Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Six student representatives ascended to the high platform, looked at each other, then following the stele beneath the base of the Holy Grail, led all participating students in an oath, vowing to abide by the ancient and fair competition rules: no cheating, no malicious harm, respecting opponents, no passive competition, striving to showcase their own brilliance while casting aside lies and deceit.

After the oath was taken, the six bowed to the central Holy Grail, then shook hands with one another before descending from the platform.
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Then the host proceeded to announce the schedule of the Winter Festival Tournament, the arrangement of various events, and also introduced the history and results of past Winter Festival Tournaments, as well as expectations and blessings for this tournament.

By the time all this had concluded, more than half an hour had passed, and then the students from the six academies dispersed, the platform with the Holy Grail in the center was lowered, replaced by a square platform engraved with patterns.

The "warm-up matches" began.

The students appearing tonight were limited to those in the 2nd and 3rd years, and they must be of Sequence 4, not above this rank—it was a stage specially set aside for each academy's rising stars.

The academy of the winning side would earn 1 point, whereas there were no penalties for failure. This was to encourage each academy to actively arrange for participants to take the stage, but no more than 36 people in total.

The warm-up match had no specific combat sequence and operated on a king-of-the-hill style with each person only allowed to take the stage once, until they were defeated and had to step down.

After the match began, the arrays of students from the six major academies surrounding the field did not immediately send anyone to the stage. In such a competition, going on stage early on was not advantageous. Moreover, there was plenty of time tonight, so there was no need to rush.

"Since that's the case, let's start things off."

Dressed in a crisp deep blue uniform resembling military attire, Sweitevi stood in front of a group of Thunder Edge students. He raised his right hand, and afterwards a student with a sharp gaze stepped out of the line, passed through the shade of falling ginkgo leaves, and stood firm in the center of the open space.

"Thunder Edge, second year, Xian Zhaonan."

Once he stood firm, he started by introducing himself, and then slowly drew out a gleaming silver broadsword from his side. The sword had a dark green hilt, and the wavy blade reflected intermittent cold light.

"Hmm, interesting," a girl wearing a golden, flowing long dress and holding a folding fan said as she sat on an ostentatiously gold-lacquered porcelain chair. Behind her stood students in light brown and bright yellow block dresses.

"Then let's have our Swarm's Reign play a symphony," she said, glancing over her shoulder and waving her pendant-adorned folding fan, prompting a sword-wielding girl to step out in response.

She had a light brownish-red high ponytail and her light brown contoured shoes stepped across the fallen leaves to the center of the open space.

She tossed aside the sword scabbard, pulling out one of the fiery red sword edges, flicked it lightly, and then looked directly at the boy not far away.

"Swarm's Reign, second year, Ishillia."

Seeing that both were standing firm and ready, the voice of the referee immediately came from overhead.

"The match begins!"

As the words dropped, both individuals almost simultaneously charged forward, their sword and blade fiercely colliding, sending out sparks and followed by a screeching friction sound.

After the first exchange, both cautiously moved apart quickly, not engaging longer than necessary, then readjusted their positions and status, keeping a close watch on their opponents.

At the start, since each was unfamiliar with the other, close combat was very dangerous. If the opponent suddenly executed an unforeseen move, one might be defeated without even getting a chance to display their full strength.

Thus, the two engaged in several exchanges back and forth, during which both attempted long-range attacks, but they were all easily dodged by the other, only succeeding in chopping down several ginkgo trees in the distance.

Perhaps feeling that they had sized each other up sufficiently, and that continuing to drag the fight would only lead to more expenditure of Magic Power, not advantageous for a prolonged battle or defending the position, Xian Zhaonan, after another pass, did not retreat but instead turned quickly to attack. His blade, like white lightning, rushed straight at Ishillia, who was not yet prepared.

With a backhanded block, she positioned her sword on her shoulder to parry the charging broadsword, but the lightning-like strike still made Ishillia's form falter. After that, the blade withdrew and several successive slashes followed. Being at a disadvantage, Ishillia could only retreat step by step, and then, with a sweep of the blade edge, a long cut burst from her shoulder. The whirling blade in the air turned back, aiming straight for her chest.

Whether to dodge or block, Ishillia had no time for either at that moment. She grasped the hilt of her sword tightly, slashing from a low angle upward as her opponent's blade was about to hit her, aiming straight for Xian Zhaonan's right arm.

With no other choice, Xian Zhaonan had to release his grip, and then Ishillia retreated, pulling the blade that had pierced her chest out and dropping it to the ground.

Seeing that she still refused to concede, Xian Zhaonan shook his head, but did not say anything. Instead, he reached into the air, and then a lightning strike descended, hitting Ishillia's position.

Clutching her wound, Ishillia advanced once more, her fiery red blade edge glowing as if it were alive, surging towards Xian Zhaonan.

After several more exchanges, Xian Zhaonan, who lost his straight sword, was at a continuous disadvantage and finally had to admit defeat and leave the stage, while at the same time, Ishillia collapsed from the excessive blood loss.

"First match, Swarm's Reign wins!"

Even though they won, it wasn't worth it—they had to withdraw after just one match.

The Swarm's Reign students carried the injured Ishillia off the stage to receive treatment, and then the area was cleared once again.

"We'll take the second match," said Ed as he clicked his knuckles. Then, from the array behind him, a girl with glasses stepped forward. She styled a very Zhang Yang deep pink braid and wore the Crystal Lattice Academy's white uniform with blue trim.

Before reaching the open space, she opened up her white coat, revealing various devices hung around her waist and back. These metallic constructs seemed to include storage containers, something resembling jet nozzles, and even appeared to have radar scanners.