Noel and Anna spent one week in this village.
The first three days were spent to introduce to all kinds of works they usually did in a village. In the restoration of the village, they helped constructing the wall and buildings. They even dug the ditch and filled it with water.
There was a lot to learn and the reason behind those constructions. And each time they worked on something, they surely utilized their power in a unique way that could help them in finishing their work.
Just seeing it alone made Anna and Noel confused, trying to find a way to help them with their strength.
It was hard for both of them, considering three days weren't enough to handle it. But they could only continue working on this matter.
The next four days were spent in training.
Noel had a spar with Anna as always, but Stella seemed to be sticking close to him as if she wanted to learn about their current level after watching their hunt previously.
Her excuse was, 'Because I have to create a good physical training schedule for you, I have to observe you a bit longer to see what you need.'
Noel accepted her logical reason because it was impossible to learn everything about someone with a single hunt.
After that sparring, Noel went over to Stella to practice together with her.
They started it with running, which was obviously a chance for Noel to talk about something with Stella.
"I don't know if it's appropriate for me to say this, but I feel like you have known me before, Stella…" Noel looked at her while furrowing his eyebrows. He felt Stella purposely approach him because of something as if wanting to separate him from Anna.
Stella's body shook a bit. She made a weird smile while pointing at herself. "Am I making it that obvious?"
"Not really." Noel shook his head. "But your attitude toward me is different from the others."
Stella scratched her head, wondering how to explain it. In the end, she let out a sigh and said, "Well, I idolized your father. Do you know how much your father has helped the people, including us?"
"I'm not very sure. I do know that my father has charity work aside from his business. But I don't know much about the details."
"That charity work extended to a third of the kingdom. It provided people with water, food, and protection. It could be said that your father single-handedly created the second Demon Relief Squad.
"We would be very grateful every time your father extended his hand to the place where we worked because the entire work became even smoother.
"And in one village, a small village girl, who almost died from starvation, got helped by him. It was the reason for me to join the Demon Relief Squad. I wanted to help people like how your father helped me.
"Even if I couldn't do it at that scale, with my current position, I should be able to get a lot of money, which could be used for that. That's why I want to help his son… because…" Stella paused at that moment.
However, the reason was obvious to both of them. It was Anna.
Noel didn't know what he was planning to do to Anna because of the letter from his father. But he still said with a serious expression. "I appreciate your feeling and desire to help me, but I ask you not to get involved in my matter. I'll solve my problem with my own hands."
"!!!" Stella paused for a moment, staring at Noel's serious expression. This was his resolve and duty. If he could only ask for help, how could he reclaim his right as a noble who helped others? That was why he wanted to solve the problem with Anna with his own hands.
Stella bit her lips before making an awkward smile. "I guess that's how you are. I'm sorry if I somehow make you uncomfortable."
"No. I'm really thankful for your feeling."
"Mhm. But if you need help in the future, don't hesitate to talk to me." Stella pumped her fist as if she was raring to go.
"Well, if you don't mind, please help me to get stronger. What you know about me is that I am Luke Ardagan's son. And people will think of me as such. However…" Noel raised his hand as if trying to reach the sky. "I want the people in the future to know me as Noel Ardagan, not someone's son or someone from the Ardagan Family. And for that…"
"You have to get stronger." Stella finished his words. She couldn't help but feel admiration after listening to him.
Despite falling to rock bottom, Noel still had a fiery desire to write his own future. With all the experience and deeds on his back, he wanted to leave a legacy that everyone could remember.
He wanted to tell them, "This is Noel Ardagan's legacy," not, "This is a story about the son of Luke Ardagan, who chased after his father."
Stella took a deep breath, realizing the son wanted to surpass his father. She couldn't help but feel a bit excited to see how far Noel could go. And in one chapter of his life, there would be a story about her.
Stella smiled and said, "If that's the case, then I won't hesitate to help you! Are you sure you can follow me?"
"Of course. There's no need to hold back." Noel nodded with a smile.
It was the start of their gruesome training together.
The training only lasted for four days because the group had to start moving to their next destination. The time limit given by Clara was two weeks, but they had to use one week to reach their destination, so they could only go today.
And just like how the people always reacted when Noel left, the people in the village stood together in front of their village, waving their hands as they watched them leave.