"It is the Vestas versus the entire world…"
Vaan repeated what his mother said with a solemn look on his face.
"Vestas versus the entire world, Hahaha!
That is exactly something she would say!"
Suddenly, Orion laughed out loud.
He could sense that the mood was turning heavier, so he decided to lighten it up by joking around.
Vaan however, wasn't in the mood for any jokes.
This was a serious issue, he needed to think something.
Seeing him act like that, Orion couldn't help but chuckle,
"Well, the situation is complex, I agree.
But the Vestas still have me, so there is no need to worry.
The true problem is what would happen after me, then there is no one who can protect and lead the Vestas. After all, our current heirs are simply too incompetent." n).In
It was a direct jab at Vaan and Vaan wasn't going to take it lying down,
"Tsk, won't the family have me by then? What are you talking about, old man?"
"You? What could someone like you do? Don't you think you are awfully arrogant for someone who is lying on the floor with his entire body covered with bruises?"
"Tsk, says a fully grown Swordsman who is happy after winning against his 20-year-old child. Am I really the arrogant one here? You are the one who was forced to use Sword Aura to fend off my attack."
"You are overestimating yourself, Vaan. I didn't need Sword Aura to defeat you, I was simply trying to teach you that something like it exists. I can very well defeat you without Sword Aura and you know it as well."
"The only reason you can defeat me is because of years of experience you have accumulated. You think there would be any Basic Swordsman who can do that?"
"Yes."
Orion replied.
He teased his son because he wanted to lighten up the mood, however, right now, he felt like he needed to give an honest answer.
"A competent 4 Star Swordsman can defeat the current you in a one-on-one battle, that too, without using the Artifacts I mentioned before.
Do not underestimate Swordsmen, Vaan.
Especially Swordsmen like Declan.
I have seen that child with my own eyes, he is strong."
"Don't lie, you came here with me, you have never seen him fight."
"I do not need to see him fight to know he is strong. The air around him is enough to give me an answer."
Orion spoke with a solemn look on his face.
Vaan's expression changed as well. He looked into Orion's eyes with a solemn look on his face and,
"Then help me, Father."
He requested.
Vaan knew he couldn't be arrogant in this situation. If his father was this wary of Declan, there must be something he could see that Vaan couldn't.
"Fight me like a strong 4-Star Basic Swordsman would, so I can have a rough estimate about Declan's strength," Vaan spoke as he tried to stand up even though his body had already given in.
With how things were going, he felt like the time where he would be facing Declan in a battle soon. Vaan knew he needed to work hard in order to defeat someone his father acknowledged.
"It is not the same."
Orion, however, shook his head.
"I am not a Basic Swordsman, Vaan. There is no button I can press to drop my level down to a 4-Star Swordsman and spar against you. I could somewhat do it by holding myself back, however, that would never give you an ideal estimate about your opponent.
That can only be done if you face Declan or someone at his level."
"And where do I find such an opponent?" Vaan questioned and this time, even Orion turned silent.
Vaan was in a position where he couldn't lose, as the 'face' of the Vesta Family, even a single loss would be a lot to bear, especially when people like Elric are prepared to bite back the moment he slipped.
What Vaan needed was an unofficial duel against Declan or someone close to his level, a duel where victory or defeat wouldn't matter, a duel that could be used solely for the purpose of training.
However…
Finding an opponent of such caliber was simply impossible.
This was one of the biggest problems the Vesta Mages faced, while other Families had Mages they could spar against and gain experience, the Vestas didn't have anyone.
They had enclosed themselves in a city where no one other than mages resided, Orion knew it was wrong from the beginning, no matter how strong the Vesta magic was, they needed battle experience for it to be useful.
However, in a fight against the entire world, finding beings who would 'help' them by sparring with them was a difficult task.
Or…
It should be… but…
"Vaan."
Suddenly, Elara walked into the training room.
"Elara~"
Vaan instantly forgot all the pain in his body and rushed towards his fiancée.
Elara smiled as she quickly held Vaan and supported him. She was worried when she noticed his bruises, however, knowing that her father-in-law would never hurt Vaan, she calmed her heart and decided to say what she was here for.
"Someone is here to meet you."
"Right now?" Vaan frowned in confusion.
It was 11 P.M.
What sort of insane person would come here to meet him at this time?
"Why didn't you send that bastard away? Does he think everyone else is a no-life like him?" Vaan frowned.
"W-Well… I thought you would want to meet her…" Elara replied.
"Her…?" Vaan frowned in confusion.
"It's Isabel."
Elara revealed and Vaan's expression changed.
"What is she doing here at this time…?"
Just like Elara, Isabel was a Star Student… of the Swords Division.
A 4 Star Swordswoman and the only student in the entire Agresia Academy who could face Declan Dawncrest in a Swords Duel and not be defeated in the first 30 minutes.
She was a Gem that the Swords Division valued a lot, a commoner whose value was much higher than most of the 'nobles' who came from countless influential families.
"Go meet her."
Orion ordered.
This might be the chance for Vaan.
Vaan, of course, understood it as well and nodded.
Quickly changing his clothes, he walked towards the room Isabel was waiting in and the moment his eyes fell on her, his expression changed.
"What the hell… she is almost as beautiful as you…"
He whispered into Elara's ears, Elara, however, instantly shook her head and,
"She is much more beautiful than me…"
Even she was enthralled by Isabel's beauty.
She had long black hair, crystalline blue eyes, white skin, slightly red lips, a small nose, and features that were nigh perfect. She was currently wearing loose white robes under her usual red-black training outfit, so her physique wasn't very clear, however, just from her face alone, it was easy to guess how well-toned her body would be.
Isabel was extremely beautiful, she was like a perfect being that every man imagines in their head.
However,
"Haa? I get that she is beautiful, but don't give her too much credit. She is nowhere near as beautiful as you."
Vaan was quick to go back on his words.
"V-Vaan…"
Elara wanted to say something but then,
"If you are done with your whispering, can we have a chat?"
Suddenly, Isabel spoke up.
Her voice was cold, it seemed like she was in a hurry and didn't like how both Vaan and Elara were staring at her.
"Well, excuse us, but it's not every day we have a guest at 11 o'clock at night." Vaan retorted.
Ain't no way would he allow someone to walk into his house and act all arrogant.
"I snuck out the moment I got the chance. This was the earliest I could get here." Isabel answered.
"Haaah? You snuck out?" Vaan raised an eyebrow.
"What? You want Declan to know that I am meeting you?" Isabel questioned.
"You think I am scared of him or something?"
"No, you wouldn't be doing what you are doing if you were scared of him.
But correct me if I am wrong, aren't you planning on fighting him?"
Isabel questioned.
Vaan narrowed his eyes, "What does it have to do with you?"
Hearing his question, Isabel was confused,
"Are you not looking for someone you could spar against to test your strength before actually challenging Declan?
Or are you trying to become a 4th Circle Mage before challenging him?
If you are, then let me tell you, an extra 6 Inner Circles won't help your situation."
Vaan's expression changed.
"What are you trying to say?" He questioned as he observed the woman sitting in front of him.
"I'll be your opponent."
Isabel spoke and Vaan couldn't understand.
Wasn't this a little too convenient?
He was just thinking about this problem and now the solution had walked into his home?
Was someone controlling strings behind the scenes?
Vaan started thinking about all the possibilities but suddenly,
"But I do have a condition since I going this far to help you."
Isabel spoke up. A small smile appeared on her face.
It was as if she had been waiting for this moment this whole time.
Vaan was doubtful, he couldn't tell what this woman wanted, however,
"What is it?"
There was no harm in listening.
"I want your father."
*Isabel's Picture*
