From Elize's perspective, who was once Eric

We, the freshmen of Giraffe Class, are tasked with setting up the festival venue.

Laying sheets and arranging chairs.

While we handle these mundane tasks, students from other classes continue their lessons, deepening their magical knowledge.

Feeling frustrated and impatient, I recall Akira’s words.

"Music is not a tool for conflict... right?"

Despite such ideals, music has been used as a tool for competition since I was born. No, not just since my birth, but since the dawn of history.

According to theology lessons, long ago, humanity was given two choices by God:

Science or magic.

God let humanity choose which path to develop.

Humanity chose magic, and with it, vocal music.

A society where social status is determined by one's ability in vocal music was established.

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Inevitably in human history, revolutions occurred, governments changed, and social upheavals happened.

Yet, the principle that vocal music and magic are absolute in determining social hierarchy remained unchanged.

It was somewhat fairer that a person's value could be determined by a skill that could be improved with effort, rather than just by birth.

Thus, humanity ceased to question the use of music as a tool for social climbing.

While music became embedded in life, humanity grew tired of performing it.

According to Akira, he came from a world outside of this one.

In that external world, music is consumed purely as art or entertainment.

In such a world, I would probably have been a mere ordinary person, not an elite.

But I thought that world didn’t seem so bad.

Musicians exist simply to stir emotions and provide comfort.

I even began to think I'd like to visit Akira's world someday!

At Miravenia Magic Academy, male students are the stars, and females are merely accessories.

One of the few events where girls can shine is this cultural festival stage.

Male students work behind the scenes setting up the stage, while female students take the limelight as actors, a long-standing tradition.

Being the festival heroine was a prestigious role, but it also brought pressure.

Surely, it was because I didn't want to lose to anyone.

If only I could enjoy vocal music purely, without thinking of it as a competition...

Akira has taught me the joy and pleasure of vocal music.

Thanks to our recent nighttime training, I've started to see music not as a tool for advancement, but as a joy of living.

I cast a spell on myself to transform into the ugly duckling and stood by backstage.

The buzzer for the start of the show sounded, and the stage curtain gradually rose.