Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

“So it’s just rat hunting? What a simple test,” remarked a girl who had chosen a golden scorpion as her ‘companion.’ She stepped forward, gazing at the arena below. Her attire was a golden dress—not merely metaphorical gold, but a garment stitched with golden thread and silk, shimmering like liquid gold. It exuded a curious blend of ostentatious vulgarity and elegant sophistication.

“Begin the test!”

At the command, the barrier gate was lifted. A golden scorpion entered the arena, facing off against two phantom rats. Compared to the young wolf from the previous round, the scorpion was much smaller and likely weaker in raw strength.

However, each of these ‘companions’ possessed unique skills and abilities.

“Such a dull illusion. Clark, use ‘Golden Armor!'” The girl gestured confidently, and the golden scorpion charged forward, its body gleaming with a metallic sheen that rendered it impenetrable.

Provoked by the small scorpion, the two phantom rats grew aggressive and lunged at it, toppling it over and biting fiercely. Yet, their teeth found no purchase against its armored carapace.

“Now, use ‘Venomous Sting!'”

Upon hearing her command, the scorpion’s venomous tail lashed out, piercing one of the rat’s noses. Moments later, the rat convulsed violently, bleeding from its nose and mouth before succumbing. The second rat met a similar fate. The battle concluded swiftly and decisively.

“Impressive,” commented one of the observing students.

“How is she issuing such precise commands? The manual only provides basic instructions.”

“Maybe that’s the hidden part of the test,” another analytical student speculated, adjusting his glasses.

“Think about it—if the manual mentions ‘basic commands,’ it implies there are more advanced or complex ones yet to be disclosed.”

“That makes sense. I always thought these magical creatures must have skills beyond simple ‘attack’ and ‘defend.'”

“But how are we supposed to figure out what our companions can do? They can’t exactly talk.”

“Trial and error, I guess. For instance, it’s reasonable to assume a scorpion would use its venomous tail.”

The students murmured among themselves, inspired by the earlier demonstrations. They began experimenting with various commands, striving to direct their companions to defeat the phantom rats. Some quickly grasped the knack of it, guiding their companions to strategic victories. Others struggled—either their companions didn’t understand the commands or lacked the described skills. A few, despite deciphering their companion’s abilities, found coordination difficult.

“Don’t run away, Snowy! It’s just a little mouse—you can defeat it!” A girl in a pink dress pleaded anxiously with her white cat, which panicked and darted around, utterly ignoring her commands.

The scene was equal parts amusing and pitiful to onlookers, who could only watch as the cat’s actions led to the girl’s eventual failure when the eight-minute timer expired.

“Such a sweet, gentle girl, but she’s far too timid,” commented an upperclassman from Swallow Garden Academy.

“Kindness isn’t a flaw, but endless compromise and softness send the wrong message to her companion. The cat likely believes there are no consequences for disobedience, so it outright ignored her when it mattered.”

“She’s a good kid, but this habit will only hurt her.”

“Next!”

At the edge of the arena, Hestia placed her indigo serpent into the entry box and whispered a few calming words to it before ascending to the command platform.

“Northern 7th District, Hestia,” she reported succinctly, signaling her readiness.

The opposing gate opened, releasing two ravenous phantom rats. Meanwhile, Hestia’s indigo serpent slithered out of the box onto the field.

“A snake companion? That’s rare.”

“Probably another venomous type. Snakes eating rats should be easy.”

“Not necessarily. Didn’t that white cat just get chased around earlier? Bloodline suppression isn’t as dominant among magical creatures.”

“Let’s see how this plays out.”

On the field, the two phantom rats shook their gray-white fur and began enlarging their bodies. Locking onto the serpent, they charged. Startled by the larger foes, the indigo serpent panicked and fled, seeking a hiding spot.

Watching her companion’s frantic retreat, Hestia remained silent, her calm demeanor surprising the spectators.

“Is she not giving any commands?”

“Maybe she knows snakes are hard to tame and doesn’t bother trying?”

But fleeing was futile. Soon, the phantom rats cornered and bit into the serpent, causing it to writhe in pain.

“Now—’Shimmering Scales!'” Hestia issued her first command.

Under the duress of pain and desperation, the indigo serpent reflexively obeyed. Its scales emitted a dazzling brilliance, blinding the nearby phantom rats and causing them immense pain.

Seizing the moment, the serpent broke free. The close combat and blinding light disrupted the rats’ illusions, revealing their true, manageable size. Emboldened, the serpent turned to face its attackers.

“Constrict! ‘Coil and Crush!'” came Hestia’s second command.

Buoyed by its earlier success, the serpent acted decisively, coiling around one rat and tightening until it suffocated. The second rat, its vision still recovering, lunged clumsily but recoiled from the searing heat radiating from the serpent’s body.

Time ticked away. The serpent dispatched the first rat and, following Hestia’s guidance, turned to finish off the second just before the timer expired.

“Hestia, pass!” declared the official.

Relieved, Hestia exhaled deeply. While she had confidence in her companion, the serpent’s slow attack style left little margin for error. A tighter time constraint could have jeopardized the test.

She made a mental note to address this weakness, lest it hinder her in future trials. Descending from the platform, she retrieved her serpent, fed it a few morsels, and began formulating her next steps.

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T/N: The term ‘serpent’ has mythical or symbolic connotation and not associated with venomous traits of snakes.