Aeon Nether & Idol Effigy

Chapter 42- Adoption

Felixe's eyes narrowed slightly, as did his pursed lips fought back a sneer in the gaudy air breathed out by the people around him.

He was currently sitting down with two other temporary judges who were scheduled to briefly judge before joining the contestants in the later competition. A role that he too would take when the competition progressed to that stage. Regardless of the theme for this show being partially made of old talents in the entertainment industry in the first place.

It was a decision the staff made by themselves. Something they wanted to represent their pride in their jobs to the public, but it was evident to everyone they just wanted more money or power from moves like this. They never did care for this show. In their own words, "That's the public's job. We don't need to add anything more!" True to their word the public were the ones that suggested the themes of the show through a random draw of the ideas they placed on the internet. The staff would only reluctantly pick up the slack in order to not be fired as a staff member of the show and pine over the star studded judges.

On the topic of judges, it was said that other permanent judges or those who would possibly appear in the second year of the competition were seated somewhere else grouped into three groups. All of them were tasked to watch a contestant being questioned on why she was being difficult. It was an odd thing to do, but as people who've seen a bit more of the world they understood why they were made to watch. It was the human side's rebellion. Humans weren't fair creatures and to rebel against the competition they try to make contestants look bad in various ways. This was only one of the many ways to ignite a power struggle that was advantageous to the staff's side. They even went to the length of 'indirectly' trying to persuade and notify the judges to lead their fans against the said person.

Unfortunately for them, they were paid to try and ruin Aeon Nether's image. Felixe's thoughts had only become clear on seeking a fair competition with Rain after the 'temporary' judges had shown their thoughts on this matter. They had sadly chosen incorrectly. However, they didn't take it to heart. Something that Felixe found hilarious. He could see them trying to text each other in secret about arranging a meeting later. He didn't doubt they were going to try and gang up on him later in the competition. But even that he found hilarious.

His timeline ability only made this scene of stupidity into something entertaining. You see, even if he couldn't see the future with his timeline ability he could see a lot more. These groups of judges had also been isolated and live streamed ever since the contestants had gone into the audition/training phase of the show. Their only privilege as judges is to watch the contestants.

But they couldn't see what the viewers were saying or how many were watching someone's live stream. They had more access to the internet, but everything referring to this year's contestants and show was completely blocked off to them. They weren't even allowed to show themselves yet, but they were allowed to post comments under a nickname they placed in their judging seat for the show so far. But all this was designed to make the competition fair and also has been famous for ruining most of the judges who get paid off on the show to do certain things. This was a show where the judges' judgement was openly dissected. In a way Aeon Nether who proved to be so different from the normal polite good girls, became a honey trap to these blind people who thought she'd be an easy villainess to create.

So Felixe being the only one who knew that Aeon had amassed a positive cult following that was currently digging up the schedules of when certain staff members went to the toilet, would obviously be calm. The way the members carried themselves so blatantly or how the other temporary judges and one to three fully focused judges were playing mean girls was fully caught in hd. This was Rain's territory, their nicknames and anonymous status was never supposed to last for long when they tried to interrupt the competition like this.