"Huh!??"

Tiyi’s hands trembled violently as she strained against the holy thorn vines, pinned helplessly to the wall.

"Miss Qingruo, wh-what are you saying? You’re a Holy Temple Knight!" Tiyi stared up in disbelief at the tall girl who had just delivered such humiliating words with perfect seriousness.

Who could understand Tiyi’s bitterness? This was her own student! Her most brilliant female disciple was now demanding to make her a slave—wasn’t this trampling the last shred of dignity Tiyi had ever possessed?

"Which Holy Temple Knight doesn’t own slaves? If you refuse, then as you wish—we’ll go straight to the Security Office." Once Qingruo made a decision, she wouldn’t let a misbehaving girl who needed discipline change her mind.

"This…" Tiyi faltered. Of course she knew—Holy Temple Knights were nobles. Most owned numerous slaves for tasks like holding horses, fetching stools, or labor. Owning slaves didn’t violate their code.

But what kind of slave did *she* need? One to hold her horse… or something else?

Slaves had no rights. No dignity. They obeyed their master’s every command.

*Master…*

The word surfaced in Tiyi’s mind unbidden. Just imagining herself addressing this tall girl—her own female student—as "master" made her shudder. This shame cut deeper than any humiliation a Succubus could inflict.

Seeing Tiyi’s flushed face, every conflicted thought laid bare in her expression, Qingruo exhaled slowly. She reached out with a hint of comfort, gently smoothing Tiyi’s hair. "Don’t be so tense. It’s only for one day. I’m doing this to keep you from running away. Tell me everything within twenty-four hours, and I’ll void this contract. As you said—I’m a Holy Temple Knight. The Student Council President of this Empire’s top academy. What could I possibly do to you?"

The sensitivity of Qingruo’s slender fingers brushing Tiyi’s cheek sent shivers of embarrassment through her—yet also an unexpected warmth, like being cherished.

But as a man—and her teacher—she didn’t *need* this feeling! Still, her traitorous cheeks couldn’t pull away from those fingers.

*This forced tenderness!*

*She’s… the one I like…* Tiyi’s heart pounded before she caught herself.

"F-fine. If you keep your word," Tiyi murmured, head bowed, her braid drooping to one side.

*What am I even doing?* After years of shameless magical training to finally regain my male form… did I travel all this way just to become her slave?

Qingruo felt an unprecedented satisfaction at Tiyi’s surrender—a thrill different from commanding subordinates. It danced on the edge of taboo, yet justified by righteous cause.

"Good. That’s better." Qingruo’s voice softened with encouragement.

"Can you release me now? I won’t run," Tiyi abandoned escape plans. How could she flee divine power?

"Hold on." Qingruo turned away.

Tiyi watched her tall, poised silhouette—elegant yet powerful in long trousers—disappear into the night. From behind, her figure was even more striking.

*Is she locking me in this darkness?* A ridiculous thought surfaced: *I’d rather be caught by a Succubus than restrained by Qingruo… at least I don’t like Succubi.*

*Wait… what am I thinking?* Tiyi corrected herself. *My lingering feelings for Qingruo must be because I’m still a man at heart.*

This thought brought slight comfort.

*It proves I’m still fundamentally male.*

*Surely this female body should reject her… right?*

Moments later, Qingruo returned with a candlestick from the hallway.

*What’s she planning?!* Tiyi’s body tensed. Nights in the Witch Church had filled her ears with scandalous tales.

As the dripping white candle passed close, Tiyi squeezed her knees tight, her plump buttocks rigid—yet still quivering softly despite the tension.

But Qingruo only lit the room’s candles for light.

She didn’t release Tiyi immediately. From a drawer in the former female teacher’s desk, she retrieved parchment, a quill, and ink. Then she began drafting the slave contract in earnest.

*Must she be this meticulous about everything…?*

The Empire’s former top Holy Temple Knight—first turned Witch, now about to become a slave. Even if only for a day…

*What am I doing with my life…?*

But there was no choice. She had to endure this.

"Miss Qingruo! You must *never* speak of this!" Tiyi pleaded urgently.

"Hush." Qingruo’s voice carried deliberate calm. "Do you want the whole faculty dormitory to hear?"

*Why so composed? Does she think she controls everything?*

*Does she believe she’s queen of this room?*

Tiyi shook her head helplessly, waiting in silence.

Fifteen minutes later, Qingruo approached with confident strides. Her slender hand gripped the sword embedded above Tiyi—pinning her arms to the wall.

*Shhk!*

She yanked it out decisively.

The sudden release made Tiyi shudder.

"Holy Word: Graceful Absolution." Qingruo whispered a prayer, touching Tiyi’s forehead and chest. The holy thorn vines dissolved into shimmering frost-like sparks.

Tiyi’s arms throbbed, numb from strain.

Qingruo didn’t even glance at her, utterly unconcerned about escape. She pulled a chair to the desk, sat upright with regal poise, and lifted the completed contract.

"Come. Review your terms."

Tiyi approached reluctantly, reaching for it—but Qingruo held it back.

"What’s wrong?"

"*What’s wrong?*" Qingruo’s gaze sharpened. "Is this how a slave addresses her master? You know what this is."

"I know…"

"Say it." Qingruo’s stern eyes held a flicker of playfulness.

Tiyi knew—but the words choked her.

"Kneel." Qingruo’s command was ice-cold.

"Huh?"

"Have you forgotten your actions? Under these terms, I grant you *one day*—and you still expect an equal contract? How should I trust you? *Kneel.*" Her voice lashed Tiyi’s soul like a sacred whip.

*If I were just an ordinary girl, fine.*

*But who am I? Her male swordsmanship teacher. Her knightly mentor. Her closest friend!*

*How could she so casually demand I kneel at her feet?*

*Though… she doesn’t know.*

*Should I tell her the truth?*

*No…*

*That’s absolutely forbidden!*

If she learned I’d become a woman, even the last shred of dignity in her eyes would shatter.

*This is just a misunderstanding.*

*A true man knows when to yield!*

Besides—she’s the one I love. The Succubus targeted her partly to hurt *me*, didn’t she?

*I’ll treat this as kneeling before the woman I cherish… begging for something vital!*

Tiyi’s heart warred within her.

Finally, she made the only choice left.

Slowly, her knees bent before the tall, breathtakingly beautiful Lady Templar Knight—so composed, so dignified. She tried to kneel like a knight, like a gentleman… but then she caught her reflection in the dressing mirror beside the teacher’s desk.

There she saw a girl in a sheer black lace nightgown, hair disheveled, braid spilling over her shoulder. Face flushed with shame, chest heaving, kneeling at the feet of her dream lover—her most brilliant student.

In that moment, Tiyi felt the mirror in her eyes shatter.

She didn’t know what had broken—the glass… or something else.