Chapter 1001 – #214_학회 창립식(2)
#995
1.
The founding ceremony is held in the newly renovated banquet hall of the Tiferet Mansion.
The banquet hall of the Tiferet Mansion, both in size and aesthetic refinement, was nothing short of spectacular.
It was more like a scene from a chaebol’s third-generation European luxury hotel wedding than a witches’ society founding ceremony.
It is because, even if it is a solemn and rigid official schedule, there is a keynote that pursues aesthetic value in the gatherings of witches.
In response to this keynote, the banquet hall, which had been prepared under the leadership of Albireo, was close to perfect.
On the platform, lighting and seating arrangements were subtly designed to evoke authority.
High ceilings and chandeliers provided an open, airy feel, and drapery filled the empty spaces without feeling awkward.
From the centerpieces on the tables to the spaces behind the pillars, the lavish fresh flower decorations made it seem as if a garden had been moved indoors.
The interior decoration, which teetered on the edge of not feeling like extravagance, showed the know-how of Albireo, who had lived as the head of a count’s family for many years.
“…….”
The society’s founding ceremony, which had opened up even the indoor terrace seats, had a total of 1,200 seats.
Siwoo felt an indescribable sense of pressure from the crowd that had rushed in as soon as the rehearsal was over.
“It’s packed.”
Invitations were sent not only within Gehenna but also to the mortal realm.
Moreover, the founding ceremony was postponed for a week due to scheduling delays.
Isn’t it a well-known fact that witches are slow to move?
Even when holding official events, the attendance rate is usually below 70%.
However, the current attendance rate is a whopping 90%.
Considering that there are still 10 minutes left until the start of the society’s ceremony, it is a truly record-breaking attendance rate.
If this were purely due to interest in the society, I would be overjoyed…
But knowing that it’s not, my stomach is twisting.
Albireo, who was checking Siwoo’s attire for the last time, said as if it were nothing.
“Everyone must be curious. The first male witch, and that witch buys the Tiferet Mansion and opens a society, and on top of that, there’s a scandal. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if I were them.”
“Maybe we should be grateful to that gossip magazine.”
Perhaps this incident will be recorded as the most successful viral marketing in the history of Gehenna?
“That depends on how well Siwoo does. Okay, that’s it. Check in the mirror.”
“Looks good.”
“Are you ready?”
For what purpose was the charisma project honed?
In addition, a meticulous plan was established, and clear differentiators from other societies were prepared.
Siwoo tightened his tie and replied.
“Of course.”
Now, all that remains is to do his best and prove his efforts so far.
2.
The witches invited to the founding ceremony went through a rather strict selection process.
If invitations were based on wealth or power in Korea, it would immediately cause an uproar, but in Gehenna, a meritocracy and a hierarchical society, such measures are not uncommon.
The primary criterion was to be of the 17th rank or higher, and the secondary criterion was to be a member of a small but strong society targeted for recruitment.
As a result of inviting only witches who passed these strict selection criteria, the banquet hall was filled with prominent figures.
Among the members of the Emerald Tablet, there were Meigas-level witches, who were second only to the society’s president.
The heads of the academic departments of the Truth and True Name Academic Conference, who attended without exception even though they were only invited for formality.
The senior librarians and advanced librarians of the Secretarial Office, led by Librarian Gremory.
Several witches who held the title of ‘noble’ in Gehenna, though not affiliated with any particular organization.
The presidents and members of small but strong societies with solid foundations and long histories, such as the Trinity Academy, Forget-Me-Not Garden, Moonlight Witches’ Society, Blue Pillar Corridor, Blue Moon Royal Society, and Golden Flame Pilgrims, each with around 100 members.
“There are so many impressive people.”
“It didn’t seem like this many at the last meeting.”
“Is Count Gremory the type of person to come to such an event?”
“Count Kohab is here, but I don’t see Duke Erelim?”
“Hmph, would that person even care about such things?”
The VIP seats prepared for each society or organization were filled with great witches who were usually hard to see.
It seemed like all the influential figures of Gehenna had gathered.
It is also the ability of the host to bring in such hard-to-invite guests.
This was also the result of Albireo fully utilizing his connections.
Of course, even these prominent figures are, in essence, witches.
The essential characteristic of witches that brought them to this place is curiosity.
Naturally, amidst the crowd’s murmuring, there were observations about the current situation and speculations based on interest.
“What kind of mindset would lead someone to make such a scene?”
“How would I know? Anyway, they must have spent a fortune.”
“I’ve heard the Tiferet Mansion is beautiful, but I didn’t know it was this much.”
“By the way, isn’t Duke Tiferet also Shin Siwoo’s mistress?”
“Shhh, you shouldn’t say such things out loud.”
“Be quiet over there. You have no manners.”
“Who would want to go to a society run by a horny baron? They’ll just eat well and wipe their mouths.”
“If you invite guests, it’s polite for the host to go around and greet them, tsk tsk. They lack the basics.”
“Still, their sense is quite good, isn’t it? I’m honestly looking forward to the after-party ball.”
“It certainly seems arrogant to hold such an event without properly addressing the scandal.”
“Objectively speaking, I know he’s a great person, but isn’t it still too early?”
Thus, most of the comments were close to gossip, and even the witches who tried to remain neutral expressed opinions leaning towards ‘too early’ or ‘not yet proven.’
Just as the headline of the Dandelion, ‘A reckless young baron’s dash towards self-humiliation,’ was flashing in my mind.
-Tap tap tap
Suddenly, silence descends upon the surroundings.
In contrast to the overall dark interior space, the platform is illuminated by a dazzling light.
A man walks onto the platform, parting the curtain of light, without the usual introduction from a host.
The crowd, which had been surging with the waves of noise, gradually closes their mouths and focuses their attention on the echoing sound of his shoes.
A cold, tightly closed mouth and a sharp expression.
A sculptural appearance and, in contrast, a somewhat rough atmosphere created by an antique eye patch.
His attire itself was not very formal.
Sleeves rolled up halfway, comfortably fitting dress pants, and a rather roughly tied necktie.
In the strange tension that had descended like a tightly pulled handkerchief.
“…Wow.”
A sigh uttered softly by someone echoes.
Most of the witches gathered here were already aware of Shin Siwoo’s existence and knew his face.
Shin Siwoo, who had been cooped up in the mansion, had also wandered around Gehenna quite a bit, and had shown his face in public a couple of times while undergoing verification for plagiarism.
But is it true that the position makes the person?
Or should I say that the rumors about him manipulated their brains?
The atmosphere is different.
That’s right.
That man is the Count of Hexennacht and the subjugator who single-handedly slaughtered Urshula Himmelslauf, the ‘Witch of Reverse Heaven,’ the main culprit behind this flood incident.
He is the savior who finally obtained the floodgates and ended the chaos of the century.
He is a pioneer who is writing a new history by achieving the realm of a great witch in the body of a mere man.
No matter how much the gossip magazines circulating in the world treat him as a ridiculous gigolo, that much is an unchanging truth.
His expression was unwavering even in the face of the public’s gaze, which would have been filled with ridicule and contempt.
An ego that feels overwhelmingly large.
The confidence stemming from firm conviction can be felt from the way he walks.
When everyone’s attention was focused on the platform, a low, heavy voice amplified by magic rang out.
“I am Shin Siwoo, the president of the Hesed Society.”
He looked around slowly, making himself known without being either humble or arrogant.
It was as if all of this was a staged play.
“…Cool, isn’t he?”
“Well, he’s not bad.”
“He would have been a huge success if he had been an actor.”
In fact, it was indeed staged.
He went up and down the platform at least thirty times to direct this entrance scene.
-Clap clap clap clap
The dry applause of the witches, who belatedly came to their senses, passed by dryly, and Shin Siwoo spoke again.
“Before anything else, I would like to present the vision and operating policy of the Hesed Society.”
Straight to the point without any ceremonial greetings or flowery words to thank the invited guests.
While formalities are generally used in a negative sense, they cannot be said to have no value of their own.
Social networks, the succession of traditions, the expression of unique meanings, psychological guidance, etc., all have their own uses, so they are maintained.
In that sense, it is quite an unconventional approach.
Nevertheless, Shin Siwoo’s style, atmosphere, and the strangely lingering charisma give plausibility to his unconventional actions.
It’s like the freedom of someone who is not bound.
The unpredictable actions and words of an unpredictable being.
Even this is a directorial tool to show novelty and innovation.
In addition, it was also a strategy to present the most important agenda when everyone’s eyes and attention were focused.
“I am not trying to deny the traditions of Gehenna. The unique values and virtues of tradition. There must be valid reasons for things that have been maintained for a long time.
The city ordinances that regulate the buildings of Gehenna, the infrastructure that does not rely on science unlike the mortal realm, I know that this is not a blind adherence to the past, but the physiology of witches who value tradition and discipline, and I respect it.”
The audience tilted their heads at the somewhat unexpected remarks.
He said he would hold a founding ceremony and present the society’s operating policy and vision, but suddenly he’s giving a cultural critique.
Moreover, the underlying dogmatic attitude is enough to offend the pride of arrogant witches.
Just before the murmuring spread like wildfire.
“However, magic should not be like that.”
Siwoo asserts.
“Inheriting the legacy of the past and moving forward innovatively. Not repeating existing discourses, but conducting fierce arguments in a free atmosphere.
I believe that this is the essence of magic and the ideal that witches should pursue.
However, the current society system in Gehenna is, to be honest, stagnant.
Due to the limitations of self-magic, which is a one-person-one-transmission system, it is difficult to have broad discussions, cooperation between societies is limited, and exchanges between other society members are also limited to the means of ‘home visits’.”
This was a question that Siwoo had long held.
Self-magic is clearly an achievement that only an individual can achieve, but its foundation is, in any case, common magic.
In comparison, discussions or teachings about common magic were generally exchanged between society members, or between individuals, or indirectly through academic journals.
In other words, the concept of ‘someone giving teachings about magic’ only existed between witches and apprentice witches.
“Our Hesed Society aims to break away from the existing framework and present a new system with the goal of broad knowledge sharing and mutual advancement.”
This is the long-standing tradition that Siwoo wants to break.
The answer to this is as follows.
“It is a lecture by witches, for witches, and for witches. In short, a higher education institution for witches who have completed their inheritance. A magic university.”
It is a magic university.
Abe Lincoln speech?