Chapter 16: Part-time Intentions
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Part-time Intentions
The academy had many cafeterias. The most common were the ones serving standard set meals on a single tray. Some specialized in specific cuisines, others offered private booths for group gatherings, and some focused on a high-end, atmospheric dining experience.
At my repeated insistence, Bai Yu finally agreed to eat in the first-floor main hall. Otherwise, I would have had to watch Sister Bai lead me into one of those private booths where the lighting looked... questionable, to say the least.
The variety of fast-food dishes here was impressive, covering most of the cuisines in this world, though unfortunately, none of the delicacies from my previous life were to be found.
Still, trying these out had its own charm. Since Sister Bai was treating me, I wasn't about to be polite. Besides, the prices for fast food were fixed; even filling a tray to the brim wouldn't cost as much as an appetizer at one of those high-end restaurants.
"So, Xiao Han, you like eating these?" Bai Yu sat down at a nearby table with me and began critiquing the food on my plate.
"Yeah. They all look good, and since I've never had them before, I wanted to give them a try," I said honestly. After all, I never got to eat food like this back home.
The meals at home weren't so much "food" as they were "energy to stay alive." My parents could eat at their workplaces, so I was left to scrounge up whatever I could at home. We didn't even have many seasonings, which made cooking anything tasty a real challenge.
It wasn't until I got to school and ate at the cafeteria that I realized food in the outside world was actually decent—but only "decent."
I hadn't expected the food at the Witch Academy to taste this good. I was already looking forward to trying other dishes.
Of course, being broke was the main reason I was sticking to this. Today was likely the only day I'd get to eat a truly good meal.
"If you like it, eat more. It's just a pity that the fast food here is all catered to common tastes. I originally wanted to treat you to..."
"It's fine! I appreciate the thought, Sister Bai, but why spend so much? The most important thing about eating is being happy," I said, quickly cutting her off. What was the point of bringing it up again? Spending more money didn't necessarily mean more sincerity. If that became the norm, the world would be a very sad place.
"True. Let's change the subject then."
"Sure... munch... what do you want to talk about... gulp..." I was busy wolfing down the food on my plate, my words coming out a bit muffled.
Bai Yu didn't mind. Seeing me eat with such gusto, she simply told me to slow down.
"Let's talk about the near future. There's still quite a while before the official start of the term," Bai Yu said, watching me. She didn't continue, leaving the choice to me. She wanted to know if I had any plans.
"That's true," I nodded in agreement. The break had only just begun, so there was indeed plenty of time. "Maybe I should find a part-time job during this period. Do you have any recommendations, Sister Bai?"
"You want my recommendation?" Bai Yu hadn't expected the question to be turned back on her.
"Yeah. You're a Senior Sister, so you must be really familiar with the Witch Academy, right? You definitely know which part-time jobs pay the best better than I do." I trusted Sister Bai unconditionally.
"That's hard to say. But the most lucrative part-time work in the academy is definitely on Sentiment Street." A hint of bashfulness flickered across Bai Yu's face as she said this.
"Sentiment Street? Maybe I'll go check it out another day?" I noticed Sister Bai's expression seemed a bit off, but the name itself was even weirder. It sounded like the kind of place that wasn't exactly... respectable.
But this was an academy. Even if it was a Witch Academy, it was still an educational institution. Surely they wouldn't have that kind of place here?
"Don't!"
Bai Yu immediately blurted out a stern prohibition. She hadn't expected Xiao Han to actually believe her joke. It would be disastrous if the girl actually went there out of curiosity. Besides, that place wasn't actually called "Sentiment Street" on the map; that was just a nickname people used.
"I was joking. You can't go there, Xiao Han. Those are places where people... degrade themselves."
"Oh..." Based on Sister Bai's reaction and explanation, did the Witch Academy really have a place like that?
I need to make a mental note of this!
Sentiment Street...
"Okay, I'm a good girl. I won't go there," I said, giving the necessary verbal assurance.
"It's best if you don't. There are plenty of places to find part-time work in the academy. If you really have trouble finding something, you can come to me. I can help you," Bai Yu said, looking relieved at my promise.
"I won't trouble you with something so small. But of course, if I really can't manage, I'll have to ask you to bail me out."
I shamelessly left myself an out. This was an academy, a world away from where I used to live. In an unknown environment, it was best not to talk too big.
"Of course. I am your Sister Bai, after all. If you run into any trouble, just come straight to me. Oh, right, Xiao Han, let's add each other as friends. I don't have your new phone's contact info yet. It'll make it easier to stay in touch."
"Okay."
I handed my phone directly to her. I wasn't used to operating this phone yet, so it was easier to let Sister Bai add herself.
"Handing it over just like that? Aren't you afraid I'll look at your private data?" Bai Yu teased with a smile.
"It's a new phone, there's nothing on it. What's there to be afraid of?"
"Fair point."
Bai Yu laughed along, masking a bit of her own awkwardness.
After adding her contact info, she tapped on the data profile again. Since the phone hadn't been updated with a Student Card yet, the information was the same as when she had checked it before. She just wanted to confirm something.
Bai Yu stared blankly at the hidden information behind Spirit Vision: "Floating World."
Was this really the Spirit Vision level a newcomer who had never touched the Transcendent level should have?
"Sister Bai? What's wrong? Is there something interesting on my phone?"
Seeing her dazed expression, I asked without thinking much of it.
"Nothing, nothing. It's all set. You can contact me directly through your friends list from now on." Bai Yu returned the phone with a smile, asking no further questions, but she did offer one more warning: "You must protect your personal information. Even if I helped you mask some of it, people might still make connections. Get into the habit of checking your data in private, and remember to clear the cache afterward."
"Got it!"
I gave a cheerful reply and went back to my meal. Whatever the case, I was going to eat my fill first.
The meal ended shortly after with some light conversation. I patted my stomach. It was rare for me to eat this much at once. If I kept this up, would I have to start worrying about my figure?