The next morning, at seven o'clock sharp.
Leo Vance woke up early to his usual routine: a high-intensity workout followed by a peaceful stroll through the campus of the Film Academy. In his previous life, he had walked these same paths as an idealistic student. Coming back now felt like a trip through a time capsule, a chance to reconcile with the ghost of his lost youth.
As he wandered into a secluded botanical garden near the back of the campus, he saw a girl with twin ponytails and a sweet, pure expression busy with a camera. She was taking portraits of another student who was posing as a model. The two seemed to be having the time of their lives, laughing over the digital previews.
Leo stopped to watch for a moment. He felt a sharp tug of familiarity. Wait, I know her, he thought. In my old world, she was the star of that massive campus hit.
In this world, however, she wasn't a star yet. She was a student in the Directing Department. Leo activated his "System" to scan her stats.
[Name: Sydney]
[Acting Aptitude: B+ (Potential: S-)]
[Directing Aptitude: A (Potential: S)]
Leo's heart stirred. While he could use his system to temporarily boost anyone's skills to an S-rank, it was far better to find someone with high natural aptitude who could maintain that level permanently through his guidance. Sydney looked like a "natural" talent - bright, observant, and with a personality that radiated warmth.
He decided to recruit her on the spot. If he could cultivate a stable of directors who understood his "Universe," he wouldn't have to micromanage every single production in the future.
Leo stepped forward, offering a casual wave. "Hi there. Good morning, ladies."
Sydney, who suffered from a bit of social anxiety when confronted by handsome strangers, blinked rapidly. "Oh... uh... hello."
"What are you shooting? Do you mind if I take a look at the frames?" Leo asked, moving closer to the tripod.
Just as Sydney was about to offer a shy refusal, the model student suddenly gasped, her eyes going wide. "Wait... oh my god! You're Leo Vance!"
"Leo... Vance?" Sydney was a bit nearsighted. She squinted at him, her jaw dropping as she began to stutter. "The... the Hellraiser? I mean, Instructor Gojo?!"
"Guilty as charged," Leo said with a grin. "Relax, I'm not here to start a fight. How about I help you with a few shots? You seem to be struggling with the lighting in this corner."
Seeing that Leo was surprisingly friendly, Sydney relaxed. "Teacher Leo, I'm shooting a reel. I'm graduating this year, and the faculty wants a short-form drama as our final project. I've done four takes, but it feels... empty. Like it lacks a soul."
"A soul, huh?" Leo took the camera from her hands. "Let me show you a trick. Re-pose your model near that ivy-covered pillar."
Under Leo's direction, they shot a twelve-second sequence. When Sydney looked at the playback, she was stunned. It was the same camera, the same girl, and the same location, but the quality of the shot was on a completely different level. The way Leo used the shadows made it look like a high-end cinematic trailer.
"Teacher Leo, you're... you're a genius!" Sydney said, her eyes shining with excitement.
Seeing she had taken the bait, Leo got to the point. "Sydney, how about you stop worrying about this student project?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, startled.
"I'm starting production on my next drama, The Outcast. How would you like to come on board as my primary Assistant Director?"
"Me? Assistant Director on a major production?" Sydney pointed at herself, looking like she'd just been told she'd won the lottery. "But I don't have any professional experience! I've never even been on a union set!"
"No one is born with experience," Leo said indifferently. "I'll teach you. You have the 'eye' for it; you just need the technique. What do you say?"
Sydney was in a state of total confusion. This was like an ordinary person winning ten million dollars. "If you're serious... then thank you, Brother Leo! This... this covers my internship credits and everything! I'm in!"
Leo chuckled at her excitement. If only she knew, he thought. An internship credit is the least of the rewards for being part of 'The Outcast'.
"By the way," Leo added. "My company, Celestial Peak, is officially hiring. You should think about joining full-time."
Sydney gave an embarrassed, sheepish smile. "Actually, Brother Leo... I already submitted my resume to your company last night. I was just waiting for a call."
9:00 AM. The UCLA Conference Room.
The casting for The Outcast officially began.
For the primary roles, Leo insisted on conducting the interviews personally. He brought Sydney along to shadow him, wanting her to see how he evaluated "flavor" over "fame."
For this project, Leo had decided not to play the male lead. Instead, he chose the role of Wang Ye, the lazy, powerful Daoist with a hidden depth, a character that fit his own aura perfectly.
For the lead role of Asher Reed, Leo had already secured the young actor Asher. He had sent the script to the rising star a month ago, and the actor had been ecstatic to sign on. However, Leo had given him two strict conditions:
Physical Transformation: Asher had to lose fifteen pounds and develop an eight-pack. The character wasn't just a goofball; he was a trained martial artist hiding his strength.
The 'Cunning' Edge: Asher tended to play characters who were "silly," but the lead of The Outcast was the "Blade-Wielding Ghost", a man who used his stupidity as a weapon. Leo needed him to find that cold, calculating edge.
"Next up: The audition for the role of Jo."
Unlike other directors who wanted their actresses in full glam, Leo's instructions were legendary: No makeup. No styling. Casual everyday clothes.
He wanted to see the raw essence of the girls. Jo was an immortal, a woman who existed outside the flow of time and human emotion. She didn't have vanity; she was a force of nature.
As the heavy oak door to the conference room opened, five of the industry's most recognizable faces walked in. They were dressed in hoodies, jeans, and simple T-shirts, their faces scrubbed clean.
Leo surveyed the line-up: Riley Evans, Sophie Vane, Tia, Della Rose, and Daisy.
The room was thick with tension. These were five A-listers, all vying for the same "un-glamorous" role.
Leo sat back, his fingers interlaced. He looked at Riley, who was trying to look "immortal" but just looked like she was holding her breath. He looked at Della, who even without makeup looked like a goddess.
"Ladies," Leo said, his voice dropping into a professional low. "The role of Jo isn't about beauty. It's about being 'hollow.' Which one of you is ready to disappear?"