My sister is a genius singer and me, a worthless person without talent

It was anticlimactic. I had imagined that this so-called "special exam" would be announced with fanfare, but that didn't change the fact that we were now facing the barrier that determined whether we'd eat or not.

I snatched the phone from Maria's hands and read the school's email:

[First Special Exam of the 2025-1 Semester]

[Addressed to: First-Year Students of the Vocal and Lyric Composition Department]

By this notice, we inform you of the first Special Exam conducted by the Ricardo Bregona Specialized Arts Preparatory School.

By order of the Academic Council and in accordance with the powers granted by the Internal Regulations (Article 12, Section 3), your mandatory participation in the Special Exam "Synergia" is hereby announced. It will take place between May 15th and 30th in the Main Auditorium of Building B.

[Exam Details:]

Students may form groups of up to 3 members, with no restrictions or prejudice.

Main Objective: Create a musical piece.

The piece must reflect the theme: "Beauty in Discord."

The final work must include a live performative element.

[Evaluation Criteria:]

Originality (20%)

Technical Composition (20%)

Vocal Mastery (20%)

Emotional Impact (20%)

Conceptual Coherence (20%)

Artistic Cohesion (30%)

[Evaluation Panel:]

One Academy professor

One guest artist

One external art critic

The deliberation will be broadcast live to the entire institution.

[Final Considerations:]

Students who form groups will be evaluated more favorably, with up to 130% of the maximum score (300 points).

Any student caught plagiarizing will be immediately expelled.

Those who score below 30% of the total points will be automatically expelled.

Those who score below 50% will be barred from enrolling in courses outside their department next semester.

Signed,

Jesus Alcaceres

Director of the Ricardo Bregona Specialized Arts Preparatory School

"Art is not a reflection, but a rupture."

It was just a simple talent showcase. I thought it would be something more convoluted, but it seems the planners were a bit more lenient with the newcomers than I expected.

One thing was clear, though—if we wanted a higher score (which meant a bigger stipend), we needed a group of at least three people. And I clearly didn't count.

It was early April, and we had a month and a half to prepare starting today.

"Hey, Emilia"

"Don't even think about it."

"You don't even know what I was going to say!"

"You wanted me to team up with you."

"...Aren't you supposed to be our friend?"

"Don't take it personally, but I agree with Nowak—Maria's singing might be good, judging by her posture and what little she's shown in class, but it's boring. Or at least, not excellent."

"Well, that's because Maria wasn't fully motivated. But if you dangle food in front of her, I'm sure she'll surprise you."

"Is she a dog?! Ugh, whatever. Anyway, with the way you dress and how you let your sister look, they'd kick us offstage before we even got a word out."

"You know, I've been thinking—after today's class, I realized you don't actually like singing, do you?"

She narrowed her eyes.

"You're a lyricist, aren't you?"

"I know a little about singing, but I'm not good. I'm not an amazing lyricist either, but I'm better at writing than singing."

"So you really do depend on a team."

She looked at me, resigned.

"And so far, I haven't seen you talk to anyone but us."

"Ugh." The truth hit her.

"But it's only the second day. Nothing's stopping me from finding a good vocalist."

"Trust me, no one will be as good as Maria." I was confident. "Tell you what—help me with something, and I'll stop bothering you."

She eyed me with even more suspicion but finally nodded.