Three weeks had passed since Viktor decided to dive headfirst into mastering the art of hosting. Every day had been a blur of studying techniques, practicing in front of the mirror, and making sure he had everything down to the last detail.
He'd received a ton of Reputation Points recently, thanks to the publicity Luminara Media had been doing. He wasn't one to brag, but their marketing power in France was very impressive.
In those three weeks, Viktor had nearly memorized everything necessary for hosting. His memory was sharp, some might even say it was freakishly good.
What he lacked now was the practical experience. It was one thing to know how to host a show, but another to feel the heat of the stage lights and the gaze of a live audience.
After finishing his preparations for the day, he stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath. 'Hope this works out and brings in as many fans and points as possible,' he thought.
He left his room without a word. His mother wasn't home; she was just as busy as he was. No long goodbyes or well-wishes. Viktor simply grabbed his keys and headed out the door.
The drive to the ‹Palais des Congrès de Paris› was straightforward. The venue was one of Paris' most prestigious, hosting international events ranging from concerts to conferences.
It was a big deal, no doubt about it. The French government had thrown some support behind the event, and why wouldn't they? It wasn't just a talent show; it was a chance to showcase French culture on a national stage.
Viktor didn't need a driver, he was 18 and could handle that himself. Besides, he wasn't in the mood for the luxury today. Sure, his family had a Rolls-Royce Phantom a Bentley Continental GT, etc... sitting in the garage, but he chose the Volvo S60 instead. It wasn't flashy, but it was reliable. And right now, reliability is more important than showing off.
It wasn't like he was trying to hide his wealth. Everyone in the industry has an idea that he is from an influential, and Luminara Media had signed his band before they'd even debuted. No, the Volvo was simply practical and comfortable, and that's all that mattered to him at the moment.
The drive took about twenty minutes, and as Viktor pulled up to the venue, the sight of the Palais des Congrès never failed to impress. The building was imposing, tall, and every bit as prestigious as its reputation suggested.
After parking the car, Viktor made his way toward the entrance. Along the way, he noticed banners for the show plastered everywhere, each one displaying the tagline: "One stage, one dream. Schools from across the country—only one can win!"
He chuckled to himself. "What an average line," he thought, though a small smile tugged at his lips. Despite his internal critique, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride seeing the excitement in the faces of the people gathered outside. The Reputation Points from the system only confirmed that this was bigger than he had expected.
Just as Viktor was about to enter the venue, a voice called out to him. "Monsieur!"
"Huh, is this one of those clichés where the gatekeeper doesn't recognize the young master?" Viktor mused internally, half-expecting an awkward situation.
But no, it wasn't that kind of day. The man approaching him was well-dressed, not the typical gatekeeper. He had a big belly but carried himself with a certain air of professionalism.
The man extended his hand and smiled. "Hello, you must be Mr. Viktor, right?"
Viktor plastered on a professional smile, shaking his hand. "Yes, that's me. Nice to meet you."
The man looked relieved, though it was clear Viktor hadn't recognized him. "I'm Marc Evans, one of the producers overseeing the technical aspects of the show."
"Oh!" Viktor's memory kicked in, and he immediately recalled seeing Marc during rehearsals the past few weeks. "Sorry about that! I've been so caught up in everything these past few weeks that my brain's been running on fumes. But yeah, I remember you, weren't you wearing that red shirt last Monday?"
Marc was happy seeing Viktor remembering him. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing, but no way, for his career, he could only do his best to curry favor from Viktor.
It's rumored that this Viktor is someone from a big and influential background, his band hasn't even debuted, but it was signed by Luminara Media label, the script he wrote is about to be filmed, and he was also the one who wrote this show, even the new 720P camera was invented by him.
He only recently entered the Entertainment industry but he is so popular among the people in the industry that even those in Hollywood know about him.
He flattered: "Yeah, that was me! You've got a sharp memory."
Viktor shrugged, laughing lightly. "Guess I haven't completely fried my brain just yet."
Marc chuckled and gestured towards the venue. "As you can see, everything's set. Cameras, lighting, sound. it's all ready to go."
Viktor smiled, relieved that everything was in place. Preparations had been in full swing for nearly two months now, and it was all finally coming together. He followed Marc as they made their way toward his dressing room, passing through the bustling backstage area.
The energy back there was electric. Producers, stagehands, and makeup artists were running around, making sure every detail was perfect. Viktor caught sight of some of the contestants, nervous teenagers talking in small groups, rehearsing their routines, or trying to calm their nerves. Some were fidgeting, others pacing, and a few were trying to act cool as if they weren't about to perform in front of a national audience.
Viktor couldn't help but smile to himself. "Ah, youth," he thought, though he himself was only 18. Still, he felt worlds apart from them.
Finally, they reached his dressing room. It was a little extravagant and comfortable enough. There was a full-length mirror, a makeup station, and a couch to relax on. Viktor sat down, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. Showtime was just hours away.
Marc handed him the final schedule for the day. "We're all set. Your first segment starts in about two hours. Get some rest, and we'll call you when it's time."
Viktor nodded, flipping through the schedule. Everything looked good on paper, but in just a few hours, he'd be on stage in front of thousands, with millions more watching on TV. No pressure, right?
End Of The Chapter.