Miss Witch Doesn’t Want to Become a Songstress

On the other side of Swallow Garden Academy

“The fourth round of the re-test begins,” the staff member announced from the elevated platform.

“In this round, you will face challenges alongside your ‘partner.’ There are three sub-stages in total, with increasingly stronger opponents in each. Elimination of either you or your partner will result in failure.”

“Each stage is worth a maximum of 10 points. It is not mandatory to clear all three.”

“Now, step forward in order to begin the challenge.”

After the announcement, the crowd began to murmur. No one immediately volunteered to go first, with many wanting to observe and learn from others’ attempts before taking their turn.

The staff, unfazed, displayed the schedule: the examination would run from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

This meant that those who delayed too long might not even get a turn before the session ended.

“Hmph, cowards.” The girl in the flowing golden dress stepped forward once again, becoming the first to participate.

“Student Paula is the first to take the test and will receive a 2-point bonus,” the staff announced, initiating the challenge.

“Wow, if I’d known there were bonus points for going first, I’d have volunteered,” someone muttered below.

“But going first has its disadvantages, too. You don’t have any intel.”

“Quiet. Let’s see how she does.”

Paula and her golden scorpion stepped into the arena. Across from them, a white crystalline core floated up from the ground. Blue beams of light converged on it, causing it to vibrate and heat up rapidly.

In a sudden burst, the core exploded, releasing a cloud of crystalline mist that soon coalesced into the shape of a massive, fanged beast resembling a tiger.

Primordial Sequence 3: Phantom Crystal Fang Beast (Standard Dark Silver Level)

This was a construct created from a magical crystalline core, controlled remotely by either transcendent beings or AI. Such creatures were commonly used as training tools.

Although they were disposable constructs, their creation costs were high. Only a wealthy institution like Swallow Garden Academy could afford to deploy them on such a scale.

“Challenge start!”

At the signal, the Phantom Crystal Beast charged forward like a ferocious tiger, targeting the seemingly frail golden scorpion.

“Tch.” Paula frowned and raised her hand, summoning a series of spinning golden discs that hovered around her before flying toward the charging beast, attempting to slow its advance.

The spinning discs, with five sharp blades each, accelerated through the air and collided with the beast. While they chipped away fragments of its crystalline form, they shattered upon impact, doing little to halt its momentum.

The beast rammed into the golden scorpion, sending it flying. Not letting up, the beast leaped into the air, slashing with its claws and slamming the scorpion into the ground, leaving it limp and immobile.

Standing over the scorpion, the beast let out a low growl, turning its glowing eyes toward Paula—a mixture of warning and menace.

Should she continue attacking or prioritize her companion’s well-being and retreat? As the first participant, Paula faced a critical decision.

“Disgusting…” she muttered, lowering her arms and taking a cautious step back, her eyes fixed on the beast.

Satisfied, the Phantom Crystal Beast loosened its grip on the scorpion, spraying it with a crystalline sand that slowed its movements and disrupted its ability to absorb ambient magical particles.

Though not fatal, the crystalline sand severely hindered the scorpion’s mobility, making it difficult to recover. A few more applications, and it would be entirely incapacitated.

“Challenging indeed,” murmured one spectator.

“If it were me, I’d probably fare no better.”

“Facing a Sequence 3 beast with just Sequence 2 abilities and a partner is too much of a stretch.”

In the arena, Paula tried to clear the crystalline sand off her companion, but the effort quickly drained her limited magical reserves. She realized that continuing would leave her with little energy to fight.

“I have to keep going.” Gritting her teeth, Paula set the scorpion aside and charged forward herself.

The beast responded with another ferocious charge.

“Golden Radiance Art: Thousand Needles Piercing the Sky!”

Countless golden points of light materialized around Paula, converging into fine needles. With a clenched fist, she launched them at the beast, the air vibrating with their sharp hum.

The needles pierced the beast, embedding themselves in its body and releasing bursts of golden light within its crystalline form.

“Shatter!” she shouted, and the needles exploded, causing the beast to falter and collapse, its charge diverted. It skidded to a halt against the arena wall.

Exhausted, Paula wiped the sweat from her brow, her body trembling. Even with her family’s secret technique, her Sequence 2 limits were painfully evident.

“Clark, attack!” she commanded, urging her partner to act.

The scorpion, despite its injuries, leaped onto the beast’s head, its glowing red stinger aimed at the beast’s ear. With a forceful jab, it injected venom into the creature.

The beast shook violently, eventually throwing the scorpion off. It staggered toward its opponent but collapsed mid-stride, defeated.

“Paula, cleared!”

“Wow, she actually passed the first stage. That was tough!”

“Congratulations, Paula. Would you like to proceed to the second stage?”

“I’d like to try, though I don’t expect to win. I just want to see what’s next.”

“Very well.”

Three crystalline cores appeared this time, forming a tiger, an eagle, and a wolf.

“I surrender,” Paula declared immediately after seeing the trio, acknowledging the insurmountable challenge.

“Paula is the first to reach the second stage and earns an additional 2 points, bringing her total to 14 points.”

“Next participant, please step forward.”