"Well, then I guess this won't be the last time I will see you, I'll make an effort to remember your face,"
Vaan spoke as he nodded to himself.
"Thank you?" The student tilted his head in confusion.
Honestly, he liked how confident Vaan sounded even though most people in the Club already knew the results of today's battle.
From what he had heard from his higher-up, this entire 'event' was nothing but the Grand Stage to formally push the Vesta Family down from the high horse it had been riding on for so many generations.
This entire event was carefully planned out by the Sword Division, they were only providing an outlet.
'I guess the opponents need to be this angry for it to be entertaining…
If the Audience isn't satisfied, the Club's reputation will go down."
The Student thought to himself.
"I still have some work to do, so I will be leaving the two of you alone."
The student spoke before he walked out of the room.
Vaan shrugged, he wanted nothing more than for the nuisance to be gone anyway, he however, did not get the peaceful time he was hoping to get,
"Vaan! What the hell are you doing!?"
Vaelen barged into the room with an angry look on his face. Together with him, other Vesta's Direct Descendants were here as well.
"I excused you when you said you didn't wish to live together with the other members of the Vesta Family, but now you are acting out and have already challenged a swordsman!? This is what? The Second day of the Academy and you have already made such a big fuss!
Are you out of your mind!?
Just what were you thinking!?
Do you think this is the Vesta House where you can do whatever you want and get away with it!?
Do you plan to take the entire Vesta House's reputation down with you!?"
Vaelen was angry.
With the series of questions he shot, it was clear that he wasn't doing it just to spite Vaan or because of his past interactions with Vaan, he was genuinely angered by his actions.
After all, they put the entire Vesta Family in a difficult position.
Vaelen wasn't a fool, he had been staying in the Academy for a long time, long enough to know that this situation was not entirely Vaan's fault either, they must have played their cards one after another.
Vaelen knew that all of this was a well-thought-out plan.
The series of events that played together went together too well for it to be just a mere coincidence. They planned it, and because of his brother's thoughtlessness, everyone from the Vesta Family would need to face the consequences.
Especially him, who was supposed to lead the family in the Academy.
This was what made Vaelen even angrier.
However,
"Did you 'excused' me from not wanting to live together with other Vesta members? Did I hear that right? Because from what I remember, I wasn't even told that there was a Vesta House.
No, actually, what Vesta House are you even talking about? The one you lost because of your incompetence?" Vaan questioned.
"That is no-"
"Vaelen, I will be ignoring it today since I have more important things to do, however,"
Vaan then glared at Vaelen and,
"Do not shout like that in front of me again.
I am ashamed to admit it, but anger management is not my strong suit.
I especially hate when someone screams at me, even more so when that someone is a failure himself.
I dared to challenge a Swordsman, yes, I did it because I was confident in defeating a swordsman, it is something you should have done a long time ago.
As for bringing down the Vesta House's reputation, I believe you have already brought it to the point where it cannot go down anymore.
I am here to fix it, so stop disturbing me, shut your mouth, and get out of the room."
"How dare you talk like that to the Professor of the Academy!?"
Suddenly, Lirael spoke up.
"Do you think you are allowed to disrespect a Professor jus-"
"Look, if you want to play the Professor card, don't bother me,
Go complain to the Disciplinary Hall and let them take whatever actions they want to take. I will also say how Professor Vaelen disrespected my privacy and barraged into my room when I was alone with my fiancée.
Let's see who they take more strict actions on."
"Y-You…" Lirael had no words.
"Sister Lirael, don't even bother.
Haven't we already established the fact that getting into a verbal confrontation against this man is no different than hitting your head on a dense wall?
We came here to try to convince him to back down for his and the family's good, but since it is clear that he himself doesn't want to listen to what we have to say, it gives us no other choice, now does it?
We can only leave him alone and let him do whatever he wants." Elric shrugged with a smile on his face.
"What are you talking about!? Do you even know what would happen if he lost!? The Family's reputation would take a big hit!"
Vaelen retorted.
"And?" Elric questioned back.
"What…?" Vaelen was dumbfounded.
How was… this man so calm when the Family's reputation was on the line…?
Vaelen couldn't understand.
"Brother Vaelen, I understand that the Family will lose its reputation, but think logically, it is clear that he isn't willing to listen, even if he does, backing out now would also harm the family's reputation,
It is not our fault anyway.
Vaan was the one who fell for the trap, he was the one who was unwilling to listen, there was nothing we could do.
I'd say we sit out, let everything play out, and put all the blame on him later,
After all, he is the 'hope' of our family, no?" Elric couldn't be more satisfied than this development.
The calculation in his mind was simple, Vaelen was already out of the game because the issue regarding the Vesta House would soon be revealed to the Main Family, and with this incident, once Vaan loses, he, who had become quite a problematic opponent, would be done for as well.
The only competitor let t compete against him for the Family position head would be Lirael, however, since she would need to start everything from the beginning,
She would be nothing but prey he could hunt whenever he wanted.
The path to the Family Head's position had never been this clearly laid in front of his eyes.
"Are you done with your piece? Now get out." Vaan spoke up.
"Vaan, listen to me, we can-" Vaelen tried to calm down and talk to Vaan, this time however, Vaan walked forward and pushed all of them out together, n))1n
"I will visit the Vesta House after the battle ends,
Talk as much as you want there." Closing the doors, Vaan returned to his seat and turned away.
His cousins were angry but, in the end, they could only prepare for the worst. Causing any more ruckus here would further impact the family.
Time passed, the Arena was packed with seats, and soon, it was time for the long-awaited battle.
"Hello friends from the Academy!
Didn't think you would be hearing my voice so soon, did you? Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this either, but it seems that this year, the Academy has started with a bang.
I won't waste much time on introduction since I am sure you all already know who I am,
I am Finley Backthorn, together with me are today's experts, first, from the Magic Division, Professor Isadora Silvermoon, second, Professor from the Swords Division, Alistair Ironheart.
Please put your hands together for the two Professors are here with us."
The audience cheered and clapped in excitement,
"Riding the same momentum, let's introduce the two duelists today,
One is a bright Gem of the Swords Division, Alex Sunblade, a 3rd Star Swordsman.
His opponent is a 3rd Circle Mage, a member of the most Prestigious Magic Family in Agresia, Vaan Astra Vesta. Yes, people, you heard it right, our second duelist carries the name Astra in her name, he is indeed Lady Astra's child,
As for whether the child has inherited her mother's talent, we will soon find out."
Finley then turned towards the two professors sitting next to him and questioned,
"What do you have to say about today's battle, Professors?
Who do you think would win today?
A 3rd Star Swordsman versus a 3rd Circle Mage, I say the two have a fairly equal chance of winning, no?"
"What are you even talking about?
It is one on one duel, Alex is going to win." Alistair was quick to reply.
"Alex may not be the best student in our Swords Division, however, in a one-on-one battle against a Mage, I don't see him losing."
"Oh ho? That's quite a bold statement, Professor Isadora, would you like to say something about it?"
"I will only say that I am looking forward to today's fight.
Although the Swordsmen do have an advantage over Mages when it comes to one-on-one duels,
I have this feint feeling in my heart that we are all going to be surprised."
"Is that so? Then let's see if the Professor's feeling turns out to be true or not!
So without further ado, Let us all welcome the two duelists and start the Battle!"
