Chapter 61
—
The top floor of the academy’s main building.
A room initially designated as a lounge for professors was where the three were called.
On the left was Azbella.
Next to her were Dirk and Beatrice.
The first students to pass the advanced class evaluation.
Azbella was selected by me, while the other two were Victor’s picks.
Anyway.
There was much I wanted to ask them.
Starting with Azbella.
At first glance, she looked like a typical teenage girl.
Her long, dark black hair, pale skin, and bright golden eyes made her appearance striking.
Her slender frame resembled that of a model.
Of course, such a profession likely doesn’t exist in this world.
Her shoulder-length hair added an air of sophistication.
She mentioned being the second daughter of Baron Viviant.
“Miss Viviant.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Her voice was calm, her tone formal and composed.
Clear and articulate, yet with a hint of a deep pitch that lent her an intellectual aura.
“The piece you performed today, did you compose it yourself?”
“That’s correct. After studying the sheet music you published from beginning to end, I added my interpretation and created a new composition.”
As expected.
The music she showcased felt unfamiliar to me, even as a listener.
I’ve thoroughly examined every published score available.
If I don’t recognize it, there’s only one conclusion.
It was an original composition.
‘To present an original piece during an evaluation—such boldness.’
It’s a challenge one could only attempt with immense confidence in their skills.
That’s not all.
If it had failed, the backlash would have been twice as harsh.
Of course, I would’ve still given her points for her attitude alone.
But from her perspective, she likely wasn’t considering such evaluations.
Why not choose the safer route that guarantees the chance to showcase your abilities?
Choosing this path meant she had to prepare for questions like that.
However.
If successful, the praise would be twice as great.
And Azbella was undoubtedly in the latter case.
I couldn’t help but ask.
“Why did you choose to prepare an original composition instead of a pre-existing piece?”
“As someone aspiring to be a musician, I believe it’s only right to be evaluated through one’s own art.”
Oh my.
I couldn’t argue with that.
‘To be evaluated through one’s own art, she says.’
She’s absolutely right.
Her response was the correct answer.
But ironically enough.
‘I, myself, don’t meet that standard.’
In this other world, all I’ve done is plagiarize rather than create.
Even though I justified it as a way to elevate the cultural standard, the nature of the act doesn’t change.
In the end.
According to Azbella’s reasoning, I wouldn’t qualify as a true musician.
‘I can’t refute that.’
While public perception might differ, when I look back at myself, the answer becomes clear.
There’s always been a strange sense of disconnection.
Of course, I had no intention of laying out all these details for her.
It’s complicated.
And I’ll remain a plagiarist composer indefinitely.
Though perhaps one correction is needed.
Not a composer, but a messenger.
That might be a more accurate description.
Naturally.
I feel no guilt.
Unfortunately.
If I had felt such emotions, I wouldn’t have come this far.
Moreover.
It may sound self-serving, but had I not spread classical music from my previous life, this world’s music would’ve likely remained at the level of crude keyboard tones.
It’s not arrogance.
It’s simply not the worst choice I could have made.
I met Azbella’s gaze again.
Her posture remained confident.
Her expression exuded pride, her eyes unwavering.
Her face was filled with pure passion.
If anyone deserves to be called an artist, it’s her.
Excellent.
Erdi, Diana.
And now Azbella.
This is what I’ve been striving for—more individuals like them.
Someday, when the time comes.
I’ll step away from the spotlight of history.
I’m already eagerly awaiting the day Anton Tilburg will no longer define music in the capital.
Let’s end the monologue here.
“The structure relied on C major tonic chords, subdominant chords, and repetitive supertonic and dominant chords. Was there a specific reason for this progression?”
“I drew a lot of inspiration from your sheet music. Rather than focusing on unconventional elements, I aimed to guide the music using a few familiar themes. I found that approach incredibly compelling. For my understanding of harmony, I referred to beginner’s guides. Of course, the guides you’ve published…”
Azbella trailed off, her cheeks turning a bashful shade of pink.
Perhaps she felt she had said too much.
Regardless.
I had received an answer to my question.
“If the opportunity arises, I’d love to see the sheet music for another piece… especially the one you performed yesterday. That is, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
“That will likely happen soon.”
It wouldn’t be far off.
Her technique was already flawless.
She was practically complete.
Unlike when I first met Erdi.
He relied purely on instinct.
Conversely, Azbella’s progress seemed driven by sheer effort.
As for her innate talent, I wasn’t sure.
Perhaps.
‘If Diana continues to grow, she might become like Azbella someday.’
Mastering the basics and finally reaching the stage of creation.
Azbella stands at that point.
If there’s anything I or the academy can do for her.
It’s to show her more examples of compositions.
To broaden her spectrum further.
“Going forward, Professor Erdi will be teaching Miss Viviant.”
“Huh..? Wh-what? Does that mean I won’t be attending your lectures directly, Professor?”
Her expression turned flustered.
I explained the advanced class system to her.
“While your current abilities are impressive, Miss Viviant, there’s still room for technical improvement. That’s where Professor Erdi specializes.”
“When I’ve mastered everything, then…”
I didn’t need to hear the end of her question to know what she wanted to ask.
“Of course, I will personally teach Miss Viviant.”
Just the two of us.
In a private setting.
And that’s not all.
I might even show her all the sheet music I’ve composed so far.
Up until now, only Erdi and Diana were privileged to see them.
It’s a special privilege granted only to those who have entered my treasure chest.
Of course, this doesn’t mean I intend to discriminate against other students.
Anyone can earn that right as long as they possess the skill.
It’s my role to share knowledge so that everyone can reach that level.
That is precisely why the academy exists.
Azbella merely reached that point a little faster than others.
“Thank you. I will work hard to learn.”
Azbella, who had been fidgeting just moments ago, now responded with the same confident and graceful demeanor she had displayed at the beginning.
She must have received strict education.
My family was also a barony until recently.
Why does she seem so different?
Perhaps it’s just her personality.
With that, my meeting with her came to an end.
Next up were the Wendelin siblings.
Dirk and Beatrice.
There was something I had to ask them.
‘Their family was said to be vassals from a southern estate.’
Coincidentally, I know someone in the South—Countess Iolin Seneca.
There might be a connection between them.
When I asked, both nodded immediately.
“We have indeed heard of her.”
“But our family does not serve her.”
The two split their response as if they were one.
This is the first time I’ve encountered such a dynamic.
“In that case, it’s fine. That was my main curiosity, really.”
“Oh.”
As for their abilities, Victor had assessed them, not me, so I had no basis to comment on that aspect.
I could ask them to perform again right here, but that might come across as doubting Victor’s judgment.
I had no choice but to trust him.
After all, he had selected just two individuals out of more than a hundred applicants.
There was no reason to question his discernment.
They must be as skilled as Azbella.
“Then, I hope all three of you will find your time at the academy to be a meaningful experience.”
And the next day.
Predictably, a problem arose.
***
After finishing my morning lecture, I returned to the lounge to rest, only for Erdi to show up.
“Are you done as well… Professor, are you finished?”
“…You can speak comfortably, young master.”
Maybe it’s because we’ve known each other casually for so long.
Even though I’m the one who made him a professor, I keep slipping into informal speech.
In the end, we agreed to act as we used to when it was just the two of us.
“How are things on your end? Especially the Wendelin siblings.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about.”
“Are they incredibly talented?”
“They are skilled. But, how should I put this… communication is an issue.”
“Communication? How so?”
Erdi explained what had happened that morning.
“Oh-ho…”
Apparently, Azbella had followed his class without complaint.
She was quick to execute tasks given to her, and her enthusiasm for learning was so strong that it was Erdi who ended up exhausted.
I had expected as much.
That side seemed fine.
The problem was with the Wendelin siblings.
“They are overly enthusiastic but refuse to listen to me. When I tried to explain a technique for altering tone by adjusting finger placement, they claimed they already knew it and kept pestering me to move on to the next stage… On top of that, they subtly look down on the other students.”
It was a problem.
“They believe they are different because they’re in the advanced class?”
“Exactly.”
“How did I not foresee this? I should have taken this into account when creating the advanced class.”
It was clearly a mistake.
My intention was to separate students who didn’t need to learn the basics so they could move on to higher-level courses.
But for the Wendelin siblings, it seemed less like a distinction and more like a privilege.
And if.
If other students also saw it that way, it would become a major issue.
What was a privilege for the Wendelin siblings would feel like discrimination to the others.
Of course, this isn’t discrimination.
As I mentioned before.
Anyone can join the advanced class.
As long as they have the skill.
Sorting students by skill level and teaching accordingly—how is that discrimination?
It’s certainly not favouritism.
But if it’s perceived that way for now, it’s a problem.
That can’t happen.
“I need to rethink the advanced class system.”
—
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