Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

In the dimly lit room, gem-like lights on the ceiling swayed gently. Beams of pale purple and deep blue light crisscrossed, and the bass drum began its steady beat.

In the quiet interior, the rhythmic drumming echoed, resonating deeply in the hearts of every audience member in the dark. The clarity of the sound seemed to penetrate even the gloom, allowing one to almost see the vibrations of the drum membrane, both sobering and intoxicating.

This was an underground concert hall. In the small space, 70 or 80 audience members stood amidst the interplay of shadows and fluorescent light. They watched with fervent restraint as the only figure illuminated by the spotlight took the stage—a songstress cloaked in black.

The slanted light barely revealed half of the girl’s face. She had icy blue eyes, long black hair, and skin pale as snow. Half of her slender frame was bathed in light, while the rest remained submerged in shadow. Yet even so, her delicate and alluring figure captivated all who beheld her.

Her cherry blossom-pink lips parted slightly, and a voice, cool and clear, emerged with the rhythm of the drumbeats. Even with closed eyes, one could feel this voice cutting through time and space, reaching directly into the deepest recesses of the soul.

It was as if every cell swam in the melody and rhythm, washing away all worldly troubles and agitation, leaving one transported to a distant, cold, and empty world.

The song carried no passion, no persuasion, and no comfort—only an endless expanse of emptiness and remoteness. It was as if all the trivial emotions of mortal existence had been stripped away, replaced by the insignificance and melancholy of gazing at the stars.

The music continued. With the gentle strum of her slender fingers on the strings, a vibrant and life-infused rhythm slowly emerged after a prolonged silence. It was so measured yet grand that it moved the audience to tears.

Gradually, the music ceased. The scene dimmed, and everything froze.

A finger paused on the screen.

“Who is this famous singer? It seems to have such a unique style,” a fresh-sounding voice asked from the side.

You looked up. The voice belonged to a blonde girl with horns, dressed in a white dress adorned with floral patterns. Black grid-like stripes, splattered like ink, were scattered across the hem of her skirt, while bright blue and pink colors filled the grids, creating a strikingly lively contrast.

“I stumbled upon this recently on the Star Field Network. I don’t know much about it.”

“I see. I was curious who it might be,” she replied, slightly disappointed. The black, curved horns on her head tilted, brushing through a few strands of her golden hair.

“Are you curious about my species?” The girl seemed to notice the curiosity in your gaze. She smiled brightly and introduced herself with practiced ease.

“I’m from the Givellia region of the northern Federal Constellation. I have the bloodline of the Beastkin subrace, specifically the Horned Bull Tribe. I’m currently here for an exchange study program in the Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation.”

…

“Why did I come here, you ask? Although the economy in the Four-Leaf Crystal Sector isn’t great, it has a lot of history. When I was little, I watched many documentaries and films about this place. I’ve been fascinated by it and wanted to visit. I had to convince my family to let me join a two-year exchange program,” she explained.

Seeing the hope and innocence in the girl’s eyes, you couldn’t bring yourself to dampen her enthusiasm. You simply nodded and fell silent.

Through the round window, a vast, azure planet slowly approached, chasing the ever-burning star. A golden beam of light rose along the distant horizon, illuminating the boundless expanse below.

As the ship descended into the atmosphere, tremors and vibrations resonated from beneath your feet and through your seat.

“The spacecraft is now entering Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation-B2-7621 (Verdant Veil). Due to atmospheric turbulence, the ship may experience some shaking. Please remain seated with your safety restraints engaged and avoid moving around,” announced a synthesized female voice. Small hemispherical robots magnetically attached to the floor patrolled the aisles, ensuring passengers were seated and addressing any needs.

“I’d like a Yellow Maple Cranberry Juice,” said the horned girl beside you, unaffected by the turbulence. She waved at one of the robots, making her request.

“Please wait a moment.” The robot halted its wheels, displaying a simple smiley face on its black panel. It opened its front compartment, retrieved a chilled juice, inserted a straw, and handed it to the girl.

“Thank you~”

“Serving humanity is our honor,” the robot replied with a pixelated expression before continuing down the aisle.

“They’re such cute little fellows, don’t you think?” The girl took a light sip from the straw, the ice clinking gently against the golden liquid that emitted a faint glow.

She gazed out the round window. The once dark and endless starry sky was now overtaken by the planet’s vivid blue seas and white clouds, growing brighter by the second.

The Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation, on the southern edge of the Federation, encompassed two major and one minor star systems. In its early days, it provided essential industrial goods for the Federation, significantly supporting the front lines during the Fifty-Year War.

Among its resources was the R3H412 Four-Leaf Crystal, a critical component for the main cannons of the Federation’s “Sigh Dragon-Class” battleships. Its production required abundant liquid water and rare minerals, making only a few regions viable for its manufacture. The Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation, located safely in the rear and rich in these resources, was heavily invested in by the Federation, leading to rapid development. The Constellation even adopted the crystal’s name as its designation.

…

But those were events from centuries ago.

Today, the Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation is merely a backwater area on the Federation’s periphery. Its economy lags behind, its infrastructure is outdated, and industrial pollution has devastated its habitable planets, leaving acid rain and an ever-deepening environmental crisis.

In the past, calls to protect and improve the sector were widespread, hailing it as the Federation’s “heroic” Constellation for its contributions during dire times. But as generations passed and the environmental issues remained unsolved, large corporations withdrew, leaving it to decay as a “Rust Belt” of neglect and decline.

Now, news about the Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation is rare on the Federation’s networks. Only locals seem to recall its once-glorious past.

Though humanity has had its moments of brilliance in the interstellar age, history seems to repeat itself—light always dims eventually.

Caught in a web of conflicting interests and chaotic ideologies, people have become restless and desensitized. No corner of existence escapes the relentless tide of the times, and no purity remains untainted.

This is a sorrowful world, one inexorably moving toward its end.

Staring out at the world beyond the window, you found yourself lost in thought. Only when the ship steadied and the lights brightened inside did your reflection appear faintly on the window’s surface.

Soft gray hair, dark eyes, a simple yet common school uniform, and a wide, black ribbon tied at the back of your head lent a slightly cute touch to your otherwise unassuming appearance.

If a highly advanced AI were to compare your face to the mysterious, seductive songstress on the screen earlier, it would find numerous subtle similarities. Yet your plain attire and natural aura of obscurity made it easy for those around you to overlook your presence, much like an ordinary high school student.

“By the way, I haven’t asked your name yet,” the girl beside you said as the spacecraft prepared to land.

“Thilan. Hestia Thilan.”

A prolonged screech accompanied the ship’s descent, vibrations and the sharp sound of brakes marking its arrival. The spacecraft finally came to a halt. Safety restraints hissed and released as passengers stood, chatting as they made their way to the exit.

The overhead screens gradually transitioned to display a rare, clear blue sky. Beside it, white digits flickered, showing the current time:

[Epoch 6, Year 1252, April 10th | Rose Federation – Four-Leaf Crystal Constellation-B2-7621 (Verdant Veil) | 2:41:54 PM]