In the Mirror Chamber, the Housewardens and Headmage meet.
"All housewardens are present, then?" Crowley asks.
Vil folds his arms. "Malleus isn't here yet."
"Sorry about that." Lilia steps forward. "I knew where he was up until lunch break. But once school let out, poof, he was gone."
Idia's floating tablet glows a bright blue as he speaks. "He pulls this every time. It has to be on purpose, right?"
Lilia shakes his head. "I wouldn't say that. Time just flows a little... differently for us fae. And if I might add, he's got quite a streak of bad luck when it comes to these things."
"I know just what you mean!" Kalim laughs. "Jamil gets onto me all the time for forgetting to attend meetings."
Lilia chuckles. "As his vice housewarden, I'll be representing Malleus today, with your leave."
Leona scoffs. "Who cares if that pretentious punk is here? Can we get this meeting started or what?"
Crowley clears his throat. "I now call this assembly to order. We've spent quite a while preparing for the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair. It takes place in less than two months. Management Committee Chairman Rosehearts, your progress report, if you please."
Riddle steps forward. "Yes, sir. If everyone could refer to the papers I handed out at the start? Applications are still open for student admissions and presentations from magical academies nationwide. Vendor booths for food, drinks, and crafts are limited in number and all fully booked."
Kalim hums. "The food and drinks part I get, but what's this about crafts?"
"That covers arts club products: clothes, pottery, engravings, paintings, and so on." Riddle informs. "They'll be selling some and exhibiting others. We also had applications for live painting and independent films."
"Ooh, that all sounds delightful!" Kalim smiles broadly.
"Moving on, regarding the venues for speech contests and research presentations." Riddle continues. "We plan to install three stages on campus for this event. The red stage will be on the sports field. The blue stage will be in the gym. And the purple stage will be in our largest spot, the coliseum. We are still accepting press coverage applications for all presentations, both from domestic and foreign sources, but..."
"What is it, Riddle?" Kalim asks. "You look pensive."
"There's a musical presentation on the Purple Stage called the Song & Dance Championship. We've been flooded with applications from external media outlets to cover this program. To what I would call an excessive degree."
"I imagine so, yes." Azul adds. "Song & Dance Championship, or SDC for short, is a global-level competition between the most talented singers at schools in every part of the country."
Riddle tilts his head. "Considering that it's categorized as a musical presentation, I was envisioning something more along the lines of a simple choral contest."
Vil waves a hand. "That's all the SDC actually was, back when the culture fair first started. But as time went on, it came to encompass greater and greater varieties of musical expression. Now dances and other such productions fall within its purview. It's been changing steadily over time. Nowadays, it's a music festival widely regarded as a gateway to the big leagues."
"The audience votes for the finalists in real time as well. This keeps the event from feeling staged. There's no small number of stars who got their start here." Azul smirks to Vil. "Incidentally, Vil will be participating this year. Small wonder the press is swarming the event."
Vil folds his arms. A small smirk plays on his lips.
Riddle brings a hand to his chin. "Interesting. I never knew."
Azul slings an arm around Riddle. "Considering you're at the top of your class, I thought you'd be more up-to-date on trending topics. Were you not aware that Vil is a global celebrity?"
Riddle rolls his eyes and shoves Azul off him. "Must you always couch your words in barbs? I don't live under a rock. I know my upperclassman is in the entertainment industry."
Azul grins. "Indeed he is. He's a highly popular figure who does everything from modeling for fashion magazines to acting in movies. When Fashion Week kicks off, he's flooded with offers from big-name brands. He held the record for runway appearances in last year's fall and winter seasons. Plus he's a Magicammer with over five million followers. All this while still a student! They say whenever he plugs a piece of merchandise, it flies off every store shelf. He's the textbook definition of an influencer."
"Goodness..." Riddle's eyes widen. "I didn't know he was THAT famous."
Vil chuckles. "Ever the chatterbox, Azul. That's basic information, hardly worth calling attention to. Would you kindly cease your embarrassing slavering?"
"Oh, speaking of influencers," Idia adds. "Vil's not the only one slated for SDC this year. I heard the one and only Neige LeBlanche is putting in an appearance too. It was all over online news sites a few days ago. It's no surprise that the media would be all over it."
Vil freezes.
"Neige LeBlanche..." Riddle nods. "Ah, yes. We received a registration form for him a few days ago. He's a sophomore representing Royal Sword Academy."
"He's considered the most likable celebrity in the world." Lilia tilts his head. "He's known for his disarming good looks and approachable nature. Hardly a day goes by when I don't see his face plastered over one screen or another. Who knew he went to Royal Sword Academy?"
"Yeah, there you go. He's like a boy idol for normies..." Idia's tablet floats over to Lilia. "Wait, hold up. You guys actually watch TV in Diasomnia?"
Lilia chuckles. "Why, of course! I'd simply wither and die without my dramas. I've been known to enjoy a spot of gaming, too."
"Huh..." Idia sounds perplexed. "Somehow, I wasn't expecting that."
Crowley steps forward. ""Vil Schoenheit and Neige LeBlanche. This year's Song & Dance Championship will play host to two globally famous celebrities. It is no exaggeration to say that this will be the highest-profile year in the entire history of the event." He turns to Riddle. "Rosehearts, do make certain that you are amply prepared to avert any incidents on the day of the show."
"Yes, Headmage." Riddle runs a hand through his hair. "This... is turning out to be even more of a to-do than I was expecting."
"Even the slightest mismanagement could trigger a commotion among the throngs of fans that will be in attendance." Azul smirks. "Riddle, I would be glad to extend a special offer of assistance if you're starting to feel the pressure. After all, I already have plenty of experience after handling the uproar at the interdorm Spelldrive tournament."
Leona growls. "Hey, cephalo-punk. Want me to dry out that slimy tongue of yours and make it into octo-jerky?"
Azul brings a hand to his chest in mock fear, chuckling. "Dear me, how frightening!"
Riddle looks to Azul. "Your help won't be necessary, Azul. I have no desire to incur any special debts to you. There's no telling what you'd ask for later as compensation. Focus on doing your own job well."
"What a pity. Do let me know if you ever change your mind." Azul pushes his glasses into place. "My spirit of benevolence has no expiration date."
"Same here." Kalim jumps in. "Feel free to reach out to me if you have trouble with anything, Riddle. I'm always happy to help. Ooh, I just can't wait for festival day!"
"Yeesh. Must be nice to see the bright side of everything all the time." Everyone could practically see Idia roll his eyes. "Meanwhile, I'm sitting here every day wracking my brain, trying to figure out how I can present my research without going up on stage... I just know if I go up there, everybody in the venue's gonna be like, Uh, is his hair on fire? Is he from the Shroud family? What kind of creepy research is he doing, anyway? They're gonna spread rumors like... Well, like wildfire."
Idia groans. "This sucks. For an introvert like me, public speaking is, like, EX difficulty."
"Idia, the rules state that the researcher must be on stage in person." Riddle folds his arms. "I cannot make an exception for you."
"Oh, great, here we go with Riddle's personal skill, Rulemonger." Idia sighs. "Y'know what MY person skill is? Thinking that rule is really backwards. For one thing, who wants to listen to a geek like me mumbling into a microphone? Text-to-speech would go way smoother and be easier for listeners to parse."
Riddle tilts his head. "Aren't you talking perfectly fine with us right now?"
Idia hesitates. "Y-you can't compare voice chatting online with people you know to giving a talk to a crowd full of strangers, okay? There's no way I could handle Q&A after the presentation, for that matter. I'd freak."
"You have just over a month until the festival." Riddle brings a hand to his chin. "Perhaps you could use it to practice delivering a speech loudly and clearly without stumbling? In fact, I'd be willing to join you for practice sessions after school if you like."
The tablet backs away from Riddle. "N-no thanks, I'm good. I'll figure something out on my own before it's go time." Idia says more quietly. "The last thing I need is a mandatory grind on a repeatable training event with Mr. Impossible-to-Please."
"Very well." Riddle nods. "Then I shall look forward to your fully composed research presentation, Idia. That wraps up the management committee's report."
Crowley waves a hand. "I'll adjourn today's housewarden meeting here. I expect all dorms to continue with their preparations for the big day."
Everyone leaves the room, all except Vil. He stays frozen to the spot, a worried look on his face.
Vil looks out the window from his room. He pulls his phone from his pocket. "Mira, Mira. Tell me something."
A robotic voice responds. "What would you like me to look up?"
Vil stares out the window. "Who, at this moment, is the most beautiful of all?"
"Displaying results for account with the most comments using the word 'beautiful': Neige LeBlanche."
"Neige!" Vil sneers. "Then the time has come..."
"I'm sorry. I didn't understand your command. Could you repeat that?"