*Knock* *Knock*
Vaan walked up to a door and knocked gently,
ραndαsΝοvεl ƈοm "Who is it?" A voice was heard.
"It is me, mother."
Vaan replied with a slight smile on his face.
"..."
However, he didn't receive any reply. A waited for a while, however, after not getting a response for about a minute,
"Is there a prob-"
"Enter."
Suddenly, Astra spoke.
Vaan tilted his head in confusion, however, in the end, he didn't think too much about it and walked into Astra's room.
"You finally have the time to meet your mother, huh," Astra commented with a gentle smile on her face.
Seeing that, Vaan smiled as well.
"I was studying." He replied.
"Heh, at first, you refused to study even after I forced you, now, you are studying so much that you don't even spare time for your mother. Have you sworn to never make your mother happy or something?" Astra questioned as she raised her eyebrow.
"I am doing all this for you, Mother. Son of the Astra Elysia Vesta cannot be trash, now can he? I need to catch up if I do not want to ruin your reputation."
"I have told you this before as well, Vaan. You do not have to take any unnecessary pressure. Do things at your own pace. I am just glad that you are taking things seriously, but don't exhaust yourself, alright?" Astra replied in worry.
Hearing those words, Vaan smiled.
He sat right next to her and then placed his head on her lap.
"I can always come to you if I ever feel tired, can I not?"
He questioned.
At the same time, the little fairy flew around and sat on Vaan's stomach. However, seeing as his mother was not reacting to her at all, Vaan realized that even she couldn't see her.
'Even someone like mother can't see her... am I the only one in the world who can...? Just what kind of being is she?'
Vaan had read many books that mentioned different races in the world, however, none of them ever mentioned something like this little Fairy.
'Well whatever, she is cute.' In the end, Vaan just shrugged.
"So you are saying you would only come to your mother when you feel exhausted?" Astra questioned as she started ruffling Vaan's hair.
"Hahaha~ Please don't be like that, mother.
And I have heard it all from Gabel, you used to hole yourself up in the library when you were young as well. At least I have taken the books I wish to read into my room and often come out of my room to meet you, I heard you locked yourself inside the library for weeks and rarely come out.
Aren't I doing a lot better already in that matter?"
"It seems like I need to have a chat with Gabel," Astra spoke with a 'gentle' smile on her face.
"I pity him." Vaan chuckled.
"Then you shouldn't put him in a difficult situation, I am sure you are the one who forced him to tell all this. He would never open his mouth on his own."
"I will refrain from commenting."
"You!"
Astra pulled Vaan's right ear,
"Aaahhhh!!" Vaan cried in pain.
"It seems I have been going too easy on you, huh."
"Hahaha~"
Vaan laughed out loud.
Soon, Astra started laughing as well.
"Mother."
Suddenly, Vaan called out.
"Hm?"
"Where should I practice Magic?"
"Huh? Is your room not enough?" Astra frowned.
"No, I meant that I need to place to release Magic."
"Release Magic? Vaan you..."
A slightly proud smile appeared on Vaan's face, then suddenly, the Mana around him moved and,
*Flicker*
He unleashed his magic.
"!!!"
Seeing him casting Magic, Astra's eyes widened in surprise.
"You can cast Magic now!" She exclaimed in joy.
"Of course! Did you think I was lying when I said I would catch up to you? Heh, just wait, it won't take long before I surpass you."
"Heh, getting arrogant, are we?" Astra smiled.
"Whose son do you think I am?"
"Oh ho~"
Astra couldn't help but smile.
These moments where she could smile so freely, they were extremely rare. However, ever since that day when Vaan rushed towards her and hugged her, she noticed that these moments were getting more and more frequent.
This peace that her heart felt...
She hoped that nothing would harm it.
"Mother, you still haven't answered my question." Vaan reminded.
"You can use Magic Training Halls, the walls there can repair themselves no matter how much damage they take."
"But I heard that Magic Training Halls are shared by many people at the same time... I would like to study my Magic without any interference if possible."
"Hmmm, alright, I will free a Magic Training Room for you then, although you need to be a 3 Circle Mage to use those rooms, I will arrange something for you."
"Thank you, Mother.
It is great that you are the Family Head." Vaan laughed.
"Using your mother's position for your own benefit, how shameless."
"What can I say? I would be a fool if I don't take advantage of how amazing my mother is, won't I?"
"As long as you work hard."
"Don't worry, I will work harder than anyone."
"Don't push yourself too hard," Astra spoke.
"..."
Vaan didn't know what to say.
How can his mother simply contradict herself in the next sentence?
'Heh.'
In the end, he just laughed it off and closed his eyes.
Astra continued to ruffle his hair.
The two of them talked, time passed, and an hour later, Vaan stood up.
"I will take my leave now, mother. Also, I forgot to tell you, I plan on going out today."
"Oh? That is good.
Go and get some fresh air."
"Mhm." Vaan nodded.
"Then I will take my leave now, Mother," Vaan spoke and turned around.
After he left, the doors of Astra's study room opened and a young lady walked out with a sheepish expression on her face.
Astra turned towards her and sighed,
"You should have met him, you know? He has changed, he will definitely treat you well this time."
"Y-Young Master Vaan never treated me poorly." The young lady answered.
"Haah! Still taking his side even after everything he has done. What am I going to do with you, you fool?
I have no clue why that idiot decided to chase after that selfish woman when he already has a lovely angel like you."
Astra shook her head.