Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
That meal had been a total disaster, and it hadn't been just because Tae-Jun terrified all of them, though that was part of the problem. "I will make him pay for this outrage," Casio fumed when he thought about everything that had occurred. "He won't get away with this action." Of course, he'd come from a more civilized part of Voldage, an area composed of more dignified practices and society.
However, none of that mattered in this part of Zhyphrese, as Casio learned much to his horror ever since coming to this enclave. "This place is so boring and simply too shoddy to consider worth investing in the long term." He folded his arms in disgust. Stores and everything that made the economy flourish shut down as soon as night fell, between six and eight p.m. every night. Literally, no one was doing anything about it because of the lateness of the hour.
"There is no sign of the tribunal having eyes in this place." Casio shook his head at the ineptitude of the adults and authorities in this backwater isolated complex of a dragon enclave. "Who had the stupid idea of showcasing talent here in Zhyphrese of all states in Voldage?" This had to be the most ass-backward area he'd ever regretted setting foot in as an idol trainee. Casio curled a contemptuous lip while sneering as he thought about this place. He couldn't even believe that this conclave was the unofficial capital. The new state was still in the early stages of formation. It was also the farthest located from known civilizations across the continent of Voldage.
Casio shook his head in aggravation. "If it weren't for my passion to dance, sing, and act, I'd never have come here." It was horribly behind the times. "This should've been showcased elsewhere, such as Honophia, the peninsula state on the west coast." At least there, they could have a variety of locations.
"Who in their right mind wanted to live in this insect-infested swampy place?" It wasn't just some stupid dragon-eating misty forest in the middle of inaccessible mountain ranges and heavier rainforests and swamps that comprised most of Zyphrese. No, there were areas of arable acreage where the official capital, Ziphryll, was located. That was also where the most ancient and powerful dragons now gathered. For some reason, they thought putting a program out in the middle of nowhere in a godforsaken rainforest was a good idea.
Hence, this is the reason for starting this idol reality program. Casio thought it was a badly created horribly mismanaged, and ill-thought-out program. "There is no way someone out there won't respond to what is happening in the morning then." He couldn't believe this negligence and audacity in flouting ironclad rules of etiquette. "Who is the strictest about following etiquette in the directorship?" Casio pondered the dilemma. He didn't want to risk contacting the wrong individual only to get blamed for calling a false alarm.
Earlier, right after the other trainees soiled themselves, it had been a near miss for Casio because he'd been scared witless by the intimidation. "How rude they were to do this to me." He fussed in contempt. "That's the last time I'll ever cooperate with them unless it's part of a mandatory team formation." He survived his stained clothes in disgust. "Damn, good thing I had some extra spares in my spatial pocket." Casio was annoyed that he'd have to use them in the first place.
They splattered him as well in their terror, much to his disgust. "Well, while they're squealing and demanding that their assistants bring them new clothes, I'll just clean up." They spoke of helpful nothing so he would save his time.
Meanwhile, Casio cleaned up his appearance entirely in the bathroom. As it turned out, he'd struck gold. There were administrators there, and they cursed up a storm. Hmm, so Bryson Zithen was condemned for what happened earlier and fired without being given a fair hearing. Some woman named, Dorlina Galleon, had also managed to get on their wrong side. Casio knew that would be of interest to the tribunal. "Hah, I can send all of this information to them. Surely, they'll find a reason to eliminate any stupid, murky background-hailing individuals from this program?" Having a definitive goal, Casio listened to everything discussed among the administrators about the potential remaining trainees. What he heard made him scowl. Were they holding more tryouts since over 80 percent of the original trainees selected were purged? Once again, Casio couldn't believe the stupidity of the people in charge of this program. Now, this would take forever, and it would only do them a good reputation-wise for not planning contingency backup plans when such scandals were likely to erupt. He rolled his eyes. "This will overlap with the academic enrollments of colleges and universities, not to mention the vocational seminaries that're recruiting higher level students." Casio had indeed planned to attend a higher-level university. He wasn't going to stake his future on merely being an idol. That was too much of a risk even for him.
Casio shook his head as he washed up. He'd lingered there for too long. All the others returned to the restaurant already. "I have to go back there too." If only to hear the latest announcements unless they would be sent through the communicators. If so, he could skip the restaurant, go to his assigned sleeping quarters, and catch up on missed hours of sleep from this exhausting day. Ugh, how many more delays would there be because of that stupid ex-director and Thera Tae-Jun's unexpected reflexes during the first scenario that was the final selection or should've been. Now, there would be further preliminaries to determine who'd get into the final four groups or fifteen soloist selections.
They didn't care about what Tae-Jun had done. All they wanted was for the night to end. What freaking cowards. Had they not realized this would become an opportunity to exercise their power as elites?
As for Tae-Jun, Casio was disgruntled and jealous. How had he learned to use his draconic mental suppression already? Infuriated, Casio remained seated in the lobby.
Earlier, as soon as Casio managed to avoid the other trainees, he contacted several administration members with complaints about Tae-Jun's use of mental interference. As far as Casio was aware, using that type of intimidation tactic was taboo. However, much to his aggravation, no one replied to his complaint. "I'll put in an official warning through the tribunal if that is what it takes." He muttered under his breath. There was no way Tae-Jun would get away with that type of behavior.