Chapter 13: The First Performance and the Threats

Chapter 13: The First Performance and the Threats

"Alright, Group 4, start your performance. Do your best and make us amaze." Professor Jorge said, noticing that some of the students were still staring at Cain.

The leader stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Sir, Miss Eliza, and a random judge for today, we are here to present our performance."

Professor Jorge raised an eyebrow. "And what will that be?"

"It's dancing, sir," the leader replied confidently.

Eliza leaned back in her chair, her posture perfectly straight despite the relaxed gesture. One elegant brow lifted as she observed the group in front of her. There was a faint, almost imperceptible sigh.

"How discourteous," she said, her voice cooly. "You stand before your judges, prepared to perform, and yet you fail to offer the simplest courtesy."

Her fingers tapped lightly against the number cards. "In civil gatherings, one introduces oneself before displaying themselves before others. It is basic decorum."

Her gaze narrowed slightly as it settled on the leader. "You. Step forward. What is your name?"

The leader swallowed and straightened his back. "M-My name is Adrian, Miss Eliza."

"Very well," she said, her voice laced with quite disdain. "Go on—do your thing. Try not to bore me completely… or embarrass yourselves too badly."

They started the music—a modern, catchy tune that immediately set a lively vibe. As soon as it played, the group began to dance. Considering they had only twenty minutes to prepare, their performance was impressive. Every movement was elegant and precise, each step carefully calculated. It was clear that some of them had already received professional training, not only in dance but also in performing confidently in front of an audience.

When the music ended, the leader, Adrian, quickly turned it off.

"And that concludes our group's performance for today's activity," he announced, bowing slightly.

Professor Jorge nodded. "Alright, judges, it's time to give your scores."

"I'll start," he said, stepping forward. "The music your group chose was a solid pick. Some of you moved perfectly in rhythm, while others improvised as best you could. Considering you only had twenty minutes to prepare, this is a strong start. I'll give your team a solid 8."

- "Thanks… thanks for the score, sir!"

- "Phew… maybe we won't get punished after all, even though we were first."

- "I know what that commoner is going to give… but what about Miss Eliza? We need enough points to hit 25."

- "We did okay, right? Like Professor Jorge said… maybe she'll give us a 7 too, if we're lucky."

Professor Jorge cleared his throat and said,

"Alright, it's Miss Eliza's turn to judge. What score will she give your group?"

Eliza slowly raised her scorecard—and revealed a 1. Gasps echoed through the gym. Students froze, wide-eyed, and even Professor Jorge and cain blinked in surprise.

Eliza let out a soft, almost bored sigh, her gaze sweeping over the group.

"Oh? Is there a problem?" she said, her voice calm but dripping with disdain. "Did I hurt your fragile little feelings by giving a single point? Consider yourselves fortunate—I don't have zero here… or negative numbers. I could have given that instead."

"You all look like earthworms cramped in a jar, wriggling around! There's plenty of space—why aren't you using it? The timing is all wrong: some of you are stiff, others too loose, some move together while others just do whatever they know. Some of you are hiding behind your classmates because of a few mistakes, this is Ridiculous."

The students shrank under her judging stare, while Cain barely managed to keep from laughing at her sheer audacity.

- "What score is this? It's nuts!"

- "Hey, lower your voice, or you'll end up on her bad side."

- "How high are her standards, anyway?"

- "We got 8 before, and now 1? If that commoner lowers even a single point, we'll bury him alive."

- "I hope Professor Jorge doesn't give another group an 8, because if he does, we'll be the ones punished."

Professor Jorge cleared his throat loudly, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ahem! Now it's your turn, Cain. What score will you give them?"

Immediately, all four groups' turned their gaze directed toward him, It felt like their eyes could pierce through his soul.

- "One wrong move, and we'll bury that ugly face of yours!"

- "I swear, if you lower our score, I'll sell your organs!"

- "Don't even think about trying anything funny…"

- "We're watching you—one point less and you're done for!"

- "Careful, commoner… one slip and it won't end well for you."

Cain swallowed hard. He could feel their glares. their whispered threats bouncing around in his head. He shifted on his chair, trying not to meet any of their eyes.

Even Professor Jorge raised an eyebrow at the intensity, clearly surprised at the ferocity of the students' reactions.

Cain gulped and muttered, "Oh… right. It's my turn." His hands shook slightly as he raised the 10-point card. Eliza's sharp gaze immediately turned to him. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"hey, what do you think you are doing?" she said, her voice calm but dripping with disdain. "Do you truly intend to declare yourself impressed by such an… lamentable display? To grant them a perfect score of ten? Preposterous!"

In Cain's mind, panic screamed, "What the hell do I do? Do I follow what Eliza wants, or the expectations of the group? I'll be in trouble either way… this is all Professor Jorge's fault!"

He took a shaky breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "No… their performance was actually good. I was… impressed, even moved by their dancing. They really did their best. Yeah, they deserve a perfect 10."

He tried to reason further, his thoughts almost pleading with himself. "I'm just a commoner. Maybe my taste is different… this is the first time I've witnessed such a beautiful performance like this."

Eliza's eyes suddenly fixed on him. She leaned back slightly, folded her hands gracefully, and said "A most… valid explanation, I suppose, for an ugly commoner to possess such… unsophisticated standards. Very well, then. If your heart finds merit where my eyes see none, so be it. Let us proceed to the next performance."

"Alright, the total points for Group 4 are as follows: 8 points from me, 1 point from Miss Eliza, and 10 points from the other judge, giving a total of 19 points."

- "Good work… ugly."

- "I guess you'll still be able to take a shit peacefully."

- "Good dog."

"Okay, next group! Step forward and show us what you've got!" Jorge said, clapping his hands to signal the next performers.