Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: 2. Teaching the Apprentice Witch (2)
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Apart from my pounding headache right now, I had at least found a solution.
The genius Neria, who was always hearing such praise, had holed herself up in her room playing games nonstop because she was already terrified of having sex with men to replenish her mana.
So, if I could just show this innocent Apprentice Witch that sex wasn't always that painful, wouldn't it resolve things far more simply than expected?
"...It doesn't hurt?"
"Yes. Of course, your first time might hurt quite a bit."
But reality wasn't so straightforward.
"Liar. You're just making shit up because you want to fuck me, right? Using the excuse that 'only the first time hurts'?"
"Why on earth would I lie in a situation like this, Witch Lady...?"
"Then why do guys act like such animals? Not just in novels, but in videos too—they grab the girl's slim hips and slam into her like they're trying to break her."
"......"
Because they were horny as hell, obviously.
Such thoughts wriggled in my mind, but saying them outright to Neria—who had somehow absorbed a warped knowledge of sex—wouldn't convince her at all.
It might even deepen the misunderstanding...
If she shot back with something like, Your point is that men turn violent when they're excited!, we'd just go around in circles again.
"And how could that not hurt? Sticking something that big into such a tiny hole over and over...!"
"It's hard for me to explain exactly, but the human body is built for it. Bluntly put, it's not just for sex—it's the same passage a baby comes out of, right?"
"That's why giving birth hurts so much, isn't it? Not that it matters for witches, but I've heard plenty of women die in childbirth."
"Well......"
Is a baby the same as a dick?
Such retorts squirmed inside me, but there was a better counter ready to go.
I voiced that instead.
"Neria. You've read a bunch of novels and watched videos, right?"
"...Y-Yeah, so?"
"In those videos, when the sex was in full swing, did the women look like they hated it or were in pain?"
Novels might focus only on the pain in rare cases, but standard porn usually showed both sides enjoying it.
And unless Neria had stumbled on some weird, niche genre, the women were definitely into it.
Pretty clever argument, if I do say so myself.
As I quietly patted myself on the back, Neria leaned back hard against her chair and countered.
"They were moaning like they were in agony. Like, ahh~ ahh~."
"......"
I'm gonna lose my mind.
"That's the sound they make because it feels good. Not because it hurts."
"...Huh? What bullshit is that? Why would you make that noise if it feels good? Might as well hum a tune."
"Well... for example......"
Could this idiot witch seriously have never masturbated in her life?
I pressed the knuckle of my index finger hard into my brow.
"......"
"What's the example?"
...Now that I thought about it, not a single good example of a moan came to mind.
Was there really nothing, or was I just blanking?
There had to be at least one...
"You gonna give an example or what?"
"...I can't think of one right now. Sorry."
"Hah...? Look at you...?"
This wasn't going well.
I'd messed up, so time to step back.
As I tried to retreat without further damage, Neria—now even more triumphant—leaned in close.
Not literally, just figuratively.
"Civil Servant Nam Dowon. Just be honest. You're trying to take advantage of me feeling guilty to do something weird, aren't you? Confess, and I'll let it slide. I was wrong too."
"No, I swear."
"Suspicious... You're acting really suspicious..."
"I just couldn't think of a good example. Everything I've said so far is true. Why would I lie?"
"Hmm? Talking in circles means you're hiding something, right?"
"What are you even—"
I'm protesting because I'm innocent—how does that make sense?
Reminded me of that nonsense about strong denials being strong admissions. (And yeah, this example pissed me off because it came easily.) I let out a slow breath and continued.
"...Neria."
"I'm listening."
"The women in those videos didn't hate sex. If they did, they wouldn't have filmed it. Any objections?"
"Hm. No."
"So you agree they enjoyed it?"
"Hmmm... Fine, let's say."
"Then, do people really like pain on purpose?"
"Hmmmm......"
There are masochists who enjoy pain, sure.
But those words stayed tucked between Neria's lips.
Porn was mainstream enough that calling all the women in it masochists felt off, even to her.
"So you're saying it's not a lie, and it really feels good...?"
"Not always, but yeah. Like I said, it can hurt at first. But once you get used to it enough that the pain fades, some people get hooked... Something like that."
"......"
Neria fell silent for a moment.
Her chin dipped slightly, half-hidden inside her zipped-up hoodie.
"...Honestly, your words make some sense. But."
"......"
"I can't fully believe you."
"I get it. Fixing a preconception is tough."
"Don't call it a preconception—it's common sense. Think about it. If I smacked your cheek like this—papapapa—it'd hurt, right?"
"...Yeah."
"So a guy slamming his body into mine during sex should hurt too. Agreed?"
She threw the question back at me, mirroring my earlier style.
I had no perfect comeback, so I nodded.
"And getting used to it makes it feel good? Come on, at least make it believable."
"It will get better. Otherwise, how do people fuck all the time without issue?"
"Hmmm..."
"But if you still can't believe me..."
"Don't tell me—you're gonna say something cliché like 'try it with me and see'?"
"No. Forcing sex now would just leave you with a bad first-time memory and make you avoid it more."
"Then?"
"......"
One idea came to mind.
"How about just trying the step before that?"
"The step before...? ...Foreplay? Right?"
"Yes. Just light stimulation with fingers shouldn't be too scary. No insertion needed."
"......But what's the point? It's not sex. No semen comes out."
"I get what you're saying, but it does have meaning. It's a good way to experience sexual pleasure indirectly, instead of jumping straight to the scary sex."
"......"
"Would you hate even that?"
"...Dunno... Hmm..."
She'd been negative about sex the whole time, so she still looked hesitant.
I'd probably react the same if some weirdo kept spouting nonsense.
Like if they claimed jumping into a roaring fire feels great—how would anyone buy that without proof?
We'd have a long Q&A to verify the logic.
I totally got it.
So.
"...Here's an addition: If you say stop, I'll quit immediately, no matter what."
"Stop immediately, huh..."
"If you really want, you could just use magic to restrain me—no need for promises."
"True. As if a mere human could do anything..."
I eased her worries a bit.
Whatever this lowly civil servant tried—even if it turned a little lewd—her magic could end it instantly.
It was purely to satisfy her curiosity.
"......"
After my best efforts at persuasion, finally.
Neria glanced between the cooling fried rice and my face.
"......If I sense any funny business, we're done."
The fried rice vanished in no time.
Since I'd made plenty to begin with, even her picking at it barely made a dent.
I stacked the empty plates neatly in the sink with the wiped-down frying pan.
The leftover ingredients from cooking went shoved into the fridge corner.
My job was done.
I even waited while she insisted on ordering frozen fried rice.
And after she said she'd turn off the computer, I sat there until the power actually shut down.
All her subtle time-wasting? I waited without a word.
It wouldn't take long anyway.
Just fifteen minutes later than expected, Neria and I returned to my cell together.
"......"
"......"
I was a little tense myself, but seeing her next to me made me feel fine by comparison.
Was she always this stiff?
Her arms and legs seemed to move in sync, like a robot.
She stopped right in front of the bed.
She was already tugging her hoodie zipper even higher, so I asked softly.
"Neria. Before we start, one thing I want to ask..."
"W-What?"
"Since we'll be touching a lot, better to get permission upfront."
"S-So what is it...?"
"...During foreplay, is it okay if I hold you from behind?"
"...From behind...?"
"Yes. Face-to-face is fine too, but I figured you'd prefer not seeing my face..."
"......"
"Is that okay?"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......Do whatever."