FAZER LOGINThe second day of the school festival began with a rush of color and sound. Bright banners fluttered from every post, students hurried across the courtyard carrying instruments and costumes, and the air was alive with laughter and music. Unlike the first day, which focused on sports and competitions, today was devoted entirely to performances. This was the festival’s heartbeat, the moment when the school truly lived up to its reputation as a premier performing arts academy.Tonight’s concert was the main event. Talent scouts, alumni, and well-known artists were expected to attend, filling the campus with an electric mix of excitement and nerves. For most students, it was a chance to shine under the lights. For Sean, it felt heavier—like a weight pressing on his chest that he could not shake off.He sat quietly near the stage, elbows resting on his knees, watching as crew members adjusted spotlights and microphones. His usual spark was gone, replaced by a distant stillness. The congrat
“There you two are,” Yvo said as he approached the bench. “I thought you got lost in each other’s eyes or something.”Sean looked up, startled. “We were just talking.”“Sure,” Yvo said with a smirk. “It looked more like a scene from a drama. Romantic lighting, emotional tension, classic Sean.”Lareina laughed softly, unaware of the meaning beneath his tone. “You’re so dramatic.”“Occupational hazard,” Yvo replied. “Someone has to keep this group from turning into a love story. Unless it’s a romance between us.”Lucy stayed quiet, glancing briefly at Sean, her thoughts tangled with uncertainty and Yvo’s earlier words.“Anyway,” Yvo said with an easy shrug. “It’s late. We should head back. We still have a performance tomorrow.”Sean stood, brushing off his jeans. “Yeah, let’s go.”As they started walking back, Lucy glanced one last time at Sean. His laughter reached her faintly, low and soft. She looked away before he noticed.The walk toward the park exit was quieter. The earlier excit
The night deepened over the city, softening the sharp glow of lights beyond the glass walls. Plates were cleared, laughter lingered, and the hum of conversation mellowed into a comfortable quiet. The air still carried the warmth of garlic, bread, and the faint trace of candle wax melting on the table.Sean leaned back in his seat, his laughter finally subsiding. “All right,” he said, glancing at the time on his phone. “Before this turns into another round of Yvo’s ego parade, we should head out soon.”“Ego parade?” Yvo gasped in mock offense. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”Darren grinned. “It is. We barely survived the last one.”Lareina giggled, covering her mouth, and even Sean couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips. “Come on. Let’s all walk together. The park across the street is open until midnight. We can cool off before heading home.”“Sounds perfect,” Liqueen said cheerfully, already gathering her things.While the others chatted, Sean stood up and made his wa
The restaurant Sean had chosen glowed warmly under amber lights. Its floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the soft shimmer of the city beyond, while the faint hum of evening traffic outside blended with the mellow jazz playing inside. The air carried the comforting scent of roasted garlic and freshly baked bread, familiar and inviting, perfectly fitting the quiet excitement of the night.Bricks and Bloom sat just a few blocks from their school, a cozy spot popular among students who wanted something more refined than the usual cafés. Sean had reserved a large corner table near the window, far enough from the crowd to enjoy a bit of privacy. As soon as they arrived, he stepped ahead and politely pulled out chairs for Lareina and Lucy, earning soft smiles from both.“Well, well,” Yvo drawled with a teasing grin. “Such a gentleman. I didn’t know you were auditioning for Mr. Chivalry 2025.”Sean gave him a flat look. “It’s called manners, Yvo. You should try it sometime.”“I have manners,”
The judges moved deliberately from canvas to canvas, their footsteps quiet but measured. Each pause, each tilt of the head, carried weight, as if the art itself demanded careful attention. Murmured discussions floated between them, low and thoughtful, punctuated by the occasional scratching of pens on clipboards. Sean, Lucy, and Lareina hovered nearby, hearts pounding, their eyes flicking from one judge to the next, following every subtle gesture.At each booth, the judges lingered briefly, exchanging quiet words. A young artist blushed as the tall man with the neatly trimmed beard studied her piece, scribbling a few notes before nodding. Nearby, a judge leaned closer to another painting, adjusting his glasses, murmuring under his breath about the intricacies of the brushwork. The crowd around them shifted subtly, curious and tense, whispering in hushed tones.Lucy’s fingers tightened around her bag strap as she watched Sean’s composure hold steady despite the suspense. Lareina’s eyes
At that moment, with quiet but deliberate footsteps, a small group of judges approached Sean’s booth and focused on his painting. The soft murmur of the surrounding crowd seemed to fade, as if the world itself had taken notice of the artwork. They paused just a few feet from the canvas, eyes scanning every detail with careful, measured attention.A tall man with a neatly trimmed beard tilted his head slightly. "This is remarkable. The contrast between the two figures, the energy and stillness, is very evocative. Who is the artist?"Sean stepped forward, nodding politely, his chest steady despite the familiar flutter that came whenever an audience focused on him. "I am Sean. I wanted to portray two grandmasters from a tale that has inspired me, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan. Their dynamic, the balance of light and shadow in their relationship, and their journey, is all captured here in this moment."A woman judge with sharp eyes and a thoughtful expression leaned closer, studying the subtle p







