Chapter 144

The speech contest began promptly at 2:00 pm. The auditorium was packed with students, while six teachers sat as judges in the front row. Lily, the first contestant to take the stage, seemed particularly nervous. Despite the chilly early November weather in Norburgh, she stood on the stage in a sky-blue strapless dress, facing the vast audience. Her voice quivered uncontrollably, perhaps due to the cold or her nerves, prompting laughter from her peers. However, being a member of Class A for two consecutive years, Lily possessed a solid grasp of Terranish, though her pronunciation wasn't flawless. Despite some stumbling due to her anxiety, she managed to complete her speech. The judges awarded her a score of 80, given that she was the inaugural contestant. Aware that her chances of winning the Belle title were slim, Lily found some comfort in her score of 80, considering her nervous performance. She believed that other contestants might not fare as well. However, as she watched t