Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Master...?
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Master...?
What is a master?
One might say it's simply someone who imparts teachings to help another achieve enlightenment.
But at least for Serin, the word held a special meaning.
"...Rowen?"
Then what are teachings?
...Though saying that, enlightenment wasn't all that complicated.
It could be seen as an interpretation one step higher on any given subject.
Carving out fragments from that massive, labyrinthine lump of enlightenment—that was the disciple's role.
And so, for Serin, there was no need for a master, nor could one exist.
"...Yes?"
Even so, it wasn't as if she had never had a master growing up.
From seasoned knights wielding the standard Imperial Knight Order swordsman ship, to wandering ronin displaying instinctual movements like a wild beast, and even a certain swordsman said to hail from some distant eastern land.
All of them recognized her talent and taught her their enlightenment more diligently than anyone.
-"You must clearly distinguish between offense and defense. Draw out the opponent's openings through defense and..."
-"Keh, flashy and unpredictable movements are the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Never giving the opponent a chance is..."
-"All swordsmanship is infused with forms and techniques. They are the essence of enlightenment accumulated over long years. Thus, training by following the fundamentals is..."
She simply couldn't understand them.
Why bother distinguishing between offense and defense at all? Offense is defense itself, and defense is offense.
Their movements were needlessly extravagant. Unnecessary actions only drained stamina.
Forms and techniques were mere tools. From the start, the fundamentals stemmed from freedom.
"Could I... be a good master?"
That was why Serin had always been alone.
Masters couldn't handle her astonishing talent.
The seasoned old knight recited words of resignation in a calm voice.
The wild ronin spat curses in an excited tone.
The composed swordsman offered consolation in a pitying voice.
And so, solitude found its way to the girl.
"Ahaha... Of course, Master."
It was lonely.
It hurt that everyone left because of her cursed talent.
The expectations weighing on her shoulders... were far too heavy.
It was heartbreaking that no one would help her.
That was why, to Serin, a master held such a special significance.
"To me, Professor Serin, you're far too good a master."
She didn't want others to feel the painful emotions she had.
"...Hic, hngh... Hnngh..."
She just wished there was someone who could say, "Well done."
Someone who always understood her and offered warm words of comfort.
Someone to guide her as she wandered aimlessly on the path to enlightenment.
That was why she wanted to be a good master to Rowen.
"Why... why is this happening...? This isn't what I meant...!"
She was afraid.
Afraid her teachings wouldn't help.
Afraid he'd feel disappointed by her clumsiness.
Afraid the heavy attention would make him feel suffocated.
And ultimately... afraid she'd end up just like the others.
"...Master?"
Tears kept welling up endlessly.
Every time she saw Rowen's anxious expression filled with worry, her chest ached.
Thinking how pathetic she must look only twisted her face further.
Yet the word "Master" sweetly echoed in her ears.
"...It's okay, Master. You don't need to worry. I'll... always be by your side."
Srrm,
As she bowed her head deeply, hiding her streaming tears,
Rowen's voice came, infused with a gentle warmth.
Squeeze...
At the same time, a cozy sensation enveloped her body like a wave.
Grip... It tightened, yet felt strangely comfortable.
The sobs she'd been holding back threatened to burst out.
"No, it's too late to run now. You're the only master I have."
"..."
"So don't keep having strange thoughts. Even if you abandon me... I won't abandon you, Master."
Srrm, srrm
Rowen, holding her close, whispered in a soft voice.
Words so tender they swept away the anxieties gnawing at her heart.
A strange, chest-tightening feeling seeped in.
"..."
Grip...
Now she thought she understood.
The female students who endlessly hugged and stroked their precious disciple, following him around with affectionate gazes.
What that soft, heart-melting warmth from novels really was.
She hadn't wanted to admit it... but now she knew.
"Ahaha... It hurts a little..."
This shameless kid who freely embraced a woman's body and whispered ticklish words.
This audacious disciple who always wore a bright smile, exuding happiness and enchanting everyone.
She could never give him up.
"C-Could you... hold me just a little longer...?"
In the training room thick with a strange atmosphere,
I felt a mix of embarrassment and satisfaction—a peculiar sensation.
"Ahaha..."
As I stroked Serin's head burrowing into my chest, I sank into thought.
'How did it come to this...'
Just moments ago, we were chatting idly, passing the time...
Yet now Serin was limp in my arms.
'I knew she was surprisingly sensitive inside...'
I hadn't expected the ever-composed Serin to have such a vulnerable gaze.
Squeeze...
As I bounced her lightly to boost her confidence, the moment she spotted the scars etched across my body, her words dwindled sharply.
'They're not from Serin, though...'
Scars from battling the Demon of Deception.
I'd left them be since they were supposed to fade naturally over time.
But Serin seemed to have misunderstood them as wounds from our sparring.
"...Sniff."
After that, her eyelids fluttered, brows furrowed delicately, head drooped, shoulders hunched in dejection.
Srrm, srrm
"...Master, if you keep doing this, it's a problem..."
Seeing her force a smile through streaming tears—how agonizing it had been.
I couldn't believe even the mighty Serin could weep so sadly.
That must be why I instinctively pulled her into a hug and poured out comforts for so long.
"...Why?"
Serin suddenly lifted her head cautiously, meeting my eyes.
Her eyes rimmed red, lips pouted.
Those alluring crimson eyes filled with affection tugged at my heart.
"...Why is it a problem for me? You said it was fine with Lea..."
A voice tinged with hurt reached my ears.
Her fidgeting fingers tickled as they stroked my back.
Maybe because our bodies had been pressed so close moments ago.
Her fleeting, excited breaths made my heart itch.
"Or... is it because I'm older? Because I'm older than those girls...?"
"...Yes?"
No... if anything, that's a plus...
Even if she's older, how big a difference could it be?
She was set in her mid-to-late twenties anyway—not a huge gap.
And she didn't just seem young; her looks rivaled any student's.
No, she ranked high in popularity polls—beauty like that...
But the real issue was bigger.
I'm a student, and she's a professor...
"You're just confused right now... If you keep this up, later you'll surely...!"
Grip...!
Suddenly, a soft pressure enveloped me.
Serin's hands, stroking my back, now pulled my waist firmly.
"Hngh...!"
Hard to believe these gentle hands could fold demons in half.
She caressed me delicately, like handling a treasure.
And with her fingers endlessly fidgeting, tickling my spine, I let out an embarrassing sound I couldn't believe came from me.
"...Confused? Not at all."
Tap, tap
Serin, pouting with a sulky expression, spoke up.
Yet her slender fingers were retying my disheveled collar.
"...You promised to make me truly happy, didn't you?"
Srrm, srrm
Not satisfied, Serin—with an odd look—brushed dust from my face and swept back my sweat-dampened hair with her delicate fingers.
"Being formal, keeping distance... I'd rather spend time like this, together, than spouting old-fashioned nonsense."
"B-But still...!"
Of course, I didn't hate this situation either.
Hugging my favorite character, whispering ticklish words, spending time like this.
No matter how I denied it, the happiness bubbling from deep inside was undeniable.
"I'm still a student... and you're... Hngh!"
Every time I tried to speak...!
And she'll regret this so much later...
Seeing Serin flushed, breathing excitedly, anyone could tell she'd deeply regret it tomorrow.
"...Hm? What are you talking about?"
"...Yes?"
"Isn't it common sense for a master to comfort their disciple?"
Serin blinked in genuine puzzlement.
Wh-where's that common sense from...
...But there's no stopping Serin now...
Srrm, srrm
"Hugging your master so rudely... I'll let the head-patting slide."
Serin pulled me into her embrace and stroked my hair.
Even as her gentle fingers tousled my locks, I knew it was wrong, yet felt a strange thrill of taboo.
Squeeze...
"And you told me not to run, but now you're trying to go somewhere?"
"Th-That's..."
With a peculiar smile, she hugged the trembling Rowen.
If tomorrow's Serin saw this, she'd bury her face in her pillow and kick the blankets.
But with her mind filled with indecent thoughts, it wasn't much of an obstacle.
Thus, the endlessly fragile Rowen compared to Serin offered no resistance, and for a while, succumbed to her "comforting" peculiarities in her arms.
...A fitting end for Rowen, who enchanted people at every turn.