But this time, all the recordings of the tournament were being shared between the stations. We didn’t need to fear any recordings being leaked to a competitor here, whether they were recordings we wanted to keep secret, or that we had decided to scrap, or that were dangerous to show, so everyone was able to station themselves here.
“I’d heard a little about the student formation flight from Mirko. I guess this means they’re starting for real now.”
Oh, you knew? That makes things easier. I could see the faces of all the busy nearby staff drop the moment they heard our conversation. In fact, I could hear them screaming inside, begging for no more work added on top of their current pile. But I’m sorry. It’s for my brother—I can’t let this chance pass by.
“Have you heard anything about the details of the program itself?” Bendelio asked.
“Yes. They want to make something similar to the Dreaming of Wingroad special that they broadcast a while back.”
“Ahh, the diary format? That was pretty interesting.”
Dreaming of Wingroad had been created by recording bits and pieces each day and then joining it all together into one. This recording would be of Neal’s team practicing. If they recorded it all at once, ninety percent of it would be of skiffs just flying around. There likely wouldn’t be much time to have interviews with the team either—this was mainly to follow their practice. Basically, they intended to simply splice together all of the exciting parts.
“Does that mean we don’t have to particularly do anything?”
“Yes. The junior production crew will be doing the recording. They just want me there as an extra. It should be enough for me alone to go.”
“Got it. I’ll make some space in your schedule, then.”
I alone would suffice for this. It did mean I was increasing my own workload, but this was one recording I couldn’t give up. I couldn’t not be part of my brother’s real debut. Reliared said she’d also come along to help if she could get permission. I wouldn’t get my hopes up, though. Everyone was horrendously busy right now.
“Here we have our team of young pilots who will be performing a Wingroad formation flight at the opening ceremony of the martial arts tournament.”
First, I introduced the team at the edge of the warehouse district. Apparently, this land was owned by Cedony Trading.
“Neeaaaaal!”
“Young Master Neal!”
“Gwaaaaaaaaaaaah! I can’t believe I’m seeing the Liston prince in person!”
Deafening us were the shrill voices of the crowd gathering just outside. Since the recording was happening after school, there were plenty of students here to watch. I could hear some deeper voices in the crowd as well. Why are there men screaming just as loud? I didn’t get it, but regardless, it was clear that almost all of them were here for Neal.
We’d told them twice now that we needed them to lower their voices since we’d be starting our recording, but it appeared to have been no use. It might have been in part because the junior crew was filled with students only, weakening their authority, so we decided to leave them to their shouting. It wasn’t as if we could just force them off the premises either. This was the one broadcast we didn’t want to create a controversy around, so we chose to tolerate them.
The crew decided to continue with the recording, voices being caught in it be damned.
“The team is made up only of students and marks the first Wingroad team in Altoire. The leader of the team is Neal Liston...”
I went on to introduce each member of the team.
Wingroad was still an unknown sport in Altoire. It had started to become more known since it took off in the neighboring Vanderouge, but by showing it off at the opening ceremony, it would finally get the chance to spread all throughout the country.
The team was made up of two elementary students—Neal and a boy one year his senior—and three middle school students, one of which was the girl. Although Neal was the youngest of the five, he was of higher aristocratic status and had been the one to both come up with the idea and gather all of the members, so he was very quickly designated as their leader. He was the one that had made all the preparations too. The only ones with competition skiff experience were Neal and Char, so that had likely factored into the choice as well.
“Could each of you tell me what made you want to participate?”
After receiving a simple statement from each of them, my work for the junior crew was over for the day. The rest was recording their rehearsals—I didn’t need to be there for that.
“Cut! Thank you so much!”
The moment Wagnes signaled for the recording to stop, the five students breathed a sigh of relief. While the camera had been rolling, their faces had looked serious and mature, but now, they were back to looking their age.
“Gods, that was nerve-racking.”
“So that’s what it’s like to be recorded.”
They made various similar comments to each other—this was likely the first experience for most of them.
“How was that, Nia?” Wagnes asked.
“Not bad, I think.” I was a little worried about the noise from the crowd, but everything else seemed fine. The five of them responded well to the questions, so it seemed perfectly passable as an introductory recording. Regardless, how fun or interesting the program was would completely hinge on what came after.
What would they record? How would they string it together? How would they present it? That was where it was the director’s turn to really show his stuff.
“I’ll take my leave here, then.”
I was a little abrupt, but I had things to do. Next was the recording of the fighters receiving their formalwear. The plan was to record those meatheads trying the clothes on and interview them. They were definitely going to try and show off. Their muscles specifically.
“Heading out already?” Wagnes asked. “You’re so busy.”
“Aren’t you just as busy?” The second the junior production crew were done here, they’d have to immediately pack up and go to the losers’ matches—it wasn’t long until those started.
“True, we don’t have much leeway. At least we were able to extend our curfew.”
They’d need to, what with the losers’ matches running into the night.
“Do you understand what I meant now?”
Wagnes blinked. “Huh?”
“That you need lasting motivation, not a burst of it. Relax, and prepare your mind to be in for the long haul. These busy days will continue.”
“Ha ha... That’s true. I’d better do as you say.”
This time, what I said seemed to resonate. Stay too tense and you’ll collapse before you’re even halfway. I need to be careful too.
“I’m heading off now, Neal.”
“Good luck with your recording.”
I’ll do my best.
Right now, our recordings centered around three different events: the interviews with the competitors, the losers’ matches, and Wingroad. The turnaround on most of the programs was quick, being broadcast only a day after the recording itself. The only exception was the Wingroad program, which would be edited after a few days of recording, but that balanced itself out by having a growing in-person audience for the training sessions. Since the rehearsals were held after school, a lot of students went to watch.