Chapter 49: The Enthusiastic Older Sister in the Alley
Only when walking outside can one feel the repressed emotions from before being released.
Previously, I had been a bit too stubborn; however, that couldn’t be helped. The accumulation of emotions is something that no one can suppress, and I was indeed placing too much weight on certain things.
I should adapt to my new life and enjoy this rare leisure time before the new semester starts.
For example, this street-side shop; although I haven’t seen any food that truly excites me and makes me want to try it immediately, the variety of shops here gives a sense of pleasure in choosing.
After silently scolding myself for my lack of experience, I returned to my original mindset and prepared to randomly select one to try out, considering it a little surprise for myself.
So let’s count to the eighth shop from here. I tried to control my gaze from looking ahead, jumping from one shop to another, as if building anticipation for myself.
Although the current time isn’t strictly mealtime, it doesn’t stop the aroma of delicious food from wafting through the air.
“Sixth shop… oh, this one smells good! This is braised rib, what a pity! Not meant to be… Seventh shop… buffet? Sigh, even in the Extraordinary world, they dare to open a buffet. Aren’t they afraid of some special abilities bankrupting them?… Next shop—ah hey hey!”
I rubbed my hands excitedly, looking forward to the next shop being something I like.
Although I don’t have much money right now, being a bit extravagant on such a memorable day is still forgivable!
“Hmm?”
As I walked past here, I noticed it connected to an alley, somewhat abruptly to the one earlier.
There seemed to be some stalls inside, making me hesitate—should I continue ahead or go in for a look?
After all, I know that delicious food is usually found in unvisited alleys.
I’m not sure if this world is the same, but it doesn’t hurt to anticipate it. After all, there’s still plenty of time.
I lifted my head to glance at the eighth shop that I was just contemplating.
It was a noodle shop… although the bun-like item looked indeed aromatic, I’m not too accustomed to eating such things close to evening.
So I quickly shifted my focus and walked into the alley.
Here I am for value-for-money little stalls~
Upon entering the alley, I found that the ones selling here were grandmothers who could be old enough to be my own grandmother.
Can students’ families actually live here?
That was my first reaction.
“Oh? Are you a new student? I didn’t expect another batch to come so soon.”
Since it seemed rare to see visitors, the few grandmothers immediately brightened up with smiles upon seeing me, making me feel a bit embarrassed.
Oops, I hadn’t yet decided to buy anything here; this development really forced me to approach them.
But how did she know I was a new student?
Do I look very much like one right now? I subconsciously checked my attire; there was nothing that hinted at being a new student.
“Hahaha, the Magic Source within you is still somewhat agitated. That’s a clear characteristic of new students. Come, come, want to chat with us? I, Grandma, will treat you to some good food for free.” This grandmother seemed to read my thoughts and immediately began explaining.
“Okay… okay, Grandma.”
In the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation of free food and stepped forward. After all, it was merely to chat with them; they must be quite bored here too, right?
“Don’t call us grandmas; we’re young at heart, call us sisters instead.” Another grandmother chimed in at this time, seeming somewhat dissatisfied with my address but still wearing a big smile while correcting me.
“Sisters?”
I widened my eyes in disbelief, they were actually sisters!
This revelation really shocked me; if they hadn’t revealed it, I wouldn’t have known this situation. But thinking back, it made sense, as Sister Bai had mentioned before that graduating students could continue living here.
So these ladies are living here until old age!
It’s truly terrifying!
“Don’t mind her; it’s fine to call us grandmas, but we do count as your sisters—sisters from many batches ago, hehe, haha.”
“Hello, Grandmas.”
In the end, I addressed them as grandmas; after all, calling them sisters felt too strange!
And they didn’t mind this matter at all. Instead, they enthusiastically chatted with me about the outside world; it seemed they hadn’t been out for quite some time and had just been lingering in the academy.
It was even during our chat that I learned they could use magic to maintain their appearances, but they hadn’t done so.
After all, without becoming Extraordinary Witches, their lifespan is still limited, just longer than ordinary people, but aging continues.
They didn’t use magic to maintain a so-called youthful appearance; according to them, their mindset has aged along with their bodies, and this is how they should be.
Even the grandmother who’d made me call her sister didn’t refute this viewpoint.
It seems that when she was younger, she might have also been a lively, somewhat tsundere type?
I can’t even imagine.
They had accumulated enough assets long ago to support themselves until the end of their days; now, the snacks they’re making are all unique to their respective regions.
According to their stories, they initially lived in the same dormitory, but in the end, no one graduated; they barely completed their studies and stayed here. When they were young, they even founded a snack club, which later disbanded; thus, there’s a reason for their leisurely little stalls today.
I was nearly holding all the snacks they enthusiastically handed over; if it weren’t for my firm refusal, I feel like they would keep shoving more at me.
In the end, I did pay them, after all, it was our first meeting; although chatting improved my relationship with them, it wasn’t to the point of not paying. I only didn’t pay for the first item as they resolutely refused to take my money for it, but I paid for the rest, which were quite cheap. It almost felt like they were giving me things at cost price, which made me a bit embarrassed.
But now that I think back, it’s still quite astonishing.
They were all once Preparatory Witches; those who didn’t become Extraordinary Witches are still called Preparatory Witches, including myself.
I still remember what Sister Bai told me; us on the path of witch transformation lack reproductive abilities, so these grandmothers wouldn’t have children to take care of them.
In their youth, they could have had sweet romances and life partners, but after merging their Magic Sources, it seems they bid farewell to all that.
Thinking about it, the Witch Academy is indeed a pretty terrifying place; it’s even more terrifying for many boys. Witch transformation distorts their perceptions, forcibly altering their identities, creating a small society of only witches in the academy that pushes boys to watch themselves continually decline into their own orientations.
Acceptance and liberation are the paths that must be chosen here; I can foresee that within the academy, there must be seniors with warped personalities, and quite a few.
However, so far, the seniors I’ve encountered have been quite gentle, so my impression of the Witch Academy has been quite positive up to now.
