Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva
Chapter 911 - 69: Afternoon Breeze_2

Tilan slightly nodded after listening to the entire discussion, "Then I'll come back tomorrow."

"Hmm, Zi Jin must still have work and temporary jobs keeping her busy, right? If timing conflicts, you can always let me know later," Alanna was rather understanding.

Afterward, everyone finished their barbecue, and since it was getting late, they dispersed.

...

The next day.

In the morning, Tilan stayed at the pet hospital as usual, helping clients analyze their pets' training and progression issues while handling some store chores. It was quite fulfilling—she scarcely had any time left to relax and read books as she usually did.

"Where are you planning to go this afternoon, Zi Jin?" After lunch, Lemon Fruit walked over, wearing a lemon-yellow dress today.

"What's the purpose of that question?" Lemon Fruit rarely asked about destinations out of curiosity.

"Well, there's a black lion I have here. If you're going for a walk or a drive out in the countryside, you can take it along," Lemon Fruit opened her personal terminal, and a projection of a mighty black lion appeared, accompanied by detailed data.

Name: Black Prince

Transcendent Profession: Primordial Sequence 5 · Wilderness Black Lion

Note: Pet partner stored by Client No. 17831, personality stable.

Strength Evaluation: Rare Condensed Bead Level

Safety Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

"Its owner is 'Darksy Matrix' executive 'Qiao Feng' Emily. But this busy lady has a packed schedule and often can't take care of her beloved pet properly. She doesn't want to keep it locked up at home all the time, so she frequently entrusts us to take it out for some fresh air."

"Normally, I'm the one handling this delightful task. Occasionally, Emily invites me out for meals too—we're quite familiar with each other. But yesterday, didn't I already mention? Since you've fulfilled my request, Zi Jin, I certainly won't forget our agreement."

"Want to take it for a stroll? It's very obedient, and I trust that with your capability, Zi Jin, you'll get along with it easily." Lemon Fruit shook the car keys in her hand.

"I will be heading out this afternoon, but it might not necessarily be the countryside."

"Okay, that works too. Letting it out for a breath of fresh air is fine either way." Lemon Fruit motioned for Tilan to follow her.

"Let's head to the top-floor attic of the house behind, which has a special room just for it."

And so Tilan followed her. The two wandered through the house, twisting and turning until they reached the top-floor attic. It was around 2 PM in the afternoon, and the sunlight was strong. A sturdy black lion was lying on the ground, napping in the sun.

"I'm here, Black Prince~" Lemon Fruit greeted skillfully, but the lion only twitched an ear, its body remaining unmoved.

"Hmph, this guy still looks down on people as always." Lemon Fruit walked over, crouched beside the mighty black lion, patted its rump, and playfully tugged its thick, long tail a few times.

Feeling provoked and slightly annoyed, the black lion rolled over, turning its head to give Lemon Fruit a low growl—a deep and resonant sound that could intimidate ordinary people.

"Alright, don't be mad. Let me introduce you to a new friend—she'll be taking you out to play this afternoon." Lemon Fruit stepped aside, motioning for Tilan to come forward.

"Look, this is our new colleague, Ms. Zi Jin. She's quite impressive—almost as competent as me," Lemon Fruit shamelessly exaggerated her own prowess.

The black lion's eyes showed disdain as it lazily rested its body. It had known Lemon Fruit for almost a year, and while animals weren't as intelligent as humans, it had long figured out that Lemon Fruit was rather inept, far inferior to the breed masters who usually handled its conditioning and diagnostics.

"Show some respect! I've bragged about how obedient and well-mannered you are to Emily!" Lemon Fruit complained, taking the opportunity to stroke its broad, fluffy mane.

"How does it feel? Isn't it beautiful, with a raw sense of power and the untamed beauty of a beast?" Lemon Fruit remarked to Tilan.

"It's very impressive," Tilan agreed. It wasn't her first time seeing a lion like this black one. Back at Yuanting Academy, she had a friend who owned a similar black lion—though it might have been even stronger than this one.

"Why don't you stroke it too? Let it familiarize itself with your scent. Then try feeding it something—if it eats, it means it somewhat accepts you," Lemon Fruit suggested.

"Alright, I'll give it a try," Tilan nodded.

Afterward, Lemon Fruit spent nearly twenty minutes casually chatting in front of the black lion, her mundane chatter blending into the sunny, tranquil afternoon, making the mighty black lion doze off, utterly unconcerned by the girl stroking its mane.

"That should be enough now," Lemon Fruit signaled with a triumphant gesture upon seeing the lion completely relaxed.

"Will this be sufficient?" Tilan grew curious.

"Yep, it's all about routine or habit. Once it gets used to sleeping beside you, it'll no longer display hostility toward you."

"Let it nap another ten minutes. I'll explain the precautions, then you can take it out," Lemon Fruit said.

Later, Lemon Fruit briefed Tilan about the precautions for taking the black lion out for a drive, such as avoiding random feeding, using a specially designed collar and leash in crowded areas, and more.

...

"Well, that's everything that needs explaining. You're good to go now." Lemon Fruit woke the napping black lion, shaking the car keys in front of it with a jingling sound.

The black lion instantly perked up, pacing back and forth in the room—it seemed to know it was about to go for a stroll.

"Hehe, follow me. But today, the one accompanying you is this lady," Lemon Fruit gestured toward Tilan.

The black lion glanced at Tilan and let out a steady growl, seemingly acknowledging her. After spending nearly half an hour together, it showed no animosity toward her.

"Alright, let's head down."

Afterwards, Lemon Fruit activated the room's restraint system and led the black lion downstairs, navigating the staircase with practiced ease until they reached the underground garage behind the store.

"That convertible hover car over there—that's the one. It can fly or drive on the ground. It's also left here by 'Qiao Feng' Emily. There's a collar and leash in the car. If you're going to a crowded area, you'll need to fasten it first. But if it's out in the countryside wilderness, let it roam free, and just follow along in the car."

Once done explaining, Lemon Fruit had the black lion and Tilan board the car, then set a general route.

"Head over there for a spin first," she suggested.

Seeing the proposed location, Tilan noted it would suit her plans—after receiving Alanna's message around 4 PM, she could still make it on time if she headed there afterward.

"Alright," Tilan nodded.

"By the way, do you know how to drive, Tilan?" Lemon Fruit asked.

"A little," she admitted, recalling how Kinsenke had gifted her a car back in high school, though she hadn't driven much.

"It's fine if you don't—there's automatic driving. But driving manually is a lot more fun."

"Alright, stop chatting—it's getting impatient. You two should leave now."

Then the hover car started, lightly levitating before activating its auto-navigation system. Sitting in the front seat, Tilan waved goodbye to Lemon Fruit, and soon, the hover car left the pet hospital and merged onto the city's aerial transit lanes.

The wind blew steadily. Though it was late February and slightly cold, the afternoon sunshine rendered the atmosphere cozy and pleasant.

With the car now cruising steadily, Tilan finally found a moment of leisure to admire the scenery below.

The view of Academy City from above was exceptionally spectacular—the sky was a clear blue, scattered clouds drifting lazily. Down below, various distinctive large structures stood tall, each bearing the unmistakable architectural style of renowned Federation universities.

The intersecting-sword landmark was likely 'Trimming Dual Sword Academy'. The circular construct with flowing ripples at its center was 'The Theory of Rhythm Academy', and that distant silhouette resembling a rocket launch pad belonged to 'Sky-piercing Academy'—each of them top-ranking institutions in the Federation.

While gazing into the horizon's scenery, Tilan felt a ticklish brushing beside her ears caused by mane. She turned to find the black lion perched in the back seat, its front paws resting on the backrest, leaning forward to peek out.

"You want to enjoy the view too?" Tilan asked curiously, reaching out to stroke its fur.

Though many might regard this creature as a formidable beast, to her, it was not much different from a big cat.

"Roar——"

Facing the wind, the black lion let out a contented roar, which was followed by the girl's cheerful laughter.

The sunlight was just right as she took this massive companion for a drive to the suburban wilds at the edge of Academy City. Speaking of which, this planet's environment was truly pristine—no signs of pollution anywhere, with the air and water exceptionally clean and pure. If only Jade Skirt could someday become like this.

If such an ideal future world were possible, it might be one where no one felt pressured to overwork, and every afternoon, people could go out driving and playing with family and companions.