Chapter 149: Flames Rising
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June 26th night, South First District, beneath the Tianhai Bridge.
The mighty river under the evening wind raised the sound of water splashing as the red indicator lights on the bridge twinkled on and off, the original connected bridge slowly lifted by the towering pillars on both sides, forming a separated figure-eight shape, while on the raised peaks of the bridge, lights gradually converged.
The whooshing of the wind came from the projection screen, and as each filming Autonomous Unit took its place, the figures on both bridge peaks gradually entered the audience's view.
"Viewers in front of the screen, good evening! This is Jade Skirt Channel One TV, bringing you the much-anticipated high school alliance competition!"
"The local time is June 26th night, 18:05, at the crossing Tianhai Bridge in the 214th area module of the South First District. Today's contestants are Raby Academy and Edith Academy, two well-known and watched academies. At this moment, we can see that members from both sides have slowly ascended the stage."
"Please allow me to introduce the theme and mode of this confrontation. As everyone knows, the establishment of the Federation is closely linked to that legendary Songstress Your Highness, and music-related training and studies are also the focus of many high schools, so there is a special 'music' themed competition in the high school alliance."
"Today's eagerly anticipated confrontation is divided into three stages, the processes of which are..."
"Alright, I believe everyone is now fully aware of the exciting procedure for this competition, now let us focus on the list of participants for both sides!"
"First is the untamed Flame in the night, wild and passionate, lively and sweet, a genius Songstress known to every household in Jade Skirt, Prin Coco!!"
As the host introduced her, waves of cheers like a tide erupted from the audiences on both shores, and the camera focused on the girl standing atop the bridge peak, holding a red electroplated guitar, her caramel-colored short hair fluttering in the night wind, illuminated by the focused lights below, her black and white dress reflecting specks of metallic glow, and her black over-the-knee socks dyed a dazzling pale gold by the light.
"Prin Coco!"
"Prin Coco!"
"Prin Coco!"
The waves of voices continued one after another until twenty seconds later, the host found a gap to insert the next words.
"Ahem, next, let's turn our attention to the other side of the bridge, representing Edith Academy."
"Golden hair scattered like Mars, unquenchable eyes, astonishing dance moves and figure, the girl who steps onto the stage is the genius young lady who has won awards on the Star Domain stage, known as 'Flame Goldfish Princess,' Efnie E. Crabidge."
After finishing, cheers also arose from below, though they were far less intense than before, with some even still chanting the name of Prin Coco.
...
In a beautiful villa in the South First District, beside the pool on the three-story terrace, the real-time projection was playing, as a maid in black and white uniform placed the prepared dinner snacks on the table, then retreated.
Before long, a barefoot woman crossed the pristine marble floor to sit down at the petite round table, draped in a bathrobe, her black hair still damp, currently being gently dried with a towel. Then, her gaze turned to the projection, seemingly impatient to wait for her hair to dry properly, eager to watch the competition.
When the host finished the introductions, the projection slowly turned, first to a girl with blonde hair and a white dress in the middle of the team, then slowly to each of her teammates, one of whom, a girl with black hair and blue eyes, also appeared in the projection.
"Tilan."
She softly uttered the name of the girl, relieved she had not missed her friend's appearance, and her mood instantly improved. It wasn't until the projection cut to an aerial night view of the entire river that she set her towel down and lightly shook her slightly dry locks of hair.
Having just bathed, she didn't possess her usual impeccable elegance, but rather a beauty closer to everyday life. If an outsider were to see her in such a state, they might be surprised that the young miss of the 'Incense Workshop' had such a vulnerable and endearing side.
...
The awaited confrontation began to unfold, and after introducing the rules, the first stage began, allowing each side five minutes of performance time, followed by scoring from the live judges.
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The pick between his fingers lightly scraped across the strings, and then the thick mix of sounds rose together, like a grand overture gradually unfolding. Although she hadn't yet started singing, the presence of "Flame Sugar" Prin Coco was escalating, and the dark night sky could not conceal her soaring, uplifted spirit.
The guitar strings were plucked faster and faster, the drums behind her beat more and more intensely, and the bassist beside her leaned back slightly, their fingers already a blur of motion, tearing through the night air with full force. It was the roar of metal, endless shouts, and the thunderous fire of mechanical warfare.
Even though they were kilometers apart, the music thundered like a giant beast racing across the earth. The audience on site were quickly pulled into the spiritual world of "Flame Sugar" Prin Coco, as if they were on a fierce Star Domain battlefield, with countless warplanes whizzing past and explosions of fire erupting everywhere.
Suddenly, the eyes amidst the night wind opened, and her petite figure seemed to gather the endless drifting flames. She took a step forward, placing her foot on the speaker in front of her, and her voice, as if making a proclamation, was released in an instant.
Uncontrollable "失控"
The December wind brings only cold,
Do you still remember our last argument?
After we parted, the clock hands seemed to stop moving,
You and I drift further apart.
...
The song, weaving with the rhythm, spun like a high-speed, thundering chariot racing along the icy tracks of rain, steam rising, cannon fire erupting, striking into everyone's heart, leaving their spirits shaken.
The fingers struck the guitar forcefully, the metal strings' vibrations so uplifting and free, like the perpetual spirit of youth in boys and girls.
Thus, even minutes after the song had ended, the audience remained immersed in the world flattened by the chariot, unable to extricate themselves.
"Phew..." Someone panted heavily, hands pressed against their chest, gradually pulling themselves out of their submerged state and slowly lifting their head in disbelief at the tiny figure atop the bridge. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
"Is this the power of a Songstress, so piercing and impacting to the heart."
Merely reading about it in historical records, many couldn't understand how the organizations and powers from a thousand years ago, mighty and stubborn characters, were convinced by that blonde elf girl, but when they actually arrived at the scene where the Songstress unveiled her Ability, all doubts would dissolve immediately. The immense spiritual shock and purification were so overpowering that to become her most fervent believers on the spot was nothing short of effortless.
However, back then, "Golden Flame Flower" Isenisha had not abused this power but always exercised restraint, which is why no religion had formed around her as its core.
After a long silence, the scene was quiet until the judges' scores appeared, which brought back the buzz and discussion.
"Performance 10 points, emotional impact 10 points, innovation 10 points, a total of 30 points, perfect score!"
The host's shout echoed in the night sky, and the venue erupted with waves of cheering.
"Flame Sugar" Prin Coco hadn't relaxed just because her opponent was from Edith Academy; she gave her all in the contest, like a burning flame, demonstrating her will.
"So, how will you respond, Tilan?"
Her gaze cut through the noisy waves and the night sky, focusing on the inconspicuous black-haired girl hidden behind Efnie.
Although unnoticed by everyone present, she had long understood who her opponent was that evening; a brief encounter a year ago had imprinted the girl's face in her memory.
Hexia Tilan, another protégé unearthed by the "Jade Serpent" Yulanduoja, could perhaps also be called her junior sister. Although their exchanges had been minimal, they were not unfamiliar with each other's existence.