Elf Elixir (3)
Jerman returned only in the early evening. He'd gone to gather materials to make Seong Hyun-jin's elixir, but the moment he got home, he couldn't help feeling a bit flustered. There sat Seong Hyun-jin on a massive tree stump, utterly drained as if his soul had fled, letting out a deep sigh.
“...Did something happen?”
“Ah, Jerman. You're finally back...”
Seong Hyun-jin spoke in a weary voice that didn't suit him at all.
“I'm just a bit tired.”
“Hm? ...So, did the Eldark girl arrive?”
“Yes, over there...”
In the direction Seong Hyun-jin pointed were two women locked in a fierce staring contest for some reason, their nerves positively crackling.
One was Ciela Teraport, whom he'd already met, and the other was a stunning beauty with striking dragon horns piercing through her radiant platinum hair.
“That's her, huh. Ahajaka's precious daughter.”
“...Her name's Serena Eldark.”
“But didn't you say she was your girlfriend? Why are you over here with Teraport's daughter like that?”
“...Beats me.”
Seong Hyun-jin sighed and stood, calling out to Serena, who was still glaring daggers at Ciela.
“Serena! Jerman's back!”
At his voice, Serena and Ciela snapped out of it and turned. Spotting Jerman, they exchanged a quick glance before reining in their emotions and approaching him.
“Welcome back, Jerman.”
“Mm, yes.”
Jerman's expression screamed curiosity about what had gone down, but knowing it was impolite to pry into private matters, he held his tongue. While Ciela offered a light greeting, Serena, meeting him for the first time, bowed politely.
“It's an honor to meet you, Forge Star Jerman. I am Serena Eldark, daughter of the Dragon Emperor Ahajaka Eldark.”
“Yes, a pleasure. Ahajaka's daughter has grown into such a fine woman already.”
Jerman stroked his chin, lost in reminiscence.
“I still remember when Ahajaka ascended to Dragon Emperor. To think that young emperor has raised such an excellent heir. Quite nostalgic.”
“You're too kind.”
Serena dipped her head in thanks and asked Jerman,
“So... what exactly do you need my help with? I heard it involves my blood...”
“Mm. To make the elixir your lover needs, we require Eldark blood. Specifically, the most noble dragon blood—and these days, that means Eldark.”
“Ah...”
Serena nodded, then caught a peculiar note in Jerman's words.
With a slightly surprised look, she asked,
“How did you know I'm this man's lover?”
“I told him.”
Seong Hyun-jin declared it boldly, earning him a bemused glance from Serena.
“Now you're going around announcing it without even consulting me?”
“Does it matter? It's already out in the open at the academy.”
“Well, true, but...”
Serena shot him a sidelong glare, her lips pouting slightly.
“...It's a little embarrassing.”
“...Huh?”
Catching him off guard, Seong Hyun-jin blinked in surprise before chuckling lightly. Watching from the side, Ciela spoke up a bit grumpily.
“Don't flirt so rudely in front of Jerman.”
“Ah...”
“Oops.”
Seong Hyun-jin and Serena exchanged awkward laughs, glancing at Jerman, who nodded as if it was fine. Turning to Serena, he said,
“I'll go brew the elixir, so Serena Eldark, if you'd follow me.”
“Can I come watch too?”
“It doesn't matter. But it won't be a pleasant experience. You sure?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Curious why it wouldn't be pleasant, Seong Hyun-jin asked, and Jerman explained.
“This is my first time making it too, but other elf elixirs generally give off a foul stench during preparation.”
“A stench...?”
“You think mixing all those ingredients would smell sweet? With multiple components here, it'll likely be just as pungent.”
“...”
Seong Hyun-jin took a step back. Standing by Ciela, he said,
“I'll wait here with Ciela-senpai!”
“...What an honest lad.”
Jerman headed to his house a short distance from the forge, materials in hand. Serena followed, but paused to glance back at Ciela and Seong Hyun-jin. He waved as if to say come back safe, but Serena's eyes weren't on him.
“...”
“...”
Her red eyes met Ciela's golden ones, gazes clashing. It was a fierce warning: don't try anything while I'm gone.
Ciela wasn't oblivious to the implication in Serena's stare. But she didn't back down.
“...Hmph.”
“...!”
Instead, Ciela met her eyes squarely, refusing to yield to the jealous pressure. It wasn't that the warning didn't faze her—it was just that her feelings for the man beside her burned far brighter. Spotting that resolve in Ciela's defiance, Serena bristled and turned to leave, but Jerman called,
“You coming or not?”
“...Sorry, I'm coming.”
Reluctantly, Serena turned back, chewing her lip as she followed him inside.
Having endured that tense, unnoticed battle of wills, Ciela let out a soft sigh. Turning to Seong Hyun-jin, she spoke as if concerned for his girlfriend.
“Serena-junior must be hurting from the blood draw.”
“It probably won't take much.”
“Having a needle stick you doesn't feel great.”
“Yeah, fair point. It's still a blade piercing your skin, after all.”
Of course, Ciela wasn't that worried about Serena. She just knew Seong Hyun-jin would fret, so she brought it up first to build rapport. It was almost amusing. Ciela realized she'd become this cunning. Even using his girlfriend as a conversation tool.
But she didn't regret the tactic or her decision to employ it.
Her feelings for him were that strong.
“Hey, junior.”
“Yeah?”
She decided to make full use of this excellent opening.
“Serena-junior's getting more jealous by the day, don't you think? I get where she's coming from, but at this rate, she won't be satisfied until she drives a wedge between you and me.”
“...Yeah, you're right.”
Seong Hyun-jin gave a troubled smile.
“She mentioned last time that she's never felt this way before, so she can't control it well.”
“...I see.”
“I'll do my best to calm her down, so don't worry too much. I'll apologize on her behalf for the rudeness...”
“No, I didn't bring it up for an apology.”
Ciela stopped his apology and explained her real intent.
“I just figured it must be tough for you. This is all new to you too, right?”
“Well, not that tough, but...”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded slightly.
“It does get to me.”
“...Then come to me.”
“Huh?”
As Seong Hyun-jin looked at her in surprise, Ciela clarified to dispel any misunderstanding.
“If Serena-junior stresses you out too much. You helped me when I was down, and you said you'd keep doing that. So I should help you the same way.”
“Oh, that's what you meant?”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded gladly at her kindness. Seeing him so relieved irked Ciela a bit, so after a pause, she added,
“...Of course, that's not the only meaning.”
“...What?”
“If dating her gets too hard, you can come to me instead.”
Ciela turned to face him squarely. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
“You know who I like, Hyun-jin junior.”
“...”
“...But unlike Yeonhui-senpai, I'm not going to force you. Do what feels right to you. No need to answer now.”
With that, Ciela turned away.
...Idiot, dummy.
She inwardly berated herself. No need for that defensive addendum at the end—she'd chickened out and retreated first again.
...What a coward.
Ciela fell silent in self-reproach, while Seong Hyun-jin stared at her, still a bit dazed. An awkward air lingered as time passed.
About thirty minutes after Jerman and Serena entered the house, the door opened, and Serena emerged. The silence broke; Seong Hyun-jin turned and greeted her.
“Serena, all done?”
“Yes.”
Serena nodded, approaching and showing the spot on her arm where blood had been drawn and herbs applied.
“He took what he needed and said I could go.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Not really...”
In truth, it hadn't hurt much. The needle wasn't tiny, but a dragonkin's body was tough enough that such a wound was nothing. Serena hadn't felt real pain, but she said otherwise.
“...It hurt a little.”
“Ah... sorry, my fault.”
“Exactly.”
Serena didn't deny his guilty tone. Using it to her advantage, she made a request.
“So, make it better?”
“Huh?”
“Blow on it.”
“Blow?”
The cold smile she'd shown Ciela was gone; now she beamed sweetly.
“Please.”
At her coquettish plea, Seong Hyun-jin hesitated briefly before gently grasping her forearm and leaning in. He blew softly—whoosh—and Serena giggled at the tickle, stroking his hair lightly.
“Thanks to my baby, it doesn't hurt anymore.”
“...Good.”
Seong Hyun-jin felt a mix of emotions watching her. Adorable as her affection was, he worried she was starting to depend on him too much.
“It's complete.”
Jerman announced the elixir's finish over an hour after Serena emerged. Seong Hyun-jin bowed gratefully at the small vial in his hand.
“Thank you for your hard work. Can I take it now?”
“Yes, but not here—go to bed. You must sleep immediately after.”
“Right away?”
When Seong Hyun-jin asked why, Jerman explained matter-of-factly.
“I told you it blocks endocrine secretions. It's not that your body lacks growth-promoting ones; the elf blood was suppressing them. Proof: you've grown a little, haven't you?”
“Yes.”
“Your body senses the suppression and produces even more to counter it, hastening growth. The elf blood fights back with inhibitors... and it cycles.”
“So half-elves grow faster than pure elves but slower than humans.”
“Exactly.”
Jerman pointed at Seong Hyun-jin's body.
“What happens if that suppression suddenly vanishes?”
“...Like a dam bursting?”
“Right. Quick on the uptake. Your body will undergo rapid growth—duration unknown.”
“Oh...!”
Just what Seong Hyun-jin wanted. As his face lit up, Jerman continued.
“All life feels growing pains during development. Varies by species, but it's natural with bodily changes.”
“Yes, of course.”
“This will trigger explosive growth, so expect intense pains accordingly.”
“...Hence the immediate sleep?”
“Yes. I suspect considerable agony—you might pass out. Hence, bed right after.”
Jerman added another reason.
“I followed the recipe precisely, but as a first batch, effects aren't guaranteed. I'll monitor for unknown side effects.”
“Wouldn't you need a doctor for that?”
“Why another?”
At Seong Hyun-jin's words, Jerman looked incredulous.
“I'm the doctor.”
“...Pardon?”
“Odd to seek another with me right here.”
“...You're a doctor?”
“Think I became a Palstar Hero just for smithing? To claim that title, you save lives—not by fighting.”
“...”
Of course he'd assumed combat prowess. Those thick forearms looked like they could crush a man in a bear hug. He probably was skilled in battle—all Palstar Heroes equaled a legion. But Jerman's point was that healing was his mainstay.
With Jerman as doctor, there was no hesitation. He could handle issues, and a bed was right there.
“Shall we test it now?”
“Yes!”
Seong Hyun-jin took the vial without pause.
“I leave it to you.”