Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 65 (Part 1):

No matter where they go, it seems impossible to avoid drawing attention.

‘Maybe a mask, not just a hood.’

But then again, would a mask even hide anything? The air itself felt different around Alea. It wasn’t just her flawless features, but those amethyst-like eyes seemed to draw one in, mesmerizing.

The air and the colors around where Alea stood seemed different, as if sprinkled with sparkling light. Helmut could observe this without being charmed, thanks largely to his somewhat dull nature and the resistance from Vis.

Alea, with lines of frustration etched between her brows, said,

“It’s not magic.”

Helmut looked at her, wondering what she was talking about.

“It’s the nature of my mana. It draws people’s likings.”

Alea added coldly,

“Especially effective on women. They naturally get fascinated by me. They don’t even realize it.”

Typical mages didn’t possess such power. The idea of enchanting someone with mana. That was due to Alea’s uniqueness as a legendary mage. Helmut would know if he had some knowledge about magic, but he doubted such a thing.

“So, don’t get any wrong ideas. And don’t spread rumors about this.”

What she meant was, she’s not seducing women with magic.

‘It hardly matters to me.’

Whether Alea was a notorious flirt or not, it was none of Helmut’s concern. Or was it somewhat strange?

“Where shall we go now?”

Alea crossed her arms. Helmut thought they were about to part ways after filling their stomachs, but Alea showed no intention of saying goodbye. Luckily for him, Alea had lived in Baden for over a year. That meant, Alea could be a good guide.

“To the shopping district.”

“Yes, you need that gift, right? I think I know what it is.”

Alea scanned Helmut from head to toe.

“Okay, follow me. Now that we’re here, I might as well show you around Baden properly.”

‘So it has come to this.’

After telling him not to act smart, now she’s offering to show him around Baden. Of all the people Helmut had met, Alea was the most capricious. But it wasn’t a bad thing. Helmut followed Alea as she led the way.

“-That bookstore has the widest variety of books. They are a bit pricier than other places but you can find books that are not available elsewhere.”

“-Those interested in swordsmanship usually buy practice swords and gloves from that general store.”

“-That bakery opens from dawn and is a good place for meals. The food is decent too.”

“-That’s a high-end stationery store with quality pens and notebooks. But you don’t have to buy from there necessarily. Baden has many nobles, so the cost of living is high.”

“That place specializes in handmade shoes. Swordsmen prefer custom-made leather boots that fit well and are durable. You might want to get a pair.”

Alea kept explaining about the shopping district non-stop. Apparently, Alea didn’t have the chance or someone to talk about these things before. Once she started explaining, she felt obligated to share all she knew, perhaps because she was used to teaching.

‘He talks more than I thought.’

But isn’t that so? Alea enjoyed expressing her thoughts, not only during tutoring. If Helmut couldn’t understand something, she felt a strong urge to make him understand. Conversely, Helmut preferred to listen and ponder or learn something new. In some ways, they were a perfect match.

“And over there, that’s a place you should particularly know about.”

“A smithy?”

“Yes, I’m not sure about the state of your sword, but what about its sheath?”

Alea pointed towards Helmut’s waist. It had caught her attention before. Helmut’s scabbard was worn out with many scratches on its surface. It had been with him since the Forest of Roots, so it was understandable. But it still functioned well as a scabbard, and more importantly, it was a legacy left by Darien. It felt wrong to discard or replace it.

“Already, the guys from the swordsmanship department would get into a lot of fights, but you, who are known as a commoner, would be criticized if you carried something like that around.”

Although less prevalent in the magic and humanities departments, a commoner in the swordsmanship department had to be nearly perfect. Or they needed enough patience to endure any challenges. Eventually, they would be recognized for their skills, but that usually happened after the fourth year filled with academy dramas.

“What happens if they find fault?”

“You’ll be ridiculed, called a pauper, laughed at. But if you don’t mind, then it’s fine to keep it.”

Being ridiculed or laughed at didn’t deeply hurt him, but of course, Helmut would feel bad. Especially if someone he considered insignificant dared to mock him. Were there any in the Forest of Roots who could scoff at Elaga? The weak should keep their mouths shut and crawl. That was only natural.

‘But humans don’t know I’m stronger than them.’

He could physically make them understand, but that was a last resort. The academy wasn’t a place where you could beat up anyone you had a dispute with. Though there were duels in the swordsmanship department, avoiding them was easy.

In that sense, not being faulted was preferable. Less provocation from others meant Helmut was less likely to cause trouble. Helmut concluded his thoughts.

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