Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Floating specks of light converged in the air, forming a temporary transparent barrier, and the Dark Claw Owl scratched against the barrier, creating a tearing sound, with bits falling off.

In this brief moment, the Light Cotton Bird kept flying higher, eventually bursting out of the forest to welcome the vast and brilliantly sunny sky.

Bathed in sunshine, the bird's entire body radiated with a special glow; after spiraling once in the air, it dove down like a bomber.

The light emanating from its body became tangible, increasingly dazzling and concentrated, until it finally struck the Dark Claw Owl in the forest, a brilliant energy erupting, not only leaving the Dark Claw Owl reeling and dizzy but also scattering its internal Magic Power and sapping its strength, rendering it defenseless.

"Light Cotton Bird wins."

"Now we have another contender for the top eight."

After the battle ended, Besimor on the opposite side cradled the Dark Claw Owl, gently consoling it, while Hexia also held the Light Cotton Bird and approached.

Seeing Hexia approach, Besimor didn't seem happy, somewhat evasive, as if expecting this classmate to come mock her or deliver some self-aggrandizing, prideful remarks.

"Hello, my name is Hexia. Can we be friends?" Hexia held out her hand, slightly nervous.

If this had been the past, such an act would have been nearly impossible, but Hexia decided to change some things in high school, whether the result was good or bad. She wanted to try, to do things she never dared or even thought about before.

She had never actively sought friends, always passively accepting them. Sure, this put her at a psychological advantage, not easily rejected or hurt, but sometimes she envied those laughing in the sunshine.

"Me?" Besimor was also a bit surprised, asking again.

"Yes, because of the practice just now, I've noticed you're very impressive, uh, and a good person, and I was thinking if we could get to know each other..." Hexia stumbled, attempting for the first time to find a justifiable explanation for her actions, or at least one that didn't seem too disagreeable.

People who take the initiative often have a bit of a disadvantage. Being rejected would not only be heartbreaking, but might also open them up to ridicule, Hexia knew this, but still, she wanted to leave her age-old comfort zone and rigid habits behind to embrace new possibilities in her life.

Watching Hexia's clumsy explanation, Besimor covered her mouth with a light laugh, then responded by holding Hexia's hand in turn.

"Sure, my name is Besimor. Maybe we can get to know each other."

"Thank you." After shaking hands, Hexia showed a shy smile, then imitated Mel's usual gesture, slightly lifting the Light Cotton Bird in her arms to cover her cheeks.

With the ice broken, the subsequent conversation flowed more smoothly. They sat under a tree, watching the ongoing matches in the clearing and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Occasionally, they even reviewed their recent battle, pointing out their own shortcomings.

Slowly, it was time for the semi-finals.

This time, Hexia led her three companions to a hard-fought victory, but it drained a significant amount of Magic Power, putting them at a disadvantage for the semifinal and ultimately leading to their defeat.

"Fourth place, then." After the match, Hexia was a bit downcast but also relieved. She watched others continue to advance through the trees, bathed in sunlight, shining like gold.

It seemed not winning first place didn't matter so much anymore. She stroked her three companions in the sunset, her head resting in the warm fur of the Electro-Fleece Sheep, gazing at the scenery not far away.

Around five in the afternoon, the tournament reached its conclusion. The final victor was not Doge, who was initially favored, nor the class president Agnes, but a short, chubby boy. Behind him stood a simple large bear, a light yellow parrot nestled in his arms, and by his feet, there trotted a little dog with a curly tail.

"Congratulations to Muyuan for winning the championship with the White Shirt Bear, Tiger-eyed Parrot, and the Smooth Wind Dog~" the teacher announced passionately, followed by a burst of cheers from the woods.

Afterward, Hexia and the other seven students also stepped onto the small wooden stage in the woods, took photos with everyone's companions in the sunset, and held the freshly harvested T4 level pet food in their hands.

...

"So, all the final rewards went to these little guys." Mel leaned forward with her hands on her knees, watching Hexia and a few small companions who were spinning around, which included not only Hexia's Electric Fleece Ram and Wind Sea Snail but also Mel's Spinning Back Turtle, as well as Besimor's Red-backed Dog, Shadow Claw Owl, and Golden Civet from the side.

In just one meal, the nine little guys finished off the recently acquired rewards, then sat down under the evening glow of the sunset sky.

Hexia and Besimor sat together, talking about each other's affairs, and Hexia slowly learned that Besimor had grown up in the Northern First District and had longed to attend Yuanting Academy for a long time.

"Although the education in the Northern First District is good, I was still very anxious about getting into Yuanting Academy, and I was so nervous during the re-examination," Besimor said, stroking the hair by her ear that the wind had tossed.

"Hexia was the girl who chose the Indigo Snake, right? I saw you in the crowd at that time, and people were guessing whether the chosen animal had anything to do with the person's personality. I misunderstood you back then."

"It's okay, after all, we didn't know each other at the time." Hexia waved her five fingers in the wind, signaling that she didn't mind anymore.

"Hexia is really nice," Besimor said softly, wrapping her arms around her knees and turning her head to look at the girl beside her.

Then she seemed to remember something, took out a whistle from her chest, stood up, and blew it, the notes long and changing several times.

Before long, a small black dot approached from the sky, getting closer and closer, and then landed on Besimor's wrist—it was a hawk with grayish-red feathers, which moved back and forth on Besimor's wrist, giving off a series of calls.

"This is the Red Iron Hawk, my companion," Besimor introduced, petting the hawk's back with one hand.

"My companions are probably still in the dorm sleeping, or taking care of the ducks," Hexia said, standing up with a touch of distress, as she realized she couldn't bring it out today to meet new friends.

"Hehehe, a snake taking care of little ducks, that really is interesting," Besimor laughed softly, her body shaking slightly.

Afterward, she reached out her hand, inviting Hexia. Continue reading at empire

"I live over at the Purple Mansion, do you want to come over and play tomorrow?"

Hexia was about to agree but noticed Mel pouting beside her, looking a little unhappy, seemingly because Hexia had neglected her.

"I can, but I'll be bringing one more person with me, is that okay?" She put her hands lightly on Mel's shoulders, making the girl who heard this conversation suddenly happy.

"Of course, that's no problem, it's my fault for not noticing earlier, I should have invited both of you," Besimor nodded.

"Then it's settled."

In the sunset and the breeze, the three of them clasped hands together, and as the sky gradually darkened, little stars twinkled above.