Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Time came to mid-October, and that afternoon, Tilan sat in the audience seats of the academy's theater, watching a musical opera being performed on stage.

In the pitch-dark theater, the only light fell on the center of the stage, where two people, embracing each other, sang while delivering their lines. Soon fireworks spurted, celebratory flowers rained down, and the backdrop curtain was pulled aside. Symbolic paintings moved slowly across, representing the fiery sunset and the distant world.

"...And so, at the end of the story, they relied on each other, leaving this place for a far-off land. There, they would start anew and live a happy life." The voice of the narrator faded in, accompanied by a melodious music, and then, this opera gradually drew to a close.

Applause filled the theater, then the lights came on, and the student performers went onstage to give thanks, continuing until the final credits and music had completely finished.

Ten minutes later, the audience in the theater gradually dispersed, and the actors began to pack up the props and other items, while the leading actress who had just been on stage lifted her skirt and walked down the stage towards a corner of the audience seats.

Efnie sat down next to Tilan, the circle skirt adorned with white stars, moons, and various pendants brushed past the seats, clinking together and producing crisp, pleasant sounds.

"How do you feel, Tilan, about everyone's performance?" she asked, wearing an off-the-shoulder evening gown, with confetti still scattered on her white neck and shoulders, reflecting the light, twinkling like stars.

"It feels quite good, but I'm afraid it's difficult for me to make any suggestions, as I'm a layman when it comes to acting." Tilan shook her head. She was familiar with music, but acting was another field altogether.

After hearing Tilan's reply, Efnie chuckled, "It's not like I'm specifically looking for detailed critiques or lavish praise from you, Tilan. If you think it was good, that's enough for me."

Afterward, the two talked briefly about some details of the performance on stage and a few things that had occurred spontaneously.

"There are always going to be unexpected incidents in stage performances, even after rehearsal, they cannot be avoided."

By that time, most people had left the theater, and some members who were passing by the two would wave and greet them, after all, one of them was the current president of the opera club, and the other was an even more famous Songstress.

"As long as there are no major flaws overall, some minor unexpected details aren't really a big problem." As they talked, Efnie stood up.

"Let's go for a walk in the courtyard at the back, it's quieter there."

The two then stood up and walked through the theater's corridors, passing several corners and rooms to reach the circular courtyard at the back. This area was generally for the actors to rest and interact, with an empty circular lawn in the center and the corridor encircling it, connecting the various buildings and rooms within the theater.

As they walked along the corridor surrounding the grass, their conversation gradually shifted from the opera performance to the current status of the academy.

"Speaking of which, it's been over a month since the school year started," said Efnie, leaning on the balustrade of the corridor and bending down to look at the various flowers and grasses on the lawn.

"It feels like this month has been long, as if I've experienced a lot and my life has changed considerably."

"Last year, I was just attending regular classes and participating in some club activities, but this term, there have been one thing after another. First getting acquainted with the 'Hua Shan Opera Troupe' and its affairs, then leading everyone in arranging new dances and operas, and after that, looking for various materials, teachers, to learn and make up for deficiencies."

"When I didn't have specific goals in the past, the days went by quickly and just slipped away without notice, but now I wish every day could be used to its fullest, with so many things waiting for me to do."

Efnie complained about her recent state, then plucked a light blue flower from amongst the bushes, turned around, and inserted the freshly picked flower into the girl's right hair.@@novelbin@@

"Do you feel tired, Efnie?" the girl asked with a hint of curiosity, sensing that Efnie seemed rather excited, her heart leaping more joyously than she let on.

Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire

"Not at all, I feel fulfilled."

"I think, if I were to explain this feeling of joy, it would probably turn into preaching again, but I do indeed love it." Efnie took Tilan's hand, and the two walked into the center of the courtyard's grass, then found a small tree and sat on the grass beneath it.

"It's like you said before, Tilan, about finding the radiance in one's life and the brilliance. Feeling the quiver and passion when following one's ideal and heartfelt desires, striking like flint sparks, astonishing and illuminating the dimness of life." Efnie repeated Tilan's speech from the opening ceremony.

This feeling was indeed subtle, the girl mused.

Although the words Efnie spoke truly came from her, at the time she had just returned from the Central Star Domain, her mind full of thoughts and emotions after witnessing the bustling world and the tortuous history of the Federation. Thus, she involuntarily vented them during the opening ceremony. But looking back on those emotions after the event, it inevitably felt a bit embarrassing, and sometimes Tilan herself would tease her own speech for being overly ideological and idealistic.

Noticing that the girl beside her had suddenly gone quiet and averted her eyes, Efnie couldn't help but laugh again. She guessed Tilan was probably feeling a bit embarrassed at that moment.

"You don't need to regret it or mind it so much, Tilan. Actually, what you said that day was really good, look at Edith Academy now, it's undergone huge changes because of you." On that point, Efnie was indeed not lying.