Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Additionally, she aimed for a Transcendent Profession with higher evaluations.

Unfortunately, among the Transcendent Professions publicly released by the Federation, there weren't many that suited her fancy, with only Withering Sequence 3· Phantom Blade Swordsman (Superior Level) barely fitting the bill.

Most of the Withering Sequence professions were related to medical and research fields. As for combat-related professions, those were mostly within the military and not made public unless Hexia considered applying to a military academy.

Joining the military was something she had never considered. Hexia didn't quite like the serious atmosphere of the military; she was somewhat indolent. If life hadn't pushed her, she might have been content to seclude herself in some countryside, an attitude completely opposite to that of her ambitious elder sister.

Ding-a-ling-ling—

"I'm going to help Sister Botis now," Hexia stood up.

Minutes later, following Botis to the base of Topstar Tower, the two took a Hover Car to a vast, empty plaza.

"This place... it's the largest bathhouse in the city center, right? Are they going to hold a concert here?" Hexia got out of the car, looking around in astonishment.

"Yes, although there are theaters in the city, they're too old and small. It's better to rent out the vast plaza in front of the bathhouse, especially since they're closed for renovations," Botis explained.

"That may be true, but it's still quite surprising."

"Don't worry, there will be more surprises later, Hexia," Botis said, shaking her finger.

"Come with me."

Soon, Hexia understood why Botis said there would be more surprises. The teeming crowd before her fully demonstrated what enthusiasm was.

"The ticket price is 1200 Federation Coins, please make your payment."

"That's really expensive for a concert."

"Hush, there are lots of people waiting behind."

"I didn't expect so many people to come to a concert announced on such short notice."

"What are you guys talking about? Who is the big star?"

"Uh, you queued up without knowing?"

"Of course, when I saw so many people, I assumed something good was happening, so I came over."

"Well, it's the Legendary Songstress 'Prin Coco'..."

-------------

South First District, Swarm's Reign Academy.

This Academy, sporting the emblem of a queen bee, is the second-ranked high school on Jade Skirt, second only to Saint Ingo Academy. Unlike the coeducational Saint Ingo Academy, this school admits only female students, truly a girls' school.

The bell for the end of class rang, and one after another, well-dressed young ladies left the educational hall, chatting and laughing as they walked along the elegant, tree-lined paths.

Then there was a girl unlike the others, skating on rollerblades at high speed across the ground, creating a breeze, followed by three others dressed the same, on skateboards and rollerblades, carrying backpacks.

"Wait for us, Prin~"

"Hurry up and catch up. I have a performance scheduled with my senior," Prin called back.

"Even if we get left behind, you can't perform the concert alone."

"That's why I'm telling you to catch up~~"

The other students within the Academy watched them speed past, already accustomed to such sights. In such a strict Academy, those who lived so freely were certainly not ordinary students.

"Prin is at it again."

"It can't be helped, everyone likes her since she's a Songstress."

"If Prin weren't busy, I could ask her for an autograph; many of my little sisters are her fans."

"Ah, now that you mention it, I'd completely forgotten," a girl suddenly remembered.

Outside the Academy, at the coffee shop, a figure familiar to Hexia waited anxiously.

"Why hasn't my senior come out yet? I've been waiting to get Prin Coco's autograph for you. It's not easy to visit South First District during a break just for this," Clara complained, her table covered with several empty drink containers.

Although her dream was to become an idol, it didn't stop her from being a fan. Her current target was the hot new Songstress of Jade Skirt, 'Prin Coco,' who had already attained 'Starshine Level.'

While she was at the Starshine Level for now, professional institutions in the Federation predicted she still had room for improvement, with a bright future ahead. Thus, she also received significant attention and care from the Star Domain government.

"Well then, let's get started."

Outside the Academy, Prin and her companions leaped into the shuttle in front of them. Shortly after, the shuttle soared into the skies, while a massive grey shadow in the sky headed northward.

...

Three hours later.

Countless raindrops lashed against the iron-grey surface as tightly-sealed Flight Armor met the onslaught of the corrosive toxic rain, rushing through the grim, dark mists at high speed.

With wings spanning hundreds of meters, a hefty body, and engines roaring ceaselessly as they spun rapidly, it roared through the skies like a beast, breaking through the barriers of nature in the pitch-black adversity.

In the dark skies outside Payin City, a tiny star rapidly expanded, the ensuing screech shattering the night's tranquility.

Hover Cars on the ground also stopped at the notification's sound, waiting in place. Countless people inside looked up at the night sky, anticipating the thunderous grey beast above to pass.

The normally bustling Skylight of Payin City was exceptionally quiet at this moment. The crimson steel walls of the Skylight unfolded layer by layer, the numerous restrictive ropes had been released, with green indicator lights flickering on the inner walls, and screens displayed, [Access Granted].

The "gray behemoth" in the sky plunged down, bringing with it a howling gale and rain showers, while at the same time, a massive cylindrical canister also slowly descended straight into the Skylight.

In the midst of the wind and rain, the hatch opened, and a figure leaped into the pitch-black curtain of night and rain.

"Prin!" Her companions called after her too late and had no choice but to jump down as well.

Clad in a jacket reminiscent of flames, the caramel-haired girl wore sneakers, one hand gripping a guitar, the other clasping the railing of the canister. She then stepped on the canister as numerous raindrops pelted it, hurtling straight toward Payin City's pitch-black abyss.

The wind tousled her clothes and the rain dampened her cheeks, her laughter was endless, swirling in the air with her twin-tail hair in the raging storm; so wild and unrestrained, so free and exhilarating, this fervor and mood seemed poised to ignite the curtain of rain.

The colossal canister, carrying the four of them, passed through the lengthy underground tunnel, with four white 'Messenger' class fighters flanking it in escort, accompanying them through the 7-kilometer stretch beneath the earth.

Finally, darkness was abruptly torn asunder, and the brightly lit Payin City district appeared before their eyes.

Ahead of the canister, searing air streams began to spout, slowing itself down, while the intense wind pressure deformed the streams into a hemisphere shape, the heatwave it stirred buffeted them, drying the girl's originally drenched hair as it fluttered in the wind.

Then it automatically shut off, the canister landing askew in the bathhouse square of Payin City, and at that moment, countless light pillars suddenly activated, converging on the four on top of the canister.

"Oh—"

A cry that resembled the roar of the sea reverberated across the cityscape.

"Prin Coco!"

"Prin Coco!"

"Prin Coco!"

Hexia stood amidst the tidal wave of people, looking up at the gigantic canister that had captured everyone's attention, the tiny figure atop it blossomed like flame, scorching and indomitable.

The rhythmic sound of a guitar began to rise, and suddenly the entire venue fell quiet.

Accompanied by the guitar, the kick drum sounded, and from the intro, the song continuously ascended, boisterous yet passionate. (BGM: Faster)

"I can't sleep, for there's a flame burning in my heart"

"Like being on fire, the fierce blaze rolls and surges"

"No longer fearful, as I steadily approach"

"Though somewhat surreal, I still cherish it"

"I'm moving faster and faster"

"Faster and faster"

The melody kept spiraling and repeating, and the emotions within built up more deeply, eventually erupting almost like a roar, dazzling and stunning.

"I can't live in a fairy tale of sham and lies—"

A brief pause and a deep breath, then the song resonated again amidst the constant drumbeats and guitar.

"I can feel you captivating my heart"

"I can't escape this right sensation"

...

The song continued unabated, and the bass joined the guitar in unison, along with the steady beating of the drums, the song once more set the rain ablaze, and white vapors billowed.

"To survive I'm moving faster and faster"

"Faster and faster"

"I won't give in, for I am proud of all my scars"

"I know I've wasted too much time"

...

The crowd waved their glow sticks, and amidst the fiery red sea, Hexia felt like a tiny boat bobbing in this erupting sea of flames.

"I can't live in a fairy tale of lies"

"You've captivated my heart"

"I can't escape this feeling that's so right"

"I can't live in a fairy tale of lies"

"Fairy tale of lies..."

Is this the power of a Songstress... Hexia slowly placed her hand over her chest, where a torrent of emotions surged, so intensely fiery.

In her life thus far, countless people had conveyed to her various principles: principles of life, social norms, the laws of survival. She had tried ceaselessly to understand this perplexingly complex world, a world dazzling to the eyes yet unsettling to the spirit.

But every time she learned more, a new mountain would rise before her. The rules and dictums of the world were so numerous, people went their separate ways, leading her step by step into the quagmire from which she couldn't escape.

Gradually, her heart became shackled by various chains: the manacles of relationships, of the atmosphere, of public consensus, of unspoken rules...

The inner turmoil was like dark clouds trapped in a box, constantly churning but nowhere to vent or share.

Life should not be like this, it should be vibrant and colorful.

Like a candle flame igniting, burning through all chains.

Like a clear breeze sweeping over the hills, colorful leaves rustling under the sunshine.