Chapter 29
“There are more laboratories than I expected.”
Oscar laughed at my words.
“The Academy is the largest educational institution and research facility in the Empire.”
He then briefly introduced himself.
He was the second son of a baron family with land in the northern region and had been at the Academy for three years.
He was serving as the representative of the cadets.
It seemed like he held a position similar to a student council president.
“At this Academy, everyone is treated equally as a cadet. If you prove your abilities, even someone like me, the second son of a minor noble family, can hold a decent position.”
It was definitely a good system.
‘Now that I think about it, I wonder what the prince’s life at the Academy was like.’
Did he just blend in with his peers?
Judging by his current personality, it’s hard to imagine, but it wouldn’t be impossible.
Even in modern England, Prince William married a commoner woman he met at university.
‘So, in the Academy, everyone is just a person, regardless of their birth?’
This was still a school, after all.
If people were ranked by their birthright, the system would surely collapse.
If professors and senior cadets had to bow down to a new student just because she was the daughter of a duke, it would be disastrous…
Perhaps they should even create a special admission program for commoners.
Someday, the Imperial law would surely be amended to fit the times.
Anyway.
I continued to tour several buildings with Oscar.
“By the way, when is your recital scheduled?”
“In three days.”
Honestly, I would have liked to hold it today, but the auditorium was under renovation, so it wasn’t possible.
On top of that, the piano had some issues and needed to be inspected.
I left that part to Edward.
Considering how long we’ve been dragging it around, it would be strange if it were still in perfect condition.
‘I’ll have to get it properly serviced when I return to the capital.’
With that thought, I kept walking.
“Hm?”
I noticed an unfamiliar sign.
Magic Laboratory.
‘Of course.’
Magic existed in this world.
In particular, I had been using sound amplification magic from a magic book quite effectively.
The existence of magic meant there were people who created it.
“Oh! That’s the Magic Laboratory. Would you like to take a look inside?”
“Is that alright?”
“I’ll ask. I’m sure they’ll gladly allow it if I mention that a performer has come to visit.”
That sounded good.
There was something I wanted to ask if I met an expert.
Oscar knocked on the door twice, and someone came out from inside.
“Oh? Oscar? What brings you here?”
She was a woman with short hair.
She wasn’t wearing a uniform.
‘Is she a professor?’
Her gaze turned toward me.
I should greet her.
“I am Anton Tilburg, a performer from the capital. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh! I’ve heard a lot about you! I can’t leave such an important guest standing outside! Please, come in!”
She led us inside.
There was a strange chemical smell.
I wondered if the magic in this world was somehow related to chemistry.
I didn’t know the details.
The woman spoke.
“Actually, I’ve been researching a magic related to music recently.”
Oh?
That piqued my interest.
I wanted to hear more.
“May I ask what kind of magic it is?”
“You know how you can only hear piano performances at the theatre, right? But if we could store the sound and replay it, everyone could comfortably listen to music at home… Oh no! Was I rude to say that in front of a performer? I’m sorry!”
“Rude? Not at all.”
That’s exactly what I wanted to ask about.
So, research was already underway!
As she said, there was no concept of recording in this world.
If you didn’t play live, you couldn’t listen to music.
But.
If we could realize that technology through magic or science, by any means necessary…
You wouldn’t need to go to a theatre, buy a piano, or learn how to play an instrument to enjoy music.
The plan after that would be simple.
‘Release an album.’
There was no way I could keep touring for performances just to spread music.
If I could release albums and distribute them, I wouldn’t need to worry about that.
“We’re almost at the final stages! Once the formula is complete, I’ll definitely show you!”
Please, I really hope this succeeds.
After saying that, I looked around the laboratory a bit more and then left.
‘That was an unexpected discovery.’
Honestly, I hadn’t been interested in magic until now, but this was something I wanted to help with, even if it meant getting personally involved.
Not that I had much to offer.
It was just how I felt.
“I think we’ve seen most of the important places now.”
“The cadets who wish to join the Imperial Knights are probably undergoing physical training right about now. Would you like to watch?”
“No.”
There was no need to see that.
I had already heard about it from my father, so I had a rough idea of what it entailed.
‘Cardio and strength training.’
Along with swordsmanship, spearmanship, and something they called close-quarters combat.
It was the first step to becoming a knight.
It wasn’t uncommon in this world for the children of minor noble families who wouldn’t inherit a title to become knights.
It seemed the Academy handled their education as well.
After joining the knightly order and achieving merit, one might gain the favour of the royal family or be granted a new estate, which could be a path to elevating one’s status.
But that has nothing to do with me.
‘I have no intention of becoming a knight.’
As I was about to head back, Oscar stopped me.
“Then, why don’t we take one last look at the auditorium?”
That sounded fine.
I followed Oscar to the auditorium.
It was the largest building within the Academy.
“From the first to the third floor, this entire place is the auditorium.”
True to his word, it was enormous.
At the very front, there was a stage, though parts of it were still under construction, with patches of exposed wooden boards visible here and there.
Once the repairs were complete, it would be perfect.
‘This is much better than the Lunemoon Theater.’
I felt a little guilty toward Edward, but that was my honest impression.
They said it wouldn’t compare to the capital’s theatre.
The dean must have been modest.
Anyway.
Now that I had seen the auditorium, there wasn’t much else to do.
I returned to the dormitory with Oscar.
“I’ll let you know when it’s time for dinner.”
“Thank you.”
He seemed like a good person.
If I ever enroll in the Academy, I should get along with him.
‘I feel wide awake now.’
After wandering around with him, I felt much more alert than before.
With this momentum, I should finish choosing my pieces.
I spread out the sheet music on the table.
“Let’s see.”
I looked through a few options, pondering.
Then suddenly, I thought.
“Wait.”
Do I really need to play a new piece?
Once the recital at the Academy is over, I’ll return to the capital.
This might even be the final stop of our journey.
In that case.
‘Why not perform everything from start to finish?’
A full recital.
A concert.
With my mind made up, I immediately sought out Edward to share my idea.
“I think it’ll be great.”
“We’ll make a grand finale here. Of course, I mean the finale of our journey, not of our lives.”
“Haha.”
Edward laughed in response.
But something felt off.
I had a strange sense of unease.
‘It’s like he’s hiding something.’
I asked him.
“Edward.”
“Yes.”
“Just tell me quickly.”
He finally revealed the truth.
The piano was broken.
After traveling over countless unpaved roads on the cart, it had slowly fallen apart from the inside.
The strings were about to snap.
The hammers had lost their strength, and one of the pedals had completely fallen off.
‘Damn.’
This was worse than I thought.
It was in no condition for a performance.
“Isn’t it possible to repair it right away?”
“It would be difficult.”
There was only one option left.
Music is a compulsory subject at the Academy.
So, somewhere inside this building, there must be a piano.
“We’ll have to borrow one. I’ll make the request.”
After saying that to Edward, I went to find Oscar.
He did tell me to let him know if I needed anything, so now was the time to take him up on that offer.
I told him the situation.
“Oh! I can help with that! We have a renowned professor at our Academy who specializes in piano. If it’s about that, he’s the right person to see.”
“Please arrange it immediately.”
I followed Oscar to the professor’s lab.
He knocked on the door and opened it.
A woman with brown hair greeted us.
“Mattael, is the professor inside?”
It seemed her name was Mattael.
She shook her head.
“He’s inside, but it’s probably best not to disturb him right now.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Well, when he heard that Anton Tilburg was coming from the capital, he started acting like he’d seen a ghost… He’s been staring into the mirror for hours, saying he needs to make a good first impression. He’s changed outfits so many times already, like a bride preparing for her wedding.”
“Oh.”
Both of their gazes turned toward me at the same time.
‘What am I supposed to do about it?’
Feeling awkward, I extended my right hand.
“I’m Anton Tilburg. I’d like to meet the professor.”
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