The semi-finals arrived swiftly, this round's competition was even more brutal, with four hundred participants in two groups eventually narrowing down to just forty, a mere one-in-ten advancement rate.
Everyone was on edge, and Sophia Cloud was no exception.
The semi-finals began with only two hours of design time, and since the competitions on both sides were happening simultaneously, Sophia had an average of only one hour per piece, making her time more urgent than anyone else's.
The format of the semi-finals entailed four fixed themes for each group, with designers drawing lots online to decide their theme.
All hearts were in their throats as everyone hoped not to draw the same theme group as Sophia, otherwise their ranking would surely be pitiable.
The lottery began quickly, and the results were showcased within five minutes. Sophia drew 'Childhood' for her fashion design and 'Memories' for her jewelry design.