The group followed Aideen to the competition venue.
At this moment, Aideen, filled with emotion, gave his final pre-competition pep talk.
"I sincerely wish you all success in reaching the end and becoming Penacony's new-generation superstars! So, before the competition officially begins, is there anything you'd like to say?"
Caelus enthusiastically raised his right hand. "We will definitely win!"
"Haha, truly befitting a fearless Trailblazer! Miss March 7th, what about you?"
The camera zoomed in on March 7th's face. "Hello, audience! Get ready to witness the super March 7th adventure that'll break the clear-speed record!"
[Alright, Say Cheese!]
[This close-up shot, I'm in love.]
[She's still so pretty.]
"Blazing new trails, challenging the limits! Truly worthy of Miss March 7th! And Miss Firefly?"
Firefly responded softly, showing no trace of fear in her expression. "I hope at the journey's end… everyone can reach the conclusion they long for."
"What a beautiful wish! Miss Himeko, what are your expectations for your team?"
Himeko: "Everyone's safety comes first."
Aideen then briefly explained the rules for the upcoming challenge, signaling that they could begin.
Before starting, Himeko pulled the group aside to discuss strategy.
The challenge had a set route, and Himeko suggested pairing up in twos for greater efficiency.
"I haven't known Miss Firefly or March for long and am not yet familiar with them… The Trailblazer might be a more reliable partner for her."
March 7th voiced no objections.
Caelus raised an eyebrow, looking at Himeko with gratitude. "There's such a good deal?"
[Thank you, Lady Himeko.]
[After this, Caelus is gonna need ten cups of coffee.]
[Ten cups? That'll shatter the Stellaron.]
[miHoYo gets it. First, the rooftop date, now tackling the challenge together. I'm loving it. Looking forward to what's next.]
——
Consistent with the previous plot, the challenge indeed offered two modes.
Of course, for the sake of integrity, both story paths were fully developed.
One was the Acting Faction, the other the Action Faction.
The Action Faction mostly involved Caelus and Firefly teaming up to defeat enemies, making up for lack of humor with action.
The Acting Faction, however, pushed the Trailblazer's absurdity to new heights.
Now, continuing with the Acting Faction's storyline.
At this moment, a guide stood waiting for the pair. "Dear contestants, allow me to explain the rules for this stage. Ahead, there are three stages. On each stage, you'll receive a script outline. These three scripts were penned by the film mogul 'Watchmaker' and depict various anecdotes from Penacony's pioneering era.
You need to imagine the scene, deliver appropriate lines, and perform fittingly to convey the emotions intended by the script to the judges. I wish you outstanding results!
By the way, the highest score for this stage was set by a red-haired contestant. His exquisite acting moved even the harshest judge to tears, earning the high praise—'It didn't feel like acting!'"
[Who's this guy?]
[Red hair? Didn't feel like acting?]
[Uh, somehow, I feel like this must be an old acquaintance.]
[Hahaha, that 'It didn't feel like acting!' makes it hard not to think of a knight in silver armor.]
——
The two moved forward to the first judge.
"Oh, look at this charming pair—so star-like! Since you're a duo, I've prepared a two-person scene for you! Are you ready?"
Caelus nodded lightly. "Ready."
"Now, imagine you two, inspired by the call to pioneer, set foot on Penacony's dreamland for the first time. But it's a wasteland of yellow sand, utterly barren—not the paradise the 'Watchmaker' promised!
You're driving a rickety old car through the dream's wilderness, swallowing cold wind, choking on sand, and blocked by a ferocious Memory Zone Meme…
Now—Trailblazer, what lines best express your 'disappointment' with Penacony?"
Caelus barely thought. "What a ferocious creature! Just ram it!"
Firefly was instantly speechless. "Uh… is that how you usually express 'disappointment'…"
Caelus: "This is great! I love a thrilling life!"
Firefly resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "That's not right… You're supposed to act 'disappointed,' not all excited…"
Caelus scratched his chin. "What a awful place! That liar, Watchmaker!"
The judge nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent! Next—though you're disappointed, your partner is thrilled. Now, young lady, what would you say—"
Firefly was visibly nervous, but her expression was intensely serious. "'Tch, t-this is great! I love this… th-thrilling life!'"
[Hahaha, I'm dying, with March 7th gone, Firefly's taken over as the straight man.]
[Caelus's absurdity is still a bit behind Stelle's.]
[Stelle's absurdity is natural, a born Abstract Saint.]
[Come on, Firefly delivering those lines is just too cute!]
[I'm obsessed with this scene!]
——
The judge gave a thumbs-up. "Nice, very thrilling! Now for the next part of the story—you've found work building railroads, but the grueling labor day and night exhausts you, and you collapse in the desert's depths…
Suddenly! A divine rain falls from the sky, moistening your lips and rekindling your fighting spirit.
Now—gray-haired gentleman, what lines best express your 'surprise' at this moment?"
Caelus looked helpless. "Might as well let me die of thirst!"
Firefly: "That's not right… That line doesn't sound very 'surprised.'"
"Maybe we're just doomed to fail."
"We've moved on to a new prompt! Now it's about 'surprise,' not 'disappointment'…"
"Penacony really is full of opportunities!"
The judge added, "But at this moment, your partner looks up at the sky, closing her eyes. Raindrops fall, blurring her vision, and she says sadly—"
Firefly performed with effort. "'M-maybe we're just doomed to fail… right?'"
The judge jumped up excitedly. "Fantastic! Your line delivery is incredibly profound! But lines aren't the whole performance. Please continue this story at the second stage… Next, you'll face the challenge of 'physical expression!'"
[Fantastic?!]
[Hahaha, what's fantastic about this? Is this show rigged?]
[It's a miracle they didn't kick Caelus off.]
[Guess the judges don't need to see clearly.]
[Is miHoYo sneaking in some shade here?]
After passing the first stage, the two reached the second stage's judge.
"Here, you two need to use exquisite 'body language' to interpret the story scenario I describe."