Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 261 (Part 1): The path of four

Around the start of the new year, Greta Academy, which had just gone through a busy period, was still in a state of confusion.

At the end of each year, those leaving and those coming to the academy naturally intersect.

Today was the turn of those departing. After the graduation ceremony, they leave one by one to find their own paths.

And here was one who was leaving.

A slender figure in a white robe, a garment typical of a mage, with a hood pulled over their head, walked briskly down the hallway. Their footsteps were light and almost inaudible.

The figure in the white robe, armed with a pass granted to only a few, easily stepped into the depths of the academy.

Knock knock. With a small sound, the door soon opened,

“Dean.”

A clear and distinct voice resonated. The middle-aged man sitting at the desk looked up at the other person.

He greeted without showing any emotion.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Alea. Now you can live as your true self.”

“Yes.”

A tingling thrill ran through her heart. The moment she had been waiting for arrived rather heavily.

Because the path ahead would be far from easy.

Alea pulled back her hood. Amethyst-like clear eyes appeared between strands of frost-colored hair.

Her finely crafted white face was beautiful without exception. A manifestation of flawless beauty.

It had long been difficult to pretend to be a man even with magic.

Now there was no need to pretend, so she had removed the magic.

And the one before her was someone who knew her true form.

“Time has flown by so quickly.”

The dean muttered in a voice tinged with lingering emotion.

It had been 6 years since he had semi-forcibly accepted her, Alea.

The girl with terrifying talent and fierce determination now stood tall as a full-fledged mage.

She was probably the closest to being called an archmage.

And it seemed not long before she would claim that title.

‘So this is what happens when innate genius is combined with effort. Perhaps for the next few hundred years, Greta Academy won’t see a more outstanding graduate than her.’

The dean himself had contributed to Alea being in this position. He was suddenly overcome with emotion.

No matter how important free thinking is for mages, the dean couldn’t be favorable towards Alea, who looked so much like her grandmother, Heike, who lived her life wielding others’ lives and disregarding laws and common sense.

Even though he was her guardian, the dean had always maintained a distance from her, adhering to a stiff and principled attitude.

But at this moment, even that boundary receded. Whatever her personality might be, Alea was an excellent mage. She was an outstanding student.

“If you wish, I can create a position for you at the academy.”

It was an offer the dean made after much deliberation.

Of course, Alea, a genius mage, was too exceptional to be contained in the small vessel that was Greta.

However, accepting her also meant accepting the risk of antagonizing the temple.

Alea calmly replied.

“I’ll think about that later. For now, I’d like to leave the academy. I’ve been here for 6 years.”

Greta Academy was a treasure trove of magical knowledge. Also, it was the optimal place to study magic while hiding oneself.

She had gained everything she could from this place. Now it was time to put her plans into action.

She had prepared for a long time. For something that must succeed, something with high risk, to ensure it doesn’t fail.

Concern clouded the dean’s expression.

“I had hoped you wouldn’t live a life like your grandmother, but you’re doing so in a different sense. I’ve heard about your research. Are you planning to go to the Forest of Roots?”

A life as dangerous as jumping into fire. Is that the kind of life she’s going to live? Alea’s talent surpassed Heike’s, but Heike only antagonized the temple after becoming an archmage.

‘Heike’s granddaughter. Also, given that child’s inclination, sooner or later, she’ll be declared a public enemy by the temple.’

At the young age of not even twenty. Isn’t it too early for that? It’s not impossible to cleanse her identity yet.

Alea answered clearly.

“I thought you might know.”

The dean’s eyes swept across every corner of the academy. Alea, too, didn’t think she could escape the dean’s gaze.

No matter how much of a genius she was, she couldn’t do everything alone.

To venture into an area where no one has set foot before, one needs the achievements or assistance of others.

Alea slowly approached professors in the magic department who would cooperate with her research and achieved results.

Of course, all these movements were read by the dean.

The dean spoke as if admonishing her.

“The Forest of Roots is a forbidden area. No mage has ever broken through that barrier. And inside that barrier is full of demonic beasts. Even if the temple doesn’t know about your research, it’s still dangerous. Mages didn’t have very advantageous combat abilities in the Great Demonic Beast War. Even you could die.”

“Doesn’t Greta Academy teach that giving up research because it’s dangerous goes against the spirit of a mage?”

“Don’t you think it’s reckless?”

“I’ve prepared so it won’t be reckless.”

What reflected in Alea’s eyes was confidence. She bowed her head towards the dean who seemed about to say something more.

“I came here to thank you for taking care of me. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

It was an expression of will that no words could shake her resolve. The dean nodded reluctantly.

“May you achieve what you desire.”

Now his job was done.

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