After ten minutes of warm-ups, the instructor paused the music. "Alright, water break. Just one minute. Be back on your feet quickly."
Damien exhaled in relief and rushed to his bag for a sip of water. Around him, trainees relaxed in small clusters, some stealing curious glances at the new comers. He quickly noticed two people in the corner whispering while glancing his way. Whatever they were doing, he decided to ignore it and pay it no mind.
One of the older boys glanced at Damien and left his group, strolling over with an easy smile. "Hey," he greeted in a smooth voice. "I'm Choi Hajoon. I've been wanting to talk to you since earlier." He gave a friendly little bow. Damien introduced himself in return and shook Hajoon's hand, which was inexplicably firm and lingering.
"I'm Damien, it's nice to meet you."
"First day, right?" Hajoon said, still smiling as his eyes flicked over Damien's face and form, as if measuring him. "Don't worry, we all survive it. Just work hard." He placed his hand on Damien's shoulder in a brotherly way that felt just a tad too familiar. "If you need anything, just ask."
"Thanks," Damien replied. Hajoon's tone was welcoming, but something about his overly sweet tone and warmth didn't sit quite right. His smile stayed wide, but it seemed to harden at the edges for a split second when Damien looked away.
In a blink, Hajoon was already stepping back. "Alright, I'll head back. See you." He gave a casual wave and went off to rejoin a couple of trainees across the room, his expression dropping to a flat look the moment he turned his back.
"Was that Choi Hajoon?" A voice sounded from behind him. It was Song Yejun. He had a towel wrapped around his neck and carried a bottle of water.
Damien nodded.
Song Yejun suddenly leaned in and whispered. "I don't think you should get close to him..."
At his words, Damien's eyes widened slightly. "Why?"
"I just have a bad feeling about him..." Song Yejun shook his head. "I've always had a good gut feeling, ever since I was young. It's been my guide to avoid... uh... unpleasant experiences."
Looking at the boy in front of him, he could tell that he was telling the truth. At least, he didn't look like the lying type. But still, it was hard to trust someone right off the bat.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Break's over!" The instructor called sharply. The trainees hurried back to their lines. Damien capped his water and jogged back to his spot.
Now the actual dance instruction began. The instructor announced they would all practice a beginner dance routine for the week to gauge everyone's level in dance. "It'll be new for everyone, so we'll go slowly."
Damien's pulse sped up again as the instructor moved to the front and the music started. It was a laid-back, mid-tempo hip-hop beat with a steady groove. It's rhythm was clean and uncluttered, allowing Damien and the rest to focus on timing and control.
The dance instructor demonstrated a series of moves, simple but groovy movements that he was actually familiar with. Due to his lessons with Arlo, he had gotten the basics of hip-hop dance etched into his memory. He followed the instructor, showing his technique, albeit a bit clumsy. The experienced trainees jumped into motion as well, having some familiarity with the style.
He watched Li Xingyuan in the mirror, a few rows ahead. He moved with precision and a natural rhythm that was mesmerizing. He seemed to flow right through the routine after seeing it just once.
The brat can actually dance pretty good. Truly a dance prodigy.
Damien nearly tripped over his own feet distracted by how effortless Li Xingyuan made everything look. Determination flared in Damien's chest. He bit his lower lip and focused, keeping his eyes on the instructor.
They went over the eight-counts slowly at first, repeating them several times. Damien appreciated the repetition; each run-through he got a little more confident in his movement.
"A clap on five; a slide on seven..." He murmured little cues to himself under his breath.
After about 30 minutes, the instructor decided it was time to try with music at half-speed.
As the music played in a slower tempo, Damien hit the movements in time—thanks to the familiarity of the moves—managing to keep up mostly. By now, sweat was dripping from his temples. His shirt was completely stuck to his back, but he hardly had time to think about that. When the music stopped, he took a gulp of air. Without the potions, his stamina really took a hit. He couldn't just buy from the shop out in the open, right?
System, what are the chances I can buy potions from the shop without getting noticed?
System: [You have a 10% chance, host. A lot of people have their eyes on you. And, in this system's opinion, it's better to get used to it or work on your stamina. You can't use Recovery Potions every time you get tired.]
Damien sighed inwardly.
You're right. It'd be a waste to spend my points on potions when I can use it to gain skills. Speaking of which, I haven't checked my stats in a while. I'll check it after this class...
Without noticing, a few hours had already passed. After the trainers gave out gentle praises and critiques, they took their leave and the trainees were left in the room.
To Damien's surprise, Li Xingyuan stepped over to him after practice. His smile was relaxed and just a touch sly. "Not bad," he said softly, only loud enough for Damien to hear. "You're one of the newcomers, right?"
Damien, who was about to take a gulp of water, paused. "Yeah."
"You're keeping up pretty well." Li Xingyuan's tone was casual, but there was a light tease underlying it. "I haven't seen you knock anything over yet." He glanced meaningfully toward a metal trash an by the wall, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "That's better than some of us can say."
Damien raised his brow, pulling his attention away from the red-haired boy to the trash can.
Was he joking? He's pulling my leg, isn't he?
The subtle arch of Li Xingyuan's brow and the playful glint in his dark eyes hinted at some unspoken mischief. How should he react to this? Should he keep it friendly, at least for now? Or maybe he should ask him if Li Xingyuan remembered who he was?
Since he hadn't said anything, Damien assumed that Li Xingyuan did not recognize him.
Damien gave a smile, his eye almost twitching. "I'll try to keep it that way."
Li Xingyuan gave a low chuckle. He nudged Damien's arm with his elbow in a friendly manner. "On my first day here, I kind of had a... let's call it a collision with that poor thing," he confessed offhandedly. "Sent it skittering halfway across the floor." A quiet laugh escaped him, and he shook his head as if amused at his own memory.
It took a second for the image to register, but when it did, Damien bit back a laugh. This brat—the confident and experienced Li Xingyuan—had actually knocked a trash can across the studio? The thought was surprisingly funny. Damien found himself smiling for real.
Li XIngyuan gave a small pout. "Is it that funny?" He bumped Damien lightly with his elbow again. "Keep working hard," he said, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "I can tell that you've got some serious energy. I'd like to have a rival like you. Oh, but don't use that energy to redecorate the place. I've gotten used to where everything is placed." His lips curved in a half-smile that made it hard to tell if he was entirely serious.
"I'll work hard." Damien's voice was firm.
Watching Li Xingyuan walk away, Damien promised himself that one day he would stand alongside him as an equal. Perhaps he would even surpass him. The talent he had witnessed today from everyone—Li Xingyuan, Choi Hajoon, all the trainees—only fueled his competitiveness. He knew that his stats were not enough against these trainees. He had to get better, practice harder, and level up.
Then, he raised his gaze to the system floating beside him.
Hey, this kid isn't all that bad.
System: [Actually, host, Li Xingyuan is fairly famous. From an early age, he had gotten into dancing. He has won some famous competitions and has worked as a background dancer for many top artists. For being this young and talented, he's quite humble.]
Then what was his attitude a few weeks ago? He seemed like an entirely different person.
System: [This system has been digging around and it seems like he's had an ongoing problem with stalkers.]
Stalkers? At this age? As a trainee? Don't people have a life?
System: [Unfortunately, host, every time that Li Xingyuan goes out in public he's encountered a stalker without fail.]
Without fail? But that's impossible. Unless...
Behind him, Hajoon cleared his throat, claiming Damien's attention. "Li Xingyuan is a different breed entirely. It's like he was meant for stardom." Choi Hajoon stared at Li Xingyuan's back. "And the story about the trash can. It was really funny. On his first day, he was so focused that he knocked over the trash can." Choi Hajoon explained, laughing. "But, he blew away everyone with his skills on his first day."
Then, he suddenly shifted the topic. "Nevermind that. It's dinner. Do you want to eat with us?" He said with a smile.
After a slight pause, Damien smiled and nodded. "Sure." It was a good time to know what Choi Hajoon was really thinking of and what exactly his motive was.
As they headed down the hall, Damien caught a glimpse of their reflections in the darkened window overlooking the city—a cluster of sweaty teenagers, following Hajoon's lead. In the reflection, Hajoon's friendly smile didn't quite reach his eyes. It was a split-second impression, gone as soon as they passed the window, but it sent a slight chill through Damien.
He adjusted his backpack and walked a little faster to keep up with Hajoon and the others. Whether Hajoon's kindness was genuine or not, Damien knew he had to stay focused on why he was here.
And if Hajoon truly had bad intentions.
He'd let him know he's messing with the wrong person.