Talent Show

Without needing to turn around, Allen knew it was Moken's voice. What a persistent nuisance! He couldn't imagine what kind of family raised a child with such an insufferable personality.

"So what if it's a clown act? Even a clown act won third prize at school. You haven't won a single thing yet, so I'm better than you," Flag Cook retorted, refusing to back down.

"Fine, then let's have a contest. You three as a team, and me, Dudley, and Piers as a team. Let's see whose performance is more impressive. Do you dare?"

It was obvious that Moken and his cronies had come prepared; the three of them were wearing matching white T-shirts with gold lettering, black trousers, red headbands, and each sported a pair of boxing gloves.

Whether this was premeditated or just them taking advantage of the situation, Allen had no time to ponder, as Flag had already lost his cool and accepted the challenge.

The group shoved their way to the right side of the stage to line up. Harry looked incredibly nervous. "Allen, Flag, what are we going to perform? I don't think I have any talents to show off—unless mowing the lawn counts!"

Flag, who had been so full of bravado just moments ago, was now filled with self-reproach and anxiety. "It's all my fault. I was too impulsive. How about we just go up there and sing a song?"

"It's alright, Harry. You actually possess excellent leadership qualities. Flag, don't worry. When we get on stage, just follow my lead. We're going to perform a magic trick." Allen had come up with a brilliant idea; if Harry and Flag could cooperate well, he was certain the act would bring the house down.

Soon, it was the turn of Dudley, Moken, and Piers. The three of them strode onto the stage with great momentum. Regardless of the quality of their act, their presence alone caught the judges' eyes. They quickly took their stances, trading blows with vigor and enthusiasm, putting on a performance that was actually quite decent.

Allen shook his head with a smile from the sidelines. Dudley's performance was lively and amusing, but at best, it would only earn comments like, "The children are so full of energy, how cute."

Dudley and his friends bowed and left the stage, clearly very satisfied with their performance.

Finally, it was Allen, Harry, and Flag's turn. Having already mapped out the routine, Allen walked onto the stage with confidence, followed by the anxious Harry and Flag, and they bowed to the audience.

"I am Allen Harris, and these are my assistants, Harry Potter and Flag Cook. We are all from Class 5-5. Today, we will perform a magic trick for you. First, I'd like to ask my assistants to help prepare the props."

Allen instructed Harry and Flag to place the piano at an angle on the left side of the stage, then move the long table from the auditorium onto the center of the stage. These tables were usually placed on stage during meetings for leaders and moderators to sit at, so they were narrow—less than two meters long—and featured thin drawers. The space beneath the table was entirely open, which was why it came with a long, dark red velvet cloth to hide the legs and feet of those seated behind it.

"While my assistants are busy with the preparations, please allow me to perform a short piece to entertain you." Allen walked to the piano, bowed again, and sat on the bench. He hovered his hands over the keys and began to play Hedwig's Theme—the iconic melody from the Harry Potter films. The tune was ethereal and dreamlike, as if an owl were gliding through the night sky.

As the final note faded, Allen stood up slowly and thought to himself, It begins.

The auditorium was deathly silent. A moment later, a few claps broke out, followed immediately by teachers and students alike—both inside and outside the hall—applauding frantically. Harry and Flag's palms were already red from clapping.

"Thank you all. Now, my assistants are ready." Allen walked to the center of the stage and gave Harry and the others a few final instructions.

"Our magic trick is called—The Great Human Vanishing Act." As soon as the words left his lips, everyone was filled with anticipation. Students at the back stretched their necks, trying to get a better view, while the teachers, already won over by Allen's brilliant piano skills, stared at him with bated breath.

Allen climbed onto the table and lay flat. Harry and Flag pulled the red cloth, circling Allen a few times to show he was indeed on the table, then held the cloth up at the front of the stage, completely obscuring him from view. Harry and Flag shouted, "One, two, three!" and immediately let go. The cloth fell to the floor, and the table was empty.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"Did you see where Allen went?"

"I was staring right at the back of the stage, and no one ran out!"

Students looked left and right, searching everywhere, but there was no sign of Allen.

Harry and Flag clapped their hands to draw the audience's attention back to them. They picked up the red cloth again, circled the table three times in each direction, and covered it once more. Before they could even count, the audience shouted impatiently, "One, two, three!" The cloth dropped, and Allen sat up on the table, waving at them with a smile. Cheers and applause instantly filled the entire auditorium.

"That was truly spectacular!"

"This is the best performance in the history of the school talent show."

"Both the piano performance and the magic trick were breathtaking!"

"Incredible! I really want to know how Allen disappeared just now!"

In truth, it was no challenge at all for Allen. He simply had to lie still on the table, touch his Miaomiao Wizard Robe—which had transformed into his school uniform—and activate its invisibility function.

Without a doubt, such a brilliant performance won the unanimous approval of the five judges, and Allen, Harry, and Flag successfully advanced to the talent show finals.

[Assault mission conditions met. Congratulations, Host, you have received the reward: Elementary Body Refining Technique. Please continue your efforts.]

Allen felt refreshed instantly. The Elementary Body Refining Technique was finally his.