Josie walked onto the stage alone. From where she stood, she could see Joshua and Ciri seated in the audience.
Even after Josie took the stage, the audience was still discussing Tylinn's retirement.
Tylinn's retirement had been far too shocking—not only to Nolan, but to the entire world.
Even standing onstage, Josie could feel the... disappointed atmosphere coming from the audience.
Josie's heart was also filled with disappointment. The Spellcaster Forum had probably been blown apart by Explosive Magic today, and discussions about Tylinn's retirement would likely continue for a long time.
But none of that had anything to do with Josie. She had not stepped onto this stage to mourn the retirement of... someone she admired.
"Hello, everyone... My name is Josie. I'm a student from Muirainer Private Magic Academy, and this is my first time standing on this stage."
Even after Josie said that, no one in the audience paid any attention to her.
That was only natural. It was far too difficult for a rookie singer who had debuted less than three days ago to draw attention.
So Josie gave up on introducing herself further and nodded slightly to the attendants responsible for the accompaniment behind the stage.
All she needed to do now was sing.
The accompaniment for "You Belong With Me" slowly began.
Josie was still a little nervous when she sang the first line, but she quickly settled into the right state of mind.
This was the kind of song that did not sound astonishing at first, but became more pleasant the longer one listened to it.
As Josie's singing rose and fell, the discussions in the audience gradually stopped. Their gazes gathered on the unfamiliar girl beneath the spotlight.
The moment the final note of the song faded away, Josie let out a