Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 55 (Part 2):

Ethan Kudrow was practical. He realistically assessed Helmut’s capabilities.

“Given your scores now, passing the exam in fifteen days will be very difficult.”

“I can study.”

“The range of topics is vast. You’re starting from scratch, so when will you cover it all? Even if you can memorize things, subjects like mathematics require understanding problem-solving methods, necessitating lots of practice. There’s simply not enough time.”

“If I score over 40 points, that’s enough. I’ll try to average out the scores elsewhere.”

“Do you think it’s that easy?”

Helmut suddenly remembered Xenia’s words. There was something called tutoring.

“What about tutoring?”

“Tutoring might be a good option to pass the exam. They can focus on likely questions. But at this time, there are few students in the academy to begin with. Students who tutor are mainly trying to build connections with nobility, so they’re selective, and the ones who teach well already have tutoring partners. Even if not, the asking price is so high that it’s difficult to find one…”

“How about you teach me?”

“I don’t set the exam questions, but faculty members can’t do that. It could cause problems later on.”

While Helmut pondered, he suddenly asked,

“How does the swordsmanship department’s written exam compare to the magic department’s?”

“It’s incomparably easier. The magic department’s entrance exam was so difficult that for the first time in academy history, there was a student who scored full marks last year.”

Helmut felt he knew who that was.

“Is that full scorer by any chance… Alea?”

“Right, you know. Well, given his fame, spending a few days in Baden would make that known. He’s famous throughout Baden, not just Greta Academy, for his distinctive appearance.”

That Alea was currently in Baden. Given what he told Xenia, it seemed unlikely he’d teach anyone. Helmut asked to confirm,

“A full scorer in the magic department’s written exam would be a good tutor, right?”

“Is Alea in Baden? I haven’t heard any rumors of him teaching anyone.”

“I had some encounters with him on my way to Baden.”

“If it’s Alea, he’d be more than enough. The swordsmanship department’s transfer exam would be trivial for him.”

Helmut was confident he wouldn’t be rejected. Or rather, he was confident he could insist even if rejected.

“Then I’ll speak to him.”

“If you manage to find a tutor, that would be fortunate…”

Ethan was skeptical. If Helmut failed the exam, the aftermath would be problematic. They could try convincing the swordsmanship department instructors and speak to the principal, but if Helmut didn’t want to reveal his identity, there was no guarantee they could persuade the principal. It might be better to prepare for next year’s transfer exam. If his skills were the same, the practical exam next year wouldn’t be an issue either.

Ethan Kudrow asked Helmut,

“Are you staying at an inn now?”

“Yes.”

“Moving to my mansion might save you some expenses.”

He wrote down his mansion’s address and signed it.

“Here’s the address. Find a tutor, pack your bags, and come here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Helmut took the piece of paper and pocketed it. Then, he set off for his destination.

“I’m looking for Alea of the magic department.”

A guard was stationed at the entrance of the dormitory. Though it was on the academy’s outskirts, the building was connected to the academy, and the areas for men and women were separated, so not just anyone was allowed in. The guard narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him.

“Hmm, you don’t seem to be a woman.”

“Woman?”

“Well, there was a noble lady who disguised herself as a man and came looking for that student once. She was so convincing that, in a rush, I let her in without realizing. That student then made a huge fuss, asking if I was even looking while on guard duty. She tried to sneak into his room. We can’t exactly check everyone’s pants.”

‘Had he made enemies?’

It sounded like a situation similar to his own, being pursued by the Black Hawk. But even the Black Hawk couldn’t pull such stunts at Baden Academy. Could it have been a magic spell? Helmut wondered again. But why would anyone use such magic to the point of exhaustion? Xenia seemed among the more docile ones.

Someone passing by chuckled.

“Ah, the academy’s heartthrob has returned, so no wonder it’s hectic. When Alea came back, it was so noisy that no one didn’t know about it.”

A boy with gentle, golden-brown eyes, about Helmut’s age, spoke.

“Should I call Alea for you? Are you acquaintances?”

“We know each other. Tell him Helmut is looking for him.”

“Helmut, got it. But don’t get your hopes up. There’s hardly been a time he’s come out for anyone.”

The boy shrugged and went inside. Helmut thought Alea might not come out. They weren’t exactly on familiar terms. If that was the case, he had no choice but to wait outside until Alea appeared or to sneak in.

However, mages were as curious as cats.

“What business do you have with me?”

Though the expression was displeased, the beautiful face, radiant as if lit from within, remained the same. It hadn’t been long since they parted, so no change was perhaps natural. The moment Alea showed himself in front of the dormitory, a scream of ‘Kyaa!’ erupted from somewhere. Had someone been hiding, watching the dormitory? Alea made a face and gestured for him to come in.

“Come inside. We’ll talk there.”

The entrance hall of the dormitory had several tables and chairs set up for receiving guests. It was quiet, as it wasn’t the semester. There were tea pots and cookies prepared, but they weren’t there to share tea. As soon as they entered the reception room, Alea asked,

“What happened to that ridiculous glasses and your appearance?”

Helmut looked completely different from the last time they parted. He had removed his disguise, but Alea recognized him without difficulty. Though his appearance changed, Helmut’s presence or aura remained the same, and Alea was a high-level mage capable of seeing the aura. Helmut had left a deep impression on him.

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