After a brief conversation with the elven healer, Katarina politely excused herself, explaining that she couldn't wait to bring the good news to her son. All matters regarding the guest's accommodation and comfort she entrusted entirely to the blind elder.
Now all that remained was preparing Gray for the upcoming procedure. The life magic of the elves was renowned for its effectiveness in healing even the most severe afflictions. Although Selene was considered relatively young by elven standards, she had already reached the level of a Celestial and was a direct student of a saint. Titles like that spoke volumes. Her talent and skills left no room for doubt.
Katarina pinned all her hopes on the next few days but reminded herself that preparation was key. The stronger the hope, the deeper the pain if things went wrong—but she couldn't control her emotions.
Her beloved son's affliction was about to be cured. How could she possibly remain calm? The fact that she wasn't dancing with joy already spoke volumes about her self-restraint. She constantly recalled the elder's instructions and was determined to follow them to the letter.
Katarina entered their two-story home with a radiant smile and a heart full of joy. They say a woman is at her most beautiful when she smiles sincerely. In that moment, one could argue she outshone even Aphrodite herself.
"Gray, Grace, my precious little ones, come downstairs. Mommy has wonderful news for you!" she called out, unable to contain her joy.
When the twins descended from the second floor, they froze at the sight of their mother. She was glowing, wearing a smile so pure and full of warmth that it left them speechless, like deer caught in the light of an oncoming carriage.
Cassia, emerging from the adjacent room, was similarly stunned. The only other time she had seen such a smile on her mistress's face was the morning after the twins were born. The memory surfaced with startling clarity—Katarina standing in the doorway, beaming as she laid eyes on her newborns for the first time. In that moment, Cassia felt something stir inside her—a fleeting, inexplicable admiration for her lady. Such was the radiance of her presence now.
"Mommy, did something good happen? You look so beautiful and happy!" Grace asked, the first to recover from the trance.
"Yes, darling. Grandpa Joseph—whom you haven't met yet—brought us the best healer we could ever wish for. I'm certain she'll be able to heal Gray. We won't have to worry about his condition anymore," Katarina said, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Really?! Hahaha! That's amazing! Brother, you'll finally be able to grow stronger like you always dreamed! We can spar together! We can travel! You'll be able to use magic! Brother, come on, say something!" Grace cried, leaping with excitement and shaking her brother by the shoulders.
"Mama… is it true?" Gray asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Umu! Of course it's true, brother! Mama would never lie about something this important," Grace answered quickly.
"Yes, sweetheart. I spoke with the healer myself. She's the real deal," Katarina confirmed, though it was hard to tell if she was reassuring her son or herself.
"Really, really true?" he asked again.
"Yes," Katarina replied firmly.
"Hahaha! Isn't this great, little brother? Why do you look so stunned?" Grace asked, her smile shining even brighter than her mother's.
"I… I just can't believe it. Won't the god of Light notice if I'm healed? What if it doesn't work?" Gray stammered, looking more dazed than overjoyed.
"To hell with that bastard Apollo and his divine 'oversight.' If Selene can't help you, I'll find the goddess of Healing myself. I'll become a god—or a demon if I have to—but I won't let anyone take you from us," Katarina whispered, hugging her son tightly. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks—tears of weakness, resolve, and the fierce hope only a mother could carry.
"It's going to work. I will be healed," Gray whispered, burying his face into the silvery-white strands of his mother's hair.
Cassia and Grace joined in the embrace. The maid couldn't hide the trembling in her hands. Only the gods knew how much it hurt her to watch her young master suffer all this time. Grace didn't quite understand why everyone was crying when the news was so good, but their emotions washed over her like a tide. Still giggling from joy, she clung to her loved ones, unaware that her own eyes had begun to tear up.
The next day, the whole family gathered together. Katarina had already given her instructions, and the children followed them to the letter. Grace's determination to remember the healer's full name bordered on madness. She usually disliked complicated things, but when it came to her brother, the girl knew exactly where her priorities lay.
She had spent most of the night tossing and turning in bed. Now, faint shadows under her eyes hinted at her sleeplessness, yet they only served to highlight the sparkle in her gaze. Her energy seemed nearly out of control, a rainbow glint shimmering in her pupils. Had the others not been so focused on Gray and Selene, the elders and Katarina might have noticed how much Grace had changed.
Gray himself was calm and composed, though his spirits were visibly lifted. He remembered well the lessons from the village elders and tried his best not to display his emotions openly. At that moment, he looked like a noble young aristocrat who had endured many hardships and was now ready to claim his well-earned reward.
Approaching the elven figure, he bowed with perfect grace and said:
"Miss de'Lirael Celebrimbor, I am Gray, son of Katarina. I offer you and your teacher, Saint Dariel al'Tarial, my sincerest gratitude. Regardless of the outcome of your treatment, I will never forget your kindness. Please accept this token of my respect."
"Heehee, aren't you the sweetest little gentleman?" Selene chuckled, visibly charmed. "There's no need to be so formal with me—just call me Auntie Selene. I'll do everything in my power to help you. Believe me, even divine wounds can be healed, as pompous as that might sound coming from me."
"I shall consider it an honor, Auntie Selene," Gray replied earnestly.
To be honest, Selene had been in a state of mild shock since yesterday. She hadn't expected her patient to be none other than the infamous "Child of Darkness." Even the elves had heard rumors of a human prophecy, though it never concerned them much.
The elves were a proud race. They saw humanity as neither threat nor ally—just another species, like a slightly larger anthill. Whether humans were wiped out or not mattered little to them. As long as the Tree of Life and life itself weren't endangered, they tolerated nearly everything.
However, as social creatures, they still disapproved of senseless violence. When Selene had first been told she would treat the "Child of Darkness," she'd almost refused. She pictured a savage little monster—not a task she wanted to take on.
But, seduced by the silver tongue of the blind old man, she had accepted. And now, she realized it had been worth it. Healing such a polite, charming boy would be a pleasure. Who cared about some old prophecy? The elves believed in fate, yes—but that didn't mean they had to meddle in the affairs of other races. If Selene chose to heal someone, even the god of Light would have no say in it. That's how powerful the elven race truly was.
Gray made his way confidently to the building that had been constructed specifically for his procedures. Inside, the small hut was lined with herbs and glass vials. Grandma Cornelia had lovingly gathered the herbs, while the elixirs belonged to Grandma Albedo. Against the wall stood a table of surgical instruments crafted by Grandpa Clark—the dwarf responsible for forging all the village's tools.
As he inhaled the familiar, medicinal scent of the room—a place he had spent far too much time in—Gray was overcome with emotion. Part of him loathed this hut. It reminded him of his helplessness, his weakness. Yet another part cherished it deeply, for the care and effort the villagers had poured into its creation. Glancing at the bracelet on his wrist, now adorned with fifteen beads, Gray lay down calmly on the bed.
Meanwhile, Selene examined the space around her. While elves usually didn't need so many instruments and potions, their presence was certainly helpful. The girl was genuinely impressed by the vast collection of herbs and mixtures in this modest clinic. As a professional, she respected those who shared her dedication to the healing arts.
She surveyed the room, memorizing the locations of everything she might need, then turned toward her patient, ready to begin.
Outside, the villagers stood silently, waiting. Katarina shifted anxiously from foot to foot, but had been strictly forbidden from expressing any strong emotions inside the hut, lest it interfere with the healing process.
Only Grandpa Jack was permitted to observe from within. As a trained assassin, he was confident he wouldn't disrupt the healer's concentration. And as an experienced surgeon, he stood ready to assist if needed.