Chapter 11: Audition Trials
The night had slowly given way to dawn, the soft light filtering through Leon's window as he held his mobile in hand, eyes scanning the numbers. Hm… the investment I made has already become 200 million. I think I should pull out before it crashes, he thought carefully. With a few swift taps, he withdrew the full amount, adding it to his previous holdings. So now I have a total of 402 million…
A faint smile tugged at his lips. Sleep could wait for now—there was time to practice acting. Leaning back, Leon recited lines quietly to himself, experimenting with tone, pauses, and emotion, letting the words roll naturally across his tongue. Minutes melted into hours as he practiced with meticulous attention, imagining himself on stage, the eyes of an unseen audience fixed upon him.
By morning, Leon dressed for the day, abandoning his usual black attire in favor of a sharp purple shirt. This really looks good, he thought, tugging lightly at the sleeves. With a deep breath, he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped outside. The university was only a few minutes' walk away, and the crisp air energized him with every step.
At the entrance gate, Lenora spotted him and waved, her posture relaxed but alert.
"Leon! You're early," she called with a bright smile.
"I see you are too," Leon replied, chuckling softly. "Let's go. After class, we'll head to the theater club."
"Yeah, let's go," Lenora agreed, linking arms briefly with him as they entered the building.
Inside the classroom, Rina was already absorbed in her own preparations, her calm aura a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the students around her. Leon and Lenora moved quietly past her, careful not to disturb her focus.
Class passed in a blur. By the time afternoon arrived, Leon and Lenora were walking toward the theater club hall. Hundreds of students had gathered, murmuring anxiously among themselves. The hall buzzed with nervous energy—some were pacing, some whispering lines under their breath, others fidgeting with scripts they had yet to receive.
"She should be inside the hall by now," Lenora said quietly, nodding toward Rina.
Leon followed her gaze. Rina stood near the center of the room, serene and composed, reviewing her notes. Her concentration was so intense that she didn't notice the crowd around her.
The chatter abruptly ceased as a sharp, authoritative voice echoed across the room.
"Silence, please!"
All eyes turned toward the source. Professor Vivia, her blue hair perfectly arranged, brown eyes scanning the crowd, stepped forward. The atmosphere immediately became tense; the students' whispers faded to an uneasy silence.
"Whoever is here for the acting auditions," Vivia announced, her voice steady, "will receive three scripts. You may choose any one to perform. You will be called by registration number. This is a test of raw talent and presence. Give it your all."
A ripple of murmurs ran through the crowd.
"They're giving us scripts now?" a boy muttered nervously to his friend.
"Yeah," replied his friend, voice tight with apprehension. "And I heard Professor Vivia doesn't accept excuses. If you stumble… that's it."
Leon's registration number was last, and he watched as students were handed their scripts one by one. Their expressions changed as they scanned the pages—some pale, some jittery, some struggling to hide disappointment or fear.
When it was finally Rina's turn, Leon's heart thudded in anticipation. She disappeared into the audition room, leaving the crowd waiting tensely. Ten minutes later, she emerged, her face pale but composed.
"Hey, Rina! What happened? Did you fail?" Leon asked quickly, concern flashing across his face.
"No… I didn't," Rina replied calmly, but there was a subtle tension in her shoulders. "I barely passed."
Leon blinked, momentarily stunned. Barely passed? For her? She was a star actress before… The thought left him uneasy, but he forced himself to focus as the club member called his name.
Inside the audition room, only two figures awaited him: Professor Vivia and Selene Ardent, the theater club president. Selene's long black hair shimmered slightly in the soft lighting, her red eyes like a crimson moon, her expression strict and unyielding. Leon felt a chill run down his spine, but squared his shoulders.
Three scripts were laid out before him: a villain's soliloquy dripping with malice, a side character's dialogue full of subtle nuance, and a heart-wrenching love confession.
Leon muttered under his breath, "Love confession? Seriously? Who writes this stuff?"
The villain role tempted him, but his voice lacked the commanding presence needed. The side character role was safe but unchallenging. The confession—he had practiced this before. Decision made, he picked up the love confession script and reviewed it briefly.
Outside, students trickled out of the audition rooms, faces pale, eyes wide.
"Did you see how strict they were?" one girl whispered to her friend. "I thought I was prepared, but… no chance."
"They barely let anyone finish," her friend replied, voice trembling. "How did Rina even pass?"
"I don't know… I feel like I'm going to faint just thinking about it," another student added. They exchanged nervous glances, each silently questioning their own abilities.
Inside, Leon stepped forward, trying to steady his heartbeat. Selene's piercing gaze met his, and Professor Vivia's calm scrutiny weighed on him like a tangible force. This was it—his moment.