Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Before long, a meow was heard from the top of a cabinet in the room, and then a large cat with snow-white fur, smooth and long, leaped down, trotted a few steps on the ground, and then jumped into Luo Fuyu's arms.

Although only of Sequence 2 standard, the appearance and fur color of this Twisting Snow cat were undoubtedly top-notch, no wonder her senior schoolmates were willing to offer a high price for it.

"Once you're in your second and third year, you will gradually get involved in the industries operated by the academy and deal with many outsiders; that's when you'll mature quickly," Luo Fuyu said while stroking the chin of the white cat in her embrace, discussing the situation of the Northern First District Academy with the two of them.

Unlike the Southern First District schools, which focused on academic learning and research, academies in the Northern District emphasized vocational education. Students begin to get involved with industry-related to the academy during high school, then under the guidance of teachers and cooperation with classmates, they start learning how to conduct business and make a living.

Education in the Interstellar Era differed from that in the ancient Earth's information era. With the aid of transcendent knowledge and immersive memory imaging, basic education typically concluded by middle school, and since there was no traditional form of college entrance exam, there was no need to torment oneself with repetitive memorization of basic knowledge. Most people, upon entering high school, would start vocational education similar to college studies in the Earth's information era, also lasting four years. During their third and fourth years of high school, many students spent half their time working, not studying.

Of course, these were only entry-level vocations. For high-ranked professions, one had to further their studies at university. However, the Federation did not mandate immediate university attendance after high school graduation. One could work for two years before attending a university. That aspect was quite free. The precondition was that you could pass the enrollment thresholds set by various universities.

"Speaking of the industry, today there will be a lot of new clothes on display at the Twelfth Academy. I want to check it out too, but because of the performance, I can't leave at will," she said, shaking her head, feeling a bit regretful.

After a while, the conversation wound down, and Hexia and Mel felt rested enough and prepared to leave.

"Let me see you out. Without someone to lead you through the little Labyrinth outside, you might end up taking several turns before finding the exit," said Luo Fuyu as she put down the white cat and walked towards the door.

Just then, the door suddenly swung open, and a figure rushed in hurriedly.

"Fuyu senior, hurry!" She collided with Luo Fuyu as soon as she entered.

With a thud, the two fell against a nearby cabinet, knocking down the porcelain vase on it and causing it to shatter over Luo Fuyu and her companion.

The porcelain vase broke into pieces on the floor, but that was the least worry. The serious issue was that one of the shards cut across Luo Fuyu's forehead, leaving behind a bloody mark as fresh blood seeped out, even spoiling her makeup.

"Ah, Fuyu senior, are you alright?" The figure on the ground helped Luo Fuyu stand up, and it was Xiaoxiao who had previously guided the two visitors.
Experience tales with empire

"Why such a rush?" Luo Fuyu pressed lightly against her forehead and, seeing the trace of blood on her fingertips, knew she had been cut.

"This is because a wealthy merchant arrived outside. He's quite interested in the porcelain of our academy and would like to request another performance from senior. If possible, he's ready to place a very large order this time," Xiaoxiao explained.

"Is that so," Luo Fuyu mused as she was helped to her feet and meticulously wiped the wound with a damp tissue in front of a mirror, the bleeding now gradually stopping.

"It's a pity, I'm afraid I won't be able to perform. Appearing on stage with a wound and blood on my forehead is quite inauspicious; the audience would have a lot to say," she said with a light sigh but didn't blame Xiaoxiao.

"Is there another time we can schedule, how about tomorrow? In the afternoon I can go to the hospital to see a doctor for treatment, and I suppose I'll have to select a scar repair package," she said, relieved that the current scar removal techniques were so refined there was no need to worry about lasting marks.

Seeing this, Hexia, although eager to help, considered the earlier reminders from Edith Academy not to reveal her Talent casually and had to hold back. Besides, it wasn't a big matter, and Luo Fuyu could completely make it in time for treatment at the hospital later on.

"I'm afraid that won't work. The teacher said this merchant is very well-known and indecisive. If we delay past tonight, he might lose interest," Xiaoxiao responded.

"Is the situation that urgent?" Luo Fuyu asked as she put aside the damp tissue and picked up her personal terminal to contact the teachers outside.

...

"Are we sure he isn't just playing us?" she questioned, somewhat incredulous.

...

"If the proof exists, then the matter certainly requires some attention," Luo Fuyu's voice softened.

...

"Does it have to be now? I may have some issues on my side."

...

"Alright, I'll try my best," Luo Fuyu then reluctantly put down her personal terminal.

Even though she wouldn't face any penalties for not performing, the situation at Lianhong Porcelain Academy was not good. This order might greatly improve the academy's difficulties and also increase its popularity, which made it impossible for her to slack off.

"That being said, this kind of performance is quite particular. If it goes poorly, it could actually offend the other party." She came from a family with deep roots in this area and understood the many etiquettes involved and the potential consequences of the audience's reception.

Sitting in front of the mirror, she pondered deeply, considering how to solve the problem, when unintentionally her eyes landed on Hexia, who was sitting far behind her on the couch.

Although Hexia had gray hair, the temperament she possessed was quite similar to her own. Upon closer inspection, even the contours of Hexia's face had the delicate stillness and beauty unique to the East, attractive and fair.

No, even though the temperament matched, Hexia might not have learned before. There were so many steps in the performance process, and a single miss could lead to a domino effect, Luo Fuyu thought.

"However, I should still ask. After all, it's rare to meet someone whose temperament and image are such a high match."

"Hexia, are you familiar with miko or the ritual dances of the East?" she couldn't help but turn around and ask.

"Me? I have some understanding and have learned sword dances from my mother before," Hexia replied, guessing Luo Fuyu's intentions.

Hearing this, Luo Fuyu's heart, which hadn't held much hope, rose with a bit of expectation, but she was still very worried about messing up and remained indecisive.

"I wonder if Hexia could help me out? Can you do it?" she finally decided to give it a try, anyway. She'd informed the front desk that she needed to prepare. If Hexia was not up to it, she'd simply have to perform herself.

"I understand." Hexia thought for a moment and nodded. She had only seen it once, but many of the steps and movements were similar to the sword dances her mother had taught her, all originating from the Wu Feng Era's ritual dances.

So the room began another round of preparation. Luo Fuyu taught Hexia the steps, while the others helped the young girl temporarily dye her hair and style it. They also found suitable porcelain vases to be used as exhibits in the next performance.

As time ticked by, just when the outside became impatient and anxious, a young girl dressed in a miko's robes gracefully walked out. She moved her feet lightly, her long black hair slightly swaying behind her. The white, clear garment bore the prints of crimson sparrows and verdant jade branches.

Once she stood on the lotus platform in the middle of the pond, she slowly raised a hand, her snow-white sleeves partially concealing her face. Then, revealing her lightly made-up visage, those eyes like smoked crystals slowly appeared between the sleeves, warm and gentle as if they contained a thousand words. Her lashes flickered slightly, eliciting endless tenderness from the onlookers.

Next, her dancing form and sleeves gently twirled in the pond like a lotus blooming, astounding everyone with the girl's suppleness and harmony, causing them to forget that this performance was slightly different from the previous one.

As her dancing stopped, a celadon vase with purple lotuses appeared in her hands. She held the vase from below and moved her steps slowly, twirling on the central lotus platform while ripples spread on the water's surface, drawing up delicate streams.

Streams of water followed her dancing form and steps, spiraling upwards into the sky and converging into the vase in her hands, while droplets of water fell beneath the lights, sparkling and highlighting the figure within, as if in a dream.

Last, the young girl in the miko's robes finished her performance. Her sleeves fanned out, still clean and unstained, and the girl standing on the lotus platform, her gown and hair swaying in the breeze, stirred the hearts of countless onlookers, plunging them into a far-off dream from which they were reluctant to awake.