Chapter 963 – #207_Albiereo’S Close Tutoring (3)
#957
1.
About 30 minutes of waiting alone.
Siwoo was flipping through the etiquette books Albiereo had prepared, skimming through them.
His busy mother-in-law had taken time out of her schedule, so could he just waste time spacing out?
He was using the spare time to do what he could.
“This is dizzying…”
The books, which Odile and Odette had apparently seen a long time ago, looked old.
It made him realize that this project would not be easy.
Of course, Siwoo’s memorization skills were top-tier.
Not just top-tier, but to the point where he could memorize most books after just a quick glance.
But etiquette wasn’t something that could be solved simply by memorization.
Everyone knows that you shouldn’t shake your legs carelessly, but there are times when you shake them without even realizing it.
Like this, lifestyle habits are in the realm of embodiment.
It’s not something that can be done in a short time, but achieved through long periods of discipline and training.
Even though Odile and Odette seemed immature, the fact that an undeniable elegance was evident in every single one of their movements was probably in the same vein.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I…”
His mother-in-law had returned.
Siwoo, who had put down the book and gone to greet her, hesitated.
Countess Albiereo always styled her hair in an elegant chignon.
Moreover, since she played the role of the black swan among the black and white swans, her basic outfit was always pitch black.
But his mother-in-law had changed.
A cool blue dress with frills and jewels here and there.
Elegant yet pure gloves and light makeup like peach blossoms in bloom.
As the finishing touch, her long, curled hair was hanging down.
“…Countess Albiereo, is that you?”
“Who else would it be?”
“I thought you were Odile.”
“Does that mean I look younger?”
“I guess so.”
For a brief moment, he mistook his mother-in-law, who was giggling with her hand over her mouth, for a noblewoman version of Odile.
That is, Odile with a more maternal figure and who had grown taller.
Since their hair and eye colors were exactly the same, it wasn’t strange to make such a mistake.
“Is this also related to the lesson?”
But he had no idea why she had suddenly changed her outfit.
“I guessed why Siwoo was hesitating. I thought you might be instinctively intimidated because I’ve scolded you so much.”
Is that so?
Was the fear of the joint-kicking he had endured so far engraved in his deep subconscious beyond his shins?
Siwoo was thrilled by the unexpected hypothesis, a very credible one at that.
“And unlike Deneb, I’ve heard that I look so venomous, I thought Siwoo would be intimidated. This would be better for practice, right?”
“No, you’re not venomous at all. You’re always beautiful.”
“Hehe, don’t worry, it was intentional. Tying my hair up so that not a single strand falls out, and wearing heavy makeup is to make me look a bit like a fighter. It’s easier to lead the conversation that way.”
“Oh, I’ll take note.”
He had never dreamed that there was such a reason behind his mother-in-law’s always villainous-looking outfits.
As expected, people in high positions need that much invisible effort.
“Okay, okay, now you can do well without being scared, right?”
“Hey, I’m not scared of my mother-in-law. I respect her.”
“Siwoo? Don’t be so slick. One, two, cue!”
While Siwoo was impressed, Albiereo, in the style of Odile, laughed off her son-in-law’s banter and instructed him to act.
“Hello. I’m Shin Siwoo, the president of the academy.”
“I’m Albiereo, the head of the academy.”
“I’ve heard a lot about your academy’s reputation and tradition.”
“Oh, you’re too kind.”
Siwoo greeted her politely as he knew how, and Albiereo slightly lifted her skirt to greet him.
Albiereo’s hand was gently raised as if asking for an escort, and Siwoo bowed to pretend to kiss it.
The moment he was about to grasp her fingertips and kiss her lips.
“Again!”
His mother-in-law’s thunderous voice fell.
“What?!”
“What kind of greeting is that? You’re not thinking of kissing every witch’s hand you meet, are you?”
“No! It’s just a gesture, a gesture!”
“That’s too frivolous! Get rid of your host bar habits! Who taught you that!”
This time, he was truly wronged.
Would he be crazy enough to make up something he didn’t usually do?
That greeting was written in the book his mother-in-law had just brought.
“R-really?”
His mother-in-law was flustered at his protest of injustice.
It seemed that the exchanges of the upper class of witch society were made between witches, so she didn’t know what kind of etiquette men should follow.
“I see… Then there’s no choice. Here you go.”
A little embarrassed, his mother-in-law turned her gaze away and held out one hand.
Siwoo took her hand and continued the role-playing.
2.
“How was it?”
Siwoo had demonstrated everything from the first meeting to the introduction in the role-playing.
Albiereo was crossing her arms and tilting her head.
“It doesn’t seem bad, but I feel like something important is missing.”
There were no NGs.
But it wasn’t satisfactory.
Albiereo’s assessment was that one piece was subtly missing to complete the charisma.
“What part should I improve?”
“Siwoo isn’t exactly from the streets, so it’s passable. To be honest, I don’t know either. It feels like it’s lacking by 2%.”
“It’s difficult…”
“But you did well for the first time. I’m proud of you, Siwoo.”
“It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance.”
After thinking a little more, she finally came up with an interim solution.
“It may be because the overall part isn’t complete yet. In fact, we’ve only just learned how to greet each other at the first meeting.”
“That’s right.”
If he were to take on the role of the head of the academy, he would do more than just greet people.
“You might attend balls, social gatherings in salons, seminars, lectures, and you have to be able to do everything perfectly in various tasks.”
“My head is already spinning.”
“Hmm, good. Let’s learn one by one step by step. If you learn the etiquette for every situation, the atmosphere might be different then. Before that…”
Albiereo slammed the new books she had brought while changing her clothes in front of Siwoo.
The books, which had been stacked from the floor by telekinesis, formed a tower about Siwoo’s height.
And there were three of them.
“This is the history of witch society and the witch records of each family. This is the academy’s administrative operation records and city laws that are open to the secretary’s office, and this is a book about art.”
“……”
“Read them in your spare time during the month I’m giving you private lessons. To the point where you can answer if I poke you in the ribs.”
It wasn’t like he was taking the bar exam, but the amount was enormous.
He was overwhelmed.
“As Siwoo knows, Gehenna is closed off. The moment you’re labeled as an outsider, they’ll unconsciously look at you with prejudice.
So what’s the easiest way to become an insider? Learn the history and participate in conversations without hesitation.
Also, the fact that witches recognize each other at first sight without introducing themselves is very helpful in creating a sense of vanity and inner intimacy unique to witches.”
That was why there was a history book and witch records.
“You’re not thinking of neglecting administrative work as the head of the academy, are you? Even if you leave the planning and long-term vision to the planning department, the final approval and authorization is up to the head of the academy. If you’re too stressed, just decide by flipping a coin.”
That was why there were academy administrative records and city laws.
“Finally, culture is art. I don’t have time to pick out philosophy or humanities books for you one by one, so find them and read them later. The most obvious thing is an artistic eye.
In everyday conversation, appreciation and criticism of works of art will be a means of verifying culture. So, memorize it so that you can tell what era, what style, and whose work it is at a glance, and give a plausible personal opinion.”
That was why there was a book about art.
“Hearing this, it’s more like a…”
“That’s right, it’s a curriculum that any apprentice witch from a somewhat famous family would go through.”
“I see.”
“Odile and Odette have both finished it. Odile and Odette even learned business administration for company management. Siwoo is much older, so a month should be enough, right?”
If he really put his mind to it, he could do it.
But anyone would be overwhelmed by this enormous amount.
Other apprentice witches had learned it from childhood to adulthood, but Siwoo had to cram it all in a month.
The fact that even this was only a ‘part’ of running the academy made him lose his will.
“I’ll do it.”
But he would do it.
To become a man who wouldn’t be ashamed of his lovers,
For Linne and Dorothy, who had given up their freedom for Siwoo’s sake,
And for the power to protect them all.
“Relax your shoulders. You can do it.”
Albiereo’s hand was gently placed on Siwoo’s shoulder as he nodded with a determined expression.
Her slightly cool hand massaged Siwoo’s neck.
“Countess Albiereo…”
He was touched.
No matter how much he was her son-in-law, it wasn’t easy to care and put in so much effort.
“Ugh, that’s disgusting. Don’t look at me like that. If you’re grateful, here’s one more homework.”
Albiereo, who had frowned and shaken off his sparkling gaze, mercilessly gave him additional homework.
“For the time being, live your life acting as the head of the academy in everything you do. Of course, it would be a problem if you were treated like a lunatic, so ask for understanding from those around you. To get used to being a charismatic head of the academy, it’s essential to make training a part of your life, right?”
Siwoo’s face turned pale at the sudden additional homework.
His mother-in-law, in the style of Odile, was also a strict educator.
