Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 86 (Part 2):
Although it didn’t seem like they fully grasped the situation, Alan concluded it there.
It was an arrogant remark, but what Helmut said was correct. The things he had been through were not something the instructor could handle.
Helmut had resolved conflicts within the academy in his own way, using the methods available to him.
It just went too far and needed to be stopped. Helmut would have understood that to some extent.
“That sounds interesting.”
Asuka chuckled. It was a sunny smile. He wanted to spar with Helmut, to cross swords with him. Not with a wooden sword but with a real one.
Asuka knew that Helmut had remarkable skills. However, he wanted to experience it firsthand. He was curious.
The combative Asuka wasn’t afraid of fighting strong opponents. His fearlessness was one of his talents.
“Can we leave now?”
Asuka patted his stomach. He had been so excited that his stomach was now growling. He needed to eat something.
Alan raised an eyebrow.
“No way. Did you really think it would end with just words?”
“Then what?”
“Fifty pages of reflection! You can’t leave until you’ve written them all. Start writing before the theory class begins, and if you finish before leaving, come back here to complete the quota!”
Asuka’s expression crumpled. These days, it felt like he used his hands more for writing than for holding a sword.
The only fortunate thing was that he had a comrade.
***
“Ugh, damn it! My hands are numb.”
Returning to the dormitory in the early morning, Asuka clenched his hand and muttered in annoyance.
Having become proficient in writing reflections, he finished his work about 30 minutes early and patiently waited for Helmut to complete his reflection. Of course, he didn’t lend a helping hand.
Helmut frowned. After writing fifty pages, his hands were entirely red and tingling.
While it might be helpful for strengthening his finger muscles, he didn’t want to do it again.
Helmut was used to repeating simple movements, but writing reflections was an excruciatingly slow and tedious task.
Asuka, who used it as an outlet for his frustration, continued to grumble cheerfully. It was as if a crazy dog had turned into a puppy.
“Why the sour face? Is something wrong?”
“I couldn’t train today because I was busy writing reflections.”
If he took a short nap after going inside, it would be morning. To maintain his concentration and attend classes the next day, he needed to secure at least a minimal amount of sleep.
He might be able to squeeze in some training at the training grounds if he rushed in the morning, but…
As Helmut organized his schedule for the next day in his mind, Asuka responded as if he were on fire.
“I thought you might be addicted to training. Do you even think about that after writing reflections all day?”
“Your skills seem pretty good compared to your training hours.”
“Why the sudden compliment?”
“But talent without effort will eventually be overtaken by talent that puts in the effort.”
Helmut interrupted him.
“That’s what my master used to say.”
“It sounds just like the instructors’ nagging, doesn’t it? Hey, what do you think I did during the break when those noble guys were resting at home?”
“I don’t care what you did.”
It meant he really wasn’t curious at all.
“…Are you trying to get closer to me by scratching me or something? You don’t want to be friends that badly?”
“No.”
With a nearly indifferent meaning, he didn’t dislike it. It felt like they were already entangled.
“What’s the matter, then? You do want to become friends, right? That’s what I gather.”
Asuka, who drew his own conclusions, grumbled with a brighter face.
“I failed the written exam. Because of those jerks, I couldn’t even read the textbook. I have nowhere to borrow it from. How about you?”
“I did well.”
When Helmut answered honestly, Asuka’s face contorted.
“You sneaky bastard.”
While he was peculiar in his own right, Helmut was truly unique.
There were many diligent students, but few were as dedicated to their studies as he was.
His personality was the complete opposite of his dedication, with a mix of being mild-mannered and having a ruthless side.
Looking at Sabbat’s condition, Asuka also stuck out his tongue. If Asuka foolishly provoked someone, Helmut had tempered his opponents to the point where they wouldn’t harm his life.
Sabbat, poor guy, would have found even walking to the infirmary painful.
“Did you see that bastard’s smug face? Next time he sees you, he’ll run away like a scared rabbit.”
“He might hire Black Hawk again.”
He didn’t have a hobby of tormenting weaker individuals. He just took care of him because he couldn’t kill him.
But he was more concerned about Black Hawk. Helmut had won every time they clashed.
Now that he knew where he was, how would Black Hawk come at him next? Helmut was curious about that.
Upon reaching the dormitory, Asuka, who seemed tired, yawned and waved his hand.
“See you tomorrow!”
It was 4 in the morning. There wasn’t much time left until sunrise. Helmut quickly returned to his room.
Inside, there was a rustling sound, and the light came on. Alea yawned and stuck her face out through the gap in the central partition.
“What’s going on? Why are you coming back so late?”
“I had some issues.”
“Who did you fight and ended up writing a reflection?”
With an accurate guess, Helmut clenched his lips.
Alea occasionally showed interest in his daily life. It felt like he had become a subject of observation.
Normally, he would have teased Alea, but it was too late.
“Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Good night.”
The curtain closed again, and the sound of Alea climbing into bed could be heard.
After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Helmut headed for the bed. He had never worn nightclothes before, but living in the Kudrow Mansion had made him accustomed to the habits of the nobility.
It had been a busy day. But things seemed like they would change starting tomorrow.
Helmut lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. It felt strangely sweet, like sleep was beckoning.