The audition location was an unassuming studio in Burbank.
The small Marvel logo at the entrance instantly gave the place a weighty presence.
Rob drove Cassius over, muttering all the way.
"Relax, Cass. Just treat it like meeting an old friend. Director Branagh has a good impression of you; that's your biggest advantage!"
"Remember what Isabella taught you, and the feeling you've had these past few days..."
Rob was telling Cassius not to be nervous, but he looked way more nervous than Cassius!
Cassius nodded without saying much.
He was actually quite calm.
After all, he had done everything he could!
Now it was time to perfectly showcase the results of his training over the past few days!
Cassius wore a simple black training outfit, his hair slightly styled, looking clean and sharp!
He didn't wear a complex costume.
That was Isabella's suggestion.
She said true aura is supported by the actor themselves.
Walking into the designated waiting room, a few people were already sitting there.
One man immediately caught Cassius's attention.
Joshua Dallas.
He had also done some simple styling. His blonde hair was tied back, and he wore a somewhat retro tunic, looking quite stylish.
Just sitting there, the guy visually embodied the vibe of an Asgardian warrior!
Joshua also saw Cassius. Their gazes met briefly, and they nodded to each other as a greeting.
Cassius saw the favorability score above the other guy's head: [-10].
Cassius found a corner to sit down.
He heard other waiting actors whispering lines nearby.
Closing his eyes.
Cassius began to repeatedly outline the image of Fandral in his mind.
Mobilizing the attributes related to bearing, dialogue, and conviction he had absorbed over the past few days, he put himself into the state of an Asgardian warrior in advance.
After a while.
The casting assistant came out and called Joshua Dallas's name.
Joshua took a deep breath, stood up, and followed the assistant into the inner audition room.
Cassius kept his eyes closed, resting, but his ears were tuned to the movement inside.
The soundproofing wasn't great; he could faintly hear dialogue and the sound of wooden swords clashing!
It seemed Joshua's audition included an action demonstration.
It took quite a while!
About fifteen or twenty minutes passed before the door opened again.
Joshua walked out with a smile on his face, looking quite satisfied with his performance.
He exchanged a few words with the casting assistant and left.
The casting assistant looked at the list and called out, "Mr. Cassius, please get ready."
Cassius opened his eyes and stood up.
He didn't go in immediately but paused at the door for two seconds, adjusting the angle of his shoulders and neck.
Isabella taught him this.
Subtle movements could instantly change a person's posture and mental outlook, switching him from an actor waiting for an audition to the character itself.
He pushed the door open and entered.
The audition room wasn't large. A few people sat at the front.
Sitting right in the center was Director Kenneth Branagh. Beside him sat Casting Director Sarah Finn, and another person who looked like the stunt coordinator.
The camera was already set up, aimed at the empty space in the center of the room.
"Good afternoon, Director Branagh, Ms. Finn."
Cassius greeted them in English with a hint of classical cadence. His voice wasn't loud but clear and steady, accompanied by a slight nod—natural and reserved.
Seeing him, Director Branagh showed a look of interest.
"Good afternoon, Cass. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Director."
Cassius walked to the center of the room, where two wooden prop swords for sparring were placed.
He didn't ask "Where should I start?" nor did he wait for the director to yell "Action."
The moment he stood still, his entire aura changed.
His shoulders opened naturally, chin slightly lifted, and the modern feeling in his eyes suddenly vanished.
Replaced by the indifference of someone who had lived through eons, supremely confident in his identity and ability.
He picked up a wooden sword casually, flipping his wrist effortlessly. The sword tip drew a smooth arc in the air.
As if this wooden sword wasn't a crude prop, but an extension of his body.
Just this simple movement, combined with his current gaze and posture, made the air in the room freeze for a moment.
Director Branagh, who had been leaning back in his chair, leaned forward slightly.
Casting Director Sarah Finn stopped flipping through her files.
The stunt coordinator raised an eyebrow.
Cassius seemed oblivious to these changes, completely immersed in Fandral's identity.
He began the dialogue with Lady Sif. His voice wasn't loud but magnetic, the tail end of every word handled just right—maintaining classical charm without losing naturalness.
When he mentioned guarding the glory of Asgard, there was no hollowness in his eyes, only a sense of responsibility etched into his bones.
Next was the training ground scene.
He addressed the empty air as if Volstagg and Hogun were really standing there. His tone carried the familiar banter between brothers, but his body language remained elegantly aristocratic.
He even improvised a move, lightly parrying an enemy attack with the wooden sword, as smooth as if rehearsed countless times.
Finally, the monologue facing the invaders.
He didn't scream or shout but internalized the power. His eyes were firm, every word squeezed out from between his teeth with unquestionable resolve.
When he recited "In the name of my sword," the hand holding the wooden sword was incredibly steady, as if truly ready to shed the last drop of blood for the divine realm behind him at any moment.
Click!
At the moment his emotion and conviction reached their peak, he felt some kind of shackle inside him shatter.
A purple orb dropped from his body:
[Aura of Elegance +5]
This was the first time he had dropped such a high-level attribute orb himself.
Absorb!
A profound sense of power surged through his body.
He found that as the attribute orb integrated, he became even more immersed, invisibly influencing those watching his performance to believe more readily in the world he was constructing.
Performance over.
Cassius slowly retracted his stance, placing the wooden sword back lightly.
The resolve in his eyes slowly faded, returning to calm. He bowed slightly.
"My performance is finished!"
The room was silent for a few seconds.
Director Branagh was the first to react. With unconcealed appreciation on his face, he even applauded lightly.
"Excellent!"
"Cass, you completely captured Fandral's essence. Not just the appearance, but the inner pride and loyalty. Your preparation was very thorough!"
Casting Director Sarah Finn was also nodding, quickly noting something in her notebook.
"Very convincing performance, Mr. Cass. Your movement training and line delivery are impressive, especially that sense of immersion which is rare!"
Even the stunt coordinator, who hadn't spoken, spoke up.
"The choreography was good. Powerful yet beautiful. Just what Fandral should be!"
Cassius could see clearly.
The favorability score above Director Branagh's head jumped from [45] to [55].
Sarah Finn's favorability rose from the initial [30] to [50].
The stunt coordinator's favorability was also at [48].
"Thank you, everyone!"
Cassius remained humble.
"Very good, Cass. Go back and wait for news!"
Director Branagh's tone was amiable. "We will discuss the results as soon as possible."
"Okay, Director."
Cassius bowed slightly again and walked out of the audition room with steady steps.
The door closed behind him, cutting off the discussion inside.
Walking out of the studio, the sunlight was a bit blinding.
Cassius squinted and exhaled.
Every second inside just now required high mental concentration. Now relaxed, he felt a thin layer of sweat on his back.
Rob's car drove up immediately. He rolled down the window and asked eagerly:
"How did it go?"
Cassius opened the door, got in, and buckled his seatbelt. "Performed at training level. The director and the others reacted pretty well!"
"What did they say specifically?" Rob pressed.
Cassius repeated their comments!
"Wow! That sounds solid!"
Rob slapped the steering wheel excitedly.
"Especially Director Branagh. He rarely praises people so directly during auditions! Looks like your crash training these past few days wasn't in vain!"