Miss Witch Doesn't Want to Become a Songstress-Chapter 255

In just a few minutes, the atmosphere at the venue had been completely ignited by Princoco’s impromptu song, spreading like wildfire. Not only the audience on-site, but even Evony and the others standing atop the bridge peaks were overwhelmed by the momentum and waves of sound, leaving the courage and confidence they’d built up completely shattered.

Taking a deep breath, Evony tried to expel the emotions churning in her chest and regain her former calm and composure—but the chants rising from both riverbanks beneath the bridge kept flooding into her ears, making it hard for her to find her rhythm.

A hand gently rested on her shoulder, then lightly stroked her flowing golden hair. Though no words were spoken, Evony’s flustered mind gradually settled.

“Thank you, Thilan,” she murmured, then raised her head, opened her eyes, stepped forward, and took hold of the microphone.

The performance of Edess Academy had begun.

The guitar strings were plucked softly, and a clear, gentle voice slowly rang out. In contrast to Princoco’s explosive, fiery opening, Edess Academy chose a more melodic, heartfelt ballad.

Theway「道路」

Even among the crowd, I feel alone

Each face, every pair of weary eyes

None of them are here for me

I wonder how my life will go on?

So many chances I once had

But they won’t come again

...

How badly I longed for this moment

There’s no more room left for hope

Things aren’t the same anymore

Some days have been hard on me

Yet everyone still chases what they desire

Don’t you know?

All the good days are gone

There’s no storm that doesn’t pass

...

I’ll stay by your side always

Compared to Princoco’s performance—like a battlefield of flame—this song felt like a small boat gliding silently across the water at night. The moon above reflected in the river’s surface, and within that shimmer, people seemed to glimpse scenes from their past: unforgettable memories, lingering emotions, faces they wished to remember forever.

Though the lyrics weren’t passionate, and the rhythm didn’t soar, beneath this calmly flowing river lay a free-spirited and steadfast will. It soothed the heat and frenzy brought on by Princoco’s song, gradually pulling the audience back to the grounded, unadorned simplicity of reality.

“It wasn’t particularly shocking or dazzling, but... this sense of calm and sincerity—it feels nice.”

Someone in the audience commented after the song.

“The beauty of simplicity and peace.”

“Evony is such a gentle person.”

As the performance neared its end, a wave of applause rose across the venue. While many felt it couldn’t quite match Princoco’s act, Evony’s performance wasn’t lacking—just unfortunate to face such a rare opponent gifted with a songstress’s talent.

“Performance: 9. Emotional Impact: 8. Innovation: 9. Total: 26 points.”

Not long after, the judges presented their scores, officially bringing the first stage to a close.

With a perfect score of 30, Hive Dominion Academy earned an additional 10 combatants (30 ÷ 3 = 10), and with the 2 guaranteed slots, they would send 12 total fighters into the next stage.

Girls in white-and-brown combat dresses stepped onto one side of the bridge. Some wielded white-fanged electromagnetic rifles, others held massive hammers, and a few raised heavy shields to protect the band members behind them.

Edess Academy, having scored 26 points (≈26 ÷ 3 = 9), could send an additional 9 fighters—plus the 2 baseline members—totaling 11 combatants.

Although slightly at a disadvantage, the gap wasn’t large. The scoring system capped at 30 points—if there hadn’t been a limit, the judges likely would’ve given Princoco a 36.

On the other side, Edess Academy’s members dressed in navy and black combat uniforms also stepped onto their half of the bridge. The two teams faced each other across the broken span, night wind whistling between them.

“And now, the second stage begins—let’s have both team captains draw their lots!”

As the host announced this, two colorful, rotating discs descended from high in the sky. They spun and intertwined with shimmering, radiant designs. After swooping low over the river and kicking up sprays of water, they rose again, hovering before the two captains.

Countless words and images flashed across the spinning surfaces, while holographic buttons appeared before both players.

“Now, each of you, press the button five times to choose your themes!” The host’s excited voice stirred the audience into anticipation.

“What will the theme be?”

“I’m suddenly really hyped.”

Under the watchful eyes of their teammates, Evony and Princoco stepped forward and pressed the flashing buttons. With each press, the pointer halted, and a glowing shard popped out from the disc.

“Fairy” × “Paradise”

“Sweetness” × “War”

“Radiance” × “Advance”

“Darkness” × “Hill”

“Sacred” × “Dance”

Each team’s shards were combined with their opponent’s selections to form full themes. These five themes would be the basis of the songs for the next five rounds of duels.

The duel format would be one-on-one, but band members could assist by playing music to grant their teammates buffs or enhancements. The winner would receive a Resonance Amplification Crystal, which could be used in the third stage to boost the effect of their musical performance.

This type of duel was highly variable and tested each band’s preparation. If the team drew unfamiliar themes and couldn’t quickly find a fitting song, they’d lose their chance to support their fighter—possibly resulting in disaster on the battlefield.

“And now... let the first duel begin!”

As the host shouted, the two multicolored discs rose again, merged mid-air, and plunged into the river. A moment later, a massive ice pillar rose from beneath the water, parting the turbulent current as it slowly ascended to the same height as the bridge, standing in the broken gap like a stage.

With the platform now fully formed, one member from each side stepped forward, then leapt down from the bridge—landing onto the icy, smoke-wreathed arena.

“Edess Academy, Bennett, Blade Sequence 5: Flashstep Striker.”

“Hive Dominion Academy, Danko, Dragon Sequence 5: Crimson Claw Dragon Princess.”

Dressed in a dark combat uniform accented with deep blue, Bennett gazed across at the red-haired girl on the other side. One hand gripped his sheath tightly. She slowly drew a long, slightly curved blade, its spine matte black, its edge glowing with a faint green light that stood out sharply in the dark. The flowing radiance on its surface, when magnified, resembled delicate circuit-like filaments etched into the steel.

A swift battle was crucial. Knowing their side was at a disadvantage, Bennett didn’t wait for any musical support, nor did he give the opponent time to power up. The instant his feet hit the stage, he burst into motion.

A ghostly gleam of his blade flashed through the air. Surging magical power compressed into nearly invisible threads, slashing forth in an instant—fluttering like butterflies, fragile yet deadly, sharp enough to kill in the blink of an eye.