Elf's Elixir (4)
Seong Hyun-jin stepped into Jerman's house and borrowed his bed for a moment. Serena and Siela, worried about him, asked if they could join, and with Jerman's permission, the two stood by his side as well.
"Then I'll drink it."
"Go ahead."
Right in front of Jerman, he downed the elixir the elf had made in one go.
It definitely didn't taste good. Just as he'd said, it had a foul smell, and the aroma wasn't pleasant either. But Seong Hyun-jin endured the bitter taste and stench with the expectation that this potion would solve his problem, swallowing every last drop.
"Urk…."
"Downing it all at once like that—your stomach must be made of steel. You could've sipped it slowly."
"…Then you should've told me sooner."
But there was something to be said for getting it over with in one shot. Wasn't it better to take all the beatings at once, as the saying went?
"Now I just need to sleep?"
"Yes, lie down on the bed and rest comfortably."
Jerman said, "You'll fall asleep soon enough anyway. One of the ingredients induces sleep."
"Ah…."
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head curiously even as he responded, then lay down on the bed as instructed. Serena and Siela smiled lightly at the sight of him pulling the blanket up snugly and settling in comfortably.
Staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment, Seong Hyun-jin spoke up. "Everyone watching me like this is making it hard to fall asleep."
"Then we'll step out for a bit. We'll come back once you're asleep."
As Jerman rose from his seat, Serena and Siela nodded and left the room.
"Sleep well."
"Good night, junior."
Once the three had gone and he was alone, Seong Hyun-jin quietly gazed at the ceiling before closing his eyes. Whether it was the sleep-inducing ingredient Jerman mentioned or just natural drowsiness, sleepiness soon came crashing over him. Before long, his mind slipped into slumber.
But his body, suddenly freed from the effects of his elven blood, began to undergo a transformation accompanied by excruciating growing pains.
"Ngh…!"
Though Seong Hyun-jin's consciousness was already asleep, the pain was so intense that a groan escaped him involuntarily. Hearing the faint sound, Jerman reentered the room, followed by Serena and Siela.
"Seong Hyun-jin…."
"He looks like he's in a lot of pain. Is he okay?"
"It's a normal reaction. Of course, he's experiencing years' worth of growing pains all at once, so it hurts, but the pain will ease as his body grows."
Jerman watched the groaning Seong Hyun-jin and continued, "It doesn't seem severe enough to be dangerous yet, so let's keep observing."
There was no room for Serena and Siela to argue with the assessment from Jerman, who was both a master blacksmith and a skilled physician. They could only gaze pityingly at the writhing Seong Hyun-jin, letting out soft sighs.
Time passed like that. Night deepened, but Seong Hyun-jin's agony seemed to intensify; now he was thrashing so violently that his body jerked about.
"Urgh… ngh… kuh…!"
Startled by the sight, Serena and Siela called out to him without thinking.
"Seong Hyun-jin…!"
"Junior…."
But the deeply sleeping Seong Hyun-jin showed no response, and Jerman calmly reassured the two. "It's late—why don't you two go rest? I don't have many rooms since I live alone, but there's a guest room where you can share a bed."
"…Is he really okay?"
"This is still within normal limits. No problems. And look."
Jerman pointed to Seong Hyun-jin's arms and legs. "He's growing bit by bit. The elixir is working properly. Give it time, and he'll get the result he wants. Unless you plan to interfere, you need to endure it."
"……."
"I've saved lives and earned the title of hero for it. You both look exhausted—go rest. I'll call if anything happens."
Unable to refuse Jerman's considerate words, the two eventually nodded and left the room. Jerman turned back to Seong Hyun-jin. Watching his body convulse from the onslaught of growing pains, he muttered, "…He's enduring better than expected."
This was Jerman's first time making the elixir, but he could tell Seong Hyun-jin was handling it well enough. Sweat poured like rain, and his body shook relentlessly… but the pain he was going through was nothing compared to the risks.
The existence of a recipe meant someone in the past had made and taken it, leaving records behind. Some had failed to endure the growing pains and died of shock; others had bled from all seven orifices. The side effects were that dangerous.
Jerman hadn't explained them to Seong Hyun-jin because the young man hadn't wanted to hear it. From the moment he'd arrived seeking the elixir, he'd been determined to take it to solve his physical issues. Telling him about the risks wouldn't change his mind—it would only plant needless anxiety.
Jerman had made that judgment partly because healing was his true calling. He knew better than most: there was no point in snatching away the last thread of hope from someone clinging to it.
Seong Hyun-jin wasn't on the brink of death, but his desperation to fix his body was just as real. Jerman had seen it the instant they met, which was why he'd preserved his hope. Eleonora's letter had even instructed as much: let the student do as he wished, whatever the decision.
That left Jerman with only one role to play. "Just hold out until morning. Then you'll have what you want."
He would stay by Seong Hyun-jin's side, monitoring his condition until dawn broke.
Chirp chirp—a pleasant birdsong tickled his ears.
"Hoo… haa…."
Seong Hyun-jin exhaled raggedly and slowly opened his eyes. It felt like he'd slept more deeply than he had in ages. His whole body ached, soaked in sweat. Chuckling wryly at how soundly he'd slept, he pushed himself up.
"Nngh…."
The stiffness made him grunt involuntarily. Wondering why his body felt so sore and sweaty, he tilted his head—then remembered the elixir from last night and his eyes widened.
"Right…!"
Eager to check the results, he first threw back the blanket. Beneath it were his legs—not his morning wood standing at attention, but his perfectly normal two legs.
"…They're longer?"
His legs had grown, and so had his manhood. Next, he looked at his hands—they were noticeably larger than before. His arms were longer too, but the changes to his upper body were the most striking. He'd always had a muscular build from rigorous training, but it had been more like a boy's frame bulked up with muscle. Now his shoulders were broad, his physique solid and manly, like an adult who'd built serious mass.
Just then, the door opened and someone entered—Jerman. Seeing Seong Hyun-jin awake, he handed him a cup of water. "You made it through. Drink this first."
"J-Jerman… I…."
Seong Hyun-jin stammered in disbelief, and Jerman gave a slight nod. Then he fetched a mirror and held it up.
"……."
Seong Hyun-jin's eyes in the reflection were wide as saucers. No wonder—his face and body had completely transformed. He looked like a man in his twenties. Gone was the boyish, somewhat innocent charm; now he had a strikingly handsome, rugged masculinity that turned heads.
"Ha."
"Congratulations on the success. Your body grew so suddenly it might feel awkward to move, so stand up and walk around the room to get used to it. Here, let me help."
Jerman gripped his forearm and pulled him to his feet. With the assistance, Seong Hyun-jin took a tentative step. His feet were noticeably larger than yesterday, and his viewpoint was much higher. Adjusting to that would take time.
"How much did I grow?"
"About a handspan taller than when you arrived yesterday."
Seong Hyun-jin had originally been around 170 centimeters. A handspan more put him over 190—evidenced by how he now matched eye level with Jerman, who had towered over him the day before.
"……Haha."
A satisfied laugh escaped him naturally. With this body, he could finally wield Karin's swordsmanship without his physical limits holding him back. And more than that…
'Now Master will see me as a man, right?'
No longer her awkward young disciple, but as a true man. Cherishing that thought, Seong Hyun-jin looked forward to Karin's reaction when he returned to the academy.