Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

The bright yellow crystal chandelier overhead rotated silently, casting steady light. Below, the table was laden with prepared dishes. At the center was a steaming hot soup, with bubbles rising from chunks of winter melon and pork ribs. Around it were stir-fried vegetables, steamed pastries, and other delicacies.

Tonight, the dinner table was lively. Besides Grandma He and Hestia, He Cheng and Lisa’s family of three had also come over. Six people sat around the table, chatting as they ate.

“It’s been a long time since we all got together like this,” Grandma He remarked.

“You all have your own things going on, and Li’an and the others live far away…” Grandma He referred to her other two children, who no longer lived in Arpeggio City and were quite advanced in age.

“It’s fine. You still have us with you,” said He Cheng, one of Grandma He’s grandchildren. Both his and his sister’s parents had passed away early in their lives.

“Hehe, as long as you’re safe, I have nothing to worry about. I’ve lived long enough anyway,” Grandma He replied with a smile, her tone calm and accepting.

“Alright, let’s not dwell on that. Come, eat up! I worked hard on this meal, so don’t you dare leave anything behind!” The room filled with the warmth of laughter and conversation.

…

After dinner, Hestia returned to her bedroom. Finally, she had a moment to reflect on what had happened in the bathroom earlier.

Was it freezing? she thought, gazing at a glass of water on the desk. She poured a small amount into her palm and concentrated.

Her black eyes gleamed faintly blue, and soon, the water in her palm gathered and solidified into clear ice beads of varying sizes. A chilling sensation radiated from her skin.

Letting the ice beads roll onto the desk, Hestia picked one up and closed her eyes. Activating her ability, Decay Sequence 2: Shadowed Visitation, she analyzed the bead in minute detail, its internal structure appearing vividly in her mind.

This feeling…

Curious, Hestia left her room and went downstairs to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, she retrieved a small handful of ice cubes.

Back in her room, she compared the two types of ice. Through her ability, the internal structures of the beads and cubes were magnified in her awareness.

The ice beads, perfectly uniform and seamless, contrasted sharply with the freezer ice cubes, which had chaotic, uneven structures riddled with tiny gaps. These gaps caused the ice cubes’ cloudy white appearance.

After closely observing for a while, Hestia set the ice cubes and beads aside.

While she couldn’t fully define it, she realized part of her talent’s effect: freezing, or rather, reorganizing and solidifying scattered molecules into a perfectly ordered structure.

Does this only work on water, or can it affect other substances too? The question sparked her curiosity.

She quickly fetched various items to experiment with—salt, sugar, oil, and more.

Heated and dissolved salt and sugar recrystallized under her ability, becoming extraordinarily pure, with impurities removed.

Oil behaved differently. It formed a gradient-like structure, seemingly organized by the length of its molecular chains.

By the time she finished her experiments, it was late. Not wanting to disturb anyone and mindful of her work the next day, Hestia decided to stop.

I’ll ask at the shop tomorrow. The maid sisters there are knowledgeable and might have some answers.

…

Time passed, and soon it was the next morning.

Hestia had been so excited the previous night that she struggled to fall asleep. When her alarm finally rang, it took her a while to crawl out of bed.

Splashing cold water on her face to wake herself, she quickly washed up and began her commute.

She took the vertical elevator to the upper levels of Arpeggio City, then boarded the vertical rail car to the city center. From there, she passed through the security checkpoint at the base of Apex Tower and entered.

It was only a little past 8 a.m., and most of the elevator’s occupants were employees of various stripes—some in formal suits, others in rugged work attire. Amid them, Hestia, in her plain gray outfit, looked as inconspicuous as a little gray duck.

Patiently, she waited as the elevator ascended. Passengers gradually exited at their respective floors. By the time it reached the 35th floor, only Hestia and a professional woman in a gray skirt suit remained.

She glanced at Hestia with curiosity before speaking.

“You’re on your way to work at Crystal Dream, aren’t you?”

“Ah… yes,” Hestia replied, surprised that the woman could guess so accurately.

“Hehe, there are only four more floors above this one, and the observation deck at the top isn’t open right now. That leaves Crystal Dream and the city government offices. You’re so young, you can’t be a government employee, so you must be a new recruit at Crystal Dream.”

“So that’s how you figured it out,” Hestia nodded.

“What’s your code name? I might drop by Crystal Dream in a few days to see you.”

“My code name is ‘Dantalion,’ but I’m still in training.”

“‘Dantalion,’ huh? Got it.” The professional woman seemed to make a mental note of it.

…

After leaving the elevator, Hestia arrived at Crystal Dream, which hadn’t opened yet. However, Belphegor hadn’t arrived either, so Hestia had to wait.

One by one, the maids began arriving and changing into their uniforms. Some were familiar to Hestia, while others were new faces.

“Is ‘Dantalion’ waiting for someone?” asked a blonde, curvaceous maid who stopped in front of her.

“Yes, Sister ‘Amdusias,’” Hestia replied, bowing respectfully.

“That rabbit probably overslept again. She stays up late gaming all the time. Come with me,” Amdusias said, leading Hestia upstairs to change.

Using her employee access, Amdusias opened the door and escorted Hestia to the changing room. After helping her into her uniform, she also styled her hair.

Amdusias didn’t opt for cat ear headbands, as others might, but instead chose a blooming white-and-green chrysanthemum, fastening it to Hestia’s hair like a tiny crown with a special clip. The ribbons on her collar and hairband matched in green and white, creating a natural and elegant look.

Satisfied with the final result, Amdusias nodded slightly before leading Hestia to begin her work.

“This morning, you can work in my flower room. Water the plants, and I’ll teach you some job details.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Compared to working at the bar or in other maid duties, the flower room felt much less stressful for Hestia. It was a quiet and serene space.

Seeing the anticipation and focus in Hestia’s eyes, Amdusias smiled again and adjusted a stray strand of her bangs.

“Just don’t find it too dull or boring.”

…

Mornings were usually quiet at Crystal Dream, as most people were busy with work. Only a few idle guests came by to chat with the maids or meet friends.

In the glass-enclosed flower room, vines and potted plants thrived. Some had even begun to bloom.

“This pot here is aster. Just water it moderately; it’s pretty easy to care for. The one next to it is wild lilies—don’t overwater them…” Amdusias explained the habits and symbolism of various plants as she guided Hestia.

Hestia listened carefully while watering, even though she felt a little sleepy from her restless night. Strangely, her memory seemed sharper today—perhaps another perk of her awakened abilities?

After introducing the common plants in one corner of the flower room, Amdusias began discussing some of the magical ones.

“This is the Cold Aura Spider Plant. When the room temperature exceeds 20 degrees, it emits a chilling mist that lowers the surrounding temperature. While a single pot doesn’t have much effect, we have an entire row of them above, which keeps this flower room pleasantly cool. They also purify the air slightly, though it’s not something to rely on entirely.” Amdusias pointed out the cascading green-and-white vines hanging from the upper levels of the flower room.

“No wonder,” Hestia blinked, finding it fascinating.

Although magical plants were covered in her studies, seeing them in person was an entirely different experience.

“These spider plants are mainly my responsibility since I specialize in the Nature Sequence. If I ever take some time off, you can ask ‘Bathin’ to help care for them. She’s also a Nature Sequence specialist.”

Bathin: The 18th demon in the Ars Goetia, depicted as a human with a serpent tail, riding a colorful horse. Bathin is known for identifying herbs and gems and enabling teleportation.

“And this pot here is Wolfgold Chrysanthemum. Its vibrant orange-red petals have magical medicinal properties. Once the blooming season ends in June, we can harvest the petals for storage.

“That one is Snowveil Lily. Light and airy, it was once used in ancient times to allow people to glide safely from great heights. These days, it’s mostly ornamental, loved by many girls for its beauty.”

…

Hestia spent the entire morning immersed in learning. It felt almost like being back in school. Amdusias proved to be an excellent mentor and senior, patiently teaching Hestia how to care for the plants while also sharing their history, uses, and symbolic meanings.

Before she realized it, the morning had flown by. At lunchtime, Amdusias took Hestia to the staff cafeteria. In the afternoon, she introduced Hestia to another maid’s workstation to expand her learning.

“‘Botis,’ I’m leaving ‘Dantalion’ in your care this afternoon.”

Amdusias spoke to the green-haired maid in front of her while pulling the reluctant Hestia out from behind her.

“Hehe, no problem~☆”

Botis: The 17th demon of the Ars Goetia. One of his forms is an ugly viper, but when summoned by a magician, he appears in human form, wielding a horn and a sword. Botis is known for his knowledge of past and future events and his ability to distinguish friends from foes.

This maid, who appeared about the same age as Amdusias, was also strikingly beautiful. She had waist-length wavy green hair, and behind her, a glass enclosure resembled a dense rainforest. It was filled with verdant leaves, poisonous flowers, vividly colored poison dart frogs, and sleek snakes.

If Amdusias’s glass garden exuded a peaceful and cozy atmosphere, Botis’ area was the polar opposite—dangerous, poisonous, and tense.

No wonder Hestia was a little scared. After all, it wasn’t comforting to see a vibrant green snake staring at her and flicking its tongue.

Once Amdusias left, Botis walked over with a cheerful smile.

“Is ‘Dantalion’ scared?” she asked, clearly amused by the timid girl frozen in place.

“Come on in,” she said, pulling the reluctant Hestia into the venomous jungle. On the ground, Hestia could see creepy crawlers scuttling about, which made her shiver.

“Are all these creatures poisonous?” Hestia couldn’t hold back her question.

“Yes, they are, and quite toxic too, hehe.”

“But don’t worry. The shop keeps antidotes on hand, so even if you get bitten, you’ll be fine,” Botis added reassuringly, glancing back at the nervous girl.

“There’s no need to be overly afraid. After all, this isn’t the wild. These little guys have been trained by me and are very obedient—they won’t bite you without reason.”

Her words were somewhat reassuring, but Hestia still couldn’t fully relax.

“Alright, here we are.” After walking a short distance, Botis led Hestia to a small pool of water surrounded by rocks. The water was crystal clear.

“Come, sit by the pool, and I’ll teach you today’s tasks.”

She sat down with Hestia and took out a bell from her waist, gently shaking it. A light, pleasant chime rang out.

The sound wasn’t just auditory—it carried an uplifting, calming sensation that eased Hestia’s nervousness. As the bell’s chime echoed, rustling sounds came from the rainforest. One by one, various venomous creatures emerged, their vibrant colors and strange shapes making Hestia squeeze her eyes shut in fear.

“All right, ‘Dantalion,’ you can open your eyes now,” Botis said.

Hestia cautiously peeked with one eye, only to see the area around the pool filled with snakes, scorpions, spiders, and poison dart frogs. Frightened, she shut her eyes again.

“It’s okay,” Botis said soothingly, ringing the bell once more to calm Hestia down.

“The stars of my garden are these adorable little creatures,” Botis began, introducing the various poisonous species.

Most were transcendent creatures, their venom carrying magical properties ranging from Sequence 1 to Sequence 3, with a few rare ones at Sequence 4.

“Although I’m only a Nature Sequence 3, these creatures are well-trained and won’t act out. As for how I tamed them, that’s a long story. If ‘Dantalion’ is interested, I can tell you another time. For now, let’s focus on getting used to your tasks.”

“Unlike the venom of ordinary creatures, the toxins of transcendent beings contain magical elements. They don’t rely solely on chemicals or neurotransmitters, which means traditional neutralizers or antidotes won’t work on them.”

This explanation only made Hestia more nervous, though she kept her thoughts to herself.

“However, if you analyze the toxins’ traits, you can craft specific antidotes through alchemical methods,” Botis added.

“These little ones may look scary, but their venom has many uses. Some are key ingredients for alchemy and pharmaceuticals, while others are used in high-end perfumes. That’s why their venom needs to be collected regularly.”

“I sometimes can’t keep up with the work alone, so I brought you here to help today.”

After Botis’ thorough explanation, Hestia finally nodded, albeit hesitantly. Step by step, she gingerly approached the creatures. However, her attempts…

“Eek…”

A vibrant green snake wrapped itself around Hestia’s leg. At the same time, a fluffy tarantula landed on her head, and in her hands, she was holding a bright red poison dart frog.

“Ahaha, everyone seems to like you,” Botis said with a laugh, gently removing the spider from Hestia’s head.

“Here, take this. Shake it lightly twice, and they’ll behave.” She handed Hestia the bell while continuing to explain the key points.

Hestia carefully followed her instructions, holding the bell and giving it a slight shake. A clear, melodious chime rang out, cool and tranquil like the sound of a bell on a winter night, dispelling her unease.

As the sound echoed, Botis smiled and nodded but soon looked at Hestia with a trace of surprise in her eyes. She observed the girl holding the bell, her serious yet adorable expression catching her attention.

Before long, the snake coiled around Hestia’s leg calmed down, ceasing its movement. Mustering her courage, Hestia slowly unwrapped it from her leg and gently placed it to the side.

“Don’t let it go just yet. Hold its head and extract the venom,” Botis instructed, demonstrating how to do it.

“Okay,” Hestia replied hesitantly. She carefully held the snake’s head, guiding it over a glass container. With a gentle press, the snake obediently opened its fangs, releasing a stream of clear venom.

“Excellent! You’re a fast learner, Dantalion.” Botis gave her a thumbs-up and clapped her hands in approval.

“Next, we have this Blundis tarantula.”

A tarantula larger than Hestia’s hand was placed before her. This Sequence 3 arboreal tarantula had striking blue velvet-like hairs on its legs and a dark-toned body.

When the tarantula crawled onto Hestia’s hand, she froze in terror, sweat pouring down her back.

“Don’t panic. Take your time. Gently touch its front legs with your finger. Don’t worry—I’m here,” Botis reassured her.

After a long moment, Hestia finally dared to follow the instructions. The tarantula shifted slightly, but its movements seemed to skip frames, appearing as if it teleported.

“Look at those black gemstone-like eyes. Aren’t they cute?”

Not at all, Hestia thought inwardly.

Slowly, she began to adapt. She carefully repeated the process and successfully extracted the venom.

Through Botis’ mix of coaxing and instruction, Hestia gradually became more comfortable with the task, even picking up speed.

As dusk fell, the last creature’s venom was collected. Botis washed her hands and walked over to Hestia, who was too sore to stand.

“Good job today.” Botis helped her to her feet, dusting off her clothes and giving her a gentle hug.

“Let’s grab something to eat. My treat today. I’ll also tell you how I tamed these little guys.”

Just like the day before, they found themselves at Forneus’s bar counter, but this time, Botis was footing the bill.

“Dantalion’s back again,” Forneus said with a warm smile as she began preparing their dinner.

“Are you curious about how even wild extraordinary animals can be tamed?” Botis sipped the drink Forneus had mixed for her and started explaining.

“It’s actually a branch—or perhaps an application—of a songstress’ abilities.”

“Songstress?” A question mark seemed to appear over Hestia’s head. She knew the term but hadn’t considered this angle before.

A songstress wasn’t merely a singer. More accurately, they were transcendent individuals with a gift for soul resonance. Singing or music was simply a medium to extend and apply this gift.

The vast Rose Federation itself was founded centuries ago, thanks to a legendary Color-Grade Songstress.

Through nearly two decades of negotiation and relentless effort, this songstress brought together 186 mega-corporations and 37 interstellar organizations. They signed the Twelve New Charters, forming the federation’s original 31 constellations.

Today, the Rose Federation spans 239 constellations, but the birthday of the Golden Flame Rose—the songstress credited with its creation—remains a national holiday. Her monumental half-length portrait still dominates the parliamentary hall. Seated on a red, ornate-backed chair, she holds a bouquet, surrounded by green leaves and blooming roses, with fairies fluttering about.

This half-elf, half-human girl performed a miracle, founding the first powerful nation of humanity during the ruins of the Sixth Epoch’s early years.