novelraw Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Chapter 54: Lina’s One-Day Experience as a Model
The next morning, sunlight over Gaul City pierced through the thin morning mist, awakening this romantic capital.
The aroma of freshly baked croissants mixed with rich floral fragrance quietly drifted in through the window, waking the three sleeping girls.
After getting ready, the three of them walked out of the inn. The bustling scene on the streets made Lina stop involuntarily.
A massive double-decker tram adorned with intricate brass patterns was slowly approaching along the tracks.
“A tram? I never saw this new thing before I died,” Lina silently complained inwardly.
Although it looked like an old-fashioned nineteenth-century European tram on the outside, there was neither the roar of an internal combustion engine nor the crackling of electric sparks. Only a deep, rhythmic hum of magical power came from the base.
“Wow! Big Sister Lina, look! It’s the ‘Silverstream’ civilian magitech bus!”
Annie suddenly cried out excitedly beside her, leaning against the roadside railing. “This should be the newest ‘third-generation variable-pressure’ model, right? I’ve seen one in Celestis too! They say it uses a parallel magic conversion valve, which is much quieter and smoother than the common first-generation models!”
Lina raised an eyebrow. A parallel magic conversion valve? Not the traditional alchemical furnace core?
“Uh… i-is that so?” Lina quietly swallowed the comment that had reached her lips and calmly adjusted her collar. “Mm, indeed… this kind of propulsion method is quite efficient.”
“And that’s not all!” Annie pointed at the exhaust pipe on the roof that was releasing white steam. “That’s water-element steam that’s gone through secondary purification. During winter, this valve closes, and the hot steam can circulate through pipes to heat the passenger cabin!”
Sibyl nodded in agreement. “It’s hard to see magitech buses like this in small towns like Osselro Town. Should we give it a try?”
Although the technological tree of this world had branched off in a strange direction, it had accidentally avoided the massive pitfall of environmental pollution.
Looking at the exhaust vent emitting steam, Lina could not help sighing inwardly: if Earth’s Industrial Revolution had been this environmentally friendly, London probably would never have been called the Foggy City.
The three boarded the public bus.
The interior was spacious and bright, and just as Annie had said, there was not the slightest bumpiness. Lina sat on a velvet-cushioned seat, her fingertips lightly brushing across the window frame as she looked outside.
The tram moved steadily along the broad tree-lined avenue. Through the spotless glass windows, the full view of Gaul City slowly unfolded.
This was a city adorned with flowers and gears, every corner composing a poem of steel and romance.
At a street corner stood an automated newspaper dispenser shaped like a tin bird wearing a top hat, mechanically spitting out newspapers one after another.
Inside the flowerbeds by the roadside, several clockwork-powered gardening dolls tirelessly trimmed the gardens. Red roses, purple irises, golden tulips… under the protection of miniature magitech temperature-control barriers, these delicate flowers bloomed brilliantly regardless of the season.
A gigantic gear-driven clock tower slowly rotated beneath the morning light, while ladies in fashionable long dresses and gentlemen in elegant suits hurried across the spotless stone-paved streets.
“How unbelievable…” Lina looked out the window, a trace of complicated emotion surfacing in her eyes.
“In just fifty years, it’s already developed this far… Looks like this former Great Witch still has plenty to learn…”
About twenty minutes later, the announcement bird let out a crisp chirp.
The three got off the tram and arrived at the famous Fontainebleau Avenue.
This was the central avenue of Gaul City. Tall sycamore trees lined both sides of the road, and cleaning golems had swept the streets spotless, reflecting the gentle sunlight.
Following the address on the business card, Lina found Isabella Studio.
It was a three-story detached western-style building. Carefully pruned climbing roses covered the outer walls, and above the main entrance hung an exquisitely designed black walnut signboard:
【Isabella Studio】
Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, several mannequin forms draped in white cloth could be seen arranged neatly inside.
Lina took a deep breath and straightened her worn witch robe, which Earthlings might call “battle-damaged style,” but which Isabella would probably call “art.”
She stepped forward and pushed open the heavy redwood door.
Along with the pleasant chime of the wind bells hanging from the doorway, an elegant scent blending fine fabric, leather, and incense rushed toward her.
“Oh! My muse! You’ve finally arrived!”
Before the three of them could fully take in the furnishings inside the studio, a gray blur accompanied by an exaggerated exclamation rushed straight toward them.
Like a whirlwind, Isabella charged forward and directly cupped Lina’s cheeks with both hands, her eyes burning with enthusiasm.
“These perfect facial features, these faintly melancholic golden eyes, and this… my heavens, this tear mole is simply the touch of a god!” Isabella spoke rapidly in excitement, her heavy Gaul accent making her words even more dramatic. “The lighting was too dim yesterday, so I didn’t see clearly. But now that I’m getting a good look today, I really picked up an incredible treasure!”
Lina was left somewhat stiff by the artist’s enthusiasm. She awkwardly twitched the corners of her mouth. “Um… Miss Isabella, let’s make one thing clear first. Those 100 Gold Dragons are paid on the spot, right?”
“Of course! As long as you try on these outfits, the money will be handed over immediately, along with two finished sets of clothing!”
The moment she heard that, the awkwardness in Lina’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced entirely with longing for money… for art.
“No problem, boss. So where’s the fitting room? I can start anytime.”
……
Ten minutes later, the curtain of the fitting room slowly parted.
Lina walked out wearing an elaborate black gothic dress.
The layered lace skirt resembled a blooming black rose, dark red gemstones adorned the chest area, and the high-standing collar accentuated her slender neck.
“Mm… this is heavy.” Lina lifted the skirt slightly, silently complaining inwardly. This retro style reminded her of the dresses worn by Victorian noble ladies on Earth. It truly deserved the title of a walking fabric prison.
If Isabella hadn’t modified the design, Lina probably wouldn’t even have been able to put this dress on by herself.
“Mm, not bad, not bad at all. Adjust your expression and pose a little!” Isabella nodded in satisfaction and raised the massive magitech camera.
After thinking for a moment, Lina adopted an aloof expression and slightly lifted her chin. Her golden pupils revealed a trace of cold indifference that looked down upon all living beings.
Yes, this was exactly the look she used whenever she showed off while casting super-tier magic in her previous life.
“Perfect!” Isabella clasped her hands together and shouted excitedly. “That noble and icy temperament! You’re just like a ghost princess who has slumbered inside an ancient castle for a hundred years!”
“It really suits Big Sister Lina,” Annie commented while sitting on the sofa nearby, nibbling on a cookie. “Even though this kind of ‘dark queen’ style is already outdated, Big Sister Lina somehow gives it an incredible presence.”
“I sometimes wear this style of clothing during family gatherings too,” Sibyl said with a bitter smile. “But every time, it takes several people to help me get dressed, and the corset lining squeezes me so tightly I can barely breathe.”
“Oh, this one’s actually fine,” Lina relaxed her expression and smiled faintly at Sibyl. “Aside from being a little heavy, it’s not too stuffy. It’s pretty comfortable to wear.”
“Of course!” Isabella proudly crossed her arms. “This is a special modified version I personally redesigned. Every place that originally needed tied cords has been replaced with nylon clasps and zippers. Those strings are just decorative!”
“Oh? Then perhaps I’ll commission one from you someday.” Sibyl looked genuinely interested.
“Of course, my beautiful lady.” Isabella’s gaze wandered across Sibyl’s body, lingering several extra seconds on her generous chest before the corners of her lips curled upward slightly. “Maybe you can be the model for my next theme… Ah, right, Lina, try this next! I want to see something youthful and energetic!”
“Don’t worry, this outfit is very comfortable!”
When Lina emerged once again, the entire atmosphere changed completely.
This time, she wore a modified academy uniform. A fitted navy blazer paired with a plaid pleated skirt, with a red ribbon tied at the collar.
Most importantly, there were the black thigh-high stockings.
This design perfectly showcased Lina’s greatest physical advantage—
A leg shape considered top-tier even among the many beauties of the witch world.
From the front, her legs looked straight and slender, her thighs carrying just the right amount of softness while her calves were slim and toned.
The slight squeeze at the edge of the thigh-high stockings, combined with her perky hips concealed beneath the shadows of the pleated skirt, formed a masterpiece known as the “absolute territory.”
Looking at herself in the mirror, Lina briefly felt as though she had returned to Earth before transmigrating, transformed into a female student at some private high school.
And combined with her current appearance… yes, a classic black-haired, straight-haired JK. The kind that would leave otaku completely unable to walk away.
“Cough…” Seeing this scene, Sibyl somehow averted her gaze, the tips of her ears reddening slightly. “Isn’t this skirt… a little too short?”
“No, no, no! That’s the essence of it!” Isabella rushed over and crouched down to straighten Lina’s skirt. “That delicate feeling balanced between ‘girl’ and ‘woman,’ paired with this pure yet seductive face… absolutely lethal!”
“Quick, quick, think of a pose!” Isabella once again raised the magical camera, staring unblinkingly at Lina through the lens.
After thinking for a moment, Lina walked over to the wall. One hand pressed against it while the other hooked onto the edge of her black leather shoe, revealing the faintly flesh-toned heel beneath the black stockings.
She turned her head slightly, strands of hair brushing across her collar, her gaze lowered a little, her expression shy yet carrying a trace of alluring softness.
“Perfect, my muse! Yes, yes, this is exactly the feeling!”
After finishing with that uniform, Lina was once again shoved into the fitting room by the impatient Isabella.
The new outfit was one of Isabella’s special designs.
It adopted Yunque-style qipao collars and knotted frog-button designs, yet the materials were Gaul’s signature silk and gauze. The upper half hugged tightly against her body, outlining her graceful curves, while the lower half became a Western-style fluffy gauze skirt embroidered with Eastern cloud patterns in golden thread.
When Lina put on this outfit, a unique aura of hers was brought to its peak.
Her black hair cascaded down her pale back like a waterfall. When she turned back with a smile, she resembled a graceful beauty who had stepped out of a Yunque ink painting, yet also a dazzling noble young lady shining at a Koberen aristocratic banquet.
“This is exactly what I wanted! Conflict! Fusion!” Isabella was practically moved to tears as she frantically pressed the shutter of the magical camera. “This is simply a work of art!”
Annie and Sibyl also widened their eyes, trying their best to imprint this breathtaking scene into their memories.
“The last set. It’s just my personal hobby, but I think you’ll definitely be able to pull it off!”
Holding those clothes that consisted of suspiciously little fabric, Lina walked into the fitting room with black lines across her face.
When she unfolded the so-called “clothing,” the corner of her mouth could not help twitching.
It was completely different from Seriel’s traditional maid outfit. This maid uniform had been specifically designed to emphasize the wearer’s figure… no, rather, exaggerate it.
When Lina fastened the row of buttons at the back, the fabric beneath perfectly lifted her D-cup into the appearance of an E+.
She took a deep breath and picked up the delicate lace garter belt, fastening it around that subtle spot below her waist and above her hips.
The cold metal clasps brushing against her warm skin sent a faint shiver through her body. Afterward, she carefully pulled up the black lace stockings that carried a retro and luxurious atmosphere, fastening each garter clasp one by one.
Stepping into the matching black open-toe high heels, Lina finally picked up the last outer garment.
The black off-shoulder dress slid across her skin, its skirt length deliberately calculated to stop just above her knees, barely covering half of her thighs.
The hem was sewn with intricate white lace, while atop her head sat a fluffy cat-ear headband modeled after the beastkin cat tribe. Her arms were covered by lace gloves.
Finally, there was a decorative corset belt, with a tiny metal clasp attached at the back for some unknown purpose.
When Lina had finally finished dressing and stood before the full-length mirror—
The fluffy cat-ear headband atop her head blended cuteness with seduction. Her ink-black hair naturally fell over her exposed fragrant shoulders, while a faint mist lingered within her golden eyes. The tear mole beneath her right eye appeared even more enchanting against the black-and-white color scheme of the outfit.
The black garter stockings extended upward to meet the lace trim beneath the skirt’s edge, while the waist-cinching design accentuated her astonishing body curves to the fullest.
She lowered her head, only for her vision to be completely blocked by her chest. For the first time, she experienced the abundant feeling of being unable to see her toes when looking down.
Lina calmly—or perhaps self-destructively—admired herself in the mirror.
As a soul carrying memories from Earth, she understood far too clearly the true nature of this outfit.
Its intent was extremely obvious, so obvious that one could see through the special implications behind it at a glance.
Although in this world, this style was slightly more conservative than those belly-baring, fishnet-heavy “special maid outfits” on Earth, that half-hidden allure only multiplied its seductive power.
“It really does look good…”
Lina silently admitted inwardly that even in her previous life, she had never dared let the Queen of the Underworld, with whom she had shared a contract-bound relationship, try on a maid outfit of this level.
At this very moment, looking at herself in the mirror, she unexpectedly found herself thinking that perhaps simply appreciating it was not impossible.
But…
Just then, Annie’s expectant voice came from outside the door.
“Big Sister Lina? Aren’t you done yet? Miss Isabella said you forgot one accessory!”
“What accessory?”
The fitting room door was gently opened a crack, and Lina accepted the “accessory” Isabella claimed was missing through the gap.
It was a cat tail with a metal attachment…