Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 215 (Part 1):
“No.”
Helmut firmly refused. This wasn’t the first time Alea had made a similar suggestion. Helmut had rejected it before as well.
It was a refusal he couldn’t quite explain himself. While it was obvious that acquiring information in advance was advantageous, he simply couldn’t accept it.
“Alright.”
Regardless of Helmut’s decision, Alea nodded readily.
But internally, she had different thoughts.
‘Still, I should investigate.’
She had some suspicions. Even if Helmut didn’t care, she had to be prepared. They were already in the same boat.
Alea’s voice softened suddenly.
“You must be confident that she is your family, seeing how you converse with her so casually without listening to me.”
Her tone was gentle but carried a sharp edge. Helmut paused for a moment.
“…I am confident. It’s not that I ignored your words.”
“Is that so? I’ll trust you then.”
For some reason, the way she said “I’ll trust you” sounded ominous.
“Get some rest then. See you tomorrow.”
With a cheerful voice, the connection was cut off. Helmut’s training session also came to an end, leaving him with an inexplicable feeling of unease.
Once they arrived at the village and settled into the inn, Leon hurried.
He was eager to deal with that arrogant kid. It seemed Charlotte and Helmut had become somewhat closer after their conversation by the water that day.
The sight of them occasionally chatting really grated on him.
‘There’s no way Charlotte would end up with a commoner.’
A commoner capable of rising in status could marry a noble.
But that was only a story for lower nobles. Nobles recognize each other.
In Leon’s eyes, Charlot was not of a status to end up with some commoner.
She wasn’t the type to play with fire either, so it wouldn’t progress any further. He knew that in his head. But his heart felt grated.
Leon went straight to Instructor Alan.
“Instructor, I have something to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“We still have a long journey to Renosa. I would like to duel.”
Instructor Alan immediately understood his intent.
“You want to duel with Helmut?”
“Yes, that’s right. He has excellent skills. This dueling will be beneficial for both of us.”
Instructor Alan hesitated.
Not for any other reason. Leon couldn’t defeat Helmut. If he lost in front of everyone, Leon’s self-esteem would take a hit.
He was the top student representative of Greta Academy. Instructor Alan knew he was superior to Nils.
‘If Leon takes a hit, will he easily recover?’
As a third-year top student, losing to Helmut and losing confidence could lead to him losing to Charlotte, who was less skilled than him.
Losing confidence in one’s skills immediately reflects in their swordsmanship.
If the representative of Greta Academy became demoralized and was eliminated early in the upcoming swordsmanship competition, it would be problematic.
However, he couldn’t just refuse the formal request for a dueling match.
Instructor Alan furrowed his brows.
“Please allow us to duel with real swords?”
Leon’s voice carried blatant hostility. He didn’t intend to kill him by accident. He didn’t want to fall out of favor with the instructor. However, to make an impression, real swords would be more effective.
Instructor Alan soon nodded.
“Alright. If it’s under the supervision of an instructor at an appropriate place.”
“It certainly will be.”
Helmut agreed, and soon a place was arranged. Helmut and Leon stood facing each other in an open area.
Inns often housed mercenaries, so larger inns usually had training grounds or similar open spaces.
Leon felt an indescribable sensation as he looked into Helmut’s jet-black eyes.
Until being led to this place, Helmut had been quiet.
Leon had expected him to be afraid, but Helmut’s calm reaction was unexpected.
‘What’s going on? Why is this brat so calm?’
Beyond the feeling that Helmut wouldn’t be easy to defeat, Leon belatedly felt an inexplicable unease.
However, Leon quickly shook off that unease. His pride wouldn’t allow him to back down here.
Leon’s sword had never betrayed him. He had hardly ever lost to his peers. Victory was a habit for him.
‘I will win this time as well.’
And he would make that unpleasant guy kneel, as befits the representative of Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department.
‘As expected… the outcome is obvious. It can’t be helped.’
Wondering if the duel would be meaningful, Instructor Patricia crossed her arms and asked.
“Shall Charlotte and Nils duel as well?”
“It would be an honor if given the chance.”
Charlotte replied stiffly. Nils shook his head.
“The size difference is too large, so it won’t help either of us prepare for the tournament.”
Nils looked troubled. Charlotte was a petite girl, not even half Nils’ size.
Although tall and well-built for her age, in the swordsmanship department she would be considered tiny.
From Nils’ perspective, being strong and healthy, he was worried he might accidentally hurt her.
Charlotte insisted firmly.
“Still, I request it.”
“Well, if Charlot requests it, let’s give it a try.”
“Then, I would like to watch Helmut and Leon’s duel first.”
Nils reluctantly agreed.