Ren and his group who were jumping from roof to roof landed on an empty street They were now near the adventurers guild. But before they entered, Valdel couldn't help but ask.
"Ren I thought you didn't like people to know how strong you are? If so then why did you stop suppressing your mana and showed that knight a part of your real strength?"
"Huh? When did I ever say that?" Ren was bewildered by Valdel's sudden question. The question itself was confusing since he can't remember ever saying such a thing.
"Back in the village, when we were training. I asked you, why you never show Uncle and Auntie what you are truly capable of. You answered because it's troublesome. So why now? That knight will most probably tell the principal about you, and things might get even more troublesome. Are you alright with that?"
Hearing Valdel's question made Ren finally realize what Valdel thought of what he said back then.
"Val it's not like I want to avoid troublesome things, it's just that I don't want to trouble my parents. If they knew about my strength, it would trouble them about what to do with me. They might even think about trying to help me get into the knight academy as well. Once they realize that no matter how hard they try they simply can't afford it, my parents will think that they are horrible parents unable to support their son."
Hearing Ren's answer made Valdel think about what his own parents thought when they heard he had the strength to beat a red bear. When he was about to sympathize with Ren, that best friend of his then said something that changes the meaning of whatever he said awhile ago.
"Well, truthfully I didn't really feel like explaining things to my parents. But with the principal or the knights, I don't really care about what they think of me. I only wanted to scare that peeping tom for a bit. Also if they did do something to me, then they should expect me to crush them into nothingness. I don't care whatever reason they have to attack I only hope they will be able to satisfy me." Ren who thought of all the knight academy students and teachers attacking him excited him to no end. He showed a vicious smile as he imagined that scenario.
His old personality was once again resurfacing, his lust for battle was not much as before when he was still a demon, but it was still there. When he realized that he was about to lose control of himself, Ren stopped thinking about fighting. As he tried to calm his mind.
Valdel who felt his best friend's rising battle intent as well as seeing that vicious grin of his, remembered that time. He remembered the time Ren fought the adult red bear, he had a similar grin back then.
Even Lara was starting to get worried about Ren's current state, but before they did anything Ren suddenly calmed himself down. Once he was calm enough Ren continued to explain the reason why he did what he did.
"Well, I also had another reason. It's a kind of bait you see. The principal will find me once I'm an adventure, and at that point, I'm going to use the principal to boost my prestige." Ren then explained to the inexperienced Valdel a bit about his true intent.
...
While Ren and his group were talking in front of the adventurers guild, Julius was speaking to the Principal. He explained what had transpired in the front gates of the academy.
Julius then presented the broken glasses as proof of what happened. The principal took the broken glasses and inspected it. These glasses of his were made with magical properties and the materials used came from several formidable monsters. To shatter the glasses with simply showcasing one's mana capacity, indicated the person had mana that surpassed a certain threshold.
"So what happened afterward? Were you able to invite the boy to become a student at the academy?" The principal asked Julius while still inspecting the glasses. Julius hesitated a bit, before answering.
"No sir, I tried but he rejected the invitation." When the Principal heard Julius's answer, he placed the glasses down and looked at Julius like he was assessing him.
"Did you at least acquired his name?"
"No, sir..." When Julius answered, he noticed that the Principal's face seem to darken, so he quickly added on. "But his friend will join our school two days from now. We can question him about the boy. Here is his registration form."
Julius handed to the Principal, Valdel's registration form. The Principal then looked at the registration form, and the first thing he noticed was Valdel's messy handwriting. He read every detail of what was written in the registration form, and what interested him was the village Valdel came from.
The boy was actually from Carto Village. The forgotten village of the hero who slew the Dragon King Ruka. Was the boy perhaps a descendant of that hero, that might mean his friend was as well.
"We might still be able to salvage this mistake of yours... Inform me immediately once the boy called Valdel arrives. I will personally talk to him."
"Yes, sir." Julius respectfully answered.
"If you won't add anything more to your report, then you may leave." Julius who heard the Principal dismiss him left after saluting him the knight's way.
Once Julius left the room, the principal stood up and headed towards the bookshelf. He started to look around until he finally found what he was searching for. It was a book without a title, just a picture of a dragon with two heads on the cover. The Principal opened the book and started reading it when he found the passage he was looking for he smiled.
"I wonder if they had inherited that skill as well. The skill that made Hero Carto, able to slay Dragon King Ruka. The skill that had granted him the title of hero." When the Principal imagines himself training a future hero, his old bones that have grown bored and weak. Started to feel excited and rejuvenated once more.
His final years were nearing, and death could come at any time. But before he would greet the God of Death, his wish to train the strongest knight was within reach.