Chapter 369: A Graduation Photo Album?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 369: A Graduation Photo Album?
"Sweet!"
I looked at the disconnected call and whispered excitedly to myself.
Even though Sister Bai probably would have picked up if I’d called over the last couple of days, hearing for sure that she was almost finished and that I could go see her—what could be better than that?
A notification chimed on my phone; Sister Bai had sent over her real-time Ley Line positioning.
I took a quick look at the location. It didn't seem far, but I hadn't left any Teleportation Marks there, and I wasn't sure if there were any public Teleportation Landmarks nearby.
For the sake of efficiency, I hopped onto my broom and flew straight there.
The destination was an office building in the Central Teaching Area. Sister Bai’s coordinates pointed here, but I didn't know exactly where inside she was.
Just as I pulled out my phone to ask her, a figure approached from the opposite direction. Her eyes widened the moment she saw me.
"Oh? Isn't this Xiao Han? What a surprise to run into you here."
"Eh? Hello, Teacher."
I looked at the teacher standing before me. She wasn't exactly a stranger; she was one of the witches who had sought me out over the past two days. As she familiarly closed the distance between us, I instinctively gave a polite greeting.
This wasn't the first time I’d dealt with this. Even among Transcendent Witches, a significant number were quite fond of gossip. They might not have been interested in my spells, but they were certainly interested in me.
"Calling me 'Teacher' sounds so distant~ I told you to call me 'Sister.' Call me Sister Chris. Oh my~ what a cute little thing." Chris couldn't resist reaching out to pinch my cheeks.
"Mmph... uh... Ch... Chris... Sister Chris." I grabbed her wrists with both hands, but I couldn't budge them. It was as if my physical stats were a joke in this moment. I could only lower my voice and call her "Sister" as requested.
I had no idea how many generations of seniority I was messing up by saying that... but witches probably didn't care. After all, women always like being addressed as if they’re younger.
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Xiao Han, what brings you here? If I remember correctly, today is your Monthly Exam, right? Shouldn't you be out having a big celebratory dinner with your friends now that it's over?"
"A celebratory dinner?"
It was just a measly Monthly Exam. Did people really need to throw a party for that?
Or was I just out of touch with the times?
"I almost forgot. Xiao Han, you aren't really the type to enjoy rowdy atmospheres, are you?"
"Um... I don't particularly hate them."
"Fair enough. But wait, what are you doing here? This isn't exactly a place someone like you should be visiting, you know?"
"I'm here to find Sister Bai. Teacher Chris... I mean, Sister Chris, do you know where Bai Yu—Sister Bai—is? She seems to have just advanced to Transcendent."
"Bai Yu... Oh~ you mean your little girlfriend?"
"Li-Little girlfriend? Yes, yes! That's right, Sister Chris." I nodded vigorously, fully endorsing Chris’s label. It wasn't like anyone else knew the true nature of my relationship with Sister Bai anyway. Although I had intentions... Sister Bai was like a block of wood when it came to our ambiguity...
"Advancing to Transcendent is a huge deal. Every student who graduates early deserves to be recorded in the academy’s annals. This past week has been a graduation window, but only two have advanced to Transcendent. Aside from your Sister Bai, the other one is someone who actually finished her studies several years ago."
"I see. Well... I won't disturb you any longer, Sister Chris. I’m going to find Sister Bai." I seized the opportunity to make my excuses and slip away.
While I did want to maintain good relations with some Transcendent Witches, I didn't want this kind of "overly familiar" relationship. This personality type was the hardest for me to handle.
"It’s fine. I’m free right now anyway, so I’ll go with you. Otherwise, you’ll be searching this massive office building forever. If I’m not mistaken, she should be taking her graduation photos right now."
"Graduation photos?" I asked in confusion as Teacher Chris ushered me into the building.
"Of course. Graduation here isn't a synchronized event like in ordinary schools in the outside world. To provide a sense of ceremony, every student who graduates by becoming a Transcendent Witch receives a full, custom-made set of high-level Witch Outfits from the academy as a reward. Those are high-level Alchemy items. On graduation day, they wear that solemn witch attire for their graduation photo album. After all, it might be one of the few chances you ever get to wear that specific outfit."
"One of the few? Why?" Since the academy gave it to them, it belonged to them. Shouldn't they be able to wear it whenever they wanted?
"Because over ninety percent of Transcendent Witches who have worn it describe the outfit as 'too shameful' to wear in public. However, it’s a tradition for those advancing to Transcendent, and there’s one particular Academy Dean who adamantly defends the ceremony. So, the process hasn't been abolished... and that’s how it ended up like this."
"Shameful?!"
If a witch—whose people were generally so open-minded—called it shameful, just how "indecent" was this Witch Outfit?
For some reason, I suddenly wanted to see Sister Bai wearing it even more.
Without realizing it, my pace quickened.
We eventually reached a floor equipped with professional photography gear. Teacher Chris finally pulled me to a stop.
"She should be on this floor. Go have a look. If she’s not here, I’ll take you somewhere else," Chris said.
I nodded and ran off impatiently. This floor was huge and divided into many different zones.
Finding one person here would truly be difficult, so I opted to contact her by phone.
"Hey~ Sister Bai, I’m here. Are you taking photos?" I asked eagerly as soon as the call connected.
"You’re here already? Can you see me? How did you know I was taking photos?"
"A helpful teacher brought me here. Sister Bai, where are you?" My voice carried a hint of urgency—I wasn't sure if it was because I missed her or because I was curious about the Witch Outfit.
"I'm in the room at the very end. Just keep walking straight in."
"Okay."
I didn't hang up, but I sprinted toward the back. It didn't take long to find a door left slightly ajar.
"Sister Bai~"
Through the crack in the door, I saw that familiar face. Sister Bai was currently waiting by the entrance for me.
"Xiao Han, you got here so fast."
"Mm-hmm."
I pushed the door open and threw my arms around Sister Bai. Immediately, I felt a silky texture against my hands, and even where I buried my face, I was surrounded by Sister Bai’s scent.
"Xiao Han, it’s only been a few days. You don't have to be like this, do you?" Bai Yu was a bit flustered by my sudden display of affection. After all, she was still wearing the outfit and hadn't quite adjusted to it yet.
"Hehe~"
I reluctantly lifted my head, finally getting a chance to examine her attire.
It was a Witch Outfit that looked both elegant and mysterious. Just now, I had felt with my own face that the base layer of the entire ensemble was a dark, one-piece black silk bodysuit.
When I’d reached out earlier, I hadn't felt any seams at her sides; it seemed to be a seamless, integrated piece. The silk felt incredibly smooth, tightly contouring Sister Bai’s perfect figure.
The outer layer featured a Gothic-inspired design, using an elegant style combined with a bold philosophy centered on Eastern divine elements. The overall color scheme was deep black and gradient starry purple, accented with bits of starlight and intricate patterns. At a glance, it looked as captivating as a brilliant night sky.
The upper body consisted of a tight, corseted robe with magnificent lace at the collar and cuffs. A pure gemstone radiating transcendent power sat at her chest. The hem swayed gently with her movements, and her legs, encased in black silk, were visible through the slits in the robe.
During that hug, my hands had accidentally brushed aside an unfastened strap, resulting in what could be called intimate contact with Sister Bai. She seemed to have just realized it; she pulled away slightly and began to straighten her clothes.
In that brief moment, a flush of crimson appeared on her face.
Sister Bai quickly tugged at the witch hat on her head to hide her instinctive bashfulness. As she pulled the wide brim, the decorative feathers on top swayed gently.
"Xiao Han, don't be like that. There are other people here," Sister Bai whispered to me.
"Oh?"
As if only just noticing, I turned my head. I saw a mentor in charge of the shoot, as well as another girl dressed in a similar fashion to Sister Bai.
Presumably, that was the other senior sister who had advanced to Transcendent in the same batch.
"Sorry, Sister Bai. I was just so excited to see you." I instinctively leaned closer to her, soaking in her warmth. Even my social anxiety had vanished.
"Please keep qui—Hm? Are you Yang Yuehan?"
"Yes. You know me, Teacher?" I looked at the teacher. She was a total stranger, yet she had called out my name accurately...
Seriously, how much was the Academy Dean keeping from me? Why did every Transcendent Witch seem to know my name?
I grumbled silently to myself.
"Of course. I didn't expect you to be so close with little Bai Yu here."
"Yes, Sister Bai and I are the closest. Um... Teacher, will my being here interfere with the shoot?"
"Not at all. When it’s Bai Yu’s turn, do you want to join her for some duo shots? I think it’s a great idea."
"Eh? But... I haven't graduated yet. Is it really okay for me to be in the photos?"
"What’s wrong with it? As long as Bai Yu is the lead, it’s fine. There’s actually a lot of freedom with these photos. In the past, one little girl who graduated brought her entire dorm of sisters along. It’s no problem."
"Then... what do you think, Sister Bai?" I looked at her. This was her moment of glory, so I naturally had to ask for her opinion.
"Of course you can," Bai Yu said directly.
"Good, good~ then it’s settled." The teacher smiled and finalized the plan, but then she turned her gaze to the girl currently being photographed. "By the way, do you have a similar request? I can wait if you want to call someone over."
"Me? I’m fine on my own." The senior sister being addressed was startled, but she ultimately chose not to call anyone. However, when she looked at us, a flash of envy crossed her eyes.
In her view, this was the ultimate graduation—success in both her career and her relationship. Unlike her, who was still a "single dog."
In that moment, the senior sister silently vowed that once today was over and she was free to fly wherever she pleased, she would definitely find a girlfriend even prettier than this "normie life-winner"!
Before long, the senior sister finished her shoot. She couldn't wait to change out of the Witch Outfit, contributing yet another negative review to the set’s reputation.
Then, it was Sister Bai’s turn.
"Xiao Han~ your current clothes don't really match Bai Yu’s. There should be some witch attire over there with a similar style and color palette. Why don't you go try one on?"
"Oh... okay then."
I didn't refuse. I also felt that my light white outfit didn't pair well with Sister Bai’s deep, starry sky tones.
Under the teacher’s guidance, I picked out a Witch Outfit. It was much more conservative than Sister Bai’s and not nearly as ornate. After all, I was just a supporting character; I couldn't outshine the star.
I lifted my skirt and stepped out of the changing room. Seeing Sister Bai in her full regalia, I felt a sudden surge of heat in my chest.
Aaaah... Sister Bai looks so... suggestive. Quick, let me suffocate in your 'cleansing foam'!
"Alright, let’s begin. First, some formal solo shots of Bai Yu. Xiao Han, stay out of these for now."
"Okay." I crouched obediently to the side, my eyes glued to Sister Bai.
Even standing there alone, she exuded the elegance and charm of a witch. Even her smallest movements, framed by that outfit, seemed to carry a mysterious and slightly erotic allure.
I watched blankly until the photography teacher called my name, snapping me out of it.
"Xiao Han, Bai Yu—do you want to come up with your own poses, or should I design them for you?"
"Let the teacher do it. It’s better to let a professional handle these things," Sister Bai said.
"Good, good, then I’ll take charge. But I should warn you, my style is a bit avant-garde. If the scale is too much for you, you can tell me, but I might not necessarily change it."
"Eh?"
Hearing the teacher’s words, I felt a twinge of unease. My intuition was proven right very quickly.
"Wait... wait, is this pose a bit..." My bare white arms were draped around Sister Bai’s neck, while her right hand was wrapped around my waist... Wasn't this a bit too intimate?
"Trust me, it’s perfect. You two look like you’re enjoying it anyway, don't you? Give me some eye contact. It’s best if you can radiate that sense of unspoken intimacy~"
I instinctively swallowed. Looking at Sister Bai like this, I was surprised to find myself thinking she looked incredibly cool...
Was this really a graduation album, or was it a yuri photo book?
Time flew by. Before I even had a chance to process it all, the shoot proceeded steadily under the teacher’s direction until it was finished.
By the time I changed back into my original clothes, the flush on my face still hadn't faded.
"Sister Bai... let’s go..." I nudged her with my elbow. She had also changed back into her regular clothes and was holding the folded Witch Outfit in her arms.
"Mm." There was a suspicious blush on Sister Bai’s face as well.
After a hurried goodbye to the teacher, we finally left the building.