After rehearsal ended, the members of CRYCHIC looked at one another, each pair of eyes carrying a trace of surprise and confusion. When playing together with Angelia Schariac, every single one of them had performed beyond their usual limits without a single mistake. Even Takamatsu Tomori's singing had become far steadier, no longer as strained and desperate as before.
It was too strange. They had only swapped one person, yet the entire band's performance level had leapt from amateur to professional.
Togawa Sakiko was the first to applaud, smiling as she said, "Angelia, you were amazing."
Angelia Schariac responded calmly, "It was just that everyone cooperated well."
"You're too modest." Togawa Sakiko shook her head. As the founder of CRYCHIC, she knew very clearly what level each member of the band was at.
For the entire band's performance to improve so dramatically, the source of the change was obviously Angelia.
She was like a cheat code tailor-made for the band, instantly elevating their overall standard.
"Angelia, I want to form a new band to participate in the Elf Girl Music Competition. What do you think?" Togawa Sakiko asked tentatively.
The changes in the world, the appearance of the system, and the extraordinary abilities Angelia possessed—Togawa Sakiko did not dwell on them. She simply accepted everything naturally.
"You want me to join your new band?" Angelia asked in return.
Togawa Sakiko nodded. "That's right."
"Sure." Angelia's reply was crisp and decisive.
Togawa Sakiko looked a little surprised. "You're really willing?"
"Why not? It's just playing in a band together for fun," Angelia replied, her tone as calm as ever.
At that moment, Takamatsu Tomori suddenly interjected, "We're going to form a band for a lifetime."
Angelia looked at Takamatsu Tomori, then swept her gaze over the others present.
Aside from Togawa Sakiko, she could not read anyone else's thoughts, but she already understood what Nagasaki Soyo, Wakaba Mutsumi, Shiina Taki, and Takamatsu Tomori were thinking.
She simply could not comprehend their emotions.
It was just forming a band and performing on stage together. Why make it so heavy? What exactly were they thinking? How strange.
Angelia said truthfully, "After I finish participating in this competition, I'll be leaving. I can't form a band with you for a lifetime."
Togawa Sakiko smiled. "It's fine. The new band I'm forming is also just for this competition."
"That's good." Angelia nodded. Although she had not known them long, she had already discovered the problems within this band.
However, as long as Togawa Sakiko could keep things steady, it would not be a major issue.
"Let's stop here for today." Togawa Sakiko clapped her hands, announcing the end of practice.
After receiving that ten million yen, she no longer needed to work part-time every day. The pressure in her life had eased considerably, and her mental state had improved a great deal.
Thinking back on her behavior before her rebirth, she finally understood the root of the problem—life's pressure had gradually driven her out of control, until she vented her emotions on the people around her.
If there had been no system, she might have already chosen to return to the Togawa family.
After all, if you don't have money, you shouldn't play in a band.
Togawa Sakiko waved to the members of CRYCHIC. "See you all tomorrow."
"I'll be heading off as well," Angelia said before leaving. In her eyes, Nagasaki Soyo, Takamatsu Tomori, Shiina Taki, and Wakaba Mutsumi were merely ordinary humans. The only one who truly piqued her curiosity was Togawa Sakiko.
After leaving the practice room, Angelia secretly followed behind Togawa Sakiko, observing her movements. Togawa Sakiko began scouting candidates in various instrument shops and live houses, clearly making preparations to form a brand-new Ave Mujica.
Inside a music store, Togawa Sakiko saw a familiar pink figure walk in.
"Hello, miss. I'd like to buy an electric guitar to use for a campus cultural festival performance," the pink-haired girl said.
The shop assistant glanced at her fingers and immediately judged that she was a beginner, but still smiled and brought out a beginner electric guitar. "Here is the electric guitar you requested. Please take it."
After receiving the guitar, the pink-haired girl immediately ran to the lounge area and sat down, starting to play.
However, her performance was completely at beginner level, the notes chaotic and disordered.
Chihaya Anon? Togawa Sakiko's heart stirred.
She remembered that within a single year, Chihaya Anon had grown from a complete novice into MyGO!!!!!'s guitarist. She had to admit—she was a genius.
Thinking of her own strategy development system and Angelia's miraculous abilities, Togawa Sakiko decided to approach her.
"Hello. My name is Togawa Sakiko. I'm currently recruiting a guitarist for a new band. May I get to know you?"
"Eh?!" Chihaya Anon looked up in surprise, secretly pleased. Am I really that amazing? Just playing a few random notes and a band is already recruiting me! As expected, I'm an extremely outstanding genius!
Watching secretly, Angelia observed the two of them leave the instrument shop and enter a café, where they exchanged contact information. She felt puzzled. Wasn't Togawa Sakiko forming a professional band to participate in the Elf Girl Competition? What was the point of recruiting a vain, pure beginner?
Her ability could indeed raise other people's performance levels—but the prerequisite was that they possessed a certain foundation. To make a complete novice instantly learn to play guitar, she would have to use her control ability to turn her into a doll.
To put it bluntly, that would be no different from her playing two instruments by herself.
Forget it. I'll continue observing for now, Angelia thought.
She created two Honkai constructs and sent them to follow Togawa Sakiko and Chihaya Anon respectively.
Angelia had already secretly investigated Togawa Sakiko's family situation.
She was a young lady who had been expelled from the Togawa family after throwing a tantrum. She had been living in a dilapidated rental apartment with her father. Recently, she had suddenly come into money, moved out of the rental, and begun living alone.
Angelia took out her phone and opened the trending searches, seeing news that Herrscher of Fire Kiana and Raiden Mei had won first place in international piano and violin competitions respectively.
With physical abilities far surpassing those of humans, Herrschers could master techniques that normally required more than a decade of training in an extremely short period of time.
More precisely, they could flawlessly replicate any performance.
"..." Angelia continued scrolling. Occupying the number one trending spot was news that the Sparkflow Band would soon be performing at the Dome.
This band consisted of Herrscher of Fire Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, Seele, and Herrscher of Sentience.
Originally, Angelia had been supposed to form a duo with Shigure Kira.
But after the Budokan incident, Shigure Kira withdrew, saying she no longer had the face to perform in this world.
Angelia did not care who she performed with. To her, it was merely an insignificant musical game.
She opened her social media account and discovered she had already accumulated nearly one hundred thousand followers.
Many people had sent private messages asking whether she had been shelved, and why she was not the band's lead vocalist.
In addition, quite a few agencies and talent scouts had sent recruitment offers.
As far as Angelia was concerned, she was only treating the band as something to play around with.
Yet the humans of this world seemed to possess an abnormal level of obsession and attention toward bands.