Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 61 (Part 2):

Andro was the first to attack. Having been attacked and lost the first time, he seemed determined to be the aggressor this time. Helmut lightly lifted his wooden sword to meet the attack. Clack! For a forceful collision, the sound was surprisingly crisp. Rather than a counterattack, it was more of a deflection.

Without Vis-enhancing his body, Andro had the upper hand in strength, but the power of balance surpasses the difference in strength. The charging wooden sword’s direction was altered. Andro, with a flustered look, forcefully redirected his sword. This awkward movement created a vulnerability. If Helmut had thrust his sword into the abdomen right then, it would have been over.

Helmut had learned to win with the least amount of force necessary. But there were restrictions to doing as usual.

‘They said it has to clash three times. It was a problem because I ended it too quickly last time.’

Helmut frowned. It was difficult to accommodate such clumsy movements. It felt as suffocating as if weights were tied to his body. Helmut, instead of blocking Andro’s sword, leaned back to dodge. With a thrust of his trained leg muscles, his leaned-back body sprung back to its position. Because of this, Helmut stood straight again, but Andro, who had cut through thin air, couldn’t find his balance. Helmut nonchalantly kicked at Andro’s swaying leg, simply because he saw an opening.

“Ugh!”

Andro lost his balance and fell to the spot. He barely managed not to drop his wooden sword. He couldn’t believe he had been defeated so easily! Andro was also a scion of a sword family. He had never been so powerless against peers of his age. Helmut, looking at him getting up, said,

“Two more times to go.”

Normally, aiming the sword at the throat would have ended it, but the duel wasn’t fully established yet. Helmut stood still, allowing Andro to attack. It felt unfair to stand still while the opponent attacked aggressively, but after one counterattack, the opponent had embarrassingly collapsed.

“Hurry up and attack.”

Helmut urged him. There was no rule against speaking during a duel. With his face turning a shade of purple from humiliation, Andro stood up and charged straight in. Helmut, like a scarecrow, directly countered his attack. After clashing swords twice, Helmut launched a counterattack, making Andro’s wooden sword drop to the ground. Released from the tedious duel, Helmut put down his wooden sword.

‘But now, do I have to do this one more time?’

Although his pass was decided, two duels were mandatory, so it seemed he had to do it one more time. If he didn’t, the numbers wouldn’t add up. Helmut asked the approaching supervisor.

“Do we have to duel one more time?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Although the decision on passing can be made beforehand, you must participate in two duels.”

Andro hung his head dejectedly. If he doesn’t show a very good performance in the second duel, he will be eliminated. Realizing this felt like his blood was drying up.

“Anyway, well done. Please wait in the waiting area.”

Though it took longer than expected, it was because the instructors needed time to discuss. The actual dueling time, including both rounds, didn’t even add up to five minutes. As Helmut and Andro withdrew, the instructors conversed.

“Instructor Ethan, where did you find this applicant?”

Ethan stroked his chin. It wasn’t him who had found Helmut; Helmut had come to him. A long time ago, bearing the connections of the past.

“I told you I can’t say.”

“But he’s definitely a talent worthy of your recommendation. I was quite surprised. His movements were really good. It felt like he perfectly knew how to counterattack whatever attack came his way.”

“Not missing the opportunity to strike was also impressive. It seemed like he was struggling to prolong the duel.”

“The applicant Andro wasn’t low in his training level either…”

“It’s as if a senior and a junior at the academy were matched against each other, resulting in such an outcome. This is troubling.”

Alan, the instructor, sighed. The boy named Helmut was expected to produce similar results in the next duel.

Andro and Helmut returned to the waiting area in silence. After being completely defeated in the second duel without a word, Andro no longer picked a quarrel with Helmut. There was no point in challenging someone who would just beat him one-sidedly.

“Hey, you guys. It was your first time taking the exam, wasn’t it? Why did it take so long? Wasn’t the exam supposed to be 8 minutes?”

Sabbat Rugal, who had been observing them, asked in a challenging tone as he stood up. Helmut didn’t even glance at him and sat down. But Andro, seemingly acquainted with Sabbat, couldn’t ignore him.

“There was a bit of an issue.”

Andro’s expression had become quite calm.

“Did that commoner kid pull some trick on you?”

“It wasn’t that.”

In fact, from Andro’s perspective, it was as if he had been shown mercy. Losing was humiliating, and losing to a commoner didn’t make for good feelings, but he couldn’t make up lies to insult him. His insides were boiling.

‘Damn it, how could that commoner have such skills? Was he hiding his status?’

He had said he was without a family name, but many at the academy hide their status. The arrogant tone, sword skills, and expensive-looking clothes. Contrary to Sabbat Rugal’s words, he might not be a commoner.

‘What is he doing? No, now’s not the time to think about that.’

The second duel was still to come. If he failed the transfer exam, it would be a humiliation far greater than losing the duel. He couldn’t allow his name to become a disgrace to his family.

‘Later.’

Andro steeled his resolve for revenge, gathering his thoughts. The opportunity would come. If he just gets admitted to the academy.

And Helmut, having decided his pass, sat leisurely on the bench, closing his eyes. His duties for the day were over. Now, only the official announcement of the results remained.

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