Chapter 30: Bloodshadow Rose
Slowly removing the oversized wizard hood from her head, as Janna's entire face was exposed to everyone's view, the previously somewhat noisy waiting hall seemed to have been paused; all sounds vanished at that moment.
What remained were the fervent and intense gazes directed at Janna.
"This... this young lady, please... have a seat here..."
The male attendant, always mindful of maintaining etiquette and not daring to lose composure, inadvertently caught a glimpse of Janna's face as he turned to guide her, and his previously calm voice began to tremble slightly.
"Alright, thank you."
"You're... you're welcome. It's my honor to serve you."
Seeing Janna take her seat, the highly professional male attendant quickly forced himself to calm down, lowered his head, and dared not let his gaze linger on Janna.
After completing his guidance, he swiftly turned around and hurriedly walked toward the staircase, leaving the waiting hall.
It wasn't until Janna truly sat down that the people around her resumed their low conversations, though their glances still occasionally and intentionally drifted toward Janna's direction.
"Are you... Janna Roland?"
Hearing a familiar voice from behind, Janna turned her head and indeed saw a familiar face.
"What a coincidence, meeting you here."
With slightly frizzy red curls and a few light freckles on her round cheeks, Liji Silks' high-pitched tone and the disbelief in her light-colored pupils all revealed her surprise.
"It's not a coincidence at all. I can't believe you're here for the audition too... Wait, you're not even a fan of the Nightingale Opera Troupe, but my competitor! Oh my! I actually taught my competitor opera!"
Listening to Liji Silks' startled exclamations, Janna tactfully closed her mouth and then politely pulled her to the seat beside her.
"Senior Liji, I paid you for your teaching, which aligns with the wizard's principle of equivalent exchange."
"Of course, I know that."
Looking at the familiar smile on Janna's face, Liji Silks felt a bitter taste in her heart.
"If I had known you were auditioning on the same day, I wouldn't have taken that task... Or maybe I should have waited until after my audition to teach you..."
Seeing Liji Silks' bitter expression, Janna's social smile turned into a genuine one.
If every colleague in her previous workplace spoke as straightforwardly as Liji Silks, Janna would have found workplace competition much easier.
"What, does my appearance scare you, a Second Tier Sound Element Apprentice, this much?"
"Of course! If you only had a decent face, that would be one thing! But your voice is also so good! It's infuriating!"
"......"
This time, Janna was genuinely at a loss for words.
Although everything the other party said was true, hearing it from Liji Silks in this setting made Janna feel quite uncomfortable.
Seeing Janna remain silent, perhaps having accepted the harsh reality, Liji Silks pouted, sighed resignedly, and then, thinking of a possibility, looked at Janna with a hint of hope and asked:
"Which role are you auditioning for this time?"
"What role?"
"Don't you know that today is the public audition day for the Nightingale Opera Troupe's 'Bloodshadow Rose'?"
Hearing Liji Silks' question, Janna couldn't help but frown.
"I came to the audition at the invitation of David Berg, not specifically to audition for any role."
"David Berg? You know David Berg? The genius director who wrote 'Bloodshadow Rose' and 'Song of the Ocean'?"
"He wrote both of those scripts?"
Seeing that Janna's expression didn't seem fake, Liji Silks finally confirmed that this beautiful but seemingly inexperienced witch was not in the same league as her.
The other party wasn't like those in the waiting hall, struggling actors waiting for minor roles, but a future "potential stock" personally selected by David Berg as a talent scout.
"Senior Liji? Liji?"
Hearing the call from the person beside her, Liji Silks, who had just been lost in thought, suddenly came back to her senses.
"Ah, I'm fine. Suddenly, I'm just fine—"
Seeing Liji Silks' neurotic and abnormal behavior, Janna merely shook her head.
"Are all the people in the waiting hall here to audition for 'Bloodshadow Rose'?"
"Yes."
"Then where did you all get the audition information?"
"Of course, it was notified by the Actors' Guild. Many people here are veterans in the opera industry, with good acting skills, just lacking an opportunity..."
Liji Silks didn't hide anything from Janna, almost telling her everything she knew.
"Then Senior must have performed in many operas, right? After all, your singing skills are excellent, and you're a rare Second Tier Sound Element Apprentice."
Upon hearing this, Liji Silks smiled proudly:
"Of course. I was previously a contracted actor with the White Horse Troupe. Since my contract expired at the beginning of this year, I wanted to switch to the Nightingale Opera Troupe. Unfortunately... I didn't pass the last audition at the Nightingale Opera Troupe..."
Due to limitations in appearance, Liji Silks, who aspired to be a leading lady, was regretfully not selected during last month's audition for the Nightingale Troupe's 'Sparrow'.
However, with her naturally optimistic mindset and passionate love for opera, Liji Silks, after reflecting on her shortcomings, decided to try again.
This time, Liji Silks no longer aimed too high.
After thoroughly evaluating her own conditions, she decided to audition for the role of Natasha's sister, Nachusa, during her youth in 'Bloodshadow Rose'.
Although the role didn't have much stage time, it was significant within its scenes.
"Are you saying that all the actors present are competing for minor roles in the Nightingale Opera Troupe?"
After listening to Liji Silks' explanation, Janna looked around and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Don't put it so harshly. Even the smallest role in 'Bloodshadow Rose' has a gold content that other troupes' main operas can't match... Besides, the role I'm auditioning for isn't just any minor role, but the proper third female lead in Act A, okay?"
The entire play of 'Bloodshadow Rose' is divided into three acts. Act A tells the story of Natasha's youth before joining the army, while Acts B and C mainly focus on Natasha's adult storyline.
The total duration is two hours, interspersed with numerous battle scenes, so the main roles are all played by Transcendents.
"By the way, did Director David Berg mention which role he hopes you'll play?"