Chapter 895 – #195_Proposal (2)
#889
1.
I had heard many rumors, but this was my first time stepping into the Red Roof Salon.
The atmosphere was like several Geminai reception rooms combined into a spacious hall, with dim lighting reminiscent of a Takashone host bar.
Having become somewhat accustomed to the Gehenna aristocratic sensibility, I could accept this much without difficulty.
“It’s an honor to meet you all. Some of you may already know me, but I am Shin Siwoo.”
However, I couldn’t get used to the gazes pouring down on me.
Wasn’t it because I disliked the lustful eyes that desired something precious and the excessive flirting that I avoided places with many witches?
Moreover, if those gazes were the burning stares of the peerless witch sisters, it was natural for one’s body to shrink back.
“I would like to make an attractive proposal to you all here today.”
However, at this point, when I had resolved to use everything I could, excessive attention was welcome.
I intentionally remained silent until all the witches in the room were focused on me.
A witch adjusting her disheveled dress and straightening her posture.
A witch taking off her glasses and staring with wide, curious eyes.
A witch leaning half her upper body over the terrace railing, showing interest.
During that time, I organized my thoughts one last time.
The mortal realm was in danger, and Siwoo couldn’t act rashly.
Therefore, I planned to bring as many witches as possible to support the mortal realm.
However, appealing to the kindness of witches was a foolish choice.
For most witches, the most important things were ‘themselves’ and ‘magic.’
In other words, this was a place where I had to sell a jade mat to the most difficult individualists and pragmatists in the world.
“As you all know, a large number of homunculi are landing in the mortal realm in a legion. Currently, many witches in the mortal realm are cooperating to fight on the East Sea to stop the landing.”
“I was wondering what it was…”
One witch’s disheartened whisper echoed in the silence as if it were uninteresting.
I ignored it and continued.
“Conversely, that means that a lot of prey is gathered in one place. It’s not often that you get such an easy opportunity to obtain the eggs of gnosis.”
“Mr. Male Witch, I’m sorry, but this isn’t that kind of place.”
“If you want to hire mercenaries, you’d be better off going to Border Town or Witch Point, wouldn’t you?”
Look at this.
After just two sentences, half of them were looking at me as if I were a peddler.
‘Let’s all unite for the sake of the world!’ was just an empty echo from a witch’s perspective.
You had to understand that about 20% of all the witches in Gehenna had never even been to the mortal realm.
“Most of the homunculi currently in the legion are named. In addition, the subjugation force is formed around the martial god Tiphereth. Is there any other opportunity to hunt with such guaranteed safety?”
One witch, unable to bear the lukewarm indifference, stepped forward.
“Shin Siwoo, it’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
I knew her.
She was one of the witches who had received private tutoring from me before.
“I understand your intentions, but that’s not a good enough proposal. If the subjugation is successful, the eggs of gnosis will come to Gehenna anyway, and most of them will be auctioned off in this salon. There’s no need to take risks for something that can be solved with gold.”
She spoke gently, as if trying to protect a young witch who didn’t yet understand the atmosphere, representing everyone’s feelings.
It was a kindness born from goodwill.
On the other hand, there were also witches who openly expressed their displeasure.
“The legion is landing in Korea, and you’re from Korea, right? I understand your noble heart to protect your homeland, but if you want to make a proposal, you have to put an equal weight on the other side of the scale.”
“It’s unpleasant to see such a blatant attempt to get something for nothing.”
“Do you know how much we’re worth?”
No, there were quite a few.
But I, Siwoo, understood the nature of witches early on.
I had expected that complaints would leak out about the uninvited guest who had stolen their leisurely break time.
“I understand what you mean. Furthermore, I haven’t made my proposal yet. I will promise three things in exchange for your accompaniment and assistance in the mortal realm.”
“Don’t overdo it, okay?”
“As you might guess, I plan to help stop the landing. Therefore, I will be on the front lines.”
You might wonder what’s the big deal, but this implied a significant meaning.
I, Shin Siwoo, was the first male witch to demonstrate meaningful magical achievements.
For such a Shin Siwoo to say, ‘I’ll show you something!!’ in a real battle and put on a fantastic show.
That in itself was to personally verify the effectiveness of the thesis.
“Is that all? Anyway…. There will be many witnesses anyway, so you can get that kind of thing on video, right? There are always young ones who don’t know their place.”
I ignored the blue-haired witch who was not openly picking a fight but was making snide remarks to herself.
This alone wouldn’t be enough.
I was just laying a subtle groundwork for the impact.
“Also, my paper registered in the Secretarial Archives this time is an outdated, early model, as of now.”
“……?”
The zipper on the blue-haired witch’s mouth was fastened.
“I will provide a more advanced version of the paper unconditionally in exchange for your accompaniment.”
A commotion, incomparable to when I first appeared, swept through the salon.
It was a murky current mixed with doubt, suspicion, and the desire for new knowledge that offset the dull emotions.
“Can you take responsibility for that statement?”
“If you’re just saying anything to get out of the situation, you’ll have to face the backlash.”
“Say it on your witch’s name.”
Right now, the scales were leaning more towards doubt, but I had no intention of explaining each one.
Even this was just groundwork.
“And lastly. I plan to establish an academy as soon as I return from the mortal realm. And, I will provide an invitation to those who have helped me, before anyone else.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the salon became noisy as if the volume button had been accidentally turned.
In fact, establishing an academy itself was not that special.
Not all academies were large-scale ones like the Truth and Enlightenment Society or the Emerald Tablet; there were hundreds of small academies like research or academic study groups.
If you submitted a suitable site and building, a few documents, and thirty gold coins to the city hall, you could be recognized as an academy.
Therefore, the most important thing was ‘who’ belonged to the academy.
“And you’ll be there too, right?”
“Of course. Basically, we will be focusing on knowledge sharing, exchange, academic research, and activities, and joint membership with other academies will also be free.”
And I knew.
After the last paper review, I had proven my potential.
At that time, I was furious at the accuser, Lisenne, but thanks to that, my value had skyrocketed.
I had become a rising star, garnering everyone’s expectations and curiosity.
The letters that flew to my mansion every day numbered over 100, proving it.
“Hmm, not bad? You know how to negotiate, don’t you?”
“Interesting.”
The witches, with their expressions softened, were each calculating on their abacuses.
The risks and returns of going to the mortal realm.
They were probably thinking about the rewards they would receive if they helped the male witch who had suddenly declared the establishment of an academy.
Being a part of the academy established by me meant that they could interact relatively easily with the male witch, who was not even easy to meet within the confines of the Geminai Count’s family.
Rather, it was a much more appealing product than a paper that could not prove its value immediately.
“I also want to have the honor of working with as many of you as possible, but the situation is urgent, so I can’t give you enough time. I’ll be waiting at the immigration office in one hour from now.”
My idea of establishing an academy was not something I had improvised on the spur of the moment.
It was also the first step to compensate for the limitations of the ‘individual’ that I had felt so deeply until now.
There were limits to what I could do alone.
There were limits even with the help of my lovers.
To survive as a male witch that everyone coveted, I needed to become something beyond just an individual.
Even if it started as a small, insignificant academy, if I could gather enough talented people and make many ‘my people.’
Like Duke Erelim, like Duke Metis of the Secretarial Archives, like the Gold Witch of Hexennacht, if I could have my own foundation.
The number of cards I could choose from when such a situation occurred would also increase significantly.
I couldn’t rely on others forever, could I?
After I left, the witches’ reactions were divided into three.
“I still don’t like it. Who knows what might happen?”
“I’m not interested in a club academy that just puts up a sign.”
“And what about the paper? After the last review, he’s been so arrogant, and how long has it been since he’s come up with another new paper?”
Witches who expressed their doubts about my proposal and were sullenly glued to the sofa, expressing their displeasure at having their break time disturbed.
“We have to go right away. I even gave him a standing ovation at the last review, you know?”
“I need to call my friends too.”
“I had a home visit last time, and he wasn’t a man who said empty words.”
“With that much sincerity, I should let myself be fooled.”
Witches who were intrigued by the interesting proposal and were willingly getting ready to go to the mortal realm.
“Well, he’s handsome, so I guess I’ll just watch him fight from the side.”
“I didn’t have anything to do anyway, so this is perfect.”
“Wow…. I just imagined hearing ‘Princess, it’s dangerous, so stay behind.’”
“I know that guys who look that pretty are usually perverts at night.”
“Really? Oh my, he doesn’t look like it. Then, will he really grab my hair?”
Witches who were just following along to try and talk to me because I was handsome.
I had even made sure to wear a stylish suit, aiming for that.
