonic beasts hunting.

Above all, he didn’t feel like leaving. Not yet.

“Do you have a grudge against Andro? You’re a scary guy.”

Asuka approached from the other side, clicking his tongue.

“What were you so angry about?”

“Nothing.”

“Really? Did Patricia drag you out to lecture you and beat your head?”

“That didn’t happen.”

“What? That witch is discriminating! If it were me, she’d have smacked the back of my head telling me to get my act together.”

Asuka seemed somewhat indignant. Helmut glanced at him and said,

“I should go to the training ground.”

He needed to blunt his sword’s edge through training. But Asuka immediately followed the departing Helmut, chattering away.

“You really need to relax and enjoy the festival. You were in the mood to kill someone earlier. You must have been stressed from training hard during the vacation.”

Helmut nodded. He was indeed sharp. Not because the High Priest was lurking around Greta Academy to root out threats, but solely because he was visiting Baden.

“That sounds good.”

“Oh, what a surprise. Then listen. I have plans for the festival…”

In any case, there was no one better than Asuka to distract him.

*

The festival day was fast approaching. Teams participating in the festival were almost finalized. The academy was abuzz with talk of inter-department competitions and more.

Greta Academy didn’t specifically select a representative for each grade. Outstanding students were implicitly given the right and responsibility to lead their peers, but beyond that, there was nothing.

Of course, Helmut contributed significantly to maintaining peace in the swordsmanship department by being able to control Asuka.

The academic department had a well-developed system, whereas the magic and swordsmanship departments focused more on individual achievements.

Because of this, top students like Helmut and Asuka quietly honed their skills in the swordsmanship department, while those who enjoyed a more mediocre academy life took on more active roles.

Most of the members of Group 9, which Helmut was part of during the hunting picnic, were like that. Wesley and James, for example, weren’t top students but were loud and enjoyed various activities.

The swordsmanship department was unusually quiet that day. It had been noisy around this time before class recently, given the upcoming festival, so this was rare.

Precisely, everyone fell silent the moment Helmut and Asuka appeared side by side in the courtyard.

Someone approached Asuka to speak solemnly. It was James, who had spoken with him somewhat.

He seemed to be holding his side, as if reluctantly stepping forward after being prodded.

“Um, Asuka. There’s something I’d like us to do for our department.”

Getting Asuka involved in swordsmanship department activities was almost unheard of. He was generally treated as something uncontrollably chaotic.

A sense of gravity emanated from James’s face. Asuka tilted his head slightly.

“Hmm, really? What is it?”

His face bore a mischievous smirk, ready to overturn everything if crossed.

Lately, he had mellowed a lot, not picking fights or getting angry for no reason, but he was still Asuka. People’s natures don’t change that easily.

“Well, there’s this event where each department selects one person per grade to participate. The benefits of this event are said to be really good.”

“The winning grade receives a 3,000-mark voucher for Baden’s shopping district per person.”

3,000 marks was no small amount. Helmut’s gaze naturally drifted in that direction.

‘Why Asuka, of all people?’

It was curious what kind of event would specifically seek him out.

“Cut to the chase and tell me what the event is.”

Asuka crossed his arms. The other swallowed nervously and spoke.

And the moment he finished speaking, Asuka’s fist flew.

“This bastard is asking to die!”

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