Opponents

(Sun Yao)

As the beloved daughter of all the members of the Antarctic Joint Expedition Association, this penguin girl was raised to be exceptionally well-mannered, surpassing at least 90% of ordinary humans in terms of refinement, knowledge, and etiquette.

The reason I say this is not only to show how outstanding she is, but also to tell everyone how famous she is internationally.

She is one of the very few magical girls to be directly named after a celestial body.

"Miss Antarctic Star is already a celebrity, isn't she? Why would she participate in this new talent show... isn't this just bullying her?"

While waiting for the food to be served, we naturally began chatting.

Because there was a risk of being recognized at Antarctic Star, we chose a quiet, upscale steakhouse with fewer people.

To my question, which was more like a complaint, this ever-polite "penguin prince" replied, "A celebrity? I do have many fans, but I'm not an idol, so of course I can participate in this idol talent show."

Is this a humble statement?

To me, it sounds more like showing off.

"Being worshipped by many people as a positive role model is enough to qualify someone as an idol, even surpassing idols who sing and dance in the narrow sense."

"But the organizers won't declare me the champion because of this, Ceruno. This competition doesn't depend on the number of fans, but on the judges' scores for the performance. You shouldn't make excuses for your defeat before the competition even starts; that will only damage your morale."

Am I making excuses for my failure?

Miss Antarctic Star speaks with such seriousness that it's hard to refute her.

At this point, the waiter brought out a bowl of appetizers.

The raw beef, served with cheese and black truffle, is incredibly fresh and flavorful.

Antarctic Star picked up a piece of raw beef with his fork and put it in his mouth. I was still hesitating whether to try it when my mother asked, "Yao'er, didn't you ever think you could win that idol competition?"...

"It's not that I don't want to win, it's that I really can't win."

Why do you say we can't win?

I gave a wry smile and sighed, "Mom, this competition has gathered nearly a hundred magical girls just for the preliminary rounds. Given that everyone is a magical girl, I don't think I have any advantage... There are people like Antarctic Star who have a natural star aura, or people like Fahrenheit who have performing talent, while I am nothing but a magical girl."

[And me, my guitar and I will win against everyone]

Miss Freya was still holding up her phone.

Even though she was wearing headphones, she could still hear and understand what I was saying...

[These headphones are for simultaneous interpretation]

Wait, so you weren't listening to music?!

"You should have said you could communicate in Chinese sooner! I've been hesitating about how to bring it up..."

[Here's some interesting information for you, free of charge]

[Among the participants this time, there are some newcomers who have only recently emerged.]

[For example, this one]

Miss Freya unfolded her flip phone into tablet mode and then played a video of a girl singing...

A girl with high, bright green twin tails, and animal ears and tails.

The mother also came over and said, "This child is very cute."

She is a virtual singer, or rather a virtual idol, and this pose is a virtual image.

"Huh? Is this CG?"

So realistic.

Without Miss Freya saying anything, no one could tell that the animal-eared girl was fake.

Miss Antarctic Star elegantly wiped her mouth after swallowing the raw beef.

She explained, "She claims this is a projection constructed with magic, and she plans to participate in the Supernova Idol Festival with this virtual avatar... This unique setup has brought her exponentially increased popularity, dominating trending searches and topic charts within two days... But this doesn't reflect her true strength. She's not some amateur trying to create hype with such gimmicks; her singing is exceptionally good, with a wide vocal range and stable breath control, making her an absolute favorite to win this year's competition."

Hmm, this setting...

To speculate maliciously, perhaps it's a Projection Magic girl who hired a real musician to lip-sync for her?

I pressed further, "Is there information on anyone else? I'd like to know more..."

Miss Freya continued typing.

Da da da--

[Gray Swan]

[Internationally renowned ballet dancer]

[Extensive stage experience]

She was a beautiful woman with hair the same color as her mother's, but with naturally curly hair.

Famous dancer...

The only requirement to participate was being a magical girl, so it was unexpected that such a behemoth would appear and eat the fish.

"Oh, is there any more?"

[Shadowflash]

[Sirius's confidant]

[Although she's called a magical girl, she's actually a maid.]

This short, golden-brown hair tied in a small braid...

"Huh? Miss Zara? She can't even speak properly and she wants to become an idol?"

Although she and the other maids cannot speak, they are all magical girls, part of Sirius's Battle Maid Corps...

Antarctic Star nodded.

"Do you know her? Although she's petite, she has big ambitions. She wants to venture out and make her own way in the world, so Sirius gave her this opportunity."

But she's a mute mother!

"How can you become an idol if you can't speak well?"

A fresh vegetable salad and an Antarctic Star steak with multiple sauces were served. The conversation continued only after the waiters left.

"Actually, we guest contestants don't need to participate in the auditions or preliminary rounds."

"Guest? It's already booked!"

That's so unfair!

I also have to compete with nearly a hundred magical girls for an admission ticket...

Antarctic Star explained, "The Supernova Idol Festival is mainly aimed at magical girls from your country. The fact that they invited us to participate is simply to demonstrate the concept of 'internationalization'."

Even representatives from the Antarctic Circle came; it's truly international.

Even if Zara is eliminated in the first round, as long as she gets on TV, she's taken the first step. As for the language... she can learn it slowly.

"That's true, growing up alongside your idol is part of the fan experience... but I really didn't expect it to start with learning to speak."

Perhaps, from now on, idol worship will have to start in kindergarten?

"This Idol Festival seems pretty interesting."

My mother put the cut steak on my plate.

"Is it still possible to register? Maybe I should join too!"

Eh!!

Mothers want to be idols too?

[Registration is still possible on the day of the audition]

Are you and your daughter both magical girls?

Such a combination is truly rare.

I'm even thinking of writing a song for you guys.

The battle at the treatment facility was kept secret, and Miss Freya, being an outsider magical girl, was unaware of my and my mother's situation.

However, she seems to be able to compose music.

"Miss Freya, it's a bit much to bring this up on our first meeting... could you write an original song for me?"

[Is it intended for a competition?]

"Um!"

I'm also a contestant.

"It really didn't work..."

Miss Freya winked at me.

[It's not impossible, but there are prerequisites.]

[If you can make it to the finals]

I've prepared the best piece of music for you.

Even if your opponent is me