"(After all, in such a complex situation, I scored 94 points!)" Perez exclaid angrily.
"(Yes, this year's situation is really giving a headache!)" Connor also sighed.
This year marks Connor's third ti participating in the Keller Cup and his second ti making it to the finals.
For soone as experienced as him, this was the first ti encountering such a "chaotic" final.
Isaac, Gan Yanyu, Brian... and even Teacher Steven suddenly beca a judge.
In this scenario, anyone would be bewildered.
"(But don't you think it's precisely in such an environnt that the best nurturing ground for a true hero is found?)"
"(Huh?)"
Perez didn't understand what Connor was talking about.
"(Why do you say that?)"
"(I have a premonition.)"
Connor's mouth suddenly curled into a smile, and his eyes grew more determined.
"(If this Keller Cup is destined to affect the entire history of music.)"
"(Then, all the current 'chaos' we see is the best nurturing ground for the final hero who will ultimately ascend the throne.)"
"(Just like in history, those war gods who ended up being recorded in the annals of history achieved such high historical status because they defeated all other 'heroes' in their terrifying era and ultimately achieved victory.)"
As Connor spoke, he glanced at Perez and suddenly said softly,
"In this competition, you and I are just supporting roles."
...
...
The competition continued.
Then, several cellists who perford brilliantly in the second stage appeared one by one.
"(Anselm Sack, final score: 95.81 points!)"
"(Alik Zorn, final score: 94.51 points!)"
At this point, the scores finally began to normalize.
Although there was still a gap compared to the average scores in the second stage, overall, they all scored above 94 points.
Next, it was Connor's turn to perform.
He took the stage and played a gentle, lingering piece of modern pop music that was quite captivating.
His final score was 97.19 points.
Back in the resting area, Perez clutched Connor's shoulders, crying bitterly:
"(We agreed to be supporting roles together! We agreed to be supporting roles together!)"
The score of 97 points made Perez feel deeply betrayed.
Originally, he could fantasize about winning a bronze dal for third place, but now Perez seed to have lost all his energy and slumped in his chair.
After three seconds of silence, he grew increasingly angry, stood up, and shouted:
"(Damn you!!) "
"(Weren't we supposed to be the comntators? Why are you so strong?!!)"
"....."
Connor was a bit embarrassed by his friend's question, but he scratched his head and quickly regained his composure:
"(Actually, I feel like sothing's not right.)"
"(Not right about what?! You scored 97 points; what's not right about that?)"
"(It's 97.19 points.)"
"(You you you....)"
"(It's precisely because I scored 97.19 points that I feel sothing's not right.)"
Connor said seriously,
"(Anselm Sack, who perford before , in terms of playing technique and emotion, I don't think I'm superior to him; at best, we're equal.)"
"(Yet, he scored 95 points, while I got 97.19 points.)" Connor mused, touching his chin....
"(You should've read the score in full!)" Perez said in horror.
"(Based on the standards I've observed before, I believe my real score should be in the range of 96.3-96.5.)" Connor said earnestly.
"(Well....)"
"(There's a genre bonus.)"
Connor concluded,
"(Although it's also pop music, Sack's style is actually closer to classical, while my piece better showcases the charm of modern pop music....)"
Upon hearing these words, Perez fell silent.
Because if this is true, it would indeed send a chill down one's spine.
This implies,
All the previous speculation about Teacher Steven... was true.
Today, his presence signifies.
This is destined to be an "unfair" Keller Cup final.
Rather than adhering to a more consistent scoring standard.
Teacher Steven would prefer to maintain the order that the current International Music Association has worked hard to establish.
This preference focuses more on music styles that align with the association's direction.
He tends to give higher scores.
In other words.....
They're trying to select a champion who is most "politically correct" under pressure to stabilize the chaotic public opinion.
"..."
Perez remained silent for a while, his expression sowhat grave,
"(I never expected that Teacher Steven would.....)"
"(As expected, right?)"
Connor's expression was relatively relaxed, and then he sighed softly,
"(In Teacher Steven's position, perhaps he also has his own difficulties..... what he's contemplating isn't sothing we cellists can fully understand."
With all this said.
But...
Connor looked towards Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu in the distance.
His emotions grew more complex.
As one of the top perforrs of contemporary pop music, Connor, indeed enjoyed so advantages.
Yet,
The advantages he enjoyed required others, cellists who originally had a bright future, to bear the cost.
.....
"Are you hungry?"
Lin Tian suddenly rembered that when he and Gan Yanyu left ho, they hastily ate just two small buns.
The pre-competition process was lengthy, and the ti intervals between each perforr's stage appearance were also extended. Although there weren't many contestants in total, it was now close to noon.
"Not hungry."
Gan Yanyu shook her head.
"That's right; soon you'll be performing, and how could you think about your stomach?"
Lin Tian scratched his head.
In fact, Lin Tian just wanted to say sothing to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
Not to make the wait so tense.
However, at this mont, it seed like Lin Tian was more stressed.
Lin Tian was trying to find topics, but Gan Yanyu remained focused, continuously watching the performances on the big screen.
Today... she didn't even use her favorite "little tricks to alleviate stress"!
Which involved doodling on her thighs, and Lin Tian couldn't figure out what kind of magic diagrams she was drawing.
But, thinking carefully.
It seems Gan Yanyu has been quite stable since yesterday morning... more accurately, since she saw Rabbit pass away.
Her emotions have remained stable.
As if understanding sothing.
No longer confused.
Only the eagerness to start playing.
"....."
In reality, the calr Gan Yanyu seed, the more uneasy Lin Tian beca.
He had no idea what Gan Yanyu was thinking, how she would approach her upcoming performance, and she hadn't said a word about it other than "going with the flow."
Lin Tian also didn't know how to inquire.
The two quickly fell into silence once more.
The next announcent reignited the resting room, which had been gradually settling into calmness:
"(Next perforr, Isaac ck!)"
"(Please, contestant Gan Yanyu, prepare yourself!)"
...
Perhaps it was fate.
At this final, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu happened to perform alongside Isaac and Nishikawa Yuubei.
However, considering there were only 11 contestants in total, the probability wasn't too low.
As the announcent echoed, excitent stirred among the cellists in the resting area:
"(Finally, the mont has co... Isaac!)"
"(Waited so long just for this performance.)"
"(Let's see if Isaac can break through Teacher Steven's barrier!)"
"(Actually, once this performance concludes, today's result should beco clear... everyone's waiting to compare the results of him and Brian.)"
As Isaac and Nishikawa Yuubei stood from their seats and walked towards the exit of the resting area.
Lin Tian stood up: "Mr. Xichuan!"
Nishikawa Yuubei turned his head curiously, and Lin Tian gave him a thumbs-up with a wide grin,
"Good luck!"
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