Master of Time

The auditions are not actually in house.

It is done in a couple of auditoriums nearby, but since it is late at night, there are no auditions running currently.

The audition will resume in the morning, at 9am sharp. It will continue until 5pm from what I am told.

Makes sense, considering the individual shift duration.

The candidates in the lobby, waiting patiently for their turn, are here for the preliminary examination, and if they passed the examination, they will be given a chance to audition.

Since I don't want to interrupt any of the examinations that are already in progress, I suggest opening a new room for my demonstration. There are dozens of preliminary examinations running at the same time since there are just so many candidates, waiting to be screened and given the chance to audition.

The Boonmee brothers, Chantara and Somchai join me as I want them to witness the power of magic for themselves. It will help them achieve their goals in the future.

And while waiting for a candidate to enter the room, I have a chat with them about their progress as well as other things, such as personal matters. They are fairly forthcoming, answering me with as much details as possible.

In relation to Lok Entertainment, the brothers are very good at what they do. It is actually their passion when they were orphans. So, when the chance presented itself, they both applied for the position.

As they are both still in the office this late despite their high status, they are workaholic.

It is a good thing that neither of them is married or they will get an earful at home by their wife.

They are currently seeing someone, however. Strange that both brothers are seeing the same woman, but whatever pulls their fancy, I suppose.

I am not here to judge them on their personal and private life. As long as it does not affect their work, I am happy with whatever.

If Shield Surveillance System is available in Thailand, I would have gotten all of this information without asking them personally. Shield hasn't expanded outside the United States.

Hydra, on the other hand, is a global organization. They have presence in every country.

As for the idol project, Lok Entertainment has several massive complexes available on the outskirt of the city, and more are being built to accommodate the ever-growing numbers of trainees.

With near limitless financial means at their disposal, it shouldn't be a problem. However, they have to bribe quite a lot of officials for the land and building permits. Corruption is rampant in Thailand, but I just think of it as a way to put the money back into the economy.

Chrono Reserves and all its branches locally or globally has standing order not to hoard the wealth and stagnant the economy in the process, so if a start-up business is profitable even if a little, they are to fund it in return for some controlling interests.

Some exceptions are made, obviously.

Regardless, Chrono Holdings' total assets is growing at an alarming rate. It is one of the reasons why Henry Oxford is such a frightening man in the economic sector. He can create an economic storm if he chooses.

But enough about Henry. Every time I think of him, I thought about his eldest daughter, Marian Oxford.

The bitch had me and my daughter killed, and I just cannot let that go despite her ignorance.

Sigh…

The trainees spend most of their time practicing and training in those relatively state-of-the-art venues with their group members or company assigned trainers. They also live there to induce stronger bond such as friendship or kinship.

Sexual relationship is not forbidden between the members, but it is kept at a minimum. Most trainees are too stressed from training and practicing all day to have such an intimate relationship. They're just happy to be able to relax after a day of hard work.

Sadly, some has breakdown due to the intensity of the workload.

It is unavoidable.

Those that remains with the project are reviewed once every month to see their overall progress and improvement. Their result is then scrutinized and assessed by upper chain of command to see whether they are qualified to appear in music videos or movies or dramas or any other medias.

As trainees, they will have very minor roles if casted in a video or movie or drama, but it will give them invaluable experiences. It also gives them a chance to gain some dedicated fans.

Once they graduated, they can star in their own movies or dramas and gain more fans. The number of fans they have is what most important to me, and once the Internet is finally available globally, their influences should be widespread.

"Excuse me, Mr. President and Mr. Chairman and Sir. Miss Nam ready. Here is her profile."

The woman passes each of us a folder. It contains information about the fifteen years old girl. She also explains a few more things before leaving the room. Since she didn't know my name, I didn't mind her calling me Sir.

I have a read through the profile provided on the candidate, learning about her background as well as family. She has one living relative – her father. He did not come with her.

Since she is fifteen, it is already one strike against her.

While that seems like young enough, most candidates that are accepted into the idol project is around twelve years old.

This gives the company more time to train them. By fifteen, they should excel in all areas required of them. And by eighteen, they should have the ability to spread their wings and become a superstar.

Of course, there is always exception to the rule. One of the rising superstars right now starts her path to stardom when she is 16. But she is a genius, so it is justified. Her solo stage name is White Angel, as it is easier to remember.

"Conduct your preliminary examination as if I am not here, Mr. President and Mr. Chairman."

I mimic the way the woman addressed them since the brothers both have the same last name. I tend not to call people by their first name when conducting business.

This isn't a social visit!

The Boonmee brothers are considered friends like I have considered Alex and Hans as such. They are more or less associates.

Chantara and Somchai acknowledge my request. They call for the candidate to enter soon after.

Nam enters as instructed by the woman outside. She looks naturally nervous when being faced with some of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry.

But from her scrawny shape, she probably hasn't been eating well or at all.

It is not unexpected since Thailand is a developing country, even well into the 21st century. Majority of Thai people work in the agriculture sector. They hesitate to use new technology because they didn't want to learn, thus slowing down the country economy and wealth.

"Before we begin. Please tell us about yourself, Miss Nam."

Chantara requests calmly. He is not the President of Lok Entertainment currently. He is just one of the judges, conducting a preliminary examination. He hasn't done something of the sort for so long since there are more important things that require his attention.

"Ah… yes… my name is Nam. Nam Dejsuwan. I am 14 years old. I will be turning 15 in August this year. My mother died when I was four. I live with… my father.

He is…"

The girl continues telling her life story.

Chantara listens professionally while Somchai trots something down into his notebook.

As for me, I remain expressionless throughout the whole time. I didn't listen to any of it, but I did have it all recorded for revision if necessary.

I did notice the lacerations she is trying to hide. They are on her arms and wrists.

Selene tells me those red markings match rope marks after some analysis, so she must have been tied up recently and maybe repeatedly. There is more to her story than meet the eyes, but is there a reason for me to investigate any further?

It isn't like she is my mother, Stephanie. I only care for those that is part of my family.

"Thank you for that, Miss Nam. Please tell us why you wish to become an idol?"

Chantara speaks up when Nam finishes telling her life story. It was quite long, as if she has a lot bottled up inside of her.

Nam pauses for a moment as if she is thinking up of an answer. I narrow my eyes to measure her heart rate and body temperature. It is to determine if she is lying or not.

"Because White Angel tells me that I could be one if I try hard. She is my idol, and I want to be just like her one day, bringing joy and happiness to everyone."

A typical motivation in my opinion. Those that idolizes idols will want to become idol themselves. But it is easier said than done.

Chantara and Somchai nod. I did so as well out of curtesy. Chantara then asks more personal questions before requesting Nam to demonstrate her voice.

Singing is trotted down as her talent. It is the most common amongst the candidates.

Idols can have many talents, but the ones that Lok Entertainment wants to nurture is singing, dancing, acting, showmanship, spokesmanship – that is, talents that entertain the masses.

Visuals is another, but I think Nam has a tick in the appearance due to her angelic face. She just needs to be fattened up a bit more. More meat on her bones. Her sense of fashion and costume will need to be fixed. But these are easy.

Nam sings one of White Angel's love song, which she memorizes by heart already. It is quite beautiful, soft and feminine.

A window appears in front of my eyes, showing me the complete analysis of her voice, and it grades her quite high.

80%

Most singers I have heard are around 70%. Only talented singers are above 80%.

Honestly, I have never seen anyone above 95% before. 100% would be perfect voice, and this can only come from artificial intelligence designs to sing.

Machine just sings better than organic vocal cord.

This is purely voice analysis. I have no clue whether the lyric is any good. Still, this is my secret weapon to dominate the music industry.

The future has mapped out the effect of sounds have on the human brain, so they can determine with great accuracy how good a voice is. As for the lyric itself, it is difficult since everyone understands lyrics differently.

Since there is a little report card for me to fill in. I wrote down A-Rank for her voice.

If it is 90%, it is A+. Any higher is S-rank.

Chantara and Somchai nod once Nam finishes singing. They have analysed her voice by their ears alone without any supercomputer, and they agree with my assessment.

However, A-rank is not enough due to her age. She needs to be exceptional – A+

Nam is requested to leave the room, so we can discuss amongst ourselves. And once she did, Chantara and Somchai ask for my opinion. In their mind, it is already a yes. It will take a lot of work, but she will be able to reach it.

"We believe she has what it takes to be an idol. What do you think of her, Mr. Maxwell?"

"So that is a mutual yes? Okay then, you don't need to know my opinion. But bring her in again, I want to show you two something that will surprise you."

When Nam returns back in the room, I channel my magical power and focus on where she is standing.

A magical incantation diagram slowly forms under her feet, spinning and humming, but no one beside me could see it. Sound rune appears and fill in the circle. It spaces out before Inspire rune fill in the gaps.

Voice of Inspiration spell activates, forcing the diagram to glow brightly.

Nam blinks as she feels a little bit lighter. She didn't notice a faint aura coats her entire body. She has been enhanced by magic.

Let's see if this would give me another super weapon.

It is more than likely.

I am hoping that her voice exceeds 90% this time.

"Please sing that song again, Miss Desu… Dejsuwan? Ahem. I am sorry about that, but please, can you sing that song again before we make our decision, Miss Dejsuwan."

I request. I mess up her name a little since my brain is hardwire to English.

Nam Dejsuwan acknowledges my request and begins singing the same love song again.

She is no longer nervous like the first time she was in the room, and the beautiful voice that escapes her lips are a lot softer and more moving.

I could see the magical energy emanating in the air, and as it did, the aura coating her body diminishes a little. The enchantment is temporary, obviously. The more she sings, the quicker it dissipates.

Chantara and Somchai both blink in astonishment once they heard her voice again. Tears seem to be pooling in their eyes. It is as if they are remembering something from someone they had once loved and lost.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Somchai even stood up and clap his hands in delight as soon as the song is finished.

Chantara covers his eyes, thinking about something deeply. He is very emotional right now.

I am also surprised. The analysis came back.

115%!? What the fuck!?

Her voice exceeds that of a perfect voice?