Chapter 97: Healing in the Light
The morning sunlight filtered softly into the Gremory estate's courtyard, where Gasper sat alone near a small pond. His hands trembled as he focused on the surface of the water. Slowly, the ripples halted—not because of wind, but due to the faint activation of his Sacred Gear, Forbidden Balor View.
With effort, he released the power. The water resumed its gentle motion.
"I didn't panic…" he whispered to himself, breathing heavily.
Nearby, a young maid—assigned specifically to Gasper's comfort—offered him a warm towel. He flinched slightly but accepted it. Social interaction was still difficult, but he was learning to manage it. The fear that once ruled his every expression had begun to dull, replaced by cautious curiosity.
Inside the estate, Rias Gremory stood beside a window overlooking the courtyard. "He's improving," she said quietly.
Volundr stood beside her, arms folded. "Yes. He's stabilizing—slowly. He still flinches at his own reflection, but he doesn't cry when he uses his Sacred Gear anymore. That's a start."
Rias sighed. "The Gremory wards are holding, and the staff has been patient. But the nightmares…"
"He'll carry them for a long time," Volundr said. "That's not something healing magic can fix. What he needs now is reassurance and a feeling of control. So I've adjusted his training plan—focus on precision, emotional regulation, and small victories."
Later in a secured training chamber, Gasper stood with Rias and a senior Gremory mage. Around the room, crystal targets floated gently in the air.
"Remember what we practiced," Rias encouraged. "Choose one. Don't rush."
Gasper's eyes glowed faintly. A single target froze in midair, suspended perfectly still. He clenched his fists, holding it just long enough before releasing. The crystal shattered gently against the ground.
Rias smiled. "That's the best control we've seen yet."
Gasper's lips trembled—but this time, it was from a smile. "I didn't freeze the whole room…"
"No," Rias said proudly. "You didn't."
In the hallway afterward, Volundr scribbled into his journal:
Subject: Gasper Vladi
Stabilization signs detected.
Sacred Gear control: minor success
Emotional responses: improving
Recommendation: Continue indirect monitoring. Potential remains high.
That evening, Volundr met privately with Rias.
"He trusts you," Volundr said.
"He's starting to," she replied. "He needs gentle people around him."
"You're doing well," Volundr said quietly, before adding,
"I don't intend to recruit him. But I want him strong. But I intend to recruit Valerie"
Rias nodded.
As the night settled over the Gremory estate, Gasper sat beneath the stars, feeling—for the first time in a long time—that maybe he belonged somewhere.
Volundr, watching from afar, knew that this was just the beginning of Gasper's path to becoming something far greater than the frightened boy he once was.