As the second-year students of the Swordsmanship Department, including Helmut, returned to the academy, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Pedica Forest.
Needless to say, it was too late. Talon and Pacho had already left the forest. The traces of the assassin were only left in the campsite, cleanly erased elsewhere.
However, the presence of a first-class mercenary-level assassin was indeed threatening. Helmut knew that if Pacho was in his right mind, he wouldn't target him alone again, especially not within Greta Academy.
But the academy's staff, especially Instructor Ethan, didn't think so. Helmut was banned from leaving for Baden.
One silver lining was that this simplified his schedule. Helmut could focus solely on training. After completing his statements at the academy, he headed straight to the private training grounds.
Battle against a strong opponent, intense and novel experiences, awaken the spirit. Helmut, a swordsman capable of visualizing vis.
There's a saying that all roads lead to one. Reaching a certain level affects all kinds of achievements. New experiences, new emotions, new life. The experiences he gained became his nourishment.
'The Seed of Darkness has grown.'
It was inevitable, having been exposed to magic up close. The Seed of Darkness had grown, albeit slightly. Its growth couldn't be stopped, but as the Seed of Darkness grew, so did his vis, as if leaping over stagnant stages.
These two powers supported Helmut, but also checked each other. Thanks to this, Helmut became stronger. How much and in what ways he had strengthened, even he did not fully understand.
'The battle also had an impact.'
Swinging the sword with all his might, consuming vis, and then replenishing it anew. All these were linked in a chain, a cycle. In the academy, Helmut became weaker but at the same time, stronger. He was growing.
Helmut knew this path was not easy. He would soon face another wall, but if he could overcome that wall, he might someday reach Darien's level. It was too early to be overconfident, but that future wasn't too far away.
Alone in the training room, Helmut gripped his wooden sword tightly.
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When Helmut returned to the dormitory, he coincidentally ran into his two friends. Asuka and Sian had returned late from the academy after being questioned.
"You guys had an interesting experience in the forest?"
Sian asked with interest. Having completed his assignments early, he was loafing around in the dormitory. He had shifted to playing around regularly and only focusing during exam periods.
"How was fighting the assassin? Was it fun?"
"Yeah, damn fun. This too!"
Asuka mercilessly put Sian in a headlock.
"Ow, ow, ow!"
Despite Sian's dramatic screams, Asuka applied more pressure. Usually, he wouldn't try to overpower this frail guy physically. Complaining about someone else's business so lightly. Although Asuka himself often spoke without thinking, he couldn't let it slide when others did the same.
"You, you bastard! Is that what you say to a friend who returned from the brink of death?"
"Well, you seemed fine, so I just said it as a greeting. You look alright. Ow, ow, let go!"
"Greetings my foot, you need to learn your lesson!"
Watching them bicker, Helmut felt the reality of being back at Greta Academy. It felt like he had been far away and had just returned. The sense of reality was astonishing. This place had become like home to him.
"I'm going to rest."
It was nearing midnight. Approaching his room to open the door, Helmut hesitated. The light was on inside.
'Is Alea awake?'
He thought Alea would be asleep since he returned early. But true to his nature, Alea seemed to be engrossed in his research late into the night.
"Welcome back."
Alea stood up from his chair to greet Helmut as he entered. His tone was unusually gentle. Helmut looked at him intently.
'He's not wearing pajamas.'
Alea was in his student uniform. Helmut found it disappointing, not seeing him in the cute bear pajamas. Surprised at discovering such a preference in himself, Helmut took what Alea offered.
"What's this?"
"A communication bracelet. Use this to contact me if anything happens. It's rechargeable and single-use."
The bracelet was new, freshly enchanted. It seemed Alea made it out of concern for his roommate.
Alea was considerate. Helmut couldn't understand why Asuka and Sian criticized his personality. It's often hard for those receiving special treatment to recognize it.
"The activation word is 'Alea Akbar'. Say it after wearing it, and the magic will be cast immediately."
"Alea Akbar... What does that mean?"
An unusual pronunciation. It wasn't in the common tongue.
"It means 'Lord Alea is great' in some island dialect. You have a good memory, so remember it well."
"Right."
Helmut felt a chill. Saying that activation word felt like begging Alea for his life, somewhat humiliating.
But he obediently wore the bracelet. Although unlikely to need Alea's help by force, his healing magic could be useful if injured.
"Then rest."
Alea immediately turned back to his desk, probably organizing his assignments. The bracelet felt cool, like a shackle, binding him somehow. Unsure why he felt that way, Helmut headed to the bathroom to wash off the day's fatigue and rest.
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The campsite manager confessed he had no choice but to lend his place because his family living nearby was taken hostage. Based on the description of Pacho given by the members of Team 9, wanted posters were issued. But could that really capture him? Helmut was skeptical.
The academy also had some success. They caught a spy who leaked information about the second-year Swordsmanship Department students heading to Pedica Forest to Black Hawk. The whole academy was abuzz for a while.
In any case, they would not approach Helmut again. Even if they harbored intentions to eliminate him, they'd rather use the moment Helmut contacts them for information.
'Three pieces of information.'
Helmut considered what information would be worth asking for.
'Darien's enemy, my family, and the temple, perhaps.'
Baden was a city familiar to mages, different from the temple, which valued obedience to gods over human achievements.
Not outright rejection, but there was tension. He had heard the temple once pressured Baden to install a barrier around the city.
'It's not urgent yet.'
Helmut shook his head. He had a rough idea about Darien's enemy since Darien had told him.
The second piece of information was the most necessary. Helmut had to consider one thing: Black Hawk would wonder why he was seeking this information. Through it, they might find a way to exploit his weaknesses.
'I have to think carefully about offering state secrets. I can't afford to waste it.'
Whether Black Hawk actually had the capability to provide such information was another matter.
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Helmut devoted his holiday entirely to training. After the eventful picnic week ended and classes resumed, Helmut soon realized he had become quite famous. Known as the guy who fought a first-class mercenary-level assassin!
Passing academy students, regardless of seniority, whispered about him. The second-year Swordsmanship Department students looked at him with awe during class.
Asuka, who had actually fought fiercely, grumbled unhappily.
"Hey, I'm the one who stabbed the guy, and he just chased after the guy who ran away."
"Yeah, because he was scared of Helmut and ran away."
"Then it's all thanks to Helmut."
Being able to make an opponent run away in fear seemed more impressive than actually fighting. Asuka had to admit it, despite his grimace.
Andro and James, having experienced the same ordeal, were relatively quiet. Perhaps realizing their own powerlessness, they holed up in the training room. Basil, Wesley, and Michel, who had left Team 9 earlier, appeared sheepish.
"We didn't know such a thing happened after we left."
"You had a rough time."
"Lucky you."
Helmut knew they were from high-ranking noble families. Pacho had mentioned excluding them for that reason.
If Asuka knew, he would have been twisted in frustration, but fortunately, he didn't. Helmut casually accepted their words.
"Right."
"Anyway, it would have been a hindrance if we were there."
Asuka snorted dismissively at their comments.
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As Helmut and Asuka were leaving the Swordsmanship Department building, they encountered a familiar face.
"Ah, senior."
Charlotte greeted them with a bow. She had been scarce since her unilateral defeat in a duel with Helmut and had been focusing on training. She seemed in good spirits, perhaps having sorted out her feelings. She was alone, apparently waiting for them. Helmut asked,
"What do you need?"
'Not Alea again, I hope.'
Charlotte liked Alea, or so Helmut thought. But her request thankfully wasn't about him. She spoke earnestly.
"I've heard the rumors. You were attacked by an assassin from a group called Black Hawk. Both of you went through a dangerous ordeal. I'm glad you're safe."
She was the only one to react normally. Asuka, who had been frowning since seeing her, suddenly spoke.
"You."
"Yes?"
He seemed to be wrestling with something. Finally, Asuka chose his words.
"Thanks for the help."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't get me wrong. It's not like I learned from you, just applied some things."
With that, Asuka turned and walked away, leaving Charlotte looking at Helmut in confusion.
"Do you know what he's talking about?"
"No."
Asuka was always a bit strange. Charlotte didn't dwell on it and got straight to the point.
"Senior, if it's not too much to ask, could we have a duel on the weekend?"
That was her purpose. After all, she was from the Swordsmanship Department. It wasn't just to offer condolences for being attacked by an assassin.
Helmut was about to dismiss her with 'It's an inconvenience,' but hesitated.
"Alright. But there's a condition."
"What's the condition?"
"You answer my question."
"If it's something I can answer."
"Fine."
The deal was made. Helmut set a date with her and turned to leave. It was a postponed issue. But before contacting Black Hawk for information, he thought it better to confirm with her first.
He had achieved a milestone, prompting him to advance what he had been hesitating on. For now, he just wanted to know. When to act on it remained undecided.
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A few days later, Dino, having recovered and returned after three days, waved cheerfully at his classmates. He was naturally jovial. Considering he had gone berserk to the point of rolling his eyes back, he was in surprisingly good shape.
Helmut sensed that the remnants of magic had completely disappeared from Dino's body. It was a relief.
'So divine magic is indeed effective against magic.'
Dino's treatment was covered by the academy. They had paid a significant amount to the temple for a complete purification of the magic. It's cruel that you can't even get treated without money.
If Helmut hadn't extracted the magic, Dino would have died before treatment could begin. Helmut had no intention, nor could he, of making himself known as the savior of Dino's life. However,
'Maybe I should have asked then.'
The heart-eating worm Pacho tried to feed him was also a unique method. If Black Hawk had more unknown techniques like that, knowing them would be a defense.
Lost in thought, the cheerful conversation continued around him.
"Hey, Dino! Is it true you got kidnapped by the assassin while peeing?"
"Did you get caught with your pants down?"
"Pee-boy. Seriously, it's pathetic."
"Shut up! What was I supposed to do when I needed to go?"
Dino quickly became the butt of jokes. Given his shameless responses, thankfully, he didn't seem to have taken a significant psychological hit from the ordeal.
It was another peaceful day in the Swordsmanship Department.