Sword Star's Arrival
The seat prepared higher than the other VIP sections was reserved for guests personally invited by the dean himself. Those with even greater status than the VIPs or individuals of renowned fame were the ones extended such invitations. Three years ago, the Magic Kingdom's supreme leader had occupied that spot, sparking massive buzz. There had been no guests in that seat for a while after that day.
But if the one appearing there was none other than one of the Palstar Heroes—the Sword Star who had secluded herself for twenty years—then it was no wonder everyone was stunned. In fact, the crowd couldn't contain their shock. Especially those VIPs who recognized her immediately; they jumped in alarm, frantically searching for Dean Eleonora.
"D-Dean Eleonora? What in the world..."
"Th-the Sword Star has graced us with her presence!?"
However, Eleonora—who had just been mingling among the VIPs moments ago—was already at Karin's side, leaving no chance for anyone to inquire about her sudden arrival.
"Welcome, Lady Karin. I'm so relieved you came."
Karin, who had shown up for the entrance ceremony, let out a hollow chuckle at the sight of Eleonora before her.
"And what's with that getup? Suddenly trying to play the part of an old crone?"
"Oh, this? I go out like this for official appearances. Dealing with nobles is easier when I look aged rather than showing my true form."
"...Fair enough."
Karin nodded slightly, as if understanding Eleonora's sentiment all too well.
"Plenty of fools judge by appearances alone."
"I'm glad you get it. Lady Karin, please have a seat right here."
"Very well."
As Karin crossed her legs and settled into the chair, a ripple of gasps rose from below. In the VIP section, several people whispered among themselves, failing to live up to their age and status.
"How is the Sword Star exactly as she was twenty years ago...?"
"Don't you know? She doesn't age."
"So she'll remain that beautiful forever? And yet she never seeks a match..."
"Hush, don't speak of such things. She'll hear you."
They were right—she could hear everything. But Karin knew better than to waste her breath bickering with these noble twits. Annoying as they were, they couldn't help themselves in the face of her beauty, so she decided to graciously ignore them.
Then Eleonora spoke up from beside her.
"Lady Karin."
"Yes?"
"Would you mind tidying your attire just a bit? This is a place of learning, after all, so a touch of modesty wouldn't hurt. Of course, I'm not trying to infringe on your freedom—it's entirely your choice."
Karin stared intently at Eleonora's elderly guise, then gave a slight nod. As she adjusted and composed her clothing herself, an entirely new allure overflowed from her, captivating the gazes of many men in the VIP section.
'She looks just like a refined lady from a noble house now.''I've withered with time, but she remains as stunning as ever.'
It felt a little uncomfortable to dress properly after so long, but Karin bore it. She glanced at Eleonora, who had persuaded her.
"...Your silver tongue has sharpened, Demon Star."
"Thank you."
"More importantly, how did the entrance exam go?"
Karin asked with a hint of anticipation, like any parent or master wondering if their disciple had taken top honors.
"...You're asking about your disciple, right?"
"Of course. Why would I care about anyone else's results?"
Eleonora read Karin's emotions and wore a slightly troubled expression. Though it was brief, Karin caught it and asked curiously,
"What? Did he fail, by any chance?"
"No, nothing like that."
"Then why the hesitation?"
"Well... your disciple didn't take first place."
Karin blinked at the implication that it was awkward to say because he wasn't top. Then she burst into loud laughter.
"...Lady Karin? You don't seem upset at all."
"Hm? Why would I be upset over something like that?"
Karin dismissed it as if it were absurd.
"If anything, I'm pleased."
"Pleased? Even though your disciple missed first?"
"It's a shame, sure, but I think it's for the best. My disciple knows his own talents well enough. He doesn't get arrogant about it, but deep down, he probably figured he was the best among his peers."
"But hasn't he lived in seclusion on the mountain? He hasn't met many his age—how could he..."
"You know how it is, don't you? Even training alone, you instinctively sense when you're the pinnacle in your field."
Eleonora couldn't deny Karin's words. As a Palstar Hero at the peak of her domain, she knew that feeling all too well.
"Coming in second must have shocked him plenty. He's got a competitive streak, so now he'll strive even harder to claim that spot."
"...Is that so?"
Eleonora, who had heard Seong Hyun-jin's real motive for seeking fame, thought it might be true—though perhaps a bit more worldly than Karin imagined.
Oblivious to her disciple's true feelings, Karin smiled contentedly.
"I'm glad he's found a worthy rival."
"That's a relief, then."
"So, was my disciple second place?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Who took first? There must be someone superior to my disciple."
"The Dragon Star's daughter."
"...Oh ho."
Karin's reaction was one of keen interest. She recalled a rumor from just before her seclusion twenty years ago.
"I heard she had a child right before I entered the mountains, so they'd be the same age as my disciple. So the girl's enrolled too."
"That's right. She's giving the freshman representative speech today, so you could..."
"That child?"
Karin pointed with her index finger. From this elevated perch, it wasn't easy to see, but there—none other than her disciple Seong Hyun-jin and Serena Eldark—stood together.
"She's with my disciple."
"Pardon? ...Oh, so she is."
"What a lovely girl. Makes sense, with such beautiful parents."
Karin smiled warmly. She was especially pleased to see Seong Hyun-jin with a peer like her. Mingling with girls his age would surely dispel any of those bizarre notions he harbored toward his master.
Unaware of this, Eleonora tilted her head but was relieved Karin wasn't displeased.
Eleonora scanned the crowd's reactions. Not just the VIPs, but even the freshmen had their eyes glued to Karin.
'The response is a resounding success.'
This would ensure Terastial Academy's prestige kept pace with Celestial Academy, which had recruited the Wise Star. Smiling in satisfaction, Eleonora turned to Karin.
"Lady Karin, if anything makes you uncomfortable, just let me know anytime~?"
"...Don't raise your voice with that face. It's creepy."
"......"
Serena was stunned to see Karin in the flesh. The rumors were rampant and the tales plentiful, but she never dreamed she'd witness the Sword Star herself.
She turned to Seong Hyun-jin beside her.
"Th-that's your master? One of the Palstar Heroes, the Sword Star?"
"...Yeah."
"She's truly beautiful."
As Serena stared in awe, Seong Hyun-jin stated firmly,
"I'm not sharing my master."
"Pardon?... I wasn't angling for her."
"Oh? Good, then."
Seong Hyun-jin gazed at Karin. She had already spotted him, giving him a brief glance before surveying elsewhere. But her disciple couldn't tear his eyes away.
She had buttoned up midway, but even through the fabric, those violently voluptuous breasts were unmistakable. The disciple etched that majestic form vividly into his mind's eye.
"...My master really is the most beautiful."
"She certainly is, incredibly so."
Serena agreed, taking it as simple praise for Karin's beauty—unaware of his deeper intent.
Seong Hyun-jin replayed the vision of his master's form in his head, a flicker of puzzlement arising. His master hadn't ventured into the outside world once since secluding herself in the mountains.
"But why's she here? This isn't her scene."
"Well... because her disciple's enrolling, right?"
Serena stated the obvious, but Seong Hyun-jin widened his eyes as if the thought had never crossed his mind.
"...What's with that reaction?"
"Nah, I just never figured she'd come."
"But you said she's a great master. Isn't it natural for a good master to visit their disciple?"
"I get that, but as you know, she's been in seclusion. That's why."
"Still, acting like you never imagined it is a bit..."
As Serena pressed, Seong Hyun-jin admitted more honestly,
"...Truth is, I wasn't expecting it. My master's a solitary soul."
"I see."
"Yeah, like a single flower blooming on a sheer cliff."
With Karin's image fresh in mind, Seong Hyun-jin began rambling like a street bard, metaphors flowing freely.
"She's always alone in that mountain cabin—what a sight. No painting could compare. Especially in the snow. Like a proud snow leopard, maybe."
"Ah, I see..."
"For real. And her swordsmanship? Incredible..."
"...I don't know about the rest, but I get how much you revere her."
"It's not reverence. I love her."
"Right, sure."
Serena interpreted his "love" as the pure bond between master and disciple.
"Anyway, she's here now. That's what matters, yeah?"
"...Makes me feel even guiltier toward her."
"Now what?"
"I didn't take first. The Sword Star's disciple failing to claim top spot in the entrance exam."
Seong Hyun-jin let out a groan, staring pointedly at Serena.
"The wicked woman who stole my first place..."
"St-stole? Anyone hearing that would think I cheated!"
"Boo hoo, how can I face my master now..."
"Crying like that when it doesn't suit you..."
Serena made a dumbfounded face. Seong Hyun-jin dropped the act with a grin and probed casually,
"Not nervous at all now, huh?"
"...Pardon?"
"Just messing with you."
Serena fixed her large eyes on him, then recalled the impending freshman rep speech.
"Trying to loosen me up?"
"Something like that."
He neither denied it nor took full credit.
"Oh, but everything about my master? All true. Remember that."
Seong Hyun-jin tacked on the nonsense, but it barely registered with Serena. She just stared at him blankly for a moment.
Why does this guy keep helping me like this? The doubt mingled with gratitude. How long had it been since someone offered aid so casually, without strings or calculations tied to her as the "Dragon Star's daughter"?
Serena had endured such experiences to the point of nausea. So even if he seemed a tad aloof, his straightforward help felt... profoundly thankful, honestly.
Recalling yesterday's words, she asked,
"...Should I chalk this up to 'help from the Sword Star's disciple' too?"
"You could, but... this doesn't even count as help from her circle. Think whatever you want."
"...Then I will."
Serena smiled faintly.
"I'll just remember it as help from you."
"Suit yourself."
Her sudden pretty smile caught him off guard, but Seong Hyun-jin chalked it up to her being grateful.