Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 223 (Part 1):

It’s unusual for there to be no problems when the selected members from three rival academies are gathered in one place.

Especially when those members are energetic and highly skilled swordsmen.

The other academies are likely hoping for some turmoil to weaken their competition.

As for Renosa, they did not wish for the newly joined Baden Academy to win either.

Because even they cannot completely avoid the scrutiny of the temple.

Even if Baden’s academy won fairly, the temple would harbor dissatisfaction.

From the temple’s perspective, it was unthinkable for a group of non-believers from Baden to win.

Renosa wouldn’t intervene in the results, but they subtly hoped for other academies to perform well.

Regardless of their wishes, the highest level was concentrated in Baden Academy.

That’s why people went to great lengths to send their children to Baden, even from distant foreign lands.

Among them, the most famous for swordsmanship is Matesis Academy.

However, the difference in level with Greta and Loen wasn’t significant, and their reputations often fluctuated, so it couldn’t be said that they were definitively superior.

In contrast, the magic department of Greta Academy was uniquely renowned.

Lately, Greta instructors considered themselves superior to Matesis.

However, the Matesis instructors underestimated the selected members of Greta Academy.

They provoked the Greta Academy members in subtle ways.

The day after they arrived at the Ratona lodgings, a Matesis instructor requested a meeting with the faculty.

It was a meeting excluding Loen Academy.

The Matesis instructor opened his mouth with a confident attitude:

“We request a duel between four members from Greta Academy and our members.”

“A duel with our members?”

“Yes, throughout the competition period if possible. Unless they are immediate opponents, we wish to duel every day. It’s preferable for seniors to face seniors and juniors to face juniors.”

“A duel at this point, with the tournament just ahead…”

Instructor Alan expressed slight disapproval at the sudden proposal.

He thought it could lead to wasted effort.

Moreover, the tournament brackets haven’t even been announced yet. The brackets were to be drawn on the first day of the tournament.

They might end up facing Matesis right away, so was there a need for the duels?

In Baden, they might have accepted it as part of academy exchange.

“The Matesis swordsmanship department hones its skills through systematic dueling. Sometimes, we even hire mercenaries. We often hold real sword duels. We mentioned this because we’ve been busy traveling and haven’t been able to duel, so we’re concerned about losing our edge.”

The selected members of Matesis stayed at the academy until the last minute, focusing on training.

They were the most eager to win among all the academies.

“If you’re worried about injuries, we will take utmost care. We have two magic department instructors who can provide immediate treatment. Since it would be limited to four people, it’s not a bad proposal for Greta Academy either, is it?”

That was true. However, the provocative attitude of Matesis was somewhat irksome.

Yet, it didn’t seem right to reject a beneficial proposal for the students just because it was annoying.

The three faculty members exchanged glances, asking each other what they should do.

Then, the Matesis instructor added,

“Of course, we’d prefer to exclude Loen Academy. It would be best if the duels were only between Greta and Matesis, which is why we’re discussing this separately.”

“Why is that?”

“Do you really not understand?”

The Matesis instructor laughed. Naturally, they immediately understood the meaning.

It was a suggestion to exclude Loen, treating them as a common enemy.

But it seemed somewhat petty. Despite being competitors, they were all from Baden.

Excluding one out of three didn’t look good.

Loen might complain later, saying they had no honor or anything.

While Greta Academy’s magic department was formidable and pragmatic in nature,
on the flip side, their swordsmanship department had some old-fashioned tendencies.

The three faculty members, who were hesitating, finally found common ground. There was no need to cause trouble over a duel that could go either way.

Instructor Alan spoke on their behalf.

“That is an unacceptable proposal. We do not seek discord. You may extend the same offer to Loen Academy, but Greta cannot accept a duel that excludes one side in that manner.”

“Do the others share this sentiment?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Professor Luxen and Instructor Patricia firmly agreed.

The Matesis instructor shrugged.

“In that case, there’s nothing we can do. I thought it was a good opportunity. However, we won’t make the same offer to the Loen Academy. Rest assured.”

The Matesis instructor ended the conversation decisively. But there was a strange smile on his lips.

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