Performance

(Sun Yao)

"Hey! Miluno?"

The order of appearance for the auditions has been announced. The stadium was divided into four audition stages at its four corners, accommodating more than one hundred magical girls who came from all over the country.

On the big screen, Miluno's name appeared prominently on the three people behind me; we happened to be on the same stage.

Are you surprised that the child will come?

"Hmm, it's even more surprising that you would participate."

My mother hugged me from behind. She had also signed up as "Magical Girl Moonshadow" on her own initiative, and she wasn't on the same stage as me. She had already finished performing.

However, he was eliminated right after his performance on stage.

Thinking about it carefully, it's not surprising. This audition encouraged incorporating magic into the performance, but a magical girl who can turn invisible obviously wouldn't have much presence, which goes against the idol's purpose.

"Mom, I couldn't even get past the preliminary rounds, Yao'er, you'd better try harder!"

"... The preliminary selection should be fine."

I was quite confident before I came, but now I'm starting to have doubts.

Although it's an open audition, the minimum skill level of the contestants is incredibly high. Even without professional training, the magical girls easily outperform a large number of traditional idols who lack professional skills. Can my mediocre skills really get me through?

My phone vibrated.

[Today is the audition, you must pass smoothly, I'll come back to record the show with you.]

Yezi...

He's doing a really hard job as an agent.

I can't afford to give up in a place like this!

"Your turn."

My mother patted me on the back and then made a fist and gave me a thumbs-up.

"Um!"

Call--

Take a deep breath, pat your cheeks, and cheer yourself up.

There was no audience at the audition; only a few judges were present.

She put on a Bubble Membrane, jumped up suddenly, and then floated down to the center of the stage like a feather.

I made a grand entrance, and everything went exactly as I had planned.

Put away the wand and put on the microphone.

"Hello, judges! I'm Ceruno, a magical girl from Skyreach City, and a newly debuted idol!"

The three judges were all big names in the entertainment industry, but there were also acquaintances among them. The one sitting in the middle was the old man who presided over my debut press conference, and he even nodded slightly to me.

"Now it's time for your performance."

The music gradually increased in volume.

I chose a soothing melody; this is a style of song that I'm quite good at.

"To you who are reading this letter now"

"Where are they and what are they doing?"

"At fifteen, I had troubles I couldn't tell anyone."

"But what if you wrote it as a letter to your Future self?"

"I suppose I'll be able to say it frankly then."

Sunlight reflects off the bubbles, creating iridescent patterns. In my mind, I construct a stage and audience for my fantasies. With my eyes closed, I immerse myself in a sea of melody, letting my body and soul drift with the currents...

Sing!

It's just a preliminary selection; I'm sure I'll pass.

No, it absolutely has to pass!

"To you who wish to read this letter"

"To be able to attain happiness"

The melody fades away.

The song ended.

My mood was much calmer than when I went on stage.

Viewpoint switching warning

(Bai Ziye)

"Oh my, is that child Ceruno? Her singing voice is truly amazing, she looks like she's had professional training."

Halley clung to my back, peering at Ceruno on the stage from afar.

"Wait, you're not from this stage, are you?"

"I arrived late, so I'm quite Past back in the queue. I can still make it after I've heard your performance."

She still pedaled that old bicycle until it was completely worn out.

After taking a hard fall, she simply flew over.

"But Ceruno is really quite good."

I laughed and said, "That just shows you don't have a very good eye for people. When you met me, I asked you about her, and you said she was just a pretty face and not suitable to be an idol."

"That black-haired girl back then?"

Halley looked at Ceruno on the stage in disbelief.

"Wow! That child has made great progress! Look, she's starting to shine a little, isn't she?"

Does it sparkle?

Ceruno wore a calm smile.

She knew she would definitely pass; she realized how outstanding she was, and that's why she was confident...

"Aren't you going to compliment her? I don't think you care about her that much~"

Halley's tail tip swirled around my shoulder.

"Take this thing away from me."

I'm actually a little scared of this thing. If I get another injection of this "misfortune," even if it's not fatal, I might still make a mistake on stage.

"Let me come down first, then we'll go."

Being eliminated would be the best outcome, but my pride won't allow me to lose too badly on stage...

After the two magical girls, the host finally called my number.

Halley also gave me a push.

"Relax, as long as you perform normally, you'll be fine."

My magic is not very visually appealing.

Randomly speeding up the pace will disrupt the rhythm of the singing, so it's not suitable for stage performances and won't allow for any dazzling entrances.

So, I walked up there in a normal way.

"Hello, esteemed judges. I am Miluno, a local magical girl from Skyreach City."

After a brief self-introduction, the somewhat familiar-looking older gentleman in the audience raised his hand, signaling me to begin my performance.

A powerful drumbeat prelude begins.

With the idea that I shouldn't lose too badly, I started to prepare myself emotionally, so that I could at least sing a song steadily and without going off-key, and be eliminated with dignity.

"Letsgoout! openmymind"

"Letsgo! sweetdreamotherside"

Unlike the lively melody.

My voice, however, sounded deep and resonant, like an unknown mystery lurking in the deep sea.

"Go outside the cage now that it's been liberated."

"A rusty key cannot stop its ringing."

"By the time they realized it, it was too late to turn back."

It was very quiet around us.

The music has clearly stopped, but no one is making a sound... Did I activate Time Acceleration?

The elderly judge in the audience smiled kindly and said, "Don't you understand after seeing the reaction from the audience? You've already passed."

It's passed already?

I didn't even demonstrate any magic.

"Old Master Han is right."

Another judge chimed in, "Just now, your presence overwhelmed everyone, making you the center of attention. If you didn't realize it, it means your talent is innate... Miss Miluno, you're a born superstar."

"..."

Is this some kind of "praise to kill"?

I glanced at Halley in the audience; she was giving me a thumbs-up.

"Thank you for your recognition, judges."

I stepped off the stage in a daze, still somewhat bewildered, wondering if everyone had conspired to play a trick on me.

But the cost of doing so is too high, and there's no reason to do so...

"Miluno!"

As soon as I returned to Halley's side, I heard a familiar greeting from behind.

When I turned around, the little pink figure bumped into my chest.

"Ah, sorry!"

"Ceruno? I was thinking of coming to see you."

Aunt Yuehan followed behind her... Being able to get in meant she had also registered?

"I didn't expect Miluno to participate in this talent show too! What a coincidence!"

Ceruno bounced around in front of me, trying to jump up to my height.

"But who is this?"

She glanced at Halley, then frowned.

"Or rather... what is it?"

Even without the lyrics, it's over 2000 words!

There are no filler words! Really!