Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Compared to the midsummer season in the Southern Hemisphere, the Northern First District is currently in winter, experiencing colder weather.

"However, compared to my hometown's snowflakes fluttering everywhere, the Academy is much better,"

In the Ring Bird Wind Tower's lounge, Hexia and a few classmates were chatting around a table, under which a warm stove burned, and next to them sat two cats, a gray one and a tabby.

"Because the Northern First District is surrounded by high mountains and canyons, it is not directly blown by the north wind, so it is much warmer," Mel said, while trying to pick up the gray kitten beneath her, but the little guy seemed somewhat reluctant, probably in its rebellious phase.

"Oh, the kitty doesn't like me anymore," Mel said, feeling a bit disappointed.

"Meow~" The kitten beneath, a gray moon cat, meowed in response and then continued to lie down, snuggling beside the warm stove.

"It probably prefers the stove below," Hexia chuckled.

"Speaking of which, Hexia has been at the school a lot less recently; I couldn't find you several times. The teacher said you are preparing for some competition, so you went to train elsewhere," Mel mentioned in a soft and sweet tone.

"Uh, there is indeed a competition, but that's for next year; right now, it's just warm-up," Hexia nodded to Mel, assuring the sweet girl she wasn't lying.

"Really? What kind of competition is it, and can I come to watch when the time comes?" Mel's curiosity was piqued.

"Well, uh... you should be able to see it, but I have to keep it secret for now," Hexia explained, suddenly feeling like a villain deceiving an innocent girl.

"Hexia is so tight-lipped; it must be a special competition. I won't pry further," Mel saw the girl's difficulty in explaining and spoke up for her.

Well, Mel has become quite impressive, the young girl thought silently, feeling that during her absence, the girl had grown much more intelligent and capable.

In fact, Mel's academic performance had always been good; she was just somewhat naïve in daily life, probably because she had been well-protected at home and had less exposure to the outside world.

"It's indeed a secret for now, but I will definitely tell Mel about it later," this time Hexia decided to make a promise to the girl before her.

"Mhm, Hexia, good luck," Mel nodded, speaking softly.

The conversation then shifted to the current situation at Yuanting Academy. Talking about the upcoming end-of-term exams, unlike Edith Academy, which had already finished its exams, Yuanting's exam week had not yet arrived. This was because the length of the spring and autumn terms differed, with the autumn and winter terms being longer and the spring and summer terms shorter.

"Besides the regular exams at the end of the term, there's also the competition amongst the top ten schools of the north, scheduled after the exams, which is an important part of the Winter Festival celebration,"

"Because the northern regions aren't as developed as the south, the Winter Festival celebrations in the Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain never make it into the top few places, so the ranking academies in the north simply organized their own league, which includes the top ten academies in the northern regions," a student explained.

"So it's like a losers' league?"

"Don't say it like that, it's too harsh, haha."

"Well, although it might not be as grand as the Winter Festival competition within the Star Domain, the process is very interesting,"

"It probably involves a variety of approaches, and the combat styles are likely to be quite different," another student pondered, stroking his chin.

"For example, our Yuanting uses Transcendent animal companions in battle, which is rare for other academies. In addition, there's the Tri-Phase Moon Academy which cultivates Witches, Raging Torrent Breakthrough Academy that trains Martial Artists, Loath Eye Academy that teaches Puppetry Technique, the Twelve Gowns Academy known for its Cloth Changing Technique, the Mountain Delicacy Bamboo Academy that excels in culinary arts, and the Five Colors Seven Injuries Academy known for poison concoction and pharmaceuticals,"

"They're remnants of an older era," a classmate said, taking a sip from his teacup, then gently setting it down.

"Considering we've entered the Interstellar Era, those once unique and powerful advantages are not so clear anymore. Thus, those Factions, to continue passing on their arts and ideologies, formed their own academies,"

"Fortunately, there are still people interested and in need, so these academies continue to exist in a lukewarm state,"

"Among these, our Yuanting is in a relatively good position. If it weren't for the environmental damage done to Jade Skirt, which led to the loss of the 'Garden' for breeding Transcendent creatures, we might even have vied for a top ten spot in the Star Domain,"

"The relics of the old era don't necessarily lack value. I believe in the future, people will reignite their passion and fondness for these things," a student said, full of conviction.
Discover hidden tales at empire

"Will there come such a day?" someone asked quietly.

"There will," he said, patting his chest confidently.

Everyone knew that the likelihood was slim, but who could bear to deny it if it might actually happen one day?

Will there come such a day, Hexia wondered, turning to gaze at the stove underneath the table. Inside, small pieces of wood continued to burn, occasionally emitting a faint spark, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet room.

Compared to an electric heater or central heating, such a stove was undoubtedly primitive, but watching those orange flames dance, along with the occasional slight crackling sound, provided a sense of peace and comfort.

Technological advancements are inevitable and unstoppable, but as an animal and a living being, our genetics yearn for things that offer personal sensation—like beautiful and appealing clothes, delicious food, the companionship of fluffy animal friends, strong bodies and the sense of power, aromatic smells in the air, and proximity to the natural world like trees and plants.