"The Vesta Underground Prison… are there any criminals that will be executed any time soon?"
"Huh?"
Astra's expression changed.
"Why are you asking that?" She questioned as she narrowed her eyes.
"I need to confirm something," Vaan replied.
"And that 'something' might harm the life of another human?" Astra questioned.
"It might."
"Then you are not allowed to do that."
"But-"
"Do not talk back, Vaan," Astra said firmly.
However, seeing that Vaan was still trying to say something,
"No matter what it is that you need to 'confirm' and no matter how insignificant the life of that prisoner is,
I will not allow my son to take a human life."
"I need to do that at some point, Mother. I, as the next Head of the Vesta Family, cannot be weak-willed. You don't want your son to start trembling just at the idea of having to kill someone, do you?"
Astra looked into Vaan's eyes, then,
"Your logic is flawed, Vaan.
Not taking someone's life doesn't make you weak-willed.
It is the opposite.
Having the ability to kill and the ability to control that urge is what makes you strong.
Being powerful is important, however, learning to control your power is more important and that is what you lack.
You are impulsive, you try to solve everything with violence, but that is not how you become a ruler, Vaan.
That thug-like attitude would at best, only make you the head of the 'Wardens of Vesta', a group that ensures security and safety in the Vesta City.
In more brazen words, you will be reduced to a mere tool that the head of the family can use to get rid of his enemies, a dog who bites when he is ordered, but you would never be able to become the owner yourself.
Keep this in your mind, Vaan, if you do not do something about that impulsive attitude of yours, then even if you become the strongest Mage out there, I will still allow you to become the next Family Head."
Astra spoke with a firm look on her face.
"Also, if you want to experiment with something that might harm human life, then it makes you no different than those Rouge Mages we hunt down.
Ans I would rather have a weak-willed son than someone who treats human lives carelessly."
"…" Vaan turned silent.
For him, killing someone was not a big deal, heck he killed 3000 people before he came to this world. However, his mother's words…
They reverberated in his head as he started thinking about his past actions.
Honestly, even now, he didn't think any of his actions were wrong.
He was rather holding back.
He hadn't killed anyone ever since he came here, honestly, that was a record for him already.
However, even so, Vaan contemplated how he lived his previous life…
7 years of being an underground gang leader…
His perception of human life… it might be different from other human beings.
"I will think about this thoroughly, Mother," Vaan spoke with a serious look on his face.
"Please do, future Family Head," Astra spoke with a slight smile on her face.
Vaan smiled back and then, he bowed his head, "I will be taking my leave now, mother."
Astra nodded, Vaan left the room, after a while, Astra walked towards her room and as she entered, her eyes fell on a certain red-haired girl sitting inside the study room, drawing something on a book with a concentrated look on her face.
A slight smile appeared on Astra's face, then, a white light covered her entire body and she walked towards Elara. She then peeked at what Elara was doing and even though she was standing right behind Elara, the girl couldn't sense her at all.
Astra noticed a 1st Circle spell drawn on the book, Elara continued to draw more, then, the white light surrounding Astra disappeared and,
"What are you doing, my pupil?" Astra questioned.
"!!!" Elara's eyes widened in surprise, she quickly slammed her notebook shut and turned towards Astra.
"That's the third day of you working on that book."
"I-It was nothing, Teacher. I w-was just trying to revise my old spells. O-One must not forget the b-basics as they grow."
"Right." Astra nodded her head.
The slight smile on her face was enough to tell that she knew what this girl was trying to do, but since she found it amusing, she feigned ignorance.
"Just make sure not to interrupt your own studies for 'revising the basics' alright? You are currently at one of the most important stages of a Mage's life, don't slack, is that clear?"
"I-I will work extra hard, Teacher." Elara continuously nodded her head.
Astra chuckled.
How can one not like this pupil of hers? She is such an adorable girl.
Astra patted Elara's head, then, she let her do what she wanted and just kept an eye on her pupil.
On the other hand, Vaan, who had also returned to his room, started creating more Instant Spells. With Flamey's ability proven,
He created Instant Burn, the Spell that originally needed 10 Elemental Stones, but could now be formed with 5 with Flamey's help.
Flamey couldn't help Earth Fort and Heal, therefore, those 2 spells took 15 Elemental Stones in total. Vaan was satisfied.
3 days passed by, and Vaan, who was currently feeding Flamey in his room heard a knock.
"Who is it?" He questioned.
"It's me."
He heard a cute response.
With a smile on his face, he quickly opened the doors,
"Fiance, please come in," Vaan spoke.
Elara walked into the room. Vaan offered her a seat.
"How have you been?" Vaan questioned.
"Good," Elara replied.
"…"
"…"
An awkward silence fell in the room.
Both of them didn't know what to say.
"H-How have you been?" Elara questioned.
She wanted to keep the conversation going.
"I am good as well. I was just studying magic theories." Vaan replied as he pointed at the books on his study table.
"You are working hard…" A genuine smile appeared on Elara's face.
Then, she took out a notebook and, "This is for you."
"What is this?" Vaan questioned as he accepted Elara's notebook, he opened the fire page, and there was a Magic Circle and a pattern Elara used to summon a Fireball.
"T-This is my Spell Directory… It has all the 1st and 2nd Circle spells I know along with their Inner Circles… W-With your abilities, you will be able to learn all these spells within a few days… I hope you will find it useful…"
Elara spoke with a slight blush on her face.
Vaan, on the other hand, was shocked.
"Elara this…"
He was out of words.
No mage in this world would give their Spell Directory to someone else no matter how close they were! This was nothing short of revealing all their strengths and weakness and being completely vulnerable in front of that person!
No mage takes this step.
That was also the reason why it takes him so much time to learn a new spell by himself. Even though he just needed to look at some of the patterns used by the mage to cast a certain spell, he could never find those patterns in just one book, sometimes he wouldn't even find those patterns even after he looks through 100s of books, that is because no mage passes down everything they have learned,
Spell Directories like these…
For Elara to be giving something like this to Vaan…
"Elara, I can't take it." Vaan shook his head.
This directory was too precious. Especially for someone like him, who could simply copy all the spells without any sort of research at all. It was no different than Elara giving away her years of hard work to him.
It was something he couldn't accept.
"I-It took me six days to make it… please don't return it to me, I would waste all my hard work…"
"But this is the hard work you did all your life!" Vaan tried to explain.
"I would be glad if y-you can use it and get stronger, I-I am actually looking forward to it…" Elara replied.
"Elara…"
Vaan didn't know what to say…
"I won't be able to discuss Magic with you if you are just 1st or 2nd Circle Mage… I would like you to use this and quickly get stronger so… so that we can sit together and explore Magic Theories together…" Elara spoke then suddenly,
Vaan hugged her.
"!!!"
Elara widened her eyes in surprise.
"I will use it well, Elara.
Thank you very much."
Vaan was extremely grateful.
This girl… he had no clue how the previous Vaan could possibly hate someone like her…
Was he mentally ill?
How could one not treat this angel like a Queen and do what he could to keep her happy?
What the hell?
"Elar-"
Vaan wanted to say something, soon, however, he heard a knock.
"Who is it?" He questioned with a frown on his face.
He wasn't expecting anyone right now.
"Young Master Vaan, you have received a letter," Gabel reported from outside.
"A letter?"
"Yes, it is from Lady Seraphina," Gabel reported.
Elara's expression changed.
Vaan, however, just smiled widely.
It was time to meet the 'woman he loved' again.
Now, however, he was a little busy,
"Keep it safe for now,
I am spending time with my fiancé right now, don't disturb me."
"As you command, Young Master."
Gabel bowed his head as he walked away.
Vaan then glanced at Elara and,
"Would you please help me with this spell I am trying to learn?"
"Of course!"
Elara nodded with a cheerful smile on her face.
