The Master's Sudden Assault!
After wrapping up my morning routine with Cecil, we were having breakfast when a visitor arrived. Peeking out, I saw it was the letter carrier. As always, I watched them leave the letter at our designated spot, then slipped out to retrieve it. The faint woody scent clinging to the envelope told me right away it was from my master—no need to check the sender.
Inhaling that refreshing aroma that cleared my head for a moment, I carefully opened the letter.
I'm thrilled to hear from you after all these years, but have you ever considered if it's a bit too late? I never imagined my one and only disciple would be so ungrateful. Still, as your master, it's my duty to help when you're in a bind. Gather the morning dew and wait obediently.
(Here, "morning dew" is the name of a liquor. Looks like she still hasn't kicked the habit.)
But the surprising part... she's coming in person.
I swallowed dryly. I distinctly remembered she was always summoned to the Alchemy Guild around this time. Cecil, watching me from the side, tilted her head.
"Asha-nim, what's wrong?"
"...Ah, yeah. Master says she's coming here herself."
"Asha-nim's master?"
"The one who taught me. I owe her a lot in all sorts of ways..."
...Thinking about it, maybe I've been too thoughtless?
"She sounds like a wonderful person, Asha-nim!"
"...Yeah."
Looking into Cecil's sparkling eyes made my conscience prick like a needle.
The bottom of the letter paper had the expected arrival date. But those numbers looked oddly familiar. Scratching my head, I double-checked the calendar...
It was today.
I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I'd misread, but the writing didn't change. Seeing the sudden notice of a home visit felt like a hammer to the head. Hey, if you're telling me to prepare, at least give me time to do it!
...More importantly, how do I explain my body's change? And before that, will she even believe I'm Asha? Not a single trace of my old self remained.
"Asha-nim?"
Cecil's voice snapped me back.
"Cecil, let's clean up first."
"I don't know why, but got it!"
I needed time to figure out how to explain. Time seemed to drag mercilessly. But my master arrived even faster. If this was gonna happen, why send the letter at all? I wondered, my mind racing.
In the end, with no countermeasures in mind, I had to open the door to greet her.
"...Hm?"
A gentle-looking beauty with water-blue hair cascading down stared at me. Her hair was tied in a single stream like a river, flowing to her chest, and faint dark circles under her eyes betrayed her usual fatigue. Her emerald eyes—similar to mine but a deeper shade—held a question. Her long elven ears twitched, then her mouth opened.
"Who are you?"
Her smooth forehead furrowed deeply as her gaze scanned me. Contrary to her soft features, her sharp eyes demanded an answer.
"Uh, um... come in first?"
"Isn't this Astarote Asha's home?"
"Yes..."
"Then who are you?"
I understood why people compared eyes to jewels. Master's green gaze, cold and inorganic, pursued me like it would devour me whole. I flinched, and she sighed, flicking my forehead with a poke. The chill seeped in, cooling my chaotic mind.
"Why so scared? First time seeing an elf?"
Seeing that, I decided on a frontal assault.
"Come in, Master."
"...I don't remember having a disciple like you."
"Once, you came home drunk and smashed my head with a potion bottle."
"...That was because you were being cheeky... Wait, did Asha tell you?"
"Another time, you overdid it, vomited on the floor, and then—"
"...Where's that bastard Astarote Asha right now?"
...Is this working? Cold sweat trickled down my back.
"...So you're really Asha?"
"...Yes."
Master scratched her water-blue hair and sank into the sofa. She pulled a pipe from her bosom, stuffed it with herbs, and lit it.
"...Smoke outside, please."
"Naggy as ever—must be you after all."
Ignoring me, she took a deep drag and blew sweet, slightly acrid smoke my way.
"Ah, seriously, cut back a little."
"It's all herbs."
After exhaling a cloud, she pulled a pouch from her bosom. The jingle suggested coins. My eyes followed involuntarily.
She shook it teasingly and smirked.
"Obsessed with money pouches—yep, that's you."
"...So that's how you saw me."
"You never hid it anyway."
"...Ahem. Isn't it a busy season?"
"Busy because of you. Wouldn't have been if not for you."
"...Really?"
"Didn't say it to avoid burdening you."
"Then why now—"
The herb pipe flew at me. Bracing for pain, none came. Master looked faintly troubled.
"Habit made me swing... but your head's not there."
"...Got smaller."
My mouth turned bitter too. Retrieving the pipe, she took another drag and exhaled. It felt decadently alluring.
"So that's your homunculus behind you?"
"Yes. Cecilria—Cecil for short."
"I'm Cecil!"
"...Right."
After a pause, stuffing more herbs, she spoke.
"So what's this 'transformation'? You look completely different at a glance... but the kid behind seems normal."
It felt awkward to explain. Well, it is awkward...
But first, something to ask her.
"Before that, Master, a question."
"Hm?"
Clearing my throat, I enunciated carefully. It was important.
"Do you... have one down there?"
Her green eyes filled with doubt.
"What nonsense?"
"If not, good. Just... curious with recent weird stuff."
"...?"
"Anyway, I turned fully female."
"Not just looks—everything?"
"...Yes."
Master hummed thoughtfully, approached, hooked her hand under my armpit, lifted me like nothing, and plopped me on the table. Flustered, I squirmed, but her voice came.
"Just a quick check."
Ignoring my reply, she hiked up my shirt. My bare lower half was exposed. Her fingers, warm from the pipe, traced my slit.
"...It's real."
"Ah, do you have to touch?"
"You know my personality. Why no underwear?"
"...Uncomfortable."
"Thought you'd gone exhibitionist."
"I'm your disciple—"
She plugged my mouth with a finger and continued groping. Tracing my slit, she prodded my thigh, stroked my lower belly as if searching, then slowly up to my chest.
"This is rare too."
Feeling my body heat up, I swatted her hand and pulled down my shirt.
"Enough checking?"
"Hm. Hard to believe, but fully female. Volume's lacking, though."
"...What's that got to do with anything?"
"Heh, fair. Is that all? You said the kid's weird too?"
...Hm.
"Cecil, come here a sec?"
"Yes, Asha-nim!"
I pondered how to make Cecil erect decently, but no need—she'd already tented her dress bulgingly.
"...Didn't you say female body?"
"Yes."
"Then... why...?"
"That's why I asked for your help."
"Hm... I see. Understood."
Pocketing the pipe, Master beckoned Cecil.
"Child, hop up here."
Cecil blinked at me questioningly. I nodded, and she climbed onto the table.
"Mind if I lift your dress?"
Glancing at Cecil, I replied.
"Go ahead. But careful—"
Before I finished, Master hiked the dress, and Cecil's thing smacked her face. Seeing her stunned, rubbing her cheek...
...Honestly, it was hard not to laugh.