Chapter 1268 Helpless

Before the official competition began, Vervier also conducted brief interviews with several "hot" players.

The camera first focuses on Theophile, who stares blankly at the camera, her crimson eyes utterly devoid of emotion.

Velvi: "Theofel, do you have anything to say about the upcoming match?"

Theophile: "...Win."

Velvi: "...That was a concise and powerful statement! So, what are your thoughts on your opponent, Miss Benares?"

Theophile (without hesitation): "Stupid dragon."

Faintly, Benares's roars and the staff's attempts to calm him could be heard from backstage.

The camera then pans to Benares, whose face still shows lingering anger.

Velvi: "Benares, it seems you're in high spirits!"

Benares (snorted): "For Lady Sirin's glory! I will definitely defeat that ungrateful fellow!"

Velvi: "Then, show your determination!"

Benares (facing the camera, awkwardly striking an idol pose): "Lady Sirin... is the best! Aww!" (A slight dragon roar accidentally escapes his lips at the end)

The interviews with the other contestants (including some bewildered Valkyries who were temporarily brought in by Alicia) were much more normal (?), filled with standard idol statements such as "I will do my best!" and "For my dream!"

First to appear was Theophile. She chose a rousing, battle-themed song. However, the moment she opened her mouth—

What a sound it was! Like the friction of metal, or the howling of the north wind, every note precisely avoided the correct melody, and at the high notes it produced a teeth-grinding, tearing sound. She sang with utmost seriousness, expressionless, as if performing a solemn task, but this formed a devastating contrast with the "noise" she produced.

The audience members covered their ears in pain.

Theresa (her lips twitching, forcing a smile): "Uh... this... is very... powerful? 5 points, just to give you some encouragement..."

Walter (adjusting his glasses which were slipping off): "Pitch... there's a lot of room for improvement. But the emotion... is very... committed? 4 points."

Alicia (clasping her hands to her heart, eyes sparkling): "Wow! What a unique and powerful voice! It seems to pierce the soul! Is this the charm of the wild? 10 out of 10! A perfect score!"

After Theophil finished singing, he bowed slightly, seemingly unaware of the sonic attack he had caused.

Next was Benares. She chose an ethereal ballad. However, as soon as she opened her mouth, her voice trembled as if it were leaking electricity, the melody went completely off track, and the high notes cracked, as if a dragon roared to the heavens... except that the "heaven" was a bit collapsed.

The audience was dealt another heavy blow.

Theresa (even bitter melon juice doesn't taste good anymore): "Hmm... commendable courage! 4 points!"

Walter (looking numb): "...Rhythm needs improvement. 3 points."

Alicia (moved to tears): "Ah~ that trembling little voice, so endearing! That cracked voice, full of an indomitable struggle! So touching! 10 points! It has to be 10 points!"

While the performances of the other contestants varied in quality, they were at least within a humanly acceptable range. However, Alicia, adhering to the principle that "a beautiful girl deserves full marks," gave all the contestants a perfect score of 10!

Theresa, Walter, and the audience: "..." (This judge is completely useless!)

The disaster continues.

Then it was time for the dance segment.

Theophil's dance was like a robot program; every movement was precise and stiff, full of power but devoid of beauty, like a military boxing routine.

Benares, on the other hand, was overly energetic, making large, sweeping movements as if he were about to take off on stage. He even nearly cracked the stage floor from time to time because he couldn't control his strength.

Perhaps due to lingering anger, or perhaps due to the clash of dance moves, in a moment of intersecting turns, the two accidentally bumped shoulders hard.

"boom!"

"Stupid dragon, you bumped into me."

"You blocked my way first! You ice-cold face!"

The next second, before anyone could react, a burst of light erupted on the stage! Two enormous phantoms flashed by, accompanied by a faint dragon's roar and the low growl of some kind of ferocious beast, causing the entire stage and the surrounding ground to tremble violently! Strong air currents and shockwaves spread outwards!

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Just as the audience panicked, thinking they were about to be affected, a gentle yet powerful invisible force instantly enveloped the entire square. Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, as if space itself had been distorted, and the next second, they found themselves collectively in a safe open space a hundred meters away from the square.

The original stage location was shrouded in chaotic smoke and light, making it difficult to see clearly.

A few seconds later, the smoke cleared. The stage... was completely intact! It even looked newer and more magnificent than before! Velvi stood in the center of the stage, brushed off imaginary dust, and flashed a bright smile at the still-shaken audience:

"There was a minor, harmless stage accident just now! Thanks to the help of a kind citizen who wishes to remain anonymous, and to our engineering department's incredibly efficient repair capabilities! The problem is now resolved! Due to force majeure, all contestants in the second competition will receive full marks! Let's move directly to the final round—the culinary showdown!"

The audience: "???" That was just a "minor" incident? And what's with this cooking competition?!

The stage was quickly transformed into a makeshift kitchen. The contestants (mainly Theophile and Benalles) began preparing their "love-filled dishes."

Before Theophile, the liquid in the pot was an ominous purplish-black color, still bubbling with green bubbles.

On the Benares side, a charred, unidentified "steak" was "roaring" in the flames, emitting pungent smoke.

The other contestants' production processes seemed relatively normal, but considering their performance in the first two sections, it was hard to have high expectations.

The dishes were finished and placed in front of the judges. Theresa, Walter, and Alicia looked at these "masterpieces" with different expressions.

Theresa (shrank back slightly): "Um... I suddenly remembered that the academy still has some documents to process..."

Walter (adjusting his glasses): "From a molecular structure perspective, these substances may pose unknown risks..."

Alicia (still beaming): "Wow! Every dish is full of the creator's unique heart! They look so delicious~?"

However, even Alicia doesn't seem to have any intention of tasting it herself.

Just then, Vervi's voice rang out again: "Now, next up is the exciting tasting segment! We have specially invited a brave guest with a keen sense of taste and a close relationship with all the contestants to serve as our tasting officer! He is—Mr. Amethyst!"

The spotlight suddenly shone on the backstage entrance.

Amethyst was "invited" out by Yae Sakura and Sakura, one on each side, with a few symbolic loops of rope binding him. His face was full of helplessness as he looked at the dishes on the stage that exuded a strange aura, his lips twitching.

“Vilvie, this isn’t what we agreed on…” Amethyst tried to struggle.

Vervi (pretending not to hear): "Let's give a warm round of applause to our valiant taster, Amethyst! He will use his body (and sense of taste) to feel the 'love' and 'heart' that each contestant has poured into their dishes!"

Looking at Theophil's pot of purplish-black soup and Benares's charred "dragon's breath roast meat," and then at the suspiciously colored cakes and distorted rice balls in the hands of the other contestants, Zijing felt that her future was bleak.

(Is this competition... really necessary to continue?) This was the common thought of Zijing at this moment, as well as most of the audience and judges present (except for Alicia).