Valdel had left Ren's group since he needed to go back to school for his classes. While he was listening to the professor's lecture , Valdel had a sudden thought. Was this really the right way to become a hero? It felt like he was doing nothing to achieve that goal. Was being a knight truly the right way to be a hero?
Still the hero he admired the most was a knight. He was also the hero considered to be the model of all heroes that came after. Still not all heroes were knights, some had jobs like being a tailor, an inn keeper, and other random jobs.
Should he become an adventurer instead, that way he could have sticked with Ren and get stronger together. Still it was also Ren that told him, to do things by himself. But it was also Ren to see and feel what was happening and judge things by himself. How could he do that, if he wasn't beside Ren to witness what he was doing?
"ARRRGH WHAT THE HELL!" Valdel suddenly shouted because of his frustration. This of course attracted everyone's attention.
"Mr. Valdel is my lecture angering you?" The professor of the class was glaring at Valdel, his tone was ice cold. The other students were also looking at Valdel, some had the looks of confusion, others had a look of contempt, while some had a look of indifference.
"I'm sorry professor.'" Valdel didn't know what else to do but apologize while bowing his head.
"You might think that your someone special Sir Valdel being the Principal's favorite, but even you cannot act this way in class. No matter what you must have-" After that the professor used the whole period to lecture Valdel.
...
Once class was over some students suddenly approached and surrounded Valdel's group. Among the group of students that surrounded them, one person stepped forward. She was a tall lady that had a stern expression on her face. She was wearing a mass produced armor, that had the same design as the greatest female hero to have ever lived.
Seeing her looking at Valdel like that, it was obvious that she was here looking for trouble. Noel then stood in front of Valdel.
"What do you want, Lisa?"
"This has nothing to do with you Noel, so I suggest you move aside." Lisa said this with apparent irritation, as the students present were all looking a bit agitated.
"Oh, but it does have something to do with me. This man over here is my friend, and as a person who aspires to be a knight one must always be loyal. So Lisa, let me ask you again what is it that you want?" This time Kurt and Daniel also stepped forward.
"Fine then, do whatever you want. I just want to ask your friend here, what he has done with my Uncle." As if that was a signal the other students with Lisa started to speak as well.
"Where did you hide my Brother!"
"What have you done to my cousin!"
"Where's my brother-in-law!"
There were lots of people asking for their family members. This was a very confusing situation for Valdel.
"Why are you asking me where they are? I have no idea who your uncles, and other relatives are."
"Drop the act already! You're the only one who has any motive to take our relatives." Lisa couldn't take it anymore and yelled at Valdel.
"Like I said I didn't take them. Also what kind of motive could I possibly have?" Valdel answered as calmly as possible.
"What motive? You wanted to get rid of them, since they were the ones who went here and tried to take your sword. They already left you alone when you told them too, and they didn't find trouble with you. They even left immediately after confirming your relationship with the king. They weren't like those eight that stayed and tried to do something. We know we were in the wrong, but your reaction was too excessive! Give them back to us! Give back my Uncle!"
The stern expression of Lisa's was replaced by a grief stricken expression. Valdel couldn't understand what was happening. He really didn't do anything. While he was still stunned in place, someone held his hand, it was a girl who had tears falling down her cheeks.
"Please, give back my father! I know we were greedy and we were in the wrong, please forgive us already. I will do anything you ask, I will give you everything I have, even my body if you want it. Just please give back my father. If we lose him, my family we lose everything. My brothers and sisters will be forced out of the main family and will be toss aside. Please my family can't survive without my father."
The pain and sorrow in the girl's look had shaken Valdel to his very core. Her trembling hands held onto his, as she pleaded with all her heart and soul.
"I... I really don't know where they are. I didn't do anything to them." Valdel couldn't say anything but this. Noel seeing Valdel in a confused state spoke.
"My friend here says he doesn't know. So you better try to find them elsewhere." Noel tried to pull Valdel to the side, but he couldn't, as the girl who was holding his hand just wouldn't let go.
"Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please-" The girl just continued to mumble this as she held onto Valdel's hands.
"Have you no heart! She already begged you this much. She even offered her everything, but you don't respond. What is it that you want from us? What must be done for you to return our relatives to us?" Lisa had a look of pure disgust as she stared at Valdel's eyes. She just couldn't believe that what Valdel was saying was true. If not him then who? The only common thing these people that went missing had, was that they came to take Valdel's sword, aside from that they had no common ground.
Seeing the different reactions of the people surrounding him, Valdel felt his heart being pierced. He was overwhelmed by the great negative emotions of the people present. It was then Valdel got an idea.
"I'm sorry but like I said, I didn't take your relatives... But I will find them. I will find them, and prove my innocence."