Aware of Seru: The Girls' Main Stage Performances
“The main round will proceed over three stages in total. The 50 bards who passed the preliminaries have already earned the title of Harmonious String. Now, through the main round, we will select four Pure Strings… and a single King of Pure Strings. Those standing here today have run the fiercest race up to this moment, pouring all their passion and dreams onto this stage. Please give a warm round of applause for their shining journey and bold challenges.”
In an instant, the venue filled with applause and cheers. Raena de Bert, a gentle smile on her lips, quietly raised her hand to refocus the audience's attention.
“The first stage is a free song. Each participant will showcase their most confident piece on stage. And now… the fierce journey toward the King of Pure Strings begins. Let the main stage of the Akwi Festival take its first step!”
No sooner had she finished speaking than another wave of applause and shouts erupted. Raena flashed a radiant smile, announced the first participant's name, and retreated behind the stage.
The audience held their breath, eyes fixed on the center of the stage. Anticipation, excitement, tension—all those emotions poured toward the stage.
Amid it all sat two burly men in the seats, exuding an aura distinct from the ordinary spectators. Both were large, rugged macho types with intimidating presences that screamed trouble at first glance. Nearby audience members occasionally glanced their way with fearful eyes. When their gazes accidentally met, people hurriedly looked away, shuddering as if chilled to the bone. It was like sitting next to a lion's den.
“Ber, people keep staring at us.”
The man next to him, Ber, slowly nodded and let out a low sigh.
“Can't blame 'em. Guys who look as tough as us aren't common in this city.”
But contrary to his words, his face was listless. Eyes downcast, he kept muttering.
“Ever since Kitty left, everything feels empty. The house is so hollow… life is so hollow…”
“Same here. Just the other day, I was thinking about Kitty in my room and started bawling…”
“We lived together for 15 years… I can still feel those tiny paws kneading my belly as she climbed up… Sniff…!”
Ber wiped at his eyes with a massive hand. Dolph beside him hid his reddened eyes and sniffled.
“Dolph, today… let's think of Kitty and cry our hearts out proper.”
“Yeah. Today’s the day we let the tears flow. I hope someone sings a song that rips right into my soul and squeezes 'em out. Let's see who cries more, Ber.”
“Just don't wail too loud. You'll be a nuisance.”
“Even in front of Kitty, I muffled my sobs, y'know?”
“Our Kitty loved that kind of consideration…”
“Sob sob. Thinking about it again…”
The two mercenaries clasped hands in shared sorrow, a stark contrast to the wary atmosphere around them. The surrounding audience mistook them for ferocious thugs, but they were simply there to mourn their cat, who had lived a full life and passed peacefully. Hoping the emotional songs of these bards would soothe the emptiness in their hearts…
In the outdoor waiting area for main round participants, Maribel shot a cold glare toward Seru and muttered under her breath.
“Ugh, hate looking at him…”
Lilfrea and Clara furrowed their brows as well.
“Look at Teacher. So smug and confident. Strutting around just 'cause he's got one little bard next to him. What a jerk.”
“At first… I felt a little bad about how we parted with Teacher… but now? Not one bit. Just… makes me mad. Right?”
Maribel crossed her arms again at Clara's words and snorted.
“Think that green kid can pull off a flawless performance on this big stage? I wanna see her crash and burn.”
“She'll be too nervous to even open her mouth.”
Lilfrea chuckled lowly.
“We've got experience, after all. Not like some amateur rookie.”
“Pfft, yeah.”
“True… we already competed in another region's Akwi Festival two years ago… She can't touch us…”
The three smirked as they gazed at Estel, seated far away.
Soon, manager Lukan came rushing over.
“Miss Maribel! You're up next! Get ready!”
“My turn?”
Maribel rose leisurely from her seat.
“Perfect timing. Time to show 'em what a real song's all about.”
Guild maids quickly approached to straighten her dress hem and cape. Flawless, impeccable.
Moments later, as Maribel took the stage, cheers exploded from the audience.
“That's the Partita Guild rookie!”
“Ooh, a newcomer backed by Partita Guild! Can't wait!”
“Show us what you got!”
Maribel's powerful performance began the moment she stepped up. Perfect from the first syllable. Her vigorous gestures toward the sky led a vibrant melody, and the audience fell under her spell like magic, utterly captivated.
In the waiting area, Lilfrea and Clara smiled in satisfaction.
“Maribel… she's on fire today… Doing great…”
“That's the bare minimum.”
The applause and cheers peaked, and Maribel nailed the chorus with exquisite technique. As the song ended, she bowed, panting.
“Hah, hah… Thank you, everyone. Remember the name Maribel!”
“Maribel! Maribel!”
Lukan rushed to her as she descended amid the fervent cheers.
“Miss Maribel, that was incredible! What are you all doing? Water, now!”
“Yes!”
“Thanks, Lukan.”
Maribel wiped her sweat with a towel and took a sip of the offered water. Back at her seat, she turned to glance at Seru in the distance. A slow, satisfied smile spread across her face as she murmured to herself.
Saw my stage, didn't you? Regretting letting me go? Hehe.
Other participants followed one by one. Then came Lilfrea's turn.
The maids swiftly brought her harp, and Lilfrea elegantly plucked the strings to check the tuning. Clara and Maribel cheered her on.
“Lilfrea… give 'em the best show…”
“Crush that Estel girl with your presence.”
“Don't worry. I'm the best here.”
With a confident smile, Lilfrea strode onto the stage. The moment she took center stage, gasps and cheers erupted from the seats.
“Whoa… she's from Partita Guild too?”
“Ice princess vibe, so aloof… Look down on me, Lilfrea!”
“Lilfrea! Lilfrea!”
“Quiet down, please! The song's about to start!”
At the staff's urging, the venue hushed. Lilfrea closed her eyes, took a steadying breath. The harp's melody flowed, and her voice—soft as wind brushing leaves, yet never weak—resonated.
“Ooh…!”
The audience's hearts raced; they shook their heads in disbelief. Her song was utterly enchanting, stirring feelings of falling in love. Each pluck of the harp strings drew the listeners deeper, mesmerized.
When it ended, a standing ovation poured forth.
“Lilfrea! I'll never forget that name!”
“A queen on stage!”
“Insane… never heard a voice like that!”
“Marry me, Lilfrea!”
Lukan approached the satisfied Lilfrea as she descended.
“Flawless, Miss Lilfrea.”
“Obviously.”
The maids took the harp and handed her a towel and water. Lilfrea sipped as she returned, flashing a leisurely smile at the other two.
“What was that teacher doing while I sang?”
Maribel giggled.
“Pretending to be unfazed. But inside? Boiling with envy, bet.”
“He just sat there like a rock… eyes glued to you the whole time…”
“Really?”
Lilfrea smirked.
“Jealous 'cause I outdid his little protégé, huh.”
“Like, 'the one I can't have' vibes? Pfft!”
Maribel's burst of laughter drew chuckles from Lilfrea and Clara too.
Soon after, it was Clara's turn at last.
“Miss Clara, get ready!”
At Lukan's words, Clara nodded and headed to the stage. Her usual gentle, pure aura shone even brighter under the lights. Hands lightly clasped, she began to sing. Her voice was white and serene, like morning mist. Pure innocence itself, warming the stage air instantly.
“Ahh… my heart's healing…”
“Ultimate healing song…”
“So clear… utterly pristine…”
Throughout her performance, the audience's faces softened. Unlike the other two's powerful, seductive voices, Clara's stage caressed hearts with gentle warmth.
“Clara! Clara!”
“If angels sing, it'd sound like that!”
“Ears are feasting today!”
Lukan greeted her warmly as she stepped down.
“Truly beautiful, Miss Clara. I'm moved!”
“Thank you… Lukan…”
The maids quickly provided a towel and warm water, wrapping her shoulders in silk.
The three girls sat side by side again, each smiling in satisfaction.
“We were all at our peak today.”
At Maribel's words, Lilfrea curled her lips.
“Gonna be a fierce fight among us.”
Clara nodded.
“One of us… might be the King of Pure Strings…”
The three turned their sharp gazes to the distance, where Seru and Estel sat side by side.
“Her turn soon.”
“Let's see what the likes of her can do.”
“She… can't beat us…”
Their mocking words scattered into the air…
Seru sat quietly in the participant waiting area, face expressionless as he watched the stage. He had observed all three girls' performances intently. Amid the surrounding bustle, he remained serene. Then, a deep sigh escaped his lips.
“...They haven't grown at all.”
A brief mutter. Not directed at anyone, not a judgment. Simply the truth in his eyes. Flashy, but unchanged at the core—a masked stage. He blinked a few times, erasing their performances from his mind. Cleanly.
The next few participants followed. Cheers rang out nonstop, but Seru showed no reaction. He waited for one person only.
And at last—
“Next up is Miss Estel! An unaffiliated rookie entering solo!”
The male substitute announcer's booming voice filled the hall. Brilliant magical lights illuminated the stage anew, and this time, murmurs stirred not from the seats, but from behind the stage.
“Estel? Wait, that amazing one?”
Staff reacted with curiosity at the name. Even the judges watched intently. The entire venue buzzed over one unknown participant yet to take the stage.
“That's her. The one who turned the prelims upside down.”
“Hmm, just how good?”
As a magical effects specialist tilted his head, the others chimed in.
“You should've seen the prelim reactions. Completely entranced. No joke.”
“A judge who saw it live said she's the dark horse of this tournament.”
“Really? Must be something special.”
The staff turned expectant eyes to the stage. Estel, bearing all that anticipation, slowly walked to center stage.
“Brighten the lights more. She's today's most anticipated participant.”