Chapter 49: Ranking
As all the contestants tried to gather up, PD Emily just waved them away as she stood in the front of the room.
"As you all know, you went through 2 different assessments to make it to this point. In the first round, you either sang a song or rapped a verse, danced, and showed us a talent. In the second round, you were free to create a performance as an individual or with a group of seven or fewer, and ranked by the audience and the judges from one to a hundred."
PD Emily continued speaking loudly as the cameramen, now located all around the room, pointed cameras at the lounging or standing students and the PDs and staff members holding tubs of items in the front.
"Utilizing those two events, our judges and expert trainers, whom you will meet later, have classified your singing, dancing, and rapping skills into five grades from A -> F. Each of you will receive a badge for singing or rapping, and everybody will receive a badge for dancing. The average of your two ranks will decide what class you end up in. When your name is called, please come up front. Starting with the person who ranked first yesterday, William Forbes - A Rank Vocals and B Rank Dance means you're in Class A. Congratulations."
Despite her congratulatory words, PD Emily's expression as she looked at William was a neutral one that hid her dislike.
William Forbes went up with a bright smile, grabbed the two badges, and pinned them to his shirt.
The staff member beside PD Emily handed him a navy blue t-shirt with a giant gold colored letter A on it and a closed envelope, and he headed back to his seat.
"Moving on. Ranked second overall yesterday is the one and only Carrot Top, Daniel Kim. Nearly perfect all around. A Rank Rap and A Rank Dance means you're in Class A. Congrats." Daniel Kim, the Korean boy with the bright orange hair, smiled brightly, exposing the dimple in his left cheek, and went to receive his badges, shirt, and envelope.
As Daniel walked past William Forbes, Ari could see the smile on William's face almost scrunch up before he spotted the camera and made it bright.
To Ari, though, his eyes looked quite vicious.
"Next up is..."