Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

In the morning, Tilan and Annelli were decorating the activity room, placing newly purchased tables and items.

"This oven can go in the lower cabinet. Just pull open the cabinet door when you need it," the girl directed, pointing at the cabinet made of black slate.

"Okay, we'll put it here then," Annelli nodded and then remembered something.

"Should we get some potted plants or something? Otherwise, the activity room looks a bit bland."

"We can buy some, but let's choose ones that are easy to care for."

"Mhm," Annelli jotted it down on a clipboard, then packed it away.

Now, the activity room was basically set up, equipped not only with the essential tables and chairs but also with some commonly used appliances, such as computer terminals, printing devices, kitchenware, refrigerators, foldable mats, and cool bamboo mats, among others.

After arranging these appliances, the two sat at the black walnut wood table. Annelli picked up the glass teapot from the table, poured clear, cool tea for both Tilan and herself, and then began to sip slowly.

"Even though we have air conditioning, I still can't give up the feeling of a fan blowing air," she leaned back in her chair, eyes slightly closed, her body relaxed, showing none of her noble young lady demeanor.

Initially, Annelli wasn't like this. She would act very competent and professional in front of Tilan. However, as they spent more time together and with Tilan's 'indulgence', she gradually revealed her more slothful nature.

In hindsight, she really did resemble her 'Frolius' sister. That maid sister also forsook the life of a wealthy heiress to live in the remote Payin City, probably because she disliked the various social obligations and intense business work.

'Dream of Glazed Glass' didn't have a high customer turnover, and the work there was relatively easy. The relationship between customers and maids was more like that of familiar friends, and it was common for them to chat and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.

The two sat across from each other at the table, chatting idly over tea, until they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Hello, is this the Twilight Orchestra?" asked a deep golden-haired elf standing at the door.

"Yes, please wait a moment," the two said after exchanging glances and then approached the door.

"You are... Yalian?" Annelli stood at the doorway and immediately recognized the identity of the elven boy.

There were roughly a thousand first-year students at Edith Academy, and occasionally running into a few renowned ones was quite probable.

"Yes, it's me, but I don't know your names yet," he said, his glasses lending him an air of scholarly depth.

"I'm Annelli, and this is Tilan, our club's president."

"Hello," the girl with black hair and a dailan blue dress nodded, surprising the elf in front of her.

"I remember now, so you're Tilan. I missed the opening ceremony because I was accompanying my father on an expedition in the Wind Dew Grass Star Domain. Later, I heard your name from classmates."

This Yalian was also a well-known figure within the academy; his parents were professors in botany and would have been called 'masters' if they hadn't stayed in Sequence 6 and hadn't advanced to Sequence 7. Yalian, who only looked around 17 due to the late development typical of elves, was actually several years older than his peers and had already advanced to Natural Sequence 4.

The three of them sat down in the activity room, and Annelli brought out new cups and poured tea for everyone.

After some simple exchanges to get acquainted, Yalian began to inquire about ancient secret techniques.

"Because of my parents' influence, I know a lot about botany and am very interested in it. I heard that you have quite a few ancient secret techniques and knowledge, so I thought I'd try my luck."

"Is Yalian interested in secret techniques related to plants?" Tilan asked.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Let me think..." the girl began to search her mind for plant-related secret techniques.

She hadn't paid attention before, but upon recalling, Tilan realized that there seemed to be an unusually large number of such secret techniques.

First of all, the 'Green Lotus Sword Washing Palace' was directly inherited from Qing Luan, mainly focused on the Natural Sequence, and Qing Luan itself had a deep connection with the World Tree. Moreover, her ghost teacher, who seemed to have been an Ice Spirit in life, had also taught her quite a few secret techniques of the past Ice Spirits, some of which were related to plants.

After sorting it all out, Tilan chose a relatively simple secret technique that she could immediately employ.

The girl with black hair and a Dailan blue dress stood up, took an ice cube out of the fridge, placed it on the table, then her pupils flickered, revealing mysterious symbols within, and with a touch of her finger, a tender sprout emerged from the ice cube. It grew rapidly, and not long after, a somewhat luxurious tree of ice flowers appeared before them.

This half-meter tall 'Silver Tree Ice Flower' was entirely made of ice, yet it grew like a plant, complete with branches, leaves, and even fruit.

"According to the current standards of the Federation, this is probably a Dark Silver Level secret technique, named 'Blooming on Ice.' It uses one's own magic power to simulate plant seeds and takes root on the ice cube, assimilating it as part of itself," she explained.

"This secret technique is basic, and it can be advanced to control techniques like 'Ice Water Thorns' or 'Ice Tree Cage' that inhibit an opponent's movement."

The difference between secret techniques and spells lies in their effects being stronger and more direct, with less magic power consumed. However, the conditions for using secret techniques are often more stringent, requiring specific Sequences, special magic power, and understanding of their concepts, etc.

After introducing the first one, Tilan thought again.

"Do you have any plant seeds with you? I need a medium to cast," the girl asked.

"No problem, I carry a variety of seeds with me," Yalian assured her, reaching into his pocket, and pulling out a row of different seeds.

"Let's go with this one," the girl picked one of the seeds, tossed it up, then held it in her palm. Read latest chapters at empire

She closed her eyes and whispered to herself, then opened her hand, and the seed grew rapidly. It sprouted, extended, and soon formed the shape of a straight wooden sword.

Holding the sword, glimmers of light continued to emerge on its surface until it completely retracted, returning to normal.

Compared to an ordinary wooden sword, this one seemed exceptionally light, moving without resistance. With simple motions, it appeared as if it was a phantom in the girl's hand.

"Swift Sparrow Sword, a Radiant Gold Level secret technique. It uses any seed as a catalyst, causing its fiber texture to form natural Branding patterns during growth, achieving an effect similar to that of a Transcendent creation," she described.

"Such a sword is not only as Sturdy as steel but also carries the 'Air Slash' effect, evading air resistance, making it exceptionally swift and Sharp," she continued. Then looking around and shaking her head, she lamented the absence of an object to test the sword, for a single cut would have revealed its power.

However, the man across from her seemed to catch on to the girl's thought, as he took out a piece of dark wood he carried with him and placed it on the table for her to test her sword.

The girl with black hair made a cut as effortlessly as if playing a game, stabbing the sword straight into the gap between the wood and the table, then flipping it, lifting the wood, and with two flashes, the dark wood split into eight pieces and fell on the table with a slight bounce before settling into stillness.

The smoothness of the cut surface was exceptional, with no signs of splinters, which earned Yalian's admiration.

The dark wood he carried was a recent experimental material, remarkably Sturdy, surpassing steel, and roughly equivalent to Radiant Gold Level alloy. He did not expect it to be sliced open so easily.

Was it the secret technique that was impressive, or was it the girl's extraordinary swordsmanship?

He shook his head to himself, then acknowledged he was already aware of the club's statement.

"Truly unexpected..." Initially, he thought it was just a gimmick for recruitment, but to his surprise, he actually witnessed several ancient secret techniques not recorded before; now it was his turn to hesitate.

Should he join? Being in the club would indeed bring some benefits, but it would undoubtedly take up time and energy in his life, and he was accustomed to studying alone. Joining the club would probably mean he couldn't be as free and spontaneous as before.

What a dilemma.