This isn't to say Eden wanted the Schicksal Organization to take the path of 'debuting as idols to save the world.'
She simply wanted to shape a public-facing representative for Schicksal.
Eden was well aware that she couldn't be that representative herself.
Her personal style was too strong and distinct, utterly incapable of representing the organization as a whole.
In Eden's view, there were two most suitable candidates.
One was Kevyn, the other was Elysia.
Both possessed that kind of lively, outgoing personality, with social skills maxed out, and their own images were quite likable.
Either of them serving as Schicksal's public representative could win public goodwill for the organization, thereby, to some extent, helping Schicksal achieve its goals.
After all, ever since Durandal tasked her with polishing Schicksal's image, Eden understood perfectly well that in Durandal's plans, Schicksal had no intention of becoming a 'mysterious' official institution like Fire Moth.
Schicksal would definitely step into the spotlight, fighting the Honkai in a completely different way.
After two people in a row chose to drink rather than perform a talent, the atmosphere cooled down a touch.
However, when everyone realized who the third person chosen was, their enthusiasm was instantly reignited.
Because this third person was none other than Kevyn—one of the four specifically singled out by Durandal as forbidden from drinking due to being underage.
And Eden, who had just been pondering whether to package Kevyn as Schicksal's public representative, now perked up, beginning to observe the other with a professional's eye.
Under everyone's gaze, even though Kevyn was usually lively and had always been the center of attention at school, she couldn't help feeling a bit nervous now.
After all, she knew very well that the people here were different from schoolmates; each person present had their own outstanding qualities, and almost everyone had something worth learning from or respecting about them.
It felt like performing in front of parents or superiors. Kevyn took several deep breaths before calming down.
Seeing this, Su, who was beside her, covered her eyes in advance.
Thinking for a moment, she changed the position of her hands, switching to covering her ears.
Mei, who had also been looking forward to Kevyn's performance, noticed Su's movement out of the corner of her eye. After a slight hesitation, she followed suit and did the same.
Their actions were conveniently blocked by Kevyn standing up from the hot spring, so, completely unprepared, everyone 'enjoyed' an earful of, well, unique vocals.
Especially Eden. From the lyrics, she could tell Kevyn was singing the title track from her own first album.
But did the melody have even the slightest connection to her original song?
Just like that, Eden completely dismissed the idea of making Kevyn Schicksal's public representative.
Joking aside, if Schicksal really pushed Kevyn out as their image representative, within a few days the entire organization would probably become synonymous with a comedy club in the public's mind, right?
Generally speaking, people who are tone-deaf never have any self-awareness, and Kevyn was no exception.
As the song ended, Kevyn looked at everyone with an expectant face, waiting for their reviews.
After a moment of silence, their leader, Durandal, spoke up: "That was... quite something. Maybe don't sing next time."
Kevyn: ???
After sitting back down in the hot spring feeling somewhat glum, the game continued.
Over the following time, everyone eventually got their turn.
In truth, this was entirely the result of deliberate control by Durandal and Elysia.
Under their orchestration, they could absolutely ensure everyone had an equal chance seamlessly, without anyone being picked repeatedly while others never got a turn.
During this period, the more interesting performances came from Vill-V, Fuxi and Nuwa, and the most unexpected one from Emile.
Vill-V, needless to say, performed a brilliant magic trick for everyone, winning applause from all.
Fuxi and Nuwa performed a cross-talk comedy routine.
While amusing everyone, it also made Eden increasingly worried about the risk of Schicksal becoming associated with comedy in the future.
In short, no matter what, she had to try her best to prevent treasures like Kevyn, Fuxi, and Nuwa from interacting with the public as members of Schicksal.
Of course, if they purely went off to be comedians or something in their personal capacity, Eden wouldn't stop them. Just as long as they didn't tell people they were Schicksal members.
As for Emile, he recited a military-themed poem in a rhythmic, passionate voice, perfectly expressing a soldier's sense of responsibility, mission, and honor.
The genuine emotion made it completely clear this wasn't an act, but a performance from the heart.
Such a splendid recitation naturally earned everyone's applause as well.
By the time even an uncooperative member like Mobius, forced by a second turn, had to tell a dark fairy tale, everyone finally started to realize something seemed off.
Kevyn said gloomily, "Has anyone noticed that two people never got a turn?"
Of course, everyone had noticed, but no one was as blunt as Kevyn to actually say it out loud.
However, now that Kevyn had played the 'first bird to get shot,' everyone naturally focused their gazes on a certain two individuals.
"Stare—"
Facing everyone's stares, Elysia and Durandal knew their little trick had been discovered.
But they hadn't planned on 'cheating' anyway.
Since everyone else had shown their talents, as the leader and deputy leader, they couldn't not join in, could they?
"Alright then, it's getting late," Durandal said. "After Elysia and I show our talents, tonight's activities will come to a temporary close."
"Everyone can go back and rest, or you can soak a while longer in the small indoor hot springs. We won't interfere. The next two days are the same: free activities during the day, and we'll all gather in the evenings."
After a moment's thought, she added, "I'll perform a bit of synchronized swimming for everyone."
To be honest, Durandal hadn't deliberately learned synchronized swimming. But in her childhood, she had learned ballet for a time.
With her current physical abilities, she could completely recreate that short ballet piece in the hot spring.
Just as Durandal finished speaking, the music player controlled by Elysia began playing elegant, soothing music.
To the sound of the music, Durandal appeared at the center of the hot spring like an exceptionally agile fish, using it as a stage to begin her performance.
At the same time, another 'mermaid' appeared beside her at some unknown moment.
Noticing Elysia's arrival, Durandal was slightly taken aback but quickly began consciously coordinating her movements with the other's.
Without having practiced at all, the two of them relied on an ineffable tacit understanding to jointly complete a breathtaking water ballet.
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