They had accepted Nova as their new director, or so it seemed. Yet Yua was still grappling with shock and uncertainty. The atmosphere in the room was thick with a blend of fear, anticipation, and a sense of unreality. The casting decision had been made so suddenly, it felt like a whirlwind had swept through their lives, leaving them to piece together the fragments of their expectations.

"The... notorious director... Nova?" Yua repeated, forming a hesitant question. Her voice wavered, betraying her inner turmoil.

Shinyoung Gong, also known as Nova, was the most talented rising director in the entertainment industry. Anyone who watched dramas or even knew of their existence was aware of her. Any actor, novice or not, knew about her as well. She was a legend in the making, a force of nature who could turn any script into a masterpiece. Her name was synonymous with excellence, and her presence commanded respect.

Nova had first introduced her stage name with the rising fame of her debut drama, "Her Eyes Tell." The drama had been a revelation, a breath of fresh air in an industry that often felt stagnant and formulaic. Nova's unique vision, coupled with her meticulous attention to detail, had captivated audiences and critics alike. She had created many award-winning shows and worked exclusively with top, well-known actors. To get a gig with her as a novice was like chasing a mirage, a dream barely within reach. For many, it was the ultimate validation of their talent and potential.

The reason Nova was known as the most notorious of all directors stemmed from a well-known incident. During the shooting of her second drama, which featured top Oscar-winning actors, Nova was not satisfied with anyone's acting and demanded repeated takes. The male lead's self-esteem was so shattered that he retired from acting altogether. However, those who survived her strict schedules shone brightly in their careers, and some still gathered the courage to grit their teeth and endure the entire shoot with her. Her exacting standards, while brutal, were also a testament to her commitment to perfection.

Seeing this popular, infamous figure in front of them, their hearts pounded with a mix of fear and excitement, feelings they never imagined they would experience. "Miss Nova, it's an honor to be working with you," said the manager, walking on eggshells as he tried to break the ice. The room was silent, each breath a careful measure of composure. Nova stared at him coldly for a moment before speaking. "We will consider the next table read as the first one," she declared. Her words struck them like a bolt of lightning, a shocking decree that reset their expectations.

They had already had their first table read with Director Dowon that evening, yet Nova rendered it completely useless by setting it aside. This was just her way of working, and they had no choice but to comply. There was a palpable sense of deflation, but also a steely resolve forming in their eyes. They would rise to the challenge, come what may.

The next morning, Yua couldn't help but recite her lines from the script, even while Oh was brushing her hair. Her reflection in the mirror showed a face of determination, lips moving silently as she repeated her lines. She recited them during breakfast, the words mingling with the taste of her food, and even in the car, where the scenery outside the window passed in a blur. Upon reaching the building, she realized she wasn't the only one with nerves. The remaining three main cast members were also on edge, pacing around and muttering their lines. "This will be a hard one..." Yua mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

She seated herself on one of the lined metal blue waiting chairs. The metal was cold against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun streaming through the windows. Flipping through her script, she skimmed the jotted scenes, creating images in her head. Each line was a puzzle piece, each scene a chapter in the story they were about to bring to life. A loud bang awakened her from her focus. She shut the pages and looked to the right, glancing at the empty corridor.

The smell of fresh paint reached her nose as Nova appeared in the distance, walking towards them in a white formal three-piece suit, accompanied by the manager and a few guards. She moved with the grace and confidence of someone who knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. She made her way to the table read room in front of Yua. Before opening the door, she spun around swiftly, glancing at each actor one after the other. Wubin, Shia, and Junhyeok hadn't stopped revising, while Yua stood up to greet her.

Seeing her stand, the three immediately bowed to Nova, ashamed they hadn't noticed her earlier. "Be in in five," Nova said in a phantasmal tone, then stepped inside, slamming the door shut behind her. The sound echoed in the corridor, a reminder of the authority she wielded. Wubin sighed and trudged towards Yua, slumping on the chair next to hers. "Noona... I might not be able to make it," he confessed, his voice tinged with despair.

"You'll do just fine, so don't worry," Yua scoffed, tossing her head back against the wall. She tried to sound reassuring, but the truth was, she shared his anxiety.

"Easy for you to say. You seem like you have already memorized your lines," Wubin replied, a hint of envy in his tone.

"Director Nova is strict. At the table read, she expects us to memorize half of the scripts. I know she wants an easy, smooth shoot, but this is just outrageous," Shia said, looking up at Junhyeok. He nodded, slamming the pages on his forehead and sliding against the wall next to the main door to the table read room. "And it will be hard for me, at least, to recite all the lines without any hiccups..."

"Shia and Junhyeok seem close. Did they enter the industry at the same time? Or did they have any projects together? I forgot to talk to Shia, considering all the incidents we went through," Yua thought. She realized she knew very little about her co-stars' backgrounds, their journeys, and struggles.

Wubin snapped his fingers in front of her, noticing she seemed lost in her thoughts. Yua flinched slightly and turned to look at him. "What?"

"I guess for this drama, at least, I'm going to be your wake-up prince, huh," Wubin joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Prince? You don't have a mirror at home?" Yua shot back, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Aw, come on, Noona~" Wubin whined, his boyish charm on full display.

Yua stood up, glaring down at Wubin. "You don't want to be late to Nova's table read." He sighed with a smile, standing up after her. They stepped towards the door together, joined by Shia and Junhyeok. Nova nodded at the four as they took their seats. The room was silent, the air thick with anticipation.

The first scene was simple. The arrogant beauty Lieri talks about the school when Rufford appears in front of her. Then Helios is introduced, annoyed by their chit-chat in their place of solace. Louise appears next, embodying a nice girl perspective, and that was it. Each character had their moment, their introduction into the world Nova was creating.

"This is the only school with proper infrastructure," Shia mentioned as Lieri. There was a lack of strength in her voice, probably from nervousness about reciting in front of Nova, but she managed to infuse just the right amount of feeling into her words, evoking the character. Yua watched intently, analyzing every nuance, every shift in tone.

Yua couldn't detect the lack of confidence in Shia's words and felt it was good enough until Nova tapped her fingers on the table, displeasure evident on her face. The sound was sharp, a clear indication of her dissatisfaction. "Is that how Lieri seems to you?" she asked Shia, her voice cold and cutting.

"I-I am sorry, ma'am --" Shia stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"You should be. Be sorry to the character, Kwon Shia," Nova's words brought a bitter silence and awkwardness to the room. The weight of her expectations pressed down on them, making the air feel heavy. Shia's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall.

The tension in the room was palpable. Each actor felt the pressure, the need to prove themselves worthy of Nova's high standards.