Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Standing atop the platform belonging to Edith Academy, Tilan's eyes followed each duel at the center of the venue, gauging the differences between competitors.

The fourth round consisted of twenty-four matches, which might seem many, but the time allocated for each duel wasn't long, averaging only three to four minutes. As the tournament progressed, it was fast becoming her turn to take the stage.

"Match number twelve, Edith Academy, Hexia Tilan, versus Lelysia Academy, Ahmed."

After the announcement by the host, a wave of surprise rippled through the audience. Only then did they notice that the girl in the center of the Edith Academy's group was not a cheerleader but an official competitor in this grand tournament.

"She's only in her second year, right? Does she already have a Sequence 5?"

"Her tempo of advancement surpasses even that of Bettina, who has been blessed by an angel."

"Temisia was nothing more back in the day. Could it be that as her sister, Hexia too is a genius with exceptional talent?"

"She's not just a songstress, but her talent as a transcendent being is also extremely rare."
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Ignoring the various discussions from the crowd, Tilan took steps toward the stage, where light converged. Any shyness and nervousness dissolved entirely at this moment.

It was strange, in a way; she was more likely to be shy in less formal situations, but when it was something serious and vitally important, she managed to cast aside irrelevant emotions quickly, becoming unusually calm and resolute.

As thoughts of self-reflection spun in her mind, Tilan ceased moving, standing in a corner of the battleground.

Across from her was the familiar 'Holy Sword Bearer,' Ahmed, whom she had recently met and who had defeated Valeria in a previous academy confrontation match.

Pondering the Holy Sword, Radiant Feather Sequence, and the twelve sanctuaries, Tilan recalled the swordsmanship heritage Ahmed wielded while considering which strategy might best secure her victory.

Using brute force to overcome skill was too ostentatious, better to employ some finesse. With this in mind, she raised a finger, and a surge of dark magic power coalesced, followed by a pitch-black longsword manifesting in her hand.

With a few simple swings to adjust to this Withering Sequence magic-forged longsword, Tilan steadied herself once more.

Observing the maiden using her magic power to condense a blade right there, Ahmed shook his head slightly at the extravagant action, then slowly drew the broad Holy Sword from behind him.

This was the arena of the Winter Festival Grand Competition, and he would not show leniency or contempt as he had against Valeria in the previous match.

"The duel begins!"

After the commencement, neither moved immediately. Tilan thought if she were to act first, the opponent wouldn't need to strike at all, which would be too disheartening. She decided to wait for Ahmed to make the first move.

As for Ahmed, he was facing the most beloved girl of the Edith Academy and one of the only two songstresses in the entire Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain. He had to consider the impact on those watching and maintain a gentlemanly demeanor, allowing Tilan to prepare and to make the first move.

The result was that they both stood motionless for over ten seconds before Tilan slightly tilted her head, realizing he might be trying to display gentlemanly manners.

"What a hassle," she murmured, then with a light flick of her sword edge, dark phantoms emerged behind her. With the sword edge directing like a conductor's baton, they rushed towards Ahmed.

Compared to Valeria's previous encounter, these wraithlike phantoms she summoned were several times more formidable, with just their sheer numbers and momentum exuding overwhelming oppression.

"Ten Swords Oath - Vanquish Evil"

The Holy Sword clasped in both hands erupted with a brilliant golden aura, rising from the ground into the kilometer-high night sky. Then, carrying that golden aura and imposing pressure, Ahmed swung down the blazing golden greatsword, bearing down on Hexia Tilan.

Despite the grandeur of the attack, Tilan watched Ahmed's movements without any reaction, allowing the sword edge to fall beside her, cleaving through the marble and forming a narrow gorge two meters wide on the ground.

She shook her head, feeling that perhaps he was underestimating her too much. Even with his slash, he had not aimed directly at her.

It seemed time to show a little more, the girl thought, blinking her eyes, and then swung the sword edge in her hand again. The pitch-black specters roaming the sky swarmed down anew.

In Ahmed's previous slash, although he shattered some of the pitch-black specters, many evaded and circled around the trajectory of the Holy Sword's attack.

Audacity in excess but lacking in agility, Ahmed, despite his ability to unleash the powerful Sacred Technique of the Holy Sword, fell short in his precision and control over its power. No wonder his fight against Valeria had dragged on so long; perhaps he was also afraid of losing control over the force, leading to irreparable harm.

The girl pondered this as she raised her left hand and clenched it lightly. Countless black specters charged at Ahmed, their sharp spectral claws seeming tangible, clashing with the sacred greatsword. Although the Holy Sword held an advantage over the Withering Sequence's ghostly specters in terms of attributes, with Tilan's own strength bolstering them, this advantage was gradually negated, unable to be effectively leveraged.

Repelling these ethereal specters time after time, Ahmed gradually sensed something was amiss, as these ghostly shadows did not easily dissipate but instead reconvened repeatedly, as if immortal, rendering him unable to rid himself of them.

He gradually felt overwhelmed and a wave of regret and enlightenment rose in his heart.

"Really, it seems I have been shortsighted this time..."

Swinging down the Holy Sword once more, breaking through the approaching ethereal specters, Ahmed gasped for breath, sweating at the brow as he looked at the quiet girl who stood opposite him. She seemed to take no action, simply standing and watching him fight repeatedly.

"Ha!" With his last ounce of strength, Ahmed charged forward, the Holy Sword in his hands glinting with golden lightning, especially eye-catching. He then swung valiantly at the standing girl.

Blinking, Tilan watched Ahmed, who desperately rushed at her, and admiration rose in her heart.

Not bad at all, at least he has come to his senses now.

She stepped back half a pace, sidestepping the slashing golden Holy Sword, and her hand wielding the black Crystal Longsword whirled, drawing in phantom specters that flew in, infusing it with a dim, jet-black glow.

Next, the black sword edge struck the Holy Sword wreathed in golden lightning, causing it to instantly lose its color and be flung away, followed by Ahmed, who lost his balance and fell to the ground.

The Holy Sword tumbled through the air, landing before Ahmed once again, its material's surface revealing only a coppery-gold hue, devoid of its previous dazzling splendor.

"Edith Academy wins!"

Concluding today's first match on the stage, Tilan returned to the Edith Academy's elevated area. After a brief silence, the venue began to erupt with roaring cheers.

"Hexia Tilan!"

"Hexia Tilan!"

Hearing the cheers, the girl gently closed her eyes, allowing herself not to look at the crowd.

Indeed, she still was not accustomed to such scenes.

After a long while, the young girl opened her light blue eyes, nodded slightly, and thanked everyone for their enthusiasm.