"T-Teacher," Serena stammered, eyes glazed over with shock.
"It's been far too long, my little Serena." A warm, alluring smile graced Alisa's heavily made-up, beautiful face.
She wore a mage's hat and an outfit that could barely be called clothing—an outrageously high-cut top exposing most of her torso, along with a skirt so short one might question its necessity. Her long, slender legs were wrapped in purple stockings held up by garters, and she balanced effortlessly on sleek black heels. The mage's hat on her head was likely the most modest piece of fabric on her entire body.
She looks like she walked straight out of some gacha game catering to horny men, Yarrow muttered inwardly.
Alisa strolled leisurely around the cavernous room, the sharp clicks of her heels echoing against the stone floor. Her gaze wandered over the dimly lit space before settling on the desk. She extended a slender, pale finger to trace the wooden surface, then delicately picked up a diary. Flipping through its pages, she nodded in understanding.
"I see. I've always wondered what restored your human consciousness," she mused. "I never expected a simple diary to help you remember your name. That explains everything."
Alisa turned to Serena with a gentle smile. "Even after becoming a bear, you're still working so hard, Serena. Teacher is so proud."
Her expression held the genuine warmth of a teacher pleased with a diligent student. But in the next breath, her tone darkened.
"However, things that affect the relationship between teacher and student... are better off gone."
A blue flame ignited in Alisa's hand, consuming the diary in an instant.
"No!" Serena roared, instinctively lunging forward, only to halt as Alisa's chilling smile met its gaze.
Suddenly, several flashes of light erupted around the Bear's massive form. Its body began to blur and distort.
"A teleportation spell?" Yarrow recognized it immediately.
But before the spell could take effect, Alisa merely lifted a finger. The light vanished, extinguished as easily as snuffing out a candle. An invisible force struck the Bear, sending it crashing into a bookshelf. The heavy wooden structure collapsed, burying the beast under a mountain of books.
"Don't try to be clever, Serena. With your level of magic, escaping me is impossible."
The diary had already turned to ashes. Alisa dusted off her hands and wagged a finger at Serena as if scolding a misbehaving child.
"Ugh..." Serena groaned, struggling to lift its head. Its voice trembled. "H-How... how did you find me?"
Alisa sighed, shaking her head in mock exasperation. "My dear, foolish Serena. Did you truly believe I wouldn't leave safeguards on such an important collectible?"
The Bear's gaze darted to a piece of iron lying nearby. Its breath hitched. "But... I already erased the traces on it!" it said, disbelief evident in its voice.
Alisa chuckled, tilting her head. "Oh, my poor, naive disciple. What made you think your magic was strong enough to erase mine?"
She folded her arms. "There was a trigger spell on it. The moment you used it, I knew exactly where to find you."
Serena clenched its teeth, frustration burning in its eyes. "Then... why didn't the spell work? I followed every step recorded in the book."
At this, Alisa burst into laughter—deep, hearty, almost hysterical. She doubled over, clutching her stomach, shaking as she laughed without restraint.
Serena could only watch, trembling.
Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Alisa finally composed herself. "Oh, Serena. Why, you ask?" Her grin widened, eyes glinting with mirth. "Because you're a bear."
Serena stiffened.
Alisa continued, her voice dripping with amusement. "The Reversal Spell only works on humans. It wouldn't work on dragons with the highest bloodline, let alone a mere bear. Did you truly believe it would work on you now?"
Serena's breath hitched. "Then... that means... I can never turn back?"
Alisa's smile turned almost affectionate. "That's right. Once my curse magic takes hold, it is irreversible in this world. There's no way to break it."
The words struck like a death sentence. Serena's body trembled. Despair painted its expression as it staggered, nearly collapsing under the weight of the revelation.
Alisa took a slow breath, her expression softening once more. "Alright, my Serena. Don't be sad. Teacher doesn't blame you. Clean yourself up, and let's go home, okay?"
She extended a hand, her smile gentle—like a mother welcoming a wayward child back into her arms.
Serena's head lowered. After a long silence, it asked, "Teacher... can you tell me why? When you brought me home, you could have cursed me immediately. Why did you spend five years teaching me magic instead?"
Alisa lifted her chin, studying the massive, trembling bear before her. Then, her lips curled into a smirk.
"Because it's fun."
Serena's head snapped up. "Fun?"
Alisa's eyes gleamed, her voice tinged with giddy excitement. "Yes. Don't you think it's fun?" Her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. "Turning a beautiful, proud girl with magical talent and a promising future into a hideous beast... Making all the knowledge and etiquette she once prided herself on meaningless... Reducing her to rolling in mud, eating raw meat, living purely on instinct. Doesn't that sound... delightful?"
Serena's eyes widened in horror. "Just... for fun?"
Alisa chuckled. "Of course, it's also about expanding my collection."
"Collection?"
"That's right. All the animals I raise are my greatest artistic masterpieces."
She took a step closer, voice brimming with unhinged delight. "I travel the world to find the best of humans—young, talented magicians with promise and pride. I nurture them, teach them, let them believe they are destined for greatness..."
Serena could barely breathe, its mind racing with fear.
"And then, just when they think they're about to become true magicians—" Alisa's grin widened, her eyes alight with sadistic pleasure. "I turn them into beasts."
They open their eyes and become dirty, inferior animals! Can you imagine the thrill I feel when I see their pain, their desperation?"
Alisa hugged herself tightly, her face flushed, her voice rising with excitement.
Serena stared at her, disbelief clouding its eyes. "Just... for that?"
Alisa took a deep breath, calming herself, though the flush in her cheeks remained. "You're lucky, Serena. I spared you that despair. You should be grateful—I wiped your memories after turning you into a bear."
She shook her head, a note of regret in her voice. "But alas, I didn't anticipate an anomaly that would restore them."
Her gaze sharpened as she smiled. "No matter. Once we return, I'll train you properly. No magic, just discipline. I'll reshape you into a real beast. That process... will be fascinating, my dear Serena."
Serena took an instinctive step back, baring its teeth. Dense magical energy rippled around it, its blood-red eyes locked onto Alisa.
Seeing this, Alisa's brows lifted in surprise. "Oh? Serena, are you still trying to resist me? You want to fight me? With the magic I taught you?"
A laugh bubbled from her lips, light and mocking. "How amusing. Do you truly think you can defeat me with your pitiful magic?"
Serena clenched its jaw, growling, "How will I know if I don't try, Teacher?"
Alisa's expression darkened, her own magic flaring to life. "Then I suppose I have no choice but to discipline my student properly."
The atmosphere grew thick with tension—until an unexpected voice broke through.
"Uh... this whole conflict between you two doesn't really involve me, right? If not, I actually have chickens to feed at home, so... I'll just be going now. Haha."
The two combatants froze, as if only now remembering the third presence in the room.
Alisa turned her gaze to Yarrow, regarding him with sheer disinterest. "How did this trash get here?"
She barely spared him another thought before lifting a finger, ready to erase him from existence.
"Wait! I have something important to say!" Yarrow suddenly shouted.
Alisa frowned but held her attack. "You have three seconds."
Yarrow smiled slightly. "I'll show you a little magic trick. If it amuses you, can you not kill me?"
Alisa blinked, then scoffed. "What a lunatic."
"Believe me, I'm wondering the same thing," Yarrow muttered. He exhaled sharply, then squared his shoulders and bellowed at the top of his lungs:
"Serena! I like you! Please go out with me!"
Silence.
The cave echoed with his proclamation, making Yarrow want to crawl into a hole and never resurface.
Alisa's eye twitched. "He really is insane."
"So he actually has brain damage," Serena thought blankly.
Then, something shifted.
A strange sensation coursed through Bear's body.
[Achievement Earned! First Active Confession! Whether successful or not, bravely express your love!]
[Female Lead Serena, Binding Successful!]
Yarrow's breath caught. His gamble had paid off.
A familiar golden light enveloped Serena,its massive form dissolving into a more delicate silhouette. When the glow faded, a girl stood where the bear had been.
She had a pretty face, shoulder-length brown hair, fair skin, and soft cherry-red lips. Her figure was undeniably feminine—curved, graceful. But atop her head twitched a pair of unmistakable bear ears.
She was no longer just a bear.
But she wasn't entirely human, either.
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