"…"
"…"
Astra and Isabel stared at each other in silence. Isabel was visibly nervous.
She had a lot to say about Astra Elysia Vesta when she wasn't here, however, now that the woman was standing right in front of her, her tongue stopped working.
After all, this woman was the head of the strongest Magic Family in the entire world.
Not to mention she was her Teacher's wife, the woman he loved the most. The aura Astra had around her was quite intimidating as well even when she wasn't actively trying to pressure the girl in front of her.
On the other hand, Astra was observing Isabel with a curious look on her face, from the smile on her face, it was clear that she, for some reason, was enjoying this situation. Orion, who knew his wife the best could tell that something chaotic was going on inside that head of hers.
Astra momentarily looked at her son, however, when she saw him holding Elara's hand, she instantly dropped the wild idea that had popped up in her mind and continuously shook her head.
Vaan momentarily narrowed his eyes, finding his mother's reaction a little odd.
Elara tightened her grip on his hand as well. The two stared at the scene in front of them and noticing Isabel's nervous expression, a big smile appeared on Vaan's face.
He was glad.
He could finally get back on this woman.
Isabel never liked Astra. In her eyes, Astra was the reason why her Teacher wasn't well known throughout Agresia despite having the skillset to own the entire world.
To some extent, her opinion was similar to Octavius's, probably because she was taught by that man and had been listening to how others talked about Orion and Astra.
And Vaan knew how Isabel felt about Astra.
The girl had mentioned this to Vaan a few times. At the time, Vaan couldn't say anything, now, however, when his mother was finally here, he could finally enjoy the show.
"H-Hello…"
Noticing that the woman was only staring at her and had no plans to open the conversation, Isabel was the first to break the silence.
"Hello~"
Astra replied with a jovial smile on her face.
"I-It is an h-honor to meet you, Lady Astra."
Isabel spoke as she bowed.
"How courteous~"
Astra commented.
Then, with a playful smile, she continued,
"So you are the girl my husband was talking about? He was praising you quite a lot."
Astra commented.
"H-He was!?" In an instant, Isabel's face lit up.
"Hmm? Of course. He says you might be the best student he would ever find, you have the basics down, you try to be creative with your approach, he even said your talent is better than his own.
I was quite surprised when I heard this, Orion isn't the type to openly praise someone like this.
To think he finally found a gifted student, I hope you learn well from him.
"
Astra didn't hesitate with her praises.
"I-I will! I will do my hardest!"
Isabel nodded.
It wasn't the first time she was praised for her talent, honestly, it was a common occurrence for her, however, when this praise came from Orion, it felt different.
"Mhm, I can see that you are a hard worker.
"
Astra nodded with a smile on her face.
"Those calluses on your hands tell me all I need to know.
"
Isabel smiled, the negative opinion she had about Astra was diminishing very quickly, it was surprising even for her since praises never worked to change her opinion of someone. In Astra's case, however, the woman was quickly growing into Isabel.
"I am looking forward to what you will grow up to be, okay? Don't disappoint me." Astra spoke.
A slight blush appeared on Isabel's usually stoic face and, "Y-Yes." She stuttered.
"So cute, you remind me of Elara. Your talents are on a similar level as well."
Astra spoke.
Hearing those words, Orion blinked in surprise.
He agreed with his wife all the way till she talked about Elara.
Elara was a monster he had never seen before, he had been observing the girl since she was little, he had seen her grow and if weren't for her reserved personality, there would have been no questions about who the greatest of the Mages' youngest generation was.
Orion knew how Elara's personality slowed her progress by at least 50%.
And with her slowly changing herself, it was only a matter of time before Elara realized her full potential, surprising everyone.
Isabel was talented, yes, however, in front of a monster like Elara… she was still lacking.
Isabel was taken aback as well, if it was before, she might have felt that she was being underestimated, however, after seeing that usually reserved woman fight, nearly killing two 4 Star Swordsmen, her opinion about the 'reserved girl' was changed in an instant.
However, knowing that she was being compared to Elara, a small smile appeared on Isabel on her face. Elara, on the other hand, pouted, jealous that her teacher was praising someone else, but suddenly,
"She's nowhere close.
"
Vaan interjected.
"My Elara has no other match."
He spoke with a proud look on his face.
Astra turned towards Vaan and raised her eyebrow but when her eyes fell on Elara and that radiant smile that had appeared on her face, Astra didn't say anything.
After all, that cutie was her sole weakness. Seeing the smile she rarely saw on her face made her feel lighter.
She was proud of her son for treating her like that adorable girl deserved to be treated.
Isabel on the other hand stared at Vaan and narrowed her eyes.
However, before she could say anything, Vaan glanced at her, and with a smirk on his face, he commented,
"Mother, you seem to regard Isabel quite highly."
"Of course.
Your father said that she is quite talented."
"I agree with that, she is probably the best Swordsmen I have faced till now, she even defeated me in a spar,
But…
Do you know what she once said about you?
She might not reflect your attitude towards you, you know?"
Vaan spoke and Isabel panicked.
On the other hand, Astra narrowed her eyes.
"W-What are you talking about!? When did I say anything about Lady Astra!"
Isabel was quick to interject.
She even glared at Vaan with a threatening look on her face.
She was clearly warning him not to run his mouth carelessly or else there would be consequences.
If it was someone else, her threat might have worked, unluckily, the one she was up against was Vaan, how could someone like him be threatened by others?
Vaan's smile just widened and,
"Hmm? Did you forget? You were talking about how Father would have been well known throughout the world if he hadn't met Mother. You even said that Mother halted hi-"
"Aaaaacckkk! S-Stop making things up! I never said something like that!" Isabel shouted.
It was clear that the girl didn't know how to lie considering how her reaction was no different than revealing her truth.
It was quite an adorable sight in a certain way.
Especially considering how this girl had created a cold persona in other's eyes.
"Oh? So you don't believe that Father would have been much more well-known if it wasn't for Mother?"
Vaan questioned and in an instant, Isabel found herself in a difficult situation.
She couldn't answer Vaan's question. If she told the truth, she would antagonize Astra, if she lied, it would seem like she was underestimating her Teacher, something she would never do, especially when she practically idealizes him.
"T-That…"
Isabel stuttered, trying to secretly glance at Astra to see her reaction, but suddenly,
"Hmm? What's wrong with it? That's the truth." Orion spoke up.
Then, he glanced at Vaan and,
"You Brat, you don't think your Father would have been well known if I tried? Haah?"
"When did I say that? I am just saying that Mother had no role in it. You are not well known because you decided not to be.
"
"Haah? What are you talking about? Who would not want to be well-known? Your Mother is clearly the one to be blamed here."
Orion snorted and not just Vaan, but Elara and Isabel widened their eyes in surprise.
They couldn't believe how Orion said that out loud. Everyone instantly turned towards Astra to see her reaction, however, they only saw Astra standing with a proud look on her face and,
"Heh, who told you to fall in love with me."
She smirked.
"You seduced me!" Orion pointed at Astra.
"And? So what if I did?" Astra questioned with a playful smile on her face.
Orion's fingers trembled, but in the end, he had no answer.
"I was a fool to fall in love with you!"
He just cursed his past self.
"As if you won't fall again."
Astra snorted, clearly, her confidence was on another level.
Orion didn't say anything in retort either.
He knew he would fall all over again even if he went back in time.
Seeing her teacher stand in silence, Isabel frowned in confusion.
She felt as if… she was missing something…
"T-Teacher…?" She called out.
