Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 57 (Part 2):

The lesson continued after the meal.

“Sometimes, questions about the continent’s current affairs are included. This time, it might focus on the Kingdom of Kinan we passed through, given its unstable situation.”

“The situation in the Kingdom of Kinan?”

“Two princes are waging a succession war, which may prevent students from Kinan from returning to the academy.”

“Shouldn’t the more capable person become king?”

“How can you tell who’s more capable?”

“If they fought it out…”

Wouldn’t that determine the stronger party? Helmut thought simplistically, a rule that governed the Forest of Roots. Monsters like Elaga, though not exactly leaders, dominated their territories without subordinates.

Alea quickly retorted.

“Typical swordsman thinking.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“You think the stronger party makes a better king?”

“If not the stronger, then who?”

“The smarter, the one who governs and rejuvenates the country better should be king.”

“How do you differentiate that?”

“Through the opinions formed over years and the policies they’ve implemented.”

“But what if those weren’t the prince’s doings but those of his advisors?”

“Using people wisely is also a king’s quality.”

Helmut, influenced by his time in the forest, struggled to accept these concepts. After a lengthy discussion, Alea managed to convince Helmut that mere physical strength wasn’t enough to determine a king’s worth.

“Factors like family influence or individual strength play a role. The two princes of Kinan have one gathering skilled supporters and the other backed by the prime minister’s family, creating a deadlock. The outcome is uncertain. If the king could decide, it might be simpler, but he’s incapacitated.”

Understanding the concept intellectually but not emotionally was challenging for Helmut, raised in the forest’s law.

Through their conversation, Alea realized Helmut’s issues lay in fundamental areas. There was a significant gap in his basic knowledge and reasoning. Pondering where to begin teaching such concepts, Alea concluded:

“The biggest obstacle for the transfer exam seems to be your lack of common knowledge and morals. Let’s start with solving last year’s exam questions.”

Presenting the previous year’s transfer exam, which Helmut attempted, the results were as expected. Alea, reviewing the test marked with red, questioned:

“Tell me, have you ever been wanted?”

Helmut flinched, recalling being pursued by the Black Hawk organization, though not officially wanted. He hesitantly answered:

“I haven’t.”

“Looking at your answers… ‘Do you know who my father is?’ as a solution to conflict? I can’t understand it.”

“It’s a quick way to end disputes. It’s also moderate?”

If ‘my father’ was someone formidable, the opponent would back down. In human society, not only individual strength but also the surrounding context matters. Helmut believed he had thoughtfully solved the problem.

“Moderate…”

Alea was exasperated. While Helmut seemed fine with memorization, this was a huge issue. Scoring 8 out of 100, far below the minimum passing score of 40, was alarming.

‘I can’t let my student fail the transfer exam…’

Hearing students whisper, “Can Alea really teach someone?” made it a matter of pride for Alea, the top student in the magic department. Failing to ensure a student’s success would tarnish his reputation. With a serious expression, Alea inquired:

“You’re confident you’ll pass the practical exam?”

“If it involves swordsmanship?”

Helmut was confident, especially after swordsmanship instructor Ethan Kudrow’s assessment. He hadn’t seen any academy students at his level.

“Well, if you’ve worked as a mercenary, that makes sense.”

If Helmut failed, failing the practical would be preferable. But passing the practical and failing the written would be irreversible.

“We’ll finish other subjects in a week and focus solely on this area.”

Closing the book, Alea faced a challenge unlike any other, determining where to start teaching complex concepts.

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