novelraw Chapter 31
Chapter 31
31. Finding a Job
The Witch Academy was situated on a planet. An entire planet was the Witch Academy, which meant the student body was massive. Some people might go their whole lives without meeting certain others more than a few times.
However, thanks to the widespread use of teleportation arrays, daily life within the Witch Academy wasn't particularly difficult.
The New Student Area was on a small asteroid. To enter the Witch Academy proper, one had to use a teleportation array. The arrays in the New Student Area were typically controlled by teachers, but Meng Lian didn't know what method Modu had used to get one in her souvenir shop as well.
Meng Lian chatted with Gabriel as they walked into the souvenir shop. The entrance exams were nearly over, so there were very few people inside. Tao Zhuo was sprawled across the front counter, fast asleep.
Meng Lian didn't wake Tao Zhuo. She walked familiarly into the back room, pulled out her student ID, and stood on a glowing circular platform with a faint golden hexagram pattern beneath it.
"This is a teleportation array. Our student IDs serve as keys. To go somewhere, just stand on it, pull out your phone, open the academy map, and tap your destination. It's very convenient."
Meng Lian pulled Gabriel onto the teleportation array and patiently explained.
Of course, Modu had told her all this. Just a few days ago, she had been just like Gabriel was now, her face full of wonder.
"I didn't expect teleportation arrays to be so commonplace among witches."
Gabriel marveled at the teleportation array beneath her feet. Her Sky Ring Tribe was considered a major power in the universe, but teleportation arrays were generally strategic resources. Nothing like how the witches used them directly as daily transportation.
"The Witch Academy is huge. Without teleportation arrays, we'd run our legs off just getting to class every day."
Modu had once told Meng Lian that some teachers liked to hold classes in places related to their subject. For example, if they were teaching fire magic today, the teacher might take them near a volcano. Sometimes, in the middle of a lecture, the teacher might get a sudden urge to show off some water magic, and with a wave of their hand, teleport everyone to the deep sea for instruction.
Perhaps teleportation arrays were precious elsewhere, and even the Alliance mostly used them for transporting supplies to the front lines. But here among the witches, teleportation arrays had truly become a daily necessity.
"Let me see, where would have more shops?"
Gabriel was here to find a job, so they needed to go somewhere near shopping districts. The chances of finding work would be higher there.
"How about here? This looks like a commercial street. Maybe someone is hiring?"
Meng Lian pointed to a location for Gabriel. It was the same street where the coffee shop where she often met Modu was located.
After all, compared to other places, this was the only one she was somewhat familiar with.
"I'm fine with anything."
Gabriel had no objections.
"Then it's settled. Hold on tight."
Meng Lian grabbed Gabriel's hand. The teleportation array activated, a blinding white light flashed, and the two figures vanished from the room.
Gabriel tightly grasped Meng Lian's small hand. The blinding white light made her instinctively squint. When she opened her eyes again, the scene before her had completely changed.
This was an incredibly wide commercial street. Various luxuriously decorated shops lined both sides. Perhaps because school hadn't started yet, there weren't many people on the street, only a few witch seniors who looked like couples strolling about. Behind Gabriel stood a person-high blue crystal tower. White light flashed from time to time, and several witches would emerge from within.
"A teleport anchor point. This is where the teleportation array leads."
Meng Lian explained at just the right moment.
Gabriel suddenly realized she was still tightly gripping Meng Lian's small hand. Her face instantly flushed red, and she hurriedly let go.
"Ah, sorry..."
"It's fine. If you hadn't held onto me, you might have been teleported somewhere else."
Meng Lian shook her head, not minding at all.
Holding hands? It wasn't like she was some innocent maiden. Why be shy?
She was battle-hardened. Well, battle-hardened in the phantom realm, at least.
But regardless, she was a seasoned veteran of lewdness. Yandere little sisters, silver dragon sisters, she had held her ground against them all. Even though in reality, this was also her first time holding a girl's hand.
Still, she had to admit, Gabriel's hand was soft and quite comfortable.
"Let's go."
Meng Lian led Gabriel forward. Gabriel followed behind, her small face still flushed.
Meng Lian's hand was so warm. And she smelled so good too.
Because Modu had set up a temporary teleportation array, the space was small and could only accommodate two people at a time. So just now, the two of them had been pressed together. Gabriel could clearly feel the other's body temperature, and Meng Lian's scent. Sweet, like the aroma of citrus, making Gabriel's heart pound wildly.
"Gabriel, do you know anything about coffee?"
Honestly, Meng Lian was a newcomer too. She hadn't been to the Witch Academy proper many times, so she had chosen the coffee shop where she often met Modu right from the start.
"I only know a little."
Gabriel followed Meng Lian to the front of a coffee shop. She looked up at the sign. Thanks to the Witch Contract, Gabriel naturally understood what the Witch language written on it said.
Fragrant Coffee House.
"It's fine. Let's go in first and see if they're hiring."
Meng Lian led Gabriel inside. Because she had been meeting Modu here these past few days, the clerk recognized Meng Lian. Or rather, she recognized Meng Lian's Big Sister.
"Welcome. The usual? A sweet milk?"
"Um, sorry. Today I wanted to ask if you're still hiring?"
"Are you looking for a part-time job?"
The clerk's eyes lit up at Meng Lian's words. If Meng Lian really came to work here part-time, wouldn't that mean she'd have a chance to test the feel of that Big Sister herself?
"No, no. It's my friend."
The clerk's gaze was too intense. Meng Lian hurriedly pushed Gabriel in front of herself.
Wait, sister, could you please wipe your drool?
"Oh, I see..."
Seeing that Meng Lian wasn't applying for the job, the clerk became visibly disappointed. She glanced regretfully at Meng Lian's Big Sister, then wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and began sizing up Gabriel.
Sky Ring Tribe? Quite pretty. But not big enough.
"Our shop is indeed short-staffed recently, but we need a barista. I don't know how much you understand about coffee."
"I..."
Hearing that they needed a barista, Gabriel immediately deflated.
She only knew how to mix coffee with hot water. What did she know about actual coffee?
"Sorry, this job probably isn't suitable for my friend. Sorry to bother you."
Seeing Gabriel's expression, Meng Lian knew this wouldn't work, so she quickly found a way out.
"No problem, no problem. If you Junior Sisters want part-time work, you can check other shops. It's the start of the school term, and many seniors have graduated. Quite a few stores urgently need help."
Meng Lian and Gabriel walked out of the coffee shop. Gabriel looked despondent.
"Meng Lian, do you think I'm really stupid? I can't even find a job."
"Not everyone is good at everything. You just happen to not know about coffee, that's all."
Meng Lian shook her head, then fell into thought.
It seemed she needed to find a job based on Gabriel's strengths.
"Gabriel, what are you good at?"
"Me?"
Gabriel thought for a moment. "Singing, dancing... does that count?"