Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 222 (Part 2):
In Basor, people often fought monsters. Naturally, the swordsmanship also had Basor’s characteristics.
Darien, who taught Helmut, was particularly influenced by this.
“How about trying imperial common swordsmanship?”
In fact, Alea didn’t know if it was such an easy thing. She knew changing swordsmanship in just a few days wasn’t easy, but somehow Helmut seemed capable.
And it was something Helmut could do. He had reached a level where he could mimic any swordsmanship he had seen once.
Helmut suddenly recalled that there were students at the academy who used common swordsmanship.
Many students used their family’s swordsmanship, but sometimes, common swordsmanship was better than sloppy family swordsmanship.
Common swordsmanship was refined and polished for fundamentals.
‘If it’s imperial common swordsmanship… yeah, It feels more standard and balanced.’
He remembered that the stances and sword directions were subtly different. Having bought a new sword, changing his swordsmanship would make him look even less like Hyde.
Wouldn’t Greta Academy notice this change and find it strange?
‘It probably won’t be an issue.’
Helmut had finished most of his duels quickly. There hadn’t been much time for instructors to notice his Basor-style swordsmanship.
“Let’s try that then.”
Helmut nodded. It wasn’t difficult. He remembered the subtle differences between the imperial and Basor styles.
He could train with the new sword while adapting to the new style.
Alea looked at Helmut with worried eyes.
She was safe in Baden. Undeniably, Heike was behind her.
A powerful archmage who didn’t care if the temple declared her an enemy.
But Helmut was different. There was no one to protect him. He had practically walked into the enemy’s den.
Even though she had discovered his identity, Helmut was still alone.
Alea made up her mind.
‘I should head to Renosa as soon as possible.’
It would be better to handle the situation with both of them there. The fact that two high priests were heading there made her particularly uneasy.
With two high priests, Helmut, who had the Seed of Darkness, wouldn’t be able to withstand a direct confrontation if his identity was exposed.
He might not even be able to escape.
“A high priest has died, and they know about you in Basor. So, you should be more careful about hiding yourself. Even if you have to postpone the timing.”
The timing Alea referred to was, of course, the time for him to meet his mother.
Helmut had been carefully waiting for the right moment, not desperately searching. He thought it would be delayed until he gained enough power.
He hadn’t expected to get close to his mother so soon.
However, this quick approach only made him more anxious.
He reached Ratona, the capital of Renosa. It might be his birthplace, but it didn’t move him much.
What was more important were the upcoming events. He was now just one step away.
Helmut was almost there. At times like this, he needed to be extra careful.
His oversights and mistakes could turn his perseverance and efforts so far into nothing.
Helmut didn’t return to carry the burden of the temple’s enmity with his family and mother.
Helmut affirmed.
“Yes, the swordsmanship tournament is the issue for now. I’ve arrived in Renosa, so it wouldn’t be bad to drop out early.”
That might be more freeing. Achieving excellent results would make it easier to approach his mother, but now that he was in Renosa, other methods would arise.
Ways to approach Renosa’s nobles. Anyway, the selected participants of the swordsmanship tournament were treated like nobles while staying in Renosa.
It wouldn’t be difficult to get invited to a noble’s banquet.
He had heard that those who dropped out early turned to socializing to build connections.
‘If Charlotte is a high-ranking noble, I might be able to use her.’
Feigning illness to withdraw wouldn’t be a bad idea.
It wasn’t the time to think about the honor of Greta Academy or the obligations of selected participants.
Charlotte would fulfill that role faithfully.
“See you tomorrow.”
Alea waved as she finished the conversation. After she disappeared, Helmut fell into thought.
Winning was natural for him. It wasn’t easy to give up the victory.
Even Helmut wanted to return as a strong and radiant winner.
Pretending to be weak or deliberately losing was not something he was used to. Withdrawal seemed better.
Helmut leaned towards the idea of withdrawal.
Despite the expectations and hopes of the Greta Academy faculty and second-year students, it was a weight he could shake off.
He always kept a cool head.
However, in the end, Helmut did not withdraw from the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament.
Because he faced an unexpected situation.
The next day, just three days before the tournament, the Matesis Academy team arrived, exuding confidence.
They were the favorites to win the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament.
They were considered the most likely to win by external evaluations, although Greta Academy did not agree.
They had always performed well in exchange duels with Greta and Loen.
‘Gordon is here too.’
Indeed, he was. Helmut observed them with indifferent eyes.
Having swung the sword a bit last night, he had gotten used to the new sword and swordsmanship. The chances of Gordon recognizing him were low.
Sure enough, Gordon did not recognize Helmut. Instead, he looked at him with a slightly dissatisfied expression and passed by.
This was not just Gordon, but the other selected members of Matesis Academy too.
‘These Greta guys look pretty lacking overall. Young ages and even a girl.’
The selected members of Greta Academy were generally young.
First-year Charlotte and second-year Helmut. Neither were big or prematurely aged.
Even the upperclassman representative Leon was only a fourth-year.
Charlotte, who looked particularly fragile, was enough to make them look down on Greta Academy.