At 10:32 AM.
The Staring Contest started 32 minutes later than the scheduled start time.
─Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Elinia Academy Festival Staring Contest! We apologize for the wait! Due to a surge in last-minute participant registrations, the competition's start has been delayed by over 30 minutes. Once again, we apologize for the delay and now, let the contest begin!
Despite the apology, the host's voice was unusually cheerful.
And for good reason.
The number of participants exceeded the initial expectations by more than double.
The success and popularity of events like the Staring Contest were often determined by the number of participants.
A successful event could increase the host's future value and demand.
"This is amazing, simply amazing."
"Senior! In the past 10 years of Staring Contests, this is the highest participant count ever!"
The organizers near the stage were also delighted.
'Ugh, waited over 30 minutes. All because of Theo.'
Aisha, in the audience, let out a sigh.
After Theo submitted his application, around 40 more female participants decided to join the contest.
'Did I trigger this...?'
Aisha looked around with a gloomy expression.
Here and there in the audience, groups of girls squealed at the sight of Theo, whispering and giggling amongst themselves.
"Wow, he won the beauty pageant, right? He looks even better in person. Pictures really don't do him justice."
"Hey, he's just a kid. Only 16! Four years younger than us. While we drink beer, he's sipping on orange juice."
"Well, he's handsome anyway. And a four-year age gap doesn't matter."
"Hehe, true."
"Hey, hey, did you take photos?"
"Yeah. Already got about 40 shots."
"Show me! Wow, this one's good. You could be a reporter."
Since only first-year students from the Elinia Academy could participate in the Staring Contest, the additional applications stopped at around 40.
If there were no restrictions on the grade level, there would have been at least 100 more applicants.
'Should I have participated too?'
Aisha regretted inwardly.
An entertainment competition like the Staring Contest was the perfect platform to showcase one's playful charm.
It's a perfect event to win the audience's affection with an 'attractive yet silly' image, without much pressure.
But joining at the last moment, just to tag along, wouldn't have been cool.
'Still, since Theo's participating, I should cheer for him. Creating an image as a heroic idol from a prestigious family isn't a bad idea.'
Aisha tried to lift her spirits and looked at the female audience members filling the seats.
'But still, I'm envious...'
True fans of female idols are often female themselves.
Even if a scandal erupts, whereas male fans might move on, female fans tend to stay until the end.
The preliminary rounds of the Staring Contest were coming to an end.
Theo had advanced to the finals.
The Staring Contest finals start from the round of 32.
The other matches lasted for over a minute, but Theo won both the round of 16 and the quarterfinals in less than 10 seconds each.
"It's too easy."
He had planned to use magic and [Overload] just in case, but there was no need.
Merely looking at his opponent made them turn away.
The host spoke from the stage:
-The Elinia Academy Festival Staring Contest quarter-finals have concluded!
The announcer slowly moved towards Theo in the center of the stage and continued.
-Now, let's give a big round of applause to the Hero Department's Theo Lyn Waldeurk! Congratulations. You are the only male to reach the semi-finals. Can we have a short interview?
"Yes, if it's brief."
Theo replied curtly.
He had hoped for at least one close match and was disappointed that there hadn’t been one.
However, the crowd had a different reaction.
"Kyaaa~ Even his aloofness is cool."
"He's so handsome~! Look here once, Mr. Theo!"
Cheers erupted from the previously quiet audience, mostly consisting of women.
When Theo waved at the loudest section of the crowd, the cheering grew even louder.
Aisha in the audience looked at Theo with a dissatisfied gaze.
"...He's gotten good at this."
-Well then, I'll ask just one quick question. Out of all the many competitions today, why did you choose to participate in the Staring Contest?
Theo didn't immediately answer.
He didn't want to say it was because it seemed easy to win.
That answer would create an image of him being too casual.
"I have to gather Aides soon, and I thought the Staring Contest would be a good opportunity. When I look at people, I focus on their eyes the most. Those with clear personal convictions have a different kind of strength that is reflected in their eyes."
Thinking quickly, Theo provided a suitable answer.
At his thoughtful reply, the host chuckled.
-Truly an elegant answer befitting of the distinguished Waldeurk family. So, did you come across anyone with that kind of strength today?
"I think I will soon."
Saying that, Theo looked towards a woman standing to the right of the stage with long violet wavy hair
"Oh my, hello, Theo. It's been a while."
Seria smiled brightly as she looked at Theo.
She was also one of the semi-finalists.
Sensing a potential story, the host approached Seria.
-Oh~ Seria and Theo already know each other? How did you two get acquainted?
"We first met at the Knight Department 2v2 tournament last week."
-Ah~ Fate brought you two together then. Do you have any plans to apply as one of Theo's Aides, Seria?
Seria said with a gentle smile,
"Of course. I've already submitted my application. From the moment I first saw him, I was deeply impressed by Theo's mindset and spirit as a hero."
─ Oh?! Really? That's amazing. I know that Seria is the top student in the first year of the Magic Department. Theo, are you considering taking Seria as your Aide?
Taken aback, the excited host approached Theo.
"Yes, I'm glad to confirm Seria's intentions now. She was among the Aide candidates I've been closely watching."
─ Wow! So one of Theo's aides, unknown until now, has been confirmed. If it's alright, can you reveal the remaining people you have in mind?
"No."
With that, Theo closed his mouth, his expression clearly indicating he didn't wish to speak further.
The slightly embarrassed host soon offered a smile.
'Well, this is still quite a scoop. Good job!'
Of course, he was silently celebrating.
The current hottest figure in Elinia Academy, Theo, and Seria, the daughter of the Master of the Black Tower and the top student in the Magic Department, formed a team.
This will definitely make the headlines.
If a photo accompanies the article, their popularity will surely soar.
...On the left side of the stage, a woman was watching the scene with displeasure.
'Are they on a blind date or what? And why is that girl, with those two melons on her chest, acting so coy? ...It's annoying to watch.'
It was Piel.
She had also advanced to the semifinals of the staring contest.
The semifinals of the Staring Contest began.
Theo's opponent was Seria.
Unlike his previous opponents, Seria didn't avoid Theo's gaze even when he looked at her.
It was because she used magic to fix her eyelids.
However, since the Staring Contest is more of an entertainment event, this level of cheating was overlooked.
Theo, noticing that Seria was using magic, frowned.
'This damn Seria.'
Using magic in a fair competition!
If he loses here, he'll have to compete for the third and fourth places.
Theo used amplified [Overload] to boost his momentum, but Seria remained unfazed.
"Oh, Theo. You look brighter today."
"..."
"That hairstyle looks cool on you. I've always seen you with your hair down, so this is different and nice."
"······Stop using magic, Seria."
"Oh, do you have any proof?"
Seria mockingly pouted.
She was thoroughly enjoying teasing Theo at the moment.
"So, you're going to play it like that?"
Theo, thinking of a way to counter the situation, said,
"Anyway, happy to work with you, Seria. Your eyes are truly beautiful."
As he said this, Theo activated his amplified [Magic Nullification].
"Ah, ah...?"
Seria's eyes blinked rapidly.
"You should play fair. It's my victory, Seria."
······With that, Theo emerged victorious and advanced to the finals.
His opponent in the highly anticipated final was Piel.
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