Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 50 (Part 1):

Then what could that magic be? Helmut speculated based on the current situation.

‘Enchantment magic?’

Xenia’s attitude seemed bizarrely odd to Helmut.

A celebrity known only by hearsay. Of course, it was true that Alea, the mage, had an exceptionally beautiful appearance, but Xenia’s attitude was incomprehensible.

Xenia showed an obsessively devoted demeanor towards him, as if she would follow whatever he said. Clearly, this was abnormal.

‘If it’s due to magic, it would be natural.’

If the magic was subtly applied to her, and especially if it was a spell affecting her directly, others might not notice it. It’s like sprinkling musk to naturally seduce someone.

There was a magical beast that lured its prey in a similar manner.

The escort mission was to protect Xenia, but was it about protecting her from something already happening?

Helmut couldn’t come to a conclusion.

‘Let’s observe a little longer.’

Since that person has not revealed his true intentions yet. It was not time to act.

*

The first day of the journey was peaceful. It might have been troublesome if the Black Hawk’s tracking continued, but changing his appearance and hiding seemed to have worked.

Even if the tracking had been successful, Helmut dealt with two second-rank mercenaries. They had sent forces of that caliber and failed. It would take time to prepare and send stronger forces.

Helmut had no intention of leaving the Black Hawk alone.

‘I will make them pay someday.’

For now, he was merely biding his time.

It was a rare leisurely trip. All lodging and meal expenses during the journey were covered by the client, and they would even receive payment at the end of the journey.

Suffering a bit of discomfort was a small price to pay for such benefits.

‘The mercenary certificate is really useful.’

Indeed, joining the Pace Mercenary Corps was a good decision, Helmut felt satisfied.

‘The mage, no particular movements.’

It seemed he joined the party just to win Xenia’s favor, so quiet he was.

Rather, he was tormented by Xenia. Beyond the clattering sound of horse hooves, voices leaking out of the carriage sharply caught his ears.

Helmut, with his keen hearing, inadvertently continued to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Being the top student of the magic department, exams must be a breeze for you, right? I’m so nervous. Even after we arrive in Baden, I don’t know how to prepare.”

“If you’ve prepared diligently until now, you’ll do well.”

“Oh my, of course, I’ve prepared hard! But my heart trembles with nervousness, and I feel like I’ll forget everything I’ve learned.”

“Once we arrive, you’ll have plenty of time to review.”

“Yes, but wouldn’t it be easier to study if someone could teach me?”

“The academy has an excellent faculty, but fundamentally, it’s a place where you must pursue learning on your own. It’s best to get used to that from now.”

Xenia’s expression turned gloomy. It was as if there was an insurmountable wall between them.

The mage was politely yet firmly cutting off all of Xenia’s advances with his clean and polite speech.

“But that’s after you get into the academy. If I fail the entrance exam, how can I face my family…”

Pretending to be dejected, Xenia hung her head low. If he consoled her, she planned to ask Alea to help prepare for the entrance exam.

‘If you say you will pay generously, maybe I’ll consider it.’

The academy’s entrance exam is stringent. They rank the candidates and only select those above a certain average score; if the average is below the threshold, they don’t fill the spots even if they have vacancies.

But he made a surprising suggestion with a stern face.

“If you wish, I can recommend a suitable tutor. There are students who offer private lessons to entrance exam candidates visiting Baden this time of year. They are well-versed in the exams, so they should be helpful.”

“Oh, my, but with such things, I’m shy… Couldn’t you, Alea, do it?”

“I have other commitments, so that would be difficult.”

“Oh my, what are you so busy with?”

“I need to prepare for the new semester.”

Alea cut off the conversation with a slightly sharper tone.

Considering the unstable situation in Kinan, it was said that robbers often appeared on the road to Baden.

He joined this group for a comfortable journey, but his patience was running thin.

It wasn’t his first time dealing with a clingy noble lady, but it was his first experience having to entertain one for such a long time.

Xenia gathered her non-existent wits and realized Alea was not in a good mood.

“Oh my, I must have pried too much. I’m sorry.”

She quickly smiled and shifted the topic.

Even Helmut, who had been eavesdropping for the sake of information, felt the conversation hit a dead end.

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