The Late-Night Intruder (1)
After the minor incident with Karin, Seong Hyun-jin vowed to be more cautious about women approaching him as he entered his room. He'd already informed Elena of his situation in advance, letting her know that sparring would be tough for a while, and she understood completely.
“There's no helping it since you're in that state, junior. We'll pick it up again once you're all healed. I'll let Clarice know for you.”
“Thanks.”
Elena, fully aware of how crucial it was for him to avoid women, made sure he wouldn't have any reason to meet Clarice separately. Thanks to her consideration, Seong Hyun-jin could now slip into his room and rest without a care. As long as no woman was by his side, nothing major would go wrong.
Was it the trip to the Elf Forest, or maybe the medicine he'd taken last night before crashing? As he lay quietly on the bed, a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
Just a quick nap…
With that thought, he pulled the blanket over himself and rested his head on the pillow. Before long, he drifted off to sleep.
How much time had passed? When Seong Hyun-jin opened his eyes again, no sunlight filtered through the window. It had been broad daylight when he'd entered the room, so he must have slept for quite a while.
…Why'd I sleep so long?
A little flustered by his extended nap, he sat up—or tried to. His body wouldn't respond properly, as if bound by some invisible force. His upper body merely twitched futilely. Nothing obvious restrained him, leaving him utterly puzzled.
“……What the hell?”
As he stared in bewilderment at the absurd situation, a voice slithered into his ear, sending chills down his spine.
“…Master.”
From the thick darkness emerged a woman. Her snow-white hair fluttered with elegant steps, like snowflakes drifting in the night sky. Seong Hyun-jin blinked in surprise.
“…Astaroth?”
It was Astaroth, the evil spirit of collapse he'd contracted with. She appeared without his summons, her face twisted in clear dissatisfaction.
“Why'd you pop out all of a sudden?”
“Because you went off doing whatever the hell you wanted, master.”
Astaroth jabbed his forehead with her finger.
“Why'd you go and grow up so fast?”
“Huh?”
“I liked you better when you were cute.”
“…Do I really need to match your tastes?”
“It's just a figure of speech. Not about looks or anything.”
Still grumpy, Astaroth chided him for accelerating his growth.
“You're forcing yourself to grow just so you won't have to use me, right?”
“Well, yeah. The headmaster said your existence could be seen as dangerous to others. Even I might be at risk.”
“Then just kill all the idiots who see you as a threat.”
There wasn't a shred of guilt in her tone. Seong Hyun-jin realized then why she was truly called an evil spirit. But pointing that out or provoking her wouldn't free his immobilized body—it was obvious. So he took a roundabout approach.
“If I did that your way, I couldn't live a normal life.”
Astaroth was undeniably an evil spirit, yet her entire mindset revolved around him for some reason. Even her suggestion to slaughter everyone stemmed from wanting to eliminate threats to him. So how would she react if it wasn't what he wanted?
She looked a bit sulky, but as expected, she prioritized him.
“…Guess there's no helping it. I don't wanna ruin your life, master.”
She let out a small sigh.
“I was tempted to pop out when everyone else was around and cause some chaos, but I held back 'cause I figured you'd hate it.”
“…I see.”
“Yeah, so that's why I'm out now. Good job, right?”
Her question was oddly innocent yet unhinged. Seong Hyun-jin nodded for now.
“Yeah, good job. But why can't I move? Feels like I'm tied down.”
“That wasn't me, master.”
“Huh?”
As he gaped in confusion, Astaroth flashed a sly smile. Rather than explaining, she spouted nonsense and began to fade.
“Oh, guess I should get going.”
“Wait, if it wasn't you, then who—?”
“I won't bug you when you can't help it. But call me when you really need me. Got it?”
“Astaroth!”
“Hehe, this'll be fun.”
With a meaningful laugh, Astaroth vanished completely. Seong Hyun-jin stared blankly at where she'd been, still unable to budge. Even after she retreated, the invisible restraint held firm. It was downright bizarre.
If not Astaroth, then who the hell had done this on their own?
Don't tell me… Serena?
Considering how her obsession with him had spiked lately, it wasn't impossible. Maybe she'd bound him here to keep him from other women. She'd even asked him to stay by her side once he returned to the dorms, which made it seem even more plausible.
As his wild imagination ran free, a sudden realization widened his eyes.
But Serena… doesn't know magic.
She could use Dragon Words, but her knowledge of spirit magic was shallow. Having experienced her Dragon Words before, Seong Hyun-jin knew this felt different. So if not her, then who…?
That was when it happened.
The door creaked open so quietly it was nearly silent—something no one else would notice. But Seong Hyun-jin caught the subtle shift in the air.
Someone was entering his room. He turned his head that way.
“…Oh?…Ah, you're, you're awake, junior.”
“……?”
Seong Hyun-jin came face-to-face with someone he never expected.
#
Around the time Seong Hyun-jin was asleep, Ciela Teraport, who had met with Eleonora alongside Serena before heading back, spotted Karin emerging from the Terra Dorm.
“Instructor Karin?”
“Mm. Did everyone return safely?”
Karin knew they'd gone to the Elf Forest with her disciple. It was just a greeting, but the two reacted oddly.
“Yes, but…”
“Why were you at the Terra Dorm, Instructor?”
They seemed puzzled, even uneasy, about her presence there. If Karin had been clueless, she might have taken it as rude. But she'd just come from checking on her disciple's condition.
They're worried about my disciple.
Serena and Ciela, having gone to the forest with him, surely knew his state well. Understanding their reaction, Karin reassured them.
“Worried about my disciple's condition?”
“…!”
“Y-You've already seen him?”
Karin nodded.
“I've scolded him properly, so no need to fret. He'll behave carefully for a while.”
Ciela looked relieved at her words, but Serena's expression was subtly off—like something was nagging at her. Hesitantly, she asked,
“…Did Seong Hyun-jin do anything rude to you, Instructor?”
Serena couldn't imagine he'd meet Karin and let it slide. At that, Karin flushed slightly and cleared her throat. That alone told Serena and Ciela something had happened.
“As expected…”
“There was a minor disturbance, but it was due to my own carelessness, so don't blame the disciple too much. I've warned him properly, so he'll be more cautious now.”
“…I see.”
Serena seemed to accept it for now, but she burned to know what exactly had gone down between them.
“Thank you for your help.”
“It's my disciple—it's only natural. I'm grateful you two care about him.”
“Take care on your way back.”
“Will do.”
Lacking the guts to ask Karin directly, Serena decided to grill Seong Hyun-jin later and parted ways. Back at the dorms, she and Ciela immediately sensed something off in the atmosphere.
“Lord Seong Hyun-jin has changed a ton…”
“Right? He even touched Instructor Karin just now…”
The Terra Dorm maids were huddled in gossip, mostly about Seong Hyun-jin. Hearing he'd touched Karin made it impossible for Serena to ignore.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Ah, Lady Serena…!”
“He touched Instructor Karin? What…”
As Serena narrowed her eyes, the maids stammered in panic.
“N-No other meaning! He literally put his hand on her body…!”
“Y-Yes, that's right.”
No way they'd make such a fuss over a casual touch. It had to be somewhere… noteworthy.
“…Exactly where did he touch her?”
“Pardon? Well…”
“……He suddenly groped Instructor Karin's breasts.”
“H-How can you say it outright!?”
The maid who'd just been rejected after trying to seduce Seong Hyun-jin earlier blurted it out. Unaware of that, Serena stared her down for confirmation.
“…For real?”
“Yes, it looked like an accident, though.”
“…….”
Serena fell silent, then turned toward his room. A hand grabbed her to stop her.
“Wait, wait…! Calm down, junior.”
It was Ciela. She held back the charging Serena.
“He decided to keep some distance for a while, remember? Even in the dorms, if you indulge everything he does, it might become a habit. What if he starts doing it unconsciously to other women outside?”
“…….”
Serena sighed deeply and relaxed, turning to Ciela.
“But groping Instructor Karin's breasts without permission? I can't forgive that. Even so, with me right there, touching another woman…”
“…That… well, it's probably an accident. Instructor Karin said it was due to her own carelessness.”
“…Senior, you're really okay with it?”
Ciela hesitated at Serena's pointed question, then answered after a moment.
“I'm not thrilled, but I'm holding back for his sake. Stimulating him now won't do him any good.”
“…….”
Serena sighed again. Shaking off Ciela's hand, she said,
“I'll just talk to him for a sec.”
“…Then I'll come too.”
“Why are you tagging along?”
“It's not something I can't hear, right? You're just gonna ask what he did to Instructor Karin?”
With no good reason to refuse, Serena went to his room with Ciela.
Knock knock knock.
No answer despite the knocks. Serena tilted her head, and Ciela suggested,
“Maybe he's asleep?”
“…Let's check.”
Serena had noticed the door was unlocked earlier—it had turned easily. Peeking through the crack, she saw Seong Hyun-jin sleeping soundly on the bed and quietly closed it.
“Yeah, he is.”
“Must be tired.”
“His body was in agony all last night, thrashing around, so yeah.”
Serena nodded.
“You go ahead. I'm heading to my room.”
“Got it. Tell me if he wakes up?”
“Sure.”
Ciela headed up to the third floor, and Serena returned to her room. Things seemed to settle peacefully as Serena calmed down—but the one not ready to let it end was Serena herself.
As Ciela climbed to the third floor, she harbored her own wild thoughts.
'If even the Instructor Karin, whom Junior Hyun-jin treats with such respect, got groped… it means right now, he can't hold back around women he likes in front of him.'
'So if I tempt him just a little…?'