As soon as Kaylee finished playing the final melody with a remarkable performance, only then did everyone remembers to take a deep breath. In the next second, an ear-splitting clapping sound was heard from all corners of the room, and not a single one didn't give standing applause.
Kaylee smiled broadly, and somehow her aura turned into a soft and mild girl, making Declan and Jacob, who noticed the vibe change was stunned.
How could someone who looked daunting and dignified now turn into a person as delicate as a feather flying in the wind?
"Thank you, everyone, and I remind you that my presentation earlier is a standard requirement of assessment for the contestants."
The contestants who had been looking at Roe with gazes of amazement and adoration suddenly turned pale when they heard the girl's final words.
They have to try to have the same aura as Roe to qualify for the finals!?
How could they do that?
Some of the contestants suddenly panicked and secretly tried to recall what Roe had looked like before. They were too fascinated to learn anything from the girl's presentation.
If they had known that their performance would be assessed based on Roe's performance, they would not be caught off guard and tried to learn Roe's movements when pressing piano keys with her fingers.
Declan noticed the contestants' atmosphere change who stood at the end of the room near the stage. At first, he thought it was only two or three people who experienced the mental breakdown. He did not expect that the twelve contestants looked panicked and like kids who were lost without knowing where their parents were.
Declan smiled crookedly at their panicked expressions.
The committee considered him sadistic because he gave a tough challenge last year so that five people aborted at once even though they only needed to eliminate four people.
Who would have thought James Wong's replacement was more sadistic than him and made the twelve contestants had a mental breakdown.
Of course, this included Alicia Johnson, whose face has now turned white. She wasn't sure if she could come out the winner if the standard of judgment were Roe's performance.
Kaylee realized that the twelve contestants standing next to her stage were panicking, and their expressions instantly made her feel bitter. All of a sudden, she didn't have the heart to make them feel intimidated by her performance.
In addition, three of the contestants, including Alicia, were her classmates at this campus. Hence, she decided to change the narrative provided by the committee.
"Even though my presentation is used as the standard, it doesn't mean that you have to follow my style of play. My little advice to all of you…" Kaylee looked at the panicked contestants who were standing below the stage. "Is to be yourself. What makes you shine is not because you look at other people or imitate that person's style. Believe in yourself and put all your heart into giving your best show. That's when you will shine brightly on this stage."
One by one, the contestants' faces brightened again, and they are now finding their confidence and ready to 'fight.'
Jacob, who saw Roe's way of stimulating the contestants' fighting spirit, became even more wonder-stricken by the girl, and without realizing it, his gaze never left her beautiful face. Not that he could take away his eyes as he never shifted his gaze since Kaylee played the piano.
At the same time, Declan chuckles, and his eyes showed a glint of attraction to the mysterious girl who, rumors said, never wants to appear in front of the camera. He thought Roe never accepted in-person interviews or appeared on variety shows because she was a shy and timid girl.
Who would have thought that girl was able to utter words that could revive the contestants' self-confidence. Not only that, the girl's smile was so pleasing to the eye that anyone wouldn't be able to change their attention off her.
"Well, well, well." a voice appeared next to Declan. "We plan to make two or three contestants fall easily. But it seems, this time, the juries have to think hard to determine who will continue to the next round. There are quite a lot of gifted players in this contest."
Declan snorted at his sentence. "I heard you chose her to replace James Wong. Why did you choose her?"
"I have no idea. I only think that she is the only one who can save this challenge. She's the best soul player I've ever met."
"I didn't know she is a soul player."
"Now you know."
Declan gave a faint smile without taking his eyes off Roe.
A soul player was a musician who could stir the human soul who heard the instrument he plays. When the musician performed a sorrowful song, the listeners would feel sad too and shed tears.
However, when the musician performed a lively and cheerful song, the initially grieving listeners would also feel comforted and feel joy.
There were not many soul players in this country because it was challenging to touch the human soul through their musical instruments. Most musicians rely on their playing technique and think only about perfection. Even Declan himself was not the best soul player, but when he let his emotions control his soul, he turned into a soul player.
If Declan wasn't emotional and in a rational state, he would never have been able to create a melody that could thrill the listener's soul.
"Roe," murmured Declan. "Do you know her full name?" asked Declan to the team leader of this competition event committee.
"Hm… I don't know. It just Roe. That was all the name she had. She is very secretive and does not reveal what her surname is or where she lives. Isn't she mysterious?"
Declan didn't answer and was still staring at Roe as the girl stepped backstage.
Mysterious, yet charming in her own way. Thought Declan.