Miss Witch Doesn't Want to Become a Songstress-Chapter 254

Night of June 26, Southern 1st District, beneath the Sky-Sea Grand Bridge.

The mighty river rolled beneath the night breeze, the sound of splashing water carried along with it. As the red signal lights on the bridge blinked on and off, the once-connected bridge was slowly lifted by the towering pillars on both sides, forming an open V-shape. Atop the two rising bridge peaks, light gradually began to gather.

The sound of wind whooshed through the projected broadcast. As one by one the floating autonomous filming units took their positions, the figures on both sides of the bridge came into the audience’s view.

"Good evening, viewers in front of your screens! You’re watching Verdant Veil Channel One bringing you live coverage of the most anticipated High School Alliance Showdown!"

"The current time is 18:05 on the night of June 26, Verdant Veil calendar. We’re coming to you live from the cross-river Sky-Sea Grand Bridge located in Module 214, Southern 1st District. Tonight’s competing schools are Hive Dominion Academy and Edess Academy—two institutions that are both well-known and widely admired. As we can see, members from both teams are already stepping onto the stage."

"Now let me introduce tonight’s theme and format. As everyone knows, the founding of the Federation is closely linked to the legendary Songstress Her Highness, and musical education remains a major focus in many high schools. As such, the Alliance Showdown includes a dedicated ’music’-themed competition."

"This highly anticipated match will unfold across three stages, the process being—"

"Alright, by now I’m sure everyone is well acquainted with tonight’s exciting format. Let’s now take a look at the roster of participants from both sides!"

"First up is the untamed flame in the dark, wild and passionate, vibrant and sweet—a genius songstress known in every Verdant Veil household: Princoco!!"

As the host introduced her, waves of cheers erupted from the audience lining both sides of the riverbank. The camera zoomed in on the girl standing atop the bridge peak. She held a red chrome-plated guitar, her caramel-colored short hair flying in the night wind. Illuminated by the lights below, her black-and-white stage outfit shimmered with flecks of metallic gleam, and the black over-knee socks on her legs glowed a radiant pale gold under the spotlights.

"Princoco!"

"Princoco!"

"Princoco!"

The chants rolled in waves, one after another. It wasn’t until twenty seconds later that the host managed to squeeze in the next announcement.

"Ahem... Now, let’s shift our focus to the other side of the bridge, where a representative of Edess Academy is stepping onto the field."

"Golden hair that scatters sparks, eyes that shine without dimming, a breathtaking figure and dazzling dance—entering now is the award-winning prodigy of the Star Region stage, the one known as the Fiery Goldfish Princess: Evony E. Krabbich!"

Another round of cheers rose from the crowd, though noticeably less intense than before—and a few voices still continued to shout Princoco’s name.

...

In a beautiful villa in the Southern 1st District, atop the third-floor outdoor patio by the pool, a real-time projection played out on screen. A maid in black and white uniform placed freshly prepared dinner and dessert on the table and then silently withdrew.

Before long, a barefoot woman stepped across the pristine marble floor and sat at the small round table. Dressed in a bathrobe, her black hair still damp, she gently toweled it dry as she turned her gaze to the projected scene—unable to wait until her hair fully dried before tuning in to the match.

After the host’s introduction, the camera slowly panned from the blonde girl in a white dress at the center of her team to her teammates one by one. Among them, a black-haired, blue-eyed girl appeared on the screen.

"Thilan."

Murmuring the girl’s name under her breath, she felt relieved knowing she hadn’t missed her friend’s entrance. Her mood lifted considerably. It wasn’t until the footage switched to a wide aerial shot of the river that she set her towel down and gently shook out the still-damp strands of hair.

Having just finished her bath, she wasn’t as flawless and composed as usual, but there was a grounded, everyday beauty to her appearance. If outsiders saw this scene, they might be surprised to learn that this was the delicate and noble heiress of the "Incense Workshop"—a young lady who had such a gentle and vulnerable side.

...

The much-anticipated competition slowly unfolded. After the rules were explained, the first stage began: each side would receive five minutes to perform, and their scores would be determined by on-site judges.

The pick gripped between her fingers scraped lightly across the strings, and a deep, layered mix surged forth. The grand overture slowly began to rise. She hadn’t even opened her mouth yet, but the presence of the Fiery Sugar Princoco was already climbing. Not even the pitch-black night could suppress the soaring strength of her will.

Her strumming grew faster, the drums behind her beat more furiously. The bassist beside her leaned back slightly, their fingers already a blur of motion. The night wind was shredded apart by their sound, which now surged forth in full: a metallic roar, an endless scream, the thunder of mechanical war.

Even from kilometers away, the music galloped like a thunderbeast across the land. The audience was quickly swept into Princoco’s mental world—a battlefield beneath the stars. Warplanes streaked past on all sides, and explosions of flame erupted in waves.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open in the wind. That small figure seemed to contain a boundless, wandering blaze. She stepped forward, planted one foot atop the amp, and unleashed a voice like a declaration.

Untrollable「失控」

December winds bring only cold.

Do you still remember our last argument?

Since our parting, the hands of the clock seem frozen.

You and I drift farther apart...

...

Her voice spun with the rhythm, like a roaring war chariot tearing down a cold, rain-slicked track. Billowing steam, searing heat, and relentless cannonfire intertwined—crashing into every listener’s heart and shaking their souls.

Her fingers struck hard across the strings. The metallic tremor rang with unyielding passion and freedom—just like the eternal spirit of youth.

Even minutes after the song ended, the audience remained lost in that world crushed beneath the treads of war. They could not pull themselves free.

"Hah..."

Someone clutched their chest and gasped, finally breaking from their immersion. Slowly, they looked up with disbelief, staring at the tiny figure atop the bridge.

"So this... this is the power of a songstress—so direct, so devastatingly emotional."

For many who had only read about history in textbooks, it was hard to imagine that the great organizations and unruly leaders of a thousand years ago could have been swayed by a golden-haired elven girl. But those who saw a songstress’s power firsthand would cast such doubts aside in an instant. The spiritual impact, the emotional baptism—forget persuasion; becoming her most fanatical follower on the spot would feel all too natural.

That said, the “Golden Flame Flower” Isanisha of that era never abused such power. She always restrained herself, which is why no cult ever formed around her.

After a long pause, the venue was utterly silent. Only when the judges’ scores were announced did excitement and discussion erupt once more.

"Performance: 10. Emotional Impact: 10. Innovation: 10. Total Score: 30—full marks!"

The host’s exuberant voice echoed through the night, and a wave of cheers followed like crashing surf.

Fiery Sugar Princoco had not held back just because her opponent was Edess Academy. She gave everything she had in this battle, blazing like fire, asserting her will to the fullest.

"Well then... how will you respond, Thilan?"

Her gaze cut through the crashing cheers and the night sky, landing on the unremarkable black-haired girl standing behind Evony.

Though no one else had noticed, she already knew who tonight’s true opponent was. That fleeting meeting a year ago had etched this girl’s face deep into her memory.

Hestia Thilan—the other junior discovered by “Emerald Serpent” Senior Yolanda. Perhaps she could even be called her junior sister. The two of them had spoken very little, but were far from strangers.