Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 201 (Part 1):

The Preliminaries

The assignments were completed, and the second semester was slowly entering its latter half.

Those who had struggled during the midterms were frantic to recover, while those who had done well were just as eager to finish strong.

Regardless, Greta Academy was a prestigious institution where fierce competition prevailed. Even amidst laughter and good spirits, a sharp tension concerning grades always lingered.

Particularly now, with the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament approaching, the atmosphere in the swordsmanship department was notably tense.

Regardless of who competed, they had to win against the other academies. It would be even better if they could compete themselves.

Especially for nobles, it was a great opportunity to elevate the honor of themselves and their families.

A strong performance in the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament would naturally reveal one’s family and status, regardless of Greta Academy’s policies.

The second-year swordsmanship students, who were virtually assured participants, appeared relatively relaxed compared to other years.

That morning, they gathered in small groups before class to chat.

“This year’s sudden comprehensive swordsmanship tournament… I wonder who will compete, but we definitely have to win.”

“You would have had a chance if Greta Academy hadn’t participated! Just imagine saying that.”

“We really need to put those other academy kids in their place. Honestly, the students from the academy next door have been particularly annoying.”

“Haha! Right.”

Lately, the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament was a hot topic.

After the assignment period ended, these students had boastfully compared how they spent their assignment weeks and the impressive assignments they undertook.

Now, the conversation had shifted entirely.

“Two participants total will be selected from the first, second and third years combined?”

“Yeah, but there’s no way Helmut would lose to a first-year, so he’s definitely going to be on the selection list.”

“It’s like you’re saying it’s natural for Helmut to represent our year.”

“And why not?”

“You know, there are a few ambitious ones. They’ve been hanging around the training ground a lot lately.”

“It’s true. What difference will it make trying so hard now?”

Everyone casually glanced towards Helmut. The undisputed top of the second year. The first in rank, Helmut. It was unlikely his position would be challenged before his graduation from the academy.

Everyone knew Helmut was beyond the skills of a mere instructor. Thus, his participation was almost a given, but that didn’t mean there were no expectations of an upset.

Some top-ranked students, including Asuka, had been frequently seen at the training grounds recently. It seemed they were aiming for that unlikely upset.

Helmut was aware of this but didn’t really pay it any mind. Was there a reason to?

‘After all, I have no rivals in the second year.’

Helmut felt no alarm at the word ‘if.’ An ‘if’ had to be significant enough to matter.

The gap between him and the second-ranking, Asuka, was enormous. If the other second-year students were crawling on the ground, he was flying in the sky.

He had learned to fly freely, casting off shackles, a sensation impossible for those bound to the earth.

It was as improbable as an infant defeating a knight.

‘Even if I were to catch a cold and run a high fever, the outcome would be the same.’

Thus, he could afford to be relaxed about the upcoming comprehensive swordsmanship tournament.

Even if he had won the martial arts tournament among the elite Palma Knights of Basor, how could a student competition hold any concern for him? He was not arrogant to think so.

Alea agreed with him.

“If it’s you, winning is a given. They’re about to announce the location of the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament, but think of it as a leisurely trip. The prize money isn’t insignificant either.”

Helmut, however, had been distracted by other matters lately.

Of course, being distracted didn’t mean he neglected his duties. He maintained his training schedule and was diligent during classes.

It was only outside these times that a change had occurred, specifically concerning Alea.

The two would run into each other every morning or afternoon in the hallway, separated by a single door.

As if they could naturally walk into each other’s rooms if someone happened to show up, they would briefly chat. Fortunately, this didn’t happen often, so they could leisurely converse.

Although Asuka and Sian could be nuisances, this was a secluded end corridor.

One day, as the preliminaries drew near, Alea clasped something onto Helmut’s wrist.

It was a bracelet with finely engraved silver patterns.

It was neither thick nor heavy, but as with most ornaments, it felt somewhat cumbersome. Now he had another one to wear.

“What’s this?”

“A bracelet. Since you seemed to wear the one I gave you before quite well, consider this a reward.”

Helmut stared at her intensely for a moment. Was it an illusion to feel like he was wearing two dog collars?

He had never used the first bracelet she had given him to summon her.

This too was a magical bracelet. He could feel a faint magical aura enveloping it.

“What function does this have?”

Alea casually mentioned.

“Well, I’ve been doing some research on ‘that’.”

‘That’ would likely be the seed of darkness. Helmut felt as if he had become a subject of observation for Alea, much like Sian’s spirit.

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