Can You Take Responsibility for Serena?
In response to Ahajaka's question—Can you take responsibility for Serena?—Seong Hyun-jin stared at him in stunned silence at first. It would have been ideal to answer immediately, but this reaction was unavoidable. He couldn't possibly misunderstand what Ahajaka meant.
Protect Serena by your side for the rest of your life and make her happy. In other words, it was asking if he was prepared to take Serena Eldark as his wife.
Of course, Seong Hyun-jin wasn't the type of man to shirk responsibility. Even when his master constantly nagged him about such things, he had never once been insincere. He took those matters very seriously.
Still, the topic had come up so abruptly that Seong Hyun-jin cautiously asked Ahajaka in return.
"Would... it be okay with you if I did?"
"Of course not! How dare you even ask that!?"
What came back was a fierce roar. Ahajaka glared at Seong Hyun-jin with clear displeasure at having to say such things himself.
"But my daughter has already given you her heart and her body. As her father, don't I have to ask?"
"......"
Seeing Ahajaka speak in such fury, Seong Hyun-jin gave an awkward smile. Without a moment's hesitation, he replied.
"If you give your permission, Father, why would I refuse? I have full confidence that I can take responsibility for Serena Eldark for the rest of my life."
"...Is that sincere?"
"Yes. Of course, I don't know what Serena thinks... but that's how I feel, at least."
"...Hah."
Ahajaka let out a deep sigh. There wasn't a speck of falsehood in Seong Hyun-jin's eyes as he said it. If there had been even a hint of deceit—if he'd dared to touch his jewel of a daughter without any intention of taking responsibility—Ahajaka would have burned him to ashes, just as he'd threatened.
But Seong Hyun-jin's feelings for Serena were genuine. Just as Serena's feelings for Seong Hyun-jin were genuine.
I knew a day like this would come someday...
Ahajaka hadn't expected it to arrive so soon, leaving him a bit flustered. But as a father who loved his child, he wanted her to find the happiness she desired. After much deliberation, he had no choice but to make his decision.
"...Who are your parents?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I'll have to meet them eventually."
"Ah, right. But I don't know who my parents are. All I know is one was human and the other was an elf..."
Seong Hyun-jin spoke with a light laugh to keep the mood from growing heavy.
"I was abandoned right after birth, so I don't really know."
Ahajaka was slightly taken aback upon hearing Seong Hyun-jin reveal he was an orphan.
"So the Sword Star adopted you?"
"Not exactly. My master just took me in and raised me. I'm more disciple than son."
Ahajaka was astonished.
The Sword Star... that woman raised a child?
The Hakodate Karin that Ahajaka knew was someone who hated being bound or tied down by anything. She was like a gust of wind—appearing suddenly and vanishing just as abruptly.
Raising a child would inevitably tie her down.
It was hard to believe it was Karin's choice. Even if she raised him as a disciple, taking in a helpless newborn and caring for it was no small feat. Ahajaka knew that hardship well as a father himself. Infants cried incessantly, disrupting parents' daily lives without mercy.
"...The Sword Star must have had it rough. Unfamiliar territory for her."
"I was a reincarnator, so I didn't cry much. And after I started talking, I hardly cried at all."
"Reincarnator...? So that name wasn't given by the Sword Star either—it was from your past life?"
"She was going to name me at first, but when she asked if I had a name, I just told her the one that came to mind."
Ahajaka narrowed his eyes.
"No ancient grandpa lurking in there, I hope."
"Since my memories cut off around my twenties in my past life, probably not."
"...I'll take your word for it."
Ahajaka exhaled deeply once more. Then he said to Seong Hyun-jin,
"Still, I'll have to meet the Sword Star someday. She's your guardian, after all."
"Yes, of course."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded, and as the mood softened, he asked Ahajaka,
"But the Dragon Star didn't come here just to see me and Serena, right?"
"I came for the Wise Star incident."
"Don't you need to go?"
"I do."
"...?"
Seong Hyun-jin held back from asking why he was still here. He realized Ahajaka valued his daughter's boyfriend revelation more than that—proving just how much of a doting father he was.
"...Shall we go now?"
"We should."
Ahajaka sighed deeply again and turned to leave the rooftop first. But as he grasped the door handle, he paused, looked back at Seong Hyun-jin, and issued a low warning.
"Seong Hyun-jin."
"Yes."
"If Serena ever stops finding happiness by your side, think carefully about what I'll do then."
A chilling killing intent washed over Seong Hyun-jin with the warning. It was intense enough to overwhelm most powerhouses, but Seong Hyun-jin didn't stiffen—instead, he smiled faintly.
"That won't happen. Serena's head over heels for me."
Ahajaka's face twisted at Seong Hyun-jin's confident declaration, but he couldn't refute it and just sighed. He was inwardly curious about what had transpired, but knowing it was his daughter's private life, he let it slide.
"...See that it doesn't fade."
With that, Ahajaka opened the door and left. Alone on the rooftop, Seong Hyun-jin stared at the spot Ahajaka had vacated for a moment before muttering,
"...They say among the Palstar Heroes, the Dragon Star is one of the strongest alongside my master. No exaggeration there."
Having just shared a serious talk about Serena, Seong Hyun-jin immediately revealed his competitive spirit. He thought it would be fun to spar someday, mulling over Ahajaka's parting words.
If Serena stops finding happiness by my side...
Recalling how Serena had been cutely showing her jealousy lately, he chuckled.
"No need to worry on that front—she's got it bad too."
# When Seong Hyun-jin returned to the hospital room, people who hadn't been there before had come back. Ciela Teraport and Yeonhui, who had left to prepare for tomorrow's exchange meet.
They rushed to him with urgent expressions.
"H-Hyun-jin junior!"
"Junior! You're not hurt anywhere, right!?"
"Why would I be hurt?"
As Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head, Ciela and Yeonhui spoke as if it was obvious they were worried.
"Th-the Dragon Star stopped by!"
"Heard he left in a rage?"
"Ah."
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head lightly.
"Seems the Dragon Star really dotes on his daughter."
"Ah..."
From Seong Hyun-jin's words, Ciela and Yeonhui could roughly guess what happened. Serena's current lost expression—unable to even speak to him—made it even clearer.
I wonder what Dad said...
Serena agonized inwardly: Did he say something harsh? Is Hyun-jin mad at me now? Her face betrayed her turmoil.
Seeing that, Ciela and Yeonhui assumed the Dragon Star had said something harsh to Seong Hyun-jin and spoke up.
"Junior, wanna step out for a bit? Staying cooped up in here must be stuffy."
"Y-yeah. Elena senior's in the simulation war division for the exchange meet—maybe we could watch that..."
"Not right now."
Seong Hyun-jin lightly declined their suggestions and glanced at Serena.
"Got someone I need to comfort first."
"......"
Ciela and Yeonhui exchanged looks, then grabbed the dazed Clarice Levatein standing nearby and headed for the door.
"We'll give you some time to talk?"
"Yeah. We'll clear out."
They didn't want to yield time alone with Seong Hyun-jin to Serena, but if it was what he wanted, that changed things. Both cared for him deeply.
"Thanks."
Seong Hyun-jin thanked them for stepping aside. As soon as the three left the room, he turned back to Serena.
"...I-I'm fine, really. You can go."
Serena tried to hide her expression, but it was already too late. Seong Hyun-jin chuckled softly, approached, and lightly pinched her cheek with his finger.
"Ow...!"
"I got an earful, so why are you moping?"
"W-well..."
Because I'm sorry. Serena couldn't voice the rest, but Seong Hyun-jin seemed to read her mind and shook his head gently.
"No need for that guilty look. He didn't say much."
"Huh? No way..."
"Really. Just... the obvious stuff."
Seong Hyun-jin leaned in close and whispered in her ear.
"Said if I touched you, I should take full responsibility."
"...!"
Serena jolted in surprise at the ticklish words and turned to him. Meeting her wide-eyed stare, Seong Hyun-jin smiled.
"Naturally, I said I would."
"...D-did you really?"
"What else? Should I have said no?"
At his question, Serena asked in disbelief,
"Y-you'll really... take responsibility all the way?"
"Of course."
Seeing Seong Hyun-jin answer without hesitation, Serena's eyes widened. She knew his master held a big place in his heart. Even when she'd first confessed, she'd known she didn't rank the same—and confessed anyway.
But now, things were different. She could feel it clearly.
"I can't live without you anymore."
She now occupied as much space in his heart as his master. Even if his master ever changed her mind and tried to claim him... she knew she'd be his first love and first wife. That was unchangeable.
Serena smiled with joy.
"...Me too."
She reached out tentatively, her fingers intertwining with his—timid yet possessive, unwilling to let go.
"I don't want to imagine a future without you."
"Then don't."
Seong Hyun-jin replied.
"Just think about our future together."
"...Yeah."
Serena nodded and nestled into his arms. Seong Hyun-jin smiled bashfully, hugging her lightly.
"Kinda late, but... let's make it work."
"You too."
The jealousy she'd felt lately melted away, replaced by satisfaction. Her face warmed, and so did her body.
Ever since that passionate night in the Levatein Duchy, Serena sometimes felt this way around Seong Hyun-jin. She usually held back... but right now, it was hard.
"...Honey."
"Yeah?"
Serena looked up. Seong Hyun-jin flinched upon meeting her gaze—her red eyes gleamed with raw desire.
"When do we make our baby?"
"......Pardon?"