Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 97 (Part 1):
“Professor Luxen always gives problems and insists that you incorporate ‘your thoughts’ into the solution. Just writing the answers as you learned or from the textbook won’t earn you many points. If the professor provided an explanation opposite to the textbook and you don’t mention it in your response, points will be deducted.
He would probably prefer if you refute the professor’s explanation, but that would require being well-versed in the subject, so let’s not think about that.”
“Okay.”
“First, memorize this part and this part. These are probably the parts that Professor Luxen emphasized. Do you remember the class content?”
Helmut tried to recall. He definitely remembered attending the lecture, but it was vague.
Alea, while explaining, glanced at Helmut and closed the book.
“You seem to lack concentration today. Let’s do it next time.”
Alea, who sighed, handed over the book. She didn’t look happy.
Normally, he would have asked questions about the explained content and written answers to the expected questions, but it seemed impossible today.
Alea’s words partly registered in Helmut’s ears, while the rest brushed past like a fleeting sound.
“Is it because you’ve been swinging your sword so much that you can’t study?”
It wasn’t sarcasm, but a serious question.
There was a joke that swordsmanship students had their brains muscularized, making it impossible to study flexibly.
While there were individuals in the swordsmanship department who excelled in both martial arts and academic aspects, it wasn’t common.
It’s a great thing for a student in the swordsmanship department of Greta Academy, where only geniuses gather, to build up enough knowledge to be recognized in other departments.
While the swordsmanship department was training around the field, students in other departments were stuck in front of their desks until they got a headache from looking at thick and difficult books.
Magic was a power that could not be used without knowledge, unlike swordsmanship.
Alea showed an analytical attitude.
“Or is it the environment? Maybe studying in your room isn’t suitable for you.”
“Maybe.”
Helmut nodded. Before moving the desk here, studying was going well, so it seemed the issue was with this location.
The desk was narrow, and everything was too close. Sitting so close, face to face. The previous tutoring place had some distance at least.
Alea was a powerful magician, enough to trigger Helmut’s defense instincts. Certainly not an ally, but her presence made him tense involuntarily.
Helmut fully accepted that. Otherwise, the situation wouldn’t make sense.
“Then let me find another study room. Like the one we used before. It might be challenging during the exam period, but if it doesn’t work out, we can go to Kudrow Mansion on holidays.”
Since the last visit, Alea seemed to have a favorable impression of Kudrow Mansion. Helmut agreed.
“Let’s do that.”
***
Fortunately, Alea could secure the last remaining study room. It was fortunate because many students frequented the library.
Studying in the intense competitive atmosphere was effective for learning.
That’s why, rather than a lax study room, they deliberately chose the library.
However, there were only 4-person rooms. It wasn’t suitable for just the two of them.
After some consideration, Alea added two more names next to hers and Helmut’s.
Sian, Asuka. She wrote it down first and later asked Helmut to get the consent of the parties involved.
Since there were limitations on renting other study rooms, those who borrowed the room had a say.
Both Sian and Asuka seemed indifferent to the matter. But a problem arose.
“Why are you two here?”
Alea asked with an unpleasant expression. The issue was that Sian and Asuka declared they would study in the study room where only Alea and Helmut were supposed to be.
Sian was slowly gaining composure while studying for the exam, and Asuka was enthusiastic.
He seemed determined to get better grades than Helmut.
“You submitted our names, so why can’t we be here?”
It was a reasonable objection. Sian shrugged his shoulders in agreement with Asuka’s words.
“The atmosphere in the library is too stern. I got a lot of glares just for dropping a pen.”
“Right. I can’t study well in the dormitory, so don’t be petty, and let’s use it together. I didn’t even think about a study room like this.”
“It’s not surprising, you can’t rent a study room alone during the exam period.”
Asuka pointed out that until last year, he couldn’t find someone to share a study room with.
Asuka’s eyebrows rose sharply.
“Are you forgetting why I was alone?”
The Crazy Dog of the swordsmanship department. Asuka was always ready to bite his opponent.
“Haha! Let’s study. Ah, there’s so much to cover for the exams; it’s killing me.”
Sian, acting cheeky, hastily opened the textbook.
Alea didn’t give up and made an excuse.
“Helmut and I need to discuss while studying, so it might get noisy. It would be better to go to the library.”
“Some noise can help with studying.”
“No problem, make as much noise as you want.”
As Asuka bluntly retorted, his eyes narrowed.
“What about that tutoring? Isn’t it a bit dangerous? Getting tutoring during the midterm. Helmut, do you have a lot of money?”
Though common, Helmut had a wealthy guardian named Ethan Kudrow. Money wasn’t an issue.
However, it seemed strange that the Academy instructors, including Ethan, would allow private tutoring.
“I’m not paying for it.”
Since that incident in the dorm room, being alone with Alea felt oddly uncomfortable for Helmut.
For Helmut, it was better to have Asuka and Sian in the same room. With the two energetic individuals, the atmosphere became much more comfortable.
‘These guys are kind of useful.’
Helmut recalled the saying that everyone has their uses wherever they are.
“So? That picky guy volunteering?”
“What did you ask for? Human experimentation?”
“If you’re going to study, shut up and read a book.”
When the two showed curiosity, Alea showed irritation.