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Chapter 22 - Chapter 10 – The Mentor’s Test

The night after her fall, the golden tent felt colder than ever. Naki sat alone in the rehearsal space, ropes swaying above her like silent accusers. Every scrape on her palms reminded her of failure.

The whispers hadn't stopped."She's reckless.""She doesn't belong here.""A clown pretending to fly."

Each word dug deep, heavier than the rope burn still stinging her skin.

"Up," a sharp voice commanded.

Naki jolted. Madame Rosa stood in the entrance, her crimson gown flowing like fire in the dim light. Her eyes glimmered, unreadable.

Naki rose slowly. "Madame, I—"

"Do you know why I chose you?" Rosa cut her off.

Naki blinked. "Because… I saved a boy. Because of the crowd's cheers?"

Rosa shook her head. "No. I chose you because you are flawed."

Naki's breath caught.

"Every performer here is polished, trained from childhood to be perfect," Rosa continued. "But perfection grows complacent. You—your stubbornness, your hunger, your defiance—are fire waiting to be shaped."

Her eyes hardened. "And last night, you let that fire almost consume you."

Naki lowered her gaze. "The rope snapped. I couldn't—"

"I know," Rosa interrupted. Her voice softened, but only slightly. "Bianca cut it."

Naki's head snapped up. "You knew?"

"I suspected." Rosa's lips curved into a small, dangerous smile. "So I let it happen."

The words struck like a slap. "You let me fall?"

Rosa stepped closer, her presence heavy as steel. "I needed to see if you would rise. And you did. Not gracefully, not proudly—but you are still here."

Naki's chest burned. Anger. Confusion. Hope.

"So what now?" she asked quietly.

Rosa's gaze sharpened, glinting like a blade. "The Festival of Lights approaches. The largest audience of the season. You will headline it."

Naki's heart stilled. "Me?"

"Yes," Rosa said. "But understand—this is not a gift. It is a test. Succeed, and you prove yourself a prodigy worthy of my stage. Fail…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "…and you will vanish from the golden tent forever."

The ropes above swayed gently, as if waiting for her answer.

Naki swallowed, her fists clenching. Fear coiled inside her, but beneath it burned determination.

"I'll do it," she said, her voice steady.

For the first time, Rosa's lips curved into something almost like approval. "Then let us see if the Flying Star can truly shine."

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