Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 212 (Part 2):
Instructor Patricia chuckled as if teasing.
“Helmut, Charlotte! We have the Comprehensive Swordsmanship Tournament ahead! It would be troublesome if male and female students fall for each other.”
“Fall for each other? That’s a bit improper.”
Charlotte seemed to take it seriously, as if she really didn’t want such a misunderstanding.
Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have any feelings for Helmut.
Charlotte was a model student cherished by Instructor Patricia and also someone who was fun to tease.
She subtly smiled.
“Why? It’s possible to fall for each other. A journey with healthy male and female students together. Besides, isn’t Helmut very handsome? Though he’s clueless, I hear there are girls who secretly like him.”
‘Is that so.’
Helmut himself was completely unaware of this. It was partly because Alea had been blocking them without him knowing.
“That’s true, but Helmut senior is not my type.”
Charlotte said firmly.
Helmut felt somewhat strange. It was the first time he experienced being told he wasn’t someone’s type to his face. No one would feel good hearing that.
Of course, for Helmut, it was just a novel experience.
Charlotte realized her mistake and slightly bowed her head.
“My apologies.”
“Then what is Charlotte’s type?”
Instructor Patricia asked insinuatingly.
This question piqued Helmut’s interest a bit. He thought of someone who had been glancing at her while pretending to greet.
After some serious consideration, Charlotte answered.
“I suppose someone with good conduct and maturity would be nice.”
‘Asuka is out of the question.’
Helmut concluded simply. Even if Asuka were reborn, it would be impossible to meet Charlotte’s standards.
Maybe he’d change by the time he was on his deathbed.
Helmut, who didn’t want to be connected to Asuka by any family relationship, was pleased with this.
“What about appearance? Don’t you look at the face?”
“I think it’s impolite not to prioritize the inner qualities when looking at a person.”
Instructor Patricia was sure. If it were Charlotte, she would have scored full marks in Greta Academy’s ethics test.
But soon, Charlotte added.
“However, since I’m still lacking myself…I’d prefer someone good-looking if possible. But of course, the inside is more important.”
She added firmly and then turned her head toward the window of the carriage, seemingly embarrassed.
Instructor Patricia chuckled.
“Honest, I like it.”
Helmut felt a faint ember of hope glowing in the darkness. It was a hope he thought had completely extinguished in Asuka.
It seemed there might be a slim chance for him. Even if it was a very low possibility.
*
“Senior, is this Helmut guy really that great?”
Having been deprived of the faculty’s attention as the swordsmanship department’s representative and not being able to sit in the same carriage as Charlotte, whom he secretly had an interest in, Leon was annoyed.
He didn’t like that Helmut guy in many ways.
He asked his senior, Nils, in a tone that sounded as if he was addressing a subordinate.
In the swordsmanship department, strength determined rank. A higher grade might grant some privileges, but…
In Greta Academy, the hierarchy was especially clear. At the point of graduating, there was a limit to how much more they could improve.
Nils was aware of being beneath Leon. He answered calmly.
“Rumor has it he defeated a first-rank mercenary-level assassin.”
“First-rank mercenary-level? It’s just a rumor. There’s no way a second-year could do that.”
“If the instructors said it, it’s not just a rumor.”
“That’s…”
Leon’s face hardened. But he soon changed his expression.
“Anyway, the guy is arrogant, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.”
Nils responded lightly. Leon spoke in an insinuating tone.
“There’s a way to teach an arrogant junior in the swordsmanship department’s way. I’ll have to show him.”
Nils looked at him indifferently and nodded. It didn’t matter to him anyway.
He couldn’t stop Leon, and minor quarrels were common in the swordsmanship department.
If it went too far, the instructors would intervene. But as the senior-most student in the group, he added one more word.
“I hope there won’t be any big commotion.”
“Of course.”
Leon smiled with a cold face.
*
The first campsite after leaving Baden. As the faculty stepped aside to discuss the schedule, the four students were left alone.
While unloading the luggage and tying up the horses, a call came from behind.
“You, Helmut!”
It was an unwelcome voice.
“Don’t you hear the senior’s words?”
Helmut responded indifferently.
“Yes.”
“Go fetch some water. It’s your job.”
Leon ordered arrogantly, pointing towards the water container.
Helmut’s eyebrows raised slightly. A new feeling. Fetching water was a task for a fourth-rank mercenary, the very bottom, among mercenaries.
This guy was currently treating Helmut as a grunt.
But Helmut decided not to get angry or retaliate.
If Leon’s hierarchy was based on grade, it shouldn’t be Helmut doing the task.
Helmut pointed to the water container and ordered.
“Charlotte, go fetch the water.”
“Yes.”
Without a word, Charlotte stepped forward.
It didn’t make sense for Helmut, a second-year, to do the work while Charlotte, a first-year, just sat there.
Even if her original status didn’t fit such tasks.
Nils, who had been watching, had a bewildered expression.
He also didn’t particularly like Helmut. His reason differed from Leon’s.
He simply didn’t like the dangerous aura Helmut seemed to exude.
But he didn’t expect Helmut to dodge the task like this.
Charlotte immediately picked up the water container. Her hands firmly grasped the heavy container’s handle.
“Then I’ll be back.”