Chapter 34 - Restless Trainees Gathering
Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
While traveling to the arena for the official airing of the first broadcast, trainees nervously whispered to one another.
"What is up with those people?"
A few, in particular, stared back at where they'd come from. They'd clearly expected something to happen.
"Just ignore them."
"Yeah, they were planning something, and it didn't work out."
However, no one spoke a word to the quiet, sullen group of trainees who'd been expecting something to happen but were denied a scene. Now, they were very sullen and upset about not getting what they wanted.
"Did you hear? Another director was fired."
More muttering filled the air as the trainees expressed their frustrations with the situation.
"Sheesh, will this program even flourish?"
There were a few headshakes of doubt.
More discouraged grumbles rose above other voices.
"I heard there are eighty new contenders."
"Well, that would replace the eighty percent that were purged."
Slight silence and morose chagrin filled the air now.
"What were the charges on those who were kicked out?"
"Mostly just lewd and disgusting behavior."
"Some of them had drugs and alcohol."
The remaining trainees exchanged pithy remarks.
"Meh, the majority of them were just plain mediocre."
"Good thing they were dumped now."
Shellu remarked solemnly, "Less humiliation in the future. At least we don't have to see their sulky faces until the end of the show."
"What does that mean?" Daz frowned.
"The ones with the lesser charges will return for a final opportunity," Delilah shrugged. "It was mentioned in the new schedule that came out." She smirked when she saw all the horrified expressions on the other candidates' faces. "Yeah, you might want to see the new schedule. It is quite a doozy. We'll also see some cool idol groups and soloists today."
That was something they'd all looked forward to. Now, it was finally going to happen.
As soon as the vehicles arrived at their destination, all the trainees piled out and headed to their designated seats in the arena. They were flummoxed to discover Thera Tae-Jun and his aide, Cilin Midda, seated in a roped-off area. Only four other trainees were able to enter that area with their aides.
The rest of the trainees were forced to sit elsewhere. While a bit aggravated at the change in where they were seated, some had hoped to provoke Thera Tae-Jun into doing something stupid, while more were looking forward to watching the official idol groups and soloists make their appearance.
However, no sooner had everyone been seated than a distant explosion shook the ground beneath their feet. Several more explosions occurred in nearby cliffs and mountains. Fortunately, none of the debris entered the arena, but everyone was startled.
"What in the world was that all about?" Now Shellu appeared uneasy.
"Dunno," Atreu shrugged indifferently.
Two candidates couldn't enter the restricted space and sat with the others.
*
When the explosions occurred, Tae-Jun was horrified. He knew roughly where one happened, but the other had him worried. Certainly, Cilin was noticeably paler than earlier. His expression held concern and uneasiness. However, when they checked their communication devices, two projectors that had been hidden from sight abruptly came to life.
"Greetings to all," said Director Midda. "I welcome you to the official start of the Zhyphrese Idol Reality Survival Show, brought to you by..." His spiel of the creators surprised Tae-Jun; he hadn't really expected the director to acknowledge staff that was no longer part of the production team.
Cilin noticed his surprise and smiled a little. "My father is not one to avoid crediting where credit is due for personnel who put their utmost effort into making this happen." His voice was affectionate and proud.
"I see," Tae-Jun was glad for him. "I wonder if all parents are similar to him." He hadn't known that many people would showcase such emotion openly.
Cilin shook his head. "No, he is somewhat different from other parochial folk that still govern our state." He shrugged when explaining the difference between other locations and this one. "The only difference is that we're no longer an empire. Instead, we became a nation of allied states and vassal territories and republics."
Tae-Jun considered what he said and nodded in appreciation. "What they want from this state and others within the nation is very idealistic."
Huh, it sounded like the United States he'd hailed from previously. It was only going through some horrific growing pains and revealing the rotted roots beneath the surface. Compared to where he came from, this place seemed relatively tolerant of outsiders.
At Tae-Jun's observation, Cilin grunted. "To be honest, this mega-continent that we're residing within," he shrugged with nonchalant indifference. "It was part of a bigger continent at one point."
Cilin kept his voice low so as not to interfere with the rest of the announcements being made. "It broke away less than a century ago and is still bumping into small islands that're not part of its original crust."
Wow, that was awesome to hear. It also explained the instability that Tae-Jun sensed in the earth beneath his feet. He wasn't sure how he could tell the dissonance. Maybe it had something to do with his Dracaena lineage.
For all he knew, he was one of the earthen-type dragons. In the meantime, Tae-Jun watched what was going on with the projectors. Much to his surprise, he saw real-time news also being broadcast on smaller monitors. "Hmm, it looks as though we're going to be allowed to keep abreast of the local news and incidents happening."
Cilin nodded with relief. "Yes, many of us need to know to prepare for our entrance exams into colleges and universities." He smiled when Tae-Jun's jaw dropped. "Did you not go through that as well?"
Not to put too fine a point on the subject, Tae-Jun didn't know how to answer that. "I didn't get past middle school. I was a dropout." He'd been forced into labor so that the debts his uncle took over from his father would be repaid. "I entered the workforce early." That was one way of describing it until he and his siblings wound up dead in a basement somewhere desolate.