Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

At this moment, Ti Lan also became serious. The two constantly crisscrossed underground, sometimes clashing in the air, and other times, colliding like a fleeting beam of light, their shattered sword arcs and cold glimmers slicing through the previously pervasive mist and then steadily closing up again.

Watching the fierce battle between the two, the maids circling the arena were riveted, their eyes full of excitement.

"It's so beautiful," whispered a maid.

"Lady Ti Lan is still so captivating," another added.

"The outcome will be decided now," said yet another.

In mid-air, after their latest clash, Ti Lan and Audrey separated. Suddenly, Ti Lan let her Sword Edge fly from her grasp, shooting toward Audrey like a streak of cold light, while almost at the same time, Audrey spun around, her figure closing up like a water lily and momentarily disappearing into thin air, allowing the Sword Edge to pass through her before reappearing and launching a new assault on Ti Lan.

Confronted with an unarmed Ti Lan, a glimmer of hope rose in Audrey, thinking she might claim a small victory today, but the black-haired girl across from her just gave her a slight smile, then waved her fingers gently as if clutching thin air, and several sharp gusts of cold wind swept past Audrey's ear, leaving behind severed strands of hair and blood marks.

Azure Bird's Inheritance: Thousand Transformations and Winds Sword.

The cool sensation on her neck forced Audrey to halt, and she slowly descended to the ground, touching her neck, indeed finding traces of red.

"I've lost," she shook her head, not too dejected.

Afterward, Ti Lan descended as well, letting the maids bring a towel to wipe the bloodstains from Audrey and then tended to her wound.

After the duel, the two returned to the upper rooms of the mansion.

"Was the swordsmanship you used just now from the Qing Luan lineage?" Audrey asked curiously.

"Yes, it was," Ti Lan started to explain to Audrey.

"That Swordsmanship," Audrey recalled the records from her family.

"It is said to have been created by the renowned Sword Immortal 'Su Denglou' in reflection of his defeat by that prince, spending years pondering over their battle and then developing this technique based on the prince's style," she recounted.

"While it's not very powerful, it's extremely flexible, unpredictable, and Concealed, regarded as one of the most difficult swordsmanship sets to master in the Sword Cleansing Palace."

"Unfortunately, mastering this swordsmanship requires exceptional Talent, and since its power isn't as great as other techniques of the same difficulty level, not many choose to learn it."

"How long did it take Ti Lan to learn?" Audrey inquired.

"Quite some time, it's the swordsmanship I've spent the most time on," Ti Lan humbly replied, initially wanting to mention it took only two months but reconsidering as that would be too discouraging to hear.

"No wonder, then losing like this isn't too disappointing," reassured by the reality of the swordsmanship Ti Lan used, Audrey felt relieved and less anxious.

Indeed, within the Hong Hu Lineage, there were swordsmanship and Secret Techniques of comparable strength, but it was normal for her not to keep up as she currently lacked the time and effort to master them.

"I must push myself harder in the future."

This is what Audrey told herself, and after spending the afternoon together, she returned home.

...

In another corner of the city at night,

'Shan' walked alone along the deserted streets, where few pedestrians could be seen.

Coming out so late was not due to any special hobby, but rather because he had just finished tonight's freshman social event. Looking to save some money, he chose not to hail a Hover Car and thought to walk for a bit to clear his head before returning.

'I never expected Central District 5 to have such quiet spots,' he mumbled to himself. Glancing at the map, he saw the Academy was still quite far, estimating it would take another hour to reach.

Since he had no classes the next day, this walk served as an opportunity to familiarize himself with his surroundings. Hands in the pockets of his jacket, his gaze swept over the towering buildings not far away, whose signs flashed so visibly, even at night.

'They're all big companies. I wish I could work at one in the future,' he muttered to himself as he walked at a leisurely pace, occasionally witnessing cargo trucks driving by.

Clad in a Galan jacket that blended with the night and surroundings, black jeans, and ordinary bounce sneakers, Shan had no remarkable appearance from the outside. Aside from a personal terminal, he carried no electronic devices, appearing just like any ordinary student.

The cool breeze of the night sky swept by, and from time to time, the red indicator lights symbolic of a Starship twinkled in the starry sky. A high tower stood amidst the business center, its opulence visible even from the distant and remote alleyways.

However, the more splendid and extravagant the scenery in the distance, the more it brought about a stark contrast to those walking in the deserted streets—a mere few kilometers seemed to create a gap of whole lifetimes. The glitz and glamour inside those luxurious buildings were beyond the imaginings of a pedestrian in the night, as unreachable as the most fantastical dreams.

Never having witnessed them, even dreaming about it became a luxury.

Passing by another alley, Shan overheard a deep bass sound as if a small underground concert was taking place, with several people standing at the mouth of the alley.

"Do you want to come in and have a look? Today is Dominica the 'Bad Rabbit's' celebration performance, full of perks, just 398 Federation Coins to join everyone up close and enjoy~" a girl in bunny costume keenly noticed the young man look towards the alley as he passed and promptly hopped over.

"This..."

Shan was caught off guard. He looked at the scantily clad bunny girl in front of him, surprised.

"Are you a student?" This is Academy City, after all, where most youths are students.

"Yes, hey, are you interested in me? But I can't tonight. I still need to hand out flyers for Dominica. We're the best of friends~"