The Herrscher of Sentience released her grip on Shigure Kira's hand.
"Who are you?" Raiden Mei asked, puzzled.
Considering that she might have been arranged by Einstein and the others, no one made a move immediately.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Shigure Kira." Shigure Kira clasped her hands in front of her chest, a radiant smile spreading across her face.
"Shigure Kira... I feel like I've seen that name somewhere before." Herrscher of Fire Kiana scratched her head.
"Shigure Kira. An A-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal. Went missing during the Second Honkai Eruption. A member of the Snow Wolf Squad led by Cecilia." Bronya stated calmly.
Herrscher of Fire Kiana suddenly remembered. "Oh, right! I remember now. Shigure Kira, you're the woman who likes my mom and spread rumors that my dad groped all the Valkyries in Schicksal."
"Cough, cough..." Shigure Kira's cheeks flushed red. "I didn't do that. Someone must have been jealous that Lord Siegfried married Lady Cecilia and wanted to ruin his reputation."
"It wasn't you?" Herrscher of Fire Kiana eyed her suspiciously. "Then what about you liking my mom? Is that fake too?"
"That's true. Lady Cecilia was so outstanding—who wouldn't like her?"
Shigure Kira clasped her fists in front of her chest, looking exactly like an infatuated fangirl.
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
"So you all know this auntie? Then you handle it yourselves." The Herrscher of Sentience shrugged.
"Hey!" Shigure Kira puffed out her cheeks and stomped her foot angrily. "How can you call me auntie? I'm not that old!"
"You're human. Judging by human age, doesn't that make you an auntie?" The Herrscher of Sentience looked genuinely confused.
"You..."
Shigure Kira was at a loss for words.
"Miss Shigure Kira, how did you end up on our ship?" Raiden Mei asked.
"I'm not sure either. I was traveling through a bubble world when something went wrong. When I came back to my senses, I was here." Shigure Kira looked toward Herrscher of Fire Kiana. Cecilia's daughter?
No wonder she looks so similar...
"Let's put that aside for now," Bronya said. "I've found the targets."
Hearing Bronya's words, everyone shifted their gaze from Shigure Kira to the main screen.
Displayed there was a global ranking of musical artists.
First place: Eden.
Second place: Miku Izayoi.
...
After briefly reviewing their information, Raiden Mei confirmed that Eden and Miku Izayoi were the Herrschers of this world.
Eden, ranked first, was known as the Goddess of Classical Music.
Miku Izayoi, ranked second, was known as the Spirit of Pop Music.
Both had appeared out of nowhere and rapidly claimed the top two positions.
Bronya operated the computer, and the screen switched to details about a music competition. "There is a music competition in the Far East hosted by Miku Izayoi. The champion's prize is 16.8 billion. In addition to the prize money, there is also a mysterious grand prize."
"16.8 billion? That's so much money?" Shigure Kira exclaimed in surprise. Was the purchasing power of money in this world's Far East that low? A single competition offering 16.8 billion as a prize.
The money wasn't important. The mysterious grand prize was the key.
Seeing that the competition had only recently begun its promotion, Raiden Mei suspected that this might have been prepared specifically for them.
Was the other side trying to make them become idols, singers, form a band, and win the championship in a music contest?
Although they didn't know what the mysterious grand prize was, this competition was worth participating in.
"I've arranged for you to enroll in Tsukinomori Girls' Academy," Bronya said.
Angelia Schariac tilted her head. "Why are we enrolling in that academy?"
"Miku Izayoi is a student there," Bronya replied.
Angelia Schariac nodded. "So we're enrolling, forming a band, entering the competition, and winning first place. Is that right?"
"Correct. We'll just be enrolled in name only. If you want to experience normal academy life, that's fine too," Bronya said.
"Do any of you know how to play instruments?" Raiden Mei asked.
"No," the Herrscher of Sentience replied.
"I've only learned a bit of piano," said Herrscher of Fire Kiana.
"I know a little bit of everything," Angelia Schariac said.
"I... I don't know any instruments," Seele said softly.
Bronya turned to Shigure Kira. "Miss Shigure Kira, according to Schicksal's database, your singing is to die for, and your dream is to become an idol. Is that true?"
"Well..." A trace of embarrassment flashed across Shigure Kira's face. Who wrote her profile like that?
"Then the lead vocalist position will be yours," Raiden Mei decided.
"W-Wait a second..." Shigure Kira panicked slightly, but she didn't want to expose the fact that she was tone-deaf in front of her juniors.
Before she could refuse, Bronya continued, "Miss Shigure Kira, there's no need to be modest. You're the only one here with experience researching idols, and your singing is excellent. The lead vocalist position can only be yours."
"Miss Shigure Kira, what's wrong?" Herrscher of Fire Kiana asked.
"N-Nothing..."
Shigure Kira's eyes darted around as she stammered, unable to speak. With everyone looking at her expectantly, she felt too embarrassed to refuse.
The Herrscher of Sentience crossed her arms and let out a light snort. "Actually, there's no need to go through so much trouble. I have an easy way to win the championship."
"What way?" Herrscher of Fire Kiana asked curiously.
"We just eliminate the other bands. If we're the only team left, wouldn't that make us the champions?"
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
...
Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.
Th-This is...
A blue-haired girl with twin ponytails stared at the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar classroom before her. She took out her phone and saw the date displayed on the lit screen.
Something like this could actually happen?
She had been reborn one year into the past.
This was... far too fantastical.
[Ding. Strategy Cultivation System loading.]
[Strategy Cultivation System successfully loaded.]
Togawa Sakiko took a deep breath. After a long moment, she finally calmed down. Even rebirth had happened—having an extra system wasn't anything to make a fuss about.
Calm down.
She opened the system's mission panel.
Furrowing her brows, Togawa Sakiko read the mission details. The main objective was to form a band, cultivate it, participate in the Spirit Maiden Music Competition, and win the championship.
What Spirit Maiden Music Competition?
She had never even heard of it.
She searched it on her phone—and froze.
Promotions were everywhere.
Before her rebirth, this competition hadn't existed at all.
When she saw that the prize money was 16.8 billion, she felt an inexplicable malice behind it.