Chapter 88: The Weight of Potential
The biting winds of Asgard had settled into a steady, frigid hum, swirling through the towering peaks and vast plains that stretched beneath an overcast sky. Volundr stood at the edge of the mountain pass, looking out at the frozen landscape, his thoughts far away from the cold.
His eyes, sharp and perceptive, seemed to take in every detail, not just of the world around him, but of the future he was quietly shaping.
Rossweisse's recent breakthrough weighed heavily on his mind. The young girl had unlocked something within herself, something Volundr had always known was there, but he had patiently waited for her to discover on her own.
That moment was now closer than ever, but it wasn't just about the immediate results of her training. It was about the long-term vision—the bigger picture.
In his past life, he had witnessed the potential of many, but none had the balance of power, skill, and raw untapped ability that Rossweisse possessed. Her versatility in magic was unparalleled. Though she struggled with Siez-style magic, he could see past that to the deeper strengths beneath the surface.
Her true power lay in defensive and support magic, in her keen tactical mind, and the subtle brilliance she was beginning to understand. And yet, the true measure of her potential was still years away from being fully realized.
Volundr took a slow breath, feeling the weight of the long path ahead of him. His eyes narrowed as he reflected on the difficult reality: no one, not even Rossweisse, saw the girl she would become. Not yet.
She was still so young, and though she had begun to forge her path, there was much more to be done. Her offensive magic was still underdeveloped, and while her defensive and support abilities were growing, she had yet to see the full extent of what she could accomplish.
But Volundr had no doubt. One day, she would become the Rook he had always envisioned—one of the most formidable and versatile pieces in his peerage.
What made her so invaluable, what set her apart from the others, wasn't just her power. It was her untapped potential, the kind of strength that would grow with her, adapting and expanding as she matured.
And when the time came, when she was ready to leave the fragile limitations of her youth behind, she would be an irreplaceable part of his peerage.
But that moment wasn't yet.
Volundr had already made his decision long ago: he would not rush it. No, he would build slowly, step by step. And for now, that meant maintaining his quiet presence in her life, always observing, always guiding her from the shadows.
He would support her growth, help her reach beyond the boundaries that had been set for her, and when the time was right, he would offer her a place in his peerage—not as a child, but as a fully realized Rook, with all the power and potential that came with it.
He turned his attention to the people around her. If he was to recruit Rossweisse, he needed to ensure the process was smooth. The young girl's family in Asgard held a significant amount of influence, and he had already taken the first steps to fortify his relationship with them.
While he had yet to reveal his plans, Volundr had earned their trust with his subtle displays of competence and loyalty. His every interaction with her family was calculated, designed to build bridges and reinforce his position for the future.
Even now, as he considered his next moves, he could feel the weight of Rossweisse's potential pressing against him.
It was a burden that had never left him, and one that could not be ignored. But he carried it with a sense of purpose, knowing that, in time, the pieces would fall into place.
His responsibility to her was clear: he would be patient, and he would help her find her path. He would not rush her, and he would never force her into anything she wasn't ready for.
But when the time came, when she had matured enough to understand her own power, he would be there to guide her—and then, when she was ready, to recruit her as his Rook.
The future was a delicate thing, a tapestry that would take years to weave. And Volundr, ever the patient strategist, was content to play the long game.
As the days passed, he kept his distance, always careful to remain a quiet, reassuring presence in her life.
He would continue to observe her, guide her in the subtlest of ways, and build the connections he needed. There was no rush—there was only time, and time was something Volundr was willing to spend.
Because one day, Rossweisse would be his Rook. And that day would be one of the cornerstones of his peerage—a piece of unimaginable potential, ready to be unleashed when the moment was right.
But that moment would come in time. For now, he would wait.