Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 62 (Part 1):

Helmut’s second duel was the last in order among all the duels, and it was also the shortest. The duel ended as soon as Helmut countered his opponent’s attack. After the third attack, the opponent felt as if a flash of light burst in front of his eyes.

‘What?’

In the next moment, the opponent was sprawled on the floor, nursing a tremendous pain atop their head. Helmut, who had struck the opponent’s head without realizing, almost gasped in shock. He almost shattered the opponent’s head because he hadn’t taken the power out of his hand at the last moment. Murder during an Academy exam.

‘I almost made a mistake because it was too boring.’

He laid down his wooden sword. The opponent was so weak that he yawned. How they passed the first exam was beyond him. Even Helmut could see this person was bound to fail.

“Is it over?”

As he asked with a bored expression, the supervisor nodded with a stiff face. This was the first time he had seen such a participant during the examinations. There were quite a few applicants with a gap in skills, but this wasn’t just a gap in skills.

The opponent, trembling with humiliation, was the first to leave as if running away. Helmut also slightly bowed to the instructors and left his place. The remaining three swordsmanship instructors exchanged words.

“It seems we have our selections.”

“Eight of them. It’s good that there are no objections.”

“The difference was clear enough to separate the pass and fail.”

And the recent duel was clearly the most distinct in terms of difference. The swordsmanship instructors nodded to each other.

“Above all, that kid.”

Instructor Alan gestured towards the direction Helmut had left.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how much he will stand out in the Academy.”

Ethan Kudrow corrected his proud expression to a more stoic one. He had no doubt that Helmut would pass the exam. Ah, except for a bit of anxiety during the first exam. He had watched Helmut’s efforts with his own eyes. Leaving at dawn, studying until late at night, and practicing even at dawn. It was surprising that a fourteen-year-old boy could do so much.

‘Not only is he the most talented student I have seen, but…’

Spending the past few weeks with Helmut, Ethan Kudrow could only be amazed. No matter how formidable the talent, it is ultimately effort that supports it. Laziness brings down even the sharpest talent. There is no such thing as a unique talent. If one meets someone with comparable talent who puts in even more effort, the talent loses its shine.

Moreover, swordsmanship is a talent that rewards effort. Helmut is like a sword crafted by the hands of the greatest master, standing at the pinnacle. Furthermore, that sword did not stop refining itself. Ethan Kudrow hoped that more people would recognize the fine sword that Helmut is. It was also the joy of an instructor to see a brilliant student gain fame.

‘I hope he shines brightly.’

There’s no need to worry. Helmut is a diamond in the rough. Brilliant talent will always catch the eye. However, Helmut is a disciple of the Sword Saint Darien. If what Helmut says is true and Darien has gone into hiding after being betrayed, it must not become known that he is Darien’s disciple. Fortunately, very few knew of Ethan Kudrow’s connection with Darien. For now, there was no suspicion.

‘But how long can it stay hidden?’

Ethan Kudrow pondered. Against weaker and less capable students, there would be no need to reveal his swordsmanship. However, if Helmut were to truly display his swordsmanship, someone would eventually trace it back to its origin.

“Let’s hope the Academy becomes his refuge.”

Hide a tree in the forest. Filled with talents, Greta Academy should become Helmut’s forest, Ethan hoped.

‘I should look into the traitor.’

Helmut seemed unconcerned, but Ethan thought differently. Helmut needed to know exactly who his enemy was and what kind of power they wielded. Knowing and preparing is better than being completely unaware.

*

It was on their way out after the announcement of the results. Helmut suddenly stopped. Because he felt a familiar presence. From a corner, Alea gestured towards him.

“How did it go?”

Committing a crime? Why call out from hiding? Helmut approached and asked.

“Why are you hiding?”

“Too many bothersome people around. More importantly, how did it go?”

Alea asked insistently, and Helmut slowly opened his mouth.

“…I passed.”

Alea’s purple pupils slightly widened.

“Congratulations on getting into Greta Academy.”

Alea extended his hand. A dazzlingly white hand. It seemed to be the first time Helmut saw Alea smile. Even to Helmut, who was indifferent to others’ appearances, it was an incredibly beautiful smile. Helmut stared at Alea for a moment. Impatient Alea urged him on.

“What are you waiting for?”

Helmut slowly extended his hand, and they shook hands. It felt strange. Was it because for the first time in the human world, he had achieved something? Was this what it felt like to be congratulated by someone? Alea quickly withdrew his hand. He looked as proud as if he had passed the exam himself. It seemed he took pride in successfully conducting his first tutoring session.

“It had to be a pass. You’ve taken up a fortnight of my time.”

Alea said with a smiling face, whether it was a congratulation or something else.

“The students from the swordsmanship department might show some territorial behavior towards a transfer student, let’s see how well you do.”

As soon as the announcement was made, eyes were already on Helmut. Although they couldn’t openly provoke him in front of the supervisor, aside from the two who lost to Helmut, everyone else showed an expression of disbelief. The guy named Sabbat Rugal pointed at him, shouting.

‘Don’t think you’re on the same level as me just because you were lucky enough to pass, commoner!’

It was puzzling why they were so sure it was ‘luck,’ and the assumption that he would consider himself on the same level was ridiculous to Helmut.

‘Let’s let it go for today since it’s a good day.’

There was no need to cause a commotion before even starting school. The swordsmanship department was known for harsh interactions among students through duels and the like. He would take care of it then, making them pay dearly in front of everyone. Helmut decided to be patient. He was in a good mood, having passed the exam.

And there was more good news awaiting him.

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