Chapter 26: Academy System Task Zone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Academy System Task Zone
In the end, I decided to head out. Staying cooped up at home was just too boring.
More than anything, I wanted to see the various sights of this so-called Witch Academy.
It was a pity Sister Bai had to make a sudden getaway last night. I didn't know exactly what she had to deal with, but leaving in such a rush suggested it was something very important.
I couldn't really force the issue, even if the only part of the Witch Academy map I’d unlocked so far was the Snack Street.
Exploring this unfamiliar territory on my own was honestly giving me a bit of a headache.
After thinking it over, the only place I could come up with was the area where I’d reported for enrollment yesterday.
There were plenty of people there. If there was anywhere I could find enthusiastic senior sisters willing to help a freshman, that would be the place.
It shouldn't be a problem to just head over and ask around. Didn't Sister Bai say those girls were all academy volunteers or something?
Senior sisters responsible for guiding new students through enrollment.
I wondered if they got paid. If there was a reward involved, I wouldn't mind acting as a guide myself, even as a freshman. After all, I was very familiar with the enrollment process—I’d just gone through it yesterday.
The only problem was that I didn't know how to shove a Mana Source into a new student's body.
And even if I couldn't be a volunteer, there was plenty of "entertainment" to be found there. Watching the abducted freshmen cry and make a scene was quite amusing in its own way.
What was even more interesting, though, was seeing the looks on the boys' faces after they were turned into prospective witches. I think I finally understood why those senior sisters enjoyed doing it so much. I was starting to enjoy it too!
It was just too much fun.
I just hoped those guys wouldn't find it so unbearable that they’d try to end it all.
After all, being alive is much better than being dead—at least, that’s what I believe now.
* * *
I took a bus to the registration site.
Since this was the academy's main gate, it was a landmark for the entire Witch Academy district. Naturally, many vehicle routes passed through here. I could check them directly on my phone; the bus stop had a download link for real-time route tracking, which functioned like a specialized QR code.
Strictly speaking, it was now mid-morning. I’d wasted quite a bit of time earlier tidying up my appearance, so I hadn't managed to eat breakfast. I was a little hungry, but skipping one meal wasn't the end of the world.
By this time, the senior sisters in charge of registration were already busy, even though not many new students were arriving yet.
After all, those who reported early were only a small portion of the total.
"Freshman, is there something you need?"
Perhaps sensing that I was hovering too close, one of the senior sisters spoke up to ask.
Seeing that I was already wearing a Witch Cape, she naturally assumed I was a freshman who had already registered.
"Hello, Senior Sister. I'm a freshman who just enrolled yesterday. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?"
I spoke very politely. There weren't many freshmen around at the moment, so she seemed quite free. Since she’d initiated the conversation, I figured I’d take the opportunity to ask what I wanted to know.
"Of course. I'm free right now, so ask away," the senior sister replied with plenty of patience, setting down what she was doing to look at me.
"It's about part-time jobs. Does the academy have any specific regulations regarding them? I just got here and don't know anything. Plus, I don't have much money on me, so I was thinking of finding some work."
Yes, my first priority was asking about part-time jobs. If there was a shortcut, I didn't want to go from door to door asking every shop if they were hiring temporary workers.
"The academy doesn't really have regulations or mandatory requirements for part-time work. So, you're looking for a job right now?" The senior sister thought for a moment before answering. It seemed she hadn't given much thought to part-time work herself.
"Yeah, pretty much. I'm a bit short on cash. I... had a falling out with my family and all that."
"I see. A falling out with the family..."
Hearing this, the senior sister seemed to immediately fill in the blanks with a whole backstory. Her tone even became more warm and enthusiastic. "So that means you're looking for quick cash? Actually, the academy has many ways to make money. Looking for a standard part-time job is probably... the slowest way."
"Many ways?"
My eyes lit up at her words. There’s no shame in wanting to make money.
I immediately acted more enthusiastic, trying to get on her good side by lowering my posture. I even pitched my voice a little higher to sound cuter, though I didn't dare overdo it, fearing it might backfire. "Um, Senior Sister, could you introduce some of them to me?"
"Calling it an 'introduction' is a bit much. It's really just something you freshmen haven't learned yet. The simplest way is to check the Witch Academy System. It has many functions, including but not limited to checking your periodic grades, course schedules, class assignments, academy tasks, and so on."
"I see..."
I hurried to pull out the phone the academy had issued. Although there weren't many apps on it, the one called "Witch Academy System" was very prominent.
"Oh, right. Remember to use your student card to sync your personal information, otherwise you might not be able to log in," the senior sister added as if remembering something. "Just tap your student card against the back of the phone to scan it. The academy system will automatically update your student info. If the binding is wrong, you can change it in the settings."
"O-Okay."
I busied myself clicking into the Witch Academy System. All sorts of functions were indeed integrated into it, and the categorization was very clear and intuitive.
"Did you find it? There's a part-time job category under 'Academy Tasks.' There are many listings posted there. At the very least, the ones posted on the system won't scam you. If they do, you can report them for posting false tasks and even get compensation."
"Oh~ I found it! Thank you, Senior Sister~"
Once I found it, I immediately responded in a sweet tone. It seemed that no matter who it was, everyone was a sucker for that act.
"As long as you found it. Anything else you want to ask?"
"Yes, actually... um, I wanted to ask if the volunteers who guide the new students get paid? And is there a requirement to sign up?"
I quickly followed up with my question. If I could take on the task of guiding freshmen during the enrollment period, I’d have bragging rights for a long time.
If I had the time, I wouldn't want to miss out. Even if it was unpaid, I might try it a few times just for fun.
But only a few times. For now, my main focus was still on making money.
"Freshman, you certainly have a unique way of thinking. Volunteers? A volunteer is naturally unpaid—at least, you don't get cash. It's an academy-issued task. You can find it directly in that task system. Academy tasks are very prominent and specially marked. But unfortunately, you don't even meet the threshold to sign up yet."
The senior sister looked like she was stifling a laugh at my words, the corners of her mouth curling up without disguise. She leaned back slightly, looking at me with genuine interest.
"A threshold? What kind of threshold? Is it that part about helping freshmen integrate the Mana Source?"
Hearing there was no pay, my enthusiasm immediately dropped by half. The remaining half was only there because of the potential "entertainment," but it looked like I wouldn't even get a turn at that.
As for the so-called threshold, that was the only thing I could think of. Right now, I couldn't even mobilize the mana inside my own body, so how was I supposed to shove a Mana Source into a new student?