Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

After tidying her hair and dress, Hestia stepped through the magnificent archway. A colorless light screen swept over her body, surprising her slightly, but she continued forward.

At the center of the academy’s main pathway, a semicircular white sign displayed instructions and procedures in colorful writing, surrounded by various flowerpots.

[Students participating in the re-test, please turn right and proceed straight to the Star Dome, the building marked with a star at its top.]

[Most areas of the academy are closed to the public. We appreciate your understanding.]

[For dining and rest, you may visit the Blue Porcelain Pavilion to the south of the Star Dome, a large hotel catering to external visitors.]

[If you get lost or need assistance, tune in to channel GI835 for help.]

Although the information on the sign was fragmented, it addressed most common concerns, which reassured Hestia.

The campus grounds were paved with pure white tiles made from premium lunar stone—an easy-to-clean, durable, and radiant material favored by the Federation’s elite.

The pathway was lined with flowers and lush grass, illuminated by hanging iris lamps. The campus felt particularly spacious; the main road connecting the gate to the Starry Dome stretched about a kilometer, wide enough for eight hovercars to pass side by side.

After walking through seas of flowers and dense greenery, Hestia finally arrived at the Star Dome. This towering white building was impressively grand. Flanking its colossal doors were statues of white knights—one holding a shield, the other a spear—standing erect as if carved by giants. The knights loomed so large that a person standing beside them barely reached their feet.

Inside the spacious dome, the floor shimmered like a starry night, a deep blue glass-like surface dotted with silver specks. Golden seams intricately connected the floor tiles, making it feel like walking among the stars.

Although the main gates of the dome were open, students participating in the re-test hadn’t entered yet. Instead, they stood beneath the towering entrance, marveling at the resplendent interior. The fifty-meter-high vaulted ceiling featured stained-glass depictions of ancient legends, narrating the stories of heroes long past. At the far end of the hall, a colossal and lifelike mural dominated the wall.

The mural depicted an angel clad in resplendent wings, arms outstretched. Her eyes were closed, and she wore a flowing gown of light blue that transitioned to darker hues. Her golden hair cascaded down, crowned by seven brilliant morning stars. Behind her, a dark, star-speckled sky served as the backdrop.

Legend had it that this angel’s image had been passed down from ancient times and magnified for this hall by the academy’s founder.

Ascending the stairs, Hestia stopped in front of the gates. She wondered why none of the students were entering when a clear and crisp voice echoed from ahead.

A girl in a distinctive uniform stood before the doors, flanked by fellow students in white uniforms who temporarily barred entry. Seeing that most participants had arrived, the girl in the red-and-black uniform stepped forward. Her golden-red eyes scanned the crowd.

“Your re-test trial begins here, in the Star Dome,” she announced.

As she spoke, orchestral music resonated within the hall, amplifying her voice and creating an imposing echo. The chatter among the students immediately subsided.

“As the president and leader of this year’s Student Council at Swallow Garden Academy, I extend my heartfelt support to you all.” She placed a hand over her chest, closing her eyes momentarily before reopening them.

“Receiving an invitation to Swallow Garden Academy and arriving here means that theoretical knowledge is no longer a barrier for you. However, the companions we seek at our academy extend beyond mere intellect.”

“Every academy has its own ethos and values. Here at Swallow Garden, we prize ‘bonds’—trust and unity that transcend material connections.”

“I understand that it’s unrealistic to expect you to form strong bonds or build trust with one another in such a short time, especially as you remain competitors. Therefore—” She paused briefly before clapping her hands.

“We’ve prepared companions for you.”

As her words fell, colorful orbs of light descended from the dome’s ceiling, floating gracefully through the space. Inside each orb was a faint, shadowy figure.

“Each orb contains a Sequence 2 magical creatures. These creatures have undergone basic training, understand simple commands, and harbor a natural fondness for humans.”

“Step forward, place your hand on the pedestal, and release your intent. A suitable companion will descend to become your temporary partner, essential for passing this round.”

“Let us begin!”

With that, she stepped aside. The white-uniformed students split into two lines, standing on either side of the gate, revealing a white stone pedestal at the entrance.

“Interesting,” some students remarked, intrigued by the glowing orbs in the hall.

“Is this a beast-taming trial?”

“It seems more complex than that.”

“Trust, huh? That makes sense.”

“I doubt passing will be as simple as forming trust. There’s probably a deeper test hidden here.”

The murmurs around her reached Hestia’s keen ears.

“Trust and bonds…” she mused, understanding the words but sensing there was more to them.

Taking it one step at a time, she joined the line of students.

“Ocanna, from 5th District,” a black-clad boy introduced himself simply as he stepped forward and placed his hand on the pedestal.

Symbols glowed on the pedestal, radiating light across the hall like ripples. A dark blue orb descended, landing on the pedestal. The orb cracked open, revealing a sleeping wolf pup.

Its fur was jet-black with streaks of blue on its legs, forehead, and shoulders. When it awakened, its crimson eyes glared warily at its surroundings before inspecting the boy and nuzzling him slightly to express friendliness.

“So, you’re my partner,” the boy said, his voice tinged with surprise and delight as he picked up the wolf pup. A white-uniformed student guided him to another part of the hall.

“Next student,” called the girl in charge.

One by one, students stepped forward. A girl in a golden dress summoned a metallic orb that contained a gold-shelled scorpion.

“It’s a bit ugly, but I like its color,” she said, letting the scorpion crawl onto her hand before moving aside.

“She’s bold! I’d never touch a scorpion,” someone whispered.

“I hope I get something cute.”

Finally, it was Hestia’s turn.

“Hestia, from 7th District,” she said, her voice calm. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she stepped forward.

Placing her hand on the pedestal, she closed her eyes and focused. Her awareness extended through the pedestal into the hall, where vivid, diverse lives emerged in her mind—each a unique magical creature.

Unlike others, Hestia found she could connect with nearly all the orbs, leaving her overwhelmed by choice.