Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

The speech concluded, and Hestia bowed before stepping off the high platform. She walked to a corner of the hall, blending into the group of students as they awaited the final address of the opening ceremony.

In truth, she hadn’t taken in anything being said at that moment. Her mind remained immersed in the state she’d entered during her speech.

The earlier part of her speech on the stage adhered to the script. However, much of the latter half was an impulsive outpouring of thoughts that had lingered in her mind for a long time.

Hestia had always harbored opinions about this chaotic and anxious society, but they had remained vague due to her lack of confidence. She believed that such issues must have already been considered by great minds and didn’t require her concern.

This hesitant ambiguity persisted until about a month ago, when she began to emerge from her past shadows. Only then did she sort through those longstanding ideas in her mind, forming the basis of today’s speech.

Did I go overboard? Will they laugh at me?

As she transitioned out of the immersive state she had been in, doubt crept in. After all, her speech today had been far from the norm for an opening ceremony.

Her thoughts churned as the event came to an end. The final applause echoed through the hall, the lights brightened, and the room grew lively and noisy.

“Brilliant, Thilan-sis!” Annelie was the first to rush over, grabbing Hestia’s hand.

Just as Hestia was trying to figure out how to express humility and explain her earlier impulsiveness, more students gathered around.

“That was amazing, Thilan.”

“Can we have lunch together, Thilan?”

“I’d love to get to know you better, Thilan.”

“Thilan, where did you live before? I’ve never heard of you before now.”

Boys and girls alike surrounded her, each eager to speak.

In the distance, several teachers from Edess Academy watched the scene with faint smiles before leaving together, giving the students their space.

Before long, a video of Hestia’s speech began circulating among the school’s board of directors.

“It’s a bit immature,” one remarked.

“But isn’t it inspiring?” another praised.

“If it had been a dull, overly cautious speech, it would’ve been tedious and lacked impact.”

“Speaking so candidly suits young people and resonates with their peers. Truth be told, I had similar dreams of changing the world in high school. As I grew older, I realized the difficulty of such ambitions and stopped mentioning them. But who doesn’t have such dreams?”

“If a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old is forced to suppress their personality and ideas, that would truly be tragic.”

“This time, we’ve discovered a rough gem,” someone remarked with admiration.

“Whether she succeeds in the future or not, today’s speech alone will earn her a group of companions in the coming years.”

“People brought together by shared ideals often outlast those united by mere interests.”

“What a stunning debut. She seems to have an instinctive grasp of this—no one taught her these things, yet she’s reached this level on her own.”

“We don’t yet know the extent of her talent as a songstress, but my expectations for her future have grown.”

“Perhaps it’s time for us to act, not just in response to Saint Ingo Academy but also to address the challenges within the Four-Leaf Crystal Star Region…”

That day, Hestia was almost constantly surrounded by others. Never before had she been the focus of so much attention. She met countless students, memorized name after name, and watched as her once-sparse contact list grew exponentially.

Thankfully, Annelie stepped in to assist, introducing Hestia to each student and helping manage the social whirlwind. Together, they navigated the day’s events.

That evening, back in her small dormitory, Hestia collapsed onto her bed in exhaustion. Her hairpin undone, her long black hair spread across the bed as she lay resting for a while before summoning the energy to take a shower.

After a refreshing rinse and a soak in the warm bath, she reflected on the students she’d met earlier in the day.

Many were heirs to large enterprises within the Verdant Veil, while others were descendants of prominent figures. Some stood out as exceptional talents, having already reached Sequence 4 before even enrolling—proof of the hidden brilliance within Edess Academy.

Sorting through her scattered memories, Hestia recorded the names of her new acquaintances in her personal terminal. Only then did she truly relax.

The warm water continued to flow over her, lulling her into a brief nap before she finished bathing and returned to her room.

The next day marked her first class.

Although it was just a typical theory class, being the first day of school, no one was absent or took leave.

The content of the course was straightforward, focused primarily on familiarizing students with their environment and helping them adapt. After class, a crowd of students surrounded Hestia, chattering excitedly and inviting her to lunch.

“Thilan, your hair is so beautiful!”

“Thilan, you’re so adorable. Even though your speech was so bold, it doesn’t provoke any resistance.”

“Thilan, where did you study before? I wish I’d met you earlier.”

The girls were more outgoing, while the boys, being new acquaintances and mindful of their image, remained more reserved.

At Edess Academy, Hestia maintained her black hair and blue-eyed appearance—a stark contrast to her gray-haired, black-eyed state, which she used to conceal her presence in other contexts. With her true charm fully unveiled, her beauty rivaled that of Themisia, quietly captivating those around her.

“Have lunch with me,” said a girl dressed in a lace black dress with pale golden eyes, extending her hand to Hestia.

As soon as she spoke, the other girls around them instinctively fell silent.

“Dolores…” one of the boys murmured from a distance.

The young mistress of the “Incense Workshop,” Dolores was the sole heir and future successor of a vast business empire.

Although Edess Academy had its fair share of children from prominent families, not all were direct heirs—many were distant relatives meant to complement their more accomplished siblings. This distinction was significant, and Dolores, as the guaranteed successor to a colossal enterprise, held an elevated status among her peers.

“Thank you for the invitation, Dolores,” Hestia replied. Noticing how quickly the debate among the girls dissipated, she understood Dolores’ influence, even without knowing much about her.

Annelie, standing nearby, winked at Hestia encouragingly. With that, Hestia rose and followed Dolores out of the classroom.

They walked along a suspended glass corridor, arriving at a serene rooftop garden restaurant. The space had only three tables, placed far apart, creating a private garden atmosphere. Overhead was a canopy of wisteria, and the expansive view offered glimpses of the campus below and beyond.

Seated across from Hestia, Dolores perused the menu, her slender fingers clad in lace gloves moving gracefully as she instructed the waiter on her dining preferences.

“I’d like T3-grade garnet steak from the Black Realm Region, paired with April-brewed black grape wine. For dessert, two servings of cloudberries in a triple-layer pastry design…” She spoke fluently despite the intricate requests, as though it were second nature, unconcerned whether the restaurant could meet her expectations.

“Understood. We’ll prepare this immediately. Please wait a moment, young ladies,” the waiter replied before departing.

Having finished her orders, Dolores finally turned her attention to Hestia.

“Apologies for not asking your preferences earlier. I’m just used to ordering this way,” she said. Though her tone carried a hint of arrogance, Hestia sensed no malice—Dolores genuinely seemed accustomed to such behavior and had simply overlooked asking.

“It’s fine,” Hestia replied with a shake of her head, not bothered by such a trivial matter.

“Next time, you can choose,” Dolores offered as a gesture of compromise.

They then shifted to other topics, starting with their impressions of the school and moving on to Dolores’ past experiences.

“My father had high expectations of me from a young age, so I often attended various gatherings and met peers with similar family backgrounds. As a result, I didn’t spend much time at school and rarely got to know my classmates.”

“Thilan, you’re the first classmate I’ve taken an interest in. Your speech yesterday won me over, and I really want to be friends with you.” Unlike other students who hesitated or acted coyly, Dolores, as the future head of her family, spoke her mind directly.

“I’ve already taken on part of the family business, so if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask,” she added, her frankness and lack of pretense revealing her genuine character.

The food arrived shortly after, and as the two girls enjoyed their lunch, the initial awkwardness between them gradually faded.

Spending time with Dolores, Hestia began to understand her better. Despite her lofty status, Dolores had a straightforward personality, disdaining manipulation or hidden agendas.

After lunch, they lingered in the garden before strolling along its paths. At one point, Dolores hesitated several times before finally taking Hestia’s hand. Her gloved palm matched the style of her intricate lace dress, which enveloped her figure from shoulder to neck. The neckline revealed a touch of fair skin, exuding elegance and grace.

As their conversation shifted to lighter, more personal topics, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.

“Where do you live, Thilan? Can I visit you sometime?” Dolores asked cautiously. Though usually direct and composed, she found herself uncharacteristically careful when speaking to Hestia.

“I live in a house on the inner grounds of Edess Academy, in the K12 area on the west side,” Hestia replied, pulling out her personal terminal to point out the location.

“You’re welcome to visit anytime,” she added, smiling—a rare gesture for her. It marked her first genuine friendship since arriving at Edess Academy.