From the Beta section, Ren watched everything in disbelief.
He had expected the decision to be final.
Yet one person had overturned it within minutes.
And he hadn't even done it for himself.
Ren couldn't help staring at Rei.
So that's the heir of Light Entertainment.
He had heard about him before.
Everyone had.
Rei was an Alpha, incredibly talented, handsome and already famous even before officially entering the competition.
But what caught Ren's attention wasn't his appearance.
It was what he had just done.
"He really changed their decision that easily…"
Ren murmured.
The person beside him glanced toward Rei.
Then smiled.
"I suppose he did."
Ren looked at him.
The man extended his hand.
"I'm Alex."
Ren blinked before returning the gesture.
"Ren. Nice to meet you."
Their hands met.
Alex smiled warmly.
It wasn't the polished smile of someone trying to impress people.
It was simple.
Genuine.
Ren found himself staring for a moment.
He really has a great smile.
Alex released his hand.
"Looks like we're finally getting our chance."
Ren looked toward the audition rooms.
"Yeah."
For the first time since the Beta screenings had been cancelled, the heaviness in his chest began to disappear.
Maybe he could still make it.
Maybe this dream wasn't impossible after all.
The Beta screening resumed.
One by one, the contestants were called into the audition rooms.
Ren remained seated beside Alex, waiting for his turn.
The atmosphere in the hall had completely changed.
Only a few minutes earlier, everyone had been preparing to leave with disappointment.
Now the entire section was filled with nervous energy.
Some contestants quietly rehearsed their introductions.
Others moved their fingers nervously.
A few closed their eyes and took deep breaths.
Ren did the same.
His fingers tightened around his knees.
Alex noticed.
"Is this your first audition?"
Ren looked at him.
"Yes."
He hesitated.
"Yours?"
Alex let out a quiet laugh.
"I don't even remember anymore."
Ren looked surprised.
"You've auditioned that many times?"
Alex shrugged.
"Enough times to stop counting."
There was a smile on his face.
But Ren noticed something behind it.
Something tired.
"You never gave up?"
Alex looked toward the audition rooms.
"Giving up would be easier."
He paused.
"But I don't think I can do that yet."
Then he looked back at Ren.
"So don't panic."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"It'll be fine."
Ren stared at him.
Alex spoke so calmly.
As though he truly believed those words.
Yet Ren could see the exhaustion hidden behind his smile.
Maybe Alex wasn't calm because he wasn't afraid.
Maybe he was calm because he had been afraid so many times that he had learned how to live with it.
Ren leaned back.
Maybe I should learn something from him.
This man had apparently failed countless times.
Yet he was still here.
Still trying.
And Ren was already shaking over his first audition.
I really need to calm down.
Before he could think any further—
"Ren!"
His heart stopped.
He looked toward the staff member standing near the audition room.
For a second, he didn't move.
Alex smiled.
"That's you."
Ren stood.
"Yeah."
He forced a faint smile.
"I'll see you after the audition."
"Good luck."
Ren nodded.
He took one deep breath.
Then walked toward the audition room.
The moment Ren entered, the panelists looked up.
Their expressions changed almost immediately.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Ren stopped in front of them.
He could feel their eyes moving over him.
His height.
His shoulders.
His face.
His build.
One judge leaned forward slightly.
Another exchanged a glance with the person beside him.
Ren already knew what they were thinking.
He didn't look like the Beta contestants they were expecting.
His tall frame, broad shoulders and narrow waist gave him the physique of an Alpha.
His silver hair framed a pale, striking face.
And his brown eyes were far more captivating than he wanted them to be.
Finally, one of the judges spoke.
"Are you sure you're a Beta?"
Ren's fingers curled slightly.
"Yes."
The answer came hesitantly.
The judge continued studying him.
"Who are your parents?"
Ren's expression stiffened.
"My father is a Beta."
He paused.
"My mother is an Omega."
One of the panelists raised his eyebrows.
"Your father married an Omega?"
A quiet laugh escaped him.
Ren's face immediately went pale.
His hands tightened at his sides.
He had expected questions about his talent.
His dancing.
His singing.
Maybe even his appearance.
He hadn't expected his parents to become entertainment.
Another judge looked him over.
"So that's the reason."
Ren looked at him.
"The reason?"
"Perhaps that's why you're so attractive despite being a Beta."
The panelists chuckled.
Ren forced a smile.
Inside, something twisted.
Don't react.
Don't let them see.
He had spent years learning how to hide his emotions.
Today was not the day to lose control.
He lowered his head slightly.
"I understand."
His voice remained steady.
"May I begin my audition?"
The judges exchanged another glance.
Then nodded.
Ren walked toward the performance area.
He took a slow breath.
His heartbeat was still racing.
But the moment the music began—
Everything else disappeared.
The judges.
Their comments.
Their prejudice.
His parents.
His secret.
Everything.
There was only the music.
Only the stage.
Ren moved.
His body followed the rhythm naturally.
Every movement was precise.
Controlled.
Elegant.
The years of practice showed in every step.
The same body that society constantly tried to categorize had become his greatest weapon.
He wasn't an Alpha.
He wasn't a Beta.
He was Ren.
And for those few minutes…
That was enough.