Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Chapter 2: A Lot to Prepare

Later in the Mirror Chamber, there is a meeting to discuss The National Arcane Academy Culture Fair. Of course, Briar, one of the housewarden, and the others are in the room with Dire Crowley

Crowley asks, "All housewardens are present, then?"

"Malleus isn't here yet," Vil answers.

Then Lilia says, "Sorry about that. I knew where he was up until lunch break... But once school let out, poof—he was gone."

He pulls this every time. It has to be on purpose, right?" Idia says through the tablet.

"I wouldn't say that. Time just flows a little... differently for us fae," Lilia says, "And if I might add, he's got quite a streak of bad luck when it comes to these things.

Kalim laughs, "Aha ha, I know just what you mean! Jamil gets onto me all the time for forgetting to attend meetings."

Lilia chuckles, "Khee hee hee... As his vice housewarden, I'll be representing Malleus today, with your leave."

Leona huffs, "Hmph. Who cares if that pretentious punk is here? Can we get this meeting started or what?"

Crowley clears his throat, "AHEM. I now call this assembly to order."

He then begins the meeting, "We've spent quite a while preparing for the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair. It takes place in less than two months. Management Committee Chairman Rosehearts, your progress report, if you please.

"Yes, sir," Riddle says, "If everyone could refer to the papers I handed out at the start?" He holds out a paper and says, "Applications are still open for student admissions and presentations from magical academies nationwide. Vendor booths for food, drinks, and crafts are limited in number and all fully booked."

"Hm? The food and drinks part I get, but what's this about crafts?" Kalim asks.

"That covers arts club products: clothes, pottery, engravings, paintings, and so on. They'll be selling some and exhibiting others. We also had applications for live painting and independent films," Riddle explains.

"Ooh, that all sounds delightful!" Kalim happily says.

Riddle continues, "Moving on, regarding the venues for speech contests and research presentations... We plan to install three stages on campus for this event. The red stage will be on the sports field. The blue stage will be in the gym. And the purple stage will be in our largest spot, the coliseum. We are still accepting press coverage applications for all presentations, both from domestic and foreign sources, but... Mm." and begins to think

"What is it, Riddle? You look pensive," Kalim asks.

Then Riddle says, "There's a musical presentation on the Purple Stage called the Song & Dance Championship. We've been flooded with applications from external media outlets to cover this program. To what I would call an excessive degree.

"I imagine so, yes," Azul says, "Song & Dance Championship, or SDC for short... is a global-level competition between the most talented singers at schools in every part of the country.

Then Riddle says, "Considering that it's categorized as a musical presentation, I was envisioning something more along the lines of a simple choral contest.

"That's all the SDC actually was, back when the culture fair first started," Vil says. "But as time went on, it came to encompass greater and greater varieties of musical expression. Now dances and other such productions fall within its purview. It's been changing steadily over time. Nowadays, it's a music festival widely regarded as a gateway to the big leagues.

"The audience votes for the finalists in real time as well. This keeps the event from feeling staged. There's no small number of stars who got their start here. Incidentally, Vil will be participating this year. Small wonder the press is swarming the event," Aul says.

"...Hmph," Vil scoffs a bit with his arms crossed.

"Interesting. I never knew," Riddle replies

Then Azul says, "Tsk, tsk, Riddle. Considering you're at the top of your class, I thought you'd be more up-to-date on trending topics. Were you not aware that Vil is a global celebrity?"

"Must you always couch your words in barbs?" Riddle questions with a frown, "I don't live under a rock. I know my upperclassman is in the entertainment industry."

"Really?" Briar asks.

The group turns to Briar.

Briar blushes a bit, "Um, sorry if I felt like I was not in the loop, but I never really knew Vil is a celebrity in the school. I mean, I know he's well, you know, beautiful, but I never knew he was a celebrity."

"Indeed he is," Azul answers with a chuckle.

Then explains, "He's a highly popular figure who does everything from modeling for fashion magazines to acting in movies. When Fashion Week kicks off, he's flooded with offers from big-name brands. He held the record for runway appearances in last year's fall and winter seasons. Plus he's a Magicammer with over five million followers. All this while still a student! They say whenever he plugs a piece of merchandise, it flies off every store shelf. He's the textbook definition of an 'influencer.'"

"Goodness... I didn't know he was THAT famous," Riddle says, surprised.

"Wow. That sounds really big, almost at a royalty level," Briar says.

"I'm sure Vil can tell you more about his great accomplishments in his career," Azul says.

Vil scoffs and says, "Hmph. Ever the chatterbox, Azul."