Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

Chapter 8 - A Chance Encounter at the Shop



“Are you heading out today, Hestia?”

After spending some time helping teach the children at Grandma He’s house, Hestia’s body had gradually recovered, and no signs of her previous injuries were visible anymore.

“Yes, I’m heading to the upper level later.” Sitting in front of her dressing table, Hestia combed her hair, tied it up, and secured it with a blue ribbon.

“I need to buy a new personal terminal and also look for suitable work.”

“Finding a decent job in Arpeggio City might be tough. Molybdenum City might offer better options,” Grandma He suggested, carrying a plate of sliced honeydew melon into Hestia’s room.

“Have some food before you leave.”

“Thank you.”

“Most businesses in Arpeggio City are industrial or involve less-than-ideal service jobs, which are tough and not suitable for someone like you,” Grandma He said, being frank about their current city.

“Still, I’ll take a look first,” Hestia replied with a nod.

Seeing Hestia’s determined demeanor, Grandma He felt a pang of sympathy. “A girl like you shouldn’t have to work; you deserve to be cared for.”

“Not at all. People must become independent. I can’t rely on my family forever.”

After tying the ribbon securely at the back of her head, Hestia picked up a pair of glasses from the table and put them on. Her once silky black hair gradually dulled into an unremarkable gray, and the lively blue in her eyes faded into a subdued black, hidden behind the reflection of the lenses.

The ethereal and enchanting girl from just moments before had transformed back into an ordinary and unassuming figure.

“That’s a handy ability; it makes things much safer,” Grandma He praised.

Being a pretty girl was a blessing, but without a good family background, such beauty could bring as much trouble as it did fortune. Hestia understood this well.

“Well, I’m off.”

After tidying up, Hestia said goodbye to Grandma He and left the house.

The spacious corridor was as it always was, a little cluttered. Under the amber glow of the streetlights, people bustled about—some heading out to shop, others going to work, and some taking their children to school now that primary school had resumed. While transportation options had become increasingly advanced, families from the lower levels rarely owned private vehicles, opting instead to save money.

Additionally, the convenience of public elevators and railways in the underground city was another reason.

“Hestia, good morning!”

“Is that you, Hestia? Heading out today?”

“Yes, I’m off to buy a few things,” Hestia replied with a nod.

“Finally stepping out again, Little Thilan?”

By now, most of the neighbors recognized Hestia. On the one hand, the previous incident had made her quite famous, sparking discussions in the surrounding residential areas for over a week. On the other hand, her role as a tutor at Grandma He’s house had spread through the children, who spoke of her often, further cementing her presence among the locals.

Although Hestia still couldn’t remember everyone’s names or titles, the familiarity she had gained over time made her feel less flustered than before.

Stepping into the vertical elevator, Hestia watched the doors slowly close. The silence inside allowed her to exhale in relief.

Everyone was so warm and enthusiastic—it was a feeling she rarely experienced in the past.

She hadn’t always lived here. About six years ago, she and her family had moved to this area. Back then, her father might have interacted with the neighbors, but as a child, she hadn’t known much about it.

The security in this neighborhood wasn’t great but wasn’t terrible either. Most residents had been here for over a decade, some even spanning multiple generations, like Grandma He’s family.

Beep—

[Arrived at Floor 43.]

As the elevator doors slid open, a view of towering buildings adorned with neon signs came into view. The air was noticeably fresher on this level.

Arrived?

Hestia stepped out of the elevator, her thoughts focused on the two goals for the day.

The first was to buy a new personal terminal, and the second was to see if there were any suitable job opportunities.

Let’s start with the personal terminal, Hestia thought as she turned toward a bustling pedestrian shopping street.

Walking along the spacious street, she found herself amidst a crowd of people. A gentle breeze occasionally swept down from above, lifting strands of her hair. The blue and purple neon lights cast fragmented reflections of Hestia and the passersby, blending light and shadow into a lively tapestry.

The shops along the road were decorated in diverse styles. The bright interiors of the stores stood in stark contrast to the dim streets outside, almost as if they belonged to entirely different worlds.

Through the rotating glass doors with a laser gradient, Hestia stepped into this illuminated domain.

Inside the pristine white store, various virtual projections shifted constantly, showcasing the features of the personal terminals.

“FireEye Sparrow Y-1800”: “Specialized for handling sudden situations in life, its chrome-flame crystal lens can focus and emit a ‘flame stream ray’ within two seconds, capable of piercing 20mm steel structures…”

“Sentinel E-100”: “Can detect any surveillance devices within a 100-meter radius, providing maximum privacy protection…”

“Matrix MR-4500”: “Your all-purpose assistant in life. Whether it’s analysis, calculations, work support, or enhancing personal defense capabilities, it helps you excel and approach perfection…”

“Ink Art: Ge Wu 2700”: “Elegant style with an oriental flair. Its ink-colored border shields your elegance and tranquility from the outside noise.”

These models were the flagship products of various brands, and their prices weren’t cheap. For example, the last model, a new release by “Ink Charm Workshop,” was priced at around 30,000 Federation Credits.

Hestia’s eyes lingered on the new releases for a moment. She felt a bit envious but didn’t have much desire to buy them. For now, saving money was her top priority.

Let’s check out some cost-effective options. Models from a few years ago should have dropped in price by now.

As she wandered through the store, she unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.

“Hestia, are you here to check out the new models too?”

A golden-haired girl with short hair, Lina, had a streak of deep purple dyed in her bangs. She wore a cropped jacket that revealed her toned waist, exuding youthful vitality. Beside her stood an elegant elven man dressed in a sharp business suit.

“Is this one of Lina’s friends?” The elf gave Hestia a curious look, sizing her up.

“Yes, she’s my classmate and also a friend,” Lina answered confidently as she walked over to Hestia.

“My old personal terminal broke, so I came to look for a new one,” Hestia replied, averting her gaze slightly. In this moment, she felt like an awkward duckling compared to Lina’s radiant and confident presence.

“Ah, what a coincidence! I’m here to get a new terminal too.” Lina gave Hestia’s shoulder a friendly pat.

“Come on, let’s look together.”

Unable to refuse, Hestia let Lina pull her along. The three of them approached the counter together.

“Could you bring down the ‘Purple Owl D-1260’? I’d like to take a look,” Lina said.

“Certainly, one moment please.” The sales assistant smiled and nodded, retrieving a rare personal terminal from the display behind her.

“This ‘Purple Owl D-1260’ can create a personal stage lighting effect, play high-quality music with powerful sound, and even temporarily project dynamic dancing figures. It’s perfect for music lovers,” the assistant explained.

Lina took it with interest, experimenting with its features. She projected dazzling stage effects in the store, clearly enjoying herself.

“What do you think, darling~?” After finishing her tests, Lina turned to the elven man and asked in a coquettish tone that Hestia had never heard from her before.

“I think it’s great too.”

Although the man had seemed slightly bored throughout the process, he still offered a confident answer when Lina asked.

“Then I’ll take this one.”

“No problem.” With that, the man signaled the store clerk.

“This model is priced at 23,890 Federation Credits, but we’re currently running a promotion, so we can offer it for 22,890 Federation Credits…”

“There’s no need to elaborate. Just ring it up.” The man took the payment terminal and, with a quick beep, completed the purchase.

Watching from the side, Hestia was slightly taken aback, marveling at the ease with which wealthy people handled their money. For her, landing a job that paid 80 Federation Credits a day would already feel like a blessing—after all, she hadn’t even graduated high school yet.

“Thank you~ Hehe.”

Lina happily accepted her brand-new personal terminal and began fiddling with it in her hands. After a short while, she reluctantly set it aside.

“Now it’s your turn, Hestia. Let’s find one for you. Which one do you like? I’ll help you choose.”

“I just need something basic; it doesn’t need to have too many features.” Hestia was intent on saving money.

“Aw, why not get a better one? You’ll be in high school soon,” Lina said, bending over to inspect the various models on display.

“No, really, I don’t need it.” Hestia mustered some courage to decline.

“Alright, how about this one?” Lina pointed to a specific model.

[‘Silver Star GR-620’: Capable of simulating realistic scenery and sound effects, letting you relax and unwind anywhere…]

“This one costs 12,580 Federation Credits. It’s a model from a few years ago, but I’ve heard it’s well-reviewed.”

“It’s still too expensive.” Hestia shook her head.

Lina continued to recommend several other models, but Hestia politely declined each time before deciding to choose on her own.

“How about I lend you some money, and you don’t have to rush to pay it back?” The elven man, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up. He seemed to have been observing Hestia for quite some time.

“Uh…” Lina hesitated.

“Thank you, but… no need. I’ll manage on my own.” Hestia looked up, slightly embarrassed as she replied.

Seeing her insistence, the two didn’t press further.

In the end, Hestia bought a slightly outdated but durable and well-reviewed model, spending around 4,000 Federation Credits.

Although this price was still a bit high for her, she didn’t feel comfortable picking something cheaper in front of the two. Had she been alone, she would have been satisfied with a basic model priced between 2,000 and 3,000 Federation Credits.

After completing the purchase, the three left the store. Lina invited Hestia to join them for a drink, but Hestia politely declined.

After saying their goodbyes, Hestia waved and walked away.

As Hestia disappeared into the distance, the elven man’s gaze lingered on her graceful figure for a long time. Finally, he turned to Lina, who was busy fiddling with her new terminal.

“You never mentioned this friend of yours before.”

“Her?” Lina looked up.

“She’s not very well-known in our class. I only got to know her because we sat next to each other for a while.”

“How should I put it… She’s really introverted and doesn’t like to talk. She’s kind of like a rock—dull and unresponsive. If you try to talk to her about popular topics, the conversation just dies.”

“She’s quite good-looking, though. Doesn’t anyone pursue her?”

“Good-looking? Hmm… I guess that’s true. Hestia doesn’t dress up, but she has naturally great skin and really beautiful features. Honestly, not many people I know could surpass her in that regard…” Lina paused in thought.

“Strangely, no one seems to pursue her. Maybe it’s because she’s too ordinary? She kind of blends into the background. Plus, she never takes the initiative to talk to people and always wears glasses.”

“Oh, right, her glasses! You wouldn’t know this, but her natural gray hair and glasses make her seem even more reserved. She never goes out during breaks and just sits quietly in the corner. No one pays attention to her, especially since we had combined classes in middle school with unfamiliar students.”

“She’s a hidden gem,” the elven man said, adjusting his silver-framed glasses.

“Wait… are you interested in her?”

“I just want to learn more about her.”

“Tsk, I know what you men are thinking. You’re probably imagining having both of us on your bed right now.” Lina waved dismissively.

“Do as you like, but don’t expect me to help.”

“Why not?” The elven man was puzzled, as he had just been planning to ask Lina to introduce them.

“Don’t you think it’s kind of insulting? I have my pride, you know.”

“How about this—next time, I’ll take you to the White Wave Beach in Southern District.” For people living in an underground city of perpetual night, a trip to a beautiful seaside beach was incredibly enticing.

“When’s ‘next time’?”

“Alright, this June.”

“Deal. You said it, not me. I’ll help you ask around about Hestia in the next couple of days. She seems to be strapped for cash, so convincing her shouldn’t be too hard.”

With that, Lina put away her personal terminal. The two walked toward a high-end restaurant with flickering neon signs.

In the eternally dark underground city, neon lights shimmered ceaselessly, and people chased their desires, lost in their own indulgences.


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