Chapter 30
I sat across from Victor Kosolin.
It wasn’t the first time I met him.
Though it was the first time we were alone.
It didn’t feel unfamiliar.
Before I started my career as a performer, I had once attended his recital with my father.
I hadn’t heard much about him lately, and I didn’t expect him to be working as a professor at the Academy.
Moreover, he even had my scores.
From Moment Musical to Canon, the pieces I released with Edward.
According to his assistant Mattael, he had been studying my sheet music all along.
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of his performances.
Even if I listened to him again, it wouldn’t leave much of an impression.
However, I did respect his attitude.
‘He’s more serious than he looks.’
With that level of passion, I could understand why he was brought on as a professor, even if he had been forgotten in the capital.
He had a great thirst for knowledge.
He’s the type who pushes himself to improve.
Moreover, he adapts quickly.
“I’ve really been looking forward to meeting you.”
How could he have such a joyful expression in front of the person who destroyed his legacy?
He seemed happier than anyone.
Rather than getting angry, he approached me with a pure fan’s admiration.
If I had known him earlier, perhaps we could have been good colleagues.
“I’ve seen and heard your work and performances, and I’ve felt so many emotions. Perhaps the music I’ve been playing was nothing more than a child’s play…”
Even the word ‘teacher’ he used to address me was filled with respect.
He continued.
“Right now, I’m delving into this piece, Canon. It has such a fresh structure. The harmonies repeat and form variations, right? How did you manage to create such a beautiful melody in such a short time? I can’t help but be amazed. If it’s not too much to ask, may I know the source of your inspiration?”
Ah, that.
It’s by Johann Pachelbel, a Baroque-era musician from the Holy Roman Empire, something or other…
**T/n: Johann Pachelbel was a German composer, organist, and teacher who brought the south German organ schools to their peak.**
But I couldn’t say that.
So, I made something up.
“Well, just as there’s night and day, happiness and sorrow… there are harmonies that naturally pair well together. As I explored those principles, I was able to come up with something… decent enough to listen to, I suppose. I owe a lot to my colleague, Erdi Villette, as well.”
I pulled out every memory I had about consonance, voices, counterpoint harmonies, and whatever else came to mind.
It was all improvised.
But Victor clapped with a look of pure admiration.
“That was exactly the answer I was looking for! I might even incorporate this into my lectures on composition!”
He nodded enthusiastically.
Did he really understand?
Even I didn’t know what I was talking about at this point.
My method of gaining inspiration?
I hear the music in my head, then press the keys and write it down on paper.
That’s it.
A motivation for composing?
How could I know, I’m not the original composer.
I’ve become quite shameless.
Since I couldn’t just confess to plagiarism, playing it safe was the best approach.
Anyway.
I remembered the reason we came here in the first place.
“Our piano is broken. Would it be possible to borrow one from the Academy?”
“Of course!”
Victor said he’d handle all the details and have everything ready in time for the recital.
To think I’d end up receiving help from him.
You never know how things will turn out in life.
I’ll have to properly thank him later.
After saying goodbye to him, I stepped outside.
The corridor was slowly being bathed in a reddish hue.
Evening had arrived.
‘When did it get this late?’
I returned to the dormitory and met up with the others.
“Shall we head to dinner now?”
Oscar offered to guide us, so I followed him.
The dining hall was located on the first floor of the dormitory building.
It was spacious and pleasant.
I could see students receiving their pre-prepared meals and finding seats.
It looked like a cafeteria.
School really is the same no matter where you go.
It made me feel a bit nostalgic about my school days.
I stood in line to get my food.
I could hear whispers around me.
“Could it be?”
“The person next to Senior Oscar…”
“Look over there.”
“Wow…”
Even without listening closely, I could tell they were talking about me.
Oscar turned to me with an awkward expression.
“I guess I didn’t think this through. It might’ve been better to have your meal brought to your room.”
“It’s fine.”
I’m used to the attention.
That’s just how it is sometimes.
“Young master.”
Erdi called out to me.
“Look over there.”
I turned my head.
A group of students in uniforms was slowly approaching us.
‘What… what is this?’
It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just one person, but seeing a crowd coming all at once was a bit intimidating.
One of the girls standing in the middle suddenly rushed forward and handed me a piece of paper.
Upon closer inspection, I realized it was sheet music.
“C-could you please sign this for me?!”
She held out a luxurious quill pen with a feather attached to the end.
“Here you go!”
“Ah, yes.”
“Would you like a specific message? I can write it below.”
“Uh… ‘I love you, Selena’? No, wait, just a signature… Ugh…”
What on earth.
After carefully writing my name and handing back the sheet music, she quickly ran out of the dining hall.
It’s dizzying.
Several other students also asked for autographs after that.
“It seems your popularity is really sinking in now that we’re in a place where people recognize you.”
Edward joked lightly.
It’s true.
I had never received this much attention when performing for commoners.
They welcomed me warmly, but it wasn’t like this.
Maybe it’s because the social scene here is different.
There were a few who looked at me with subtle disdain.
A very small number.
I didn’t pay it much mind.
Anyway.
I hadn’t even sat in front of the piano yet, but I already felt exhausted.
After finishing my meal quickly, I went back to my room.
“Hooo…”
I need to rest for a bit.
***
Some time passed like that.
The day of the recital arrived.
Oscar was waiting for me in the corridor.
“Seeing you like this, you really do look like an Academy student.”
It wasn’t strange for him to think that.
I was wearing the expensive clothes I received as a gift from the Margrave of Rosley.
They were too extravagant to wear normally, but if the purpose is to be on stage, that’s a different story.
Nothing could suit me better.
“By the way, may I ask you a question?”
Oscar asked.
“I heard you’ve been holding a provincial tour, performing recitals in various territories for the locals.”
“I did.”
“Is there a particular reason you decided to visit the Academy all of a sudden?”
Was that his question?
It’s simple.
We planned the provincial tour to spread this culture to commoners who had little access to music.
But that doesn’t mean we intended to exclude nobles.
It’s actually the opposite.
What’s important isn’t the distinction of ‘commoners’—it’s reaching as many people as possible.
Most of those people just happened to be commoners, but dividing by class is meaningless.
The more people who enjoy culture, the more its value increases, and so does the level of the art itself.
That’s the intention Edward and I had from the start.
So, there’s a definite meaning in holding a recital at the Academy.
“I see.”
After hearing my explanation, Oscar muttered softly.
“I’m sure the students will be greatly inspired by your philosophy.”
I think so too.
No, I hope they will be.
We walked down the quiet corridor toward the auditorium.
***
I met Victor Kosolin backstage.
“I’ve prepared the piano I used.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s the same model as the one at the Lunemoon, so there shouldn’t be any issues with the feel.”
That’s right.
Now that I think about it, he’s from the Lunemoon as well.
I wonder if he met with Edward in the past few days.
“I heard from Oscar that you’ve prepared quite a few pieces for today.”
He said.
It was true.
A piano sonata, Clair de Lune, Polonaise, William Tell Overture, Canon.
And finally, Liebesträume and Cádiz.
I left out a few pieces like The Great Gate of Kiev that I performed at the departure ceremony.
Even so.
‘Seven pieces in total.’
It’s quite a lot.
But still, for a recital, it’s expected to present this much.
The abnormal part was that I had only been showing mostly new pieces up until now.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Victor said as he returned to his seat.
I peeked through the curtains, and the auditorium was already filled with students in uniforms.
On the far right side, I could see professors and the headmaster seated.
‘But where are they?’
Erdi and Edward.
They said they’d leave first, so I assumed they’d already be here.
But I couldn’t see them.
Just then.
“Young master.”
“…Where have you been?”
The two finally appeared.
“We got called to the Magic Laboratory unexpectedly, so we were a bit late.”
It was Edward who answered my question.
“The Magic Laboratory?”
“The professor there wants to meet you after the recital.”
No way.
Is it already finished?
“Well, understood for now.”
The recital comes first.
With their encouragement, I stepped onto the stage.
“Wooooah!”
“Oooooh!”
“The hero created by the god of music has finally descended!”
“My eyes are blinded!”
These lunatics.
After politely bowing, I sat down in front of the piano.
—
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