Before the Auditions

"Is that so?" Aivmey said with a hint of regret.

He did not press further, knowing well that forcing one's ideas upon others was a great sign of disrespect. Aivmey smiled politely, like a host at the end of a banquet.

"It's getting late. Shall I have someone take you back?"

"Don't worry about that gown. Within two days, I will pour my heart and soul into its design. I guarantee that in the end, she will be like a young lady making her grand finale appearance at a ball, stunning everyone with her moving temperament and beautiful appearance."

After having his young assistant contact someone to take the two girls away, the curtains were lifted in the silver moonlight, fluttering gently. Aivmey's narrowed eyes slowly opened, the smile on his lips fading as his rose-red eyes reflected a magnificent light under the moon.

"I guarantee you will eventually reconsider and join our Dawn Society."

"O light-chasers before the dawn, I praise your courage and fearlessness. You are the conviction of humanity, the towers in the deepest darkness, emitting radiance and hope. May infinite wisdom and honor be bestowed upon you. May you be ever victorious and bathed in glory."

Outside the window was the thick darkness of the night. He recited a hymn filled with deep emotion, walking forward along the corridor by the bed until the blood-dark cloth hidden his figure.

October 18, 532 New Era Calendar.

Heavy snow fell as wildly as ever, burying the skyscrapers of the Queen's District under a blanket of pure white. The entire grand city resembled a hibernating beast crouching low, its thick fur dappled with crystalline snow, while warm blood flowed beneath.

In front of a cake shop on Queen's Street, a warm yellow light shone through the glass window. Stepping closer to the glass, one could feel the warmth flowing out from inside. The hazy warm mist formed a blurred reflection of a girl on the glass.

Entering the shop, Xu Xiaoyou rubbed her hands together and brushed the snow from her clothes. She ordered a baguette as usual. Seeing the familiar figure of the girl, the owner's wrinkles smoothed out into a kind smile.

"No cream cheese, sprinkled with coffee powder?"

Sitting by the window using her curtain to watch the morning city news, Xu Xiaoyou was stunned for a moment before nodding. She hadn't expected the owner to remember her, even though she had come to this bakery for breakfast every day for the past half-month since arriving at the Star of Art.

"Yes," she replied with a relaxed nod.

Outside the window, the city streets were lined with birch trees, their fallen yellow leaves swept to the side. Fashionably dressed girls walked past the shop entrance hand-in-hand. Salarymen holding coffee ran with morning newspapers tucked under their arms, clutching their breakfasts. Even the young people who usually preferred to stay snuggled in their warm beds immersed in the curtain world chose to come out for some fresh air.

This was because today was the day the Starry Art Competition auditions officially began. This three-month-long competition, which concerned the fresh blood of the Star of Art's great artistic endeavors, naturally drew everyone's attention, as it did every year.

In previous years, dark horses would always emerge on different tracks, showcasing their proud talents and abilities in various fields. Like rising stars, both the individuals and their works would receive the blessing of the stars, shining brightly under the glinting night sky.

Consequently, their competition entries often fetched sky-high prices at auctions afterward, bringing immeasurable economic value. Therefore, even people from other hive cities around the world followed this event. Since this morning, Xu Xiaoyou had noticed three consecutive Heart's Desire trains pulling into the Belvedere Station, each packed with passengers—scions from the world's great families and elites of high society.

With the atmosphere building up for so long and the warm-up from yesterday's opening ceremony, people's enthusiasm was high. Similarly, the increased frequency of mental activity meant a higher frequency of urban eldritch creatures being born. Public security issues were given more importance; any accidents involving visiting tourists or contestants during the competition would be no different from tarnishing the Star of Art's reputation as a 'tourism hive city'.

Xu Xiaoyou observed that the number of tuners patrolling the streets was significantly higher than a few days ago.

She suddenly thought of Anya. Some time had passed since the incident at the Belvedere Station. Where would Anya be now? Had she woken up from her coma?

If the people here knew there was a world-class urban legend running loose inside the Star of Art like a time bomb, their enthusiasm would likely be replaced by instant panic.

Just then, the shop owner brought over the sliced baguette sprinkled with black coffee powder, a peaceful smile on her face as she placed the hot milk from the tray onto the table as well.

"I didn't order hot milk," Xu Xiaoyou said instinctively.

"It's free, little girl. Drink some hot milk to warm up. This shop will be closing in a few days," the owner's gentle voice drifted over.

"Closing? Why?" Xu Xiaoyou felt a pang of regret; she quite liked the baguettes here.

The owner was like a kind old woman, with the warm yellow light flickering in her eyes as calm as water. Xu Xiaoyou sensed a hint of sadness on her weathered face.

"This shop has been open on this little street for many years. That blue-haired girl you were with—she used to be an apprentice here. She was so clumsy back then, always burning the bread and never rolling the dough right."

Tang Xin? Xu Xiaoyou dipped a slice of the bread, which emitted a rich aroma of wheat, into the hot milk. The dry, coarse fibers soaked up the milk, releasing an appetizing milky scent.

She ate as she spoke, "Is that so?"

"But that child was very good, very kind-hearted. She would pay for the burnt bread out of her own pocket and eat it for lunch. I often saw her crouching at the shop entrance feeding the stray cats nearby. Those little fellows were very well-behaved and never hurt anyone."

As she spoke, the old woman's sorrow seemed to overflow from her wrinkles as she looked longingly at the little shop that carried so many of her memories.

"I've grown old and lost my imagination, unlike the young children."

"Next month, I'll be moving to the Keyboard District. This shop will probably be handed over to someone else."

The shop owner's silhouette slanted lonely under the shop's lights, looking somewhat desolate. Xu Xiaoyou watched her lift the curtain and walk back into the bakery behind the counter.

Arriving at a temporary passage, Xu Xiaoyou simply scanned her electronic ticket with her curtain. A yellow indicator lit up on the electronic screen, and the security gate opened backward. There were many figures walking with her, all people who had purchased tickets and intended to watch the auditions firsthand.

On the temporary open-air spectator stands, the increasingly heavy snow drummed rhythmically against the steel dome. The stands were already filled with people. Xu Xiaoyou found a seat and sat down. From her angle, she was directly facing the center stage of the park square below. The scene below was visible in its entirety, with the hurrying pedestrians and stage crew looking as small as black ants.

The location for Tang Xin's preliminary round was right here on the stage of Queen's Park Square. Her turn was in the morning; she was likely in the dressing room now, putting on makeup.

Queen's Park Square was the stage for the vocal arts comprehensive category. This was likely because that universal superstar—Marilynn—had proven herself on this very stage, making a name for herself and eventually becoming the most dazzling star of that year's Starry Art Competition.

Just then, someone sat down beside her. Xu Xiaoyou glanced at the person, who smiled back at her.

"We meet again so soon, Miss Xu," Aivmey remarked with sincere emotion.