Chapter 148: The Senior Sister’s Professional Shoot
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: The Senior Sister’s Professional Shoot
Once they arrived at the destination...
It was a photo studio of modest size, but the sudden influx of so many people caused quite a few passersby to stop and watch the commotion.
"Xiao Han?"
"Hmm?" Startled by the sudden call, I quickly looked toward the speaker. "Annie? What are you doing here?"
"Um... I don't really have many friends here, so I thought I'd come along. You don't mind, do you?" Annie asked tentatively.
"Of course not. Did you need something?"
"Not really. It’s just that we’re going in to take photos soon, and I was wondering if you’d thought of a pose. Just thinking about my face being put up on such a massive screen makes me feel like I’m going to die of embarrassment..." As Annie spoke, she instinctively covered her eyes with her hands.
Well, to be honest, I felt the same way.
I had seen just how massive that giant light screen above the open-air arena was. To ensure everyone in the audience could see clearly, it was naturally gargantuan.
Any awkward little expression would be magnified a thousand times.
"True. I’ll probably just take a normal one," I said, sounding a bit dismissive. After all, being too flashy wasn't great, but standing perfectly straight like a soldier would look stiff.
Better to just be natural.
"Eh? I thought you’d strike your signature pose, Xiao Han."
"Ha? What signature pose could I possibly have?" My face twitched visibly as a certain possibility crossed my mind.
"The one that started circulating yesterday! That arrogant look when you reached out your right hand to tear through a spell, or the oppressive aura of that flame lance held against your opponent's throat... every single one was so cool!"
As Annie spoke, she pulled out her phone. "Um, you don't seem to know about it, so do you want to see? I think some pro creator put out a full-animation fan-edit today. The speed is honestly terrifying."
"Huh?"
I couldn't help but let out a cry of pure disbelief. A fan-made animation? Was that something you could churn out in a single day?
Oh, wait. This was a transcendent world. I guess it wasn't impossible.
"Are you surprised? Actually, there are many senior sisters in the academy with terrifying creative methods. It’s not just you, Xiao Han; quite a few people have had high-tension animated shorts made of them and even uploaded to the Academy Network."
"Ahem... is that so?" I coughed lightly to hide my awkwardness. So it was a normal occurrence.
"Xiao Han, do you not go online much?" Annie asked softly by my side.
"Um... yeah, rarely. I’ve mostly been busy lately," I explained. "Anyway, it’s almost my turn. See you later, I’m heading in."
I glanced at the queue and quickly found an excuse to leave. This Annie girl seemed shy when we first met, but was she actually the talkative type once she got comfortable?
It was a bit much to handle.
As I hurried into the studio, Annie watched my retreating back and muttered something under her breath.
"So she's the passive type when it comes to socializing? Longing for it but unable to express it... and instinctively maintaining distance... Could this person have been a guy before? Is that even possible..."
* * *
Inside.
As the class monitor of Class 14, it really was almost my turn. Directly ahead of me was Erica from Class 13, the girl who had sat next to me before.
The senior sisters helping with the photos looked like they had very high-end equipment. Seeing me enter, one of the free senior sisters immediately pulled me over.
"Alright, little junior, which class are you from? I'll register you. Do you need a special outfit? If you have any specific requirements, just let me know," the senior sister said enthusiastically. Since they were just starting, she was full of energy; I doubted she’d be this bubbly once the rush really hit.
My gaze drifted to a few girls nearby who were currently touching up their makeup... Well, they were pure girls. I was different. To this day, I didn't even know what kind of products girls used to doll themselves up.
However, I did see the Witch Four-Piece Set over there. After all, it was the symbol of a witch's status. It was a pity I hadn't brought mine today.
But looking at them, I assumed they were available for loan?
"Um... sorry to trouble you, Senior Sister."
"No trouble at all, it's my job! But little junior, aren't you going to touch up your makeup? Hmm... actually, you look pretty good as you are. Want a brighter shade of lipstick? It would make you look..."
"Uh, forget the lipstick... I don't really use that stuff..." I interrupted her.
"Eh? Going all-natural? Look, I'm not trying to nag, but makeup might not matter normally, but this is for a photo! Your face is going to be seen by the entire school! How can you not dress yourself up properly!" The senior sister’s voice turned stern, sounding almost like an interrogation.
"Huh?" I let out a confused, hesitant sound.
"Don't 'huh' me. From the looks of it, you never wear makeup, do you? Sigh~ I really can't leave you like this. Let me give you a makeover! This year's 'God's Hand' cannot go on screen with a bare face!" This senior sister’s tone grew excited. Ignoring my protests, she pressed me down into a chair in front of the vanity.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, feeling completely out of my element.
"Wait, what 'God's Hand'?" Obviously, once I processed her words, I caught onto the strange keyword.
"Crushing a Fireball Spell with one hand! I just saw the clip today. Everyone in the comments is calling you that. I think it fits perfectly—you looked incredibly cool! I'm going to give you a look that matches that vibe!"
"Eh?"
Hearing that, I practically got goosebumps. "God's Hand"? What kind of description was that! It was so cringey I felt like I could curl my toes hard enough to dig a three-bedroom apartment into the floor!
"Hehe~ stop resisting. Once you're in my hands, you don't have a choice~" Following the senior sister’s strange laughter, I had to admit she was very strong. Her physical strength alone was enough to keep me pinned obediently in the chair.
Her laughter, however, drew some odd looks from the other senior sisters nearby.
After a fair bit of fussing, my "renovation" was finally complete.
At my strong insistence, it ended up being just light makeup, so it didn't take too much time.
But when I looked in the mirror again, I was still stunned. I had watched myself, bit by bit, turn into this breathtaking beauty. Was makeup really this terrifying?
Even though I was indeed very pretty like this, I still felt a bit of resistance toward the stuff on my face. I’d have to wash it off as soon as I got back.
However, just as I was lost in self-admiration, a familiar face suddenly appeared in the mirror. Seeing her, I fell silent instantly.
"You look very beautiful with makeup."
"Thanks..." I replied softly, but offered nothing more.
Because the person standing behind me was Tan Han...
"If fate allows, I'll see you in the arena. I still have many questions for you." After saying that, Tan Han left, knowing this wasn't the right place for a proper chat.
I stood up and prepared to follow the senior sister to the shooting area. It wasn't large—just a simple solid-colored backdrop with studio lights and equipment in front.
Before leaving, I took one last look at my profile in the mirror. My unintentional coldness did indeed have a very photogenic quality to it.
"Come on~ let's get shooting. Strike a pose you're comfortable with." The senior sister adjusted her equipment and spoke to me.
"Okay."
I nodded, then crossed my arms in a very ordinary stance and looked at the lens. Don't blame me for having no style; not doing a peace sign was my final stand of defiance.
"Wait, what kind of pose is that?" The senior sister suddenly looked up, staring at me in confusion.
"Where's the signature move? We're doing everything for the camera effect here, hey! Hurry up! Even if you have to conjure a fireball on the spot, just do it! Quick, quick, quick—I have protection spells up, so conjure away~"
"Huh?"
Conjure a fireball on the spot?
"Can you perform that one again? You know, that one!" the senior sister said, looking at me like I was a hopeless case.
"Which one?"
"The one where you conjure a fireball yourself and then crush it?"
"That request..." My lip twitched as I looked at her. It was like she was mentally ill. Could this studio even handle that kind of chaos?
The Fireball Spell was powerful!
Even a single fireball could blow this whole place down!
Even an unformed fireball would spray enough fire elements and shattered runes to set the room on fire. I had protection spells, so I’d be fine, but the room didn't!
"Listen to me, I'm a professional! I have professional alchemy items here that can guarantee nothing else will be affected!" As she spoke, she pulled a strange object out of her bag—likely a protective alchemy item.
Since she was being so insistent, I felt like a duck being driven onto a perch.
If every student was being photographed like this, no wonder it had taken so long to get to Class 14. This process would last until the afternoon or even night!
I was actually getting a bit hungry...
"Hey~ someone come help! Someone who knows the Fireball Spell. I'll report the compensation for the spell backlash later; I need this for the shot!" As the senior sister turned her head to call out, another senior sister came over to join the fun.
"Oh? I'm in~"
"Alright, the partner is here. Is that good enough? Hurry, hurry~ I can't wait!"
With the senior sister’s arrangements and the design of the "visual language," everything was ready.
I looked at the senior sister who was assisting me with a complicated expression. It was just a photo; was it really worth risking mental power backlash?
Even if it wasn't severe, it was still taxing on the body. She’d feel uncomfortable and sluggish for the rest of the day!
"Ready! Fireball Spell ready!"
I watched the magic ritual manifest in front of the senior sister and forced myself into the zone...
Just like yesterday...
I instinctively rubbed my right wrist with my left hand, loosening up my joints.
Then, a protection spell adhered to my right hand, and more protection spells prepared around me, ready to deal with any potential dangerous sprays.
In that moment, I didn't hesitate. I reached out and slammed my hand down against the unformed fireball, grinding it into nothing.
CRACK—
A piercing, shattering sound, like glass breaking. The complete magic ritual and the fireball were plucked away by my hand like they were mere toys.
Bursts of fire splashed toward me, but they seemed to hit the surface of water, creating ripples in the air. One could faintly see the protective characteristics of the energy shield.
What followed was a rapid-fire series of camera shutters.
The photographer senior sister was capturing every single frame with a look of pure excitement.