"Can you really do it, Lord Tenra? Is it… is it possible?"
Gaspar's eyes were wet, his voice trembling with disbelief. But beneath the tears, hope flickered—raw, desperate hope.
Tenra nodded, his gaze steady. "I can. If you're truly willing to let it go."
"I am! Please, Lord Tenra—take it! Take it out of me! I never want this power again!"
Gaspar wiped his face, scrambled to his feet, urgency shining through the misery. He hated his Sacred Gear—hated the curse, the isolation, the fear. For years, he'd dreamed of ridding himself of it, but never found a way. Now, for the first time, he saw a glimmer of escape.
"Valerie, close every window and door. No matter what you hear—don't come in unless I say so."
Tenra's tone left no room for argument. Valerie blinked, startled, but nodded immediately. She'd grown used to Tenra's orders, and after all he'd done for her and Gaspar, her trust was absolute. Without another word, she hurried to seal the room, then stood guard outside.
"Lord Tenra, what do I need to do?"
"Close your eyes. Don't resist. Leave the rest to me."
Gaspar obeyed, squeezing his eyes shut. Tenra took a slow breath, steadying himself, then raised his hand and unleashed the power of [Sacred Gear Plunder].
If anyone else had been watching, they would have been stunned: Tenra's hand slipped seamlessly into Gaspar's chest, as if flesh and bone were nothing but mist.
"Got it."
His fingers closed around something cold and pulsing—a power that didn't belong. Tenra's eyes flashed, adrenaline surging.
But the hardest part was still ahead. He had to pull the Sacred Gear free.
Gaspar whimpered, face twisted in agony. "It hurts… it hurts so much…"
"Don't fight it! Hold on—just a little longer!"
Tenra felt it—inside Gaspar, a violent darkness began to stir. If Gaspar resisted, even for a moment, that power would tear Tenra's arm to shreds.
Bit by bit, Tenra drew the Sacred Gear out. Sweat dripped down his brow. Gaspar's pain grew, his cries rising until they became a scream.
"I have to endure… I don't want this curse anymore…!"
"AAAAAAHHHH!"
With a final, heart-wrenching shriek, the Sacred Gear tore free.
Gaspar collapsed, unconscious, limp as a ragdoll. Tenra stared at the jewel now cradled in his hand—a vertical, glowing eye, radiating forbidden power.
He did it. His first Sacred Gear.
But before he could even savor the triumph, the jewel melted into his palm. Instantly, Tenra's body was flooded with energy—raw, wild, uncontrollable.
"Grrr…"
The power was agony, ripping through his muscles, threatening to burst him apart. Tenra gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure. He'd survived worse—he wouldn't fail now.
Time blurred. Finally, the surge slowed, the pain faded, and Tenra found himself sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath.
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. He'd done it. Despite the danger, he'd succeeded.
His spiritual power had multiplied, and now he possessed the ability to freeze time—[Forbidden Balor View] was his.
Tenra glanced at Gaspar, still unconscious on the floor. Complicated feelings stirred. The boy was foolish, timid, a little effeminate—but Tenra owed him. Without Gaspar's trust, he never could have pulled this off.
—
The door creaked open. Tenra stepped out.
"Lord Tenra!"
Valerie rushed over, worry etched on her face.
"Relax. Gaspar's fine—just unconscious. Go look after him."
Tenra smiled, ruffling her hair. His mood was light—almost gentle.
When [Sacred Gear Plunder] stripped a host of their power, it didn't kill them. They'd be weak, unconscious for a while, but would recover soon enough. The only lasting change: no more Sacred Gear.
Valerie let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her. Gaspar's earlier screams had rattled her nerves; if not for her faith in Tenra, she might have burst in at any moment.
"Yes, Lord Tenra."
Her cheeks flushed as Tenra's hand lingered at her forehead. She nodded and hurried inside to tend to Gaspar.
Tenra chuckled, shaking his head, and made his way back to his room.
He closed the door, leaned against it, and let the mask slip.
"Hahahaha… hahahahaha…"
The laughter started low, then grew louder, echoing off the walls—wild, unrestrained, almost manic.
He'd waited so long for this moment.
Years of being called a Phoenix family failure. Years of scraping through life-and-death trials, powerless to protect anyone he cared about. Memories he'd rather forget.
But that was over now.
He'd claimed his first Sacred Gear. There would be more—many more. He would become stronger than anyone. He would stand at the very top of this world. He would seize anything he desired.
The laughter went on and on, purging years of bitterness and frustration. Eventually, Tenra quieted, breathing deep, eyes closed.
When he opened them again, all the old rage and pain had vanished. He felt clean—purified, as if something inside him had finally shifted.
He'd taken his first true step forward.
Tenra walked to the window, gazing at the gray sky beyond the barrier. His eyes were calm, thoughtful.
Now that he possessed [Forbidden Balor View], it was time to plan his escape.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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