A Life Beyond Limits novel Chapter 86

Eight contestants were participating in the competition. Luca, who was ranked first, was set to perform as the final act. The first to take the stage was Seth, who ranked eighth.

As the host's opening remarks concluded, the competition officially began.

Seth, dressed impeccably in a sleek suit with his hair shining and neatly combed back, stepped onto the stage. After clearing his throat twice, he picked up the microphone and began to sing.

What shocked Jack was not Seth performing first but the song he chose to perform.

It was none other than The Night of Light—the same song Luca had been practicing every day.

Jack was intimately familiar with the piece because Luca often sought his advice whenever he encountered any challenges.

From what Jack knew, the song's composition and lyrics were created by a well-known professional in the industry. While the song had seemed fine initially, as soon as Seth performed it, its flaws became glaringly obvious.

And the problem was incredibly serious—disastrously so for Luca.

Because Seth performed the song before Luca, when Luca eventually sang it, he would likely be accused of plagiarism.

In a competition that emphasized originality above all else, such a problem was catastrophic.

Even as the top-seeded contestant, Luca faced a high likelihood of elimination. These thoughts weighed heavily on Jack, and his brow furrowed deeply.

He glanced toward the front row, where Luca was seated.

Although he couldn't see Luca directly, Jack could easily imagine his current state—panicked, restless, and likely overwhelmed with anxiety.

Indeed, no one was more shocked or panicked at this moment than Luca and Zoe, the dean of his music academy.

Everyone in the audience understood that this competition valued not just skill but also originality.

Thus, when Seth's voice rang out, both Luca and Zoe felt as if they had been struck by a heavy hammer. Their heads buzzed with disbelief—Seth's performance was almost identical to Luca's rendition of The Night of Light.