Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 251 Being the Spotlight

Violeta checked the clock and saw it was just half past ten.

They needed to assemble at the lodging by twelve, still ninety minutes away.

"Okay, I'll give it a shot!"

The owner, Darwin, was extremely pleased.

The photographer's voice echoed faintly, "Darwin, what did you just curse me for?"

Darwin turned and scowled at him, "Why did you take Dawn without my consent? What if it gets damaged?"

The photographer replied, "I noticed the finest zither on the wall, so I borrowed it."

Darwin retorted, "Haha, you certainly have good taste, always choosing the best!"

Violeta and Kaylee strolled over from the pond, carrying the zither carefully.

Upon seeing them, the two didn't argue anymore.

"Let's go! You can now participate in the zither challenge. Oh, by the way, there's another participant. The two of you can go together." "Alright."

...

The group reached the zither shop.

A lengthy queue still awaited them at the entrance, and at that instant, Nolan and his companions also arrived at the zither shop.

Hattie was seated in front of the zither, already growing impatient.

Upon finally spotting the owner, she eagerly exclaimed, "Let's begin, I'm short on time!"

Upon uttering those words, she noticed Violeta and Kaylee behind the owner. Her expression immediately soured.

Why are these two people here again?

Darwin stepped forward and apologised, "Apologies for the delay. We have another participant joining the challenge now. How about the two of you play together?" Violeta set down the Dawn beside her and seated herself behind the zither next to Hattie Ridge.

Zelena and her companions noticed Violeta and began taunting her.

"Why did Violeta show up?"

"Can she even play any instrument?"

"Instruments demand genuine skill, not something she can fake."

"Hattie has achieved level ten in zither. She'll outperform Violeta for sure."

"Why does Violeta keep showing up everywhere?"

Darwin handed the sheet music to Violeta to review.

"Take a moment to review the music score first. The rules for the challenge are simple. I will select one song from the score, and you will perform it. I will evaluate your performance, and the participant with the highest total score will win. Oh, and just so you know, failing to perform the selected piece will result in elimination."

Violeta quickly scanned through the music score. It contained a variety of songs, ranging from well-known to more obscure compositions.

As she leafed through the score, memories of her zither practice flooded back.

Pieces she had nearly forgotten now came vividly to mind.

Violeta had thought she had moved on, but these memories were etched deep in her heart. How could she forget them?

She took more time than Hattie to review the score.

Beside her Hattie sneered, "Violeta

are you trying to cram at the last minute? If you can't play, just say it. Staring at it for so long won't change anything." én.swnovels.net

After the riddle guessing, Hattie admitted that she wasn't as skilled as Violeta. She acknowledged that.

However, when it came to playing the zither, she had been studying for many years.

She was confident she would never lose to Violeta.

Violeta softly shut the music score and passed it to Darwin.

"I'm ready."

"Great."

Next to them, Zelena's eyes fixated on the traditional outfit that Violeta was dressed in.

Perhaps the sunlight was too harsh. At that moment, she felt as though she saw a glimpse of Violeta from her past life.

Zelena, feeling jealous, remarked sarcastically, "We're all in ordinary attire, only they've chosen to dress uniquely, so distinctive."

Gillian chimed in, "Yes, intentionally standing out, that's all."

Candy remarked, "Don't assume that dressing in traditional attire guarantees high points. A golden-rimmed chamber pot is still a chamber pot."

Kaylee responded with an eye-roll,

2

commenting, "Oh, some individuals are akin to the vinegar-soaked cabbage from an ancient jaro intensely sour."

Darwin declared, "Let the challenge begin. Hattie has already scored eight points earlier. Violeta, give it your utmost effort."

He leafed through the sheet music.

"Beyond the Ridge," he announced.

"Who would like to begin?"

Maybe after hearing Violeta perform "Melody of the Battle" previously, Darwin expected more from her.

The piece "Beyond the Ridge" is the highest level in the grade ten zither repertoire, demanding the performer to possess extensive zither skills.

Additionally, it requires a deep

cultural understanding and an appreciation for nature. Darwin doubted whether these two young ladies, who appeared to be around

twenty years old, could accomplish

it.

Violeta stayed quiet.

Hattie stepped up and said, "I'll go first."

Darwin responded, "Alright, please proceed."

Violeta was also eager to see how proficient Hattie was with the zither.

Nolan and his group arrived at the front just in time to watch their performance.

Hattie relished being the centre of attention, convinced she was destined to be in the spotlight.

She looked down at the strings, expertly plucking them to create a beautiful melody.

Aware of Violeta's gaze, Hattie felt an added determination to impress her, demonstrating her skills without reservation.