Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva
Chapter 975 - 93: The Assessment as a Songstress

The sunlight blazed fiercely, and the pristine white circular colonnade appeared particularly radiant under its rays. The various flowers and plants in the central open space were still dotted with droplets of water rolling off their leaf tips.

Idrylia, dressed in a deep blue gown, led six young songstresses down the colonnade as sunlight played upon her figure, creating alternating patterns of light and shadow.

"This is the place," she said, coming to a halt, her gaze fixed on the flowerbeds in the center, freshly watered.

"Here?"

The young girls glanced around, finding nothing particularly remarkable and unsure of what kind of test awaited them.

"Do you know what it takes to be called an excellent songstress? Or rather, what kind of songstress do you wish to become?" Idrylia turned to face them.

"Probably one who is admired and achieves great accomplishments," Audrey pondered aloud.

"That's mostly correct, but what constitutes 'great accomplishments'?" Idrylia continued to ask.

"Surely it's about improving people's lives and making them happier," Blanchi responded.

"Hmm, that's not wrong either."

"But what if someone accuses you, saying that the changes you made have made another group of people more miserable? How would you respond?" Idrylia stood silently, her distant eyes seemingly focused not on the girls but on the countless successors that appeared in her memories.

"I... I don't know," Blanchi lowered her head.

"Change inevitably brings problems. If you leave things as they are, no one will blame you. But once you act, all consequences will fall squarely on your shoulders."

"Industry reforms, policy reforms—no matter which one—if the scope of impact is broad enough, there will always be someone dissatisfied. They will accuse you of harming their interests; they will resent you, curse you, and say things that hurt you. They will belittle everything about you and undermine the intentions you hold dear."

"So, what would you do then?"

"What would I do? Naturally, I'd make them shut up," Prin answered bluntly.

Idrylia didn't comment but instead let her gaze sweep over each of them, making them suddenly realize—the test had already begun.

"I think I'd try to patiently explain things to them," Audrey sighed softly.

"If they are wrong, I wouldn't bother with their opinions," Ores replied.

"Offer them some compensation," Shui Yanqing suggested.

"Find better solutions and strive to ensure that everyone fares well," Blanchi chose thoughtfully.

After everyone had spoken, Idrylia's eyes settled on Hexia. The black-haired girl lowered her gaze.

"Reform isn't a dinner invitation; it's destined not to please everyone. I'd conduct detailed investigations and planning beforehand to ensure as much fairness as possible."

When all had finished answering, Idrylia spoke again.

"Let's say your proposals and plans have been broadly accepted and are being implemented, but there are still some who continuously sabotage them and commit crimes. Despite being arrested by the authorities, they remain unrepentant, believing they're in the right."

"What would you do then?"

"Let the judicial system handle it," answered Ores, Audrey, and Blanchi in unison.

"Expose their crimes and eliminate the foundations of their existence," Prin replied.

"I wouldn't kill them right away, but let them witness the successful implementation of the plan," Shui Yanqing mused.

"I'd talk to them, trying to understand their life stories to prevent similar occurrences in the future," Tilan said.

"Here's the third question: If, one day, you become a Sunshine-level Songstress—the pinnacle of the Federation, nearly free of opposition, where your will echoes as the voice of countless citizens—what would you think?"

"I'd probably feel terrified, wielding authority of such magnitude," Blanchi admitted.

Ores furrowed her brows, pondering for a moment.

"I think I'd feel content and strive to maintain the order of this world."

Shui Yanqing's eyes sparkled as she answered expectantly, "I'd aim to advance this world continually, pushing for reform and evolution."

"Of course, I'd simply do what I and everyone else love most!" Prin grinned.

"Let me think... I'd likely feel happy, write many songs, travel to different places, and listen to people's voices to make the world more harmonious and beautiful," Audrey shared her aspirations.

Finally, the black-haired girl standing in the corner of the colonnade answered earnestly, "I'd work hard to improve living conditions for the underprivileged, granting more people the right to choose and the dignity they deserve."

After hearing all their responses, Idrylia still didn't offer any evaluations.

"The question-and-answer session is over. Let's move on to the second task. Now, I want each of you to pick the flower you like most from the flowerbeds."

Then, the six girls left the circular colonnade and approached the flowerbeds in the open space, where vibrant flowers of various shapes and colors bloomed. Some were grand and radiant, some delicate and hidden, some fully blossomed, and others still mere buds.

A few minutes later, the six returned.

Ores chose the 'Silver-Threaded White Rose' that matched her hair color.

Shui Yanqing selected the 'Light Blue Gradient Tulip.'

Blanchi held the 'Sun Golden Daisy.'

Tilan picked the 'Flawless White Lily-of-the-Valley.'

Prin opted for the 'Blood-Red Camellia.'

Audrey picked out the 'Golden Core Morning Glory.'

Just when everyone thought Idrylia would ask why they had chosen their respective flowers, she instead said something unexpected.

"Now, give your flower to the friend you're closest with."

Ores was the first to walk up to Tilan, pinning the white rose onto one side of Tilan's hair clip.

Shui Yanqing thought for a moment and handed her flower to Tilan.

Audrey, observing the others, also decided to give her flower to Tilan.

Blanchi glanced at Tilan, who was already holding three bouquets, and chose to give her flower to Shui Yanqing instead.

Prin held her flower, looked around the group, and made no move to act.

Tilan carefully plucked individual lilies-of-the-valley from her bouquet and distributed them to the other five girls.

When they were finished, Idrylia clapped her hands again. This time, from the edge of the sky flew about a hundred pigeons, each with a paper note tied to its leg.

"Choose one pigeon to come down and retrieve the note from its claw."

The six girls then focused on the pigeons circling above, using their songstress abilities to forge a gradual connection with one and command it to descend.

"I've got it—the note says, 'A small shop on the street, weary office workers,'" Audrey read aloud.

"Midnight hospital, dying patients," Ores recited unhappily.

"The note reads, 'A late-night street with the impoverished and helpless,'" Blanchi said, raising her hand.

"Heavy industrial factory, sweat-laden workers," Prin observed.

"Luxurious banquet, the attending guests," Shui Yanqing tilted her head curiously.

"Noisy bar, drunken and self-destructive patrons," Hexia read from her note.

"These are the scenes I've chosen, representing the audiences you must face. Your task is to use your songs and melodies to change their mindset and alter their life trajectory. It's enough to impact just one person," Idrylia explained.

"They are difficult audiences to deal with, so just one is sufficient. The results will be evaluated by me," Idrylia said, scanning her gaze across the six young girls.

"When people are tired, hopeless, numb, or arrogant, they tend to lose patience with preachy intervention. You'd best prepare yourselves mentally."

"Even for songstresses, it's impossible for every audience to be your fan or follower. Someday, you'll inevitably encounter those who dislike you, and when you can't avoid them, that will be the true test of your wisdom and strength."

"Work to understand them, seek breakthroughs, and strive to change everyone."

"This is your mission for the future."