Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 179 (Part 1):

Alea had the unpleasant realization that Heike was her master and a grand mage.

This was because, just as Heike had said, Alea didn’t have the skills to undo the trick Heike had set on the second bracelet.

In order not to be tricked by her, she had worked hard enough to be called severe, just to sever ties with her as soon as possible.

But still, Alea could do nothing in front of Heike’s magic. Nothing but wait for 24 hours to pass!

It depressed her more than she could have imagined. But she couldn’t afford to delay.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

The high priest is coming. If there’s even a slight oddity, it won’t be overlooked.

Being a prominent member of the temple means one could be in danger at any time.

For a moment, forgetting her frustration with Heike, Alea jumped out of the window to head towards the back of the building.

Just as she turned the corner, Alea almost bumped into someone and lost her balance, frowning involuntarily.

‘Just when I was busy, who’s this jerk…’

Then she saw the familiar shoes. A chill ran through her.

Instinctively, Alea realized something. She could have just bowed her head and pretended not to know, but somehow, she couldn’t. She wanted to confirm it intensely.

The moment she met Helmut’s gaze, everything else was forgotten.

‘Why is he here…’

It was a shock, as his image surfaced in her mind, Alea found herself unable to speak.

‘Am I, caught? Yes, there’s no way he wouldn’t recognize me. It’s pitiful, having been roommates and all…’

Helmut was staring intently. Words failed her in front of those inscrutable dark eyes.

‘How should I explain this?’

Helmut likely wouldn’t be angry about a girl pretending to be a boy to attend the academy, even after being roommates.

He had a detached demeanor and sometimes could be lenient about certain things, Alea knew.

Would he keep quiet if told to? Would it be better to claim that her current appearance was just due to a curse?

Alea’s mind was spinning wildly.

However, Helmut merely raised his eyebrows slightly and said nothing. He extended his hand.

“Listen…?”

When Alea finally spoke, she flinched. Originally, Heike’s disguise magic also altered the voice. Alea was now speaking with her natural voice.

Helmut did not move, still holding out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Alea took his hand and stood up.

“Right, the high priest. We need to move quickly.”

The brief contact unexpectedly made her face heat up, as if she wanted to fan herself.

They quickly left the scene. From the snippets of conversation they overheard, the yet unnamed high priest seemed to be planning to look around the magic department building.

Once they were out of the danger zone, Helmut stopped. Only then did Alea realize they were still holding hands.

Alea gasped in surprise and let go of his hand, but she was more shocked by another realization.

‘Are we both avoiding the high priest?’

It wasn’t the time to ask, “You too?” Given their secretive movements and the wary look Alea gave towards where the high priest might be, it wasn’t likely that Helmut knew she was Heike’s disciple and thus had to keep her identity hidden from the temple. This was Helmut’s issue.

‘I knew he had many secrets.’

Maybe their secrets had something in common. What had he been doing during the vacation?

But it was a question she couldn’t answer, just as she couldn’t answer any questions about it.

Instead, Alea asked another question.

“Why did you come to the magic department building?”

And why did he take her with him when he fled? He could have fled alone.

“No reason.”

The black pupils pierced Alea. After a moment of seeming to ponder, he suddenly asked.

“Do you want to go see the festival?”

“Festival? To see…”

“It’ll be fun.”

‘Yeah, it might be fun. But there’s something odd about this guy.’

Alea tilted her head slightly. Was it because he knew she was a female?

No, more than that, it was strange that he asked nothing by way of excuse. It wasn’t his usual way of dealing with her. There was a subtle distance.

“What should I call you?”

Alea was startled. Then, she narrowed her eyes and stared at Helmut.

‘This guy… does he have face blindness? Can’t he recognize me?’

Admittedly, there was a slight difference. Alea as a girl and Alea as a boy differed in line, structure, and the vibe they gave off, thanks to Heike’s finely crafted magic.

But if he had eyes, being roommates, Helmut couldn’t possibly fail to see that they were the same person. Alea believed that.

Yet Helmut was too composed if he was indeed putting on an act. His expressionless face thoroughly signaled ‘I don’t know you.’

Perhaps he was simply unable to link the male Alea with silvery hair and the girl in front of him with lavender hair.

It was ridiculous, but Helmut had aspects that even Alea couldn’t figure out. His indifference was notable, to say the least.

‘No, even if he didn’t recognize me, why would he naturally talk to a girl he’s seeing for the first time?’

The naturalness of his attitude was suspicious. Alea coyly raised the corners of her eyes.

“Why ask such a thing.”

“Then I’ll just call you ‘you’.”

Not giving his name, he didn’t ask further. Baffled, Alea challenged him.

“But we don’t know each other. Why watch the festival together?”

“If we don’t know each other, why shouldn’t we?”

His tone was serious. Alea chose her words but ultimately stayed silent, not wanting to argue. Just going with the flow.

“…That makes sense. But I have a situation, and it would be troublesome if I showed my face.”

Alea tentatively looked to see if he had caught on at this level.

However, Helmut appeared completely unaware. He casually suggested a solution.

“Lots of people wear odd clothes at the festival. How about buying a mask?”

That would be perfect for pretending to be the mysterious mage Sian had dreamed of. Although he was more interested in dressing well as a woman for now.

Alea couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

“That’s a good idea.”

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