Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 202 (Part 2):

This was a real test. After fighting with full force against the temple, he had progressed in his achievements.

Fighting under intense pressure and guarding against sacred magic, Helmut had exhausted his physical and mental strength, which had advanced his skills.

Battles that risked one’s life were good ways to improve one’s skills.

“I’m opening the door now.”

As soon as Alea declared it, she infused the magic circle with power.

A bright light traced an oval line over the glowing magic circle.

It was a door large enough for one person to enter. Through it, a glimpse of the dungeon’s scenery could be seen – the place that had nearly become their grave.

Alea stepped through first. Her body passed through the passage with the light. Helmut followed closely behind.

Moments later, they were fully inside the dungeon. The door closed behind them.

Helmut looked around and spoke.

“It looks different from last time?”

“I reconstructed it, in my own style.”

Alea shrugged. Unlike the previous dungeon, which had been a series of empty rooms, the interior was now decorated like a noble’s mansion.

Luxurious green wallpaper with prominent golden patterns caught the eye. A fireplace with crackling flames for some reason.

Antique furniture and the layout of the interior gave it a cozy, charming mansion feel.

“I designed it thinking of my workshop. Lampione’s space had some unique magic that almost perfectly realized whatever I envisioned. I don’t need to buy anything specific; I just need to think concretely.”

“You must feel like a god here, being able to shape space at will.”

“Not quite. Shaping space takes a lot of magic, and creating something from nothing even more so. The dungeon is fundamentally made of magic. Manifesting non-material into material is godlike in the real world, and even in a dungeon, it’s incredibly difficult.”

Her tone wasn’t boastful. She wasn’t bragging.

But her words implied something significant: that it was possible because Alea was that skilled a mage, a mage on her way to becoming an archmage.

Most mages couldn’t even dream of becoming an archmage.

While swordsmanship required talent, magic had an absolute boundary that couldn’t be reached by effort alone.

Exceptional intellect, the talent to handle magic, and the right environment—all were necessary.

Helmut had recognized Alea’s power as a powerful mage the moment he first saw her. That’s why he had not made her an enemy.

They had become close under the guise of tutoring. There was no calculation in it. But perhaps it was instinct?

However, what was certain was that dating Alea was not due to any event or confrontation.

If Alea became an enemy, Helmut would suffer a fatal blow. He had never exposed such a vulnerability to anyone before.

“Could you create a training ground for me?”

Helmut asked abruptly. Alea laughed.

“Planning to come often, huh? A training ground.”

“It would be better than a cafe. You could read, and I could train instead of reading.”

A hint of dissatisfaction could be felt in Helmut’s words.

Alea placed her hands on her hips, lecturing in a strict manner that was quite endearing.

“Reading nourishes the mind. Books are treasure troves of knowledge. I thought you had developed a liking for reading?”

It seemed it was planned. Even when they shared a room, Alea had retained her tutor-like demeanor, always checking if Helmut was studying diligently.

She often recommended books that would be helpful for his classes.

Regardless, Helmut diligently read the books she suggested. It wasn’t enjoyable at all.

“Mystery novels are fun, but they’re pointless.”

Helmut was a pragmatist. The mentality of securing victory in the most efficient way was something he learned from Darien.

Having lived through harsh routines in the Forest of Roots, he found enjoyable books a waste of time that didn’t really help.

“I want to train.”

“But you are strong.”

“My enemies are strong too.”

Helmut answered firmly. He had dealt with two high priests.

Doesn’t that mean he no longer needs to fear the temple? Helmut thought.

But the knights he had faced were not the temple’s elite forces, just a group escorting a high priest to Baden.

Moreover, the enemy hadn’t known his identity. Helmut had fought in the forest, a battlefield favorable for fighting many with few. All these factors had aided him.

Alea, too, had thwarted a potentially fatal strike against him.

If the high priest had succeeded in casting purification magic, Helmut would have been at least incapacitated.

‘If they had known my identity, they wouldn’t have fought that way.’

He had never faced a prepared temple. The temple’s knights were said to be as powerful as the Palma Knights.

Someday, Helmut would have to prepare for when his identity is revealed. It wasn’t time to be complacent with just this level of achievement.

‘Alea isn’t letting her guard down about possibly being discovered as a woman in disguise at the academy either.’

It was similar to that. It wasn’t the time to be comfortable with the current situation. Alea seemed to understand this as she nodded.

“I’ll consider the training ground. The space needs to be large enough, and it must withstand Vis. If possible, I’ll make it conducive to Vis training.”

Alea pondered for a moment, then asked.

“Shall I let you open the entrance? Hmm? No, that might be risky. Maybe when I’m present. There are still many parts of this dungeon I don’t fully understand.”

Alea slowly walked towards the fireplace.

As she placed her hand on a spot, the fireplace naturally slid to one side.

Grrr! A secret passage quickly formed behind the fireplace. It was a mystical hidden passage.

Though somewhat unnecessary within an inaccessible dungeon, it seemed to suit Alea’s tastes.

Alea gestured to Helmut.

“Let’s go.”

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