"What in the hell happened here?" Draven questioned as he glanced at his little sister.
"…"
Astra stayed silent.
Seeing this, a scheming smile appeared on Draven's face and, "I was informed that Vaan was using this room to meet his guest." Then, Dravne's eyes fell on Ronald's body that was being taken away by the medic team and although he was slightly taken aback and repulsed by its appearance, he quickly recognized the face and,
"Isn't he the child of the Frostmoon Family? He was the guest Vaan should be meeting today. Why is he in this state? What happened? Also, why are there the signs of Instant Spells being used here?"
Draven shot a series of questions as he glanced at Valhal.
"I… I…"
Valhal tried to answer, Draven, however, didn't seem too interested in the situation, he seemed to have a plan of his own.
"Where is Vaan?"
He questioned.
"Has he caused some trouble again? What? Another fight? What number was it? 5th? 6th? Or maybe the 10th? After beating that Mage with a fluke, he has been getting more and more reckless, isn't he?
Trying to fight every time someone disagrees with him, it wouldn't have been that bad if he actually used Magic to do it, but to use disgraceful ways like sneak attacks to do it.
Now he is even using Instant Spells? Isn't he taking everything around him too lightly?
I also wanted to ask him about those rumors going around the City. No matter how baseless it may be, there is no smoke without Fire. Sister Astra, I think we need to have a talk with Va-"
"Draven." Suddenly, Astra broke her silence.
Then, she turned around and looked into Draven's eyes,
"We both know what you are trying to do here, it is no secret.
However, let me warn you right now,
Do not overstep your limits, Draven.
It will backfire.
I assure you, I am not an enemy you would want coming after you.
Or have you forgotten what happened the last time the two of us went after each other?
Don't make me go back to how I previously was because I am warning you, if you annoy me any further than this,
I will be lot worse than I was in the past."
Astra threatened, her tone was emotionless but the weight in her voice…
The words that made one tremble in horror…
It was almost as if a God was speaking, taking a piece of your soul with every word.
"…are you trying to threaten me using your position as the Family Head?" Draven questioned as he narrowed his eyes.
"Do you really think I need to use the Family's power to do what I just said?" Astra questioned back.
This time, Draven turned absolutely silent.
He may be a 7th Circle Mage just like his Sister, however, in truth, the difference between the two of them was vast.
The sheer number of spells, their variations, and their advanced versions Astra knew…
It was overwhelming.
Draven had fought Astra before when they were both 6th Circle Mages, he knew perfectly well how overwhelming it is to stand against someone like Astra.
Even their mother, the previous Family Head was often shocked and was in awe by her actions.
"You can continue to play your little games with Sister Risia and the others,
I have never taken any actions before because you knew and were always within your limits.
I hope the same will continue in the future,
Is that clear?"
Astra's voice was cold.
Draven simply nodded, showing no signs of his previous arrogance.
"Now leave."
Astra ordered.
"As you command, Family Head."
Draven turned around as he left.
This time, he addressed Astra not as 'sister', but as a 'Family Head'.
This was his way of showing a little resistance and saving his face.
'I am only leaving because I respect you as the Family Head.'
That was what the hidden meaning behind those words was.
Astra, however, didn't care about that right now.
She had better things to do.
"Gabel." She called out.
"Y-Yes, Family Head." Gabel quickly stepped forward, his hands behind his back as he desperately tried to hide his nervousness.
The other servants all bowed their heads, it was as if they were trying to hide their faces, none of them wanted to be in a position Gabel was currently in.
"Explain," Astra ordered.
"Y-Yes of c-course." Gabel nodded.
"Young Master Vaan ordered me to wait outside the room, so I couldn't see the exact cause of it, but when I heard the explosion and quickly came in, I saw Young Master Vaan lying on the floor, screaming in agony as his entire leg was burned away, while Ronald stood there with a fearful look on his face.
I noticed that Ronald was panicking and was thinking about getting out of the situation, thinking that he won't make any further moves because of his fear, I rushed out and sent a few servants to bring Sir Valhal while I myself went to call the medics.
Though when I returned…
The situation had escalated and although Young Master Vaan looked the same, Ronald, who was completely fine, was now in that half-dead condition."
Gable reported.
"So Ronald made the first move?" Astra narrowed her eyes.
No one knew what she was thinking but everyone knew one thing, if Gabel nods right now, the Frostmoons… they would face a catastrophe.
Fortunately, Gabel pointed at the broken plate lying on the ground and, "That might not be the case…"
The plate wasn't the only broken thing in the room, the entire room was a mess since some strong spells had been fired here, that plate, however, was different, it was covered in blood, and the moment Astra's eyes fell on the plate,
She understood what Gabel was trying to say.
This wasn't the first time her child had 'used' these plates...
Astra closed her eyes.
Controlling the Urge to facepalm, Astra commanded, "Make sure Roland is treated properly, we need to get to the bottom of this."
"As you command, Family Head." The servant standing beside Astra nodded.
Then suddenly, a servant walked into the room and,
"Family Head."
"What is it?"
"We received a reply." The servant reported as he passed a thick scroll to Astra.
Astra opened the scroll and reading the single line written on it, her expression changed.
'I will be back in 3 days.'
