Chapter 58: Take me to him

"So you have published your theory of 'advance' Magic Circle," Astra spoke as she continue to ruffle Vaan's hair.

Vaan, who was resting his head on his mother's lap nodded, "Mhm, did it a few days ago."

"You did a good job on it, I didn't think you would make it so formal. You even added acknowledgment, reference books, an introduction, a summary and even created an index. It looked like it was written by a professional." Astra praised.

"Honestly, I just wanted to draw my circle and end it there, but Elara helped me and added all of that. I told her that there was no point in doing it since no one is going to understand anything anyways, but she said that it was the first publication under my name so she needed to do it properly."

"Aha! No wonder the language sounded so familiar. It was that girl who helped you. Did the two of you write it together?" Astra questioned with a curious look on her face.

"More like she was the one who wrote the entire thing, I only drew the Magic Circle."

"That's not what I am asking you fool, I am asking whether the two of you were together all that time."

Hearing that, Vaan opened his eyes as he glanced at his mother, then, with a playful smile on his face, he questioned back, "Does my almighty mother not know about it? I thought you were an omniscient being."

"You think all I do is keep an eye on my son and my pupil all day?" Astra questioned as she pulled Vaan's ears.

"Aaahhh! Okay! Okay! I was just joking! Yes, I was with her the whole time! I told her about the theory was I going to publish because you ordered me to and she offered to help me!" Vaan answered quickly.

His mother was too ruthless!

"Oh ho, so the two of you are spending more time together huh? Good Good, that is good. That girl was quite worried when she heard that you have gone to the Stormweaver House."

"Was she the only one who was worried?" Vaan questioned with a playful smile on his face. Astra glanced at her child and raised her eyebrow again, Vaan quickly covered his ears with his two hands and, "There is nothing to worry about of course! Don't worry, everything is a part of my plan.

And yes, I will not disappoint Elara."

Vaan spoke with a genuine look on his face.

"Hmph! Try to do it and see how I hunt you down." Astra gave the ultimatum.

Vaan sighed.

His mother really was on her daughter-in-law's side rather than his.

Well, not that it was her fault, in this world, if anyone had met Elara and was not on her side, that being was simply a fool. Hating Elara was simply impossible.

"Anyways, what are you planning to do with that Stormweaver?" Suddenly, Astra questioned.

"Just leave it to me, Mother," Vaan replied.

He didn't want his mother's help. That would make things a little too easy. If he wanted to stand up on his own, he needed to deal with things on his own. Simply relying on his overpowered mother was not an option.

Astra glanced at Vaan for a while and, "That girl is not simple, Vaan."

"I am not simple either, Mother." Vaan laughed.

Astra just shook her head as she sighed, she wanted to act disappointed but the smile on her face betrayed her.

"Mother, I am curious, has anyone read the theory I published?"

Obviously, reading the theory published by other Mages wasn't free, all the public theories cost something, and although the theory published by Vaan was so cheap that even commoners could afford it if they tried, reading theories written by a 1st Circle Mage, that too a bogus theory like 'an Advanced Magic Circle', Vaan knew that most people won't even touch his theory and would completely ignore it, however, he was still curious.

"Well, your uncles and aunts were the first ones to read it. I believe they read it as soon as they received the news."

"Hehe, I guess I would need to thank them for supporting this struggling mage." Vaan chuckled.

Whatever a theory earns is divided between the House that published the theory and the Mage who wrote that theory. In Vesta City, most of the public Magic Theories were managed by the Vesta House. Of course, there were some managed by other houses, however, the difference between the reputation was apparent and not many read those theories published by other houses.

"Hahaha~ Make sure you do that." Astra laughed as well.

"So? What did they say?" Vaan questioned.

"What is there to say? They all understood that the theory was bogus and the circle you propose was impractical, your Uncle Draven even came to me to complain about it."

"What did he complain about? Wait, let me guess, it should be the same old, 'You shouldn't let him publish a bogus theory even if he is your son, it would ruin the reputation of our Vesta House.' Right?"

"You know your uncle quite well." Astra smiled.

"Well, of course, he is my dear uncle, after all." Vaan smiled.

"There were also other people who bought the theory you published out of curiosity, though most of those theories were later thrown away."

"That hurts." Vaan pouted.

Astra completely ignored that.

*Knock* *Knock*

Then, the two of them heard a knock.

"Ahh, he should be here."

Vaan spoke up.

"Who?" Astra questioned.

"Right, I didn't tell you, did I?

I recruited a new handyman."

"A handyman? Who?"

"Asher."

"Asher? That Asher?"

"Mhm, the man is more useful than I thought." Saying those words, Vaan stood up.

"Anyways, I will see you later, Mother.

Take care you yourself."

"Alright, you too," Astra replied.

Vaan then walked out of the room, the servant, who was expecting a reply and was about to inform them about Asher's visit was surprised.

"Take me to him," Vaan ordered.

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