Jiwon stared out the window of the van as it wove through the busy streets of Seoul. The realization that his life was drastically changing settled in once again. The entertainment company had arranged his transfer to Korea Arts High, one of the most prestigious schools for young talents. The school wasn't just for singers or dancers; it was for those destined to lead in the entertainment industry. For Jiwon, this meant balancing rigorous academic studies with his intense training schedule as a trainee.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from his group leader, Minho, one of the few trainees who had debuted before.
Minho:
Hey, heard you're starting at Korea Arts High tomorrow. Excited?
Jiwon:
Yeah, but nervous. Balancing everything is going to be tough.
Minho's reply came almost immediately.
Minho:
Don't worry, man. You'll get used to it. The teachers there understand our schedules. You'll be fine.
Jiwon appreciated the encouragement but couldn't shake the weight of the new expectations. Everything was happening so fast. The debut announcement, moving into the dorms, the rigorous training schedule, and now this.
When he arrived at the dorm later that evening, the boys of Atelier were gathered in the common area, going over the details of their debut promotion plans. Jiwon joined them, but his mind drifted to what awaited him at his new school. The weight of his responsibilities settled heavily on his shoulders.
"Hey, Jiwon!" Hoseok, the group's rapper, called out. "Ready for school life to start again? I can't believe you're actually going to Korea Arts High! That's legit."
Jiwon smiled, though the nervousness gnawed at him. "Yeah, I guess. It's going to be a big adjustment, though."
"You'll fit right in," said Taeyong, another trainee in the group. "Everyone there is super serious about making it in the industry, so you'll be around people who get it."
That night, Jiwon sat on his bed, staring at his phone. He opened the IDOL System screen out of habit, but there were no new updates or challenges. The system had been unusually quiet since his last task, where he had reached vocal level S during their debut performance. He wondered if the system would intervene in his school life as it had in his training.
The next morning, Jiwon stood at the gates of Korea Arts High, his sleek uniform freshly pressed. The school was intimidating, with its towering buildings and elite student body. As he stepped inside, he noticed how different it felt from a regular high school. The halls buzzed with conversations about auditions, dance routines, and performances.
As he navigated the halls, heads turned to look at him. Some recognized him from the teasers that the entertainment company had released for Atelier's debut. Others just seemed curious about the new face.
His first class was music theory, a subject that Jiwon knew was crucial for his vocal development. As the teacher spoke, explaining the finer details of pitch and harmony, Jiwon focused intently, taking notes. He knew this knowledge would help him improve his vocal skills outside of what the system offered. Despite the nervousness he felt being in a new environment, he reminded himself why he was here—to grow as both an artist and a student.
During lunch, Jiwon found a quiet spot in the cafeteria. He didn't know many people at the school yet, but he was fine with that. He opened the school planner the company had provided, looking over his dual schedule. Every day was packed from morning until late evening, with classes in the morning and trainee practice in the afternoon and night. It was going to be an intense year.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft ping—the familiar sound of the IDOL System activating.
IDOL SYSTEM 2.0 ACTIVATED: New task available.
Jiwon froze, glancing around before opening the screen discreetly. It was the first time in weeks that the system had given him a new task.
TASK:
Improve vocal range by one note through personalized vocal exercises outside of trainee training.
Reward:
Increased stamina during dance routines.
The system provided him with a detailed list of exercises to work on after school hours. Jiwon sighed. His schedule was already packed, but there was no way he could ignore the system's tasks.
That evening, after trainee practice, Jiwon stayed behind in the studio to work on his vocal exercises. His groupmates had already left, but Jiwon wasn't one to leave things unfinished. He stood in front of the mirror, focusing on the warm-ups the system had provided, pushing his voice to reach higher notes.
The hours slipped by, and by the time Jiwon finished, his throat was sore, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. He hadn't reached the goal yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the system would reward him.
As he made his way back to the dorm, exhaustion weighing on him, Jiwon thought about what Minho had said. He would adjust. He would balance school, training, and the system. After all, this was his dream—his life as an idol was just beginning.