Chapter 26: You have 3 days.

"Oh no, of course not.

Go ahead, apprehend me, no worries.

A member of the Vesta Family being apprehended by a mere Zilayan family, I am sure it wouldn't cause any trouble at all."

Vaan smiled.

He knew how strong his family was.

It was the only family that had an entire, independent city as their land and was not a member of any of the 4 Kingdoms.

A mere Zilayan family's guards would think 1000 times before apprehending the member of the Vesta Family.

The only reason they were being so bold right now was because he was the infamous pushover, Vaan Astra Vesta.

Of course, today, his aura was completely different from what he was popular for.

The guards were taken aback,

"You were seen standing right next to Young Master Asher, who is seriously wounded, we have perfect reason to apprehend you! The Vesta Family would never take action against us because we are in the right!" The head guard spoke.

"As I said, you have the 'cause', go ahead and do what you ought to do, the Vesta Family is an honorable family, they wouldn't do anything since, again, you have the 'cause'.

Though I am not sure if the incident of ganging up against the son of the Vesta Family and assaulting him in the name of 'spar' is enough 'cause' for the Vesta Family to take action."

Hearing those words, the head guard froze.

"T-T-That was j-just a spar..." He stuttered.

"Sure sure, a spar where five 2nd Circle Mages surrounded a 1st Circle Mage, I am sure it sounds like a fair battle. If I say I was threatened and assaulted, I am sure no one in my family would believe me and everyone would trust the words of your Young Master."

"W-What... what do you want?"

Suddenly, the head guard questioned.

He realized it.

There was no way he would win. Young Master Vaan, he was far different from what Young Master Asher told him.

If things continue like this, it would bring catastrophe to the Zilayan family.

"That's not quite the tone one should have when they talk to someone carrying the Vesta Blood." Vaan smiled.

The head guard's body trembled,

"W-What can we do for you, Young Master Vaan?"

He questioned as he bowed his head.

"Heh, that's better."

Vaan chuckled.

Then, with a cold look on his face, he ordered,

"Leave, I don't want to see that crab-like face of yours any longer."

"B-But Young Master Asher..."

"What? Do you think I would do something to him? Are you doubting me?"

"N-No.

Then I w-would entrust Young Master Asher to Young Master Vaan."

Saying those words, the 3 guards quickly walked away.

"Heh, it's finally silent." Vaan laughed.

Then, he glanced at Asher, who was still sitting on the sofa with a dizzy look on his face.

"Y-You really think you can get away f-from using your family name like that? V-Vesta Family holds its honor in high regard, the descendant of the esteemed Vesta family acting like a thug and using his family influence to threaten others... they wouldn't like that..."

Asher mumbled.

Honestly, even though the logic behind his retort was pretty strong, his tone was just too weak.

Whether it was because he was injured or because he was fearful, Vaan didn't know, however,

'To think this spineless bastard was brave enough to push me around. Just how much of a pushover was I?'

He was disappointed.

Then, he just sighed and let the 'Christopher' take over,

"Listen to me, Asher," Vaan called out.

"What do you think would happen to me if it is revealed that I used my family's influence to do all this?"

Asher glanced at Vaan for a while however, he couldn't come up with an answer.

Vaan grinned, "I am a 20-year-old 1st Circle Mage, the Shame of the Vesta Family which 'holds honor in high regard', someone like me should have already been kicked out of the family, yet here I am, moving around freely without any troubles.

Why do you think that is the case?"

Vaan questioned and Asher's expression changed. Vaan's smile widened.

"Do you see it now?

My mother is the Head of the Vesta Family, Asher.

Even if my actions here are revealed, at best, my mother would force me into the library and won't allow me to leave the house for a month or two.

At best, my punishment would be house arrest.

That's it, nothing worse would happen to me."

Then, Vaan moved his mouth close to Asher's ears and,

"But what about you, Asher?

If my family learns about it and I am punished, who do you think I would blame, huh?

Would it be my mother who punished me?

Of course not.

Someone like me doesn't have the balls to blame her.

I would obviously blame someone I can take out my frustration on. Someone I can squash like a bug.

It would be you, Asher.

If I am punished, I would come after you.

What do you think would happen then, Asher?

You think I would let you live a peaceful life?"

"Y-You wouldn't be able to do anything... Y-Your mother w-wouldn't allow i-it..." Asher retorted in an extremely weak voice. His body was already trembling in fear. Even speaking out the words he spoke took all the strength and guts he had.

"Who said she would get to know about this?

No matter how much of a trash I am, I am still the Son of the Vesta Family's head, do you know how many families or mages would die to make me owe them a favor?

How hard do you think it would be for me to hire a 3 or 4 Circle Mage to ruin your life?"

Asher turned and glanced at Vaan, seeing those golden eyes and that horrifying grin on his face, he felt goosebumps all over his body,

Asher was scared, he was very scared,

"I-I will g-give you 20 E-Elemental Stones... a-and will make sure no one would know about it..."

In the end, he gave in.

Vaan's grin widened,

"You have 3 days."

"Y-You said you would give me a w-week..."

"That was before you dared to attack me, I ought to punish you for making foolish mistakes, don't I?"

"B-But how would I g-gather 20 Elemental stones in 3 d-days?"

Asher questioned.

"That's something you need to figure out, isn't it?" Vaan smiled.

Then, he turned around.

"Gabel, don't just stand there, take me to my second friend's house."

Vaan ordered with a fresh smile on his face.

Gabel, who was frozen stiff seeing Asher sitting on the sofa with a bloodied face and dead body-like posture, finally came out of his reverie and,

"A-As you c-command, Young Master."

It was a productive day indeed.