A new wave of applause swept through the venue, louder than before, while the online audience’s excitement soared to new heights. Both in the theater and online, people were calling Rowena a true genius.

With results like these, nobody doubted Rowena had become the face of the competition. Interest in the last contestant faded to almost nothing.

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Still, the organizers couldn’t simply skip a performance, so after a string of compliments for Rowena, the host introduced the final dancer.

Rowena made her way backstage and crossed paths with Adah, who was preparing for her turn.

Despite having stolen Sally’s choreography, Rowena wore her triumph openly, her expression full of smug satisfaction. Her tone dripped with mockery as she said, “Adah, if you back out now, you might save yourself some embarrassment. I’ve already scored perfect marks across the board. No matter what you do out there, you’re just going to be a background act for me.”

Adah’s response was steady and unruffled. “Let’s just see how it turns out.” With that, she walked past Rowena and headed onto the stage.

During her introduction, Adah explained that “The Immortal’s Awakening” was her own original classical work.

Since everyone believed “Moonlight Shadow” had already set the competition’s high point, few in the audience seemed interested in seeing more. The room fell nearly silent, and even the host’s enthusiasm seemed to fade.

As the introduction ended, the host moved aside, and Adah was left standing alone beneath the lights.

She moved gracefully into her opening stance, every gesture calm and deliberate.

The music began, but the crowd remained distracted, still whispering about Rowena, while the judges huddled together, quietly talking among themselves.

Despite being completely overlooked by both the judges and the audience, Adah remained steady and composed.

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Earlier, before her turn to dance, Adah, determined to outperform Rowena’s Moonlight Shadow, had made the most of the precious moments she had backstage to prepare. Her last-minute switch from Moonlight Shadow to the Immortal’s Awakening wasn’t some reckless gamble; it was a carefully plotted move.

Moonlight Shadow was all about delicacy and grace, perfectly suited for light-colored costumes. Rowena’s pink-and-white gown had embodied that ideal.

In stark contrast, the Immortal’s Awakening blazed with energy and boldness, featuring rapid-fire rhythms and explosive choreography. The music, too, was electrifying, none other than Stellara’s chart-topping hit.

And Stellara was none other than Elliana herself.

Back when Elliana had first released the song, Adah had been swept up in inspiration, putting together a dance to its lyrics right on the spot. She had never dreamed that, one day, she’d be performing it onstage after a decision made at the very last minute.

Adah chose this powerful routine to cut straight through the calm left by Rowena’s act, determined to pull every wandering gaze right back to her.

Her original costume, soft pink and white, had been set aside. Now, she stood center stage in a gown of blazing red, glowing like a firestorm under the spotlight.

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