The Jealousy and Fury of the Three Girls
As the final note soared into the sky like a bird taking flight, the entire auditorium fell into a hush as if under a spell. No one dared even breathe.
Estel Briano, having finished her performance on stage, panted heavily as she slowly lifted her head.
And then—
“Wooooaaahhhh!”
A thunderous roar of cheers exploded like lightning, shaking the stage. Amid the wave of applause crashing like the ocean, the audience leaped to their feet in a standing ovation. Some wiped tears from their eyes, while others gaped in disbelief at Estel. Shouts rang out as people shook their neighbors' shoulders.
“She's the real deal...! The real deal!”
“Ack, stop shaking me, I can't breathe...!”
In the audience seats, the dwarf warrior Bolcas Bern's eyes bulged as he stuck out his tongue in awe.
“Estel was this good...? I always thought she was just some noisy little rascal...”
Beside him, Pardel ruffled his hair and closed his eyes.
“Skill... acknowledged.”
Lijel closed her book.
“...She won.”
Minerri slapped her cheeks to snap back to reality.
“That was incredible, Estel...!”
In one corner of the seats, the two burly mercenaries Bel and Dolph clung to each other, bawling their eyes out.
“Bel! It's like sending off Yaong and getting comforted! Waaah!”
“Yaong, are you watching? That girl reminds me of you! Warm and dazzling! Hweee!”
From the judges' table, applause erupted openly. Praise flowed amid the solemn atmosphere.
One judge whispered to the side.
“...This is historic.”
In stark contrast, a heavy silence hung over the finalists' waiting area.
Lilfrea stared straight ahead with a rigid face, Maribel sat dazed with her mouth agape and one eyebrow twitching faintly, and Clara perched on the edge of her chair, clutching her skirt hem tightly as she stared silently at the floor.
Han Seru felt a mix of relief and exhilaration.
'She did it!'
Estel's performance had far exceeded expectations. Digesting such a difficult piece so flawlessly—it was unbelievable.
“Seru!”
Belldia Rackrowa pushed through the crowd and threw herself into his arms.
“Estel was amazing!”
“Beyond expectations. Honestly, I was shocked.”
The two embraced tightly, sharing their relief and joy. Tears welled in Belldia's eyes, and Seru smiled proudly, patting her back gently.
“Master! Belldia!”
Estel came running offstage with a radiant smile and threw herself into their arms. The three naturally tangled into one big hug. Joy, relief, and overwhelming disbelief enveloped them.
“What the hell did she do so great?!”
Early evening. The luxurious lodging's front door slammed shut with a bang.
Maribel's discarded shoes flew haphazardly, crashing into the living room wall. Barefoot and without changing, she stomped into, she stormed into the living room.
“The audience is insane! What's so good about her voice? No technique, no emotion—just coasting on her looks!”
Lilfrea followed, sitting silently on the sofa still in her shoes. She feigned calm, but one hand gripped her sleeve, trembling faintly. She gritted her teeth.
“That bastard Seru half-assed our training. That song she sang today? It was originally ours.”
“That jerk kept telling us that song wouldn't work, filling our heads with nothing but doubts!”
“He crushed our confidence on purpose, even though we could've nailed it. We would've done way better.”
“That scum!”
Maribel paced the room, then hurled an apple from the table in frustration. It smashed against the wall, splitting in two.
Clara entered last, gesturing placatingly with lowered hands.
“Calm down... We still have the second and third rounds. We can pay her back...”
But Maribel shouted even louder, more agitated.
“What's wrong with these idiots in the audience? They get all teary-eyed over nothing! Total morons!”
Lilfrea narrowed her eyes, twisting her lips.
“We played it too by-the-book. Technique, dynamics, delivery—we had it all. But that stage sold raw emotion better.”
Her voice was icy, the underlying rage unmistakable.
Maribel flopped onto the sofa and yanked out her hair tie savagely.
“Ugh, this pisses me off so much!”
“Enough, Maribel. Clara's right. Second and third rounds are coming. We'll show them properly there.”
Clara forced an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension.
“Y-yeah... In the second round, we'll flatten her nose... Show off to Teacher Han too...”
“Han Seru? That bastard Han Seru... I wanna kill him. Why'd he have to show up? Should've stayed buried in the sticks.”
Maribel trembled, fists clenched.
Lilfrea smirked.
“He's just a beggar manager anyway. He'll hover around for a bit and vanish soon enough.”
Clara nodded.
“We have Partita... Estel doesn't have a big guild like us... She'll hit her limit soon...”
“Anyway.”
Maribel huffed confidently.
“First place will definitely be one of us. Even if the audience has dead-fish eyes, the judges will be different. Partita Guild's influence too.”
Clara glanced sideways cautiously.
“I-I... kinda think... Lilfrea got first...”
“Yeah, someone like me deserves first.”
Lilfrea smiled smugly—
Knock knock.
“Um... excuse me... m-may I come in?”
All three heads snapped toward the door. The voice from beyond belonged to manager Lukan.
“The results are out, so I came to deliver them... If now's okay...”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Lukan entered warily. With an awkward expression, he handed over a sheet of paper and fled out like his life depended on it.
“What's his deal?”
“Coward like that calls himself a manager? Doesn't know shit about music...”
Maribel grumbled, unfolding the paper. Her face froze as she checked the rankings.
“...Estel got first?”
A vein bulged on her forehead, lips quivering.
“I'm... fifth? F-for real...?”
“What...?”
Lilfrea shot up and peered at the paper. Her eyes widened.
“I'm second...?”
Clara quickly looked too.
“I'm... third...”
Silence.
The living room fell quiet for a moment. The three girls muttered in dazed voices almost in unison.
“That bitch... got first...”
“None of us took first...”
“This is insane...”
The next instant, Maribel bellowed.
“Why am I fifth?! Why's my rank the lowest?!”
She tore the paper to shreds. Pieces fluttered to the floor as she screamed in rage.
Lilfrea's face twitched in disbelief, muscles quivering.
“What the hell is this ranking...? Me, second? What is this?!”
Her face contorted as she hurled a cushion, knocking items off the table with a clatter. Still unsatisfied, she kicked a table leg, howling in fury.
“Me, third...? This can't be...”
Just moments ago, Clara had been smirking inwardly. She'd praised Lilfrea outwardly, but deep down, she'd been certain. First place was obviously hers.
'The atmosphere, the applause, my skill—I outdid everyone...'
Her eyes shook. Indignation filled her gaze. Finally, she couldn't hold back. She snatched a fallen desk mirror from the floor.
Crash!
The mirror shattered against the wall. Rage, jealousy, fractured pride. In every broken shard, the three girls' distorted faces reflected back at them for a long while.
Morning sunlight gently tickled his face. Normally, he'd scrunch his eyes, roll over, and grumble about wanting more sleep. But not this morning.
His eyes snapped open. His body felt incredibly light. Thanks to yesterday's thrilling event.
Smiling, Han Seru stretched languidly.
“First place, first place.”
Turning his head, he saw three beds lined up side by side. Even breaths rose steadily from beneath the cozy blankets. Belldia slept with one arm flung over her head, mouth open, while Estel was buried under hers, only her hair peeking out.
Estel. The girl who'd worked hardest yesterday and received the most applause. She deserved to sleep in more than anyone today.
“Rest well today, everyone.”
A week remained until the second round of the finals. He lightly twisted his waist to loosen up. Neck crack, back pop. The tension finally ebbed from his body.
“Feels good...”
Today was a do-nothing day, as planned. After yesterday's battle, they'd all agreed to rest fully.
Grrrowl.
His stomach rumbled loudly.
“Gotta get some bread.”
Energy surged, bringing hunger. Bread was running low anyway—perfect timing. Fresh bread today would be nice. He bought in bulk every three days. Today was the day. The little anticipation lifted his spirits.
He dressed quietly and stepped out of the inn. The morning air was refreshingly crisp. The sunlight dazzled, and from the market, the savory aroma of freshly baked bread from early-opening shops wafted on the breeze.
That smell alone made his stomach growl again.
He headed to the bakery he'd discovered since arriving in the city. He stocked up on Estel's favorites, Belldia's favorites, and ones perfect for his taste—enough for three days—paid, and stepped out.
“Gotta hit the milk shop too...”
Along the roadside, children frolicked with a white cat. Pure, carefree laughter. The scene felt exceptionally peaceful.
He watched with a fond smile before turning away.
That was the moment.
“Hey—you, with the bread!”
Screech.
A fancy carriage halted abruptly right in front of him. The side window slid open smoothly, and a face peeked out.
“Buying bread again?”
“...Pardon?”
Smiling warmly was none other than Raena de Bert, one of Edelan's Ten Stars.
Caught off guard by the dreamlike encounter, Seru blanked out. Without a word, he absentmindedly pulled a loaf from his bag and took a bite.
Munch munch.
Even then, the bread was delicious.