Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Annelli wore a deep blue skirt, a white blouse, her legs wrapped in grey stockings that accentuated the curves. She moved nimbly across the floor, her rapier tracing afterimages in the air. Only a few silver arcs of her sword flash, stabbing towards Tilan from different directions.

From the beginning, she had not held back but had given it her all. This was not her first time sparring with Tilan. Initially, she thought that Tilan might not be skilled in swordsmanship—after all, the girl's previous educational environment was not good, and she had no opportunity to learn these things.

But after their first encounter, she realized how terribly wrong she was.

In the last two days of sparring, she had lost all 16 matches, each time easily defeated by Tilan's swordsmanship, even though both restrained their transcendental abilities and did not use any additional powers.

In the dimly lit room, their silhouettes intertwined continuously, the sound of clashing swords coming intermittently. Compared to Annelli's all-out effort, Tilan was much more relaxed and at ease. Though her longsword appeared slightly wider than the rapier, it was more agile, the blade turning in the air like a swallow, indescribably smooth and swift.

However, she did not stick to this sword style but kept changing her way of using the sword, sometimes obscure, sometimes light and rapid, as if she was familiarizing herself with some strange sword technique and then slowly integrating it into her own system.

After another clashing of swords, Annelli retreated, panting.

"No more, I'm so tired," said the young lady with silver-gray hair, sweat beading on her forehead.

Although Tilan seemed to expose several flaws due to unfamiliarity with the new sword technique during the sparring, every time Annelli attacked, Tilan would change again, blocking Annelli's thrusts and slashes in an appropriate manner.

After Annelli stopped, Tilan continued to stand in contemplation, her sword blade occasionally swinging in her hand, spinning between her fingers, tracing curved arcs in the air.

If any observant person compared the images of her wielding a sword just now with Temisia's swordsmanship at the Winter Festival banquet, they would find many similar details between their techniques, yet the styles were different.

Temisia's swordsmanship leaned more towards offense and fast-paced movement, utterly magnificent, while hers was more reserved and defensive, possessing a serene beauty that seemed unshakable, like a mountain that could not be moved.

After a short while, Tilan sheathed her sword and went over to Annelli, starting to guide her through the omissions in her sword technique and suggesting improvements.

With the memories of Temisia and the legacy of the Green Lotus Sword Washing Palace, her insights into swordsmanship probably surpassed even some of today's masters. It was only limited by time and her Sequence Stage that she couldn't fully express many of the sword techniques and secret techniques.

After the explanation, it was already late, so the two left the dark room where they had been practicing their swordsmanship.

By then, not many students remained in the training ground, just a scattered few.

When Tilan passed by, several couldn't help but marvel, simply because her outfit was so striking. The black, smooth long hair; black stockings; black shoes; black skirt; and just a few blue roses, like the finishing touch to a painting, left them in awe.

After entering the Interstellar Era, the probability of encountering handsome men and beautiful women had increased significantly due to genetic technology improvements and the emergence of many beauty and makeup techniques. In essence, anyone could be attractive if they had the money. However, even so, individuals with a special charisma were still rare, and this young girl was one of those exceptional people.

As the girl walked past everyone, she didn't turn her gaze but was aware of the attention on her, which made her slightly embarrassed. Actually, this was the first time she wore this dress, requested by the head maid recently.

The design and tailoring of the clothes were from a master in the Central Star Domain, sent to the Academy. Then, Pranli, the head maid, asked her to wear this dress while moving around the campus, whether dining, practicing swordsmanship, or attending to other matters. At night, Pranli would inspect the details of the dress, checking for wear and tear and any damaged seams.

Dressing appropriately was an important aspect of etiquette. It may not be challenging to create beautiful clothes, but to showcase the additional style and beauty they offer while maintaining elegance is no easy task.

Many people donned formal attire as if monkeys were crowned, incongruent and out of place. Some of their behavioral details failed to match the impression their clothes were supposed to convey, creating a sense of conflict and dissonance. This is an example of 1+1<1, where it actually diminishes one's image.

"When you leave the house in the morning, you must carry yourself in a way that complements your attire," the maid-in-chief had instructed Tilan, which caused the young girl some difficulty. Although she had received training in manners, how to bring out the beauty of her formal attire completely eluded her. Thus, what was displayed was only the girl's pure innocence, which was indeed quite different from the dark style of the dress.

But inexplicably, her demeanor did not clash with the black dress; rather, it blended in well, leaving Pranli uncertain how to evaluate her.

"It seems you are quite special," Pranli finally admitted with resignation, acknowledging that this indeed was much better than painstakingly learning how to behave.

Some people are just naturally charming, able to attract others simply by sitting still. As someone who had seen many a wealthy young lady, she couldn't help but sigh that Hexia Tilan was indeed a rather special one.

At first glance, you seemed unremarkable, somewhat ordinary, but as one got to know you, they would be unwittingly drawn in by your charm. Innocent and pure, yet somehow inexplicably tenacious and strong, soft on the outside but resolute within.

Etiquette training is never an easy task. Often, it is tedious and mundane, requiring one to tirelessly practice a move to find the proper extent. This kind of work usually left one with a sore back and legs after a day, and many young ladies from affluent families couldn't stand it for half a day and would complain bitterly.

However, when instructing Tilan, the girl never once complained; she just patiently and quietly accepted the training. Moreover, she didn't allow her mind to slack off. She was genuinely reflecting and adjusting, which made Pranli's job much easier.

Some people, although they appear to be working, have actually given up in their minds or are irritated and loath their tasks, merely going through the motions and acting perfunctorily.

"Although I'm no great figure, in my opinion, Miss Tilan is surely not limited to just this," Pranli stated.

After spending some time together, Pranli gradually developed a bit of respect for the young girl, no longer seeing her as just another fragile and delicate heiress.

"Why can you always be like this, without a hint of resentment in your heart? My instruction is very strict and impersonal, and I've made quite a few cry before," Pranli asked Tilan one evening after training had ended.

"It's probably because I've had some tough experiences in the past," the girl replied, sitting on a walnut chair with her black hair spilling over her collar and shoulders.

"I was inconspicuous in school, the teachers were very busy, and there were many students seeking them out every day. The opportunity to ask them questions and receive guidance was very rare."

"Because my family was poor, education was one of the rare avenues that could lift me out of my circumstances, and I cherished this hard-earned opportunity."

"There were many students in a teacher's class, and an individual student's performance did not affect their income. They were under no obligation to provide detailed and careful instruction to each student."

"I didn't have anything to offer my teachers, so all I could do was listen attentively to their every word and then ask questions within the limited time available."

"I am very grateful for the instruction and answers the teachers gave me. I know it was for my own good, so I won't complain. Their willingness to explain things to me so selflessly and patiently was already not an easy feat. After all, they could have just brushed me off, as doing so wouldn't have affected their income," she continued. Experience new stories on empire

Maybe that was the case, Pranli thought, looking at the girl sitting in the chair.

Any teacher, when faced with such a devout and unhurried student who was also meticulous and earnest, would hardly have the heart not to instruct her well. Rather than call it good fortune, it was the result of her own efforts and determination.

The girl with black hair sat in the chair, like an unnamed flower silently blooming in a corner. In her, fragility and strength united.