Art Is Not a Tool (2)
James tried to say something, but his voice was completely drowned out by the torrent of applause. Professor Quiros wore a satisfied smile as well.
"A perspective worthy of the author of the Shuren Chronicle. Well said."
"I'm just grateful you let me spout such sophistry."
"No, it was excellent." Professor Quiros added, "The idea that art, from the very beginning, is unbound by anyone and not born as a tool. It left quite an impression. I'll remember that."
"No need to go that far..."
"Alan Edgar von Mueller, your words aren't wrong. Art is freedom. Freedom is conviction, and at the same time, like the wind. It can't be a tool, no matter what yardstick you apply."
A white line slashed across the blackboard. Professor Quiros continued, "Of course, as you said, art does have its dual nature. Whether novelist, painter, or sculptor—art is a poor profession. If you don't want cobwebs in your throat, you have no choice but to bend your convictions."
His voice carried a bitter edge. Professor Quiros turned to the academy cadets and said, "Art may serve as a foundation to flaunt culture and knowledge, but it cannot be a tool. After all, you need discernment, knowledge, and culture to even recognize good art. Art is the most esoteric discipline in the world."
"Invisible value and visible value. Because it deals with both."
Professor Quiros nodded at Alan's words. "Exactly. And the value of art has always changed."
The value of art is always in flux.
As eras pass, new concepts are incorporated into art, sometimes splitting off independently or vanishing altogether. Pioneer concepts may even be reclassified into subgenres. Art is an endless wave battered by storms. No artwork can hold absolute, immutable value. People's perspectives shift with the times.
"The value of art varies wildly depending on the creator's and viewer's perspectives. That's why the price of artworks fluctuates so much across eras."
Professor Quiros looked at Alan. "That's why, Alan Mueller, your opinion pierces the core quite accurately. This debate started from the question, 'Is art a tool to show off culture and knowledge?' after all."
"Ah, yes."
Professor Quiros added, "If the topic had been different, your words might have been dismissed as nonsense. Impressive as they were."
"You're harsh."
"A good writer must learn to accept such criticism at times."
"Advice noted."
Professor Quiros smiled faintly at Alan's response. His gaze returned to the cadets. "If anyone wishes to refute Alan Edgar von Mueller's view, step forward. Let's hear your esteemed opinions."
Alan wasn't oblivious to what the professor meant. Damn, this is a makgora...!!
A makgora by the name of debate. Alan had beaten James, so now it was, "Anyone else?"
Seeing hands shoot up here and there, Alan felt his vision darkening. Damn it!!
In the end, Alan had to keep debating until the class ended.
As Meia took his academy uniform jacket, she said, "You're more eloquent than I expected, young master."
"I'm dying of thirst."
Alan grumbled, and Meia poured water from the bottle she carried. Only after gulping down three cups in quick succession did he exhale with a hah.
Across from her, Felicia smiled slyly. "I never thought the Mueller family would produce an orator. You speak well, Alan."
"It's the eloquence befitting the Sword King's son," Lin picked up, the Kun'Rung princess armed in the same elegance as their first meeting, lifting her teacup.
It was a cafe on the academy grounds, visited during the break after class. Alan hadn't even had a chance to escape before the two princesses dragged him here right after the bell.
"So, when's the next volume coming out, Alan?"
"Even Your Highness is asking that...?"
"I'm hardly the only one. Right, Lin?"
"I'm waiting too."
Lin smiled quietly, and Alan felt an odd pressure in her expression. Felicia said, "Ending volume 1 like that and telling us not to expect the next? That's too much."
"Felicia's right. It cut off right when Shuren sets out to find the one who destroyed his clan."
"Right after the scene where he hones the clan's strongest swordsmanship alone, nurturing his solitude and thirst for revenge—that's when he leaves his hideout. Of course we're curious about what comes next."
So we're rightfully demanding the next volume, Felicia added triumphantly.
"So, who's the black幕 force?"
"No comment."
"And the target of his revenge too?"
Alan shut his mouth. Spoiling it upfront would ruin half the fun. He himself could enjoy stories even with spoilers, but most people got annoyed and lost interest if spoiled. Naturally, silence was best.
Lin asked, "Is the next volume coming along well, then?"
"I'm working hard on it. Can't share the content, though."
"I see."
Thankfully, Lin didn't pry further. "The Shuren Chronicle's concept of a clan feels just like the sects back home. There are so many similarities. Did you know?"
"My mother's half-Kun'Rung."
Alan glossed over it lightly. He'd just adapted wuxia tropes into fantasy, but who could've guessed they'd align so perfectly with Kun'Rung's regional flavor? He never imagined becoming the protagonist of a "writer in another world" plot he'd only read about.
Felicia added, "The rumor that Duchess Mueller is half-Kun'Rung is pretty famous, Lin."
"I see. News from the Western Empire doesn't reach us well."
Lin sipped her tea with a smile. "Still, it's fun having people to discuss it with."
"Did you hear? They reprinted volume 1 recently, and bookstores are fighting over stock."
"Oh, that. It's astonishing. I have no idea how far the hype has spread."
Why talk like that with the author right here, Your Highnesses? Alan sighed inwardly. If he didn't hurry and finish the next volume, who knew how much more pressure these princesses would pile on? Just thinking about it made his head spin.
"I'm dying here. What the hell do these princesses want from me?"
"Who knows. If you don't write the next volume soon, something might happen to you, young master."
"Damn. Even Meia nagging me to serialize."
Alan grumbled, half-sprawled on the dorm sofa. "Well, since I'm buying it myself with my salary..."
"Huh? Why waste money? Just ask me."
"Reading your first drafts is honor enough."
Alan often consulted Meia, who stayed by his side for swordsmanship advice. He'd ask if a move was feasible, she'd demonstrate, and he'd describe it in detail in the novel.
She implements what I say so perfectly—she's no ordinary talent.
White hair supposedly meant a child of calamity, but to Alan, it was just a pretty color. Deep blue eyes flecked with dark tones in that white hair. This white-haired maid, his same age, was the one person at the academy with whom Alan could bare his soul completely.
"...The Kun'Rung exchange students seem quite dissatisfied with you, young master."
"Huh? Why?"
"Probably because you hang around with their princess so much."
Alan furrowed his brow. "It's not like I choose to. Whenever Felicia drags me off, Lin's there too—what can I do?"
"That likely doesn't matter much to the Kun'Rung students."
"...Yeah, probably."
Alan sighed and shook his head. For now, the next villain is that damn Professor MacKellan.
Shuren's keywords: revenge and journey. Professor MacKellan was the first foe encountered on that vengeful travels. More precisely, a villain designed to provoke the last shred of kindness in Shuren's heart.
The Melnoir baronial family. Tyrants who brutalized their territory's people, impoverishing their lives. And villains who sacrificed those lives for black magic research.
Hm, is that too much?
He considered tweaking the notes in his mental memo pad but decided it was fine. Only Alan knew the Melnoir family was modeled after Professor MacKellan.
A smile crept onto Alan's lips as he finished his thoughts. "I can wrap this up quick."
"Not even a chance to approach—royals really are on another level, huh."
Night had fallen. On the terrace of a cafe whose lights flickered as if about to close, a girl with vivid blue hair grumbled irritably. Beside her stood a fellow exchange student from the Palos Kingdom.
"It won't be easy, Lady Yurisys. Given the opponent."
"Lin Xiao Mei aside, to think he's even caught Princess Felicia's eye. Just how much pheromone is this guy spraying around women?"
Yurisys Belpon del Seilun. Noble of the Palos Kingdom, sea hegemons ruling the southern seas of the Roselia Continent, she was deeply annoyed at yet another failed approach.
Was Alan Edgar von Mueller cursed to attract women abnormally? He casually dragged around two princesses who split the continent east and west.
"Too many rivals. Being the Muellers' third son doesn't help..."
"What a headache."
Yurisys sighed, rubbing her forehead. "He's just published one volume, but the Mueller name must be a big factor."
"He's no one to underestimate that much. His views on art show a sharp mind. Definitely not the type to belittle it like that idiot noble James Moore."
That's why she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. Palos, where Yurisys was raised, was a nation that cherished art. Even if the Tyranto Empire led continental trends, Palos prided itself on not lagging in arts and culture.
Thus, she'd instantly recognized the potential in Alan's novel.
"Honestly, his eloquence impressed me."
"Me too."
"You just downplayed it as the Mueller name a moment ago."
"I merely said it was a possibility."
Yurisys eyed the student coldly. "Don't carelessly underrate people. He's not that sort."
"My apologies."
"The Shuren Chronicle could become the continent's most famous novel. Its influence won't be small."
"A novel about Kun'Rung becoming that famous is hard to grasp..."
"It'll change the paradigm of novels popular in the empire and continent so far."
Yurisys savored the deep flavor of imperial black tea. Cold now, but still rich. She set down her empty cup and stood.
"That's why I'm even more interested. I'll find an opening and talk to him no matter what."
"The two princesses' guards aren't ordinary. Spotting a chance won't be easy."
"Hmph, no one's glued to someone 24/7. I'll make it happen and chat with him!"
"As you wish."