The Witchcraft Girl Who'll Do Anything for Points!
Desperate for points, the Witchcraft girl dreams of snagging easy scores from liberal arts electives!
Wiyu Witchcraft had set her sights on none other than Professor Azunu Vermilio, a former member of the hero party and her comrade. Since she'd come down from second-year classes to first-year ones, she probably hadn't gotten the full scoop on me yet. The plan was to shove my cute (??) and pretty face right in there before she caught on and somehow wring those points out of her...!!
"If you're gonna die, die alone!!! I saw the real-life Aris Witchcraft, you know!?"
"Ah, here's the mom card."
"Mom card??? This is a card??? Begone, demon!!! That innocent-looking face is hiding madness inside!!!"
"I never hid it, though!! Point thief, give me points please."
"No, what kind of student is this brazen...?!"
"Can't hold me back a year over it, right? Think positive, Professor."
Now that it was first-year second semester, I'd gotten kinda used to this place, I guess. Looked like I'd leveled up to the point where I could negotiate smoothly with professors.
I hadn't spread any bad rumors or anything, but I was the only one who'd signed up for this liberal arts elective—specifically, the section taught by Professor Vermilio. I'd just gone around declaring with full seriousness that I'd smash her and get those points however it took. Normally I held back, but this time I'd straight-up said I'd crush any competition and win.
Where'd all those first-year classmates and repeat-year buddies vanish to? With me as the sole enrollee, Professor Vermilio suddenly seemed kinda pitiful. She'd handled second-years before dropping to first-years, and now only one student signed up...
I'd have to try even harder.
"Once I advance to second year, I'll write Professor Vermilio's name for best professor eval."
"I'll graciously yield that honor, for real."
"No thanks, you maniacs!!"
Professor Vermilio's rabbit ears twitched straight up as she resisted fiercely, flailing and yelling no. Just how far had the [Divination] Professor's reputation tanked into infamy...? Anyone would think she'd sold out the academy and the prof just to save her own skin.
"Not wrong, though."
"Damn it! And even if you signed up, there are basics!! Can you even play an instrument?!?"
Regrettably, if asked if I had musical talent, I'd have to admit honestly it was just straight-up otaku level at best. Like, back in the rural village, I'd sing alone when bored—that was it. Never gotten feedback on whether I was good or bad.
Maybe she'd pierced that truth as a hero party veteran, but as Professor Vermilio pointed it out, the [Divination] Professor picked her nose.
*Sniffle.*
"That's why you're here to teach it, right, Professor?"
"True...!!"
No matter how bad I was at music, this was first-year level, not second!! They had to teach even total beginners with zero basics!!
Unable to counter the [Divination] Professor's flawless logic, Professor Vermilio wailed in defeat.
"Fine... then... at least... decide on an instrument to play for music studies... and come back tomorrow!!"
"Yep!!"
"I'm extremely strict about music, you know? A bard who joined the hero party!! Different career league entirely! Show me pathetic skills, and I'll call you a total piece. Of. Shit!!"
After all that back-and-forth, through the five stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, Professor Vermilio finally compromised.
I left her muttering darkly about tracking down the runaway first-year elective prof during break and getting revenge, heading back to the [Graduating Class] room.
At this point, with the [Divination] Professor going that far, it was time for me, the student, to pick and judge on my own.
Music... music... Like all arts and PE stuff, wasn't talent super crucial? Even picking any old instrument, dodging Professor Vermilio's harsh judgment seemed impossible.
Pick something easy, and she'd chew me out for lack of effort since it was easy to play. Couldn't practice at night—nuisance in the dorms, rude to my roommate Meru Lume too. Go for something hard, and I'd never master it, just get yelled at endlessly.
"Drums seem easy, but she'd go bald from that."
"What did that professor ever do to you?"
"Feels like she'd smack me while yelling to move my hands faster?"
"Talk like that with a face saying you'll shamelessly endure it."
"Honestly, this prof seems weak, like an easy mark."
"What even are professors to you?"
Wasn't about beating profs to kick 'em out of the academy—I should be learning from below. Why think of devouring them?
I pondered where Grand Duke (Change) went wrong, but decided it was from the moment the Witchcraft bore a child.
"Anyway, before playing, can you even read sheet music?"
The greatsword dummy cautiously offered help, knowing a bit about instruments herself.
Ah! What gentle consideration! True friendship, sacrificing her own time for a pal.
But to Wiyu, who'd learned from Kaoru senior in graduating class that only results mattered, it sounded different.
"Can't read it! Playing's the issue too! Whatever instrument, I'll get scolded...!"
"Can't just run auto-play or something."
"Auto...? Auto...???? If playing's the problem... an instrument that plays automatically...!! That's it!!"
Don't look over here.... Like a dog who'd messed up, eyeing its owner guiltily.
The greatsword dummy glared wrinkly-faced at Grand Duke (Change), but couldn't stop the ignited mad witch.
"Grand Duke!!! Looks like I got some artistic talent after all!! Right now!! Inspiration's sparkling!! Feels like unknown talent exploding outta me!!!"
"...Is this my fault?"
The greatsword dummy wanted anyone to answer, but Grand Duke (Change), hit with PTSD from Wiyu's manic grin, foamed at the mouth and passed out, unable to reply.
"Music's all about singing, right? Need a mouth then... Phonograph and records are good, but something music-box-y too!!"
Demons under Grand Duke (Change) specialized in free-form shapeshifting. Through contract, Wiyu drew that power: Aer (Hell's Breath) crept up her hand.
The horrific destructive force that warped and twisted any normal being on touch—she wielded it for homework. No.1, working at the cafe, shivered from inexplicable dread.
"Hehehe... Shapeshifting with demon change power... Music needs variety, so combos... Lotsa hands!! One-man band exists? Reference that!! Ahahaha!! Genius!! This instrument'll play every song in the world!!"
Not madness—Wiyu Witchcraft beamed with genuine pride, fulfillment, joy, ecstasy. Happiness overload.
Maybe 'cause she'd vowed to hide being male and live as female till graduation? The "Witchcraft witch" blood surged, showing why the daughter took after mom.
"...Mushroom girl? Why not in graduating class, here instead?"
"We're pals, lemme crash awhile..."
Just a tiny issue: the result was too unspeakable, nightmarish—even problem child Kaoru would nightmare it into fleeing to Darkside Syndicate with Minji. But for graduation points, minor collateral!!
Thus, awed by her artistic genius, dazzled by brilliant inspiration, drunk on growth's joy she'd never felt mana-less...
Dopamine possessed, hands flying instinctively, Wiyu Witchcraft birthed an instrument.
"Professor Vermilio!!! For you!! Wiyu Witchcraft made this instrument herself!!"
"Pretty, right!!!!"
A grotesque otherworldly horror that shaved sanity just looking. Vermilio foamed instantly, fumbled her sanity check, and fainted.
Spider-like mechanical legs hid countless furry arms inside—who knew whose? They pulled instruments, playing dreamlike harmony—but sensing the hidden madness drove insanity.
The "jaw" with soft pretty lips just sang; phonograph melodies burrowed brain-deep...
Dong dong dong—steady drum beats like heartbeats, illusion of stolen heart.
Aah...!! Such beautiful voice... ecstatic music...!!
Unbidden thoughts filled her mind, hellish orchestra eroding sanity. Like unknowingly selling soul to demons.
Body clapped endlessly, raving praise till shattering. But sound's pitch, rhythm, flow's "melody" overwhelmed flesh and mind.
Vermilio melted into it, unable to respond...
Witch! Witch comes!! Ooh! Witchcraft heir descends!! Even ruin flees!!
"Thud."
Vermilio collapsed into darkness....
"Performance and instrument perfect—A+! Top score!!"
"Hero parties are amazing."
The greatsword dummy, guardian yet too cowardly, endured with earplugs and blindfold.
Even direct hit, Professor Vermilio kept sanity—Wiyu saluted her.
"Anyway, breezed through one elective. Hope next one's good too."
"What's next?"
"Gonna learn drawing from Professor Vermilio too!! Asked [Divination] Professor to pass it on!"
If a student loved her class and signed up again, Professor Vermilio'd be happy, right? She'd barely endured, thought the terror over—then office notice hit, joy overload fainted her.
Couldn't quit even if wanted—only option, stop thinking.
"Anyway, wasn't gonna keep music, no interest."
Ignoring prof's heart, Wiyu Witchcraft agonized over disposing homework(?).
Too big for cafe, eyesore to others—troublesome.
"Thought perfect for cafe music role... But group-run, majority rules?"
"Owner respecting opinions—surprising."
"Friendship's irreplaceable treasure."
No.1 inwardly thought: then No.2(?)'s life worth less than trash?
"Instruments precious, might need again."
"Eh, break it, buy latest... Made for points, whatever? Ideas for disposal?"
"Don't dispose meow!!!!!"
Burn it casually—said, No.1 begged, clung to leg.
Why...? Kinship as creation?
"Thinks of doll-like as family? Yeah, No.1 young, sensitive! Like lil sis, Grand Duke! Ahaha~ So cute."
"Get away, monster."
Fearing female corruption birthed new monsters, Grand Duke (Change) shuddered. Words so psychopathic...!!
"Then release to another dimension."
"Phew..."
"Parting like this... suddenly attached... Yeah! Name it!"
Like sending herbology prof through portal...
Open dimension for instrument to thrive, release it. Pour love into name—too impersonal just "instrument" for creator.
"Amentia! Amentia perfect! Amentia~ Live well elsewhere~ Sniff sniff."
Wherever dimension, may it live steadfastly alone...
"I made it, so it'll thrive anywhere."
"But is 'releasing' right?"
Probably never see again. Grand Duke (Change) belatedly worried invasive species impact.
But who knows. Someday, that instrument-born kid becomes stellar constellation?
"For drawing, tell No.1 to do it."
"Kill me meow."