Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 216 (Part 1):
“You’re quite something, you know.”
Nils extended his hand. Charlotte took it and stood up without resistance.
The opponent was a sixth-year student. She knew it would be hard to win.
But still, the pride of a swordsman couldn’t help but feel bitter.
Charlotte was an honor student. Despite having met formidable opponents like Helmut and Asuka, she wasn’t used to losing.
She couldn’t help but ask herself the question.
‘If it were Senior Asuka, would he have lost like this?’
She didn’t need to consider Helmut; even if it were Asuka. If Asuka were here instead.
No. The answer was immediate. Asuka would not have lost to Nils. Even if the opponent was the top of the sixth year, Asuka would have prevailed.
Asuka’s presence weighed heavily on Charlotte. His swordsmanship was impressive beyond mere strength.
She had never seen such an aggressive and instinctive swordsman. Charlotte knew she wouldn’t be able to shake off the thought of ‘If it were Senior Asuka’ throughout the tournament.
Because she had become the representative of the Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department in his place.
At the very least, she had to fill the void left by his absence. Charlotte was diligent to the point that she couldn’t shake off that burden.
Charlotte had also realized that Asuka had conceded it to her. But she had no interest in his true intentions.
One thing was clear: it was not desirable for her to be the representative of Greta Academy. Charlotte gritted her teeth.
“I can see you weren’t chosen as the representative for nothing. Let’s duel often in the future.”
Nils’ words were sincere.
As he dueled with Charlotte, he was inwardly impressed. He had underestimated her because she was a small girl, but as soon as the match began, he forgot that prejudice.
Charlotte’s sword was light, quick, and concealed its sharpness.
Because the opponent was small, it was even more challenging for Nils, who had a large build, to deal with her.
Thinking about the upcoming tournament, dueling with her would be very helpful.
Getting used to opponents as small and quick as Charlotte would make other opponents seem sluggish by comparison.
“Let’s do that.”
Charlotte nodded. In the future matches leading up to Renosa, she aimed to defeat Nils. Even if just once.
That was her newly formed goal.
*
That day, Leon unexpectedly accepted it calmly. He acknowledged that he had lost and that Helmut was stronger than him.
No, he had no choice but to accept it. The death that had approached his very eyes had robbed him of his fighting spirit.
Helmut had etched the fear of death into him.
After that, Leon, who had become remarkably quiet, started avoiding Helmut.
Since they traveled in separate carriages anyway, avoiding him wasn’t difficult. It was the first complete defeat he had ever faced against someone his age.
A beaten dog doesn’t dare to bark. Especially not in the swordsmanship department.
‘Maybe because he has some skill, he understands his place quickly.’
Helmut felt a slight disappointment. The journey to Renosa was smooth.
So smooth that it felt almost boring.
Traveling with the Greta Academy faculty, there could have been a blind bandit attacking the carriage emblazoned with the Greta Academy crest, but fortunately or unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Except for Leon, the others chatted quite a bit.
Helmut also exchanged a few words with Nils, thanks to Charlotte being a bridge.
Nils, having seen Helmut’s skills, was strangely respectful towards him.
The hierarchical relationship based on school years was already meaningless. Naturally, Helmut was placed at the top of the hierarchy, excluding the faculty.
Helmut felt just one discomfort.
‘Professor Luxen… he’s a bit irritating.’
Luxen kept trying to talk to him and follow him during training.
If it had been a female professor, one might suspect romantic interest. Luxen’s blatant interest in Helmut was obvious to anyone.
Of course, even for a male professor, one might wonder if he had some peculiar taste. Helmut was undeniably a handsome boy.
More than anything, it was annoying when he tried to converse with Alea.
If this side doesn’t respond, communication cannot be established even if Alea attempts it.
Because of Professor Luxen, Helmut had to reject Alea’s communication several times.
Fortunately, after Helmut outright said that he was being a nuisance, Luxen stopped following him at least during training.
Alea, hearing the story, simply commented.
“Professor Luxen doesn’t have those kinds of inclinations.”
That was all he needed to hear. Alea then gave him some vague warning.
“Be careful. My bracelet can conceal it, but still.”
The existence of the Seed of Darkness must not be revealed. That was the message.
Anyway, the carriage continued to trundle along. The Greta Academy group finally reached Renosa.