Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

The movie ended, and the group emerged from the viewing pod.

When it came to the movie, everyone had different opinions. Millie found it romantic, while Dudu dismissed it as pure fantasy, saying that in real life, an upper-class lady would never fall for a poor guy—it was probably just the wishful thinking of some unsuccessful novelist.

“What did you think, Hestia?” Lina asked the girl.

“Maybe such beautiful things have happened in history, but people are different, and everyone makes their own choices,” Hestia replied.

Unlike her classmates’ certainty, Hestia seemed more open to accepting different perspectives, perhaps because her recent experiences had already been extraordinary.

“Oh, so you believe it too, Hestia?” Lina teased with a playful tone, looking thoughtful.

The group stepped out of the theater, and it was already past 4 p.m. They wandered aimlessly down the commercial street, planning to window-shop without any intention of making purchases. This was where the difference between boys and girls became evident.

When boys go shopping, they usually have a clear goal, pick out what they need, buy it, and leave. For girls, however, the process of shopping itself is the main attraction. They may not have specific items in mind but enjoy browsing, occasionally buying something that catches their eye, and chatting with friends about their finds—that’s where the fun lies.

Hestia wasn’t particularly interested in shopping, being used to living frugally. But with her friends brimming with excitement, she couldn’t just leave them behind. She decided to treat it as an opportunity to broaden her horizons.

“Let’s start with the clothing district and see what’s new,” Dudu proposed enthusiastically, heading straight for her favorite activity: clothes shopping.

“A wise choice,” Lina agreed.

“Sure, let’s go,” Millie chimed in.

Following her friends, Hestia stepped onto the spiral streets of the clothing district. The area was like a massive coiled ramp lined with shops on either side. There were also moving walkways, where you could stand and let the escalator slowly carry you up or down.

“Let’s check out that shop first,” Dudu said, pointing to a cute-looking store in the distance.

“Fluffy Haven? Dudu, aren’t you all about the chic and mature look? Why the sudden shift to cutesy styles?” Lina asked, curious.

“What chic and mature? I’m only 16! I’m not that old,” Dudu huffed.

“It’s just that my sister keeps persuading me to wear her hand-me-downs. She claims they’re branded items worth thousands of federation credits, selling them to me at a ‘discount.’”

“In the end, I end up looking mismatched and out of place, while she scams me out of all my pocket money,” Dudu grumbled, visibly annoyed.

“Haha, classic sister behavior,” Millie laughed, clearly entertained.

“Let’s go inside and take a look,” someone suggested.

The group stepped into the shop, which indeed lived up to its name. It was filled with fluffy accessories and clothing, particularly onesies and loungewear in various cute animal designs, which seemed very popular.

“This looks adorable.”

“It feels so soft!”

“Ah, look at that crocodile onesie—I want it so badly.”

“Is a crocodile really cute, though?”

“But it’s so majestic, with that big mouth—like a dragon!”

“Then why not go for a dragon design?”

“Dragons are too intimidating—they don’t suit a cute girl like me.”

“…”

As the group chattered away in the shop, Hestia occasionally chimed in, but her gaze kept drifting toward the street outside.

It looked like something unusual was happening. She noticed several people running hurriedly down the street, gesturing as if shouting, but the store’s excellent soundproofing made it impossible to hear. Just as Hestia was debating whether to step outside and take a look, Lina grabbed her arm.

“Hestia, do you like this?” Lina held up a giant yellow duck onesie.

“This, uh… it’s fine?” Hestia replied absentmindedly.

After finally navigating through her friends’ questions and discussions, she turned back toward the window, but everything outside had returned to normal. Pedestrians were walking as usual, with no sign of the earlier commotion.

Strange. She decided to check it out later.

About half an hour later, the group finally exited the shop, predictably without buying anything.

“Though they were cute, they felt a bit childish.”

“Maybe next time.”

“Nothing really clicked for me.”

The problem, however, was that they spent nearly 40 minutes browsing without buying anything. Hestia shook her head silently.

“Come on, let’s head to the next shop,” someone suggested.

They continued visiting a few more stores until it was close to 6 p.m.

“Let’s grab dinner together later, then go for karaoke,” Lina proposed.

“No problem,” everyone agreed.

“I know a great restaurant,” Lina said, waving her personal terminal. “I even have some discount coupons. Leave it to me.”

The others didn’t think much of it and quickly agreed.

About 30 minutes later, the group took an elevator to a glass-encased restaurant with a stunning view.

“This place looks pretty upscale,” Dudu commented, examining the sign and decor. Inside, uniformed human waitstaff moved about.

Typically, most restaurants used T6-class robots for serving and cleaning, which helped save costs. Human servers were far more expensive. The exception was themed places like Crystal Dream, which also used robots to maintain a serene and consistent aesthetic.

“Yeah, the T4-class Windy Plain steak here is pretty good,” Lina explained.

“Wait, did you say T4-class?” Dudu asked.

“Yes, why?” Lina feigned innocence.

“T4-class meals start at over 1,000 credits. Do we really need to spend that much on dinner?” Dudu, known for her pride, wasn’t shy about voicing her concern among close friends. Everyone was familiar with each other’s financial situations, so there was no need to pretend.

“Dudu’s got a point,” Millie nodded. Even though her family was the wealthiest among the group, she rarely came to places like this unless accompanying relatives for business meetings.

“It’s fine,” Lina reassured them. “I came here with a friend before, and they gave me some vouchers. Worst case, I can ask him to talk to the owner for a bigger discount—they’re friends.”

“Alright, but you said it. If the bill goes over 300, I won’t cover it,” Dudu stated bluntly.

“You don’t have to be so strict,” Millie remarked casually, not as concerned about the cost.

Hestia hesitated. Should she decline? She wasn’t unfamiliar with T4-class meals, having eaten them regularly at her workplace recently. But dining out at this level was just too expensive. A meal like this would cost her nearly a full day’s wages… She did a quick calculation in her head.

Before she could say anything, Lina clapped a hand on her shoulder, interrupting her train of thought.

“Don’t worry about it. My treat today. Look at how scared you all are!” Lina exclaimed, pretending to be hurt by their reaction as she patted her chest dramatically.

In the end, the group entered the restaurant.

“Welcome to Prism View Restaurant, where we provide you with the most comfortable and reassuring service,” greeted the staff as they bowed slightly. The sight of the uniformed butlers surprised and delighted Dudu and Millie.

Hestia, however, was reminded of something her manager had once told her: Never use words like ‘absolute’ or ‘guaranteed’ with customers—it’s like digging your own grave. It comes off as exaggerated and insincere.

While she thought this, the language seemed to work wonders on Dudu and Millie, whose eyes sparkled as they took in the surroundings.

After they were seated, Lina began ordering and explaining the decor.

“See this translucent gold tabletop? It’s made from Moher Transparent Metal. The porcelain plates and tea cups are from the Lujin Jade Sand brand…”

She spoke with such detail that the others, including Hestia, found it intriguing. Hestia couldn’t help but wonder why her colleagues at Crystal Dream had never mentioned where their decor came from.

Soon, the main course arrived. The freshly grilled Windy Plain steak emitted an enticing aroma and had a perfectly cooked appearance. Being a T4-class meal, it was also infused with minor supernatural effects.

“Looks pretty good,” Millie commented, already used to T4-class cuisine.

“Wow, so this is T4-class? It’s completely different from what I remember,” Dudu exclaimed. She’d only had it once before, and her excitement was evident.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Lina responded with a hint of pride, though her gaze subtly shifted toward Hestia.

The girl’s calm demeanor caught Lina’s attention. She doesn’t seem surprised… No, it’s probably just her personality—she rarely reacts dramatically to anything, Lina thought, making a mental note.

At some point during the meal, Lina discreetly picked up her terminal under the table and sent a message. She then resumed chatting and laughing with the group.

The dining experience was pleasant overall. After all, three of them weren’t paying, and the one footing the bill wasn’t worried about the cost.

“Guests, here’s a freshly prepared Citrus Fruit Wine for you,” a server said, placing four glasses of vibrant orange-red liquid on the table. The drink gave off a refreshing fragrance.

“We didn’t order this, did we?” Lina asked.

“No, but a gentleman requested that we bring it over,” the server replied, stepping aside to reveal a man sitting at another table. He was dressed impeccably, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, and had the air of a polished business professional.

“Oh? And who’s this?” Dudu asked, curious.

“Ah, so he’s here today too,” Lina said. “He’s the friend I mentioned earlier. He comes here often and introduced me to this place.”

She waved at the man, who smiled and walked over.

“Good evening, ladies,” he greeted, his tone carrying a slight Elvish accent.

“Good evening,” Dudu and Millie responded, feeling both flattered and flustered. They suddenly recalled etiquette lessons from school but couldn’t remember much in the moment, leaving them slightly panicked.

In response to their greetings, he nodded kindly and began introducing himself.

“My name is Senquild. I’m a friend of Lina’s. I didn’t expect to run into her here after work.”

Hearing that he was dining alone here after work, it was hard not to imagine he lived such a luxurious life every day. Dudu and Millie, intrigued and admiring, let their imaginations run wild. Moreover, since he was an elf, their awe deepened.

Elves, while comprising less than 1% of the Federation’s population, had lifespans nearly three times that of humans and a natural advantage in practicing the Nature Sequence. As a result, they often held high positions in society, garnering much envy.

“Hello, I’m Millie…”

“Hello, I’m…”

Dudu and Millie eagerly introduced themselves, even sharing some of their hobbies and interests.

When it was the turn of the gray-haired girl in the corner, she simply said, “Hello, my name is Hestia,” her introduction plain and straightforward without any embellishments.

“Nice to meet you all. I hope I’m not disturbing your meal,” he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down naturally.

Senquild started by discussing the restaurant’s features and then transitioned to how he and Lina met.
“It was actually due to a shared interest. During a music concert, we happened to sit next to each other and ended up talking a lot about music, which led to us becoming acquainted.”

“Yeah, I was quite surprised at the time,” Lina chimed in, feigning a starstruck look. “At first, I thought Mr. Senquild and I had a big age gap and that he wouldn’t understand the types of music I liked. But I was so wrong! He’s so knowledgeable—he even explained the history and evolution of music to me.”

Her exaggerated adoration made everyone at the table burst into laughter.

When did Lina become so into music? Hestia tilted her head in thought. In class, the only one seriously into music is probably Clara, who dreams of being an idol. Though she’s often complaining about how tough guitar practice is.

As the others joked and chatted, Hestia remained relatively quiet. Eventually, Senquild addressed her directly.

“Hestia, do you have any plans for the holidays? It seems like everyone else has something lined up.”

“Me? I haven’t decided yet. I’ll probably work to save up some money. Once I start high school, I won’t have time for part-time jobs anymore, and there’ll be lots of expenses,” Hestia said, shaking her head.

“That’s a shame,” Senquild remarked, shaking his head sympathetically. “The vacation after graduating middle school only happens once. I remember regretting not going out with my classmates because I was busy preparing for exams.”

“That’s true,” Dudu chimed in. “My sister always tells me that young girls should take advantage of their youth to seize opportunities. Otherwise, you’ll regret it when you’re older.”

“That does make sense,” Millie nodded in agreement.

“Don’t keep worrying about work, Hestia,” Lina added, joining the persuasion. “You won’t save much in a month, and taking a week off doesn’t waste that much time. Life is all about experiences!”

“But…” Hestia started to protest when Senquild interrupted.

“It doesn’t have to cost much to go out and enjoy yourself. Our company is organizing a trip soon, and as the manager, I can bring a couple of friends along. It’s to a beachfront resort in the Southern Zone. Would you and Lina like to join?”

The inclusion of a familiar classmate like Lina made the offer seem less intimidating, and it seemed designed to lower any guard Hestia might have.

“I…” Normally, Hestia would have hesitated, as she wasn’t good at rejecting people. But now…

“I’ll pass,” she said, shaking her head. Hestia wasn’t keen on accepting favors from strangers without a clear reason, and perhaps it was instinct, but something about Senquild made her uneasy. She couldn’t pinpoint why, but she simply didn’t like him.

“Come on, it’s a rare vacation,” Lina insisted, grabbing Hestia’s hand. “You don’t want your memories of this time to just be stuck in Arpeggio City’s underground. Going somewhere with fresh air would be great.”

Dudu and Millie began noticing that something was off, but since they had some admiration for Senquild—and had just enjoyed a free meal—they didn’t feel it was their place to speak up.

Hestia’s so lucky, Dudu thought to herself. A wealthy guy like that is interested in her?

Why her? Millie wondered gloomily as she sipped her drink. Am I not pretty enough?

“I really think I’ll pass,” Hestia said again, managing to pull her wrist away from Lina’s grasp. Rejecting people was hard for her, and doing it so publicly added to her discomfort.

Seeing Hestia like this, a flash of irritation crossed Lina’s face. What the heck? Acting all high and mighty now, after I vouched for her in front of everyone? Usually, she’s meek and timid, but now she’s acting aloof?

“Hestia, are you looking down on me?” Lina snapped, standing abruptly.

“This…” Hestia stammered, caught off guard.

Senquild sighed inwardly at the unfolding scene. As someone who valued decorum, he disliked public confrontations, especially in a well-known restaurant. He had hoped that Hestia’s initial reluctance was due to shyness and that she would warm up over time. However, Lina’s outburst was complicating matters.

Seeing the argument between the two about to escalate, Dudu and Millie quickly stepped in to mediate. Dudu held Lina back, while Millie pulled Hestia aside.

“Calm down, Lina. Hestia didn’t mean it, that’s just how she is,” Dudu reassured Lina.

Meanwhile, Millie spoke softly to Hestia, “Don’t mind Lina, she probably just got carried away. You know how she is—she tends to speak bluntly. Let’s just greet Mr. Senquild, apologize for the scene, and then leave. After all, he did treat us to a meal, and it wasn’t cheap.”

Thanks to their efforts, the tense atmosphere eased slightly, but no one was in the mood anymore. While Millie and Dudu were trying to figure out how to wrap up the evening with a few polite words, the sound of footsteps approached from outside the restaurant.

“Is it the special police?” someone in the restaurant murmured.

Unlike the usual white-uniformed officers, these were fully armed, clad in matte black armor and helmets, carrying pulse rifles that exuded a menacing aura. As they entered the building, they spread out to secure the area and began questioning and inspecting each establishment one by one.

“What’s going on?” Senquild stood up and walked toward the counter. Being a regular at the restaurant, the staff recognized him immediately.

“I heard there was an incident on the street—a rogue attack. Although it’s been contained, it seems the situation is more complicated,” the staff member explained, having just received the news through a local business group chat.

“I see…”

Although spiritual contamination and loss of control were possible side effects of advancing through transcendent sequences, such cases were rare. With a population of over a million in Arpeggio City, only a handful of incidents occurred annually, and they were usually quickly managed. This level of caution and mobilization seemed excessive.

“This doesn’t make much sense. Let me make a call and check,” Senquild said, intending to leverage his network as a mid-level company manager.

After a brief conversation, he set down his personal device, shook his head, and asked the staff for a glass of fruit wine.

“What’s going on?” Lina, eager to restore her image after her earlier outburst, clung to his arm like a delicate bird.

“Nothing much. Let’s just stay seated. The special police will finish their inspections soon,” Senquild replied, though he didn’t have a clear picture either. His contacts had only mentioned that Arpeggio City was under stricter control lately.

“Alright.”

The group returned to their seats and waited idly. Other patrons, having picked up bits of information through various channels, realized there was no use trying to leave and resigned themselves to waiting patiently.

Had it not been for the earlier argument, the group might have been able to joke and chat to pass the time. But now the atmosphere was awkwardly quiet. Sensing this, Senquild ordered ice cream for the four of them as a dessert.

“Have some dessert. It’s nothing to worry about, it doesn’t concern us,” he said, his gesture earning him a bit more goodwill from Millie and Dudu.

Time passed slowly. About 20 minutes later, the special police reached their restaurant. They inspected each patron with their instruments, and finding nothing unusual, allowed everyone to leave.

As they were about to depart, Hestia called out to Senquild, and the two exchanged contact information before she left.

“So, Hestia really did fall for him, huh,” Dudu remarked as she walked home with Millie.

“Well, it’s understandable. Hestia’s family situation isn’t great. Her parents aren’t around. She’s not like us,” Millie said, shaking her head.

“Wow, Millie, when did you become so empathetic? That’s not like you,” Dudu said in surprise.

“People grow, you know. After my recent heartbreak, I’ve come to see things differently.”

“Heartbreak can really do that to a person?”

The two gradually walked away, their conversation fading into the night.

…

Elsewhere, after dropping Lina off at her home, Senquild received a message from Hestia.

[Hestia Thilan]

I’m sorry for the awkward situation today, Mr. Senquild. Here is the cost of the meal, 1,612 Federation credits, which I’ve transferred to you.

I understand that Lina may have said those things in the heat of the moment, and she has her own perspective. But I also have my decisions. At least for now, I still want to live my life in my own way, rather than relying on others.

I hope this hasn’t inconvenienced you. Please delete my contact ID after confirming the transfer.

…

Setting down his personal device, Senquild sat in his car, gazing at the distant commercial street, and sighed.

“Looks like I misjudged her. I didn’t expect there’d still be a girl like her these days.”

“But how long can that pride last? In this world, you can’t survive on sheer determination alone.”