Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 56 (Part 2):

Cough, cough! Ethan, who had been sipping his soup with cultured grace, suddenly choked. He looked as though he had been ambushed.

“Even so, 100,000 marks? Do you have that kind of money?”

“Yes, I’ve saved up from my mercenary work.”

“What about the wealth left by Darien?”

Helmut had to leave everything behind due to betrayal. Since Darien had no heirs, his family members likely divided his estate. However, as Darien’s life or death wasn’t confirmed, some assets remained untouched. Money separately stored in a bank could only be accessed by Darien himself or someone holding a designated token, under the assumption of a human lifespan up to 120 years. If no one claims the money by then, it would only be disposed of afterward.

“I haven’t heard anything about that.”

Helmut tilted his head.

“Darien’s wealth is probably still in the bank. Whether you can access it, I’m not sure.”

“If I ever find myself starving, I was told to present this sword at the bank, maybe that’s what it meant.”

“That must be the token.”

Ethan Kudrow nodded.

“However, if Darien’s assets are unfrozen, it could potentially spread rumors. It’s best not to touch it for now.”

“Understood.”

Helmut and Ethan continued their conversation. Ethan informed Helmut about the academy and Baden, as well as about himself. Ethan had lost his wife long ago, and his only son had graduated from the academy and left Baden, now supposedly working undercover as a mercenary.

“Mercenary work is excellent for gaining practical experience. He’ll do well.”

Whether he would return to Baden to become an academy instructor was a future matter.

“Knowledge is gained from books, but wisdom is learned from life.” Ethan offered various pieces of advice about common sense.

“Oh, it might be good to bring a small gift tomorrow. Something minor, even snacks. It’s proper to show respect to your tutor.”

‘A gift, huh.’

Something crossed Helmut’s mind. He nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

The next day, Helmut arrived at the academy entrance at the agreed time, and Alea walked out as if on cue. He asked right away.

“The promised money?”

“Here.”

Alea looked skeptically at the heavy purse Helmut handed over. Out of caution, he cast a spell to check, but the money was real and the amount correct.

‘Should I just refuse?’

Tutoring was not to his liking. However, Greta Academy took morals and trust seriously enough to test them, emphasizing the importance of keeping promises. Although not explicitly stated as a promise, Alea had never unilaterally broken an agreement before. It was Alea who had asked for the money, and he did have a conscience. Alea hinted, hoping Helmut would withdraw on his own.

“I’ve never tutored before. So, I might not teach well enough to earn this money.”

“That might be.”

Helmut’s response sounded dismissive, pricking Alea’s pride. He scoffed.

“And besides, it’s more likely that you won’t be able to keep up with the lessons.”

“That’s not an issue. Since I’m starting from scratch, filling my head should be easy.”

Helmut positively spun Alea’s earlier remark. Alea clenched his mouth shut.

‘What’s with this guy?’

He seemed formidable. Despite Alea’s biting remarks, Helmut seemed unfazed, not hurt in the slightest. It was confidence, not the kind fueled by arrogance or delusion from having a powerful family background, but a confidence with solid grounds.

‘He must be quite skilled.’

Though it was the swordsmanship department, many students had basic competencies, and failing the written exam was rare. Hence, most focused on honing their swordsmanship. Yet, here was this guy, spending a substantial amount of money on preparing for the written part, suggesting he was very confident in his practical skills.

“Ah, right, this.”

Helmut had been holding something since they met, and now he handed Alea a paper-wrapped package.

“What’s this?”

“A gift. I heard it’s customary to give something to your tutor.”

Alea froze as he saw what was inside after unwrapping it.

‘This, from before. In front of the inn.’

It was a small flowerpot blooming with colorful flowers. That time, Alea had been captivated by it for a moment, thinking it would look nice on a windowsill. But he had resisted the temptation, wary that even such a minor detail could start unraveling his carefully maintained facade. To avoid any insinuation of being effeminate, Alea had never shown any vulnerability, fully aware that suspicion could arise at any moment.

And now, this as a gift.

‘Did he notice me looking at it? Is this some sort of hint?’

Caught in a cold suspicion, Alea responded icily.

“I’m not into receiving flowers from men.”

“It’s yours, so you can throw it away.”

Helmut spoke indifferently, meaning just that. He had thought it better to give something liked, hence the purchase. The formality didn’t matter to him.

‘No ulterior motives… right?’

Alea calmed his suddenly uneasy heart. Even when he had detected the magic Alea was under, Helmut’s attitude seemed to knowingly ignore it. Yet, he showed no interest in Alea personally, neither avoiding nor silencing him, which wasn’t easy. It felt like being inadvertently entangled.

Mages sometimes encounter such moments. Be it a gravitational pull or events beyond their control, they find themselves caught in a flow that could change their lives significantly, related to their magical achievements or direction. This flow is referred to as a ‘mage’s fate.’

‘If we keep getting entangled, does it mean this guy is related to my mage’s fate?’

With a troubled heart, Alea looked at Helmut. Avoiding one’s mage’s fate usually doesn’t lead to good outcomes.

‘I can’t be certain, but well, okay.’

Alea decided to confront it head-on. He had never lost a fight nor run from one. He was considered a prodigy in Greta Academy’s history and a descendant of a great mage. Alea declared.

“Let’s decide how we’ll go about this tutoring.”

Otaku_Tensei

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