"Wait, he PROGRAMMED a singing voice?" Ace's jaw dropped. "Are you for real?!"

"Hah hah hah!" Lilia laughed. He was very impressed with such technology. "I see the Ignihyde Housewarden's reputation as a technomantic engineering savant is well-deserved. He gets some inspired ideas."

"That's p. legit, actually!" Cater also agreed. "Programming voice synthesis software and posting songs you make with it has taken off big time. I'm a fan of electropop stuff, myself. It started when I first saw Rebirth's first virtual idol concert"

"Oh? I want to see" Yuuna asked, quite excited to see a virtual version of Y/n.

"I got no idea what any of you are talkin' about," Grim said, having an expressionless face. He was clueless about what was going on around the internet.

"Really, Grimmy?" Cater asked. "You've never seen a virtual idol before?" he asked. He then took out his phone from his pocket. "Here, lemme show you a clip. Let's see...Ah, hold up. Gotta sit through a commercial without skipping to watch this for free."

The group then crowd around Cater to watch the video plus ad.

Comercial

"I'll share a secret with you:" a gentle voice spoke from the ad. "This is no ordinary drink. It's a magic wishing drink! One sip and all your wishes come true"

Yuuna deadpanned about this. After all, it was a bit cliche

"A loving red with sparkling pop. Red Apple soda, on sale now."

"Ooh, that's the drink commercial people have been talking about lately." Cater said. "I gotta stay on top of the latest hotness! 'll drop by the school store later and check it out."

"Ah, that Neige fellow in the commercial there, he came up at a recent housewarden meeting," Lilia mentioned. "He's going to be appearing at this year's SDC, you know"

"What?!" Ace gasped. "That guy's a major celebrity 2nd to Rebirth! And he's showing up for THIS with Y/N?"

"Probably, perhaps it's due to the fact that Y/n is sponsoring him as well..." Yuuna mumbled. Yes, Y/n told Yuuna about it.

"This competition's attracting some serious heavyweights." Deuce sweatdropped, completely nervous. "Now I really have to up my game..."

"If I made it in, do you think I could get a selfie with Neige and Y/n together?" Cater wondered, wanting to have a picture with two famous celebs.

"You're a shameless fanboy sometimes, Cater. Especially when it comes to Y/n as Rebirth" Ace is dumbfounded.

"Look, Neige is also THE hottest Magicammer out there." Cater said. "If I get my chance, you bet I'm taking that shot. Pun intended. And if I could get Vil with Neige and Y/n in the shot together with me? I just KNOW I'd go viral."

"Hey, Cater!" Grim shouts. "Can you hold your phone lower? I can't see the screen at all!"

"I could project it on the wall for you if you like" Ortho offered.

Before Grim had the chance to answer, the doors of the lounge slammed open.

"Silence, spuds!" Vil demanded. The whole lounge became quiet as Vil looked around the room with Y/n on his right, Epel on the side of Y/n, while Rook was on Vil's left. All four of them had sparkles surrounding them

"Whoa, that's bright!" Deuce winced, rubbing his eyes. "What's with the sparkles?"

"I'm seein' stars over here!" Grim added.

Y/n had her usual gentle smile, standing next to Vil in her uniform that shifted to Pomefiore's dorm uniform. It was quite pretty. "Ara ara, the entrance was quite sparkly" she chuckled.

"..." Epel didn't say anything, as he mostly stayed by Y/n's side, looking at everyone with a meek expression. He really didn't want to be here at all, but Y/n was good at supporting him.

"I find it difficult to believe that anyone on this campus would be ignorant of who I am and Rebirth, but courtesy dictates an introduction all the same." Vil began. "I am Vil Schoenheit, housewarden of Pomefiore. I'm sure you already know who Y/n is, after all. This year, the headmaster has assigned me a duty...To select entrants to compete in the Song & Dance Championship. We will now begin the ensemble auditions. Rook, take it away." he said, turning to Rook.

"Oui, Roi du Poison." Rook nods, before turning his attention to the students in the lounge, "I am Rook Hunt, vice housewarden of Pomefiore. A pleasure to make your acquaintances."

"Oh hey, it's the weirdo who was takin' audition applications," Grim muttered. "That guy's a vice housewarden?"

"We will have each of you perform the assigned set piece. You will be evaluated separately for singing and dancing" Rook informed before turning to Y/n, giving her a nod.

Y/n smiled before nodding back at him. "I will call you inside, in groups of three. Come inside when your name is called." she continued explaining. Everyone then began preparing themselves. "I wish you all the best of luck" she grinned.

Vil, Rook, and Y/n sat in a seat behind the table, having some files as the Levia-fae called the first three people to audition.

"All right, let's get this audition started." Rook said, facing the three auditioners. "Entry number one, you're up. Start the music" he said.

Y/n nods as she played the audition piece. The first auditioner was Ruggie, who smiled when he saw such beauty in front of him.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sa

kamawanai yo

choto warui jurai ga ii janai"

Y/n was amazed by how much Ruggie practiced with his singing and dancing. "Ara. So delicate" she commented.

"Monsieur Dent-de-Lion. Your fleet footwork and board smile convert gallantry and boyish charm in equal measure." Rook said, smiling with delight. "Beaute! Full marks!"

Vil just stayed expressionless. "You carry yourself well enough, but your dancing and singing both leave much to be desired." he critiqued. "Next!"

Cater was next, as he stood up with his lively smile.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

Cater voice sounded free, as his moves and singing were in sync with each beat within the song. Y/n was quite impressed, but she felt something was missing. 'Passion' she thought.

"Monsieur Magicam. Your singing voice sparkled with diamond clarity!" Rook happily complimented. "I could immerse myself in it for hours. Beaute! Full marks!"

"You did the entire song and dance without any errors," Vil admits. "But your performance is utterly lacking in passion. Next!"

Lilia was the last one to go out of the first three.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

'He looks like he is having fun'

'Mhm. This just looks so adorable' Y/n chuckled to herself.

"Monsieur Curiosite. Your boyish looks belie the depth of your voice. It is truly fascinating to behold" Rook beamed. "Beaute! Full marks!"

Vil had a slight frown on his face. "I can't quite put my finger on it- for some reason, you show none of the youthful vim one would expect from a student. Next!"

Y/n chuckled as she called in the next three after the others left the room.

The first one to start was Ortho, who had a happy aura around him.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

Y/n took notes about Ortho's singing and dancing as she had been for the other three. She help but admit that Ortho looked really cute, but his moves were stiff.

"Monsieur Marionette." Rook looked surprised when the robot finished. "How very cutting-edge! I was reveted by the precision of your robotic dancing and singing. Beaute! Full marks!"

"I heard of genreless, but this is ridiculous" Vil sweatdropped. "Next!"

Kalim then stepped forward, having a bright demeanor.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

"So energetic and passionate, quite a good quality for a future contestant," Y/n said.

Rook nodded, agreeing with her. "Roi Dore! Your dancing is like a simoon kicking up the desert sands! And your singing is so uplifting, I can feel myself floating away. Beaute! Full marks!"

"Hm." Vil crossed his arms, feeling more relaxed when watching Kalim. "I suppose you're a slight step up from the rest of these stumbling vegetables."

"Fufufu" Y/n chuckled. "Next is you, Jamil-senpai" she smiled at her soulmate.

"Alright." Jamil smiled back, before getting ready for his audition.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sa

kamawanai yo

choto warui jurai ga ii janai"

Y/n was proud that Jamil was able to finally show his true talents without being held back by his position as a servant of the Asim Family.

"Monsieur Pyramide. My hat goes off to you." Rook said, having a bright smile. "I can see the smoldering soul that lies beneath your cool exterior! Beaute! Full marks!"

"Your dancing and singing are both the most passable I've seen so far," Vil admitted, feeling a bit jealous of Jamil for getting the most attention from Y/n. "Not bad, I suppose."

The next person was Epel.

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

"It seems those lessons paid off. I'm proud of you Epel" Y/n smiled kindly to Epel, causing him to smile back. He was a little timid from Vil's harsh glares, but Y/n was his moral support.

"Monsieur Pommette. How truly charming and sweet!" Rook cooed. "You're improved greatly in all respects, as Y/n says. Beaute! Full marks!"

"Yet again, he messed up before the hook." Vil pointed out. "He may perform flawlessly in rehearsals, but it means nothing if he still flubs the show." he scowled before turning to Rook. "For the matter, Rook- you've been giving perfect scores to every single entrant so far. Are you even trying to be a proper judge?"

Y/n couldn't help but chuckle.

"Of course!" Rook grinned. "Yet how am I to rank one above another when they're all so Magnifique? There is beauty to be found in perfection, but imperfection has its own unique allure. Wouldn't you agree?"

Y/n sighed playfully as Vil just frowned in response. "This is what I get for making you a judge. I should've known better...Well, we've one group left. Call them in."

"Yes" Y/n nods, standing up from her chair as she opened the door to the lounge. "Ace Trappola. Deuce spade. Grim and Yuuna." she called out. "You may all enter."

"Finally our time to shine!" Grim cheered, as the group walked into the ballroom.

"Yeah! Let's bag this audition." Ace said, being confident.

"We've come this far." Deuce said, having a serious expression, feeling determined to pass. "I can't crumble now. Let's do this!"

"Good luck you guys." Y/n grinned, sitting back in her chair.

"Why, if it isn't the unwashed spuds that so foolishly challenged me to a fight, and in front of Y/n too," Vil said, no emotion on his face nor voice. "I do hope you've improved from the embarrassingly awkward show you put on then."

"Heh heh," Grim snickered. "We've been puttin' in work, all right. Time to show you the moves we picked up from Scarabia and Y/n!"

Rook's grin became brighter. "I'm delighted to see you audition. Merci!"

"We'll just see if you think we're embarrassing and inelegant this time!" Ace yelled out.

"Keep talking, spudling." Vil crossed his arms. "If you want my approval, prove to me your worth."

"Et c'est parti!" Rook grinned. "Show us what you can do!"

"Nejieta rizumu de odorou

utumuki haru iji mo aikyou sakamawanai yochoto warui jurai ga ii janai"

"Hm. You are like little birds who have just learned how to spread their wings." Rook hummed, impressed with their dance moves. Y/n looked like a proud mother. "Yes, you are so naive! So innocent! Beaute! Full marks!" Rook adds.

"Ugh..." Vil groaned. "Must you praise every performance so uncritically?"

"Full marks?!" Deuce gasped, looking amazed. "We must be towards the top, then!"

Ace sighed. "I doubt it's that easy. We can't let out guards down in the second half."

They then began dancing and singing the second have.

"How'd you like that?!" Grim asked. "We were perfect!"

"You're done?" asked a tired Vil. "Then hurry and get out."

"What, you're not gonna grade us?" Ace said, having a smirk on his face.

"Please excuse us!" Deuce flushed a bit, putting Ace out of the ballroom with Grim and Yuuna following.

Rook's eyes followed the group out of the room. "That was a very...frenetic dance." he hummed. "You were right- they are still quite unpolished. And yet...