[ Expressionless Awakener ]

Pink lights shined and flicked through the stage, Confetti shot in every direction, and gazes that could feel even without seeing the audience.... ....While I, Stood on the stage with the other contestants, Covered in a blanket while drooping in gloom.

'What did I do to deserve this...?' I thought in a straight face.

The "Second" Game was just some drag show for a theme of opposite genders, Where men wear women's clothes and women wear men's clothes.

Women have a higher chance of winning while men have a lower chance of winning the game. Because of their high structure and their masculine faces, They'd be hard to dress as the opposite gender, while as women have a structure perfectly fit for an idol as long as they have the make-up.

But I, Myself, Have a structure almost like a young girl, Of course as long as it has make-up.. I honestly don't know how I was born with this body.

[ Let us uncover our first contestant.... Micheal Lorn! ]

'The second protagonist..!?'

Suddenly, the laughter of audiences appeared louder as the blanket that covered Micheal was snatched away by the two students that gripped him.

[ "Uh.... Hello everyone..." ] A ringing sound appeared vividly loud as micheal spoke through the mic.. while in a disappointed, gloomy, and sweaty-kind-of expression.

From what I've heard, He was wearing a pink crop top with a short-sized skirt, Along with a medium-short pink wig that doesn't match with his browny-blonde hair. I also heard that the make-up didn't fit him very well... So much, that the audience laughed as they took pictures of him.. apparently humiliating him in the process. There were also some audiences that were disappointed from the first contestant, Since the outfit didn't match him at all while his masculine face was shown clearable.

I was honestly relieved and glad I wasn't at first but...

'Poor Second protagonist... The people who dressed and made him get dirty...'

There weren't a lot of people that were professional in make-up, and there were only a few that were hired during the second game... So there were often students that took part in doing make-up for the contestants.

Luckily, The professionals that I was assigned to, Even the supporting character; Lusian luien, were quite good at the make-up they put on me, Though I absolutely didn't want to get involved in this... it's kinda weird whenever I feel the foundation and the lipstick they put on my face.

I sighed as I felt my humiliation turning into discomfort, A continuous sweat pouring down my forehead like I was nervous.. Or is it just the blanket that made me sweat from heat?

'....' 'Should I call myself a therapist after this...?' I thought expressionlessly.

Lilac wavered her hands on the air as she introduced the contestant Micheal Lorn, giving a smile so gentle and energetic. [ Now... Let us uncover the rest of the other Golden Grace Contestants! Meet...... ]

[ Allen Krain and Raze loir! ]

'!'

Suddenly, The crowd once again, Laughed and took pics and videos as the blankets once again got snatched away, Clapping utmostly while giggling.

The name Allen Krain was the first time I've ever heard of... I know it's a character part of the novel; Novel reincarnation... But I just can't help but forget the descriptions or characteristics of the character.. Even forgetting the whole entire lore about him. He wasn't really that famous in the novel so i barely noticed him much while reading.

'Who the heck is Allen Krain?' I thought, forgetting that my memory sucked.

He is quite famous around the school because of his way of looks and the cold-atmosphere, sometimes my friends would often talk about him during lunch. Actually, My friends actually talked about him just 2 days ago during lunchtime.

So from what I have heard... Which I can barely recall... I think he had black gemstone-like eyes shaped like a parallelogram but with a slightly curved line on the upper eye, Along with blue-ish silky smooth hair that spikes up slightly on other parts of the hair, there is often hair under his neck so it is slightly showing. There are a lot of things that I forgot about this guy.. But i'm sure this info is already enough to describe him.

He had a similar moto with Kwan Jihu, But with a lesser cold aura and apparently has a better attitude, But it doesn't really entirely mean his not dangerous, despite having an impeccable look.

Why does every single character mentioned in the novel become handsome and beautiful? Why do I have to be the plain one!!??

As for Raze Loir, I didn't even know she was from the Golden Grace classroom! That's why they've been hanging out with Lusian Luien in the other neighboring classroom.. How unexpected. Though, I would probably forget about it the next day.

'Raze Loir too?' I thought as I felt puzzled.

I shook my head as I sighed once again; 'Nevermind, I don't wanna burst my thoughts with questions... It'll only hurt my mental health.'

From what I have heard from those two contestants, Raze loir wore a full set-suit made out of pure fabric with hair tied up in a knot and a few other side bangs shown to make it look more like a gentleman or a butler... Seems like Raze Loir accomplished the goal of being an opposite gender despite already having the look of a young man. She was even cackling during the game, she is apparently proud of herself.. Nonetheless.

Unlike her, Allen Krain, Which is a character I have heard for the first time, Had an expression filled with loathing and disappointment....

He was wearing a Pink ballerina dress with shoes that came from a convenience store, along with a blonde wig that obviously doesn't fit him.. while as make-up that looks like an absolute clown.

The make-up is the one that the audiences laughed the most of.

I can't even tell if Micheal Lorn is worse than... The uh.. other guy or the guy is much worse than Micheal Lorn.. Wait, What does Micheal Lorn look like again..?

I shook my head again.. It seems like I have been shaking my blanket off for some time.. Trying to shake off confusion as possible or it'll only hurt my clueless brain.

Instructor Lilac, Once again wavered her hands on the air, Trying to get the audience's attention once again. [ Now... Show us your talents, Golden Grace contestants! ]

'TALENTS?'

The audiences began to feel lingering curiosity, Looking at the stage closely to watch the Golden Grace contestant's so-called "Talents".

'not only are the contestants, and myself, get humiliated in front of the crowd.. We'll also have to show off our talent aswell?! WHAT KIND OF ARENA IS THIS!!?'

This is more of a drag show than an Exam Battle Arena!!!!!

I groaned in a straight expression, Not showing any emotions as I groaned... Except for my ahoge shaking on a horizontal line of madness.

Micheal Lorn pondered on the mic for a while before speaking; "I could..... dance..?"

"OH! OH!! I'll sing!!!" Raze Loir spoke enthusiastically as she grabbed the mic from Micheal's hands.

"Allen, What about you???"

Allen Krain, Rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in loathing disgust, Showing very clearly that his not very interested on the stage.

"Oh well!" Raze chuckled.

[ "Well then... Show us your amazing talent!" ]

The contestants began to move, Doing... erm... Whatever they're supposed to do on stage.

Raze Loir, Sang on the top of her lungs, Creaks and hoarse singing filled in the stage and the crowd.... While Micheal Lorn doesn't even know what his doing, dancing whatever moves he knows.. Despite being crappy.

"I WILL--- LOVE YOU- UNTIL THE- EEEENNNDD!!!!"

"NEVER--- IN MY LIFE- IS AMAZING ---WITHOUT YOOUUUUUU---!!!!" Raze sang through the mic as she grabbed it tightly, High pitching her voice while it cracks, Its like riding a horse while singing on a trant.

I could already feel the second-hand embarrassment from these characters.. Crying slightly and covering my ears while inside the blanket.

Allen Krain isn't even doing anything but standing there while crossing his arms and twitching his eyes... He can't deal with more than 1 annoying person.. I bet his patience is running out from those contestants, I could tell even if I can't see it. ( *Prob through the shadow, idk lol )

The audiences weren't very pleased at the performance, Especially the singing part.

'Yup, I definitely need therapy after this.' I thought quietly.

[ "..." ]

[ "Alright! Times Up! Now.. Let's uncover the SkyLock class contestants!" ] Instructor Lilac took off her hands from her ears slowly as she spoke through the mic.

[ "Krazon Wilter, Lovania Dove and Loryn Tine! Please come upon the mic on stage!" ]

The crowd once again shouted and clapped as they watched the contestants uncover their faces, Cheering like theres no end.

"LET GO OF ME!" Wilter spoke aggressively as he tried to shake off the grip of two strong students.

He tried to use a skill ability when he was chosen as a contestant of the show, Apparently it failed mesirably as he missed the targets.. Got caught, and forced to use an item to deactivate his use of abilities.

Well, I can't blame him. I would've tried and done the same. Though, I would've done that if only those students didn't tightly grip my arms so badly.. Welp, at least I knew the consequences anyway.

"Calm down, Krazon Wilter.. It's just a drag show." Loryn tine spoke nonchalantly to Krazon Wilter, Giving a soft smile in the process. her mumbles that were supposed to speak only to Krazon Wilter, were suddenly heard and clicked through the mic, although it is silent and it doesn't seem to hit throughout the entire crowd, I was able to hear it faintly.

'A faint voice... What was her name again..? Lor-... Loryn Tine..?' I mumbled tilting my head slightly.

Loryn Tine is a character which I have also heard for the first time, It was quite unexpected that she was chosen as a contestant of the stage... But From What I have remembered.... probably, I barely notice any names of Loryn Tine from the novel, And even if I did, I already forgot about it... It's a bit similar when I first heard the character named Allen Krain. But I could tell she is a part of the novel... I just can't really replay what has happened when finding these characters inside the novel.

I don't even remember which chapter I'm currently on!

I scratched my head lightly with my right hand as the blanket moved... The student from my right that was supposed to grab my right arm loosened his guard slightly.. But I still couldn't do anything since the student grabbing on my left arm is still gripping on me tightly.

'Welp, It can't be helped' I sighed faintly.

'...' 'Wait a min...'

'Hold on... The name is quite familiar... Is she... THE LEADER OF THE COOKING CLUB??'

Loryn Tine, The leader of the cooking club and also known as part of the 3rd powerful healers in the school, is known to have a calm and nonchalant aura, Which she is also the type to be very humble.

She doesn't seem to get mad very easily but often has expressions of annoyance whenever she encounters anything that she feels annoyed with..

From what I have remembered about her.. Though I could barely retell what she looked like... She had slightly curly long brown hair along with glasses that fit her moto, and eyes that glimmer in apparent rubies.. More like.. red eyes but a bit lighter and pastel..? I think her eyes were a bit smaller but slightly bigger...? She also has freckles that match her look entirely, So she is more of a calm and smart girl in the classroom.. Not to mention her name also fits her well. But just like last time, I have already forgotten a lot of things about this character.. But the info is still enough to describe her.

From what I have heard during the second game, She was wearing an outfit that is basically a genderswap, She was wearing casual but nerdy-kind of outfit with round-glasses, along with her hair getting knot short so that a brownish wig would fit her head entirely.. She was more of a plain normal boy with a look that is mixed with slight handsomeness and cuteness, more of a character in a BL comic? Y,know what I mean.

anyway, There wasn't that much info about this character, so it's possible that she is just a character that barely gets mentioned in the novel. But like I said, I can't really recall everything in the novel, So i'm not really that sure.

I groaned once again, Not even knowing I was overthinking the whole time. 'When is this drag show gonna end..? These heels are killing me....!!'

On the other hand, The skylock contestants, Krazon Wilter and Lovania Dove, Wore the... opposite gender outfits of the theme.

Krazon Wilter wore a basic wig, Skirt, and everything else that obviously looks ugly on him, while Lovania Dove, Currently in her nervous and shy state, wore an outfit that makes her look like a prince in charming.

[ "Now.... Please show us the way of entertainment, SkyLock Contestants!" ] Instructor Lilac Spoke through the mic in a loud yet gentle voice once again! Giving the crowd another giggling excitement!

But unfortunately, None of the contestants, Even Loryn Tine, Didn't do anything to entertain any of the crowd.

"WHY WOULD I WANT TO ENTERTAIN A BUNCH OF IDIOT WITH THIS OUTFIT!? I WOULD'VE GIVEN ALL OF YOU THE ENTERTAINMENT OF FIRE IF THESE PEOPLE DIDN'T GAVE ME THAT STUPID POTION!" Krazon Wilter spoke through the mic in a very anger-like tone, Giving the crowd an off-guard startle... but at the same time, Chuckling faintly behind the utmost crowd of crowds.

"I WILL MURDER ALL OF YOU!!!" He spoke once again, Still in an aggressive tone.. except shaking off the grip of the two strong students.. In an aggressive way.

'Yeah... I doubt any of the SkyLock contestants give any entertainment for the audiences... especially, when they get chosen as contestants of a stupid drag show.' I thought expressionlessly.

On the other hand, Lovania Dove, was too nervous to do any performances while Loryn Tine is too disappointed and embarrassed to do any entertainment for the audiences.. Especially the way Krazon Wilter is currently acting on stage.

[ "Oh My... seems like SkyLocks performance got backfired.. Oh well, let's move on to our last and final contestants... The aurorawhales!" ] Instructor Lilac once again wavered her hands in the air.. Pointing at the last contestants left on stage.

'...' 'Hold On-...' 'I'm still covered in this blanket... Wouldn't it mean-' Before I could even finish my sentence, I was suddenly forced by two gripping students to move in front, Making me walk towards something.

'WAIT... WAIT-'

Suddenly, Everything began to see clearly... The audiences, The crowd, The entire arena stage. The blanket that covered me was snatched away, just like the other contestants.

'....Ahh.. Great.. I forgot I was part of this Drag show.' I thought pathetically.

[ Expressionless Awakener ]

Hello everyone!! I once again, Apologize for my late publish on this novel.. But here you guys go!! Another new chapter :D

Sadly, I haven't posted another episode from my webtoon series due to the massive artblock.. So I haven't been able to draw one single figure for the episode... But I was able to finish this novel chapter as soon as possible! Because I'm sure a lot of you are still reading this despite it being boring and very Slow-Burn romance!

And Once again.. Thank you so much for 37k reads and 1.50k votes!! I appreciated it and I do :D

Thank you for reading!!!! (⁠づ⁠￣⁠ ⁠³⁠￣⁠)⁠づ♥️♥️

[ Please comment on any mistakes in this chapter.. Thank you! ]