Gasper was shaking in his room, his face hidden behind his hands. He didn't trust me yet, but I wouldn't give up so easily.
So, with a slight grumble of effort, I stood up and said:
"Gasper, if you let me come closer and help you, I promise I can teach you how to control your powers."
Gasper shrank back further. "No... I'm a monster. There's no way…"
"That's not true." I took a deep breath and took a step towards him. "I know I'm just a stranger to you, but I've always wanted to meet you. I know how incredible you are, even if you don't realize it yet. And, to be honest, I think your style is really cool."
At that moment, I could see the tips of Gasper's ears turn red, and his fingers spread apart as he peeked at me.
"Really...?"
[Gasper doesn't like to attract too much attention, but he appreciated your compliment.]
[You received +1 Relationship Point with Gasper Vladi.]
[The Patrons approve of your approach.]
[147 Patrons are watching.]
[159 Patrons are watching.]
[170 Patrons are watching.]
The Dhampir was still trembling, but he no longer looked as afraid as before. Now, there was more uncertainty and insecurity. So I took the opportunity.
"I know you feel uncomfortable around people. Your power makes you feel like a threat, someone who only hurts others unintentionally. But my companions and I are strong, so you don't have to worry."
Gasper clearly wanted to believe me, but fear still held him back and he remained silent.
"What if I told you there's a way to make things easier for you?"
"How...?" He asked softly.
I smiled and pulled something out of my pocket — a simple, folded supermarket paper bag. Unfolding it, I revealed two carefully cut eye holes. A simple solution for someone who struggled with being seen.
"I know you don't like people looking directly at you, so let's fix that with this."
I turned my face away from Gasper and held out the paper bag to him with my left hand.
A second later, I felt Gasper take the bag, and I heard the rustling sound as he put it over his head. When I turned back, I saw that it fit him perfectly, covering everything from his blond hair to his thin neck.
Gasper instantly stopped shaking. It was as if he had suddenly found a refuge.
"This... actually helps!" He said, raising his hands to his chest.
[The Patrons found this scene adorable.]
[100 credits were sponsored.]
[Gasper loved your plan and now admires you.]
[You received +3 Relationship Points with Gasper Vladi.]
"See? Now you can relax." I crossed my arms and smiled. "And with this, you'll feel a bit more comfortable while training your power."
Through the holes in the paper bag, Gasper lifted his gaze slightly, his voice hesitant but curious.
"Did you say... 'train'?"
"Yeah, that's what I said. You'll need to train to learn how to use your powers, of course. Everyone does."
"I-I don't know..."
"You don't have to start now. But how about we begin by just stepping outside this room? Rias Gremory is waiting outside with some other members of the Occult Research Club. Wouldn't you at least like to see them instead of just listening through the walls?"
"I... I... I can try." He said in a low voice.
I smiled. "Good. Let's go."
I turned to the door and walked to it. At first, Gasper hesitated, but when I looked over my shoulder and held out a hand to him, he took a step forward. Then another, and another.
When I reached the ajar door, I opened it a little wider and saw everyone still waiting for me at the end of the corridor. They all looked at me, waiting for me to say something. However, when Gasper came out right behind me, not a word needed to be said to explain that my plan had been a success.
The dhampir was wearing a paper bag over his head, which surprised some and made others smile.
Rias's eyes were wide, but she quickly smiled. "Gasper, did you really step out of the room?"
Gasper pressed his fingers against his skirt. "Y-yes..."
"That's wonderful." Rias walked towards him but stopped when she saw Gasper wince a little. Her smile softened. "Sorry... Anyway, I'm very happy."
[Rias Gremory is pleasantly surprised by your achievement.]
[You have received +2 Relationship Points with Rias Gremory.]
Koneko chewed on a cookie. "You're wearing a paper bag," she said, coldly.
"And I feel better this way." Gasper muttered.
"Hmm. That's better than just staying in the room."
[Koneko Toujou is happy to finally see Gasper.]
[You've received +1 Relationship Point with Koneko Toujou.]
Kiba smiled. "Well, if it helps, then why not? You look a lot better than before, Gasper."
"Gasper-san, that's amazing! I knew you could do it with Milicas-san's help!" Asia said with a broad smile.
"R-really?"
"Yes, I'm glad you're here with us."
Makima looked at me and gave a slight smile.
[Makima approves of your approach.]
[You received +1 Relationship Point with Makima.]
Finally, Issei had his eyes locked on Gasper's slender legs and skirt, as if that were more surprising than the paper bag covering the dhampir's head.
"Wait... wait... what's going on here? All this time, this Gasper guy was... A GIRL?"
"W-What?! N-No, I am—"
"YOU CAN'T BE! I was thinking you were a chubby guy who's addicted to computers, BUT YOU WERE A GIRL THE WHOLE TIME?!"
"N-no, Issei-senpai!" Gasper waved his hands in panic.
Rias massaged her temple. "Issei..."
"President, you knew that, didn't you? Why didn't you say so?"
"He's a boy."
"Huh?" Issei blinked and turned his head towards Gasper again, looking at his legs. "B-but... the legs... and the skirt..."
"He just feels more comfortable this way."
Issei fell to his knees. "Damn... my hopes have been dashed."
"That's your problem, perverted femboy." Koneko commented and ate another piece of cookie.
I looked over at Gasper, who was still a little freaked out by Issei's fuss.
"See? It wasn't so bad."
So I knelt down to be more or less at his height and took the moment to ask the ultimate question.
"So, Gasper, tell me... what do you think about me being your master?"
The dhampir looked at me with those wide violet eyes, very surprised by the question. Then he pulled the paper bag down so that not even his eyes could be seen.
"I-I don't know... President Rias has always looked after me, but... you can help me control my powers, right?"
Rias looked at the scene with a gentle smile. No pressure.
"I'll try to help you regardless of whether I'm your master. Please don't consider that a determining factor in your decision."
Gasper lifted the bag and looked at me. We were very close to each other.
"I... I think I want Milicas-san as my master! But it's not just because of your help... I also want to repay you. You gave me this..." He squeezed the paper bag. "And it helped me with my fear of leaving the room. Now I can see my dear clubmates. If I'm your servant, I believe I'll keep evolving and evolving, until I can somehow protect you all one day."
[The entities are moved by Gasper's deep determination.]
I was also very surprised by how determined and eloquent he was.
"Sorry, President..." Gasper looked at Rias. "You've always looked after me so well..."
She shook her head. "There's nothing to apologize for. You'll still be part of my family. After all, Milicas is my nephew. Anyway, we'll be together at all times."
I sighed, relieved. "Very well, Gasper. If that's your choice, I'm happy. But before I can help you, we need to transfer possession, don't we, Rias-neesan?"
The Evil Piece used by Rias to transform Gasper into one of her Bishops was a Mutation Piece. This type of piece could store a greater amount of magical power than normal Evil Pieces, so just one Bishop Piece was enough for Gasper. In another case, more pieces or a single Queen Piece would be needed.
To complete the transfer of servant possession, Rias took Gasper's Mutation Piece from his chest, transferred it to my possession via a lifetime contract, and I had to place the Mutation Piece back on Gasper. Of course, this cost me one of my Bishop Pieces, which was transferred to Rias.
That way, I couldn't have any more Bishop Pieces, and Gasper officially became part of my royalty.
[You have fulfilled the Main Objective of the Occasion Mission 'The Most Powerful Vampire'!]
[You have earned 1200 credits.]
[The entity 'Sorceress of the Black Flame' is pleased with your support duo.]
[100 credits have been sponsored.]
[The Patrons were excited to see your Rating Game against Diodora Astaroth.]
[200 credits have been sponsored.]
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