Extra's Descent

Several performances had already finished.

From dances, instrumentals, solo opera, and even spoken poetry. Several talents had made themselves known and the audience appreciated them.

A stark contrast from the disaster of whatever the first performance was.

In fact, most of the audience had already forgotten what it even was.

And after a long while, it was currently the 26th performance.

After this would be the long awaited secret performer and the final performance that would mark the end of the three-day festival.

"Wooooh…!"

Cheers erupted from all sides as it filled the entire theater room.

Smiles laced with joy etched on their faces as they continue to listen to the melodious voice of the current performer.

But amidst all that, Rachel found herself frowning.

With conflicted feelings, she bit her lip.

The current performer was the one person she was conscious of the most.

Adorned in a beautiful white dress. Her golden locks were elegantly styled to perfection as her azure eyes gazed at the audience.

It was none other than Amelia Constantine.

Right now, at this moment, she seemed like a deity who descended from the heavens.

Her voice, as sweet as honey, had completely captivated the audience.

—Don't you get there? It calls, it calls.

Her voice was completely stable. It was evident that Amelia had vocal lessons from the way she expertly transitioned from a head voice to a falsetto.

She was amazing.

Even Rachel couldn't deny just how talented Amelia was.

—My naked heart can hear echoes, echoes.

Her passionate expressions were there. The performance was absolutely perfect.

Once again, Rachel bit her lip.

This…

There was no competing with Amelia at all.

Everything about her seemed perfect already.

And now…?

She had fully cemented herself as a complete package.

A perfect woman.

And as Rachel gazed to the side, several men's attention were completely transfixed on Amelia.

Their eyes sparkled and an obvious blush marred their facial features. They were completely entranced.

—Whisper your name again.

—Then restart it right away.

Amelia suddenly stepped forward. Each lyric she voiced out, she would gesture hands.

The spotlight was shined down on her and her alone.

This was her stage.

It wasn't even a talent show anymore, but an actual concert.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

All of a sudden, several figures stood from their seats and started cheering.

"Woooooh…!"

"Lady Amelia, I love you!"

"Wew~ Wew~"

Whistles and praises blended itself along with Amelia's beautiful voice.

And shortly after…

—Avidity…

She spoke the last words, signaling the end of her performance.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Applauses and praises resounded the entire theater room.

Bouquets and flowers were thrown towards the stage, and amidst the lively ordeal, Amelia stood at the center of the stage with a beautiful smile etched on her face.

She was sweating and she seemed to be breathing heavily. But regardless, her smile never faltered as she took in the sight of the audience who continued to praise her.

No matter who the final performer was, Rachel was sure that nothing could top Amelia's performance.

"Thank you!"

Amelia took an elegant bow as flowers continued to rain down on the stage.

Raising her head, Amelia turned around and walked towards the curtains.

The curtains slowly pulled towards each other and closed shut.

And shortly after…

Flick—!

The spotlight flickered off. But still, the cheers continued to echo throughout the entire theater room.

But it slowly faded as everyone waited for the final performance.

The long awaited mysterious performer. The one that everyone was waiting for.

But for some reason…

"..."

"What's taking so long?"

Several minutes had passed, and yet nothing was happening.

Did this performer back out after seeing Amelia's performance or something?

"Hahaha."

Rachel stifled a laugh at the thought.

It was possible

After all, just from the way the audience reacted made it clear to everyone who the winner was going to be.

Flick—!

The lights flickered on and the curtains spread open.

In the middle of the stage, a grand piano was situated.

But currently, there was no one there.

"..."

"What?"

"Where's this, 'mysterious performer'?"

"Did he back out?"

The audience seemed to share the same thoughts as Rachel.

However, for Rachel…

"No way…"

Her eyes were shot wide open.

Seeing the grand piano, the image of Brandon playing the piano a few months back etched itself on her mind.

Could it be…?

However, if Brandon was a performer, then he should've been there by now.

After all, he was only stationed outside. Someone should've informed him already of his upcoming performance.

Rachel shook her head and dismissed her thoughts.

It seemed like it wasn't Brandon.

And as Rachel glanced around, the audience seemed to be losing their patience.

Was it just a hoax then?

Just so the academy could sell out their tickets?

Then what was all the hype for?

But that was when…

BANG—!

The entrance abruptly opened. All heads flicked towards the loud banging sound of the door.

A figure emerged, one Rachel was all too familiar with.

His pale-white hair was quite a mess and his black blazer had visible brown dust on it.

"Brandon, let's sit here."

Two more figures followed Brandon closely. Raven pointed at a seat as he called out to Brandon.

"Uh–Ah?"

Raven was perplexed as Brandon paid no heed to him and continued to stride forward.

"No way."

Rachel was wide eyed as her eyes traced Brandon who was making his way towards the stage.

He was a complete mess, and yet he took confident steps.

Gradually, Brandon ascended the flight of stairs and made his way towards the stage. Making himself comfortable, he sat in front of the grand piano.

Shortly after, one of the judges briefly introduced him.

—Astrea Academy would like to present… Brandon Locke. The mysterious performer you have all been waiting for.

Rachel found the voice all too familiar. It was Belle.

But still, Rachel found herself astonished.

Brandon…

The last time he had seen him play, Brandon was stiff, and his skills were quite awkward.

Just how good had he gotten at the piano for the academy to acknowledge him that much?

But it seemed like the audience didn't appreciate it that much as they voiced out their disdain.

"Piano? Is that it…?"

"Isn't this a little bit underwhelming?"

"What a waste of time."

Hearing their hateful comments, Rachel frowned.

It was unfair to judge a performer when the performance hasn't even started yet.

But it was understandable.

Rachel couldn't blame them.

There were several instrumental performances, and with Amelia's previous performance, another instrument seemed to pale in comparison.

The audience continued to spat venomously. But that was until…

Num~

Brandon pressed the first key.

Num~ Num~ Num~

His fingers elegantly slid against each press of a key, and as his performance seemed to start, the audience found themselves sitting back down.

Silence gripped the room with only the melodious tune of the piano filling it.

Num~ Num~

"What the…"

This song…

She wasn't familiar with it at all.

And yet each melody was played to perfection.

Was it a self composed song?

Was this the reason why Brandon was selected as the mysterious performer?

Num~ Num~ Num~

As she stared at Brandon, Rachel's eyes shot wide open.

There was a certain passion that emitted from Brandon.

And he looked a bit…

"...Sad."

The entire song was sad.

Num~ Num~

As she glanced around, the previous hateful expressions from the audience were nowhere to be seen.

Their eyes were wide open just like hers.

They were completely enthralled.

And Rachel was one of them as she looked back at Brandon who skillfully moved his fingers around the piano.

Num~ Num~

The melody was sweet and pleasant to the ears. Yet for some reason, there was a tinge of sorrow that came with it.

As if Brandon was speaking from the heart with his playing.

Drip…

Before she realized it, a single tear flowed down her cheek.

The music piece was beautiful.

If Rachel could describe it, the music seemed to tell a story.

A story of a mother and a child.

Why?

Just why was she feeling this way…?

Brandon…

Just what did he go through for him to fully express this kind of sorrow...?

And before she realized it, tears started pouring down her cheek.

Num~

She instantly recalled her childhood.

When her family was complete.

Amy.

Her father.

And…

Her mother.

They were a complete and happy family.

But one day, it all came crashing down.

And because she chose her father, her mother had cut all ties with her.

But her mother was never like that in the past.

She was a sweet and caring mother who adored her family.

And Rachel loved her with all her heart.

She was told it was because of her father's company not wanting to be fully absorbed by the Ashfield's.

But as Rachel grew older, the entire thing seemed ridiculous.

There was surely something else behind it.

But she had never known what it was.

As she glanced around, she realized she wasn't the only one feeling this way.

Most of the audience were teary eyed. While some were completely breaking down.

Looking back at Brandon who was passionately playing the piano, Rachel found herself astonished.

Just from the melodious tune of his playing, he was able to touch the hearts of each audience.

That kind of skill was something only professionals were capable of.

No, not even professionals could manipulate emotions this way just from a simple press of a key.

Brandon…

He was something else.

Right now, Brandon didn't seem like the strongest first-year student.

Not the mage who had completely dominated the virtual simulation. Nor the cold and indifferent person she had known for these past few months.

At the moment, he seemed like a lonely boy who was longing for his mother.

Before she knew it, the piece shifted. It was now faster and more aggressive.

…And it seemed even more sadder now.

She was completely captivated by his playing.

There were no mistakes at all, nor had the key ever been off.

The piece seemed to be at its climax.

…And the story it told.

As if he had come to terms with his predicament and left everything behind.

The entire room was completely captivated.

If Amelia's performance sparked joy within the audience. Brandon's playing completely shifted the mood into one of sorrow.

It was a stark contrast.

Num~

And it seemed like Brandon had finally pressed the last key as the sound of the piano rang and gradually faded.

Silence gripped the room and Rachel found herself speechless.

Flick—!

The lights flickered off and the curtains pulled towards each other, closing shut.

There was no applause. No praises. Nothing.

Just the sound of the audience in tears.

His performance was perfect.

No, perfect couldn't even begin to describe the entire performance.

It was all a wave of emotions, crashing down like a tidal wave.

Rachel started breaking down as she thought about her childhood.

She…

She missed her mother.

She missed the time when her entire family was happy.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

All of a sudden, a certain clap echoed from one of the audience.

Shortly after, the entire room started clapping.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Truly,

It was the performance of a lifetime.

A performance no one would ever forget.