Chapter 34: Evaluation
As I left the hall, the door closing softly behind me, I felt the weight of the silence settle in. The echo of Echo of Tomorrow still lingered in my mind, and all I could do now was wait. Outside the audition room, the stillness pressed in, amplifying every thought, every doubt. I knew that the interview had been about getting a feel for my character, but it was the evaluation that would determine whether I would step through these doors as a student at the Pacifica Institute of Ultimate Talent.
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Inside the hall, the faculty members sat in thoughtful silence around a polished oak table. Professor Hartley and Dr. Elara sat side by side, their expressions thoughtful yet tense. Beside them was Dr. Patel, her eyes narrow, glancing at the others as if ready to counter any argument in Rio's favor. The other three faculty members—Professor Winters, Dr. Liao, and Ms. Birch—all appeared equally deep in thought, their pens hovering over their notes.
The faculty sat in tense silence, the room thick with deliberation. Professor Hartley spoke first. "His performance showed promise. Echo of Tomorrow was emotionally raw, and that level of originality—"
"Originality alone won't get him through PIUT," Dr. Patel interrupted, his tone sharp. "We've seen too many students like him—talent without the technical foundation to back it up. We're talking about consistency, not one brilliant performance."
"But he's not just talented—he's driven," Ms. Birch countered. "He showed more heart and passion than most seasoned performers. That kind of spirit is rare. He deserves a chance."
Dr. Liao tapped his pen. "Passion isn't enough. This place is about resilience, about pushing through the grueling demands. He's raw—he needs structure."
Professor Winters, the serious looking man with black-framed glasses, nodded. "Exactly. What happens when the novelty wears off? What happens when the pressure gets to him?"
Professor Winters adjusted his glasses, his gaze drifting for a moment as if he were looking past the room and into another time. "As a musician myself, I've seen it happen. Brilliant sparks burning out because the weight of expectations became too much. Passion can light the fire, but without resilience and structure, it's not enough to sustain the flame."
He paused, his voice steady but tinged with something heavier. "When I was younger, I performed at competitions where people said the same things about me—heart, talent, originality. But when the pressure mounted, I realized how unprepared I was for the grind. Late nights, relentless practice, criticism that cuts deeper than you expect. It's not the moments of applause that shape you—it's what you do in the silence that follows."
The room fell silent, his words hanging in the air.
Dr. Elara leaned forward, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "But isn't that exactly why we're here? To catch students before they fall? To teach them how to navigate the silence?"
Winters shook his head slightly. "It's not about catching them. PIUT isn't a safety net. It's a crucible. We're here to push them, to test if they can surpass their limits and become the Ultimate—the pinnacle of all."
Ms. Birch spoke up, her tone softer but no less firm. "And what if he can? Rio composed a piece that carried more depth than some professionals can muster. He's young, yes, but he's not without grit. He chose to take a risk, to expose himself through his music, and he did it under immense pressure. That's not something you teach—that's something you nurture."
Winters frowned, considering her words. "And if he falters? If he's not ready?"
"Then that's on us to guide him," Birch replied. "We're not here to admit finished products, Winters. We're here to shape them."
The room shifted as her words settled over the group. Winters tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze falling back to his notes. He didn't speak, but the tension in his posture had softened, his resistance seemingly less certain.
Dr. Patel, however, wasn't ready to relent. "And if we're wrong? If we admit someone who can't keep up, we risk compromising our standards. We've turned away students who could match Rio's passion with far more consistency. What does that say about our process?"
Dr. Liao chimed in, his tone measured. "Perhaps it's not about lowering our standards, but about offering him a trial. If we're unsure, why not propose a conditional acceptance, something like the Akashic Project?"
At the mention of the program, all eyes turned to him. Dr. Elara's lips curved into a faint smile. "Now that's an interesting idea."
Dr. Elara's faint smile lingered, but her eyes betrayed a glimmer of unease. "The Akashic Project is an opportunity for extraordinary growth, yes, but we mustn't forget the risks. It's not a path we suggest lightly."
Professor Winters leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're talking about subjecting a student to relentless mental and emotional strain. The Akashic Project is no ordinary program—it's a crucible in the truest sense. A test of not just talent, but endurance. Not everyone comes out of it whole."
Ms. Birch frowned, her voice quieter now. "We've seen it before. Students pushed to their limits, then beyond. A few have risen to the challenge, becoming legends in their own right. But others..." She trailed off, her gaze falling to her clasped hands. "Others have burned out completely, losing not just their spark but their sense of self."
Dr. Liao adjusted his glasses, his tone neutral but firm. "The Akashic Project is designed for those we believe can handle it, but it's not without its dangers. The psychological toll can be immense. It forces participants to confront the deepest parts of themselves—their fears, their flaws, their doubts. And if they're not prepared, those echoes can consume them."
Dr. Patel tapped her pen on the table, his expression unreadable. "That's exactly why we shouldn't throw a student like Rio into it. He's raw. If he falters, it won't just be his career at stake—it could be his sanity."
"But that's the point, isn't it?" Dr. Elara countered, her voice steady but sharp. "The Akashic Project doesn't just test skill; it tests resolve. Rio's piece, Echo of Tomorrow, wasn't just a performance—it was a reflection of someone reaching for something beyond their grasp. That's exactly the kind of spirit the project was designed to cultivate."
"And destroy," Winters muttered, his expression dark. "We've all read the reports. The sleepless nights. The breakdowns. The ones who walk out of the project aren't always the same as the ones who walked in."
Dr. Elara met his gaze, unflinching. "No great man is ever the same after facing their own depths. That's the risk we take for greatness. The question is, does Rio have what it takes to withstand it?"
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of her words settling on each of them.
Ms. Birch broke the quiet, her tone cautious. "If we recommend him for the Akashic Project, we have to be sure. Because if he takes this on and fails... it won't just be a rejection. It could destroy him."
Dr. Liao nodded, his voice grave. "But if he succeeds... he might become something truly extraordinary. And that's a gamble this institution has taken before—with results that have shaped history."
The faculty exchanged uncertain glances, the air thick with tension. Finally, Professor Hartley spoke, his voice low but resolute. "Let's not forget the boy's resilience. He put himself out there today, vulnerable, raw, and unafraid to take risks. If anyone has a chance to endure the Akashic Project, it's him."
Dr. Patel sighed, leaning back in her chair. "We'll need to vote soon. But before we do, let's be clear: if we send Rio down this path, we're not just offering him an opportunity—we're giving him a burden he may not be ready to carry and would just be sending him to hell."