"Only fools stay on a sinking boat."
Vaan spoke with a confident smile on his face.
Astra glanced at her son for a while, then,
"You have 2 weeks, wrap up whatever you are planning in 2 weeks. After that, I will be making my move."
"I knew I could count on you." Vaan smiled as he started gently massaging his mother's leg.
Astra couldn't help but chuckle as she saw Vaan acting like this. Then, she just shook her head and stood up. Vaan's head fell on the bed, he glanced at Astra with a pout, Astra however, ignored his pout and spoke,
"Go spend some time with Elara. I feel bad that I ruined your little moment together."
"You seem quite desperate to get a Daughter in law." Vaan teased.
"I am just worried that someone better would take Elara's heart away. You don't deserve that angel, Boy. She's way out of your league, so get her when you still have the chance."
"Are you really my mother…?" Vaan couldn't believe what he was hearing.
No, actually, could believe it. His mother used to say the same thing in his previous life, always siding with his girlfriend rather than him. It was annoying that time, now, however, Vaan just a comforting sense.
"Of course I am your mother. That is why I know the truth." Astra snorted.
"…" Vaan didn't know what to say.
"Anyways, I have things to attend to. Take care of yourself."
"I will." Vaan smiled.
Astra turned around and left Vaan's room.
As she was walking in the corridor, a figure wearing black clothes appeared behind her.
"Will it be alright?" The figure questioned.
"What is it, Eliza?" Astra questioned as she continued to walk.
"Leaving the Matter regarding Dreamweave to Young Master Vaan. Even if they are some random thugs, this matter is too complicated to be left to him. Dreamweave is not something Young Master should involve himself with."
"He is mature now. It is time we give him some independent space to move on his own."
"Your actions don't match your words, Lady Astra." Eliza was honest.
"The entire reason you decided to visit Young Master Vaan was to investigate whether he was involved in this matter or not. You never intended to 'deal with' Roland just so Young Master Vaan could get his 'revenge'.
I have been your subordinate for decades now, and I know that is not how you do things.
You only wanted how the Young Master would react in that situation."
"Alright, that is enough from your side. Have you done what I have ordered you to do?"
"Have I ever failed in doing what you ordered me to?"
"..."
Astra turned silent.
Eliza smiled, "I'll be taking my leave then, Lady Astra." She spoke.
Astra nodded and then, Eliza disappeared.
Astra returned to her room, on her bed lay the Advanced Circle Vaan had created. A smile appeared on her face as she held the paper, she observed the magic circle again and thinking about how her brother and sister must be racking their brains out while trying to understand the bogus theory Vaan and Elara had written, Astra couldn't help but chuckle.
…
On the other side, Vaan, who was currently left alone in her room recalled what his mother said.
"2 Weeks huh…" He muttered.
Then, a playful smile appeared on his face and,
"That is much more than enough. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if I received her letter today even."
Soon, however, Vaan just shook his head. Rather than thinking about her, going to his dear fiancé was much more interesting.
Not to mention Flamey and Splashy seemed to like Elara's presence a lot.
Thinking about it, Vaan stood up. With the two Spirits sitting on either side of his shoulder, Vaan decided to visit his fiancé.
However, just as he opened the door of his room, he paused.
"Father…?" Vaan tilted his head in confusion.
"Did you sense my presence?" Orion questioned with a frown on his face.
"Wait, 2nd Circle Mages can use Sense Magic?"
"No, Father. Sense is a 5th Circle Magic. I cannot use it yet." Vaan smiled wryly.
"Right," Orion nodded.
Then, he just shrugged.
"Whatever, Magic is boring anyways."
"You shouldn't be saying that, Father.
Especially when your wife is the best mage in the entire world."
"Your mother doesn't have to know. Let's keep this a secret between father and son." Orion spoke as he placed his arm around Vaan's neck.
Vaan was taken aback.
He doesn't remember previous Vaan being this close to Orion. Heck, he could barely remember the last time the two of them talked, previous Vaan avoided his father like the plague. Orion didn't try to approach and mend things between them each other.
Actually, the fact that Orion even came here was surprising.
And as if he sensed his son's thoughts, a smile appeared on Orion's face and,
"Vaan, I know the two of us have had differences before, we weren't exactly like any normal father and son, honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if people believed that we were actually strangers.
I will be honest here, I didn't like the past you. You were a coward, bratty, weak, and lazy. You had no will to improve and you always caused trouble for your mother.
I wasn't any better either, as your father, I failed to teach you and help you walk on the right path. I often lost my temper whenever I was around you and used force instead of trying to understand what you have been through.
I was a bad father who couldn't even correct his own son and even started leaving the Mansion just so I wouldn't lose my temper whenever I saw you. I abandoned you and I deeply apologize for that."
Orion bowed his head.
Vaan's expression changed,
"Fathe-" he stepped forward, wanting to stop his father, however,
"Please let me continue, Vaan.
I was the worst father.
You, however, weren't the worst son. You changed. Without me guiding you, you improved, you improved to the point where your mother, who often looked 10 years older than she actually was because of how worried she was about you, became a bright woman who wouldn't stop talking about her son and how proud she is.
You improved to the point where your fiancé, who always used to look at me with a weak, helpless smile on her face, now has a big bright shine on her face. Nowadays, she won't stop smiling even when she is studying Magic and would often get caught staring at a certain spot, smiling like a fool.
You improved to the point where no one now dares to look down on Young Master Vaan, you even dominated the Magic Duels, fighting 6 mages one by one and defeating them all.
You did well, Vaan.
And you did it all on your own.
I couldn't be any prouder."
Orion spoke and Vaan, who heard those words froze.
He didn't know how to react in this situation. Hearing the words 'I am proud of you' from his father. What son didn't dream of this day?
Even in his previous life, Vaa- Christopher had never heard his father say those words.
And now seeing a man who looks exactly like his father looking at him with those eyes, telling him how proud he was, a strange but powerful feeling that filled his heart with a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and satisfaction.
The current Vaan was experiencing an overwhelming amount of emotions, the image of his father in his previous life and Orion superimposed in Vaan's mind, his heart started beating quickly, and then,
Vaan hugged his father.
Orion was taken aback, his hands, however, moved on their own as he hugged back his son, patting his back in the process.
The two men stayed in this position for a while.
Then, in a slightly hoarse and emotional voice, Vaan spoke up, "I promise I will be the son you can always be proud of."
"I am sure you will."
Orion closed his eyes.
Hugging his son after all these years…
His heart felt heavy.
He, however, controlled his emotions and
"Alright, now stop being clingy to me." He chuckled.
Vaan nodded as he stepped back. The smile on his face couldn't be hidden.
"Anyways, this was not what I am here for." Suddenly, Orion spoke up.
"What do you mean?" Vaan frowned.
"You changed and proved that you are an excellent son, now it is my turn to do the same."
"Huh?"
"Come with me."
"Where?" Vaan questioned.
"It is the time your Father imparts you some of his teachings."
"Huh? Teachings?" Vaan frowned.
"What do you like more, using spells to overwhelm your opponent, or punching him till he passes out?" Suddenly, Orion questioned with a curious smile on his face.
"Punching the shit out of my opponents of course! Spells are alright, but the feeling of your punch connects with your opponent's face,
The joy you feel is something that cannot be described."
Vaan's answer was almost instant.
"Heh."
Orion's smile widened.
Then, he just grabbed Vaan and pulled him away.
