Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 91 (Part 2):
The sense of immersion as if space is being sucked in. It feels like a battle is being fought. Even the breath is perfectly controlled.
Helmut’s movements were not incredibly fast, but they were in the flow.
Even the speeding up and slowing down seemed to follow the changing velocity.
Smooth movements unfold without an inch of deviation. Andro couldn’t even imagine how such a movement was possible.
‘I hate to admit it, but even I, a descendant of the sword, have never seen such movement.’
Although he never saw his father or adult relatives do basic training, he has often seen his older brother and cousin train.
But no one ever gave Andro that feeling. It was a movement that could not exist at the student learning level.
Helmut, who stopped moving, looked down at his wooden sword and tilted his head.
Something was a bit unsatisfactory. He did it as usual, but it was not the same as usual.
The balance was not shaken, but it was not enough to draw a perfect trajectory.
The wooden sword felt too light. So it was hard to keep balance.
Was this sudden change because he had taken a step forward?
Before he knew it, Andro was almost out of his consciousness.
“Ah, I don’t really have anything to point out.”
Hearing that voice, Helmut realized again that he was in class.
He was used to training alone after parting ways with Darien.
“Very graceful… good. How can you do that?”
Andro looked at Helmut with a pure look of admiration.
The gaze that had momentarily drifted away flew back to Helmut.
Helmut originally had a presence, but he has been the focus of attention since he knocked down Sabbat.
“What?”
“That movement. It’s like water flowing…”
“If you train a lot?”
Helmut didn’t know the exact answer either.
“By concentrating on swinging the sword. Countless times, thinking about your own movements, receiving criticism and improving.”
“How many times?”
“I’ve never counted. Until you’re told to stop, you can’t let go of the sword.”
“Is that possible? I mean, even if you can do it for a day or two, doing it every day…”
“I did it that way.”
The second-year swordsmanship students thought that Helmut was a stubborn teacher.
Before, he made comments that even those from the Sword Clan, who were used to rigorous training, found annoying.
At that point, even commoners will become skilled with such training. He was impressive yet somewhat pitiable.
Serious attitude towards the sword, sincerity. These are virtues for a swordsman.
Gradually, Helmut, who had all the virtues, began to feel good.
Unlike troublemakers like Asuka, who seemed to goof off all the time but had good skills, he was different.
“You’re really tough.”
Andro had nothing to say, so he closed his mouth.
Helmut did not agree with that. His standard for the word ‘tough’ was different.
It seemed that way when he was learning under Darien. But not now.
He thought he had played too much lately. The skill climbs in steps, but the stairs become harder to climb as his skill progresses.
To climb the stairs, you have to push harder, but adapting to academy life, rather, is just laziness.
The word laziness was tough for Helmut. He didn’t grow up like that.
‘Should I go into a secluded cave during the holidays.’
There might be a suitable place in the forest leading to Baden. Helmut thought.
And in the meantime, on the other side where Asuka was, there was a commotion.
“How was my posture?”
When the partner asked Asuka cautiously, Asuka immediately made an annoyed expression.
“You have a problem with everything. Learn from the beginning! How did you get into the Swordsmanship Department?”
In fact, he didn’t even look properly. He just thought it was a rough and unrefined movement with a lot of force. The angry partner glared at him.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“What’s harsh is your posture! Because of you, my eyesight has been damaged!”
“This… I…”
“what? You were going to say crazy dog, weren’t you!”
“No, who says that?”
Asuka’s side was noisy. Instructor Patricia furrowed her brow.
That guy needs to shut his mouth. The mouth was a problem as much as using a fist.
Whether he was with others or alone, that temper of his always flared.
‘That guy Helmut seems quite promising in the 2nd year.
Instructor Patricia, who was considering the confrontation between the first and second years, nodded her head.
There were many good talents among this year’s first-year students compared to previous years. It was enough to slightly increase the quota.
Among them, there were quite a few people who were hard to see as first-year students with skills.
Sometimes, the overall average of that grade surpasses the upper grade due to a few outstanding ones, but it was not common.
First and second year, second and third year. In this way, cross-confrontation between grades was often done.
Most of the time, the upper grades won. The current second year, last year’s first year, lost a lot to the current third year. It was a natural phenomenon.
The academic atmosphere was not very good due to last year’s Asuka incident.
This time, they had worried whether the 2nd years might have problems if they competed against the 1st years. However, it seemed unlikely with the current atmosphere.
Can she beat Helmut and win?
Patricia pondered for a moment. She couldn’t easily admit it due to her pride as an instructor, but she didn’t think the other instructors would show much confidence either.
It happens sometimes. They are instructors specialized in teaching. Sometimes, an outstanding student surpasses the level of the instructor.
‘But I didn’t expect to feel that against a second-year student.’
‘Where on earth did Instructor Ethan bring that guy from.’
Instructor Patricia grumbled inwardly.
Helmut was adapting well to the academy. Making those who didn’t adapt well adapt.
Although there was an incident at first, it was a good start now, just entering the beginning of the semester.
“What are you doing on your day off?” Helmut asked.
“Don’t forget to ask Alea,” Sian emphasized as they were returning.
Helmut entered the dormitory room after class and waited for a moment.
He knew that Alea usually returned to the dormitory at least once before heading elsewhere.
After he returned, Alea appeared not long after.
Today, he was holding a book with a library sticker on it, suggesting he might be reading in the dormitory.
Alea placed the book on the desk and replied somewhat sulkily, “I’ll be in the Magic Department’s research room.”