Chapter 28
The Northern Empire.
The cradle that will one day nurture and pave the foundation for the future talents of the Flovia Empire.
Valcares Academy.
“This doesn’t make any sense.”
In a candle-lit laboratory, a man was pulling at his hair.
What he was holding in his hand was sheet music.
His eyes followed the notes written on the staff.
At that moment.
A noise broke the silence of the laboratory.
Creak-
The door opened, and someone entered.
A woman with dark brown hair.
“Professor?”
“I can’t figure it out.”
“Excuse me?”
“I really can’t figure this out.”
“Professor?”
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
Even though she called him several times, he kept talking to himself.
‘Does he not realize I came in?’
The brown-haired woman shouted loudly.
“Professor!”
“Hm?”
Only then did he turn around.
“When did you get here?”
“Are you researching again?”
“I just needed to check something briefly.”
“Briefly? You’ve been cooped up in here for five hours already.”
The woman strode over to the table.
Then, she snatched the sheet music from the man’s hands and slowly examined it.
The title was Canon.
The publisher was Anton Tilburg.
“I knew you’d be looking at this.”
“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand. How could he create such harmonies? And that melody…”
“You’re genuinely praising him. Especially considering Anton Tilburg is the reason you were driven out of the capital.”
“Driven out? I came here of my own will. Besides, the Academy was the first to offer me the professor position.”
“Of course, Professor Victor Kosolin.”
“By the way, Mattael, could you go to the library and see if there are any more scores by Anton Tilburg?”
“Me?”
“You’re my assistant, so you can at least do that much, right?”
Mattael made a displeased face at Victor’s words but soon nodded as if she understood.
“Oh, and don’t forget you have a piano lecture tonight! I actually came to remind you of that.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as she left, he grabbed the sheet music again.
“If I don’t figure this out soon, I won’t be able to focus on the lecture or anything else…”
Victor Kosolin.
He was once regarded as the most promising performer in the capital.
A genius who had both composition and performance skills.
But.
Everything changed after the arrival of Anton Tilburg.
His concert schedule, which had once been packed, gradually decreased, and the sheet music sales, which had never missed the bestseller list, plummeted.
He even seriously considered quitting music and returning to his estate to farm.
But then, he received a professor position offer from the Academy.
He couldn’t refuse.
After all, he had spent his whole life playing the piano.
Giving up music would be akin to declaring his death.
However, as with all things, life at the Academy wasn’t smooth sailing either.
He conducted a piano performance exam to gauge the students’ abilities.
He thought at least one of his own pieces would be played.
But that was just wishful thinking.
Moments Musicaux, Humoresque, and Arietta.
‘Damn it. It’s all Anton Tilburg.’
And it didn’t stop there.
“Professor, could you teach us using Anton Tilburg’s sheet music today?”
Anton Tilburg had changed the world.
Music.
The word itself had become synonymous with Anton Tilburg’s compositions.
Anton Tilburg = Music.
‘How is this even possible?’
How could they expect him to teach about a living person like he was part of a history lecture?
At this point, even Victor Kosolin had no choice.
‘I have to study.’
What is a professor?
It’s a profession that requires one to teach students while also developing oneself.
Several months passed like this.
Before he knew it, he had become the Academy’s go-to authority on Anton Tilburg.
Yet, there was still one score he hadn’t been able to decipher.
That was Canon.
‘This precise and harmonious progression of chords.’
It felt like looking at a mathematically perfect formula.
‘Is music math?’
His head throbbed.
An Eight-bar D-major bassline.
It repeated over and over, forming a sort of framework.
First, a tonic chord, then a dominant chord… a submediant chord.
‘So how did he make this?’
Each chord landed exactly where it needed to be, as if it were destined.
Unless one had received divine inspiration, was it even possible to conceive such an absurd progression?
Was it not a level beyond civilization?
‘If he were in front of me right now, I would’ve asked him immediately.’
How did he get his inspiration, and how did he transcribe it onto sheet music?
He wanted to know everything.
Perhaps it was out of curiosity not as a professor but as a fellow performer.
“Professor!”
As he was racking his brain, Mattael burst into the room.
Had she already been to the library?
“Did you find the sheet music?”
“N-No, that’s not it!”
“What is it?”
“Anton Tilburg is coming to the Academy, in person!”
“What?!”
***
Music.
It is an essential part of a noble’s education.
So, it was only natural for music to be taught as a regular subject at the Academy, where the children of nobles enrolled.
In such a situation.
The news that the embodiment of music itself would enter the Academy was enough to throw the students into chaos.
“The god himself is descending!”
“Finally, I can be taught by the light of the Empire!”
Blasphemous remarks were rampant.
However, there were some who voiced negative opinions.
“Hmm, is it really that great?”
“Still, isn’t the professor’s prestige higher?”
Watching her seniors’ reactions, a first-year student named Selena Winter gave a meaningful smile.
‘They’re only saying that because they’ve never seen him in person.’
She had already attended two of Anton Tilburg’s solo recitals.
If they had been there as well, they would’ve had the same reaction as her.
“…What are you doing, Selena?”
“Preparing to get his autograph.”
He held sheet music in his left hand and a pen in his right.
During the recitals, he would always leave right after the greetings, so there was never an opportunity to get close.
But inside the Academy, it would be different.
‘He’ll probably sign something for me, right?’
Selena’s heart was swelling with excitement.
***
“It’s been a while.”
“I’m honoured you’ve come to greet me in person, Your Grace.”
They had arrived at the Academy.
Someone was waiting at the entrance, and upon closer inspection, it was Duke Montella.
They had met before at a piano competition.
‘He’s the one who was said to be the prince’s tutor at the Academy.’
Was he still holding a teaching position?
In any case, seeing a familiar face put him at ease.
“The dean informed me of your arrival in advance.”
“If I had known we’d meet, I would have brought a gift. I’m sorry to arrive empty-handed.”
“Hahaha.”
He still had that same good-natured laugh.
He personally guided them inside.
The massive buildings caught the eye.
It definitely had a university-like atmosphere.
In the centre, there was a garden, a small pond, and a fountain.
“Shall we meet the dean first?”
Duke Montella asked.
“Yes, please.”
“This way.”
They followed him into the building.
“Since classes are in session, it should be quiet now.”
Indeed, it was.
Not a single sound could be heard.
The soundproofing seemed impeccable.
The dean’s office was on the 5th floor.
“Well then, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me.”
With those words, Duke Montella disappeared.
It seemed he wouldn’t be staying with them.
They knocked on the door to the dean’s office.
A young man with an ordinary appearance opened the door.
He was wearing the uniform that symbolized the Academy.
Its neat fit was similar to a modern suit.
A symbol was embroidered on his chest.
A student, perhaps?
The man noticed them and bowed slightly.
“Are you guests?”
“I have an appointment with the dean. I’m Anton Tilburg from the capital.”
“Til-burg!”
What was that?
It sounded like he bit his tongue just now.
The man hurriedly opened the door wide.
“Please, come in!”
“Thank you.”
The dean, who had just risen from the sofa, welcomed them.
“Welcome.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
After politely greeting him, they took their seats.
“This is Edward and Erdi. They accompanied me to the recital.”
He introduced his companions.
The dean smiled and shook hands with them.
Then he gave a signal to the man standing behind them with his eyes.
“I will take my leave now.”
So that’s what he meant by the signal.
Anyway.
The dean was a middle-aged man with a beard reminiscent of a Soviet officer.
“The Academy’s auditorium is being renovated for your performance.”
“I’ve caused you quite a bit of trouble.”
“Not at all. It’s a necessary step to hold a proper recital. It may not compare to a theatre, but I’ve made sure to pay attention to the details, so you need not worry.”
Honestly, just being able to perform indoors was enough to make him emotional.
“I’ll prepare diligently.”
After coordinating the schedule, they left the office.
The conversation had ended faster than expected.
Someone was waiting for them outside the door.
“I will guide you to your quarters.”
It was the same young man from earlier.
Judging by his disciplined demeanour, he was indeed a student.
They followed him to another building.
“These are the dormitories used by the students. The 5th floor is reserved for guests, so please make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, you can find Oscar German on the first floor.”
Oscar German.
He made sure to remember the name.
“I’ll see you at dinner, then.”
Since they were in need of rest, they headed straight to the room Oscar had mentioned.
Erdi and Edward were assigned to the rooms next to his.
For the record, the coachman would be staying at a nearby inn, which he had allowed.
‘It’s really a dormitory.’
In the centre of the room was a small table, and further in were a bed and a window.
After changing clothes, he sat on the bed.
There were still three or four hours until dinner.
Might as well take a nap.
Sheet music?
He was too tired to look at it.
If he didn’t wake up, someone would come to get him, anyway.
With that thought, he collapsed onto the bed.
Knock knock-
There was a knock at the door.
‘Who is it?’
When he opened the door, Oscar was standing there.
“Would you like a tour of the Academy?”
“No, thank you.”
Oscar looked a bit disappointed by his response.
He felt a little guilty.
Since he would be enrolling at the Academy soon, it wouldn’t hurt to build rapport now.
“All right. Let’s go.”
He followed Oscar out.
—
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