It was clear that Seo Yoo-jin, being her usual self, must have volunteered to be the leader and center first.
She did the same during the First Team Competition too.
‘But did the other team members actually accept that? With Yoo Seol around?’
I couldn’t easily picture that scenario, so I asked the two of them.
“…Team 2 has not only Yoo-jin but also Seol unnie. Did she approve of this too?”
“Um…, that seems to be the case? It appears that Yoo-jin being both leader and center was officially decided.”
“We don’t really know the exact details either.”
However, the two of them seemed uncertain about the specifics of why Seo Yoo-jin was taking on both roles, likely because they were from a different team.
‘Is it fine…, I wonder….’
Just like how our first team was struggling with a song that didn’t match our color, Magical Love☆, Team 2 surely was also facing challenges with the song’s difficulty level.
This clearly meant that Seo Yoo-jin, who was double burdened as both leader and center, would have an even heavier load to bear.
I worried a bit about her for a moment…
‘What the heck am I thinking? My own nose is in trouble, why am I worried about another team…even the one we’re going to face?’
Realizing this was a pointless concern, I shook my head.
By yesterday, we had finished all the choreography, and today was the start of our brutal practice.
As the leader and center of our team, I had a clear understanding of all the tasks waiting for me.
Deciding to discard thoughts of the other team and focus on our own team’s problems, I finished my breakfast.
Once a practice routine is set, time flows quickly.
Again, time zipped by, and before I knew it, we were on the third day of the Second Team Competition.
“Alright, today is Mid-term Evaluation Day. Each team, please wait in the practice room as previously announced!”
…Finally, the day of the Mid-term Evaluation had arrived.
The only thing that changed from the First Team Competition was that they decided to hold this Mid-term Evaluation a day earlier than the originally scheduled fourth day.
The difference of one day’s practice time was much more significant than one might think.
Since it had only been three days since the Second Team Competition started, many teams likely wouldn’t have been able to prepare a quality performance for the evaluation.
‘The production team must have rushed it a day ahead for those thrilling moments.’
At least, the silver lining was that our first team, having quickly settled on a concept and choreography, had brought our stage to a level sufficient to not get completely roasted.
However…
‘It’s definitely at a level just enough to not get roasted, but it’s not good…’
I was certain that our first team’s stage was far from impressive.
The more I looked at our stage, the more I couldn’t shake off the unease rising from my heart.
The more we practiced, the more it felt like I was wearing clothes that didn’t fit my body.
I’m pretty sure the other team members felt the same way.
‘Today…, we’re definitely going to get scolded during the evaluation.’
Thus, my fellow teammates and I waited tensely for the trainer who would conduct the mid-term evaluation to arrive.
‘Please, just not Han Si-woo.’
Han Si-woo was a born critic, and I prayed he wouldn’t show up.
Creak-.
With my prayers, the practice room door opened…
“…Hmm?”
“…Huh?”
Our first team could only be astonished upon seeing the face of the person who opened the door.
Entering the practice room was none other than our rival team, Team 2, which consisted of Seo Yoo-jin and Yoo Seol.
“……Why is Team 1 here?”
But it seemed we weren’t the only ones who were surprised.
Seo Yoo-jin, the leader of Team 2, asked with a bewildered expression, and I, as the leader of Team 1, replied.
“Well…, that’s what we want to ask…? This is our Team 1’s practice room, so why is Team 2 here….”
“We came because the production team told us to come here?”
“…What?”
The production team wouldn’t suddenly make such a silly mistake.
At that moment, as our two teams engaged in an awkward stand-off, someone piped up.
“Oh dear, why is everyone standing here? Quickly come inside.”
“…Han Si-woo.”
Despite my pleading not to have Han Si-woo come, indeed, it was him—the trainer in charge of our mid-term evaluation.
He ushered the members of Team 2 inside and entered the practice room.
And then behind him…
“Hey guys, hello!”
“Oh wow, it’s lively in here!”
…Two other trainers besides Han Si-woo appeared as well.
“…Huh? Why are the trainers here….”
As our first and second teams puzzled, Han Si-woo explained.
“Oh, this time, three trainers will be conducting the mid-term evaluation. And….”
A small smile lingered on his lips as he continued.
“Considering that this Second Team Competition is a team match, it was decided that the two teams will participate in the mid-term evaluation together.”
“……!!”
Well, isn’t that just…
‘Even before the actual competition starts, we’re already engaging in psychological warfare.’
Hearing Han Si-woo’s words, both teams realized the competition had already begun, and their expressions stiffened instantly.
The atmosphere became heavy in an instant.
And to add fuel to the fire was…
“Sorry for being late~ I’ll just slip in!”
“……!!”
…Na Ah Ah, the main PD, Shin PD, who arrived fashionably late.
Shin PD was the highest-ranking member among the production team participating at the scene.
His mere presence at the mid-term evaluation indicated how closely the Na Ah Ah production team was monitoring the competitive dynamic between our two teams.
“Oh dear~ I guess I’ve interrupted the flow. Si-woo, don’t mind me and continue the filming!”
“Alright, then….”
It seemed that within the Na Ah Ah environment, Shin PD held more weight than Han Si-woo.
Han Si-woo nodded at Shin PD’s words and announced…
“Then we will begin the mid-term evaluation for Team 1 and Team 2 from this moment.”
Thus, the mid-term evaluation began—a foretaste of the finals featuring all the current top-ranked teams.
“Since it’s a mid-term evaluation, don’t feel pressured… Starting with Team 1.”
While they said not to feel pressured, with three trainers present and many more production team members than usual, Team 1, including myself, could only step up with tense attitudes.
Of course…
“Yawn….”
Na Han-na was the exception.
Her sleepiness and indifference weren’t just a simple concept; even at such an important occasion, she bore an expression of exhaustion just as usual.
What remarkable composure!
‘Still, looking at her face seems to ease my tension a bit….’
Certainly, our stage level was far from perfect. It leaned more towards being a disaster than a success.
So with the mindset of getting scolded sooner rather than later, I forced myself to relax.
“Then we will begin.”
As I gave the cue signal to the production team, the intro started playing.
♬♬♬♩-!
The intro of Magical Love☆.
The unique bouncy rhythm of techno pop differed from typical girl group songs.
However, the original Magical Love☆ had a slightly lower pitch than the original, making it lose some of the lively vibe.
– One day, as if by fate, I met you
– Like magic
– Softly -!
As the center, my singing the introduction marked the beginning of the stage.
Yet, we had not been merely slacking off; we smoothly continued with the choreography without any special mistakes.
But…
“…….”
“…….”
The expressions of the trainers observing our stage showed no significant reactions.
‘Damn….’
Even considering it was a mid-term evaluation, the trainers’ eyes showed no interest in our performance.
It felt as if they were watching something tedious.
‘Guess it can’t be helped.’
I had planned to save my best moves for the actual competition, but if this continued, it was clear I would receive unfavorable evaluations.
With that in mind, I prepared to use the first-level Sky Demon Martial Arts skill, Sky Demon Enchantment…
‘Now.’
I used it during my solo dance break.
However….
[Using Sky Demon Martial Arts first-level skill, Sky Demon Enchantment!]
[Casting failed!]
‘……Huh?’
At that moment, I faced a status window notification I had never seen before.
‘Casting failed…?’
Instantly, questions started swirling in my mind, but there was no time to mull over it.
The mid-term evaluation stage was still ongoing, so I kept calm and continued performing.
“That’s… it.”
“…….”
“…….”
After finishing the performance, a moment of silence fell in the practice room.
The first to grab the microphone was Han Si-woo.
“Hm…, I watched well. Though it was short, the choreography was structured nicely, and overall, it was a decent stage. However….”
“…….”
“Just being decent is the biggest flaw, I’d say. This stage seems to have been crafted solely to be acceptable from the start. Magical Love☆ is absolutely not a song meant for a plain atmosphere. It has the unique vibrant color of Strawberry Filter mixed in—it’s a very individualistic and lively song.”
Han Si-woo slowly unfolded the shortcomings of our stage. We listened silently to his words.
“I thought Team 1 could surely fill this song with their own personality, but it seems that wasn’t the case. It felt as if a colorful painting was redrawn in monochrome… something like that. Above all….”
Swish-.
Han Si-woo looked at me and said.
“…If those performing on stage don’t enjoy themselves, how can the audience enjoy it? I felt none of the affection for the stage in your expressions while performing, which was disappointing.”
“…….”
Upon hearing that, I instantly understood why the casting of Sky Demon Enchantment had failed.
Surely…, during the preparation for this stage, I hadn’t enjoyed it at all.
And the first-level skill, Sky Demon Enchantment, is cast through my emotions.
‘So, I failed to cast it because I lacked the emotions to amplify….’
Realizing why I had failed the Sky Demon Enchantment casting added an additional layer of bitterness to my feelings.
This meant that I might not even be able to use my Sky Demon Enchantment during the actual competition.
“Certainly, lowering the pitch compared to the original made the lively feel disappear.”
“The performance was okay overall, but it felt like bibimbap without gochujang.”
Following Han Si-woo, the other two judges also expressed their disappointment, and thus, our first team’s mid-term evaluation came to an end.
Considering that being praised during a mid-term evaluation is usually difficult, it was a bit disappointing, but it couldn’t be helped.
With our mid-term evaluation over, we returned to our spots….
“Alright, now, Team 2, please come up.”
It was Team 2’s turn for the mid-term evaluation.
“Team 2’s song was Black Swan by the Twenty-Second Night, right? I’m looking forward to this.”
Han Si-woo’s expression glimmered with genuine anticipation as he said that.
‘Han Si-woo must have a special bond with the Twenty-Second Night members; that’s probably why he’s more excited.’
He frequently mentioned on broadcasts how he was close with the members of the Twenty-Second Night, his previous workplace.
Black Swan is one of the hit songs of the Twenty-Second Night, so…
Given the Team 2 members’ backgrounds, it made sense Han Si-woo would be excited.
‘It’s not an easy song to pull off; I wonder how they’ll manage….’
I watched Team 2 with curiosity.
Seo Yoo-jin, not Yoo Seol, was the leader and center of Team 2, so I was keen to see how they would deliver.
♪♪♩-!
As the intro played, Team 2’s stage began…
‘……Huh?’
I quickly spotted something strange.
“……?”
“……Hmm?”
It wasn’t just me who sensed the oddity; the other members of Team 1 began to tilt their heads in confusion.
Even the production team members widened their eyes, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
That degree of…
‘…What’s going on?’
…Team 2’s performance was a mess.
It seemed like the part distribution hadn’t been done properly, as the audio overlapped like they were doubling, and the movements were erratic.
Most of the team members appeared to be unfamiliar with the choreography…
‘…What exactly are they trying to show us?’
The song continued in an ambiguous manner, neither capturing the original vibe nor providing a reinterpretation.
“……”
“……”
Han Si-woo watched the stage with an unusually cold gaze, and the other trainers couldn’t suppress their reactions, covering their mouths or glaring angrily.
To add the finishing touch…
“I….”
“……”
“We’ve prepared our stage until here…”
“……!”
Seo Yoo-jin declared to halt the performance before the first verse even concluded.
She usually had a confident expression, but…
“……”
The Seo Yoo-jin, who hung her head low now, had tears welling up in her eyes.
While Team 2 was left in an awkward lurch unable to proceed or retreat, the music came to an end…
♪♪♩-!
Thud.
“Haah….”
Han Si-woo took a deep breath before grabbing the microphone.
Although Han Si-woo was known for his sharp criticisms, he was also a rational person.
Throughout all this time, he hadn’t displayed any emotional side while delivering his critiques.
However, as he held the microphone, taking a long pause before managing to speak, his face reflected…
“…What the hell is this?”
…it was clear he was thoroughly angered.
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