Growth (1)
Seong Hyun-jin awkwardly paced the room, trying to adjust to his suddenly grown body. Jerman, who had briefly stepped out, returned and handed him a vial of water and something else.
"Drink this now."
"What's this?"
"It's the antidote to yesterday's elixir. If you don't take it, the growth-promoting hormones will keep surging, and your body might never stop expanding. Better safe than sorry."
"Ah, got it."
Seong Hyun-jin took the vial from Jerman and downed it, then chased it with the water. A satisfied smile crept across his face as he turned to the elf.
"Jerman, how do I look?"
"Look at what?"
"Come on, I've changed a ton. I figured it'd take me thirty or forty years at least."
"If we'd left it alone, yeah. Half-elves grow slowly, if not quite as sluggishly as purebloods."
"You're a pureblood elf, right? How long did it take for your growth spurt to end?"
Jerman pondered the question as if dredging up a memory from eons ago.
"Roughly a century, I suppose."
"...That's horrifying."
"Horrifying? It's so long ago I can't be sure, but it doesn't feel like a bad memory. Not one I'd hate, anyway."
Jerman eyed Seong Hyun-jin curiously. Unable to fathom why the young man was so obsessed with growing up, he asked outright.
"While we're at it, mind if I pry? Eleonora asked, so I obliged without question, but why were you so desperate to grow faster?"
"...Two reasons."
Seong Hyun-jin held up his fingers.
"One's the sword. The other's... personal dissatisfaction."
"The sword... I can guess. But dissatisfaction? You weren't happy with your looks?"
"Yeah."
Jerman looked baffled.
"From where I'm standing, your face could've turned heads among the fairest elves. Girls must've loved it."
He was thinking of Ahajaka's daughter, which bolstered his confidence in the assessment. Seong Hyun-jin nodded but explained further.
"Sure, that played a part, but I looked too young. Some people flat-out didn't see me as a man."
"Ahajaka's daughter?"
"Nah."
Seong Hyun-jin declared boldly.
"My master."
"......?"
Jerman stared, wondering if he'd misheard. But Seong Hyun-jin doubled down, utterly unashamed.
"I'd confess my feelings, and she'd just treat it like a kid fooling around. No progress possible."
"...Well, any master would react that way to a disciple's advances, looks aside. Common sense."
Seong Hyun-jin clammed up at the rebuke, his expression hardening. Then he flatly denied it.
"No."
"......"
"I said no."
"...Fine, I get it."
Jerman inwardly pitied this mystery master while clearing his throat to change the subject.
"So, adjusting okay now?"
"Yeah, the awkwardness is fading. See? Walking fine, right?"
"Mm, looks good."
"Then it's fine to see the others waiting for you?"
"They're up already?"
Seong Hyun-jin was surprised; Serena and Ciela must have risen early. It was still quite morning, and they'd stayed up late watching over him.
Jerman nodded gravely.
"Neither looked like they'd slept a wink."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin hurried toward the door but thunked his forehead against the ceiling.
"Ow."
"Careful. You're tall now."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded, ducked through the doorway, and stepped into the living room. There sat the two women on chairs, dozing lightly. Jerman's words rang true.
"...Serena. Ciela-senior."
His voice snapped their eyes open.
"Honey, you okay......huh?"
"Junior...?"
They froze, staring blankly at the dramatically taller Seong Hyun-jin.
Grinning at their reactions, he teased.
"Surprised? Pretty shocked, huh?"
They flinched, averting their gazes as they stammered replies.
"Y-yeah...! You look... totally different...!"
"...I didn't even recognize you."
But their flushed cheeks betrayed pure delight—no disgust here. Some grew uglier with age, but Seong Hyun-jin, blessed with elven blood renowned for beauty, had evolved in the best way. The boyish charm faded, replaced by striking handsomeness that was almost hard to look at directly. His towering height and chiseled build stirred the heart just to behold.
Just as a pretty girl on a guy's arm boosted his ego, a handsome man did the same for a woman.
My man...
Serena hadn't expected her boyfriend to turn this gorgeous; a strange euphoria bubbled up inside her. Ciela, who'd long harbored feelings for him, felt much the same.
He's insane... what do I do...
She'd always loved his cute, comfy vibe, but now he exuded raw masculinity. Not that she hadn't seen him as a man before—this was something fiercer, more primal. She wanted to rush over and hug him tight, but barely restrained the urge.
Seong Hyun-jin savored their responses. If they were this floored, he must look damn good.
He approached Serena, poking fun.
"Serena, overwhelmed by your super-hot boyfriend?"
"...Honey."
"Yeah?"
Her cheeks blazing, she placed a hand on his thicker, firmer forearm and whispered sweetly.
"Where's the hotel around here?"
"Hotel?"
"...I wanna cling to this body right now."
"......Huh?"
Stunned by her bluntness, Seong Hyun-jin froze. Serena smirked triumphantly.
"Kidding."
"...What?"
She'd turned the tables on his teasing, giggling mischievously. He let out a disbelieving chuckle, and she beamed back impishly, tracing his cheek as she examined his face closely.
"I am shocked. So this is what you look like grown up."
"Happy you get to see it sooner?"
"Watching you grow slowly might've been nice too... but yeah, this works."
Serena smiled brightly.
"Makes me wanna keep you all to myself, no sharing."
"Glad you like it."
He turned to Ciela.
"Senior, I don't look awkward, do I?"
"H-huh? Oh! No way! You're still you, no matter what! Ahaha..."
She couldn't meet his eyes. Her cheeks burned vividly, her face heating up until she fanned herself.
"I-I'm worried about you, junior."
"Huh?"
"Back at the academy, girls are gonna swarm you. That's how hot you got!"
Ciela laughed awkwardly. Seong Hyun-jin thought to himself.
This'll definitely work on Master too, right?
He'd thought he looked sharp in the mirror, but this reaction? Even the stoic Karin might respond differently now. He couldn't help anticipating it.
Snapping out of his reverie as Jerman exited the room, he asked.
"Jerman, if it's not too much trouble, any spot nearby to test my sword?"
"Sword? Ah, wanting to try out the new body."
"Exactly."
Jerman gestured lazily toward the window.
"Nothing around here but my house and forge. Swing away anywhere, long as you don't hit those."
"Cool, mind if I head out?"
"Go ahead. But who taught you the sword? You mentioned a master earlier."
"Oh, never brought it up?"
Seong Hyun-jin introduced himself crisply.
"Seong Hyun-jin, direct disciple of Sword Star Hakodate Karin."
"......Sword Star?"
"Yes."
Jerman's face twisted oddly. He'd just heard Seong Hyun-jin wanted to grow up fast because his master wouldn't see him as a man. The implication was clear.
"......Holy hell."
This lunatic wanted to seduce none other than the Sword Star—and had rushed his growth for it.