?"Ah, Senior Declan, I believe this is the first time we are meeting officially, huh? It is nice to meet you."
Vaan spoke as he extended his hand towards Declan.
Declan accepted his handshake, the two looked into each other's eyes as if they were measuring their strength.
Of course, when it came to physical strength, Vaan was nowhere close to Declan's level, however, the competition here wasn't about physical strength, it was about wits, and in the first round of their war, Vaan was victorious.
Of course, it would be a slap right on his face if Declan actually got something good out of the Ancient Ruins, so it was still a risky move on his part.
Especially when nothing inside the Ruins depended on a person's skills but on luck.
"I was looking forward to meeting you as well, Junior Vaan. I didn't think the opportunity would arrive this soon.
Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course, as the Strongest Swordsman in our Academy, I couldn't possibly leave you out.
Forming personal connections is one of the most important things we come to the Academy for, no?" Vaan smiled.
"Indeed."
Declan nodded, then, with a similar fake smile on his face, he continued, "Though I believe learning and competing with others is much more important. Connections are formed automatically once you display your excellence.
I believe in becoming someone other people would want to connect with, not someone who is actively trying to connect with others.
After all, you wouldn't have called me here if it wasn't for my skills, now would it? Especially considering our family circumstances."
Seeing the smirk on his face, Vaan wanted nothing more than to smash that face.
"Mhm, I have heard so much about Senior's skills from Senior's mouth that I got curious," Vaan replied.
Declan's mouth twitched.
"Ah, I did hear that you were living away from the rest of the members of your family, I guess that is indeed the truth.
After all, if you were with them, you would have heard about my skills from their mouths.
That would give you a more… clear idea about the extent of my skills.
After all, out of all the people in the Academy, the Vestas should know about my Skills the best, no?"
"Ah, indeed, indeed. I was told about how well Senior Declan has performed, actually, that was the reason me and Elara were sent to the Academy.
After all, since the Dawncrest Family were going all out, it would be unfair if we don't, right? Now that the competition is fair, I look forward to the results."
"So you two were the Vesta Family going 'all out' huh?" Declan chuckled as he glanced at Vaan, then, his eyes fell on Elara and,
"Though I can't believe that Vesta Family going 'all out' means sending someone who is not even a Vesta…
To say that a non-Vesta is the best of Vestas…
It doesn't give out the best impression."
"Hmm? I thought she is considered a Vesta since she is my wife, is that not how it works in the Dawncrest Family?"
Vaan tilted his head in confusion.
"Ah, are you two married yet? I thought she was your fiancée."
"Same thing. I already consider her my wife."
Vaan declared.
Declan however, was quick to shake his head,
"What you consider doesn't matter here, Vaan.
There is a big difference between marriage and engagement, especially an engagement that was fixed when the couple was young."
A smile then appeared on Declan's face and,
"This is the Agresia Academy, the Elite of the entire Agresia are gathered here.
There are many excellent men here, who knows? Someone might have a change of heart.
It is not rare for a couple to break off their engagement because one of them found a partner better suited for them in the Academy."
Vaan narrowed his eyes as he heard those words.
"Yo-"
He wanted to reply, but suddenly,
"What? That's surprising.
I have been here for 2 weeks already, I have never met or even heard of someone who could be a better partner for me."
Elara spoke as she looked right into Declan's eyes.
"Ah, then you must not have met a lot of peo-"
"No, I've met quite a few.
Some are even well-known throughout the Academy for their sword skills, but they aren't nearly close to my Vaan.
Maybe the problem you mentioned won't arrive for us. After all, not every couple needs to worry about their partner finding better because in some cases, there are not."
"…"
"…"
Silence fell all over the place.
All the people in the room turned towards Elara, blinking continuously.
For the Vestas, it was the first time they saw Elara speak in such a manner.
It wasn't like they didn't know about Elara, as someone who has been living in the Vesta Family ever since she was a child, most people in the Vesta family knew her and her reserved nature.
Never in their life did they imagine that they would see Elara act like… this.
"There she goes, she has those crazy eyes again."
However, not everyone was surprised by it. Isabel muttered to herself, Elara was a reserved girl who usually kept to herself.
Or at least that's what people knew about her, which was indeed the truth to some extent, however, Isabel was able to note something no one else did.
The girl was crazy.
That innocent and sweet front she kept in front of others, it was fake.
The real Elara was crazy and sometimes, that craziness does slip out and the real her is revealed, of course, the woman is too smart and always comes up with a way to cover for herself.
This was also the reason she was able to keep her true self hidden for such a long time.
Of course,
'You can't hide from my eyes,'
Isabel thought inwardly as she glared at Elara, who was currently glaring at Declan.
Declan narrowed his eyes, his head was tilted in confusion.
This was… different than what was reported to him.
He was informed that Vaan was weak when Elara was involved in the conversation, which was indeed true, he could see Vaan's expression change the moment he started talking about Elara.
However, he was also told that Elara was an easy target… which… clearly wasn't true.
Who in their right mind would call… that… an easy target?
With how she was glaring at him, it felt like she wanted nothing more than to burn him alive. Declan actually felt threatened under her gaze.
Vaan on the other hand, couldn't be prouder, with a big smile on his face, he walked towards his fiancée and patted her back, then, he glanced at the man in front of him and,
"Well guess what, Senior Declan, she is indeed a Vesta. The problem you mentioned wouldn't be a problem because,"
Vaan momentarily glanced at Elara and,
"In our case, the better option doesn't exist."
A smile appeared on Elara's face as Vaan repeated her words. She then lowered her head and blushed in embarrassment, she just realized what she had done.
In the end, she quickly grabbed Vaan's hand and stood behind him, not meeting anyone's eyes.
Honestly, if she knew a spell that could turn her invisible, she would have used it already.
'Heh, look at her trying to cover up her mistake. That trick always works huh… not on me.
'
Isabel, of course, wasn't falling for Elara's 'tricks', with an uninterested look on her face,
"Should we go now? We shouldn't make the Headmaster wait."
The rest of the group turned toward her and,
"Indeed, we can engage in these little chats whenever we please; keeping the Headmaster waiting wouldn't be ideal."
Declan spoke up, obviously, he wanted to get out of this situation, so he took charge and started walking toward the Headmaster's office.
The rest of the group followed and the moment Octavius saw the 'team' that had entered his office, he blinked in surprise,
"Are you sure these are the people you want to enter the Ancient Ruins with you…? It is a rare opportunity, even if it is you, getting another chance to enter the Ruins wouldn't come very quickly, although you do not have much time left, but if you wish to reconsider your decision, I will make an exception and delay it for 3 more hours."
The team all had forced smiles on their faces, none of them actually liked the team, Vaan included. It was just that this was strategically the strongest team and it wasn't like there was a lot of teamwork required once they entered the ruins.
They simply needed to explore while hiding their presence.
"No, Headmaster, there is nothing to reconsider here."
Vaan replied.
Octavius looked at the 'team' in front of him again, then, he sighed and,
"Alright then, follow me.
It is time to enter the Ancient Ruins.
I wish you luck.
"
