Chapter 39: Another Added Scene
“It’s starting again.”
Watching his father’s demeanor, Klan Roland couldn’t help but turn his head and whisper a complaint to David Berg beside him.
“This is all out of the captain’s thoughtful intentions.”
…
“Hello, Captain Roman. To receive your praise is my greatest honor.”
With experience from both her past and present lives in dealing with people, Janna knew well that when accepting compliments, one must not only receive them humbly but also express visible gratitude in return—thus providing emotional value back to the complimenter.
“Your performance just now—both your singing and acting—was truly outstanding... In fact, judging by your facial expressions and body control, your performance didn’t resemble that of a newcomer at all...”
Amateurs watched for excitement; professionals looked for technique.
Everyone in the room, whether judges or observers, were insiders in the field of performance.
Roman Roland’s assessment mirrored what everyone thought—the actress named Janna had performed exceptionally well in her first audition.
In fact, with the added advantages of her appearance and voice, her brilliance even far surpassed that of Ollie Berry.
…
“Ollie...”
“I’m fine.”
Though her expression remained composed, the clenched fists of Ollie Berry betrayed her inner turmoil.
“This performance was just the appetizer. The real challenge is that additional scene... As a newcomer, it’s impossible for her to portray such complex emotions...”
“Why do you still think she’s a newcomer?”
Though the person beside her meant well, Ollie Berry, who had gradually begun to grasp Janna’s true capability, didn’t want to fool herself like a naive idiot.
…
“Miss Janna, would you be willing to perform an additional impromptu scene?”
“Of course, no problem.”
Janna had already anticipated this and wasn’t surprised. In fact, she had prepared for it well before stepping onto the stage.
“Then please perform the scene where [Natasha] learns of her father’s death and cuts her hair to join the army.”
Hearing Roman Roland’s words, all the interviewees who had guessed there would be an additional scene unconsciously leaned forward.
Even Liji Silks, who was familiar with Janna, couldn’t help but grow nervous at this moment.
She just didn’t know whether she was nervous for Janna—or for her own teaching ability.
…
“Mr. Shuka, I’ll have to trouble you to partner with me again this time.”
Standing closest to Janna, Shuka Berg found himself struck speechless again by her rose-like smile beneath a crimson dress.
Someone so accustomed to beauties was now lost for words.
After a brief daze, he swallowed hard and replied somewhat stiffly,
“Of course, no problem. It’s my honor.”
Receiving Shuka Berg’s reply, Janna nodded in gratitude. Then, as her smile faded and her expression shifted, in just an instant, the warmth she’d shown a second ago vanished.
Through subtle adjustments in her micro-expressions, her face took on a somber hue.
“I’m sorry. I truly am...”
Perhaps influenced by Janna’s emotional transformation, Shuka Berg, unwilling to fall short in his professional domain, delivered a performance far more emotionally charged than the one he did with Ollie Berry.
“No, wait a moment!”
According to the premise of Bloodshadow Rose, [Natasha] had already vaguely suspected her father’s death deep down.
But clinging to the final shred of hope in her heart, she kept deceiving herself, unwilling to accept the truth.
At this point, to portray [Natasha]’s complex emotions, Janna drew upon psychological cues from Transfiguration on self-deception.
Even though she couldn’t empathize directly with Natasha’s experience, Janna could deepen her belief in the character through mental suggestion and use her [Muscle Control] talent to naturally express the appropriate gestures and expressions.
Now, though [Natasha] stared directly at [Loki], her trembling lips and slightly unfocused pupils were keenly observed by the four judges closest to Janna and the first row of interviewees. They all caught these micro-expressions with sharp insight.
“He... he was a valiant warrior and an exceptional leader... This... This is something your father asked me to give to you.”
Much as he hated to admit it, Shuka Berg, the seasoned actor, had completely forgotten he was only playing a supporting role.
Not only had he raised his own performance intensity, but even his lines had been altered unconsciously.
“And now, this ring has finally returned to its rightful owner.”
As the scene progressed, a ring engraved with a golden rose appeared in [Loki]’s right palm.
Seeing the familiar pattern on the rose ring and the crimson bloodstains on it, even the self-deceiving [Natasha] felt as though her heart had been struck by a sledgehammer.
A suffocating pain from the realization of the truth pierced her deeply.
“Mr. Loki, please... leave for a moment.”
“Natasha...”
“Please leave! Thank you...”
Unlike Ollie Berry’s emotionally hysterical approach from the start, Janna’s portrayal was far more restrained.
It wasn’t until [Loki] stepped out of the room that the heavy breathing from [Natasha]’s chest and her trembling body finally exploded into full emotion in the empty room.
“Father—”
With unfocused eyes and tears streaming like a snapped pearl necklace, [Natasha] fell to her knees.
Under Janna’s exceptional [Muscle Control], her body moved like a perfectly tuned acting machine, replicating the scene exactly as she envisioned.
…
“Yes! Yes! Yes! This is the Natasha I envisioned!”
Looking at Janna’s slender figure—grief-stricken yet breathtaking—Liji Silks, who was nearly fanatical in her love for opera, was now even more excited than when she had received an autograph from her idol, Anna!
“I lost...”
Watching Janna’s entire performance, Ollie Berry felt a taut string inside her finally loosen.
“But it was a fair loss.”
…
“Cut!”
This time, it wasn’t Roman Roland who called the stop—it was Klan Roland, whose face was flushed with excitement, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
“Damn! What the hell? I wasn’t done watching yet!”
Just like how Janna’s first round of audition had been interrupted by Roman Roland, right as the scene reached its emotional peak, the audience—completely immersed in her performance—were frustrated to be stopped by Klan Roland.
A few of the more impulsive candidates could barely hold back their curses.