บท 38: Opening Ceremony

When everyone heard what Ren said they all had different reactions. Kithra the one Ren gave the command, just smiled her coquettish smile and answered.

"If that is what you wish, my master." She kept on calling Ren her master to try and make him excited. Kithra has met many men before and based solely on his looks Ren appeared to be just a young boy. So she thought that if she kept repeating calling Ren master, she would get a reaction out of him. Yet mentally Ren wasn't affected at all, since in the past many beautiful maidens had called him master, so hearing it from someone of Kithra's level of beauty was not really effective.

Still because of his body being the body of a teenage human boy, there was still an uncontrollable reaction. It's just that no one has noticed anything. Ren who was aware of what was happening to his body was once again irritated by the human body.

The only one who noticed the change in Ren, was the one who has always observed him, Lara. She was able to discern that Kithra's body language and flirty ways was actually having an effect on Ren, even though he didn't show it on the outside.

'What the hell is that b*tch doing?!' Lara screamed in her mind. She wanted to attack Kithra but that wouldn't really help. Also if she did attack Kithra the others might notice what's happening to Ren. So Lara just stood there looking at the Kithra with her deadpan eyes.

Ren on the other hand shifted his attention to Gregory. "Gregory I want you to take some of the thieves and beggars in the southern district, and teach them how to become competent assassins. Aside from that you can continue your assassination work as per normal."

"Huh? You want me to train other people to become assassins? How do I do that? I haven't trained anyone before... I don't even know where to start."

"Just train them how you see fit, or if someone had taught you the way of assassination, train them the same way your master taught you."

"I'll try, but don't blame me if the results aren't good." Gregory could only sigh as he reluctantly agreed.

"Just try it out for now, and we'll see how we can improve you training regimen later." Ren wasn't really bothered if Gregory fails to train them or not. If he was able to train them well, then good. But if he wasn't then it didn't really matter. He had other reasons as to why he ordered Gregory to do this. Once Ren was done talking to Gregory, he looked at Iselv.

"As for you, I want you to assign a man for each of our new information dealers. I want your people to protect them as they buy and sell their information. Also I want you to tell your men to stop stealing, I will give you guys a salary. I will hand you money tomorrow, and you decide how to distribute it. I will send you two some money as well. Just do as you are told and we will get along just great." Ren looked at his three subordinates with a smile on his face.

"I will follow your command." Iselv acknowledge the command given to him, while the other two nodded at Ren. Now that Ren explained the basics of what he wanted to happen, he then started to explain a bit of his long term plan.

...

It took Ren half a night to finish explaining his plans for the future. Once he was done with explaining the basics of his plans, the six of them went their separate ways. Kithra wanted to go with Ren and even offered up to do some nightly duties, but Lara denied her for Ren. Kithra seeing the stoic Lara come to Ren's defense giggled at how cute the expressionless girl was acting.

"Maybe next time then." Kithra left after saying this line, which made Lara scream with anger on the inside. The three went back to the inn, and waiting in front of the inn was Kuro.

"Kuro we solved your problem about being a slave. You're a free person again. So What do you plan to do now?" Valdel asked Kuro with a smile on his handsome face.

"...Umm, I just need to do something in my village. Once I'm done with that... I... I want to stay with you Valdel. Can I stay with you Valdel?" Kuro bowed her head as she pleaded. Valdel was shocked to hear what Kuro said, while Ren and Lara already guess that this might happen.

"umm, hmm, I... Kuro... I don't think you can come with me. The path I take is a harsh one, and you need to have the strength to follow. As of now you don't have the strength needed to follow me." Valdel hesitated before answering, but in the end he said what was needed to be said.

Kuro who heard Valdel's answer gripped his hand tightly. Valdel could feel the trembling of her hands.

"Please Valdel! I have nowhere else to go. My village is gone, the people I care for are dead... I... I have no one else... No one... I... Please, you're my only hope." Kuro started to cry, the people walking pass the inn started to look at the crying girl.

Valdel hesitated to answer, since he really wanted to help her. He wanted to help, but bringing her with him will not really help her, it might actually be the death of her. Valdel's journey will be a harsh one, and those without strength will perish. If Kuro joins him with her current strength, then she will die for sure.

"Kuro I-" Ren cut Valdel off as he spoke.

"Valdel what are you doing? Are you going to half a*s this? You save her out of your own selfishness, then you leave her to fend for herself. You think your protecting her, but the truth is you're just being selfish. Her whole village is gone, and she has no one left. If you're going to leave her like this, then you might as well left her as a slave."

When Valdel heard what Ren said, he clenched his fist. He knew as usual Ren was right, but still he can't change his decision. Even if it was his own selfish desire, he didn't want to see Kuro die, simply because she followed him. Ren noticed Valdel's hesitation and knew what he was thinking.

"That girl, is a part of the warbeasts, and she's of the wolf tribe. That tribe boast of unrivaled speed in battle. Also warbeasts are physically better than humans, as long as she is trained properly she would be a great ally."

Kuro was shocked to hear Ren the scary person siding with her. Valdel on the other hand couldn't argue with Ren's logic, so in the end he could only sigh.

"Fine Kuro, you can join me on my journey. Do what you must first, and when you're done come find me in Grenton's Knight Academy."

Kuro hearing Valdel's answer was overcome by joy and hugged him. The little wolf girl was crying so much that some snot came out of her nose. Valdel wasn't bothered by this as he gently hugged the crying Kuro.

Seeing that this charade was over, Ren took hold of Lara and headed to their room. Upon entering their room Ren proceeded to ravish Lara. As Ren was doing it with Lara and passion had taken over, a bit of clarity snuck into Ren's consciousness.

'I really hope this stage of my human life gets over quickly. The sudden burst of emotions is inconvenient.'

...

Kuro told Valdel that she needed to leave first to finish some personal matters.

"Do you need to leave now? It's already pretty dark outside, how about staying the night and leaving tomorrow?" Kuro shook her head, and look at Valdel with determination.

"I need to do this now, it is important. Also unlike humans I can see perfectly in the dark. So Valdel thank you for everything. Please tell your friends that I thank them for all they had done as well." Kuro bowed her head again as she said her thanks.

"It's Val."

"Huh?" Kuro tilted her head in confusion.

"That's what my friends and companions call me. No need to say my whole name, you can just call me Val." Hearing what Valdel said Kuro couldn't help but blush, her tail was even wagging left and right, showing her excitement.

"Umm... V-v-Val! Thank you very much!" After saying this, Kuro sprinted away from the inn. Valdel who saw Kuro's silhouette disappearing in the distance scratched his head confused.

"What was that? Did she really need to leave so fast? We didn't even get to say goodbye."

Zwei hearing what Valdel said sighed and spoke in her master's head. "You really are so dense aren't you master."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

...

Once Valdel saw Kuro off he went back to his room. When he entered Valdel was once again hearing what his two friends were doing in the other room. With no other choice Valdel started to train, so he could distract himself from the noise. Zwei who was also present was pretty envious of Ren and Lara. While Nika on the other hand was quite curious of what Ren and Lara were doing, as to make those kinds of noises.

...

The night pass by quickly and it was finally the day, when Valdel would officially start attending the knight academy.

"Are you nervous?" Ren noticed that Valdel was acting weird as they headed towards the knight academy.

"Not really, I'm actually pretty excited about all this. This is going to be the start of my path to becoming a true hero. This is will be the beginning of my story. When other people tell my tale this is where it will all begin."

Valdel was getting even more excited when he told Ren what he was currently feeling. Ren on the other hand simply shrugged his shoulders. He wanted to tell Valdel that even if he didn't go to the knight academy he would still become a hero. Well for now he can do whatever he wants, Ren thought.

...

The three arrived at the knight academy and saw a lot of people coming to school either riding horses or getting out of their carriages. All of them were wearing nice looking armor as opposed to Valdel's crappy armor.

When the three arrived at the front gates, some of the students noticed the three them for a second and looked at the three with a bit of disdain. Their thoughts were simple, these three were most probably commoners that wish they could join the academy, and came to admire the sight.

Ren wasn't bothered by the look of disdain the students were giving him, since to him they were mere ants beneath his feet. Valdel on the other hand didn't notice the stares since he was truly excited as he saw the gates of the academy open. Lara was same as normal unresponsive to anything else aside from Ren.

Since they had other things to do Ren and Lara were about to leave, when suddenly a dignified looking old man wearing a suit of armor made of adamantite stood in front of the three. This old man was none other than the principal of the Knight Academy.

"Greetings, Valdel and friends. I am Galius Wolfneir the principal of this academy." Galius smiled at Ren's group as he greeted them. Also even though it seems like Galuis was talking to Valdel, but in truth all his attention was on Ren.