The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

THERE was a startling silence inside the audition room. The first ones to get over the surprise were the casting director and the script writer. The eyes that were looking at Astrid became even brighter, as if looking at a rare treasure.

"That was a very wonderful performance!"

"I agree. It's like I'm seeing Luan Escanor came to life right before my very eyes."

Hearing such a high praise, the representative of Kaleido started to sweat nervously. As long as one had eyes, anyone could see that the teenager in front of them gave an outstanding performance. 

The scriptwriter and the casting director were both personally picked by Director Scott. As such, he was sure that they couldn't bribe the two to change their opinion and be more favorable to Yujin Wells. Especially not after watching the audition of this teenager.

[It's over. I wouldn't hear the end of this from the management head.] 

Then, he glanced at the Director Scott and Pink Peach. He couldn't see anything from the latter because her bangs were covering any expression she might have. But the former had a serious expression on his face, so unlike his usual amiable expression. Could it be that despite the teenager's good performance, this was not what the director was looking for?

His hope was suddenly rekindled. He really wished that his guess was right.

"May I ask if you have any prior works before?" Director Scott asked.

"There are three, sir. But all of them haven't been shown yet," Astrid answered calmly.

"May we know what these three are?" the director asked once again.

"Of course. One is a small role in Director Trevane's upcoming movie. Another is a special guesting in the web drama [Blind Justice], and the third is a starring role in the MV of Miria Lane's upcoming single."

Kaleido's representative was shocked silly. Director Trevane only had one upcoming movie – [The Sleeping God]. Since Kaleido was one of that movie's investors, he was privy to some things that happened there. He remembered that there was a small role in that movie that was supposed to be given to Yujin. But Director Trevane disagreed and had chosen a no-name newcomer instead. 

The management had already put up a plan back then. Miria would be singing the OST of the movie, then Yujin would appear on her MV, then, the management would make dating rumors about the two. It would then be followed up with a romance drama with the two as the leads. 

It was a good plan to make the two even more popular. But this plan would only be successful if Yujin appeared on [The Sleeping God]. Sadly, that didn't happen. So, the follow up couldn't be done as well. Even Miria insisted on using another actor for her MV – which was the one who played the role of that was supposed to be for Yujin. He heard that Miria made a lot of fanfare just so things would go her way.

If this teenager was the same one who took the role that was supposed to be for Yujin, not just once but twice, and if this role was also taken by this kid, wouldn't Yujin just simply be strangled by frustration? He certainly would.

"I see," Director Scott said as a response to Astrid's answer. Then, the amiable smile on his lips returned. "Thank you for auditioning for this role. Wait for three days and we will contact your agent regarding the result of this audition. You may go now."

Astrid didn't show any surprised expression, as well as any disappointment. He just calmly walked to where Ellis was and the both of them left the audition room.

The representative of Kaleido was the one who's confused. That's it? Wouldn't the director say anything about the kid's performance? Was it good or bad? Did the other pass the audition or not? 

He turned to the director and couldn't help but asked, "Director, why didn't you give any advice to him?"

He asked because the director gave at least one or two advices to those who had auditioned before Astrid Townsend. And yet, the other didn't say anything to the teenager.

"Because he didn't need any," the director simply said. "He portrayed Luan Escanor the way I imagined Luan Escanor to be." He turned to the woman sitting on his left. "Don't you think so as well, Miss Peach?"

"He's Luan," the writer said in a soft voice before turning to the director. "I want him, Director."

Behind the strands of hair covering the upper half of her face was a pair of blazing pinkish eyes, full of excitement and wonder. As if she had just seen the most amazing thing in the world.

As the one sitting closest to the other, Mason Scott could clearly see the expression of the other. He was silent for a second before letting out a hearty laugh.

Seeing him laughing, the casting director and the scriptwriter also followed what Pink Peach said.

"I agree with Miss Peach. Astrid's performance truly embodied Luan Escanor."

"It's like he directly walked out of the pages of Miss Peach's book."

The representative of Kaleido was now truly starting to panic. Especially after he heard what Pink Peach said next.

"We don't need to continue this audition. We already found Luan."

"Wait- isn't this a bit unfair to those who haven't auditioned yet?" the representative quickly said. "What if- what if there's someone among them who could portray Luan better than Astrid? Shouldn't we give them a chance? They would be out of the race without even trying to run, that's too much. Let's give them a chance, okay?"

The director only glanced faintly at him with a smile as if he already knew what's going through his head. He didn't speak, waiting for the others to decide.

"We can let them audition," Pink Peach said. But before the representative could celebrate, the other quickly added, "But my decision will not be changed. I want Astrid Townsend to be Luan."

Finish! It's finish! – that's the only thing the representative could think at that moment.