Chapter 44
“I've also arranged for original choreography to accompany the song.” Vil said as he pulled his phone out. “Here, I'll pull up a dance video with a similar dynamic to provide you with a visual aid of what our performance will look like when it's finished. There should be plenty of videos from professional dance groups on Magicam... Ah, here we are.”
Grim jumped on Roxana’s shoulders to take a look when she approached the group to watch the video. “I know the deal here. You gotta watch a commercial before you get to the video, right?”
*Commercial*
Narrator. “Keep your skin as soft as powdered snow. This UV foundation is made to protect all your delicate curves.”
Neige appeared while smiling. “It's finally here: a magical sunblock that makes all your wishes come true.”
Narrator. “FÉLICITÉ COSMETICS: Precious Protection Foundation.”
“Here, come closer...” Neige said while showing the product.
What is THAT ? Roxana raised an eyebrow. And by THAT she’s referring to Neige.
“Oh yeah, that Neige guy is gonna be at the VDC too, right?” Ace said while looking at Neige. “Cater was saying he's the most popular entertainer on Magicam.”
Jamil narrowed his eyes. “Hm. He'll garner a lot of votes, I'm sure.”
“He's the Royal Sword Academy representative.” Rook said.
Kalim tapped the palm if his left hand with his fist. “So he's our rival!”
Rook nodded. “Precisely. The road we travel toward victory must by necessity go squarely through him. Still... Those rose-red lips and glossy black hair... That endearing smile that could charm anyone in an instant... A rival though he may be, oh, c'est beau!”
“He’s too white for me, I prefer them grey or black.” Roxana said and dismissed Rook’s comment.
“What does that even mean ?” Ace deadpanned.
Epel stayed quiet.
Vil frowned. “Cease your frivolous chatter and focus on the dance video. This time, losing is absolutely not an option.”
*Slytherin Dorm – Lounge*
“Mira, Mira. Tell me something.” Vil asked his phone.
Mira. “What would you like me to look up?”
“Who, at this moment, is the most beautiful of all?” Vil asked.
“Displaying results for "account with the most comments using the word 'beautiful'": Roxana Lestrange and Neige Le-Blanche.
Vil glared at his phone.
“Would you like to view search results in your browser?”
“Just you wait, Neige... You won't be resting on your laurels for much longer, and you Roxana…refuse to lose to you !”
Vil walked away furious, he did not notice Roxana coming out from behind a snake statue and walked up to her own Magic Mirror.
“…Did he seriously just ask his phone ?” Roxana rolled her eyes, she put her hand on the Mirror. “I think that if he asked the right question he will be surprised with the result.” She sighed. “Such a pretty face and he’s wasting potential, he’s trying to impress the wrong crowd, aren’t I right my dear mirror.”
“You are mistress.” The Mirror responded.
*Slytherin Dorm – Ballroom*
“All right, it's time for rehearsal. But first...” Vil put his hands on his hips. “I will announce the main vocalists and backup dancers. I personally made these selections based on a review of your performance at auditions. In the event that any of you improve between now and showtime, we may make some alterations to the lineup. So if you weren't selected for main vocals, you should consider those positions up for grabs. First, the main vocalists will be Jamil, Epel, and myself.”
“Oh, wow! Nice going, Jamil!” Kalim clapped.
Jamil pointed at himself in surprise. “You want ME on main vocals?”
“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?” Vil raised an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, far from it. I just think Kalim would be more suited for...” Jamil shook his head. “...You know what? Never mind. I'm on it. I'll endeavor to meet all of your expectations.”
“Um, if I may? I don't think I'm cut out for this.” Epel said after he raised his hand. “I think, maybe...someone else would be a better pick.”
Vil glared. “You don't get a say in the matter. Have you forgotten the agreement we made when you enrolled? I need you to be the poison apple that brings him down.”
Epel’s shoulder fell as he looked at the floor. “...Yes, sir.”
Deuce looked at him with a bit of pity. “Epel...?”
If you want a poison apple then just get an apple and dip it in poison you fool. Roxana scoffed.
“Aw, man. I got bumped outta main vocals...” Ace pouted.
“But if you keep working, you might rise up and win it back, right? Ooh, this is gonna be great!” Kalim grinned. “Looks like the rest of us are in the backup chorus and dance team. Let's give our lead singers a run for their money!”
Rook clapped. “Excellent, Roi Doré! Your positivity brightens the team like the warming rays of a radiant sun.”
“And sun rays are also annoying.” Roxana said under her breath.
Kalim didn’t hear her. “We have to make the dancing and singing fun for both the performers and the viewers.”
“Let's be clear—despite the word "main," the main vocalists are not the stars, nor are the chorus members mere supporting characters.” Vil said. “You should ALL consider yourselves stars in this ensemble and treat your job accordingly. Now that you all have your assignments, we can begin rehearsing in earnest. Pay close attention to my movements and try to emulate them.”
Vil started the music, and they began to dance.
Now Roxana noticed something, their dance was … good in a way, she will give Vil that, some need improvements.
“Still waste of potential.” Roxana shook her head.
Roxana was a fan of K-Pop music, and she still is, so of course even tho she’s not a real professional, as a fan she knows what she wants, and people who are like Vil end up trying to copy their rival even without noticing then end up regretting a lot of things.
Neige is successful in the ‘beautiful and cute’ department, something that Vil will never win at.
Vil is more suited for the ‘Handsome and sexy’ department, something that Neige will never win at.
In other words Vil needs to change his style and influence the right audience with his body, of course not to the point of being called shameless and a pervert, just enough to win hungry fangirls.
Buuut I will not tell him that. Roxana smirked. Oh no, I want to have a little slave~. She gave the blond a look. Well, even if I do tell him it’s not like he will listen.
“Strike a pose. Now step, two, three, four. Get down, two, three...” Vil cringed. “Stop, stop! You're completely off-base, Potato Two.”
Deuce blinked. “Huh? Is Potato Two...me?” He pointed at himself.
Vil gave him a blank look. “Who else would it be?”
“Yeah, I'm number one, apparently.” Ace mumbled while side eying.
“You're too focused on your hands. You're completely neglecting your feet. And all of your motions are stiff as a board. Do you have a two-by-four tied to your back?” Vil frowned.
Deuce looked at his feet. “S-sorry.”
“You're not much better, Epel. You need flexibility for jazz hip-hop.” Vil said while looking at the young boy.
“But all these girly twisting motions...” Epel cringed. “I don't...want to do those.”
Roxana snapped her head at him. “Girly ? Who put misogynistic thoughts into that boy's head ?”
Epel heard her and flinched.
Vil did not like that either. “I'm sorry, what was that? Are you seriously gendering MOVEMENTS? What complete and utter gibberish. You sound like a lunatic raving in his sleep. Not that I'd give such drivel a pass even then.” The blond proceeded to tug Epel’s ear.
Epel cried in pain. “O-Owwwww! Please, not the ear!”
“Since our darling apple seems to be dozing off while it's still light out, I'm helping you to hear more clearly.” Vil frowned. “Listen—twisting motions only look good when your inner muscles are properly toned. When it comes to attire and dance moves, there is no such thing as "for boys" or "for girls." The whole idea of boys being ashamed of doing effeminate dance moves is so last century. Did you grow up a century ago and then take a time machine to the present? Hm?”
Epel looked ashamed. “N-no, sir...”
Kalim separated them while calming them both down. “Now, now, Vil. There's no need to get bent out of shape about it. Epel, I know it can be a little embarrassing at first, but just lean into it and exaggerate your motions. That'll make it more fun!”
Vil crossed his arms. “Kalim's right. There's no beauty to be found in weak-kneed fidgeting.”
Kalim blinked. “Huh? That wasn't what I meant—mmph!”
Jamil jumped and put a hand on the white haired boy’s mouth. “Kalim... Shush.”
“That settles it. Starting tomorrow, you're getting a separate training regimen from the rest of us.” Vil said.
Epel looked at him in surprise. “What?”
“You'll be taking ballet lessons alone until I say otherwise.” Vil said.
“Huh? Valet? You mean when you take someone else's vehicle and park it for them?” Epel was confused.
Vil narrowed his eyes at him. “Try to pick up on context clues. Just because your face is soft doesn't mean your brain has to be. I'm referring to the dance performed by ballerinas, of course.”
Epel took a step back in shock. “Whaaa?! M-me? A ballerina?!”
“I won't ask you to perform a relevé and stand on the tips of your toes, but I expect you to at least master the art of turning with grace.” Vil said. “And more to the point, I expect you to toss out your antiquated notions of things being "boyish" or "girly."”
Epel stuttered. “B-but you can't expect me to do that overnight...”
Deuce looked at Epel and Vil, he opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
“Yikes. He's even more demanding than Vargas in flight class.” Grim whispered.
“We'd better keep our heads down. Wouldn't want to end up in his crosshairs.” Ace said back.
Deuce raised his hand. “Excuse me, Vil?”
“Yes, Potato Two?”
“May I join in on the ballet lessons?”
Ace and Epel looked at him like he lost it. “What?!”
“Are you NUTS? Why would you volunteer for that?!” Ace shouted at him.
Vil crossed his arms. “For what reason?”
“I also fall into the trap of viewing things along a spectrum of so-called manliness.” Deuce said. “I've passed the ensemble auditions. If we're aiming for the top, then I want to pull out all the stops.”
Epel looked at Deuce. “Deuce...”
Vil nodded. “Very well. With enough ballet lessons, even a scarecrow might limber up enough to resemble a human. Today's session is adjourned.”
“Oui. Come, let us all enjoy a nice dinner together.” Rook said.
“You all can leave this room, Deuce, Epel I need to speak with both of you.” Roxana said. “Ace go to Helia and tell her to give you the chargrilled swordfish with grape, almond, and barley salad.”
“How is a bird going to prepare food ?” Ace deadpanned. “Can’t you just tell us where the kitchen is ?”
“No.”
Ace pouted and walked out with the others, Vil gave her a final look before walking away, Roxana turned her glare to the two boys who were left in her mercy.
Epel and Deuce gulped.
“Follow me to the seventh floor.”
*Slytherin Dorm – Seventh Floor Empty Corridor*
“This place is empty, and why are you passing ?” Deuce asked.
A door suddenly appeared, it was gigantic.
“Woah.” Epel’s eyes widened.
“Welcome to the Room of Requirement, a place where you will find everything you need, this room transform into whatever the needer needs.” Roxana said as she took a sword that was hanging on the wall.
“Ah she’s going to kill us…” Deuce said while looking around, this room looked like a dancing room.
But with a twist, it was full of dummies and swords.
“And what you two need right now, is getting your things straight.” Roxana said. “Now watch.”
The dummies moved and Roxana run up to them with her sword, cutting them down with elegant moves, the dummies stopped moving and Roxana stopped attacking, the sword in her hand floated back to its original place.
“Did you notice something in my moves ?” Roxana asked.
“No ?” Epel bit his lip.
“…Where…” Deuce started hesitating for a second. “Did you just dance with the sword ? I mean that was dancing right ?”
“Exactly, you see before I picked sword-fighting the right way.” Roxana said while thinking about the time she stabbed her parents. “I learned dancing, ballet, and other things that needed balance and elegance, then I picked sword-fighting and included my dance moves with my sword moves, you see, dancing skills can be very useful in hand to hand combat and sword fighting, because then you will take your enemy by surprise, dancing move are unpredictable so it’s good to learn them.
Roxana approchaed them.
“In other words, you learn ballet from Vil, I teach you how to fight, people will not underestimate Deuce because he looks … ‘manly’ so in a way they will take him seriously in a fight unlike you Epel.” Roxana said, Epel greeted his teeth and said nothing. “But your cute appearance is a good things.”
Epel looked at her. “What ?”
“You’re like an oleander, beautiful pink flower.” Roxana smirked. “But deadly, people will underestimate you in a fight and won’t take you seriously, they won’t know what hit them till they find themselves in the hospital.” She smiled at the boy. “I want you to use your appearance to your advantage, used it as a weapon, love yourself, and for the love of everything throw the ‘manly misogynistic’ thoughts out of your mind or I will do that for you myself.” She glared.
Epel gulped.
“Now go along.” Roxana shooed them.
Both boys run out of the room.
“She’s scary, how do you deal with her ??” Epel asked.
“Uuuuhh…you get used to it ?” Deuce shrugged.
“Epel ! There’s delivery for you !” Kalim’s voice echoed.
*Slytherin Dorm – Lounge*
By the time Roxana came down she saw the boys doing skin care.
“Roxana ! Join us ! It’s fun !” Kalim grinned.
“No thanks.” Roxana said.
“And you.” Vil said while looking at her. “How do you keep your skin flawless like that ?”
Roxana looked at him dead in the eyes. “I shed my skin.”
*Silence*
Ace decided to change the subject. “Hey, Vil? Question. You became housewarden because you're good at magic, right? Do you know any spells that can skip all this stuff and just magically gussy up our hair and skin?”
“Magicians like yourselves should understand that most spells and potions are not permanent. Magic might create a temporary illusion of beauty and allow someone to indulge in a brief dream... But I have no interest in spells that fade when the clock chimes midnight. What I seek is genuine, authentic aesthetic perfection. Like the Fairest Queen who earned the Magic Mirror's recognition.” Vil said.
“If that legendary mirror still existed, I have no doubt it would recognize your excellence, Vil.” Rook said.
They do realize that the mirror they are talking about is the Mirror of Darkness right ? Roxana sighed. Ah whatever idiots the lot of them !
“...Perhaps.” Vil crossed his arms. “That talk ran a bit long. All of you, to your rooms now. And don't forget to follow the skin care routine before you go to bed!”
Ace, Kalim, and Epel flinched. “Y-yes, sir...”
*Slytherin Dorm – Vil's Room*
Vil put on his nightwear. "Shed my skin she said, tsk what is she ? A snake ?"
You have no idea~
Fun Facts !
-Roxana’s Mirror can indeed talk it just doesn’t do it often.
-Oleander are beautiful pink flower, but if eaten, oleander can cause vomiting, diarrhea, erratic pulse, seizures, coma, and death.