"How many sales did you make today?" Father thundered and I flinched, fiddling with my fingers.
"Um… none, sir. But that's cause the ornaments are…
I was abruptly cut off. "I don't wanna hear any excuses!" He yelled as he stood, making my heart pound fast.
"Your brother Landon sells out the shop in days! You, on the other hand, are useless!" He matched towards me and backhanded me, and I fell on the ground, my cheek hurting.
"I'm so sorry, father. I'll do better, I promise." I whispered desperately, hoping he'd spare me.
His wife, Celine, inched closer to him as she spoke.
"Darling, don't let your mood be ruined by this. Remember that Landon is at the Northern Prince's party tonight. He'll make a lot of connections even if he doesn't catch the attention of the prince."
Oh. So that was why they sent him. Also for connections.
"And our second option is the talent showcase happening tomorrow. If Landon returns tonight without any big prospects, he'll try out for the showcase tomorrow. He'll undoubtedly be selected, then he'll get an opportunity to attend hillstone academy."
I frowned as I listened. Talent hunt. Hillstone academy.
Those words sounded familiar but I couldn't remember what they meant in the manga.
When I returned to my bedroom, some past memories resurfaced in my mind. It was of this original host putting all his hope for the future on seducing the prince… because he had no talent and knew showcasing in the talent hunt wasn't an option for him.
No matter how pitiful the host's thoughts might be, I refuse to justify those things he planned to do tonight.
As I looked through the host's other thoughts, I realized what the talent showcase and hillstone meant.
The talent showcase is holding tomorrow and everyone between eighteen and twenty are welcomed to try out for it. But only five lucky ones would be selected, and those ones would be opportuned to attend hillstone academy.
Hillstone is a popular academy for supernatural beings.
Humans are given this opportunity every decade, on a scholarship ride, to strengthen the centuries-old truce between humans and the supernaturals. Any human who gets an opportunity to get into hillstone wouldn't just be guaranteed a bright future, they'd be able to make insane connections there, which would also benefit their families immensely.
The more I dwelled on those things running through my mind, I wondered… Why don't I try out for this talent showcase?
If I get accepted into hillstone, I'll be able to escape this suffering here in this house, and I'll be able to learn in a school like I've always wished to in my past life. Most importantly, I'll be able to turn my life around in this world along with creating a bright future for myself.
The more I thought about, the more the idea sounded better.
I'd be stuck with minding the shop until further notice if I didn't take this step. Sure, the thought of attending a supernatural school was scary, but other humans have been doing it, so I guess I'll be able to as well.
I haven't any idea of what to expect in this academy cause in the manga, there was a five year time skip.
Which means I just have to hope that it favors me.
The next morning, Landon was announced to be heading out to the talent showcase. I assumed he didn't end up achieving anything tangible at the party last night.
"Mother, I'd also like to join the talent showcase." I tentatively revealed.
Landon laughed before mother even faced me.
"What? You think this is a joke? You literally have no talent aside from being weak and useless." Landon pointed out through a laugh.
While that might be true for the original host, that was wrong now. I have my apothecary talent, and that was something I was exceptionally good at.
Of course, I knew better than to say that.
"Don't be stupid, Varney. You're talentless."
"But—"
"Go to the shop, Varney. Only someone who'd not disgrace the family is allowed to go." She bit out sharply.
"But mother, I…" I tried to speak again.
"Enough! Go to the shop and you better not return home if you don't make sales today."
I was presently heading for the location of the talent showcase.
I knew that I was basically digging a grave for myself, cause I dared to close the shop without permission to do this.
But I didn't care. I'll just hate myself if I don't end up trying.
In my past life, my legs were blamed for most of my missed opportunities. In this world, that wasn't the case at all.
So, even if I don't end up getting selected, at least I'd know I tried. It was better to try than to not.
Everyone in the kingdom is gonna be gathered at the palace where the talent showcase would take place, which meant my family would definitely know I disobeyed them once I get on the stage.
The host of this body has never disobeyed them before so they'd never expect it.
On the way to the palace, I grabbed some ingredients amongst other stuff, all of which I'd used at the talent showcase.
Hopefully this doesn't end up being in vain.
In the palace, I was led to the backstage of the hall where all the other contestants were gathered, and I instantly tensed up and locked eyes with Landon who was speaking with a few rich looking friends.
"Where are you doing here?" He asked angrily after approaching me, looking around. "You aren't supposed to be here!"
"I also want to participate in the talent showcase." I blurted out.
He dug his nail into my arm, hurting me. "You're not allowed to. You'll just embarrass us. Go home if you love your life!" He gritted out lowly while I winced.
Still, I held my ground.
"I'm staying, Landon. I'll partake in the showcase no matter what." I breathed out in response, holding his eyes.
Usually the host would never dare to talk back, so the shock was clear in Landon's face as he reared back.
I was never confident even in my past life, but I was just tired of the constant sufferings.
"you'll see. Tonight, you'll wish you were never born. Freak." He bit out before storming off and I let out a long breath.
Well, that went well.
"You okay?" A tentative voice called out behind me and I turned around to stare up at a guy of average height and brown hair.
"Yes, thank you."
"I'm Eric." He politely offered a hand which I accepted.
"Varney." I revealed and he laughed.
"I know. Everyone knows you, dude." He revealed and I frowned.
"Huh?"
"The multi-colored eyed freak from the Montclair family."
He revealed before rushing to add, his hands thrown up. "That's what they call you, not me! I don't think that's polite or nice, especially since you've always been very quiet."
My stomach tightened and a lump got stuck in my throat. I had completely forgotten about that cause it was barely highlighted in the manga.
But this is the exact reason why Varney's family hates him, cause his unusual eyes bring shame to them. It got Varney bullied so much in school and he never got to make any friends.
Varney might have legs but his life is just as pathetic as mine in my past life.
"It's fine." I finally breathed out, looking away.
Eric looked relieved. I expected him to walk away so he'd stop being seen around the freak but he moved closer to me.
"So, what talent do you plan to showcase?" He asked, a small smile on his face.
After an hour, the showcase began. I was on number 184.
I grew nervous as I watched people step out to display their talent to the crowd one after the other, their talents explosive, maddening and impressive. Compared to theirs, my talents seemed local, underwhelming and embarrassing.
I mean, I doubt if apothecaries existed in this world?
When Landon stepped out, the crowd roared as he began to dance sensually and elegantly.
That was talent. Dancing and he was honestly mesmerizing, glamorous and very impressive. I felt my confidence dwindle after he finished and the crowd clapped for two minutes straight.
I was afraid of going out there to make a fool of myself.
My family would undoubtedly kill me for that especially cause that would bring them more shame.
But I've come this far already. Just ten more people before my turn. I might as well get it over with.
By the time it was finally my turn, no one clapped as I got on the stage.
I was nervous and I ended up spilling a bit of the little ingredients I managed to get my hands on in some bushes on the way here, which I was supposed to use in showcasing my talent, making the crowd erupt in laughter and jeers.
"What's he doing?"
"Isn't he the multi-colored eyes freak?"
"It's really him."
I tuned those words out and tried to focus on my task at hand; showcasing my talent.
First, I set up a fire. Since I cooked over naked fire in my past life, this was the easiest part.
I placed my make shift pan over it, and I began to slowly cook.
I wasn't preparing anything extravagant, cause I had limited ingredients and I was yet to familiarize with what people in this world really liked. Which is why I'm making a simple sweet— hoping that it would be enough to display that I'm indeed talented,
If I end up falling, I'd be completely doomed.
As I worked, I kept hearing a few remarks.
"A boy cooking?! Weird."
"Oh he's a sissy, why don't he wear a skirt too?"
"Boys aren't meant to cook. How disgusting."
Those words unnerved me and I tried hard to tune them out.
By the time I was done, only a few people clapped for me and I felt dejected and sick to my stomach as the judges tasted my work one by one.
They exchanged looks and wordlessly nodded at me, further worsening my fears as I got off the stage.
The judges weren't impressed, the crowd weren't impressed either.
I was so not winning.
I was by myself, trying not to imagine how much I'll be punished tonight for this, when the winners began to get announced.
"3rd place, Eric Vladmoon. Talent, artist."
"4th place, Landon Montclair. Talent, Dance art."
I tuned the announcer after that. It was no surprise Landon got selected.
I got up to leave and probably go reopen the shop until nighttime when the voice filled the air again.
"5th place, Varney Montclair. Talent: cooking."