Gangster to Idol

Cain\'s eyes found the tall, slender woman across the room. She was hard to miss, wearing her signature sleeveless black shirt, baggy black pants, and a black hat tilted just right to cover her eyes. A sleek black mask covered the lower half of her face, adding an air of mystery. Her long, silky hair flowed straight down to her waist, catching the light as she moved.

"That\'s her," Cain thought, recognizing the dancer whose every move set the internet ablaze.

"A force in the world of dance, known for her electrifying performances and undeniable charisma. Welcome, Kalista!"

Kalista waved. As usual her face was hidden underneath the mask, while her bangs and hat covered her eyes, so no one knew what she was feeling at the moment.

"Next, please welcome Jaxon Lee! This young, professional dancer is renowned for his dynamic and innovative dance moves. Jaxon, it\'s fantastic to have you here!"

Jaxon gave a nod and a cheeky grin.

"Our next judge is a true legend in the industry — Evelyn Hart! With decades of experience and an incredible ear for talent, Evelyn\'s insights are going to be invaluable for our contestants."

Evelyn Hart smiled warmly, her presence commanding respect and admiration. She was a singer, actress, model, a multitalented individual.

"And our last judge, the man behind countless hits, the iconic Theo Mitchell! His legendary career in producing and mentoring has shaped the music industry, and he\'s here to help our stars shine even brighter."

Theo Mitchell gave a nod of acknowledgment, his seasoned demeanor adding a touch of gravitas to the panel. He was a well-known singer and songwriter, and almost all his produced songs made it to the top billboard music charts.

"Each of these extraordinary individuals brings something unique to the table, and together they\'re ready to find the next big thing in music and performance.

"Our Trainees will be sorted into three distinct categories based on your actual performance. Our points-based system will determine your path forward. So gear up and get ready to dazzle — because the real show kicks off right now! I\'m your host, Ralph and let Rising Radiance Revolution Season 7 begin!"

"It\'s about to begin," Riku muttered, eyes wide with nervousness. "I really hope I\'m not the first pick. Being the sacrificial lamb would be brutal."

Aside from the big shots from major companies, no one was eager to go first. No one knew how tough the mentors would be, and with no standard to follow, they were all stepping into the unknown blindfolded.

Without wasting another second, one of the contestant was called into the staged.

"Oh, man, I\'m getting cold feet, and my stomach\'s doing flips," Riku groaned, anxiety clear in his voice.

Cain didn\'t spare him a glance, his focus locked on the stage. The first performer was called — a tall guy named Von, an independent trainee.

Von lacked the polished charm of a seasoned idol, but in this age of plastic surgery and advanced beauty tech, looks could be enhanced. The real question was, did he have the talent to make it?

The stage transformed as the backdrop came to life, swirling lights and intricate visuals creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Smoke billowed across the floor, adding to the intensity. The production spared no expense — this was a show where every detail mattered.

Von started with a slow melody, his voice trembling slightly, his dance steps awkward. But as the music picked up, he found his rhythm, though his movements remained hesitant.

"He\'s not terrible," Cain mused aloud.

"Not terrible?" Fifi scoffed. "This is a high-stakes show with an unlimited budget. They\'ve got standards. That kind of performance isn\'t cutting it."

True to Fifi\'s words, the mentors gave Von a total of 20 points — 10 for singing and 10 for dancing.

"You need to work on your stage presence," Mitchell critiqued. "Your vocals and dancing need more polish."

"Just 20 out of 40? That\'s low," Riku stammered, his face paling.

"Seems like the mentors have high standards," Cain remarked.

"I thought his performance would at least hit 30 points," someone said.

"Do we even have a chance?"

"This point system . . . The more you accumulate, the better, right?" Cain asked.

Riku nodded. "Exactly. The challenges run throughout the month. You need to rack up as many points as possible to make it to the final round."

"Isn\'t that unfair? Independent trainees don\'t have the resources the big companies do," Cain pointed out.

"It is at first glance, but the point system is fair. There have been independent trainees before who made it to the final round and even debuted. If you have talent, whether independent or not, it\'ll shine through, and you\'ll get noticed."

"That makes sense," Cain replied, nodding.

The next set of trainees, all from the independent faction — like influencers, content creators, and unknown trainees — took the stage.

"Looks like they\'re putting the independents up first before bringing out the big guns," Fifi commented.

Without the backing of major companies, these independents struggled. Most received the lowest possible score — 10 points. Even influencers and content creators with millions of followers didn\'t fare much better. Some were decent at dancing or singing, but the mentors were looking for something more.

In today\'s oversaturated idol industry, the mentors demanded something different, something extraordinary, something that would set an idol apart from others.

"I . . . I think I\'m up next . . ." Riku stammered, his nerves getting the best of him.

"Good luck," Cain said, giving him a pat on the back.

Riku gasped at the sting, but his nerves calmed down a little. He forced a smile and headed backstage.

When he stepped onto the center stage, the audience audibly gasped at how cute he was. Even the mentors seemed to relax in his presence; Riku had an aura that made everyone feel at ease, like the world was suddenly a brighter, better place.

"He\'s cute."

"I like his pink hair."

"My parents should have performed better."

As soon as the music started, the entire hall fell silent.

Instead of the expected soft melody that would go well with Riku\'s cute face, a fast, hard-hitting rock beat blasted through the speakers. The cute boy on stage, who everyone assumed would deliver a sweet pop tune, began spitting rap lines with a voice that was both endearing and menacing.

The contrast was striking — his innocent appearance paired with such fierce and powerful lyrics. The energy in the room shifted as Riku commanded the stage, leaving everyone in awe of his unexpected choice for music.