Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Standing under this ancient sky, Hexia made her way through the bustling crowd, not only hearing the various noisy sounds from street corners but also smelling the slight saltiness and moisture carried by the sea breeze.

The songstress with ocean-wave-like hair had eyes like water, her facial features vaguely discernible beneath her veil. Her voice differed from any songstress of the current era; it lacked strong emotional coloring, free from excessive obsession. Standing among the crowd, she seemed utterly alone, dwelling in the dark depths of the sea, accompanied only by the ceaseless sounds of the tide.

Her voice contained no sadness, merely narration, yet it immersed listeners, swaying with the waves.

This beauty did not rely on people's praise or care about the world's critiques, but simply revealed a certain calming mood born of personal experience, sensing the breadth and majesty of the world.

Unconsciously, a piece ended, everything before her gradually fading away until, at last, Hexia awoke from this distant dream of memory.

It was still the lake shrouded in mist where she lay, enveloped by the surface of a vast ice flower, her body gently rippling with the ice beneath her. Then, slowly, she opened her eyes.

Gradually getting up, Hexia looked towards the small iceberg in the middle of the lake and, indeed, the beautiful ghostly lady was still sitting there, eyes half-closed.

"Awake?" the other asked, seeing Hexia rise.

"Yes, teacher."

Hexia held this ghostly mentor in high esteem. At first, when she encountered this lake spirit, she thought she had met a creature from mythology. The cold aura emanating from her, as well as that otherworldly beauty, was so out of place in the bustling, frenetic modern world.

Just like Hexia suspected, she never used any modern electronic gadgets, as if she had lived from a distant era to the present.

After asking Hexia about her feelings towards the songstress, the ghostly lady nodded.

"Did the teacher witness that songstress's performance firsthand?" Hexia curiously inquired.

"Yes, but if you ask me from which era, I won't tell you," the other seemed to guess the young girl's curiosity, her ice-blue eyes blinking.

A white, immaculate, and elaborate dress fluttered in the air, soundlessly, with a surreal and ethereal feel to it. The figure turned, her back facing the girl, gazing into the distance.

"The era I lived in is very distant from the present, so far away that I had to specially seal some memories to prevent forgetting them."

"But I am not as you might think, having lived until now. I've spent most of my life—over 95% of it—in slumber. One could say I have been asleep."

She sat atop the iceberg, her fingers slightly lifting, a swarm of ice butterflies fluttered then landed on her fingertips.

"Now that I have reawakened, it hasn't even been 20 years, so I am not more familiar with modern society than you are. Regarding the songstresses and historical figures of the Rose Federation, I wouldn't know any more than you do."

"Fortunately, music, or rather history, tends to repeat and resemble itself. In the era I lived, many impressive figures arose. I think I could share with you their experiences and glamour so that you might gain some insights."

"Music is similar to painting or writing in a way; generally speaking, the highest level you can achieve often depends on the best works you have seen."

"One cannot create something beyond their own cognition, and while creating, they often unconsciously compare their work with the most perfect pieces they know, to discern their shortcomings and improve upon them."

"As for surpassing the peaks of predecessors, once you reach the summit, you will gradually understand why this is the pinnacle, and it will become clear naturally."

She patiently explained these things to Hexia, then had Hexia sit beside her, the two of them perched on that tiny iceberg, looking down at the ice below, where from time to time beautiful figures were reflected.

There were poets playing music by the campfire, elf-girls offering their songs under the huge trees, orc warriors drumming ferociously on the battlefield, mysterious women spinning and dancing on the tavern stage, and a girl in white, singing softly and alone under the moon.

Hexia could tell that these scenes were all from an era before the industrial, even the Interstellar Age. It seemed that this teacher who claimed to come from a very distant past was indeed telling the truth.

After the viewing of past images was over, the Ghostly Lady explained to Hexia the differences between classical and modern music, how to choose the style of songs, and so on. Finally, she discussed vocal techniques and some knowledge about breath control.

"Because I am a ghost, I am actually not very good at teaching you how to produce sound. You can learn that part with your classmates at the Academy and from the music teacher," she said frankly.

"What I can teach you is more about the Songstress' Talent, such as how to achieve Soul Resonance, and how to use that talent to cast various secret techniques, as well as how to conceal your charm and blend in with ordinary people, and so on."

"There's a wealth of knowledge in the age-old lineage of Songstresses, like the Azure Songstress and the Crimson Songstress of the Third Era. I happened to have met one of the Songstresses from that lineage in the past and learned much, all of which I can teach you."

"Learn quickly, Hexia. Who knows, in a few years, I might go back to sleep." She occasionally spoke with a light and teasing tone.

"Is Teacher going to sleep again?"

"Mhm, actually, because I've experienced so much, not so many things are new or interesting anymore. I occasionally need to skip through and watch videos, so you can understand that, right?" A harp of ice materialized in her arms, and she began to pluck it gently.

"The same thing can feel different at different ages. You don't need to try to understand my thoughts; just follow your own feelings and keep moving forward."

"Inexperienced, confused, timid—these are stages everyone goes through in life. The voice and emotions you can express at that time can't necessarily be reproduced once you are mature and skilled, so don't be anxious all the time. Expressing everything you feel right now, that's what makes a truly moving song."

"When you're immature, singing those naive emotions with innocence can be lovely and touching. Singing about the distress and indecision when you're lost can move people to tears. Singing about the hardships you've overcome and the joy of success can stir emotions deeply, keeping people awake all night."

"Constantly chasing what is 'good' or 'excellent' might actually cause you to lose sight of your true self. Because what is 'good' is actually based on the feelings and insights the creator experienced. If you emulate them, it's not only hard to achieve, but setbacks will slowly make you lose confidence in yourself."

"The most beautiful song is always the one that resonates most with your mood. What do you want to bring to everyone, Hexia?" asked the ghostly lady before leaving.

"I don't know about the future, but if it's the past, maybe it's like a dreary drizzle. However, I don't want to sing such a song, even though I know it would be touching," the girl shook her head, then leaped down from the iceberg onto the lake. As soon as she touched down, the icy water formed a frozen flower beneath her foot, allowing her to step across to the shore.

"Then I'll be going back now, Teacher," Hexia bowed to take her leave from the Ghostly Lady, and then she disappeared into the mist at the water's edge.

"Such character, so much like you back in the day, although still a bit immature," the Ghostly Lady murmured softly, seated on the iceberg.