City of Witches Chapter 351

Beloved daughter.

Count Yesod's project for motivating the lethargic Diana and instilling diligent living habits.

The project name sounds grandiose, but in truth, Countess Lucy believes she has already tried everything possible for Diana.

Forcing her out of the house with tears in her eyes was mild; she even searched for medicines purported to be good for the body.

The money spent just trying to find enjoyable hobbies for Diana could have bought several splendid villas in Renomond Town.

The result, as you can see, was the same.

For as short as an hour or as long as a week, she would show interest or seem to break free from her slug-like existence, but...

Ultimately, she always returned to square one.

It only added to Count Yesod's sighs.

But recently, things have been a little different.

Due to a 'certain variable' that hadn't existed until now, Diana has been showing unprecedented enthusiasm and passion, seemingly breaking free from her reclusive lifestyle.

That variable refers to the male witch Diana met at the host bar.

Moreover, seeing how despondent she became the moment she could no longer meet that witch, the pieces fit together quite well.

Therefore, Count Yesod decided to prepare a gift and a secret plan for Diana's rehabilitation.

Namely, the idea of making the male witch Diana's private tutor.

"Hmm..."

Thus, after giving Count Gemernai a heads-up in the morning, she personally visited the mansion.

Part of it was curiosity about this male witch who had recently been causing a stir in Gehenna, but more importantly, she couldn't just place any man next to Diana.

She didn't for a moment think that Diana, with her high standards and even higher pride, would fall for a man.

The problematic scenario would be if this male witch, upon seeing the world's most beautiful and adorable Diana, fell head over heels and became clingy.

"Was it this laboratory...?"

The mansion's 12th laboratory.

The Countess held her breath and quietly opened the door to enter.

True to the Zemnarai family, which shows outstanding achievements in various magical tool businesses separate from innate magic, the experimental equipment arranged in the laboratory was also of high grade.

At a glance, it felt like being in an antique shop amidst a parade of antiquated objects, where the back of a man came into view.

A table designed to allow observation of analysis subjects with minimal stimulation.

Above it, a pillar-like object rolled up in something like a Black Ribbon floated.

But at this moment, Countess Lucy's gaze was instinctively drawn not to that unidentified experimental subject.

"My goodness...?"

Do they say a man is defined by his back?

The man's broad back, with a towel draped around his neck, examining a battle magic paper held in his hand.

Muscles sharply cut without the interference of body fat faithfully reflected even the slightest movement.

There was no feeling of ostentation like a bodybuilder's.

Rather, the impression was strong that the muscles were tightly packed and compressed inward.

Countess Lucy, who had been standing dazed and stiff for a while, shook her head flusteredly.

How utterly foolish.

Of course, it was a back very much worth looking at, a back that brought a contented smile just by gazing at it, but the purpose of coming here today wasn't to feast her eyes.

"Excuse me."

Clearing her throat, she called to him in a voice befitting the Countess's dignity—elegant and dignified.

When he, who had been deeply focused, turned to look back.

Countess Lucy momentarily held her breath.

It was her first time seeing a male witch.

Naturally, it was also her first time seeing a man who was a Spirit Body.

There exist various benefits one can gain the moment one becomes a Spirit Body.

Among them, the most noticeable is becoming beautiful.

Like undergoing Bone Transformation, scars and blemishes disappear, and the body takes on the optimal form it can naturally exist in.

And his appearance was indeed beautiful enough to glimpse the efficacy of a Spirit Body.

Like his back, slightly sweat-dampened black hair, eyes moist with melancholy, and a sharp jawline.

Judging just by this, he was clearly the kind of pretty-faced man Countess Lucy disliked the most.

But the prominently protruding Adam's apple and gymnast-like muscles that didn't pale in comparison to his back.

Adding to that a leather eyepatch that seemed to have seen quite a few hardships, he exuded masculinity.

The man, who had been looking at the Countess with a surprised expression, gave a slight smile and bowed his head politely.

"It is an honor to meet such a noble person."

At this point, the Countess was a bit more surprised.

Because she sensed polite speech and manners that seemed ingrained in his body.

With his exceptional looks combined with a gentlemanly attitude, the Countess felt her heart squeeze tightly.

Feeling flustered over a man.

It was a sensation she hadn't felt in a very long time, familiar yet somehow foreign.

"You must be Countess Lucy Yesod."

When he discerned her identity and even called her by name.

The Countess had to tightly suppress the corners of her mouth that were rising contentedly.

Satisfaction Stack 1: from the fact that even a man who had just become a witch recognized her, indicating her fame.

"You know of me?"

"Yes, I was deeply impressed while studying the First Law of the Yesod Magic Power Field authored by Your Ladyship."

Lowering his gaze without seeming servile.

Satisfaction Stack 2: from being praised for her Magic Research results through well-controlled body language.

The Countess steadied the corners of her mouth that threatened to twitch and asked while subtly averting her gaze.

No.

Actually, she wanted to avert her gaze, but her eyes kept drifting back.

He looked incredibly solid...

A desire to touch him suddenly surged.

"By the way... do you always conduct research dressed like that?"

"My apologies. I just finished sparring."

The man, at the Countess's remark, unhurriedly put on a white shirt.

The pure white fabric fluttered, and a wild, sweaty scent wafted over.

This, too, was a scent she hadn't smelled in a very long time.

The sight of him adjusting his shirt cuffs was almost maddening, so the Countess bit the inside of her cheek and composed herself.

She came without much thought, but he was so handsome and his physique so good that it caused agitation—but that was it.

No matter how lonely she had been all these long years, if she were the type to be so distracted by this level of stimulation, she would have met other men long ago.

Therefore, she had no intention of being swept away by momentary impulses or making a fool of herself in front of him.

Let's test him appropriately around this point.

"Might I ask what business brings you here?"

Countess Lucy calmed her foolishly racing heart and faced him.

Seeing him up close, he was even more incredible.This is not to satisfy personal desires, but for a test.

Repeating that to herself, she undid his buttons one by one.

"The buttons are fastened incorrectly."

Licking her parched lips since a moment ago, she slowly undid each button on his shirt.

Unfortunately, the pectoral and abdominal muscles hidden beneath the shirt were revealed once more.

She gently placed her hand on the chest she had wanted to touch since earlier and softly stroked it with her fingertips.

Perfectly firm.

And it was still hot, as if the warmth from exercise lingered.

"This research lab... Do people visit often?"

If he were a man weak to temptation, he would likely succumb here.

He might wrap his arms—those with bulging veins—around her waist and say, "Shall we go somewhere quieter?"

If so, then unfortunately...

Unfortunately...

Unfortunately?

Well, unfortunately, he would no longer be qualified to be Diana's tutor.

Because it would mean he lacked self-control even in the face of such light temptation.

"Count Gemernai visits occasionally. And I still haven't received an answer as to why the Countess came to see me."

With a sharp refusal, he brushed off the Countess's hand. Seeing his demeanor, the Countess sighed inwardly.

Test passed.

As she had heard from Deneb before, he didn't seem to be a person without principles.

But what was this feeling of having to lightly lick a deliciously sugar-coated donut and then put it down...?

Now that things had come to this, it was time to get to the main point.

"The reason I came here is because I have a proposal for you."

Countess Yesod was a Witch who spoke in a very archaic manner, like a queen who had stepped out of a play.

After what seemed to be some kind of test.

Siwoo obediently sat in a chair and listened to the Countess's proposal.

"A tutor? Me?"

"Yes, as I explained earlier, a tutor to cure our Diana's... well, laziness."

Siwoo wasn't a Witch with a magically solid foundation, so he wondered what she meant by suddenly offering a tutoring position.

And her proposal was much simpler than he had imagined.

"How exactly am I supposed to cure her laziness?"

"Keeping her company during her leisure time and finding various things to play... something like that?"

"Is that really all?"

"Yes."

Countess Yesod expressed her intention to hire a tutor to cure the laziness of her Apprentice Witch, Diana Yesod.

Until now, the only side of Diana he had seen was her energetic self, eagerly rushing to play games, so he hadn't noticed at all.

It seemed that was her inherent nature.

"Of course, I don't intend to make you work for free. If there's something you want, tell me. Our Yesod family is clear about give and take."

Seeing him appear to ponder, the Countess made another offer.

This was a golden opportunity.

If he could receive help from the Yesod family, the control issues of the Red Branch, which he had been struggling with alone, would be put on the right track.

It meant he wouldn't have to go through bumpy trial and error, dragging a cart with his bare body as he was now.

But merely becoming a play tutor for an Apprentice Witch—would that warrant assistance in Magic Research involving innate magic?

Thus, he cautiously asked.

"I'm currently studying something related to barrier fields... Could you help me with that?"

"Helping with research? That's fine. Let's do that."

Fortunately, Countess Yesod readily nodded and looked at the Red Branch on the table.

"You want to handle this, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Hmm, it might be disappointing to say this while asking a favor... but I'll consider this Contract relationship as something renewed weekly, not permanent. If Diana doesn't... well..."

"Shin Siwoo."

"Thank you. Anyway, if Diana doesn't take a liking to Mr. Shin Siwoo, then I won't need to make time to help you either."

"I understand."

That much was within expectations.

Unlike a Baron, which is more or less an honorary position, a Countess is often heavily involved in managing Gehenna. Just look at Count Gemernai—she's incredibly busy with Magic Research and managing her business.

From the start, being able to receive research assistance from a Countess-level Witch in exchange for a simple job like a play tutor was an exchange at the level of exploitation.

"Shall we take a look right away? So this is the Red Branch that Enemy Knight was said to be carrying."

"Right now?"

"Yes, I'm personally interested as well. Could you release the seal?"

The Countess had been more proactive than Siwoo expected since earlier.

It was a situation where a veteran was stepping in to help clear a stage he was stuck on.

There was no reason to hesitate, but there was one concern.

"Countess Yesod, forgive my impertinence, but there are too many magical tools here. If I release the seal here..."

Seeing Siwoo's worried expression, Countess Yesod laughed as if tickled.

Her eyes, brimming with laughter, turned toward Siwoo as if finding him cute.

"Oh my? You're much more cautious than you look. I can handle that much. But if you're really worried..."

Countess Yesod snapped open a white fan.

With a silver magical reflection reminiscent of pure moonlight, her beautiful voice recited the activation word as if singing.

"O pure intellect."

Simultaneously, multiple layers of barrier fields enveloped the inside of the research lab.

Due to the light emanating from the barrier fields themselves, the lab seemed several times brighter.

At the same time, the magic power inside the barrier fields stabilized completely.

It had transformed into a place like a sterile room, fixed so that no variables could occur.

To be able to deploy dozens of layers of barrier fields—which Siwoo would struggle to mimic even one—so naturally, as if breathing.

Even Siwoo, who lacked knowledge about barrier fields, could understand why she was renowned as a Countess.

"Now, please release it, Mr. Shin Siwoo."

The Countess poked Siwoo's side, who was blinking in surprise, urging him on.

Author's Note (Afterword)

The guest in the drawing room and Mother...