Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

“One at a time, everyone! Don’t push others!”

The school grounds near the end were lively, filled with teachers dressed as mascots, floating balloons, toy cars roaming around, and tiny dolls playing cheerful music.

“Grandma, I’m here!” a little girl called out excitedly from a flower bed. Standing next to her were several other children with colorful face paint and spinning paper pinwheels in their hands.

Today was Children’s Day, and Hestia had accompanied Grandma He to visit Lisa at school and explore the activities there.

Even though this was an underground city, the elementary school and kindergarten retained a sunny atmosphere. The artificial sky was a rare sight, and the grass in the schoolyard was real, watered daily by automated robots.

Thanks to reforms 400 years ago, the Federation mandated that kindergartens and elementary schools provide ample light and a nature-like environment. Tuition was subsidized, and teachers’ salaries were covered by the government to ensure that every child had a wholesome childhood. This policy, aimed at nurturing young minds during a critical developmental stage, was initially criticized for its high costs but later widely embraced as it brought noticeable social stability. It eventually became an enduring national policy.

Children, due to their immature bodies and minds, were not yet allowed to practice transcendent sequences; they were only taught theoretical knowledge. Any attempt to prematurely teach them advanced abilities was considered illegal.

Historical attempts at “hothousing” children had sparked significant debates within the Federation. Data ultimately proved that early exposure to transcendent sequences caused more harm than the slight early advantage it offered, cementing the ban.

This rule had an additional benefit: since none of the children practiced transcendent sequences, their abilities remained relatively equal, fostering a healthier environment for mental and emotional growth. Without intense competition and societal pressures from a young age, children grew up with brighter dispositions.

“Oh, my dear sweet great-granddaughter,” Grandma He said with a smile, walking over.

“Come, tell Grandma, what performance did you put on today?”

“We acted out the story of four cotton ducks fighting the Dark Fire Demon King. In the end, we defeated the Demon King with our super love candy bombs. He even said it was his favorite flavor!”

Hestia crouched down, listening to the excited chatter of the children gathered around Grandma He. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of simple joy and amusement.

“This is for you, Hestia-sis!” Lisa handed her three lollipops from her tiny hands.

“They’re delicious! We got these as prizes for participating in the play. The teacher gave each of us a box—it’ll last a long time!”

“Thank you, Lisa,” Hestia said, taking the candies and inspecting the packaging. It was a local product from Arpeggio City, with a variety of flavors.

“Try one, Hestia-sis! They’re really good!”

The other children crowded around Hestia, even the ones unfamiliar with her feeling a natural connection because of Lisa.

“Alright, I’ll try this green tangerine flavor,” Hestia said, unwrapping a candy. The light green treat melted on her tongue, spreading a fruity sweetness across her palate.

While Grandma He and Hestia chatted with the children, a few more kids ran over from a distance.

Most of them lived nearby and recognized Hestia, who had taught them during her time assisting Grandma He with tutoring.

“That’s Hestia-sis! She’s amazing! She can stop out-of-control bad guys and knows so much—she’s even better than the teachers!”

“Better than the teachers? You’re exaggerating!”

“I’m not! Even Shandi said so!”

Shandi, a bespectacled student often ranked in the top three of his grade, was known for being serious and rarely giving compliments.

“Shandi said that? Sounds unlikely. He’s so arrogant, he hardly talks to us!”

“Hmph, he acts like an adult. It’s annoying to play with him. He’s always lecturing us.”

“I’m leaving—my brother’s here to pick me up, and he said we’re having a feast tonight. Bye!” one child said, running toward the school gate where a high school boy was waiting with a smile.

“Wow, there he goes again!”

The schoolyard buzzed with life as children played and parents guided them through various booths and attractions. The artificial sky began to glow with a golden hue, its edges painted with streaks of fiery sunset.

As night fell, Grandma He, Hestia, and Lisa made their way home, leaving the vibrant school behind for the familiar corridors of their residential building.

They encountered many neighbors along the way, either returning from work or out shopping. The communal parks and plazas were lively, with families enjoying the evening.

“What does Lisa want to eat tonight?” Grandma He asked.

“Fish! A big one!”

“But Lisa doesn’t usually eat fish. What changed today?”

“Because ducks eat fish! I played a duck today, so I have to eat fish too,” Lisa replied with childlike logic.

“Alright, Grandma will buy fish for you,” Grandma He said, smiling.

After stopping by the supermarket for groceries, the three returned home. As Lisa’s parents and Grandpa He hadn’t returned yet, Grandma He and Hestia began preparing dinner.

The sound of cooking filled the air, and Grandma He shared some practical household tips with Hestia.

Ding-dong!

The doorbell’s sudden ring caught them off guard, as family members typically used their keys and identity recognition to enter.

“Someone’s at the door,” Lisa announced, running to the kitchen.

“I’ll get it,” Hestia said, setting down her utensils.

She glanced at the display screen near the door and was startled to see the visitors’ unusual attire, which was both “ancient” and strikingly modern.

When the door slid open, the trio outside introduced themselves.

“Hello, is this Mrs. He’s residence? We’re members of the Zhenshan Agency, commissioned by the Arpeggio City government to investigate and address certain issues,” one of them explained, displaying a credential that could be verified online.

The three wore outfits that blended ancient oriental charm with modern technology. Yellow robes trimmed with black flowed gracefully, while beneath they wore practical pants and advanced fiber armor. Their waists carried scanning devices, and electromagnetic rifles were slung on their backs.

“Oh? And you are?” Grandma He asked, approaching with Lisa in tow.

Seeing the elderly woman and the child, the visitors softened their tone.

“Good evening, ma’am. We’re part of the agency tasked with resolving recent incidents involving out-of-control individuals,” one explained in detail.

It turned out that the incident Hestia had encountered wasn’t isolated; several others had occurred recently. The most high-profile one was the accident on the commercial street, which had been intentionally downplayed to ensure the success of a recent concert. Now that the event was over, the government was taking action.

“So, the Federation invited you here to assist them?”

“Yes, our ‘Zhenshan Agency’ collaborates with the governments of the Northern Districts of the Verdant Veil. We’ve handled several difficult cases in Northern 5th District and 8th District, earning the trust of the local governments. Here’s our agency rating.”
As he spoke, the man before her swiped his wrist terminal, displaying a symbol with mystical runes that showed their agency’s power rating as “B-” and credibility rating as “A.”

Generally, only agencies with a credibility rating of “A” are entrusted with government assignments, which often come with lucrative rewards.

“I see,” Hestia nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the group before her.

The man leading them appeared to be in his thirties, with power equivalent to Light Feather Sequence 5. Behind him were two others—one looking in his forties and the other in his twenties—both at Sequence 4.

“Are you Miss Hestia Thilan?” he asked, focusing on the gray-haired girl in front of him.

The girl appeared frail, wearing glasses and a common school uniform. Her gray hair framed her delicate figure. Her arms and legs were slender, making it hard to imagine how she had managed to defeat a deranged combatant—reportedly when she was only at Sequence 2.

“I am,” she answered with a nod.

“Could you provide a detailed account of what happened?” The man adjusted his glasses, and a faint blue glow flashed, indicating he had started recording.

“Certainly, but let’s discuss this outside.” Wary of involving or frightening Mrs. He and her family, Hestia volunteered to step out.

“Hestia,” Mrs. He held her hand, hinting she could decline and not feel pressured.

“It’s fine,” Hestia reassured her with a shake of her head, following the three men outside.

The group moved to a small activity area within the residential district and stood by a bench to talk.

“My name is Yang Che, one of the operatives for this mission. Pleased to meet you,” said the leader. His cold, square face didn’t make him appear particularly welcoming.

Although not exactly hostile, Hestia could faintly sense the emotions of others—a skill she had gained after advancing to Decay Sequence 3.

“Sorry about Yang’s demeanor,” the younger man behind him interjected to ease the atmosphere. “Let me do the introductions. This is Pascal, and I’m Luther. We’re both part of this mission as well.”

“We arrived yesterday and have been going through a lot of government-provided information. We’ve split into several groups for the investigation, and ours is tasked with understanding your unusual experience,” Luther explained.

“It’s just routine questions. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you’re free not to answer,” he added, successfully lightening the mood.

“Why don’t we find a restaurant and sit down instead? It’s better than standing around,” Pascal suggested, slapping Yang’s shoulder, who nodded in agreement. The group invited Hestia to join them for dinner at a nearby eatery.

Inside the restaurant, the group quickly settled in and let Hestia order.

“We’re not familiar with the area, so you probably know what’s good around here,” Luther said.

“Alright,” Hestia replied, selecting four standard T6-grade meal sets from her terminal menu. Each meal cost around 35 credits—a reasonable and affordable choice.

The others didn’t seem to mind, content with having standard meals instead of emergency rations.

“Please wait a moment,” the owner said, relaying the order to the kitchen.

Before long, steaming plates of food were served, and the group began their discussion.

“Hestia, you’ve just graduated middle school, right?”

“Yes, I’m currently preparing for entrance exams while working part-time,” she replied.

“Such diligence! My own kid is about your age but spends all his time playing games,” Pascal remarked, steering the conversation toward the local area’s environment.

“You’ve probably traveled to many places, haven’t you?” Hestia asked, intrigued by their attire.

“That’s right. Why do you ask?”

“Why do you wear those coats outdoors? They don’t seem very practical for moving around.”

“Oh, these? They’re part of our agency’s style or, you could say, our brand. Agencies compete too, and having a distinctive look helps us stand out,” Luther explained, with Pascal occasionally chiming in. Yang, meanwhile, remained silent as the team leader.

“Our agency’s founder is of Eastern descent. His ancestors reportedly served in a dynasty, so he’s fond of this aesthetic. Moreover, many of our techniques and methods are derived from Eastern traditions, making the style fitting,” Luther added.

“Fitting?”

“Yes. For example, we use a ‘Wind-Seeking Eight Mountain Compass’ to effortlessly locate nearby life forms and consciousnesses. It’s a masterpiece from the ‘Silk Book Workshop.’ Additionally, some thunder techniques we use are particularly effective against spectral entities.”

“Exorcisms need to evolve too. These days, it’s more about laser guns and precision strikes,” Luther joked.

As the trio shared more about their agency, Hestia’s curiosity was somewhat satisfied, and she began recounting the events in question.

“You’re saying he initially targeted your personal terminal, not you, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. The magical fluctuations from the terminal seemed to attract more attention,” Hestia confirmed.

…

“And afterward, he only attacked physically, without using any skills?”

“Correct. His physical attacks were already formidable. I barely made it out alive,” she said with a shake of her head.

The trio asked detailed questions, frequently discussing among themselves.

“From the sound of it, he had completely lost his rationality. His body deteriorated significantly, and he even dropped a rank.”

“Indeed. He had been at Dragon Sequence 4 for nearly thirty years, so his abilities should have been second nature by now—not this weak.”

“He had even placed in academy tournaments in his youth. Unfortunately, a major setback derailed his progress later in life.”

Listening to their conclusions, Hestia felt they might be underestimating her, but she didn’t mind.

Unlike peers who loved to stand out or chase accolades, Hestia preferred the quiet corners of life—relishing solitude without disruptions or conflicts.

After the meal, she sipped her drink, her mind wandering back to memories of school.

Like today, when she went to pick up Lisa, she remembered growing up with many friends. Yet, some had moved away with their families, and others had drifted apart after attending different schools.

Clara, however, had always been in the same class. Though they weren’t particularly close, they’d always known each other.

Clara used to be shy and chubby in elementary school—traits now hardly noticeable…

“That’s all for today, Miss Hestia. Thank you for your time,” the trio stood up, ready to leave after gathering the information they needed.

“Sure, no problem,” she replied.

As they settled the bill, Luther jogged back to her.

“Let’s exchange contact info, Miss Hestia. We might be able to help each other in the future.”

“Alright,” she agreed.

For the first time since owning her terminal, Hestia’s contact list finally exceeded ten entries.