Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 55 (Part 1):

‘The problem isn’t just Darien’s enemies; the real issue is the temple.’

If Darien’s enemies were taken out but they caught the attention of the temple, he would end up fighting the temple as well. The temple had been annihilating those with the seeds of darkness. The sacred magic they wielded was completely incompatible with Helmut, as seen in the barriers he encountered. He wondered how, after emerging, he would not end up dying a dog’s death in the outside world.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

Ethan Kudrow nodded.

“Alright, I’ll help you. First, you need to pass the transfer exam. I’ll take care of the application if you fill it out. Since it’s under my recommendation, you won’t need to prepare any money.”

He rummaged through a drawer and brought out an application form. Helmut filled it in.

“Is there anything notable to mention? I can vouch for your identity. Let’s see, a third-rank silver medal mercenary.”

Though there was variance, the lower ranks at the Greta Academy could match up to a third-rank mercenary in terms of skill.

“I worked as a mercenary before coming here.”

The third-rank mercenary certificate was useful in many ways. It allowed him to add another line to his resume, even on a blank piece of paper.

“Good, that’s all. Now, let’s check your swordsmanship.”

Ethan Kudrow eyed Helmut up and down.

‘Is he suggesting a fight?’

Helmut had gone through tests via dueling when joining the Pace Mercenary Corps. He wouldn’t decline a duel, especially against such a strong opponent.

“The Sword Saint wouldn’t have taken you as his disciple for nothing, but I still need to see your skills for myself. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Ethan Kudrow led Helmut to his personal training ground. Academy instructors were provided with their own spaces. The walls around were high, eliminating any distractions. He went to one corner of the training ground and picked up a wooden sword.

“Take this.”

Then, he brought something from the other side and placed it in the center of the ground. He didn’t pick up a wooden sword. Helmut was puzzled.

“Aren’t we going to spar?”

“Academy instructors can’t officially spar with outsiders. Use that wooden sword to cut this. If you can cut it, you pass.”

What the man brought was a log. To call it a log seemed inadequate; it looked more like the stump of an ancient tree, as wide as a woman’s shoulder width, and appeared dense and sturdy. The weight also seemed significant. It would be absurd to try cutting such with a wooden sword under normal circumstances. But Helmut didn’t hesitate. He grasped the wooden sword and exerted strength in his hand.

‘He said to cut it.’

Crack! With an odd noise, the log was cleanly split in two. The blunt wooden sword should have crushed rather than cut through the middle, yet it split as neatly as if slicing through a cake, using the edge of Vis.

Ethan Kudrow was impressed.

“Indeed, you’re skilled with Vis. That’s more than enough to pass.”

Darien Deferth’s disciple, his swordsmanship wouldn’t fall short of the academy’s standards.

‘The top student of the swordsmanship department might change.’

Having such an outstanding talent enter was a welcome development for the academy.

“Now, let’s test your knowledge. The practicals are done, and you also have to take a written test. The transfer exam for the swordsmanship department’s second year is just a few questions harder than the transfer exam. It would be good to try solving last year’s transfer exam questions.”

“Yes.”

Helmut nodded confidently. However, the result was not as expected.

“8 points… the average is 12 points. Even guessing wouldn’t yield this score.”

Ethan Kudrow sighed as he graded the past year’s exam paper. Despite the expensive exam fees, Greta Academy’s exam saw over a thousand applicants each year. It was hard work for the few academy professors to read through all those papers. Especially since the swordsmanship department’s exam focused on swordsmanship, making the other parts less challenging. Hence, the exams mostly consisted of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, making it easier for academy staff to grade.

“Greta Academy values a standout ability over well-rounded competence. However, we’re not looking to admit talented fools. We’re seeking talents, not mercenaries.”

“What’s a fool?”

Ethan Kudrow was at a loss for words.

‘Has Darien only taught him about the sword?’

He hadn’t thought deeply about it since he was a benefactor, but it seemed unlikely Darien had a scholarly background. However, this was too much.

“The exam covers history, mathematics, language, general knowledge, and ethics. You must score at least 40 points in each subject, with an average of 60 to pass. The swordsmanship department’s exam is very easy compared to others. Anyone with a basic education should be able to score an average of 60.”

He sighed deeply. But to someone who hadn’t received any education at all, even an easy exam would be challenging, especially if it was from Greta Academy.

“There are only fifteen days left until the exam; this is serious.”

Looking at the exam paper, passing seemed impossible. Ethan Kudrow suggested,

“I’ll speak on your behalf, so it might be better to transfer with the principal’s recommendation. That way, you won’t need to take the exam.”

“That won’t work.”

Helmut firmly shook his head. What if he was secretly communicating with Darien’s enemies? Secrets are best kept with fewer people knowing. As secrets spread, they leak like a cracked vessel.

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