At the peak of a mountain, shrouded in thick mist, stood a single, dilapidated hut.

‘Disciple.’

In that place, so out of character with its rundown state, was a stunning beauty.

Her jet-black hair and eyes, a rare hue in this world, shimmered like the night sky, while her snow-white skin exuded a refined elegance.

The exotic clothing, unseen in this world, draped over her like the wings of a celestial being, amplifying her ethereal charm.

She was the kind of woman you’d imagine in ancient tales, capable of toppling nations with her beauty.

Anyone would be shocked to learn such a woman was the master of this shabby hut.

The Sword Saint, Hakodate Karin.

A Transmigrator who fell into this world, one of the Eight Star Heroes, and a reclusive master.

Her swordsmanship was unmatched, and her raw strength placed her among the top of the Eight Star Heroes.

Countless people sought to learn her swordsmanship, but Karin secluded herself, passing her skills to no one.

‘Disciple, where are you?’

But things were different now.

As if fated, she found a connection and took on a disciple.

Finding a newborn, who appeared to be a half-elf, at the foot of the mountain was nothing short of a mystical twist of fate.

Half-elves were rare, and the odds of one being abandoned at the base of the mountain Karin chose to settle in were astronomical.

It was beyond mere fate.

Moreover, Karin noticed the baby didn’t cry, realizing he was a Reincarnator.

Reincarnators had qualities far superior to ordinary residents of this world.

Their high affinity with spirits—the source of all supernatural abilities in this world—was their greatest asset.

Though not fully understood, some theorized Reincarnators absorbed the unrealized spiritual affinity from their past lives.

High spirit affinity meant a greater chance of contracting powerful spirits, which in turn allowed for stronger abilities.

In a world where combat relied on magic, holy arts, and swordsmanship powered by such abilities, contracting a strong spirit was essential.

Overcoming that limitation wasn’t impossible, but it was an arduous path.

In that sense, Reincarnators started life with a significant advantage.

Karin, being a Transmigrator herself, took in the child, thinking he might one day surpass her.

Especially since a half-elf, born of elf and human, would live a long life—not as long as her eternal youth, but long enough to avoid a quick farewell.

Thus, the Sword Saint gained a disciple.

If the world knew, it would’ve caused an uproar.

But since Karin lived in seclusion, no one knew of her disciple.

‘Disciple?’

‘…Master, you’re here.’

In that sense, Karin’s disciple was granted an opportunity more valuable than gold.

Blessed with incredible luck, this disciple was now caught by his master in a situation he absolutely shouldn’t have been.

‘What in the world are you doing here?’

Karin found her disciple in the backyard of the hut.

He was crouched awkwardly, greeting her with an uneasy expression.

‘Your unworthy disciple was reflecting on your teachings.’

‘Teachings? It didn’t look like you were training. What teachings were you reflecting on?’

‘You told me yesterday, Master, that instead of having strange dreams about you, I should channel my youthful energy elsewhere.’

‘…I did say that.’

Karin recalled yesterday morning, letting out a dry cough.

Looking at her disciple, still in an awkward posture, she asked.

‘So, you were acting on that teaching? What does that mean?’

‘…It’s hard to explain. Could you please go elsewhere for a bit, Master?’

‘Why should I? I came looking for you for a reason, and now you tell your master to leave? That’s rather disrespectful.’

‘I apologize for my insolence. But there’s a reason you need to step away.’

‘A reason? Let’s hear it. If it’s valid, I might step aside.’

‘…Must you really hear it?’

The more her disciple spoke, the more Karin’s curiosity grew.

When she tilted her head, refusing to leave, he reluctantly opened his mouth.

‘I was… relieving myself.’

‘…What?’

At his blunt confession, Karin felt her face flush.

She hadn’t expected him to be indulging in such a private moment.

It seemed he was trying to follow her advice.

That explained his awkward posture and the sweat dripping from his face.

‘S-sorry! I was thoughtless. Even a disciple needs private time…’

Karin turned to leave immediately.

But a sudden thought stopped her in her tracks.

‘…Disciple.’

‘Yes, Master.’

‘I’m asking just in case, so answer honestly.’

‘Yes.’

With a stiff neck, Karin turned to her sole disciple and asked.

‘You weren’t imagining your master while doing that, were you?’

‘…’

No answer came.

But answers didn’t always need words.

Karin’s trembling hand gripped her sword hilt.

‘My sin is great for having such a wayward disciple.’

‘Master, it’s a misunderstanding! I only thought of you because you’re the only woman I know! You raised me from infancy, so how could I know any other?’

Her disciple protested with a wronged expression, but Karin stared at him in disbelief, then snapped.

‘You think I don’t know you have memories of your past life? Unless you never knew women in that life, there’s no way you lack others to think of.’

‘…’

With no room for excuses, her disciple subtly straightened up.

Below his waist, a noticeable bulge appeared.

Thankfully, his pants concealed the full extent.

Pointing at it, Karin shouted, her face red.

‘Hide that vile thing at once! How dare you display such a thing before your revered master!?’

‘It’s because of you, Master! Could you please cover those full breasts and your thighs? And maybe your nape too? That scent of yours drives me mad!’

‘What did you say!?’ This shameless fool…!’

‘Am I wrong? Who else is here for you to show off to with those clothes? Like I said yesterday, it’s practically tempting me—no, any man! Why not just say you want to be taken!’

‘You mad b*stard!’

In the end, Karin’s sword was drawn once again.

*

After a heated exchange, a somewhat calmed Karin looked at her disciple.

Beaten thoroughly and in a pitiful state, he knelt before her.

‘…Disciple.’

‘Yes, Master.’

‘Even after such a beating, your voice is full of energy. It’s almost absurd.’

‘Yes, Master…’

‘I didn’t mean to tell you to sound weaker.’

Karin let out a small sigh and spoke.

‘It seems your constant improper desires toward your master might, as you said, stem from not meeting others.’

‘…What are you getting at? You’re not telling me to leave the mountain, are you, Master?’

‘Exactly.’

‘What?’

Her disciple looked at her in disbelief, then began to protest.

‘Didn’t you say I couldn’t leave until I fully mastered your swordsmanship?’

‘I did.’

‘I haven’t even mastered half your techniques. How can you send this lacking disciple out into the world? I might disgrace your name with my poor skills.’

‘Then don’t. I don’t think my disciple lacks that much sense. And besides, I have nothing left to teach you.’

‘Nothing left? I’m still so lacking…’

Karin narrowed her eyes at him.

Though he was a fool who lusted after his master, he wasn’t an incompetent disciple.

There was a reason he became the Sword Saint’s apprentice.

If his talent were mediocre, Karin wouldn’t have bothered teaching him.

She’d have just been his guardian.

‘You already understand everything, don’t you? In your head, at least.’

‘…’

Overwhelming talent.

Beyond the spiritual affinity Reincarnators were born with, her disciple had a natural gift for swordsmanship.

Perhaps his talent even surpassed her own.

Yet, he couldn’t fully execute her techniques because his body wasn’t fully developed.

Being a half-elf wasn’t just about longevity.

Elves aged slowly, which meant slower growth.

At twenty, an adult, he still looked young.

By the standards of Karin’s home world, he’d barely pass for a middle schooler.

His immature body couldn’t fully manifest her swordsmanship.

That was his only flaw.

But that was a problem time would solve.

Karin had planned to live with him in the hut, caring for him until he matured.

‘This boy’s nature is getting more twisted by the day.’

Since her disciple kept developing strange desires for her, she began to think it’d be better to send him out into society.

Even with past-life memories, living twenty years alone with Karin might have blurred his recollection of others, as he claimed.

Sending him out to meet people would curb those odd desires.

His character wasn’t bad, after all.

‘But, Master, sending me down now…’

‘There’s a good opportunity for you.’

‘What?’

Karin pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it to him.

‘Do you know what this is?’

‘No.’

‘It’d be strange if you did. Disciple, this is an admission recommendation from a national academy.’

‘National academy? Like a high school?’

‘Aren’t you past high school age? It’s closer to a university.’

‘Do they offer free education like in France?’

Both slipped references to their original world into conversation, understanding each other perfectly as a Transmigrator and a Reincarnator from the same world.

‘I said university, but it’s more like a talent incubator. It trains people to serve the nation, or even the world. Here, it’s called an Academy.’

‘…I’ve no interest in working for the world, Master.’

‘I’m not sending you for that. As I said, it’s for your social growth.’

Her disciple, looking slightly dissatisfied, spoke.

‘But I have my past-life memories, Master. How could I have social issues…?’

‘Does someone without social issues lust after their master?’

‘…I think that’s a separate matter.’

Karin sighed.

‘Past-life memories are just that—past. Having only known me in this life, don’t you need to broaden your horizons in this world?’

‘…’

‘Besides, a place like that would be good for honing your skills. You’ll get to compete with geniuses from all over.’

‘From all over?’

‘Indeed.’

Seeing a spark of interest in her disciple, Karin nodded and explained the Academy’s merits.

‘It’s where the best talents gather. There are several academies on this continent, but I think the one that sent this recommendation is best.’

Her disciple opened the letter, reading the sender’s name.

‘Terrestrial Academy… Why’s this one good?’

‘Terrestrial Academy is renowned for spirit studies. You might find clues about that “curse” of yours.’

‘Master, it’s not a curse; it’s a spirit.’

‘It’s as good as a curse.’

Karin narrowed her eyes at him.

‘What kind of spirit feeds on its master’s vitality?’

‘It doesn’t always do that. Only when I use its power, so it’s just a price to pay.’

‘That’s abnormal in itself…’

Karin looked at her disciple with a hint of bitterness.

So talented, yet somehow bound to such a malicious spirit.

Since spirit contracts were personal and others couldn’t interfere, Karin could do nothing.

Her disciple had contracted it, sensing its strength, but it wasn’t a wise choice.

It was undeniably powerful—Karin could tell—but the risks were high.

She sighed and continued.

‘Will you come with me, Master?’

‘Why would I go there?’

‘Then I’m not going either.’

‘What?’

Her disciple spoke boldly.

‘Someone like you could be an instructor there, couldn’t you?’

‘Perhaps, but why should I go?’

‘You need to see how your attire affects men out there, so you can stop…’

‘This fool has no shame before his master.’

Karin tapped his lips with her scabbard.

He lowered his head, sulking.

Smiling lightly, she asked.

‘If I became an instructor, I’d teach my swordsmanship to others besides you. Is that okay?’

‘…Oh.’

Realizing this belatedly, he looked at her, surprised, then shook his head.

‘No way.’

‘Right, you don’t want my swordsmanship shared carelessly. That’s natural.’

‘Yes, your swordsmanship is mine.’

Karin felt an odd nuance in his tone.

‘…That sounded strange.’

‘It’s just a different way of saying the same thing.’

Karin stared at him, but he spoke without changing his expression.

‘Living far from you already makes my heart uneasy.’

‘I’m warning you—don’t have improper thoughts about your master even from afar.’

‘Of course, Master.’

He looked straight at her, promising confidently.

‘I absolutely won’t.’

‘…Disciple.’

‘Yes.’

Karin sighed deeply, advising him.

‘If you’re going to lie, hide that look in your eyes first. You look ready to devour me.’

‘…Do you read minds too, Master?’

‘Hah.’

Karin let out a hollow laugh, her hand on her sword hilt.

In a flash, she drew and swung at him.

‘When I say don’t, just don’t!’

‘Master, that’s the sharp end!’

And so, her disciple was thoroughly disciplined again today.