Chapter 305: Opening Performance
This logic perfectly explained why a child as young as Klee held a position within the elusive Teyvat Organization. However, it immediately birthed another glaring contradiction: why did Raiden Ei lack a Vision? By all established metrics, she should have been a core member of their ranks.
Conan and Subaru exchanged a quiet, calculating glance. Ultimately, neither detective could draw a definitive conclusion. Both remained deeply skeptical of the organization's claims, quietly refusing to believe that Teyvat truly possessed genuine supernatural abilities.
The afternoon slipped away in a blur of anticipation. As the sky outside began to bruise with the deep purples and indigos of twilight, the hour of the grand finals rapidly approached. Acting as their gracious host, Ayato guided the group through the bustling corridors toward the main venue.
"Wow! That's absolutely incredible!" Ran stood rooted at the entrance of the sprawling competition arena. She tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling with uncontained awe as she took in the sweeping, futuristic architecture. The building practically hummed with advanced technology, its sleek metallic curves catching the ambient light. She knew for a fact that the foundation had only been laid a mere two weeks ago. To construct something of this massive scale and complex design in such a compressed timeframe defied all conventional logic.
The rest of the group echoed her amazement, their murmurs of praise filling the air as they eagerly stepped inside to witness the spectacle. Following the usher's directions, they filed into the cavernous auditorium and found their designated row. Thanks to their direct connections with the organizers, they were seated mere rows from the front stage. It was an undisputed VIP vantage point, offering an unobstructed view of the impending action.
They had arrived with plenty of time to spare. As the ambient chatter of the filling arena washed over them, Masumi casually leaned over the armrest, her sharp eyes locking onto their host. "Say, Head of the Kamisato Clan," she began, her tone light but probing. "Why didn't Miss Ayaka join us in the audience tonight?"
"Yeah, where is Sister Ayaka?" Ayumi chimed in, leaning forward. The little girl had quickly grown fond of the elegant, gentle older sister and was visibly disappointed by her absence.
Ayato offered a serene, unbothered smile. "There is no need to worry. My sister will actually be participating in tonight's opening performance, alongside Kaveh, Mr. Zhongli, and a few others. You will have a perfect view of her on stage shortly." He then shifted his gaze down to the small girl sitting nearby, his expression softening. "Mr. Albedo will also be taking part in the ensemble. Klee, you must make sure to watch your brother's performance very carefully."
Klee nodded with fierce determination, her pigtails bouncing. "Mm! Klee will watch super closely!"
"We'll help you record it, Klee!" Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta declared in perfect, enthusiastic unison.
Sitting a few seats down, Sonoko hoisted a high-end digital camera into the air. She cupped her cheek with her free hand, a dreamy, wide smile spreading across her face. "Leave the professional framing to me! I'll make sure to capture every single angle of their handsome, wonderful performance. I'll even send everyone a copy once the show is over!"
Just then, a sharp burst of raised voices cut through the ambient noise. The group turned their heads toward the rear entrance. A cluster of frustrated reporters seemed to be caught in a heated dispute with the event's security staff, gesturing angrily at their equipment bags.
"Please, pay it no mind," Ayato said smoothly, his voice a calm anchor amidst the brief chaos. "It is merely a minor disagreement regarding the mandatory inspection of all camera and video equipment. It will be resolved momentarily."
True to his word, the shouting died down within minutes, the reporters begrudgingly handing over their gear for inspection. The group collectively relaxed. A brawl in the stands was the last thing they wanted right before the main event.
"Still, inspecting cameras seems a bit intense..." Sonoko muttered, absentmindedly fiddling with the lens cap of her own device.
"We have received intelligence suggesting certain individuals intend to sabotage the smooth progression of the finals," Ayato replied, his tone perfectly measured. "Consequently, our security protocols are far stricter than usual."
In truth, the 'security inspection' was a highly coordinated technological sleight of hand. The staff were discreetly tagging every recording device in the building. This allowed the advanced AI, Noah's Ark, working in tandem with Nahida, to smoothly inject digital photos and video feeds directly into the devices' memory cards. Since the actual competition was taking place entirely within a constructed dreamscape, physical cameras in the waking world would capture nothing but empty air. Without this covert synchronization, the entire illusion of the Teyvat Organization's grand event would instantly shatter.
Subaru and Conan exchanged another loaded glance. Ayato's justification felt incredibly flimsy. Guarding against physical sabotage rarely required confiscating and inspecting standard press cameras. Yet, lacking any concrete evidence or a more logical alternative, the two detectives kept their mouths shut, their minds whirring with silent theories.
Masumi, who had been keeping a peripheral watch on the young boy, caught the subtle, silent communication between Conan and the graduate student. She shot a covert, evaluating look at the pink-haired man. Something about Subaru's demeanor always rubbed her the wrong way—a strange, lingering familiarity she couldn't quite place. She filed the suspicion away in the back of her mind.
"Everyone, look! It's starting!" Natsume suddenly cheered, her voice bubbling with genuine excitement.
She leaned forward, her golden eyes practically shining in the dimming house lights. She had been counting down the minutes to this exact moment. The second the announcer stepped up to the microphone, she eagerly nudged the others.
A ripple of awareness spread through the massive crowd. The chaotic hum of thousands of conversations swiftly faded into a hushed, electric silence. The announcer gave a brief, booming introduction before slipping back into the shadows.
With a heavy, dramatic sweep, the grand velvet curtains slowly parted. Natsume held her breath, her gaze locked onto the center stage.
There, bathed in a single, crisp spotlight, stood the unmistakable figure of Zhongli. He was dressed in a carefully tailored, dark formal suit that accentuated his tall, imposing frame. He radiated an aura of supreme confidence and quiet authority. Standing with his back to the breathless audience, he held a slender conductor's baton raised high above his head, poised to strike the air and drag the entire arena into a world of pure musical mastery.
Arranged in a sweeping arc in front of him was an ensemble that defied all conventional logic. From left to right stood Tartaglia, casually slinging a sleek electric guitar over his shoulder; Ayaka, holding a traditional shakuhachi with perfect, elegant posture; Ganyu, her fingers resting delicately against the strings of a classic pipa; Xiao, his expression stoic as he held a transverse bamboo flute to his lips; Kaveh, seated behind a massive, modern drum kit, drumsticks twirling in his hands; and finally, Albedo, quietly holding a silver piccolo.
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