City of Witches Chapter 353

The Levana Grand Bathhouse is so famously luxurious that there’s a saying: “Until you’ve been to the Grand Bathhouse, you’ve only experienced half of Gehenna’s abundance.”

Even recalling the memory of having visited, it was as splendid as if one had arrived at a legendary resort.

The morning after receiving the tutoring proposal from Count Yesod.

Having stopped by the Yesod Count House since early morning, Siwoo was impressed.

Aside from the fact that, being right next to the Grand Bathhouse, it was equipped with facilities so outstanding they could make one’s eyes pop out, it also exuded an atmosphere entirely different from the Twins’ mansion.

The refined atmosphere of the Gemarnai Mansion comes from the contrast of light and shadow.

First, the deep red carpets laid throughout the mansion and richly saturated wallpapers are used to darken the interior.

Then, extravagant candlesticks and chandeliers are contrasted to create brilliant, dazzling light, literally producing a resplendent and radiant atmosphere.

In contrast, the atmosphere of the Yesod House’s mansion was overwhelmingly bright overall.

Featuring domed and arched architectural structures, rounded columns and utterly unsophisticated, lavish murals lined up in rows.

Since Gehenna itself adopts such a unique architectural style, it’s hard to say definitively, but…

If the Jemernai Count Family has its roots in English or French styles, this one strongly evokes a Roman or Italian feel, perhaps?

It has a stronger sense of openness, and amidst that, doesn’t neglect opulence, so merely walking down the corridor made one feel like a prince visiting a neighboring country’s palace.

Though in reality, I’m just a contract-based tutor.

“Well then, Diana, you’ll listen well to the teacher, right?”

“…Yes.”

“For now, just have fun playing all day long.”

“…Yes.”

“Teacher, please take good care of our Diana.”

“I will do my best.”

“Then I’ll see you this evening~”

With those words, Count Yesod disappeared into the distance.

Although I barely managed to dissuade her from forcibly putting on frameless glasses—some new form of harassment—due to the Count’s demands, wearing the neat butler uniform and the slicked-back hair she insisted on, Siwoo felt his mood grow somewhat heavy.

Just who is this supposed to please…

Looking beside him, Diana stood blankly, seemingly already feeling intense confusion.

Judging by her reaction from the first meeting, it seemed she hadn’t heard any mention of a tutor.

The feeling of having been passed a ticking time bomb must just be my imagination.

“It’s nice to see you again like this.”

Anyway, whatever the case, there’s a goal.

To put it in the Count’s words: making Diana, who has as little initiative as a hibernating rabbit, play diligently and earnestly.

Funds would be provided generously, so whatever it took, the directive was: ‘Make her play with enthusiasm!’

In exchange for the promise of Magic study and research assistance, to secure next week’s contract renewal, I’d need to produce plausible results.

“I’m not even a chick’s-tear worth of happy about it. And use formal speech.”

Despite mustering the energy for a greeting, a curt reply came back.

Her soft-looking lips were pouted far forward, and her healthy-looking cheeks were puffed up with dissatisfaction.

As expected, she didn’t seem pleased with this situation.

“Right now, I’m your tutor. Count Yesod said so too.”

Diana is stubborn by nature.

Moreover, she’s been raised as the precious jewel of the Count House, doted on endlessly, and indeed, as a Witch, a bright future is guaranteed.

To get even a slight hold on the reins of such a Diana, it was necessary to establish the relationship of teacher and student, and the first step to visibly demonstrate that was mutual forms of address.

Of course, not just forms of address, but ‘if possible,’ I even received confirmation of the authority to scold her appropriately.

The Count seemed to have tried to set some ground rules…

“Mom’s gone and it’s just the two of us, so it doesn’t matter. And could you not pretend to be friendly?”

Judging by Diana’s reaction, it didn’t seem very useful.

Showing an unusually sharp reaction, Diana began ambling off somewhere.

“Where are you going?”

“To take a nap. Don’t follow me.”

“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible.”

Judging by the look of things, if I just trust the Count’s words and speak casually and sharply, I won’t even recover my initial investment.

To avoid ruffling Diana’s feathers as much as possible, I first switched to formal speech and followed behind.

“First of all, I’m in a position where I need to show results. It seems I should do something…”

“No matter how much you follow, I’m going to sleep.”

“Even so, I’ll follow to the end.”

“Suit yourself.”

It’s a bit pathetic, but there’s no other way.

For the control of the Red Branch, Count Yesod’s help is indispensable.

For that, I need the cooperation of this young lady, who’s even harder to figure out than the Twins.

A sigh escaped me.

If only there were fixed activities like math tutoring.

The directive to ‘make her do anything’ with a young lady who seems to dislike doing anything was quite a headache.

-Tap tap tap

-Thud thud thud

After that, a somewhat comical scene unfolded.

Diana, walking as if to shake off Siwoo by weaving through the corridors.

Siwoo, trailing closely behind her.

“The weather’s nice, how about fishing outside?”

“…….”

“Or shopping at the Malcut Gallery?”

“…….”

“Or maybe try Magic shooting? I’ve never tried it either, but it looks quite fun.”

“…….”

For this first-time, troublesome tutoring job, Siwoo had done some preliminary research.

He had meticulously researched Gehenna’s entertainment and leisure activities and prepared courses like a concierge.

The problem was, if the person in question doesn’t even listen, no matter how luxurious a course you prepare, it’s all for nothing.

If things continue like this with nothing done, the Count will probably cut Siwoo off without hesitation in a week.

I want to avoid that at all costs.

“Or how about going to the theater to see a performance?”

“…….”

Siwoo, trailing along while she searched for a place to nap, trying to make conversation.

Diana didn’t even look back, stubbornly ignoring him and not responding.

But already, the simmering irritation was visible from behind her head.

Actually, this was half a gamble.

It was like forcing a spoon in front of someone who says they don’t want to eat.

However, Siwoo had already grasped some of Diana’s characteristics to an extent.

According to Count Yesod’s account: chronic lack of motivation and an inherently lazy nature.

These two combined meant she was lazily idle to an unmanageable degree.

But Siwoo knew another side of Diana besides that lazy aspect.

The Diana who came to visit the Witchboard every morning, to the point where one wouldn’t realize she was such a lazybones.Diana, who had been thrashing about in a frenzy after her defeat.

Diana, who wore a triumphant smile and teased Siwoo after her victory.

That's right.

Diana might indeed be lazy.

But even more than that, beneath her lazy nature lies the temperament of a competitor and a fiery disposition that seeks to repay provocation twofold.

Moreover, someone who hates bothersome things can't ignore a person who persistently follows them around, being a nuisance.

"Ugh, come on!"

Just 30 minutes after the tutoring session began, Diana turned to look at Siwoo for the first time.

Her seemingly languid eyes were wide open, and her lips, twisted in displeasure, seemed to scream, 'Just leave me alone!'

Her hair color, eye color, even her height were similar to the Countess's, yet how could their auras be so different?

Siwoo feigned surprise and quipped.

"Finally, you're responding."

"Can't you understand what I'm saying? I have absolutely no intention of playing along with you. Absolutely none?"

Diana had been responding to Siwoo's constant pestering with a turtle-like strategy, but she had finally reached her breaking point.

In the end, she clenched her fists, seethed, and vented her frustration.

"I have no intention of doing anything with you anyway! I'm going to tell Mother tonight and have you fired! You're really getting on my nerves!"

"……."

After her outburst, Diana breathed heavily, panting.

For Diana, who was naturally low on energy and had been losing sleep for the past few nights, shouting was an extreme physical exertion.

"Still, there's no other way. You'll just have to work diligently, at least for today."

"Diligently at tormenting me, you mean…. Do whatever you want. I'm going to ignore you."

Truthfully, Diana wasn't pleased with this situation to begin with.

He was someone she already didn't like much.

Moreover, Diana's mind was currently a tangled mess with all sorts of thoughts.

Her mind had no room to accept this new 'surprise tutor' event.

After all, wasn't Shin Siwoo a 'man'?

Remembering the beastly, filthy image of men from the novel, Diana's heart was swelling with a dense mix of rejection and disgust toward the unfamiliar.

And she was projecting those negative feelings onto Siwoo.

Just like the deliveryman in the novel, she thought, 'Is this man also looking at me with those dirty eyes?'

Even if she had seen him at another time, he would have been an uncomfortable presence. The fact that he had become her tutor by her mother's command and was doggedly following her around was pushing her patience to its limit.

The place they eventually circled back to was Diana's room.

She had thought about napping in the warm sunlight or floating on the Flow pool.

But because of this man, all of that had become a pipe dream.

Still, he probably wouldn't dare follow her in here.

"...? What are you doing now?"

"Huh?"

"This is my room, you know?"

Ignoring Diana's expectations with ease, Siwoo stepped into Diana's living room.

Incredibly nonchalantly.

"I see."

As if he were coming and going from his own home.

"Barging into a lady's room without permission... where on earth did you learn your manners..."

"My apologies, but I must prioritize Countess Yesod's instructions."

Diana was flustered by Siwoo's actions, which surpassed her imagination.

And belatedly, irritation and anger surged within her.

"You think what I'm saying is funny."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry. But for me, this is work."

"Fine, whatever. It's a job you'll lose by tomorrow anyway. Do as you please. Just don't you dare follow me into my bedroom. I really won't be able to hold back then."

Her voice drained of energy from sheer astonishment, Diana grabbed the doorknob.

Then, Siwoo's voice came from behind.

"If I'm truly such a nuisance, how about an activity we can do sitting down? Even though I'm just a one-day tutor, I can't face the Countess if I return without having done anything."

"Hmph, that's your problem."

"What a shame. I thought you might find this appealing, Lady Diana."

"This?"

Glancing back subtly, she saw a familiar spherical object.

Until now, she had forgotten about it due to the intense shock, but it was the crystal sphere of the Witchboard that had engrossed Diana in her studies before she encountered the perverted deliveryman.

"I believe the overall score was 4 to 2, with me in the lead?"

"What does that matter?"

However, Diana's reaction to Siwoo's provocation was lukewarm.

Emotions from minor incidents tend to be diluted by emotions from much larger events.

If it had been before she was burdened with another worry due to the perverted deliveryman, she would have gotten angry immediately.

She would have fallen for the provocation of him mentioning the overall score of 4 to 2.

"Who do you think would fall for such an obvious provocation? I'm not playing, so leave. I won't go far."

"You really won't do it?"

"...Hmph."

A Witchboard is just a game anyway.

Getting worked up over losing one game to a scrawny man she could probably beat in Magic right now is something only children do.

Grabbing the doorknob with a scoff, Diana thought just that.

"It may be presumptuous of me to say, but perhaps..."

That is, until she heard the arrogant words that followed.

"...scared...?"

"Let's do it right now."

Author's Note (Afterword)

Scared?