Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 63 (Part 1):

-Events in Baden-

It was the New Year. The New Year when Helmut turned 15. Having practiced with his sword since the morning, Helmut looked up at the noon sky, brightly illuminated by the sun. The light was dazzling to his eyes. Having lived in the gloomy darkness, he had now become accustomed to the bright sunshine. His pale skin had slightly tanned, looking pleasantly white. Yet, there were things he had not gotten used to.

‘It’s my first New Year outside the Forest of Roots.’

He had survived another year, taken another step away from the Forest of Roots. The feeling of welcoming the New Year outside the forest was unfamiliar. Helmut had become aware of the term “New Year” because he had heard the servants at the Kudrow mansion making a fuss about it.

In the days leading up to the New Year, Helmut had devoted himself to sword practice, feeling it was lacking compared to his study for the exams. While training, he thought about what he could do before the term started.

‘Maybe I should start exploring Baden today.’

Though not satisfied, he had done as much training as he felt was lacking. Helmut decided.

Meanwhile, Ethan Kudrow’s son had not returned for the New Year, and Ethan was not the type to welcome the New Year noisily. Instead, the mansion’s servants busily decorated and prepared food. Ethan suddenly asked during a lunch that was lavishly prepared with lamb ribs and grilled shrimp.

“Helmut, when is your birthday?”

“Birthday?”

Helmut narrowed his eyes, having to think hard about the word. When he was born, where he was born. Helmut knew nothing about himself, except for his mother’s name written on a pendant around his neck.

The concept of a birthday was as unimportant to Helmut, who was as clueless as the leopard. Elaga only mentioned picking him up and the number of seasons that had passed since Helmut was abandoned in the Forest of Roots. Darien wasn’t the type to care about such things, so naturally, Helmut’s birthday was nonexistent.

Ethan looked at him pitifully after a rough explanation.

“So, you’ve never thought about your birthday.”

“Yes.”

It felt like there was something missing, but it made sense now. Ethan had never met anyone who didn’t know their own birthday. To see someone with such admirable looks and talents, yet so pitiable and surprising, to have never celebrated their birthday until now.

‘It’s natural for his personality to be unique.’

He wondered if Helmut had ever cried out loud when he was young, always being so calm. Emotions that are not interacted with become dull. A child with no one to respond to their emotions does not know how to express them. Even if he feels something inside, it was natural for Helmut, who is in his prime, to be calm and not easily show his inner thoughts.

“Let’s make your birthday today. From now on, if anyone asks, say that.”

“Okay.”

Thus, Helmut’s birthday was set on January 1st. As a guardian, it was natural for Ethan to prepare a gift.

“If there’s something you want, tell me.”

“I have money.”

He had bought clothes and some items, but including the money Alea returned, he had nearly 70,000 marks left. He didn’t lack money, so he didn’t need Ethan’s help. After all, he was saving on lodging fees by staying at his mansion. His way of thinking was independently to the point of being completely detached.

Ethan felt frustrated.

“I’m your guardian, and it’s natural for a guardian to give a gift to their ward on their birthday.”

“Ah.”

Birthday gift. Right, that existed. Something he had never received before in his life.

“Something I want?”

Helmut pondered. He didn’t even know what was sold in the shops.

‘Clothes? Books? Textbooks for the new semester? What do people receive as gifts?’

“Why don’t you go out and find something you like?”

Ethan was exasperated to know that Helmut’s idea of having fun was to lock himself in the mansion and only focus on sword training. Ethan, who had been busy finalizing entrance exams and procedures at the academy, hadn’t noticed at first. But when he asked a servant what Helmut had been doing, that’s what he was told. He thought Helmut had become friends with Alea, but it seems like he was just a tutor. Since he doesn’t talk to the servants, he’s almost a recluse. The only person he talks to is Ethan Kudrow.

‘I should send him out of the mansion.’

He was worried about how Helmut would manage in the academy dormitory, which he would soon enter. Even if he built a shack in the forest and lived alone, he wouldn’t feel lonely. It was inevitable that he would have to push him out.

“The price doesn’t matter.”

Ethan added firmly. It was his first birthday gift, so he wanted to give him something, even if it meant going to great lengths. Helmut nodded.

“I’ll go out today.”

It was a good day to go out, with the streets bustling for the New Year. After finishing his meal, Helmut stood up.

“I’ll be back.”

It was a day when the cool breeze felt pleasantly around his body.

Otaku_Tensei

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