Chapter 22: Chapter 22: New Year, New Beginning
Chapter 22: New Year, New Beginning
"Your pronunciation is too heavy. Lighten it a bit, it can make the expression more intense; the emotions will be felt better."
"Lighten the second line."
"Sing in a deeper voice."
"Be 5% more seductive..."
"Be 8% more masochist..."
"Be 13% more handsome..."
"Be 16% more manly..."
"..."
Eden and Theo were both having a hard time following Lena's directions.
"OK, OK. I'll stop joking. Follow the other instructions. The last one, for you, my brother, is impossible to achieve. I shouldn't joke like that."
"..."
Theo's lips couldn't help but twitch. The urge to smash her head into bits and pieces was irresistible.
"Hm..." As the recording continued, Eden became more pleased.
After all, today he had found two of his lead singers.
One was Theodore Shawn, and the other was Lena Shawn. Although Lena was his sound engineer who helped a little in the composition of lyrics, with the development of the three-act structure, they soon found out that more than one singer would be needed to sing this song.
Fortunately, Lena had come to save the day. Her voice was actually perfect to sing the next part of the song.
Hmm, these two siblings have the natural talent, don't they?
[Unlike certain someone]
"Ahem." He suddenly coughed before once again focusing on the song.
The studio-like area looked quite professional. They couldn't use the academy's studio since Lena couldn't come there.
As a result, he had to rent a studio. With Lena's professional directions and editing skills, the song had actually reached a great milestone.
Lena sluggishly looked at her phone, more specifically at the message that basically said she was fired. This message was sent a few days ago, which indeed troubled her a little. But now she felt free.
That company was just too toxic...
These kinds of jobs aren't half bad...
On the other hand, Eden drummed the pen according to the tune of the song. The more he heard, the more satisfied he became. But soon a frown appeared on his face.
Some problems had arrived...
"Don't you think that this last part feels a little off?"
"So you felt it too?"
"Ermm, yeah..."
"We don't need to worry. I have found a perfect candidate to sing." Lena smiled as she said.
"What? When? So soon?"
"Yep." She slowly twirled her poorly maintained hair. "You."
***
"And today's class comes to an end."
"Do revise all the notes for next week's acting class." This was the second acting class of the month that Eden was visiting, hoping to add [Acting] to the attributes panel.
Simultaneously, he was also trying to learn new acting skills. They would help him greatly during his competition.
And well, what he studied today was indeed going to help, but also in another way.
Voice control techniques.
Soprano: The highest female voice type, typically ranging from C4 to A5.
Mezzo-Soprano: A middle-range female voice, typically ranging from A3 to F5.
Contralto: The lowest female voice type, typically ranging from F3 to D5.
Tenor: The highest male voice type, typically ranging from B2 to A4.
Baritone: A middle-range male voice, typically ranging from G2 to E4.
Bass: The lowest male voice type, typically ranging from E2 to C4.
And finally...
Countertenor: A male voice that sings in the female alto range, typically from G3 to D5. Often used in early music and baroque operas.
These were the different voices, sometimes becoming the unique selling point of the musician and actor.
Voice control techniques were actually techniques that could help a person control their voice, slightly change it to another voice type.
It wasn't just a simple trick. In such matters, this world was much more developed.
It was a technique that allowed a person to better control their voice. It helped a person to manipulate their pitch, ranging from low notes to the higher ones.
At the end of the day, to summarize it, these techniques were something that would greatly help him enhance his skills and the pace at which he sang.
Moreover, these voice control techniques would also greatly help a person in their career of acting.
With his innate talent for acting, Eden could actually learn this technique fast. Even though a lot of hard work was put behind it, learning the basics of this technique within such a short span of time was pretty impressive.
Damn, I knew these extra classes weren't a waste of money.
***
"Nobody believes in you, you've lost again and again and again, the lights are cut off, but still looking at my dream, reviewing it every day and I say to myself...
It's not over, until I win!"
Eden's voice boomed as he sang the last part. It had been a week since he had practiced those voice control methods, and he could say for sure that they were of great help.
This was the reason that a person adept in their field of arts learned the techniques and skills of people from other fields.
Lena smiled as she looked at him and her little brother. It was obvious that these two, with their hardworking demeanor, had managed to win her heart.
Slowly, she whipped out her phone, looking at the terminated contract.
It's not over, until I win...
Determination flashed through her eyes as she looked at it.
No matter how hard this journey was, no matter how many thorns were in the way, no matter how many difficulties she would face along, it's not over, until I win.
[Ding!]
[Hidden Task Completed: Record your First Song!]
[Rewards: Uncommon Chest]
His heart started beating faster as he looked at the uncommon chest.
'Open!'
Ding!
[+3 Level Up Cards, +30 lottery points, level up: 1 random talent]
[•All-Rounder Instrumentalist — Level 2]
From the depths of his heart, Eden felt happiness emerge.
Ever since he came to this planet, this was probably the first time that he had put such an amount of hard work into making something.
Something that he came to love deeply.
Something that he cared about deeply.
Something that was worth giving his life for.
He felt that he had finally created something worth celebrating. Something that made him feel like the time used for it was well spent.
"Haa..." He slowly exited the booth, walking towards his fellow musicians.
He looked at both of them before bowing. "Ma'am, Theo, thank you. I thank you both from the depths of my heart, I thank you both from the depths of my soul.
Although a part of me arrogantly wishes to proclaim that all of this was possible because of me, I know for a fact that if even one of you were missing then such great work wouldn't have existed..."
"Haa..." Lena smiled slyly. "Holy prince of yappington." There was a second of silence before those two burst into laughter. Theo, looking at these two fools, couldn't help but smile.
His heart was warmed.
He... liked this feeling... quite a lot in fact...
***
"In the lyrics and song section, you can write your name or you can use an alias. However, once it is written, you should not change it."
"Alright," After pondering deeply for an instance, he smiled and said, "Marshmallow."
"Marshmallow? You won't go with coin?"
"Nah."
"Alright."
***
Living this type of lifestyle for several days, Eden didn't find it boring at all, but instead amazing and badass. Doing various kinds of activities gave him new lottery points.
Calculating all the lottery points he received in these few days, and the lottery points from the uncommon chest, along with the pre-existing ones, they added up to a sum of 98.
Just 2 more for playing the next game...
Man, I'm damn excited...
"You seem happy."
Hugie questioned. Right now, those two had come out for a walk.
"Yeah." Eden nodded. At that second, his phone vibrated.
Checking it, his eyes widened.
"How did I forget?"
"What? Rising Star?"
"Yeah."
Today was 31st December. The day when no one would sleep at night.
"3!"
Suddenly, people started exclaiming.
"2!"
"1!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Happy New Year!"
Colors erupted in the sky, painting a beautiful image.
The musicians living in this country, especially the newcomers, were excited.
The gates to the battlefield had opened up.
Rising Star had begun.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone