"Heeeh, so you are the lot I have to beat up in order to be the Family Head?
Doesn't look very difficult."
Vaan, who had been listening and observing everything till now commented with an interested smile on his face.
"Hmm?" Hearing his words, Vaelen furrowed his brows.
Not only him, Elric, Lirael, Leif, and all other Mages who had just returned from the academy turned towards Vaan with a surprised look on their faces.
In an instant, Vaan became the center of attention.
Elara, who was standing right next to him panicked, Vaan, however, just glanced at his 'competitors' with a big smile on his face. There was no trace of fear or nervousness on his face.
Why would he even fear them?
Who in the hell fears their future subordinates?
"It has been a while, Brother Vaan."
Suddenly, Elric spoke with a smile on his face.
"Haha. It has bee-" Vaan wanted to reply, but then,
"It is good to see you are doing good as well, Elara."
Completely ignoring Vaan, Elric turned towards Elara and greeted her with a gentle smile on his face.
Elara, of course, had no clue how to react in the situation and, "I-It has been a while."
She just greeted back.
Vaan, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes.
What is this?
Why was this bastard greeting his fiancé?
Also, wasn't Elara outcasted by other members of the Vesta Family because she didn't have Vesta Blood flowing in her veins?
From what Vaan had heard, this feeling was much stronger amongst the children who were direct descendants or their direct subordinates.
Then why was…
However, before Vaan could delve deeper, he was interrupted.
"Brother Vaan, correct me if I am wrong, but did what you just said,
Was it directed at us?" Lirael questioned with a curious look on her face.
She didn't seem particularly offended, rather, from her expression it looked like she was witnessing something amusing.
And of course, Vaan didn't like that expression.
She was looking down on him. He had done so much in order to not be looked at with that face, even going as far as completely changing the image previous Vaan had created,
Yet here he was,
Being looked down like that,
That too, from a bitch who aimed to do nothing but hug her brother's thigh and live her life.
"Was I not being clear enough?" Vaan questioned.
"Oh my cute little brother, we are not talking about a drinking competition here. If you want to go out with your friends and lack funds, you can come to me later, alright?
This is not a place for you to be speaking at."
Lirael spoke with a light smile on her face.
"I didn't know you had enough authority to decide who would speak here or not.
Why don't you just move and directly sit where my mother is sitting?"
Vaan retorted.
Lirael's expression changed. And she wasn't alone, all the Young Mages who had just returned and had no clue about things Vaan had done were surprised.
Since when did Young Master Vaan start speaking in the Vesta Hall meetings?
And did he just challenge other prospective heirs?
What in the hell was happening?
Was he drunk?
Many mages wondered, soon, however, they shook their heads.
This was Vesta Meeting Hall, there is no way anyone under the influence of booze would be allowed in here, even if the said person was the only son of the current family head.
Such disrespect of the Vesta Family grounds, even the Family Head would allow it.
Then why…
Why was Vaan acting like this…?
'Be careful around him.
He is not the same as before.'
Suddenly, Lirael heard a voice in her head. It was Draven, her father.
She wasn't alone,
Elric and Valean, the two of them received a similar message.
The three of them glanced at each other, confusion clear on their faces.
Just what had this man done for someone like Draven and Risia to warn them about him?
Wasn't he just a 1st Circle Waste who didn't even practice Magic because of how he was obsessed with some bitch?
"I obviously do not have the authority to decide who would speak here, however, I do have enough common sense to understand that someone like you definitely should not be speaking here."
Lirael replied.
"And why is that?"
"You are seriously shameless enough to ask that?
What makes you think a 1st Circle Mage like you can jump in when your brothers and sisters are talking with each other? Shouldn't you show proper respect here?"
"And what makes you think that you are allowed to talk here like you are in a park? This is the Vesta Meeting Hall, we are gathered here to welcome you, however, this doesn't mean you are allowed to talk to each other and ignore others.
You were asked a formal question, you simply had to answer that question and turn silent. Yet you simply chose to completely ignore everyone around you, including the Family Head, and started bickering with each other.
I do not know if you were trying to display your strength or something else,
But this display of yours, it was embarrassing.
You all call yourself prospective heirs who wish to be the Family Head, yet you are not even mature enough to realize where you are standing and act accordingly.
Honestly, you are just embarrassing the Vesta name."
Vaan spoke up and seeing Vaan talk about 'manners' and 'how to conduct oneself', many mages present in the Hall raised their eyebrows.
Heck, even Astra was the same.
To think her son would be shameless enough to talk about things like that. Especially after things he had done.
He was the same man who beat up a fellow mage, then openly embarrassed his uncle in front of everyone, then proceeded to use harsh words and act like some kind of thug.
Talking about manners didn't soon this man at all!
Even if this man was her very son, Astra still couldn't help but feel the urge to facepalm.
"You talk awfully lot for someone who is merely a 1st Circle Mage." Lirael narrowed her eyes.
"And you talk awfully lot for someone who doesn't know shit."
And there it was.
This man was just talking about manners! A few seconds ago!
And now he was cursing out loud.
Seeing this, the people around him felt their mouths twitching.
Even Elara blinked a few times, unable to comprehend the situation.
'He is a 2nd Circle Mage.'
Draven clarified and Lirael, who had a confused look on her face finally realized. Of course, this didn't mean she was planning to back away.
"Oh right, I forgot you became a 2nd Circle Mage, but you can't blame me either, your progress was just so slow that I forgot to keep up."
"Heh, you forgot to keep up huh, can't even keep up with the progress of your own brother, I doubt if you would be able to keep track of the progress of the entire Vesta Family, quite worrying for someone who calls herself a prospective heir.
Oh wait, you don't.
I guess we got the reason why you don't huh?
Having a shit memory is quite a disadvantage, I agree. It is commendable that you recognized your weakness and backed away.
You weren't fit for the competition anyway."
"Sounds like you have tracked the progress of everyone around you."
"Of course not. I have people who would take care of that for me in the future.
I prepare to be the Family Head, not a secretary."
Vaan snorted.
Lirael's mouth twitched in annoyance.
"Quite bold coming from someone who is merely a 2nd Circle Mage." She retorted.
"Heh, if a 49-year-old 5th Circle Mage can aim to be the Family Head, I believe I have every right to do so."
Vaan spoke as he glanced at Vaelen. Then, a big smile appeared on his face, and,
"I mean, what's the point of even trying to aim for the Family Head's position?
Mother is currently 60, you are barely 11 years younger than her, what's the point of you sitting in the Family Head's position when you would barely last for 10 extra years?
Do you wish to hold another Battle of Heirs right after you become the Family Head?
Do you even know how unstable that would be? It is honestly no different than having a temporary head till the real head is mature enough to rule.
I'd even see it as a sign of weakness, which doesn't fit with the Vesta Family at all."
Vaan then looked into his older brother's eyes and,
"Vaelen Vesta, if you truly do want what is best for the Vesta Family, then rather than being greedy for the Family Head's position,
You should step back and be satisfied with what you currently have."
Vaan spoke and this time, not only Lirael, Vaelen, or the other Young Mages,
The entire Vesta Meeting Hall turned silent.
Vaan had decided to go all out right from the start.
