"Why do we consider the Church of Light as our enemies? Is it because of what happened 5000 years ago?"
Vaan questioned and in an instant, Astra's expressions changed. She turned around, her eyes were on Selene who was standing far away, talking with someone else.
Then, she raised her eyebrow in acknowledgment before she sighed and turned back to Vaan,
"You are correct."
"Hmm?" Vaan frowned in confusion.
"The only reason we treat the Church of Light as we do is because of what happened 5000 years ago."
Astra nodded and in an instant, Vaan's expression changed and he copied Vaelen's words,
"Doesn't that make us narrow-minded? All that happened 5000 years ago.
Too much time has passed for us to consider it."
"Are you telling me to forget about our House's history?" Astra questioned.
"No, that is not what I am saying." Vaan shook his head.
"I simply think that having an opinion regarding something so important based on what happened five thousand-"
"Vaan." Vaan wanted to continue, however, Astra interrupted.
"Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
"
The woman then looked into Vaan's eyes and,
"Our ancestors fought for us, they are the reason we are where we are and you are telling me to forget about it because it happened too long ago?
Narrow minded?
Is respecting what our ancestors did and said narrow-minded?
And let's just say that you are right, the Church of Light isn't exactly the villain as we portray them to be, even 5000 years ago, although they played a major part, they still weren't the first to attack us. They didn't initiate anything.
What's the problem? What is wrong with being careful? It is not like we are attacking or openly targeting them.
We are simply protecting ourselves by having an initial opinion about them.
Also, the Church of Light isn't exactly a white force either, Vaan.
Think about it, even from our own perspective, we Vestas are never always on the right side, there are things even we are ashamed about.
There have always been certain members of our family that we aren't exactly proud of. There have been people in our family that shouldn't be there and this is when we live in a closed environment.
Now think about the Church of Light, a force that accepts almost anyone into their ranks. Such a large, open, and free force, however, in the past 5000 years, there has never once been a case where they are portrayed in a negative light.
A force, that never once, has been in the wrong.
You are telling me that something like this is not suspicious? You are telling me that such a strong force with so much influence all over the world, never once attracted attention to the dark side of the world?
Doesn't that sound a bit ridiculous?" Astra questioned and suddenly, Vaan's expression changed.
"Mother, is there something you know that we do not?"
He questioned.
Astra however, shook her head,
"I do not know anything, Vaan.
I only know that oftentimes, it is the brightest star that has the deepest scar.
Now I am not telling you to treat the students from the Church of Light as your enemies, however, I will suggest you be careful around them.
They may not be what they show to the rest of the world."
Astra spoke with a solemn look on her face.
Vaan had a similar expression. Astra's words couldn't help but echo in his head.
No matter how he saw it, the Church of Light was a suspicious place, and the same was true for Selene Rainwarden.
There was definitely something wrong about them as for what it was…
Vaan was sure that he would eventually figure it out.
"Anyways, this is not something you need to worry about, the Church of Light is not a big deal."
Astra suddenly snorted.
Vaan stared at his mother and didn't know what to say.
He just couldn't believe how arrogant his mother was.
In the end, he just sighed, and suddenly,
"Be careful inside the Ruins," Astra spoke up.
"That should be where your focus should be right now.
"
"Are you talking about the Ancient Ruins?" Vaan questioned.
"That is correct."
Astra nodded.
"Mother, as the Student of the Academy, I am sure you must have been inside the ruins before, no? Is there something you can tell me about it?"
"Haah? You think I would allow you to cheat?"
"How is that cheating? I am simply asking my Mother to tell me about a place she once visited.
"
"Too bad, your mother is Astra Elysia Vesta, her words would indeed be considered cheating in this case."
"Oh come on…" Vaan sighed.
Astra just chuckled, but then,
"I am sure the Headmaster would soon have a chat with you regarding it. If you wish to ask something, shoot his questions at him.
"
"Alright…" In the end, Vaan sighed as he gave up.
If his mother didn't want to, there was no way he could possibly get information out of her.
Astra observed the dejected look on his face and as if her sadistic desire rose up, she glanced at him and,
"Try to learn as much as you can about that place. It would be better if you take someone capable with you.
Even if that someone capable is the Student Council President you do not like very much.
After all, as someone who has been there inside the Ruins a few times, that girl will have much higher chances of getting something out of there.
"
"Haah? You think I would collude with the enemies? The worst member of the party is the member that couldn't be trusted, no matter what, I will not seek her help."
"Oh? Well, not to intimidate you or anything, but let me tell you one thing,"
A big smile appeared on Astra's face as she stared at her son dead in the eyes and,
"I first two times I entered the Ruins,
I returned empty-handed.
"
Astra revealed and Vaan widened his eyes in surprise.
And as if she was waiting for such an expression, a big smile appeared on Astra's face.
Seeing her reaction, Vaan couldn't help but sigh with a deadpan look on his face as well.
"Thank you, Mother, that definitely boosted my confidence.
"
Astra chuckled, then she placed her hand on Vaan's shoulder and,
"Anyways, I have stayed here longer than I intended to. I can already tell the huge pile of work that must have formed over, so I would need to leave now.
You two take care of yourself, okay?"
Suddenly, Astra spoke up.
Vaan, however, just shrugged,
"What's the issue, just say you are tired from your journey and pass everything to others.
Work done."
Astra stared at her child for a while, then, she just chuckled and turned around.
Obviously, she couldn't admit that it was exactly what she was planning to do. After all, she still had to maintain her strict and capable Family Head's image in her son's and pupil's eyes.
Astra soon walked towards Orion before meeting a few more people. The Mages from the Obsidian Order had appeared right next to her as well.
It was time for her to leave.
The Headmaster, a few important people from the Academy, and the Vesta House had all come to say their goodbyes, the Magic Genius that once shook the Academy took her leave with a smile on her face.
And just when everyone was about to scatter.
"Vaan.
"
Octavius called out.
"Grandpa?" Vaan turned towards the Headmaster.
"Come with me."
Octavius ordered, Vaan followed the man to his office.
"Have a seat."
Octavus spoke as he pointed at the chair, Vaan did as he was told, and then,
"Alright, I will skip the formalities since you are my own blood.
I called you here to talk about the Ancient Ruins."
"Right, with the Induction over, I can finally explore the Ruins now, no?" Vaan spoke with an excited smile on his face.
Octavius observed him and nodded,
"That is correct and today, I will be telling you about what exactly the Ancient Ruins are."
"Hmm? Isn't it the remains of the past civilization?" Vaan frowned in confusion.
This wasn't the first time he heard about the Ancient Ruins.
"Well… that is true but…
The Ruins you are about to enter are… a little different from the rest.
No, a lot different from the rest. They can even be considered two different things.
Actually, rather than calling it Ruins, a Portal would be a lot better world."
"What does that mean?" Vaan frowned in confusion.
"It is exactly what I mean, Vaan.
The Ancient Ruins of the Agresia Academy aren't exactly the remains of the Past Civilization,
It is a Portal to the Past Civilization.
"
"What!?" Vaan couldn't believe what he was told.
"You will be traveling through time and experience what the Past Civilization was like, Vaan.
Prepare yourself to see a completely different world."
