Aponia watched Mrs. Tivert disappear at the far end of the observation deck. Then she slowly drew back her gaze and turned to Vill-V and Griseo, who were still playing around.
"Vill-V, Griseo. My part is done. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Don't worry, Aponia!" Vill-V thumped her chest with a broad grin. "I've got everything covered. Tonight's show will be one they'll never forget!"
"Good."
Aponia nodded slightly. Moonlight fell across her shoulders as her figure began to fade, as though starlight were dissolving her bit by bit.
At last, countless blue, butterfly-like wings of light streamed from her body. They joined into a flowing river of light that spun and rose through the night sky before scattering into stars.
The river whirled faster and climbed higher, until a dazzling shower of stars fell where she had vanished.
She looked too divine to be mortal.
"Tsk, tsk—"
Vill-V looked up at the fading starlight, envy plain in her voice.
"That's Aponia for you. Even her exit effects are incredible. She really is a 'mystic' through and through."
"Griseo, when do I get an exit like that?"
"Vill-V, shouldn't you check the equipment?"
Griseo stood beside her and couldn't help reminding her. She had her doubts: had Vill-V really finished everything in twenty minutes?
"Relax, Griseo! I could modify those secondhand bombs with my eyes closed." Vill-V patted Griseo on the head to reassure her.
"Come on! It's showtime."
"Okay, Vill-V."
Onstage, just as Astra Yao reached the interlude, every light in the venue suddenly went out, leaving her alone in the darkness.
"Hello? Hello? Moshi moshi? Control room?... Eve? Can you hear me?" Astra Yao called to the crew through her earpiece, but no one answered.
"A malfunction now? That's terrible timing! I can't dance in a