Estel's Stage: Captivating Every Gaze

On stage, another contestant's song ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was resounding through the hall. With the audience's cheers drawing every eye to the performance, the finalists' waiting area hung in tense silence. That quiet was shattered as a stagehand approached.

"Get ready."

Short and to the point, but in that instant, the air shifted. Our turn at last. I drew a steady breath and gave Estel's back a light tap where she sat beside me.

"Let's go."

Her eyes widened for a moment, then she nodded faintly and rose from her seat. She clenched her chilled hands, shook off the nerves, and cradled her lute close.

"You're good."

I placed a hand on her shoulder, firm and reassuring. "Just like we've practiced. You've got this."

Estel flashed a small smile. "Buy me some cream bread tonight?"

Now was the time to show the world what we had. As we headed for the stage, Belldia appeared, makeup kit slung over her shoulder, waiting to make final touches. She quickly adjusted Estel's face and outfit, then warmed her hands between her own.

"Knock 'em dead. And have fun out there."

"Thanks, Belldia."

Estel squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and relaxed into it. Belldia pulled her into a quick hug, then turned to me.

"Stand tall next to her. She relies on you a lot."

"That's the plan."

I gave Belldia a brief embrace and kept moving. This Akwi Festival was my second shot. Two years ago, with those three girls, we'd made it to the finals but barely scraped by with Harmonious String badges. Everything had been amateurish back then, prep time short. But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now? Different story. My experience had piled up, and Estel had been the talk of the qualifiers from the start, earning rave reviews from judges and staff alike. Things were worlds better. The anticipation burned brighter for it.

How far would Estel climb? I glanced toward the seats. Far off, our rookie adventurer party friends caught my eye. Bolcas cupped his hands to his mouth like a megaphone and bellowed,

"Tear that stage apart, Estel!"

Beside him, Pardel quietly held a sign fletched to an arrow. One line only.

-Cheering you on.

Next to them, Lijel floated a magical banner in the air while reading her book.

-Hoping you shine.

Last, Priestess Minerri clasped her hands at her chest, worry etched deep.

"Estel! You are hope itself just by existing, our pride! It'll shine as bright as your hard work!"

In this nail-biting moment, their presence felt like solid ground. I smiled and glanced at Estel walking beside me. Hard to say it myself, but honestly, she was breathtaking. Nothing like the casual girl back at the inn. If she were a stranger, my heart would've skipped. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Belldia's makeup and dress worked their magic perfectly today. The only regret? No funds for gold trim, diamonds, not even a simple silver brooch.

If not for Belldia, we'd have been stuck with some shabby hand-me-down.

Even on our tight budget, she'd poured heart into every stitch. Not flashy, but elegant and refined—a stunning gown where luxury met grace. No one would guess our poverty. Hell, it was so beautiful, maybe jewels would've detracted.

I sent silent thanks to Belldia in my mind. At my side, Estel looked every inch the stage-worthy songstress. Brighter than anyone, a singular star.

"Next up, Estel! No guild affiliation, a lone rookie making waves!"

As we waited stage-side, our moment arrived.

"Brighten the lights a bit more. She's the one everyone's waiting for today."

At the stage director's cue, the magic lighting staff nodded briskly. The overhead beams intensified, bathing the center in a focused glow.

Meanwhile, atop the tallest ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠building overlooking the venue, afternoon sun stretched long through the transparent panoramic glass. Raena de Bert, fresh from a nap after her morning performance, was prepping again while attendants fussed over her hair. Five maids clung to her. A diamond pin gleamed transparently amid her lustrous locks; soft-scented powder brushed her cheeks. Eyes closed, Raena's lips curved up.

"Ten left now, right?"

A middle-aged man in a black suit behind her nodded, gazing out the window. A brooch on his chest bore the Resonance Guardians' emblem. He oversaw the entire Akwi Festival—a high-ranking Resonance Guardian.

"Yes. All stages so far smooth, no major disruptions."

"With so many entrants, you'd expect chaos... Any standouts?"

"Speaking of which, here she comes."

"Who?"

"The girl stepping up now."

Raena opened her eyes and stood. Her dress rippled like waves across the floor as she glided to the glass. Outside buzzed with activity. Amid staff prepping the next act, a young bard climbed the stage, lute in hand. No flashy accessories, just a simple clean dress—but she drew the eye oddly.

"Estel, they say. Pulled the biggest reaction in qualifiers."

"Oh?"

Raena peered through, murmuring softly. "...She's young."

"Yes, but the crowd loved it. Judges called her the festival's top rookie."

"Sounds worth watching."

Raena swayed her hips elegantly in her gown toward the full-length mirror. A maid crowned her with an ornate tiara. Raena admired her reflection, smiling satisfied.

"Let's see just how impressive this rookie is."

The moment one girl stood alone under the lights. The audience fell utterly still, breaths held. Thousands of eyes locked on her.

"...Huh?"

"Who's that...?"

"She's gorgeous..."

Not ornate, but stunningly beautiful—they all marveled. No special jewels, gold, or silver. Yet the gown's graceful lines, her neatly cascading golden hair. The aura from her slender frame. Holding the lute, she sparkled under the magic lights.

"Wow..."

Whispers of awe rippled through the seats. Just appearing, she'd already seized their gaze.

"Begin."

At the signal, Estel breathed deep, raised her lute. The song began.

From the waiting area, Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara watched, legs crossed, arms folded. Moments ago, smug and superior. But as Estel's first notes rang out, their faces froze solid.

"...That."

Lilfrea's eyes wavered. "That's the song we gave up on—it was too hard."

Maribel and Clara gaped too.

"Why's that bitch singing it...?"

"No way... that complex piece...?"

The familiar tune echoed flawlessly, alien in its perfection. Estel's unwavering voice overwhelmed in emotional depth and expression.

No longer at ease, the three girls' faces hardened. Fellow bards—they knew talent from the opening bars. Lilfrea's confidence cracked; Maribel gripped her towel unconsciously; Clara's eyes trembled wide.

"No way she keeps that up... She'll crack soon."

"Weird. Not an easy song. That's gotta be from that teacher, right?"

"On this one... she's better than us..."

"Shut it, Clara."

Lilfrea ground her teeth, voice low. Meanwhile, without a tremor, Estel's voice rode waves of emotion, building to a crescendo.

Shivers ran through the hall. Her voice wove magic into the air. The audience forgot to breathe, lost in her every gesture, every glance. Someone cried out.

"Ahh...! Incredible... that girl...!"

The words echoed, but no one cheered loud. They couldn't—didn't want to interrupt her voice.

In one corner, burly mercenaries Ber and Dolph sobbed openly.

"Ber... It's like Kitty came through her voice to say hi... Sniff..."

"Dolph... That girl's song... it's real Kitty...! Kitty... Waaah...!"

Even stage crew marveled.

"Whoa... rumors were true."

"Stirs the soul... How does that voice even...?"

"She owned the stage in seconds. Made it her world..."

High above, through the glass, Raena watched in silence. Her eyes widened slightly.

"That emotional line... from a kid?"

As Estel's song built to its latter half, the three girls' faces grew stonier. Then, as if on cue, their gazes locked on the same spot.

Below the stage—Seru. He watched from the edge, smiling. Pride. Joy. Affection—all plain.

"That guy..."

Maribel's glare stabbed toward him. Jealousy boiled wordless in her chest. Lilfrea bit her lip in frustration.

"Said it didn't suit us and bailed..."

Clara swallowed hard, disbelieving. "Didn't know it was this good..."

Then—

Estel's song hit its climax, swelling grander. Soaring scales, melody echoing like thunder in a vast gorge. Full-throated passion. It pierced the audience deeper.

And her gaze shifted slowly. To right below the stage. To the one closest, watching her performance.

Seru.

Estel sang down at him, her signature smile playing. Volume richer, emotion thicker. Seru met her eyes and blinked wide.

Hey, why look at me now?

He waved frantically, gesturing quietly, desperately trying to redirect her to the crowd. But Estel held firm. Plucking her lute, lips quirked, she smiled through her eyes and sang on.

"Hm?"

Raena, from above, spotted it.

"That guy..."

She narrowed her eyes, memory stirring.

"A few months back... the bakery... that man?"