Chapter 69
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A quiet room filled with sunlight.
The first floor of the academy’s main building.
Located at the end of the hallway, this space was a workshop and practice room created exclusively for Erdi Villette.
Initially, professors, including Victor Kosolin and I, were granted individual research rooms upon request. While Victor and I preferred the higher floors for the view, Erdi’s preference was different.
“I want the first floor. It has to be the first floor.”
“Why?”
“Well, climbing stairs is a hassle.”
A very practical reason.
I thought he might have unique expertise in sound vibrations or noise control.
Perhaps playing the piano on the first floor enriched the sound?
Well, who knows?
There could be slight differences, but nothing too significant.
“Suit yourself, then.”
And so, for this peculiar reason, Erdi was assigned a private research room on the first floor.
Now, I was here with Edward Findel, assisting with the final preparations.
Preparations for what, you ask?
The rehearsal for the commemorative recital that would take place at the festival’s opening ceremony.
Since this is the academy’s first major event, it felt meaningful to have the students set the stage.
With this in mind, I first gathered student volunteers.
The number of applicants? A staggering sixty.
From this pool, Victor Kosolin selected a few.
“I’ve narrowed it down to ten.”
Most of the notable names I had an eye on were included in the list.
Additionally, Erdi Villette took on the role of helping the selected students prepare for the recital.
He is one of the two individuals who have unrestricted access to my record archive.
In other words, he could freely browse, choose, and copy nearly all the sheet music that exists in this world.
I assumed he had made his selections from there.
“Did you find anything you liked?”
He handed me a pile of copied sheet music.
“Oh?”
Schumann’s Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood).
A collection I had restored long ago and performed myself.
This set of thirteen short pieces is simple yet filled with memorable melodies that captivate the listener.
Despite its title, Kinderszenen isn’t particularly childish.
While they are short pieces, they demand a high level of expression.
In reality, the collection is less about being for children and more a nostalgic reflection by Schumann on his childhood.
“Since there are thirteen pieces, it would be nice to assign one piece to each student for the recital.”
“I agree.”
It seemed the students had taken a liking to this music as well.
This will make for an excellent opening ceremony.
“That concludes the explanation. Let’s get started.”
We couldn’t forget the reason Edward and I went out of our way to visit here.
The rehearsal.
At the moment, Victor Kosolin and other academy guides were busy showing guests around, leaving the theater in a chaotic state.
Practicing there would undoubtedly cause an uproar.
Rehearsals must be discreet and quiet.
That’s the rule.
“Azbella, please show us.”
Erdi called her name.
Incidentally, Azbella Viviant was also on the selected list.
She’s one of the academy’s most talented students, so leaving her out of the festival stage would be a dereliction of duty.
Still…
“Erdi.”
“Yes?”
“Since when did you two become so close?”
Didn’t he address her as “Miss Viviant” before? Now it’s simply Azbella.
“Well… I’ve been meeting the advanced class students almost daily.”
“That does make sense.”
Perhaps they admired Erdi’s skills or were indifferent to his background. Either way, it seemed they had grown quite fond of him lately.
“You’ve really changed.”
What surprised me was Erdi’s demeanour.
In the past, he would have drawn a clear line, saying something like, “Regardless, Miss Viviant is a noble.”
Maybe this is something unique to the academy.
He’s a professor here, after all.
And ultimately, he’s in a position to teach these students.
Their growing rapport is undoubtedly a good sign.
“It’s true that roles shape people.”
While I pondered this thought, Azbella walked slowly to the piano.
Carefully, she began to play.
Piece No. 1: “Of Foreign Lands and Peoples.”
It starts slow and calm, with a mysterious and beautiful melody that feels like embarking on a journey to a distant, unknown world.
This piece is the epitome of innocence.
The “foreign lands” described here aren’t magical or fantastical cities of imagination.
“To a child, everything is new.”
It’s more a metaphor for new emotions and experiences in life, presented warmly.
It’s an ideal—no, perfect—choice.
For Azbella, her time at the academy must have felt like an adventure.
That’s how it is when facing the unfamiliar for the first time.
Moreover, this is her debut performance in front of an audience.
The same goes for Erdi.
Just a year and a few months ago, he clumsily played the William Tell Overture at a piano competition.
And now?
He’s achieved what he never dreamed of—becoming a professor.
He’s working tirelessly to put the students he personally taught on stage.
It’s the kind of moment that makes you reflect on how far you’ve come.
“If I were to make one suggestion, when pressing the pedal for the final note, don’t release it so abruptly. If it’s too sudden, the transitions between measures feel choppy. Try to be more mindful of that.”
As Azbella played, Erdi offered her some pointers.
“Like this?”
“That’s much better.”
She faithfully absorbed the advice and reproduced it on the piano.
The two were in perfect harmony.
“You’re learning really fast.”
“It’s because the professor teaches so well.”
“If you vary the tempo between your left and right hand, it’ll sound much more natural.”
“Please help me with that.”
“Then I’ll take care of the left side. Could you handle the right?”
“Sure.”
Suddenly, with one piano between them, their shoulders touched.
Azbella’s cheeks turned a rosy red.
“Here, add a slight rubato.”
“Hehe.”
…What are they doing?
Why does the genre suddenly feel like a romantic comedy?
Is this about the music academy heroine and her teacher or something?
‘This is a rather unexpected atmosphere.’
“It’s not good to Favor only Miss Viviant too much, Erdi.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Erdi laughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed by my comment.
Azbella quickly rose from her seat and scampered away.
Her expression changed in an instant.
Now, she looked cold and rigid again.
I distinctly remember the first impression she left on me—a smart, elite air about her, beautiful but with a slightly old-fashioned demeanour.
But just now…
‘Forget it. Let’s leave it alone.’
Even if they’re shooting some drama about transcending social status and relationships…
‘No, but what if they really are?’
At that moment,
“It’s a pleasant sight.”
Edward chimed in from the side.
Oh, right.
He’s here too.
“Youth is always wonderful.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m simply saying it’s nice to see Erdi adapting well to the academy.”
Though he masked his words in a long-winded excuse, he had definitely picked up on the peculiar atmosphere earlier.
“Hm.”
It’s better to leave this alone.
After all, they’re both adults who should know better.
It’s not something I can intervene in.
Anyway, it seems Erdi hasn’t just been practicing with the advanced class all day.
Still, my comment about not playing favourites was genuine.
That, well…
He’ll figure it out.
Exchanging glances with Edward, I gave a light nod.
To be honest, I had already planned to personally teach the advanced class cadets once Erdi’s role was done at the end of the term.
It was meant to be a kind of reward.
Azbella had been looking forward to it too.
But clearly, she’s no longer interested in me.
‘This feeling of not needing to get involved anymore.’
She already seems satisfied with Erdi’s lessons.
After all, she’s spent much more time with him than with me.
Whether it’s the attachment formed through time or Erdi’s skills being far superior to what I imagined—
Regardless.
Do I even have a place here?
There’s no need to think about it further; the answer’s clear.
The rehearsal continued for some time after that.
“Alright, everyone, it’s time to move to the theatre.”
Leaving the coordination to the two, I stepped out for a while.
It should be about time for guests who’ve traveled far to start arriving.
Avoiding the crowded central garden and theatre, I walked along the edges.
The massive arched stone entrance built for the festival came into view.
Beyond it, a carriage approached.
It soon stopped before me, and a man stepped out.
“It’s good to see you here.”
“Thank you for making the long journey.”
Margrave Rosley.
We exchanged a brief handshake.
“Come on! Bring it over!”
At his boisterous command, the waiting servants quickly carried heavy wooden crates forward.
“All of this…”
“Did you think I’d come empty-handed?”
As expected of the influential figure of the East.
I vaguely recall receiving a set of clothing from him before.
Inside the crate, colorful glass bottles were neatly arranged.
“Is this alcohol?”
“These are potions.”
“Potions?”
The margrave began his explanation.
Apparently, he had recently started trading with a new nation.
“Their magical expertise is exceptional. Though I hesitate to say this outright…”
Lowering his voice, he whispered to me.
“Some of them can be quite dangerous.”
“…I can’t accept anything like that.”
Thankfully, it seemed none of the potions he brought were of the dangerous kind.
“I selected only the most intriguing ones.”
First, a healing potion.
“It’s not comparable to the mythical high-level magic that cures all ailments, but it temporarily clears the mind and relieves pain.”
Not something I’ll need immediately.
Then, a potion of knowledge.
“They say if you drink this while reading a book, you’ll never forget its contents.”
In other words, it enhances memory and learning ability.
‘That might actually come in handy.’
Of course, not for reading books.
Finally, the margrave handed me the last potion.
“This one is truly amazing.”
“I’m curious.”
“No matter how much you drink, you won’t get drunk.”
“What?”
“It was hard to acquire. Even a single drop is effective, so use it sparingly.”
No invisibility potions? Or something that lets you breathe fire?
Not that I’d use them even if they existed.
‘A detox potion, huh.’
It might actually be practical.
Though I’m not fond of drinking, refusing alcohol in noble society isn’t exactly an option.
“Well then, please follow me inside.”
I guided the margrave to his quarters.
“The banquet will be held after tonight’s opening performance at my father’s estate.”
We initially considered hosting it within the grounds, but there aren’t any suitable buildings here.
The cadet dining hall?
The tavern on the first floor of the inn?
Not ideal.
Since my father’s estate isn’t far, we decided to hold it there instead.
“Please rest comfortably.”
After bidding farewell to the margrave, I returned to the entrance.
Waiting here is less hassle than trying to guess who might arrive next.
Over the next two hours,
I greeted various guests, including Iolin, Duke Montella, and Professor Brosia,
And escorted them to their respective rooms.
Iolin expressed a desire to tour the event grounds, so I called Victor to escort her.
“You’re not going personally, Professor?”
“I have other matters to attend to.”
The Emperor is set to arrive tomorrow, so today’s schedule is essentially done.
Lastly,
Before the evening performance,
“Diana? Aria?”
“Wow! Mister!”
“You’re here, Young Master.”
“Hurry up, we’re late.”
I boarded a carriage with the two, who had been waiting at the estate with Theo, and headed back to the academy.
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