Miss Witch Doesn't Want to Become a Songstress-Chapter 177.1

"It’s my turn?" Hestia was a bit surprised but didn’t think too much of it. She figured it was probably just a way to attract business.

She stepped forward and thought for a moment. Although she occasionally felt a little lost in life, she didn’t have many strong desires or cravings. She was someone with very few worldly desires.

A stable life, with a few friends to share it with, seemed like a good enough life to her.

"I’d like to know about my family, specifically my father." That old man seemed anything but ordinary, and Hestia was genuinely curious about his past.

"Alright, please draw a card." With that, the cards once again swirled and danced before settling down, fanning out across the table.

Hestia drew a card and flipped it over.

The card depicted a complex and dark maze. Within it, the silhouettes of various monsters could be seen—a bull-headed humanoid creature, a fire-breathing serpent, and spikes descending from above. An adventurer was shown only from the waist down, wearing a brown cloak, holding a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. Bloodstains on the ground indicated that his journey was far from easy.

"The Dangerous Underground Labyrinth—a somewhat complex and ambiguous card. It suggests that your relative is in a complicated and harsh environment, dealing with many dangerous things. The fact that only half of his figure is visible indicates that your understanding of him may not be complete. Although the bloodstains on the ground show that his situation is difficult, it also means he has the ability to fight and isn’t completely defenseless."

The sorceress explained the card’s meaning, then glanced at the girl before her, likely thinking that Hestia’s father might be involved in some dangerous activities.

"As long as he’s alive, that’s good enough."

Hestia was surprised by how calm she felt. It seemed she wasn’t particularly shocked.

Her father was probably just that kind of person. She didn’t dislike him, but she didn’t feel particularly close to him either. They hadn’t spent much time together, though he had never been absent or neglectful.

Looking back now, her father always managed relationships with just the right balance. He was never overly affectionate with his daughters, but he never neglected them either. It was as if he had always known he would leave one day, so he deliberately kept their emotional connection at a baseline level.

Dad really isn’t a simple man, Hestia thought. Compared to her kind and gentle mother, her father was more like a seasoned professional, someone who kept everything clearly compartmentalized.

The three of them chatted with the sorceress for a while longer, satisfying their curiosity about divination before finally taking their leave.

After they left, the sorceress pulled a nearby bell, signaling her companions to temporarily close the divination hut. She then returned to the table where Hestia had drawn her card. While performing the divination for Hestia, she had also begun a divination of her own.

The principles behind such divination rituals were difficult to explain. Even experienced sorceresses only knew how to perform them without fully understanding why they worked. It was likely only the ancient witches who truly grasped the underlying reasons.

Although it was impossible to predict the future with absolute certainty, skilled sorceresses could sense the traces of fate—those whose personal karma influenced the world. Just now, she had felt something special about that gray-haired girl.

For such individuals, divination was not to be taken lightly. It was like a mantis trying to push a heavy steel chariot—utterly impossible to move or analyze. Only by having them initiate the divination could one catch a glimpse of the threads of fate.

Why did the sages and witches of legend not change the world themselves but instead support a king?

Because knowing and doing were two different things. Moreover, knowledge could make one weak. When you knew many shortcuts and methods, it became harder to stay resolutely on one path. This often led to a lack of determination or a desire to escape.

True kings, who recognized the truth of things and still marched forward without hesitation, needing no encouragement or comfort, were exceedingly rare. This required not only a strong character but also the power to uphold such unwavering will. Otherwise, it was all just empty talk.

"I, Serenade, don’t believe in so-called people’s history. Only the legendary great heroes are worthy of this genius sorceress’s assistance..." she muttered to herself with a touch of pride, mocking the popular opinions on the internet. She then gathered the fan-shaped cards, flipped them over, and spread them out again.

The card depicted a woman sitting on a throne. Half of her face was shrouded in shadow, while the other half was visible. She looked solemn, with a crowd of generals and ministers kneeling before her. The throne was adorned with black and purple roses, and in the shadowy corners, traces of skeletons could be seen.

"Cough, cough..." The sorceress felt a tightness in her chest, an iron taste in her mouth, and a trickle of blood seeped out.

She sat on the floor, leaning against the chair, gasping for breath. It took her a while to recover.

"Is this the price of peeking into the fate of a great figure? And she’s only 16, not even fully grown yet."

Covering her eyes with the back of her hand, she sat on the floor for a while before slowly getting up and tidying the messy cards on the table.

"I don’t know how the sorceresses of old dared to do this. Maybe it was because the world was smaller back then, just a single planet, so they could divine freely without fear of backlash."

"The body in the mortal world, the soul in the sea of consciousness, and fate in the starry realm—these three are interconnected. The more a person or event is entwined with the world, the harder it is to see the full picture. Without seeing the full picture, divination is impossible. Forcing it leads to backlash."

"I never thought I’d mess up like this. Luckily, my teacher isn’t here today, or I’d be in for a scolding."

"After this injury, I probably won’t be able to advance for two or three years. Looks like I’ll be stuck at Sequence 5 for a while."

"Month of March, Star of Stars, Alansiluca, Minetranva, please bless your descendant and student, allowing her to pass through these two years peacefully."

After standing up, the sorceress decided to take a leave of absence from school. She would spend the next few days resting at home. Since the injury affected her soul, it would likely take years to recover fully, and advancing would be out of the question for a while.

...

On the other side, Hestia and her two companions continued to explore the festival grounds until the Frozen Verdant Festival officially began two days later.

Sitting in the festival venue surrounded by mountains, Hestia’s ears were filled with the roaring cheers of the crowd. The atmosphere was lively, and the inter-school competition was as exciting as ever.

The competition wasn’t solely about combat; there were various ways to win. For example, one of the matches today.

"Alright, our contestant from Mountain Delicacy Bamboo Academy has brought out his signature dish—a top-tier T3-grade feast called the ’Emerald Seven-Layered Tower.’ Each layer is made from a different type of tofu, using rare ingredients. The finished product is translucent, soft, and smooth, with a refreshing taste. Eating it not only removes hidden toxins and injuries from the body but also enhances one’s sensory perception, making it easier to advance in the transcendent sequences."

"Now, his opponent, Chen Jin from Blazing Sky Academy, is hesitating. Should he concede and enjoy this gourmet feast, or should he resist the temptation and move on to the next round?" The commentator’s voice was filled with enthusiasm.

"After all, according to the schedule, his next opponent will be Zi Huanyi from Five-Colored Seven-Wounds Academy. This genius poison user, who has already reached Blood Eye Sequence 5, doesn’t give him much chance of winning."

"Here we go! Chen Jin is finally making his move. He’s stepping onto the stage! He’s approaching the table! He’s raising his token!"

"He’s conceding!" The commentator’s voice was filled with excitement, as if it were a victory.

In the center of the venue, Chen Jin bowed and handed his token to his opponent. He then picked up a prepared spoon and quickly began eating the high-grade delicacy on the table, which was as visually appealing as it was delicious. After a while, he let out a satisfied burp.

Although he had lost, he had eaten his fill of this exquisite meal. After digesting it properly, it would give him a slight boost in strength—a decent consolation prize.

On the other side, the student who had won with his culinary skills stood proudly on the stage, receiving cheers and praise from his classmates and the audience. He would now take Chen Jin’s place and challenge the genius from Five-Colored Seven-Wounds Academy.

For the upcoming match, he had already prepared his strategy. Tomorrow, he would present a dish called "Five Completion Fragrant Poisons" to his opponent. He was confident that even a genius like Zi Huanyi wouldn’t be able to resist such a temptation. Even if the opponent could resist, the little poisonous creatures they kept as pets certainly wouldn’t be able to.

After this match ended, the next one featured a senior representative from Swallow Garden Academy against a student from Twelve-Layers Academy.

On one side of the stage, a tall, golden-haired girl strode out, accompanied by three large, majestic black lions.

Primordial Sequence 5—Wilderness Black Lions. These fierce beasts were known for their strength and imposing presence. Their massive saber teeth could tear through high-quality steel alloys, and their speed made them extremely dangerous creatures.

On the other side of the stage, a woman dressed in layered red robes made her entrance. Her makeup was exquisite, and she carried a dragon-patterned guandao, exuding a blend of fierceness and grace.

As the referee announced the start of the match, the woman’s layered robes seemed to ignite, emitting faint, transparent flames. These flames didn’t scatter randomly but flowed along specific patterns, building up her aura until even the three black lions grew wary, crouching low and growling.

"Go!" The tall, golden-haired senior flicked her folding fan, and streaks of purple light converged on the claws and teeth of the black lions, sending them charging forward.

The blade gleamed brightly, and the red robes swirled as the woman fought. The sharp edge of her guandao, enhanced by special magical energy, cut through the tough hide of one lion, leaving bloody gashes. However, the other two lions quickly closed in, forcing her to retreat and defend. This back-and-forth continued several times.

Although all three lions sustained injuries, they weren’t severe and began to heal even during the fight.

It wasn’t just humans who had grown stronger. Even the transcendent animals and beasts of today were far more powerful than in previous eras, thanks to humanity’s relentless efforts to improve and optimize them.

The blade flashed repeatedly, sparks flying as it struck the metallic fur of the lions, leaving trails of smoke. Suddenly, the woman in red paused, then leaped high into the air.

Her layered robes, which had resembled a blooming flower, began to peel away, revealing a simple blue garment underneath. Her aura also shifted, becoming cold and sharp.

After completing this transformation mid-air, the woman in blue descended, her blade now icy and gleaming like the moon. She slashed downward with incredible speed.

A crescent-shaped arc of light flashed, and one of the black lions was instantly split open, blood spraying everywhere. However, the woman had held back at the last moment, not completely bisecting the lion but merely cutting deep into its body.

"I concede." Seeing her beloved companion severely injured, the golden-haired senior immediately conceded and carried the wounded lion off the stage.

She didn’t dare continue. If her opponent hadn’t held back, the lion could have been killed.

In the Federation, competitions and matches typically only went up to Sequence 5 because battles at Sequence 6 and above were far more dangerous. It wasn’t always possible to hold back at the right moment, and resurrection, while possible, came at a great cost and often had severe side effects.

"Ah, it’s over already. She only changed her outfit once. According to Twelve-Layers Academy’s tradition, at Sequence 5, they can change outfits three times, each time becoming stronger but at an increasingly high cost."

"This fighting style, where patterns and inscriptions are embedded in the clothing and then activated by burning the garments to release intense magical energy, is indeed powerful. But it’s also incredibly expensive. I guess only their academy can afford to do this."

"Well, they can afford it. Twelve-Layers Academy has collaborations with many clothing companies and has developed quite a few transcendent ceremonial outfits. They’re quite wealthy."

"Among the ten schools in the league, the ancient factions that have survived to this day must have some tricks up their sleeves. Otherwise, they would have been wiped out long ago."

The students chatted among themselves, and Hestia finally understood the mechanics behind Twelve-Layers Academy’s outfit-changing technique. She felt like she had learned a lot from this experience.

The next day, she witnessed the unique styles of other prestigious northern schools, such as Five-Colored Seven-Wounds Academy, which used dust explosions and poison, and Trinary Moon Academy, which employed mysterious witchcraft.

In the end, as expected, the championship of the inter-school competition went to Twelve-Layers Academy. The woman in peacock-inspired robes held the trophy aloft, standing with her teammates as the photo was taken, immortalizing the moment in newspapers and news websites.

With the conclusion of the Frozen Verdant Festival, Hestia’s life at the academy also came to a temporary pause. The next month or so would be her vacation.

Sitting on the train, she gazed out at the scenery. The carriage wasn’t crowded, with many seats empty. The interior design was as always—industrial and angular, sturdy and durable.

During the vacation, she didn’t plan to return to Arpeggio City but instead visit Shallow Glaze City, or rather, the yet-to-be-established city. This was something her uncle had repeatedly reminded her to do.

After the incident half a year ago, the two had gradually reconciled. Gu Qianlou would occasionally send messages to check on Hestia’s well-being.

Though the messages were brief, they still brought a sense of warmth to Hestia. This was what family felt like, she thought.

The train sped along the tracks, the steel dragon on the ground gradually entering a desolate wilderness. At the edge of the misty land, scattered buildings came into view, and the outline of a city slowly took shape.

"The train has arrived at the station. This is a temporary stop. We will depart again in five minutes. Please be prepared."

Following the mechanical announcement, Hestia hopped off the train, carrying a simple suitcase. She walked out of the station, a cold wind carrying snowflakes brushing against her ears and cheeks, leaving a refreshing chill.

Standing in front of the designated door, Hestia knocked and waited for a response. This was a newly built house located in a corner of the city. The surrounding garden and streets were still under construction, with busy autonomous units working tirelessly on the roads and in the sky. Various tall cranes and scaffolds were methodically at work, shaping the emerging buildings.

"Welcome back, Thilan."

A man who felt slightly unfamiliar to the girl opened the door. He wore casual black clothes, with a few wrinkles on his forehead and traces of old burns around his eyes.

After a few seconds of thought and recognition, the girl confirmed that this was indeed Gu Qianlou, her mother’s brother—her uncle. However, today he wasn’t wearing a mask but was dressed in relaxed home attire.

"I’m back, Uncle." The girl bowed slightly, then smiled.

The two entered the house, and soon the sound of lively greetings and chatter filled the air, mingling with the girl’s slightly shy and awkward responses as she greeted her unfamiliar relatives.

Outside the window, the snow continued to fall, and inside the gradually completed house, these ancient descendants of the East began their New Year’s celebration.

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Author’s Note:

It’s been a while since I’ve made an appearance. I guess I’ve been feeling a bit ashamed. I haven’t been entirely satisfied with my writing, and I’ve occasionally fallen into the trap of being too preachy. I don’t want to say anything too sentimental, so I’ve been quietly adjusting my state.

The first semester has come to a quiet end, and the main storyline is finally about to begin. I hope this gives you all a bit of confidence to keep reading.

I don’t dare make any grand promises. It feels like being a child with poor grades, too ashamed to face their parents.

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Translator’s Note:

Well, Mr. Author... I personally enjoy the preaching~