Just as Mia and Kefi were left dumbfounded by being called “Master,” their minds running wild with bizarre scenarios, Lisika dashed forward with a dazzling, professional smile, hurrying to smooth things over.
“Ahaha… This maid here is our shop’s special employee! Calling customers ‘Master’ is just one of our unique customer experience programs! Doesn’t it feel immersive, nya?”
As she spoke, she quickly slipped behind Flovi, elbowing her hard in the back where Mia and Kefi couldn’t see, shooting her frantic looks, signaling her to go along.
Flovi wobbled slightly from the elbow. She blinked her clear, slightly bewildered golden eyes, as if she’d finally caught up with the situation after processing it in her own single-minded way.
Her face stayed as expressionless as ever, but she gave a slow, dazed nod to show she understood.
Mia and Kefi watched all this, still sporting expressions of half-skeptical surprise.
Special service? Are clothing shops this creative nowadays?
Flovi turned, giving a flawless curtsy in the perfect maid’s posture, her movements smooth and graceful.
Then, in her unruffled, monotone voice, she said, “Yes. Masters, are you satisfied with the clothes you just tried on and purchased? If so… please… please give us a good review.”
Seeing Flovi earnestly and awkwardly fulfilling her “staff duties,” Mia and Kefi felt most of their doubts melt away.
Maybe… this shop just has its own unique flair?
“Yeah, I’m satisfied!” Mia said quickly, and Kefi nodded along.
So, on the paper forms Flovi handed over—hastily found by Lisika—they both carefully wrote glowing reviews: “Very satisfied.”
This little episode passed without any real danger.
Mia and Kefi, pleased, changed back into their usual clothes and bought the outfits they’d picked out.
True to her word, Lisika gave them a massive discount.
After their shopping, the sky was growing dusky—it was nearly evening—so the two prepared to return to the academy.
Sefina escorted them to the door, and as she watched their cheerful faces, she said lightly, “You two head back. I have a little business to take care of—I’m meeting a friend, so I’ll be staying in the capital a bit longer.”
Mia and Kefi saw nothing unusual in this, nodding as they hugged their new clothes and headed together toward the teleportation array.
Watching the two students disappear around the corner, Sefina finally turned back and reopened the door to the shop.
The moment the door closed, Lisika dropped her professional smile and, like a true little cat, pounced over, calling out cheerfully, “Boss nya! I was almost scared to death just now!”
She patted her chest, looking thoroughly rattled.
Flovi also came over, still wearing her calm expression, and gave Sefina a slight bow: “Master, welcome back.”
Sefina looked at them helplessly, her gaze slowly sweeping through the shop’s interior.
Warm light, neat shelves, exquisite dresses, and the faint scent of fabrics in the air.
She remarked offhandedly, “This place is decorated nicely. Do you two spend most of your time here?”
“Yes, nya!” Lisika nodded vigorously, her cat ears twitching in delight.
“It’s both a front and a base! Our real ‘work’ gets done down in the basement, where it’s safer and more secret.”
She gave a mysterious look as she spoke, inviting, “Boss, want to come down and have a look?”
Sefina nodded. “Why not.”
Following Lisika, Sefina passed through a hidden door in the back, disguised as a storeroom wall, and walked down a stairway leading into the basement.
The atmosphere down there was completely different from the cozy brightness of the shop above—down here it was all practicality and utility.
The space wasn’t especially large, but it was cleverly divided into sections.
One wall was covered in detailed maps of the Arian Empire and the surrounding regions, marked all over with colored pins and fine threads.
Next to it stood a broad, solid workbench, cluttered with ordinary stationery and a stack of thick record books.
The other side was more homey, with a comfortable sofa, a small dining table and several chairs, and a makeshift kitchen area in the corner—teaware and snacks set atop the counter.
Lisika introduced it proudly, “So, what do you think? We do all our work and rest here. It’s not as spacious as your villa at the academy, Boss, but it’s pretty comfy, nya!”
Sefina surveyed the secret base, nodding slightly in approval.
Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to a petite figure by the workbench.
A girl even smaller than Lisika, with her back to the door, hunched over the table in deep concentration.
She wore huge goggles that covered half her face, her short hair sticking up wildly, and grease-stained overalls.
She held a delicate screwdriver, working carefully on a metal panel etched with intricate patterns, so focused she didn’t seem to notice anyone approaching behind her.
Sefina, still in her deep blue lolita dress and heels, walked toward her with a crisp “clack clack,” step by step, and gently called by her ear:
“Nona.”
The girl called Nona jolted so hard her whole body shuddered, her screwdriver clattering onto the table.
She jerked her head up, eyes wide behind the goggles, and turned blankly toward the voice.
When she saw Sefina, she let out a long sigh of relief, patted her chest, and grumbled, “Boss! It’s you! You nearly scared me to death—my hand almost slipped and short-circuited the core circuit!”
Nona, another of Sefina’s companions, was gifted and passionate in the creation and modification of magitech devices—though… her inventions’ stability was always a mystery.
Explosions and short-circuits were the norm.
It was likely that most of the hidden facilities and fully equipped base down here were her handiwork.
“Hehe, long time no see, Boss!” Nona took off her goggles, revealing a lively, energetic face.
She eyed Sefina curiously, quickly noticing the unusual dress she wore—the same one Lisika had secretively ordered just a few days ago.
“By the way… Boss, you look pretty cute in that! Totally different from your usual vibe!”
The corners of Sefina’s lips curled slightly, but she didn’t comment on the outfit.
She found a sturdy-looking chair, plopped down, kicked off her high heels with relief, and sat cross-legged, massaging her sore ankles.
Stretching lazily, she seemed to shake off the fatigue of the whole day.
Yet when she looked up again, her wine-red eyes were sharp and calm as ever, her expression turning serious.
She glanced at Lisika, Flovi, and Nona, then spoke in a low, clear voice.
“All right, enough catching up. There’s work for you three to do.”