Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 66 (Part 2):

‘The request from Greta Academy.’

He thought about the details of the request the receptionist had mentioned. According to the rumors, late at night at Greta Academy, strange sounds were heard along with the appearance of an odd figure. It was definitely not human. Although it hadn’t harmed anyone, many had seen it. There were rumors it was a ghost.

Instructors and curious mages had tried to uncover the identity of this entity, but it never appeared in front of those with a purpose. Unable to devote more time to it, the interest dwindled, but the strange appearances continued. It was unsettling to leave it unaddressed. The resolution was necessary.

Greta Academy decided to hand this troublesome issue over to the mercenary guild, considering it wasn’t something the students, who should be focusing on their studies, needed to worry about. They hoped to resolve this before the school term started, offering a significant amount for the mission. The task was to identify or eliminate this mysterious entity.

‘3,000 marks. Not bad.’

Though he had received an additional payment, considering that his escort mission for Xenia was originally only 800 marks, 3,000 marks was a substantial sum. The reward was generous because there was no guarantee of a solution, and the method of resolution was unknown. It was somewhat of a riddle. But Helmut had one reason for taking on this potentially unprofitable task.

‘It pays well. And it seems interesting.’

The phenomenon of the mysterious appearance intrigued him. He was tired of escort and transport missions. Standing guard and protecting someone wasn’t really his thing. Looking at the documents the receptionist had passed to him, the only suitable missions in Baden seemed to be acting as a sparring partner for a young lord or finding a runaway cat. He’d rather explore Greta Academy than do those. After all, in a month, he would be a student in the swordsmanship department of Greta Academy.

‘Let’s give it two weeks.’

He planned to work hard on the mission for two weeks and then look for something else if it didn’t work out. With such a large sum at stake, it was worth a try. He had no other plans for the time being anyway. The documents received from the receptionist included witness statements and an overview of the incidents. Helmut reviewed the details and headed straight to Greta Academy.

However, when he reached the entrance of the academy, he encountered a situation similar to one a few days prior. Actually, the situation was worse. There were more of them this time. Five girls appeared out of nowhere, surrounding Helmut with fiery eyes. A guard looked on indifferently from a distance.

‘Quite the popular man, it seems.’

He seemed to think Helmut was interacting with female students. The guard soon lost interest. It was an unfortunate situation for Helmut. His brow furrowed.

‘What’s this about?’

He couldn’t just barge into the academy without an admission notice. To pass, he had to get through them… Showing the documents to these girls didn’t seem like it would end well, as it could interfere with the mission.

With an air of annoyance, Helmut asked.

“What is it?”

The girls covered their mouths and made a fuss.

“Oh, look at his tone!”

“And those eyes!”

“So rough!”

“Violent!”

“Rude!”

In an instant, Helmut was practically labeled a ruffian. Just one sentence had led to such criticism. Rather than anger, Helmut was dumbfounded.

‘So, this is a challenge.’

It was unfamiliar and almost refreshing. Hence, he wasn’t angry, just irritated by their chatter. They soon began their interrogation in earnest.

“What’s your relationship with Alea?”

“I heard you were wandering around the shopping district with Mr. Alea!”

“Getting tutoring and guidance, what exactly did you do to her!”

What had he done? It was more like what was being done to him at the moment. He was speechless. Alea’s followers provided a unique experience for him, not a pleasant one. Their tone was as if he had blackmailed Alea, although Helmut had indeed intended to do so, albeit with a positive outcome.

Helmut wasn’t someone who easily got surprised or flustered. He remained calm even in unexpected situations. But he was at a loss on how to react to this abnormal group of followers. He considered his options.

‘If I knock them down…’

Fail. He’d be facing disciplinary action even before starting at the academy.

‘If I kill them…’

Even if he secretly lured and killed them, considering Alea’s followers weren’t just a few, would he become a notorious serial killer in Baden? Fail.

As he pondered, a lightning-fast idea struck him.

‘He told me to pretend as I don’t know him.’

With a neutral expression, Helmut asked.

“Who’s Alea?”

“Unbelievable! Are you trying to feign ignorance now?”

“Not even ‘I don’t know Mr. Alea,’ but ‘Who’s Alea?'”

“Are you seriously saying you don’t know Mr. Alea, the most dazzlingly beautiful and noble person in this academy?”

“Is that even possible?”

‘…Is that the extent of it?’

Alea had mentioned that such behavior from them was due to her mana, but this seemed more like a curse than mana. A curse that lowers intelligence. Is this what happens when someone is enchanted by someone else? While curious, Helmut was also annoyed. He spoke with a cold expression.

“I have nothing to do with that Alea. Move.”

The girls’ scrutinizing gazes were chilling, pausing them for a moment.

Then, someone’s voice was heard.

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