Karin in a Dress and the Divine Star's Invitation
The day after the instructor evaluations concluded, Seong Hyun-jin made his usual early morning courtesy visit to the dean's office.
"Huh?"
He asked in surprise upon hearing the news from Karin.
"Master, you're not heading back?"
"That's right."
Karin took a puff from her lit pipe and exhaled, replying curtly.
"The Demon Star mentioned there's no suitable candidate among the first-year assistant instructors to serve as chief instructor. That's my assessment as well."
"You don't need to be so picky—couldn't you just assign anyone?"
"Of course, that could work."
Karin said.
"But if this academy had been run with such lax policies, do you think it would have reached its current prestige?"
"But Master, this is too much."
"What's too much?"
"If that's the case..."
Seong Hyun-jin protested vehemently, as if this absolutely couldn't stand.
"I should've gone to the swordsmanship department too!"
The story Seong Hyun-jin heard upon arriving at the dean's office was that his master, Karin, would also serve as the chief instructor for the first-years.
If Karin was taking an instructor position, there was no reason for him to choose the combat department at all. He could simply train under her in the swordsmanship department, just like he had at the mountain cabin. Combat techniques? He could learn those from Karin too.
"Ah, is department transfer possible? Dean, please transfer me to the swordsmanship department right now."
"Hm... Are you sure about that?"
"Yes."
Seong Hyun-jin answered without a hint of regret, but Karin cut off the two of them.
"The combat department suits you better, my disciple."
"No way—why combat department when you're here, Master!"
"What makes you think you'd have anything left to learn from me by transferring to swordsmanship? Have you failed to grasp my swordsmanship, or do you believe something is lacking in your understanding?"
As Karin spoke coldly, Seong Hyun-jin couldn't bring himself to lie and claim he didn't understand.
"What you lack are two things: physical prowess and experience. The combat department is far better for honing those."
"But Master, won't this mean just anyone can learn your swordsmanship?!"
"Calling your classmates 'just anyone'..."
Eleonora pointed that out, but Karin and Seong Hyun-jin ignored it entirely and continued their conversation.
"Don't worry about that. How many times has this master told you I have no intention of passing my sword to mediocrity? I plan to conduct classes strictly according to the academy's curriculum."
"Calling the students mediocrity—even if you're becoming an instructor, that's not a good attitude, Karin!"
"I was merely stating facts. Do you not know why I refrain from taking disciples?"
Eleonora wilted under Karin's icy demeanor and mumbled.
"...Because you only wish to teach those who can fully comprehend your sword."
"Exactly. That was merely an explanation. There's no need to worry that I'll teach the first-years with any different mindset."
Karin reassured them both, and Seong Hyun-jin and Eleonora seemed somewhat convinced.
Suddenly, a thought struck Seong Hyun-jin, and he asked.
"So, will you wear the instructor uniform like the other instructors, Master?"
"I suppose I must."
"Ooh!"
"Why are you excited about that?"
As Karin looked puzzled, Seong Hyun-jin replied as if it were obvious.
"I've never seen you wear anything but a kimono. It's just novel, that's all."
"...Hm, true enough."
"I've rarely seen you in anything else either, Karin. You looked stunning in that dress back then."
"A dress!?"
Thud!
Seong Hyun-jin rushed to Eleonora's desk and asked urgently.
"Any photos or recordings from back then? There must be magic inventions that can capture images or videos...!"
"...Why would such things still exist?"
"They do."
"Why?!"
As Karin asked in shock, Eleonora replied shamelessly, as if it were natural.
"How could I just look at something so beautiful and discard it?"
"Without permission, on your own..."
"Because I knew you wouldn't allow it, Karin."
"Show it to me now, Dean!!!"
Seong Hyun-jin shouted.
"It's the wish of a lifetime!"
"Don't make wishes like that!"
"Even without it being a wish, showing it wouldn't be a problem. If Karin permits it, of course."
As Eleonora said that, Seong Hyun-jin turned to Karin.
He then dropped to his knees before her in a flash and pleaded.
"Master, please show mercy to your unworthy disciple."
What a cheap kneel.
Karin stared at her disciple in disbelief.
"How is seeing my photo an act of mercy...?"
"That is mercy! Mercy comparable to a parent's love!!"
"Agh, fine, calm down already!"
Karin took another puff from her pipe and glared at Eleonora.
"...No weird photos, right?"
"Of course. Only the pretty ones."
"Why not just one... Sigh, do as you like."
Karin eventually gave up, and Seong Hyun-jin jumped up and approached Eleonora.
"Dean, hurry!"
"Just a moment—I need to find the photo album."
Eleonora snapped her fingers lightly, and a photo album flew out from the bookshelf into her hand.
"Is that magic too?"
"A simple application. Combining search magic and teleportation..."
"...No idea what that means."
Seong Hyun-jin was utterly clueless about magic.
He pointed to the album in her hand.
"I don't want to see the other photos, so just pull out that one and show me."
"Hehe, as expected, Student Seong Hyun-jin is quite polite. Your master taught you well."
"I didn't fail to teach him anything."
Karin thought inwardly as she said it.
'I must have, yet why does he always have such rude thoughts toward me...'
Karin wondered if her teaching methods were actually flawed.
Meanwhile, Eleonora flipped through the album and found the photo of Karin she'd mentioned.
"Ah, here it is. Still so beautiful even now."
"Show me!"
Eleonora handed the photo to Seong Hyun-jin, who snatched it eagerly.
"...!"
"Pretty, right?"
He froze solid.
Like a lovesick soul finally reuniting with their long-lost beloved after ages.
After staring at the photo in stunned silence for a long while, Seong Hyun-jin finally spoke.
"Master."
"...What nonsense now?"
"I'm sorry."
"...?"
Karin was baffled by his sudden apology.
Seong Hyun-jin showed her the photo and said.
"From today, I've fallen for this woman."
The photo showed Karin from nearly thirty years ago.
She looked her age then, but her appearance hadn't changed much since.
The main difference was that instead of her usual antique attire, she wore a sleek, elegant dress.
The red gown, matching her jet-black hair like the night sky, was alluring on her, and its revealing cut—clearly confident in her figure—stirred Seong Hyun-jin's male instincts.
She seemed dressed for a banquet, with added accessories: a necklace and earrings she rarely wore, plus heavier makeup.
Karin was always beautiful, but here, the feminine allure of Hakodate Karin shone vividly.
Especially the glamorous emphasis over her usual pure look—it felt refreshingly new.
For Seong Hyun-jin, who already adored Karin, claiming to be smitten wasn't an exaggeration.
Of course, Karin just thought he was being ridiculous again and sighed in exasperation.
"...Have you already forgotten that's me?"
"Oh, right. Then from today, I'll be smitten with you, Master."
"Why does it end up like that!?"
"I love you."
"Enough!"
Karin sighed deeply.
She waved her hand dismissively.
"If you're just going to spout nonsense, go attend your classes."
"Ah, you're right. Time flew..."
"Oh my, it has. Off you go, Student Seong Hyun-jin."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded and moved to return the photo.
Eleonora chuckled and said.
"Ah, would you like to keep that photo?"
"Can I?"
"Don't give it away on your own!"
"It's my photo, so my choice, Karin."
"......"
Karin was speechless, and thus Seong Hyun-jin unexpectedly acquired a treasure before leaving the dean's office.
After Seong Hyun-jin left, Karin sighed.
"Haa, showing him something weird..."
"It wasn't weird—it was pretty."
"Quiet."
"Aren't you happy that your disciple adores you so much, Karin?"
At Eleonora's question, Karin fell silent for a moment.
She took a puff from her pipe and replied.
"What master wouldn't be pleased if their disciple respected and adored them?"
"Then why..."
"Because it doesn't stop there—that child keeps harboring twisted desires."
"...Hm."
Eleonora searched for a defense but found none, so she simply shut her mouth.
# Leaving the dean's office, Seong Hyun-jin's steps toward the lecture hall looked utterly joyful.
Passersby could tell something good had happened to him; it was written all over his face.
"What's with that sleazy grin?"
Serena snapped at the sight of his face.
Serena had been a bit sulky since Seong Hyun-jin had ditched her on the way to class before.
She'd heard it was to observe Karin's instructor evaluation, but he could've at least given her a heads-up.
Her waiting after class that day had all been for naught, so a little resentment was natural.
But Seong Hyun-jin brushed off her prickly tone and said.
"No, Serena—this isn't a sleazy grin. It's a happy one."
"What are you talking about? Why are you suddenly so happy—"
Serena paused mid-question.
And then.
'...B-because of me?'
She gulped down a full bowl of wishful thinking on her own. With extra servings.
As if she'd never imagined Seong Hyun-jin confessing his feelings like this, she stared at him in shock.
"What's with the sudden reaction?"
"Wh-what I want to say is... What wind blew this way?"
"Huh? What are you on about...?"
Seong Hyun-jin looked confused by her response.
Realizing she'd misunderstood, Serena turned the question back on him.
"...You said you're happy. What did you mean?"
"Oh, yeah, that's true. Thanks to this."
Seong Hyun-jin pulled out the photo Eleonora had given him.
Serena's eyes widened in surprise, just like his had.
"That's the Sword Star, right?"
"Precisely, Master in a dress. What do you think? Isn't she stunning?"
"Yes..."
Serena nodded unconsciously.
Snapping out of it belatedly, she added.
"...So that's why you're happy. Your face did look extra cheerful."
"Exactly. Dean Eleonora gave it to me as a gift."
"The perfect present for a master admirer like you."
"I'll treasure it as a lifelong keepsake."
"That might be a bit..."
As Serena started to say Karin might not like it, someone called from behind them.
"You two students there?"
Serena tilted her head at the unfamiliar voice, but Seong Hyun-jin recognized it and turned immediately.
"Dean of Celestial Academy?"
There stood Shania, dean of Celestial Academy and the Divine Star.
Upon hearing Seong Hyun-jin, Serena belatedly recognized her and bowed in a fluster.
"Ah, hello! First time meeting you—Serena Eldark, daughter of Dragon Star Ahajaka Eldark!"
"Oh, you're..."
Shania, seeing Serena in person for the first time, extended her hand in pleasant surprise.
"Nice to meet you. Is the Dragon Star still in good health?"
"Y-yes! He's doing well."
"Hehe, good to hear. Please give him my regards if the chance arises."
"Yes."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded as he watched their light handshake.
'This is how connections are made.'
Connections within the grand framework of the Palstar Heroes would surely impact his future greatly.
This world runs on school ties, blood ties, regional ties, and the kind unfolding right before my eyes.
Seong Hyun-jin pondered building his own Palstar Hero network.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Ah, I actually have business with the Sword Star's disciple here. Class hasn't started yet, so do you have a moment?"
Surprisingly, before Seong Hyun-jin could respond, Shania offered the opportunity herself.
"Me?"
Seong Hyun-jin asked, puzzled, and Shania confirmed.
"I have a proposal for Student Seong Hyun-jin and would like to discuss it privately."
"Hm."
Seong Hyun-jin checked the time.
"Can we wrap it up in thirty minutes?"
"Yes, plenty of time."
"Then I'll head on first."
Seong Hyun-jin told Serena to go to the lecture hall ahead.
Serena had been merely curious at first, but now felt a strange twinge—though she lacked the confidence to probe a Palstar Hero like Shania.
'...It'll be fine.'
She wouldn't try anything suspicious, after all.
Serena nodded and headed off first.
Now alone, Seong Hyun-jin and Shania exchanged a glance.
Shania spoke first.
"Shall we step over there for a bit?"
"Ah, sure."
Blissfully unaware, Seong Hyun-jin followed Shania like an obedient child trailing after promises of candy.