Chapter 48
I went to my father’s estate and explained the situation.
“I want to build a new theater.”
“You’ll need land for that.”
As expected, he understood immediately.
There was no need to explain twice.
“There happens to be a good location.”
It’s an old grain storage built by the son of the former Count Periton who used to manage this area.
It was called a “grain storage,” but in reality, it was more like a warehouse where they stored harvested crops they had plundered from the residents.
What a remarkable person he was.
Was he planning to sell it all somewhere?
Anyway.
The crops were returned to their rightful owners, and now, only an ugly structure remains on the storage site.
It’s quite large as well.
“If we tear it down and build a new structure, it’ll work perfectly.”
It seems significant in a way.
A theatre, the heart of the capital’s culture, will stand where the lives of the residents were once threatened.
“Oh, Anton.”
After sorting out a few schedules and getting ready to leave the estate, my father stopped me.
“Do you have the funds to build a structure that large?”
“Of course.”
It’s almost overflowing.
I can’t even begin to think of how to spend it all.
“I’ve heard that you’ve been handling quite a bit of money lately, but building a theatre is another matter.”
Indeed.
I understand my father’s concerns.
There’s labour costs, material expenses.
And the theatre we’re planning to build might end up being the largest structure in the Empire after the Imperial Palace.
I intend for it to be bigger than the church in the capital.
It’s going to cost a lot of money.
But will it just cost money?
The expenses will probably surpass the income.
But that’s fine.
There’s a bias that music doesn’t make money, and that’s true to some extent.
But what I’m doing is closer to business than art.
In this world, musicians must starve if they don’t receive patronage.
Patronage is the primary means of livelihood for musicians.
But I chose a slightly different approach.
While music is indeed an art of immense value, it alone cannot change culture.
It needs a more business-like approach.
I’ve never received personal patronage even once.
Yet I have a lot of money.
Why?
Because I read the trends.
Sheet music when it was needed.
Pianos when they were needed.
And now, a bigger theatre when it’s needed.
I create things that people can’t help but consume and sell them.
If I had declared that I’d rely solely on patronage to reach this point as a musician, I would’ve wanted to tell my past self to never do it.
That it’s impossible.
Back then, I didn’t even think about it because money wasn’t a priority.
But if the situation changes, so should one’s attitude.
Do you need money?
Then go down the path where you can earn it.
Knowing how medieval Europe developed and how inventions influenced civilization made this process quite easy for me.
I read it in history books.
People are all the same everywhere.
Create what everyone needs.
It will sell.
I induce a thirst for music in people and spread the right items at the right time.
There’s no way it won’t make money.
And all this is ongoing.
Just last week, I earned over a thousand gold coins by selling affordable pianos.
It’s an absurd amount.
“Don’t worry. Should I take this opportunity to renovate your residence too, Father?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I feel like he’s just saying that.
I’ll secretly make plans.
The next day.
Edward and I headed to the site where the grain storage was located.
“It’s more desolate than I expected,” he said.
“We’ll need to fix up the road nearby first. For now, I’m thinking of dividing the building into four sections.”
As a capitalist and theatre owner, it seems he’s already come up with a concrete plan.
“The central building will be used as the theatre, and on one side, we’ll build an inn for the guests. I plan to vary the room sizes to create price differences.”
“That’s a great idea.”
Providing exclusive services where guests can watch performances and have lodging seems like a good idea.
“I also want to build an annex on the other side where guests can experience playing instruments themselves. We’ll have a grand piano and sheet music on display, and after the experience, we can sell souvenirs at the entrance.”
“Are you a genius, Edward?”
I thought he was clever, but I didn’t realize he was this sharp.
I especially like the last idea.
The first experiential museum in this world.
A place where guests can directly experience and compare the feel and sound of an affordable piano and a grand piano.
Additionally, we’ll sell sheet music and staff paper as souvenirs.
We can’t pass up on this.
With this, we’ll be able to recover the construction costs and more.
“And there’s one more thing.”
“There’s more?”
Well, he did say he planned to divide the building into four sections.
“You did mention that you planned to nurture successors, didn’t you, young master?”
“That’s correct.”
My initial plan after the theatre is completed is to cultivate artists like Erdi and Aria.
“We should establish an academy. An academy that specializes in teaching only music.”
“…An academy?”
I hadn’t intended to take things this far.
Can’t I just personally teach a few promising talents who stand out?
Edward shook his head at my words.
“Once you start, you have to see it through. Isn’t that just who you are, young master?”
“Me?”
Well, I can’t exactly deny it.
It’s just that, up until now, I was the one mostly leading, with Edward following along.
The shift in roles feels strange.
“For it to succeed, we’ll likely need close collaboration with the existing academy.”
And that’s not all.
I’ll probably have to report it to the Imperial Family, too.
There can’t be two academies under one empire.
We’ll have to wait and see how this plan unfolds.
Perhaps a bit of political manoeuvring will be necessary.
“It will take a long time.”
“Of course it will.”
It’s going to be a long-term effort from now on.
A building doesn’t spring up overnight, and we don’t even have the architectural plans yet.
Thanks to magic, it won’t take centuries like Gothic structures in the real world, but still.
At the very least, one or two years will pass in no time.
Our first task is to find professionals who can help us realize our dream.
“I’ll spread the word and start looking.”
Edward said.
After entrusting the rest to him, I returned to the manor.
While new tasks are certainly important, there are still daily routines that can’t be ignored.
“Aria…”
“Mister! Over here!”
It seems she heard me coming from the entrance and ran over, waving her arms.
“Whoa there.”
“Yes! I remember – no running in the manor!”
Really?
I feel like I’ve had to say the same thing a dozen times.
Not that I mind how she behaves, but the people here highly value decorum and tradition, so a certain level of manners is necessary.
“Above all, speaking quietly and not running inside the manor are the basics. If you break the rule again…”
“If I break it, then…?”
Hmm.
What should I do?
“I’ll confiscate all the Jubels I gave you and give them to Diana instead.”
“Oh, no! Not that!”
“And your singing practice will be reduced to once every two days.”
“I’m sorry!”
“Make sure you keep it in mind. Theo had a word with me yesterday because of your misbehaviour. I get the blame when you act up.”
Aria nodded, finally seeming to understand.
Children mirror their guardians.
Aria and I are, in a way, a shared destiny.
“By the way, I made a new song this time. Do you want to try singing it?”
“Yes! I’d love to!”
I thought she might sulk from being scolded, but she responded eagerly, as though nothing happened.
Good.
Rewards are due when someone behaves properly.
Besides, the piece I’m going to teach Aria this time is quite challenging.
It may take a substantial amount of practice for her to master it.
“For now, let’s aim to memorize just the first two measures. If you succeed, I’ll allow you a snack this evening.”
“Yay!”
It may be a long time before Aria’s singing is performed on stage again.
***
“We need to establish a singing course!”
“Professor Kosolin is right. Sir Anton is transforming the capital’s culture. It would be ridiculous if the academy lags behind.”
Valcares Academy.
Victor Kosolin and Oscar were in the dean’s office, passionately arguing their case.
It had been the same argument for days now.
Singing.
They insisted the academy now needed a department to explore this new art form.
However.
“No matter how popular it’s become, there’s no one with in-depth knowledge of this art.”
The dean’s concerns were understandable.
Singing had always been part of commoner culture.
No one had ever approached it academically, and naturally, there are no records of its techniques or history.
“Dean.”
Then, Victor spoke up.
“We already know the answer.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s bring in a teacher.”
“…”
It was clear that the teacher he referred to was Anton Tilburg.
And to bring him in?
Ordinarily, enrollment letters for students are issued all at once at the end of the year.
There’s no need to personally go and make a case.
Which means there must be another reason.
“Are you suggesting appointing him as a professor?”
“Exactly.”
In fact, the dean had considered this idea as well.
If it’s about piano, no one in the Empire surpasses Anton Tilburg, and his artistic depth is highly regarded.
And if we expand to include singing, Anton Tilburg is practically indispensable.
But there was a problem.
The dean’s hesitation stemmed from this very issue.
“However, Professor Kosolin.”
“Yes?”
“We’ve already made the offer to him.”
“Really? Did he respond?”
Victor asked with hopeful anticipation.
The dean’s answer came after a pause.
“He declined.”
“What?”
“He said no…”
“To a professorship at the academy?”
Surely, he understands the benefits that come with that position.
Could he possibly know and still refuse?
Is that even possible?
A professorship at the academy?
“Moreover, he said he doesn’t want to enroll either.”
“What?”
Victor felt his head spinning.
“Instead.”
By this point, nothing the dean said registered in his mind.
“He wants to establish an academy branch in the capital, one that focuses on music – an ‘Arts Academy,’ if you will.”
“To think he would make such a decision… Does this mean we can no longer meet him…”
“Professor? Are you listening to me?”
—
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