Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 206 (Part 2):

The next day, Helmut was leaving the training ground when he happened to run into Charlotte.

“Hello.”

She was drenched in sweat, probably just finishing her training.

Unlike a lady of noble status, she was dressed plainly.

Charlotte had been putting more effort into her training than other students recently. Her desire to participate in the selection was stronger than anyone else’s.

She had taken the top spot among the first-year swordsmanship students, but the gap with the runner-up wasn’t significant. She needed to keep improving to maintain her position.

“Is your training going well?”

Helmut asked. Charlotte flinched and looked at him.

Helmut wasn’t the type to ask about someone’s well-being. He was more indifferent than just taciturn. Charlotte’s assessment was accurate.

However, to Helmut, Charlotte held a special meaning. Not in the same way as Alea, but still significant. That’s why he noticed her.

“I’m working hard. I want to pass the qualifiers too.”

“I see.”

Helmut nodded and passed by her. He had nothing more to say.

Just then, Charlotte called him.

“Senior.”

Helmut slowly turned around. Charlotte’s eyes were serious.

“I thought I should tell you, since you’ll find out anyway.”

Helmut looked at her curiously. Hesitant at first, Charlotte soon spoke with a determined expression.

“The person you mentioned before, that person is also in Renosa. If you go to Renosa as a representative of Greta Academy, you’ll have a chance to meet them.”

A sudden shock surged through his mind. His body felt frozen. It took Helmut a moment to respond.

“…You.”

“I’m from Renosa too. I want to go to Renosa by passing the qualifiers….”

Charlotte trailed off, looking down at her hands.

The swordsmanship tournament would continue until the start of the vacation. If she was going to Renosa anyway, it would be better to go as a representative of Greta Academy rather than just as a spectator.

Charlotte’s enthusiasm was understandable. More importantly, she had someone she wanted to show her achievements to.

To meet that person with her head held high, she had to pass the qualifiers.

“Well, that’s all.”

Charlotte bowed her head and walked away. Helmut watched her silently for a while.

His heart pounded. So quickly, the goal was in sight. An endless tension gripped his throat.

‘Margret Irene.’

His mother’s name. A vague emotion that was hard to label as longing.

Finding her was as natural as a salmon swimming upstream. That naturalness was absolute. Just like he had to leave the Forest of Roots.

But it was all too smooth. It made him suspicious, as if someone had orchestrated it to happen this way.

Surprisingly, Helmut realized he wasn’t mentally prepared.

Even though emotions were a dull thing for him.

An inexplicable chill ran down his spine. It was surprisingly similar to fear.

Helmut gritted his teeth.

‘First, the qualifiers.’

Securing his spot as a representative of Greta Academy in the comprehensive swordsmanship competition was the priority.

Helmut steadied himself.

The shock of Charlotte’s words hadn’t worn off.

Helmut spent the entire day in a daze, not even noticing the students around him whispering about him.

He swung his wooden sword like a man possessed.

Asuka also noticed something strange. He looked suspiciously at the second-year swordsmanship students.

“What’s going on? What did you do? Why are they acting like that?”

The answer soon became clear. At lunchtime, while Helmut was sitting in the student cafeteria, he heard an outrageous story.

One of the swordsmanship students, who had gathered around him, bluntly asked a question. They had been gossiping among themselves and couldn’t resist asking the source.

“Helmut, can I ask you something? What do you think of Charlotte?”

“What do you mean, what do I think?”

The question was so out of the blue that Helmut’s response was delayed.

“Come on, Helmut. Don’t dodge the question. Are you interested in Charlotte? You didn’t seem that keen on that pretty senior.”

Someone helpfully reminded him.

“Senior Teresa.”

“Yeah, did you dislike Senior Teresa because of Charlotte? What about your girlfriend? You’re a sly one.”

“Did you break up already? That could happen. Charlotte is pretty. And diligent. Her manner of speech is a bit stiff, but she has a cute side too.”

“Isn’t she your type?”

“No way! Anyway, Helmut, just answer. Everyone’s curious.”

Helmut was the top student in the second-year swordsmanship department. Although he often forgot it, everyone paid attention to him.

Because he was so unresponsive and indifferent, even trivial matters involving him became significant.

“I…”

Helmut was about to say he wasn’t interested, but he stopped because he couldn’t completely deny his interest. Instead, he said something else.

“Why is there such a rumor?”

“They said you were staring at Charlotte’s back longingly in front of the training ground?”

“And you asked about her well-being? That’s why there’s a rumor in the swordsmanship department that you’re interested in Charlotte!”

“Hey, you spread the rumor yourself.”

“The rumor was already out before I spread it! By now, the other departments probably know too!”

‘What is this nonsense?’

Helmut raised an eyebrow. He had met Charlotte in the morning. Only a few hours had passed.

How could a rumor spread so quickly? He wasn’t as famous as Alea, was he?

Helmut decided to deny it.

“That’s not true.”

“Oh, come on. You’re not the type to ask about someone’s well-being.”

“Right, why is Charlotte an exception?”

They were right. Helmut wasn’t the type to ask about anyone’s well-being.

“Even I don’t get asked how I’m doing,” Asuka said, looking suspiciously at Helmut with crossed arms. His gaze was sharp.

“Really, it’s not like that. I was just impressed by something Charlotte said.”

Helmut had to firmly deny it repeatedly. Even though he couldn’t reveal the conversation, it was difficult to dispel their doubts.

“What did she say?”

“Was it about Renosa? Now that I think about it, I heard Charlotte is from Renosa too.”

Wesley, who was about to say something, quickly clamped his mouth shut.

Fortunately, no one noticed his reaction. They were all focused on Helmut.

“I can’t say.”

Helmut answered the rest of their questions with silence.

The students trying to pry information from him eventually had to give up and leave, grumbling, unable to break through Helmut’s wall of silence.

But the suspicious glances didn’t disappear.

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•