Diamond of the era's first task…
Sun's team is in the music competition room. From 50 schools, 25 will be eliminated today.
The competition begins.
Star High School vs H. E High School
Jay's opponent is Robert Sinclair.
Round started.
Both have to play music. Whoever stops first will be eliminated.
Jay and Robert both start playing the violin. Neither is weaker than the other. They keep playing relentlessly. Almost two hours pass like this.
Selection of 24 schools is completed. Only these two remain.
Everyone watches with intense excitement.
Jay's hand starts aching. She can't continue much longer. Fatigue is clearly visible on his face. He looks at Robert. There is no expression on Robert's face—completely emotionless, focused only on his goal.
Robert looks back at Jay. Jay is startled. There is a furious look in Robert's eyes—an unnatural yellow. The very next moment, Robert lowers his gaze.
Sun notices Jay's condition and understands that Jay won't last much longer. A look of despair appears on Sun's face. Suzana and Fumi are standing beside him, both looking worried.
But Xavier, wearing headphones, is leaning against the wall at some distance, in a don't-care pose.
Jay's hand is about to stop when suddenly her eyes start to hurt. She closes them. When she opens them again, everything around her is blurry. She can't see clearly—everything is hazy.
The tune of his music changes. A different melody. Extremely enchanting—capable of mesmerizing anyone.
Now, she doesn't want to stop.
She starts playing louder.
Louder.
Even louder.
Robert also starts playing louder.
Neither is behind the other. They continue in perfect rhythm.
The competition started at 10 a.m.
Now it's 9:59 p.m.
They are still playing.
Almost twelve hours.
Finally, when the clock strikes ten, the sir signals them to stop.
The moment Jay stops, she collapses unconscious. Sun rushes forward and catches her.
Sir:
"Both Star High School and H. E High School are selected. Congratulations. Prepare for the next task."
Robert puts his violin down and stands up. He stares at Jay for a few moments before leaving.
---
Jay is running through a forest. She looks around anxiously. Under the faint red light of the moon, everything appears blurred. From a far, the cries of bats can be heard. Cold wind keeps striking her again and again.
Suddenly, she hears that strange melody—the same one she played during the competition.
She stops for a moment.
She tries to understand where the sound is coming from.
Her eyes fall on a silver clock tower at a distance.
The second hand crosses twelve.
Time: 3 a.m.
The clock tower begins to chime. Bats fly everywhere.
Jay screams and wakes up.
Sun is beside him. He immediately sits up.
Sun places his hand on Jay's head, trying to calm him.
Sun:
"Was it a nightmare?"
Jay:
"W-why am I here? Is the competition over?"
Sun:
"Both schools were selected. You played continuously for twelve hours."
Jay:
"T-twelve hours?"
Sun holds his hand.
Sun:
"Yes, Jay. You gave an extraordinary performance."
Jay:
"But I don't remember anything…" (thinking to himself)
Outside the door, a shadow is visible. The person's face cannot be seen, but his eyes are glowing red.You can see a watch in the man's hand.
The time shown is 3 a.m!!!!!
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