Twisted Wonderland Book 5: A Beauitful Tyrant

Chapter 15: Commercial Exposition

After hearing Ortho's statement, Ace says in shock, "Wait, he PROGRAMMED a singing voice? Are you for real?!"

Lilia laughs, "Hah hah hah! I see the Ignihyde housewarden's reputation as a technomantic engineering savant is well-deserved. He gets some inspired ideas."

"That's p. legit, actually!" Cater says, "Programming voice synthesis software and posting songs you make with it has taken off big time. I'm a fan of electropop stuff, myself."

"I got no idea what any of you are talkin' about," Grim says.

"Me neither," Sereia replies.

Cater is surprised, "Really, Grimmy? Serrey? You've never seen a virtual idol before? Here, lemme show you a clip. Let's see..." Cater brings up his phone and looks up the video, "Ah, hold up. Gotta sit through a commercial without skipping to watch this for free."

The group looks at the phone and sees the commercial. The commercial shows the background of the woods.

Then a beautiful young man appears on it. He has short black hair. He wears a black sailor hat with red lining and bow patterns on top of it. In red text, the quote 'Someday My Princess Will Come' is sewn into it, He is wearing a Royal Sword Academy's coat uniform. Underneath the coat is a sweater with the top part mostly in blue and the lower part in yellow. Patterns of squirrels + snowflakes in white and apple seeds in red can be seen on the sweater. Underneath the sweater itself is a shirt in a white-blue check patterns, and on the collar of said shirt has a red bow-tie on it.

With a cheerful smile, the young man says, "I'll share a secret with you: this is no ordinary drink. It's a magic wishing drink! One sip, and all your wishes come true. A loving red with a sparkling pop. Red Apple Soda, on sale now."

"Ooh, that's the drink commercial people have been talking about lately. I gotta stay on top of the latest hotness! I'll drop by the school store later and check it out," Cater says.

Lilia looks at the commercial and says, "Ah, that Neige fellow in the commercial there... he came up at a recent housewarden meeting. He's going to be appearing at this year's SDC, you know."

"What?! That guy's a major celebrity! And he's showing up for THIS?" Ace says shocked.

Then Deuce says, "This competition's attracting some serious heavyweights. Now I really have to up my game..."

"So he's the Negie I heard about," Briar says.

"You've heard of him?" Tanzanite asks.

"Just recently. His name was brought up during the Housewarden meeting. Apparently he and Vil are famous actors and models. They're famous celebrities," Briar says.

"I don't remember seeing him around before," Jasper says.

"Well, we can't see him at school. From what I heard, Negie goes to Royal Sword Academy," Briar says.

"You mean Night Raven's rival school?" Jasper asks.

"That's the one," Briar says.

Just then, Cater says with a smile, "If I make it in, do you think I could get a selfie with Neige?"

"You're a shameless fanboy sometimes, Cater," Ace replies.

Then Cater says, "Look, Neige is THE hottest Magicammer out there. If I get my chance, you bet I'm taking that shot. Pun intended. And if I could get Vil and Neige in the shot together with me? I just KNOW I'd go viral."

Grim calls out, "Hey, Cater! Can you hold your phone lower? I can't see the screen at all!"

"I wanna see too," Sereia says.

Then Ortho says, "I could project it on the wall for you, if you like."

Suddenly, the door to the dorm slams open. Everyone turns to see Vil, Rook, and Epel.

Vil says, "Silence, spuds!"

And the three are practically sparkling.

Deuce is caught off guard, "Whoa, that's bright! What's with the sparkles?"

"I'm seein' stars over here!" Grim shouts, being blinded.

Epel looks and notices Briar, and the others among the crowd.

"I find it difficult to believe that anyone on this campus would be ignorant of who I am, but courtesy dictates an introduction all the same," Vil says, "I am Vil Schoenheit, housewarden of Pomefiore. This year, the headmage has assigned me a duty... To select entrants to compete in the Song & Dance Championship. We will now begin the ensemble auditions. Rook, take it away."

"Oui, Roi du Poison," Rook says.

Then announces, "I am Rook Hunt, vice housewarden of Pomefiore. A pleasure to make your acquaintances."

"Oh hey, it's the weirdo who was takin' audition applications. That guy's a vice housewarden?" Grim says, surprised.

Tanzanite whispers, "Must you be this rude?"

Rook continues, "We will have each of you perform the assigned set piece. You will be evaluated separately for singing and dancing. The auditions will be in groups of four. Come inside when your name is called."