"And now that I have returned, I am excited to witness this year's Elemental Clash,
I would love to see how strong my fellow Vesta Mages have gotten.
After all, as the future head, it is my responsibility to keep an eye on how the future mages of my family are doing."
Vaelen spoke with a confident smile on his face.
Hearing his words, Vaan raised his eyebrow with an amused look on his face.
After seeing so many new faces, Vaan was currently experiencing new streams of memories rushing into his head, and the more he organized this new set of information in his head, the wider his smile got.
These brothers and sisters of his,
They were quite interesting.
Vaan turned towards Elric Vesta, waiting for him to say something,
And just as he expected,
"Don't act like you have already won the Battle of Heirs, you are currently in the presence of the Family Head, show proper respect."
Elric spoke up.
He was a 4th Circle Mage, the second strongest of the Young Vesta Mages, son of Risia Elysia Vesta, and another prospective heir of the Family, someone who was running right behind Vaelen in this race of inheriting the Vesta Throne.
"I do not think brother has shown any disrespect here. As for the Battle of Heirs, the results are already clear in my eyes."
This time, the one who spoke was Lirael Vesta, Vaelen's Blood sister, Draven's daughter, a 4th Circle Mage and even though she has every right to enter the battle of heirs, she chooses not to and decides to support her brother with everything she had.
She was a part of the reason why Vaelen was considered the strongest contender for the Family Head's position. Most powers chose to support Vaelen not only because he was the oldest and the strongest, but also because choosing him meant choosing Lirael together with him.
Getting to support two competent mages, both with the potential to become the Family Head, it was a deal not many powers hated.
Seeing his sister standing up for him, a smile appeared on Vaelen's face, Lirael nodded at him and he nodded back.
From how they acted, it was clear that the relationship between the two siblings was quite strong.
This was also the reason Draven Elysia Vesta was so proud of his children, not only were they talented, they also supported each other like true siblings. Lirael knew it was pointless to go against her brother since he was 12 years older than her and already had a major head start.
Also, Vaelen didn't take her sister for granted either, he protected and cared for her, providing her with whatever she wanted and spoiling her endlessly. Vaelen was like a second father to his sister and loved her a lot.
They formed an unbreakable team, always standing together and prevailing over whatever they faced. Within the Vesta Family, their remarkable sibling bond was regarded as the standard of unity and strength and was discussed quite often.
Honestly, even Astra looked at their relationship in a positive light. As someone who knew everything happening around the Vesta Mansion, visible to the normal eyes or not, she knew the two siblings weren't faking it either.
The two of them actually understood what the other wanted and worked hard to get that.
A sibling love that wasn't seen very often in the Vesta Family, especially amongst the ones with the direct lineage and chance to participate in the Battle of Heirs.
Take Astra and her siblings for example.
Draven, Risia, and Astra, all three of them were Elysia's children, however, even then, ever since the start, they never liked each other's presence, even though the three of them had other non-blood-related siblings fighting for the throne with them, the three of them never shook hands in order to suppress others.
They always regarded each other as enemies.
Or maybe that happened because, unlike in this case, Astra's talent deeply overpowered her two older siblings. After all, no older sibling wants to be overshadowed by his younger brother or sister.
Also, Astra was innocent either, actually, the tension between her and her siblings, she could be the one blamed for it. The Young Astra was, admittedly, arrogant.
Too arrogant in fact.
Combined with the fact that she was born with monstrous talent and extremely strong magic insight, it boosted her arrogance even more, it was to the point where other than her mother, she didn't put anyone in her eyes.
Astra may have calmed down after becoming the Family Head and giving birth to Vaan, however, the stories of Young Astra and the things she had done,
Not many mages had forgotten about it.
"It is the arrogant ones who fall the quickest."
Suddenly, another man spoke up.
He was Leif Vesta, another 4th Circle Mage who was similar in age compared to other prospective heirs. However, just like Lirael, he had decided not to participate in the Battle of Heirs as well. Instead, he supported Elric Vesta.
Leif's reasoning was simple, unlike his competitors, he was not the direct decedent who carried the Blood of Elysia Rhydian Vesta in his blood, so even if he did try to join in the battle, gathering support would have been difficult.
Therefore, he decided to join Elric.
And of course, Leif wasn't alone in this either, all other Young Vesta Mages had decided to do the same thing, just like different powers supported the factions in hopes of getting some advantages in the future, the young mages were supporting the heirs they felt would become the next head.
Leif was just more well-known amongst the other mages since he was much more talented than them.
Elric, who was in a difficult spot while facing the team of Vaelen and Lirael, readily accepted his offer. An additional 4th Circle Mage joining his faction was never a bad thing. Not to mention if the said mage was someone as talented as Leif, he would be a fool to reject him.
"I agree, if you think being the oldest out of all of us automatically makes you the future Family Head, then you are strictly underestimating the Vesta Family."
Elric nodded his head, standing together with Leif.
"It is not about being the oldest, little brother.
It is about being the strongest.
I am the strongest out of us all, that is what assures my victory in this Battle." Vaelen spoke with a provocative smile on his face.
"The only reason you are the strongest out of us all is because you are the oldest, you are not more talented than us, I would even argue that your talent is quite bland, and once given enough time, I would catch up to you," Elric spoke with a calm look on his face. He wasn't intimidated by his brother.
"Empty words are useless, speak when you actually achieve what you say."
"Oh I will, you being the only 5th Circle Mage out of all the prospective heirs, I promise you it won't be the same in the future. I can already feel it, within the next 2 years, I will break through and become an Intermediate Mage as well.
That would be 4 years earlier than the time it took you, brother."
Elric announced.
"Huh? Did you not hear what my brother said?
Empty words mean nothing."
Lirael stood up for her brother.
Elric, however, just smiled and,
"They are not empty words, sister.
How about this?
If I don't become an Intermediate Mage within the next 2 years,
I will step out of the Battle of Heirs myself.
Does that put enough weight on my words now?"
Elric announced and as he did, everyone present in the Vesta Hall widened their eyes in shock. Even Draven was taken aback by this statement.
Risia, on the other hand, just smiled.
She knew her son's condition the best,
The 2 years he was talking about were him playing safe, Elric only needed 1 year to advance. This announcement was nothing more than a trick for Elric to gain more support in the future.
"Y-You are crazy!" Lirael pointed her fingers at Elric and shouted.
"It doesn't matter Sister." Suddenly, Vaelen spoke up with a calm look on his face.
"The competition is being cleared up by itself, it is a good thing."
"T-That is correct." Lirael nodded, "Or maybe, it is a way for Brother Eldric to step out of the Battle of Heirs with a little respect since he knows he cannot win anymore."
"That could be the case." Vaelen nodded with a smile as well.
"Think whatever lets you sleep at night. Time would slap you two awake eventually." Leif chuckled.
The two factions stared at each other and electric sparks could be seen in their line of sight.
This was the dynamic set in the Vesta House for the Battle of Heirs,
The two major factions,
One Faction supported Vaelen Vesta, the son of Draven Elysia Vesta, while the Second Faction supported Elric Vesta, the son of Risia Elysia Vesta.
All this while, the Vesta House had been calm because the children were all sent to the Academy, however,
With them coming back,
The chaos, competitive spirit, and wild energy that was missing in the Vesta Family returned as well.
The Battle of Heirs,
It was on again.
However, there was one variable everyone forgot about,
"Heeeh, so you are the lot I have to beat up in order to be the Family Head?
Doesn't look very difficult."
