Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 84 (Part 1):
The voice was exceedingly calm and devoid of emotion. However, it held a peculiar power that captivated everyone’s attention.
All eyes turned towards Helmut simultaneously.
The clash between Asuka and Sabbat’s gang had now become an intriguing spectacle. The onlookers among the swordsmanship students buzzed with excitement.
In the swordsmanship Department, Helmut was a boy who exuded an air that was difficult to approach, almost aristocratic in demeanor. He was rumored to be highly skilled, but the swordsmanship students had never had the opportunity to witness his abilities firsthand.
He possessed excellent fundamentals, usually kept quiet but unexpectedly verbose, and always wore an expressionless face.
Perhaps it was because he was a commoner, or perhaps it was due to his dark and enigmatic eyes, but despite his handsome appearance, people found it difficult to warm up to him.
Asuka was the only one in the swordsmanship Department who had approached Helmut without hesitation.
They had soon realized that Helmut was provoking someone due to his remark about Sabbat’s gang.
“Doesn’t matter who it is. The outcome will be the same anyway.”
His tone wasn’t so much provocative as it was a matter-of-fact statement, which made it sound even more mocking.
Sabbat’s gang, who had previously paid no attention to Helmut, were now bewildered.
“What did you say?”
“Are you mentally unstable or something?”
Despite his calm and mocking tone, they began to step forward, one by one.
Helmut raised an eyebrow and continued, “All eight of you, huh? Feel free to come at me. Forming groups is typical of the weak.”
“Fine, I’ll do it!”
Sabbat, gritted his teeth and took the lead. He might have been babbling with arrogance, but there was no need to restrain him.
After all, he was known as one of the top students among the swordsmanship students. Despite hearing warnings like “Don’t provoke Crazy Dog, he’s practically the top student in the swordsmanship Department,” he didn’t believe for a moment that he would lose to the blue-haired, well-dressed commoner.
Helmut asked with his usual demeanor, “Are you going to do it alone?”
“This brat!”
Sabbat, swinging his wooden sword, was held back by those around him.
“Whoa, Sabbat, calm down. Just give him a little scolding and come back.”
“Like I’d let you excite him and prevent me from showing my skills.”
“I won’t agree to that. Once the match starts, you’ll be getting hit by his wooden sword soon enough.”
Sabbat was among the top students in the Swordsmanship Department, even among the second-year students.
Since entering the academy and sparring with students from the Swordsmanship Department, he had gained confidence in his own abilities. He was sure of it. That confidence was not only in himself but also spread to those around him.
“Come with me!”
Sabbat shouted as he headed towards Instructor Alan. Helmut followed him.
Asuka grumbled discontentedly, “Are you just having fun by yourself?”
But his eyes were sharp as they scrutinized Helmut.
“I didn’t get a good look at his actions when he dealt with the attackers back then.”
He wanted to see this guy’s skills properly. One of the reasons Helmut had followed him was because of this curiosity.
Helmut calmly replied, “I’ll handle your share too.”
“No need. I’ll take care of my part. But make sure to give me a real challenge.”
Asuka whispered some tips about the sparring to Helmut, which would be very helpful.
‘Come to think of it, I can’t miss this guy’s sparring.’
Since everyone in the Swordsmanship Department would be sparring, Asuka would eventually spar with someone left without a partner.
The other blockheads seemed to have forgotten, but with Helmut and Sabbat facing off, they became odd-numbered themselves.
If they couldn’t find someone else to spar with, there was a high probability that one of them would end up against Asuka.
‘It’s going to be very interesting.’
A cold smile briefly touched Asuka’s lips. Anyway, it worked out as planned. That was enough.
***
‘What the hell is this!’
Once the duel opponent was determined, Jerome’s face turned a shade of pale blue.
Erun, who quickly grasped the situation, had already paired up with another guy, leaving Jerome as the odd one out.
Though he had tried to find another suitable opponent, his duel partner was soon chosen.
“You ended up joining me, the person you were avoiding?”
Asuka laughed heartily, in high spirits. Jerome, on the other hand, tried to maintain a composed expression, even though his face had turned ashen.
He had his pride, and he couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of a commoner. After all, he was a noble.
“Who said I was avoiding you? It’s because Sabbat, my duel partner, came forward instead.”
“In reality, your leg was trembling, wasn’t it? Last year, you were beaten by me like a scarecrow. This time, as soon as it starts, shout out your surrender all disheveled! It suits a cowardly guy like you, doesn’t it?”
Jerome ground his teeth.
“Who, who’s being a coward here? Do you think my skills are the same as last year?”
“It doesn’t look any different to me. Well, we’ll see soon enough.”
Jerome gripped his wooden sword firmly. He was starting to feel a strong urge to curse Sabbat.