Overwhelming Firepower

A few weeks went by, and Alexander’s group had begun to adapt to school life. The other classes were normal, well, compared to Lucen’s class.

The days in Lucen’s class were almost a guarantee that they would go home tired and bruised.

Seeing their progress, Lucen couldn’t help but smile. Still, it should be around this time that the first incident happens.

’The first incident always changes depending on how the protagonist acts. Hm, I wonder what it will be... Whatever, it doesn’t really matter. I trained them hard enough that the first obstacle should be doable, no matter how big the difficulty spike. Still, to make sure that they survive, I should place a shadow on them.’

While Lucen was thinking about such things, he was also making a lot of progress with the Summoning Card game he was creating alongside Mireya and the others.

It wouldn’t take long now before they’ll be done, and the next step is to create a show surrounding said game using the video orb.

’I wonder if the people in the theater can act using the improved video orb.’

Lucen placed one hand against his chin as he thought about that. At first, it sounded simple. Actors were already actors. If they could perform on stage, then they should be able to perform in front of a Video Orb.

But the more Lucen thought about it, the more he realized that it would not be that easy. Theater acting and video acting were completely different.

On stage, every movement had to be large enough for the audience to see. A raised hand, a turn of the body, a gasp of shock, even the way one cried had to be exaggerated slightly so that the people sitting far away could understand the emotion.

The voice also had to be projected. Even whispers on stage were never true whispers. They were controlled sounds made to reach the back of the theater.

But with the Video Orb, that kind of acting might look unnatural. The orb captured everything.

A small change in expression, the slight trembling of a hand, the way someone’s eyes moved before they lied, the quiet breath before speaking, all of those could be recorded and shown clearly.

If an actor used the same exaggerated gestures from the theater, it might look ridiculous when viewed up close.

’So they need to learn a completely different style of acting. I can also just look for new actors.’

Lucen’s eyes slowly brightened. Theater actors needed to make emotions reach the audience. Video actors needed to make emotions feel real.

That difference sounded small at first, but it changed everything. Not only that, but the Video Orb recorded the entire area around it. In a normal theater, actors only needed to care about the direction of the audience.

Their backs could face walls. They could use whatever props they wanted, even without illusion spells; no one would notice from a certain distance. The scenery only needed to look good from one side. But with the Video Orb, there was no true backstage.

If someone stood in the wrong place, they could be recorded. If a prop wasn’t positioned at the right angle, the audience would notice. If an actor waited awkwardly outside the scene, the orb might capture them standing there like an idiot.

’I guess I need to train a crew that could handle the equipment. I’d better start right away.’

Once again, having a plan in mind, Lucen, as usual, was quick to move.

He immediately picked up a pen and began writing down the people he needed. Actors were only one part of it.

He needed someone to direct the scene, someone to control the Video Orb, someone to manage lighting, someone to design props that looked proper from every angle, someone to check sound, someone to arrange the movement of actors, and someone to make sure no idiot accidentally walked into the recording while scratching his rear.

The more he wrote, the more Lucen realized something. He was not improving the theater; this was basically a new industry that needed more things.

He never thought much about the difference between stage plays and TV shows. They had many similarities, but at the same time, many differences as well. Lucen sighed, ’Well, not like I’m doing this by myself, the others will help fill in the blanks for me.’

Lucen shrugged his shoulders and headed out to meet Harry Nidouhi.

***

While Lucen was doing his own thing, Alexander, who was walking alone in the school hallways, heading back to his dorm room, was stopped by several students from A-class.

There were four of them. All of them wore the Royal Academy uniform neatly, and judging from their posture and the way they carried themselves, they were from noble families.

Alexander stopped walking and looked at them with slight confusion. The atmosphere already felt unpleasant.

”Can I help you?” Alexander asked.

The student standing at the front looked Alexander up and down. There was a faint smile on his face, but it was not a friendly one.

”So you are Alexander Wyrd.”

”Yes,” Alexander replied.

The noble student’s smile widened slightly. ”A commoner placed in S-Class. I heard rumors about it, but seeing it in person is still rather strange.”

There was mockery hidden beneath his polite tone. The look he was giving Alexander was that of one looking at someone from high above.

”If you have no business with me, I need to head back to my dorm room.” Alexander politely bowed his head and was about to leave, but the four students blocked his path.

The student at the front smiled wider. ”Do not be in such a hurry. We only wanted to give you some advice.”

”Advice?” Alexander asked.

”Yes. It’s a simple piece of advice: you should know your place.” One of the nobles said those words with a frown on his face.

There were no other students passing by, since most of them were still eating dinner or in class. This, of course, made the four students feel even more emboldened to say whatever it is they wanted to say.

”A commoner entering S-Class is already strange enough, ” the noble student continued. ”But recently, you have been acting rather close with Lady Nina Drexford and Lady Catherine Gate.”

Alexander’s expression changed slightly. ”They are my classmates and friends.”

”Classmates? Friends?” The noble student chuckled, but the disdain in his eyes became even more venomous. ”How convenient. Do you think standing beside noble ladies makes you one of us?”

”You were allowed into S-Class. Do not mistake that for equality.” Another one of them spoke with a slight irritation in his voice.

Alexander slowly exhaled. Based on the way they spoke, Alexander already understood what kind of conversation this was going to become. No matter what he said, they had already decided to dislike him.

He had no desire to fight, but even so, his hand slowly tightened. The noble student stepped closer; they were now within arm’s reach of one another.

”Listen carefully, Alexander Wyrd. You should stick with your own kind and stay away from those above you.”

The air in the hallway grew heavier. Alexander sighed as he raised his gaze. He looked at the noble standing right in front of him, straight in the eyes, and replied with a calm voice, ”And if I refuse?”