"Anyways, have you learned Vaan's Magic Circle yet?"
Risia questioned, the greed in her eyes couldn't be hidden anymore.
Astra narrowed her eyes as she glanced at her siblings.
This was better.
They were finally being honest about their intentions. Astra felt like vomiting when she saw those fake smiles on her siblings' faces. This greedy look was what suited them the most.
"I have bought a copy of the Theory he published and am working on understanding the principles behind it. I have not yet succeeded though."
Astra replied.
"Hahaha~ Why would you buy the theory when you have the publisher right next to you? I was wondering why the mother and son have been meeting so often these days,
Well now I know~"
Risia spoke with a playful smile on her face.
Just like Astra, Risia had black hair as well, she inherited her father's blue eyes instead of Elysia's black eyes, however, the combination of Black hair and Blue eyes gave her a unique charm. Risia was a beautiful lady, her heart, however… wasn't the same.
She was capable of spouting poisonous words with a big smile on her face and people always found difficulty in knowing her true intentions until she revealed them.
Of course, Astra wasn't one of those people, she could read her elder sister like an open book.
"Well, the perks of having a good son I guess."
Astra smiled playfully as she looked into Risia's eyes.
Risia's mouth twitched, her fake expression almost fell off when she heard Astra's reply.
"Hahaha~ It is great to have a Scholarly Genius as your son. I wonder when his Aunt gets the chance to take advantage of having a great nephew as well."
"Vaan is a bit busy these days, so I would like if you respect his boundaries," Astra spoke.
Her words sounded that of a request, from her tone, however, Risia understood, it was an order.
'Stay away from my child.'
Of course, Risia never expected it to be that easy.
She knew perfectly well about how protective Astra was when it came to her son, heck she just heard about the incident proving that just a while ago.
To think this woman would kill a Mage out in the open like that…
And to think that no one in the family would have the balls to oppose it…
Risia couldn't help but sigh as she saw just how strong of an influence Astra had in the family.
Even after all the faction games they have played to slowly and steadily gather forces and raise their influence, one move from Astra and the hierarchy was clear again.
"Of course. I understand that the Elemental Clash is coming right ahead, Vaan must be looking forward to participating in it, and from what I have heard, I am sure that the chances of him winning this year are high."
"He still needs to work hard, Elemental Clash isn't the same as this little game he held," Astra replied.
"You are just being a strict mother now." Risia waved her hand as she chuckled, then,
"I believe contributing to the Family is much more important for Vaan's current position right now. He has been on the receiving end for all these years, now he finally has the chance to return it all.
His Magic Circle will be of great help to the Family, if we 7th Circle Mages adapt to his Circle and increase our strength, those people lurking in the shadows, trying to aim for our family would back away.
Heck, it would even give us an advantage in that messy situation.
I strongly believe this is much more important than any annual tournament."
Risia spoke up.
"I agree with her." This time, Draven jumped in as well.
"Astra, if we can get Vaan to help us adapt to his Magic Circle, I am not saying every day, just once a week would be enough, it would be a great way to raise our family's strength.
And it won't just be a temporary rise in our strength, Vaan would be writing the start of a new era. An Era where Magic isn't looked down upon anymore and since this all started under your rule, your name would be written down in the Vesta History, you would be known as the Greatest Family Head there was, right after Ancestor Alienora."
Draven explained the excitement in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Oh? You want Vaan to personally help everyone?" Astra questioned with a curious look on her face.
"He can take a class for the selected few." Draven nodded.
"And who would these selected few be?"
"All the 7th Circle Mages and the children from the direct lineage of the family."
"Even the children?" Astra raised her eyebrow.
"For the stronger next generation, I believe adding the children into this is essential. There is no point in just us old folks getting stronger. We need to think about the future of the Family."
"Would your children be included in those selected few?" Astra questioned with a curious smile on her face.
"They are part of direct lineage, I think it is only fair if we add them."
Draven replied.
"So Vaelen and Lirael would be included in it as well," Astra commented.
"Those kids are the strongest of our younger generation, Astra. We have to include them, they are the ones who will take care of our family once we are gone. Of course, we have to include them." Draven spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"That is what I am saying, brother, Vaelen and Lirael are both 5th Circle Mages, they have both broken through the Basic Level and have become Intermediate Mages.
The two of them are far ahead of Vaan and you want Vaan to teach them his Advanced Circle?
If they adapt to that Circle, then how is Vaan supposed to contend against them in the Battle of Heirs?"
Astra questioned directly.
This time, however, instead of being intimidated, Draven narrowed his eyes,
"You are thinking about the Battle of Heirs when the fate of our family depends on this?"
Even Risia looked into Astra's eyes, adding to the pressure.
Astra, of course, just snorted,
"Fate of our Family? I didn't know our family was in such a desperate position where we have to force our children to reveal their secrets.
Draven Elysia Vesta, where are you getting this information from? I can't believe I, as the Family Head, couldn't see this threat."
"Astra, you know full well that the level new Generation of the Vesta Family is not satisfactory. Your Pupil is talented, however, she does not have Vesta Blood. We have to take desperate actions.
How are we going to hold up against the enemies if we do-"
"I am still here."
Astra raised her voice.
"I am not dead yet, Draven. As long as I stand, nothing shall happen to the Vesta Family."
Her aura changed, the pressure coming from her tone started overwhelming her two siblings, Astra was 31 and 23 years younger than Draven and Risia respectively, but even then, her current aura still suffocated the two siblings as they couldn't help but gulp.
"I appreciate you two coming here and sharing your vision, however,
Do not teach me how to rule my Family.
If you two dare approach or pressure him in any way, you will be facing a biased Family Head who is thinking and moving as a partial mother.
Draven, I have already warned you once before, you know full well I don't give many warnings, I will ignore what you did with the matter regarding Karl and his father, this will be my last consideration as your sister.
Pull a stunt like that again and I will destroy you and your faction.
And this time, Mother won't be coming to save your life."
Astra warned and Draven widened his eyes in shock.
She knew.
This woman knew everything he did but didn't stop him.
Draven finally realized the truth.
This woman used her own son as bait, she already knew what he had arranged and prepared accordingly. That was the reason she decided to come and watch the challenge herself. She was ready to protect Vaan from the beginning.
It was all Astra's plan to put herself 'in the right'.
Now she had to 'reason' to move against him.
One move and the next time, Astra would 'find out' about the real truth behind the Karl's incident and would have the 'reason' to take official action against him.
'That's why she said Mother won't be able to save my life…
I fell for her trap.'
Draven clenched his fists as the realization struck in.
"I believe Mother would want to strengthen the Vesta Family."
Suddenly, Risia spoke up.
She gathered her guts as she glanced at her little sister and,
"Rather than selfishly thinking about himself, Vaan should be strengthening his Family when he has the means to do it.
That is how a Family grows.
The Battle of Heirs was arranged to push the children to their limits and strengthen them, hiding knowledge and intentionally pushing others behind for your own benefit would simply destroy the family.
And that is something that cannot happen.
