The night air was crisp and serene.
I washed away the exhaustion of the day.
“<em>Hoo</em>…”
A small sigh escaped as I dried my hair.
It had been a particrly draining day, for many reasons.
Not just the Blood Witch, but the image of that dagger almost embedding itself between my brows lingered vividly in my mind.
The memory became even clearer, thanks to the Blood Witch’s ability to freeze time.
The sharp tip of the de, stopping just before piercing my forehead, was a scene I wouldn’t easily forget.
“I really almost died today…”Even though I managed to twist my body away, at best, I would’ve suffered a fatal wound.
Sure, I had the hidden ability of Super Regeneration, but—
“If I were to fall into apletely groggy state, who knows if it would even activate.”
It had been dangerous. Very dangerous.
Wrapping a bathrobe around myself, I sat down on the bed.
As I reached for the notebook and pen by my bedside to jot down the events of the day—
<em>— Knock knock.</em>
A knock came at the door.
“…Who is it?”
By now, I’d grown ustomed to various visitors, to the point where I could somewhat identify them just by their knock.
But the pattern of this knock was unfamiliar.
Refined, careful, yet strangely pleasant to hear.
I opened the door.
To my surprise, an unexpected figure stood outside.
“Master?”
At my words, my master slowly looked up at me.
We weren’t too different in height, so she only tilted her chin slightly.
Her eyes seemed unusuallyrge and glistening today.
“…Disciple.”
She gazed at me wistfully before continuing.
“Why is my disciple here…? Am I finally hallucinating?”
Her words were like a soft mumble, as though she were dreaming.
Today, my master was undeniably different.
Usuallyposed and firm beneath her elegance, she now seemed rxed and defenseless.
I etched this rare side of her into my memory before speaking.
“This is the Dessert Research Club room, Master.”
<em>Blink, Blink.</em>
She slowly closed and reopened her eyes before replying.
“…Ah. This isn’t my dormitory.”
“That’s correct.”
“…I thought my disciple was waiting for me in my dormitory. But that would make no sense. How foolish of me…”
Her head drooped, her mood visibly dampened.
I quickly reassured her.
“You’re not foolish, Master. These things happen. You’re always amazing.”
“…Really? Even with a master like this, my disciple doesn’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
“Then…”
Her lips moved slightly, as though she had something to say.
I had a feeling her next words would reveal her true feelings.
But instead, her lips softly closed again.
She bit her lip and silently studied my face.
Finally, she spoke in her usual tone.
“My disciple, did something happen? You look a bit shaken.”
“Well…”
“Your body seems tense too. Is it something difficult to tell your master?”
Her gaze softened as if saddened.
Of course, that wasn’t the case.
I told her everything that had happened today.
As she listened quietly, nodding asionally, her head lowered even further.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?”
“I couldn’t protect you. My disciple was in such danger…”
“No, Master. How could you have known—”
“I was just drinking, wasn’t I? What a terrible master I am.”
“Even if the roles were reversed, it would have been the same…”
But she shook her head firmly.
“Perhaps. But more than anything, right now…”
“…?”
“The feelings I should have—the ones of concern—are being overtaken by something else…”
She stopped mid-sentence.
We stood silently, gazing at each other.
Enough time for five blinks passed.
Then, she spoke again, carefully.
“Even after hearing about how you almost died, my worry is overshadowed by another feeling…”
She swallowed hard, still looking up at me.
“That makes me a terrible master.”
Whether it was sadness or something else, her eyes shimmered as if tears were about to fall.
Continuing to apologize repeatedly, my master clearly seemed to be undergoing some internal struggle.
…What could it be?
Observing her closely, I tilted my head in confusion.
‘…Is she feeling hot?’
Her whole body seemed slightly damp, as though she was about to break into a cold sweat.
There was also an unusual warmth radiating from her, almost like she had a fever.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Huh?”
Her dazed eyes focused on me, and I noticed a faint flush on her cheeks.
Her lips parted slightly, in a way that seemed strangely alluring.
“My disciple is even worried about this pitiful master… You’re too kind. I’m such a disappointment.”
She sighed softly, and I caught a faint whiff of alcohol.
Finally, I began piecing the situation together.
“Did you drink, by any chance?”
“Hm? Just a little. Hehe.”
Her defenselessugh was followed by a slight wobble, and I quickly moved to steady her.
“How much did you drink?”
Could there even be alcohol potent enough to affect someone who had mastered the Snowke Sword?
“Just a bit.”
“A bit, and you’re already drunk?”
“I just felt like getting drunk tonight.”
She murmured the words softly, almost as if confiding in herself, then leaned against me for support.
<em>Slurp.</em>
Her clothes, as always, were thin and light.
Through the fabric, I could feel her soft skin.
If I hadn’t already ovee my hormonal impulses, this could have been a dangerous moment.
‘…Stay focused. She’s my master.’
Steeling myself, I supported her as we moved.
She leaned more heavily against me, pointing toward the sofa.
“I’m sorry, disciple. Just take me over there.”
Although she was tall for a woman, she wasn’t heavy.
With some effort, I helped her to the sofa and tried to straighten up.
<em>—Thunk.</em>
Our feet identally got tangled, and I lost my bnce.
I fell… directly onto her.
◆
Asilia couldn’t quite understand the sensation of “heart-pounding”.
From a young age, her physical capabilities had been exceptional.
Even after intense activity, her heartbeat would only elerate briefly before quickly returning to its steady rhythm.
She hadplete mastery over her body.
Of course, she had felt joy and satisfaction before.
When she perfected the Snowke Sword Technique, or when she saw the smiling face of a child looking up at her with admiration, her heart had raced.
But those moments were fleeting, driven by happiness, not this overwhelming pounding.
So now…
<em>Thump! Thump! Thump!</em>
The intense and painful rhythm she felt was entirely unfamiliar.
…Why was this happening?
It wasn’t because of rigorous exercise.
It wasn’t because she was in an overwhelmingly happy situation.
It was simply because of proximity.
The sheer closeness to her beloved disciple.
The sensation of his body against hers.
His face, his eyes, his lips—so close.
The steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, coupled with the warmth of his breath, put Asilia to the test.
‘…No. This isn’t right.’
Asilia bit her lip lightly, resisting the primal urge welling within her.
She knew she had to suppress the instincts stirring inside her.
And yet…
Through the thin fabric of his clothing, she felt the youthful vitality of his body. No, not just youthful—young.
Young enough to be her daughter’s peer.
Asilia forced herself to calm down.
‘Absolutely not.’
She reminded herself that he wasn’t even trying to seduce her.
Nor had she pretended to be drunk just to cling to him.
Even the secretly stepping on the feet of the disciple who was carefully putting her on the sofa.
It was all Asilia herself.
‘…I.’
She was really trash.
She felt like tears were about to flow.
At the pitiful sight of herself, who had grown old.
She was reallycking in controlling her instincts. She couldn’t help but be a pitiful master.
‘Yes. I’m pitiful.’
She repeated that fact.
The more she repeated it, the more her reason faded.
‘I’m at the bottom.’
She bent herself.
She bent and bent, lowering herself to the point where she could barely see the floor.
That made her feel closer to her instincts.
She was able to admit it.
That she, who was so insignificant, was lusting after her disciple.
Even this prickling guilt.
She was getting excited by using it as material.
‘… I’m really pitiful.’
That was Asilia herself.
Asilia muttered without realizing it.
“I’m sorry, Ian. My disciple.”
She felt sorry for him.
For being so pathetic.
For being so low.
“… That’s why.”
Asilia covered her lips with her disciple’s.
◆
I epted Master’s lips that were ovepping with mine.
Her breath was hot enough to make me dizzy.
It was such a captivating breath that I, too, felt hot.
Only then did I realize.
‘… In heat.’
Master was in heat right now.
Her eyes hadn’t changed at all.
That’s why I noticed it toote.
<em>— Churp</em>
While I was lost in thought, I found myself unconsciously mixing my tongue with Master.
‘… No.’
I felt guilty.
Master, with her eyes closed, was passionately exploring me while feeling pain somewhere.
Now I understand why she kept saying sorry.
Master. How deeply must Asilia have agonized?
How deeply must she have felt sorry?
Even so, unable to ovee her instincts, what must have been her heart that pressed her lips against mine?
In the end, there was only one thing I could do.
To do my best to satisfy Master.
So that she could escape from the heat.
<em>– Phew</em>
Our lips parted for a moment to breathe.
Master apologized to me again.
“I’m sorry for being acking master.”
“It’s okay.”
“Then…”
Master’s hand naturally came down to my waist.
We stared at each other quietly.
I knew I shouldn’t.
But we were also clear about what each other wanted.
<em>Slurp.</em>
Master lifted the hem of her dress.
I grabbed her hand.
“…Why.”
Asilia sobbed.