Chapter 71: The Academic God the Manager Reeled In
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71: The Academic God the Manager Reeled In
It was still a little hard to believe, but I had officially joined the Baking House club.
Of course, joining came with immediate, tangible benefits: my hourly wage on my part-time contract had been bumped up as a "club member perk."
This was a massive help, considering how desperately I needed money right now.
Once the enrollment formalities were out of the way, I snacked on a few cookies to tide me over and hurried to the back to learn some baking techniques from Senior Sister Tang Yihan.
Even though she frequently produced "dark cuisine," her grasp of the fundamentals and general baking knowledge was rock-solid—definitely worth observing and learning from.
And if all else failed, I still had that recipe booklet she’d given me. I could always teach myself, couldn't I?
As for the front of the shop, Senior Sister Ying Shiqian took over. Apparently, before I arrived, this was their standard operating procedure.
"Um... Senior Sister, can I ask you something?" I asked, fiddling with a lump of dough and shaping it into something rather peculiar on the baking tray.
"Go ahead," Tang Yihan replied with a nod.
"Well, I was thinking... what if I tried to get my flight license before the semester officially starts? Do you think that’s a good idea?"
I’d noticed the requirement while browsing my personal data earlier, so I figured I’d ask.
"A flight license? Hmm... that’s actually a great idea. It’s always good to master a new skill, and it’s way more convenient than taking the bus." Tang Yihan thought it over for a moment before giving me an affirming nod. "If you want to take the test, Xiao Han, I can recommend a good place for you."
"Oh? You know a flight license testing center?" I asked, slightly surprised. Having a connection always made things easier—just like getting a driver's license in my past life.
"I wouldn't say I 'know' them personally, but I have my own license, so I’ve dealt with them before. At least I can vouch for the quality of their instruction."
Just as I was about to ask for more details, a commotion outside caught my attention.
It didn't sound like a customer. Judging by Ying Shiqian’s reaction, it was... the manager?
Senior Sister Tang and I shared a look, put down our work, and headed out to see.
After all, Tang Yihan still needed to show my club application to the boss.
I followed behind her, feeling a bit surprised. I hadn't expected the manager to drop by the shop at this hour.
Sure enough, the noise was coming from the shopkeeper. Seeing Xia Li’s beaming face, I could almost see my private stash of savings waving at me.
However, what surprised me even more was the girl walking in behind her.
I instinctively activated my Spirit Vision. Seeing that she possessed only a single, somewhat restless Mana Source, it was clear she was a freshman just like me.
Wait... why did she look so familiar?
Before I could process the thought, the two senior sisters rushed forward. Ying Shiqian was, as usual, the most enthusiastic.
"Manager! You actually came to the shop today? Did you come to see me~?"
"Obviously not. And are you blind? There’s someone right next to her." Tang Yihan remained perfectly calm as her gaze shifted to the girl standing beside Xia Li.
Though the girl appeared composed, she couldn't quite hide that distinct "new student" aura.
"Tan Han, right? We met briefly once," Tang Yihan said with a polite smile.
"Xiao Han, let me introduce you. These two are your senior sisters. This is Tang Yihan, and that one is Ying Shiqian," Xia Li said warmly, patting the girl’s arm.
"Manager! What do you mean 'that one is Ying Shiqian'? That’s no way to introduce me! Tan Han, sweetie, just call me Senior Sister Shiqian~" Ying Shiqian protested from the side.
"Fine, fine. You can call her Senior Sister Shiqian, or just ignore the title. And that one... um... her name is Yang Yuehan..." Xia Li paused to recall my name before introducing me as well. "She’s our new clerk and a freshman this year too. Plus, she’s also called Xiao Han. Two Xiao Hans—you two were practically destined to meet!"
I stood to the side, feeling a wave of awkwardness. It was only when the manager mentioned her name that I realized who this tall, cool-toned girl was.
She was the Full Score Academic God of our year!
The moment I realized her identity, I felt the crushing weight of her "Academic God" status. It was suffocating.
The girl hadn't uttered a single word since entering, perfectly embodying the "aloof genius" archetype. She fit my mental image of a top-tier scholar to a T—the type who seemed impossible to get along with.
Wait, hadn't the rumors said she was "kidnapped" and was currently being "consoled" by the academy?
Had she accepted reality this quickly?
And the moment she arrived, she’d already usurped my nickname. I didn't see the "destiny" the manager was talking about; it felt more like a rivalry in the making.
"Hi... hello?"
Regardless of my internal monologue, I had to greet her. I couldn't afford to seem rude. I was already losing in terms of status; if I lost my manners too, I’d be doomed.
"Hello." Tan Han scanned me with an observant gaze. Her first greeting was directed at me, which left me feeling a bit flattered and overwhelmed.
The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment until the manager stepped in to smooth things over.
"Oh, don't mind her. Xiao Han is just like this, she doesn't talk much..." Xia Li closed the glass door and led Tan Han further inside. "Anyway, you’re both freshmen, so I’m sure you’ll have plenty to talk about. Xiao Han, didn't you say you were interested in my club, the Baking House? Feel free to look around. If you see anything you like, help yourself to a taste. Don't be shy!"
After saying her piece, Xia Li hurried toward the back as if she had urgent business. Now that I knew the Baking House served as the official grounds for the Baking House club, I finally understood what all that space in the back was for. It wasn't just a warehouse for ingredients; it was for club equipment, activities, and gatherings.
As soon as the manager got busy, the two senior sisters followed her to join in the fun, leaving me standing there in an agonizingly awkward silence.
Seriously, where did people get the idea that all freshmen have "plenty to talk about"?
I had almost zero experience socializing with people my own age. I barely even had any friends.
I fidgeted with my work uniform and apron. Compared to Tan Han’s outfit, which looked like a high-end custom-tailored suit, I felt woefully underdressed.
"Um... should I find a stool for you to sit on?" I asked tentatively. The front of the bakery didn't really have seating, as it wasn't a dine-in establishment—it was just a counter for selling pastries.
"No need, thank you. I'll just look around," Tan Han declined.
"Oh, okay..." I tried to pull myself together. It was just a polite rejection, nothing more. "Well then, do you want me to show you the—hey! Wait! You can't eat that!"