The World Tree's Branch
The light spilling from the sparkling-eyed box was soft yet intensely captivating. But what drew the eye even more was the source of that glow—a branch tinged with pale gold. It wasn't just part of some plant. It was a living crystallization of mana itself, the dream material of every mage and musician.
"Is that... really...?" Monica asked in a trembling voice.
Selenie smiled and replied, "Yes. The World Tree periodically sheds its old branches. This is one such fragment."
She ran her hand gently over the box as she continued, "Do you know why the World Tree Branch is so special?"
"Yes. I've heard that when used in instruments, it produces an extraordinarily unique resonance."
"Exactly. All instruments known as the Ten Great Instruments contain at least a fragment of this World Tree Branch. Of course, it's incredibly precious to mages as well."
As she said, World Tree Branches were hugely popular among mages too, being potent mana crystals in their own right.
I swallowed hard. It was obvious, but top-notch materials were everything when crafting instruments. Even back on Earth, selecting materials for high-end ones required utmost care—the choice affected everything from resonance to tone color.
With that, I could definitely make something incredible.
But I couldn't just accept it outright. "Isn't that too generous a price? It's just for one performance on stage."
No matter how I thought about it, the reward felt overly lavish compared to the proposal. I'd already heard why she wanted that stage, but even factoring that in...
Selenie answered my question simply. "Actually, there's one more thing I want."
"What is it?"
"That instrument you played on stage today. Might I buy one too? I'm personally very interested. Or if you could just introduce me to the maker, that would be wonderful."
Selenie glanced at the violin case slung over my shoulder, her eyes sparkling.
I replied straightforwardly, "That shouldn't be a problem at all."
"Really?"
"Yes. I made this violin myself."
"Pardon?"
Selenie's eyes widened round. "You made this instrument yourself?"
"Yes."
In truth, the violin was just a faithful reproduction of an Earth instrument... but hey, I had recreated it perfectly with local materials! And it wasn't a 100% match to the original anyway—I'd tweaked it slightly to suit this world's instruments. Though my goal from the start had been to capture the original's tone, so the changes weren't major.
Either way, claiming it as my own creation let me stand a bit taller than just owning up to the compositions.
"That's impressive," Selenie said with genuine admiration. "Composing pieces like that and crafting your own instruments."
After a few more words of praise, her eyes sparkled again as she asked, "Then, could you make a violin for me too?"
"Of course. It would be my honor."
Right now, I was the only one with a violin, the only one playing it. But personally, I wanted it to spread far and wide. I hoped more people in this world would come to appreciate the violin's beauty.
In that sense, Selenie herself playing one would be massive publicity. Plus, it felt good knowing my performance had sparked such keen interest in her.
"Wonderful! Then let me revise my offer. In exchange for making me a violin and joining me on stage, I'll give you this."
Selenie added that she'd pay separately for the violin.
"What do you think?"
Instead of answering right away, I exchanged a glance with Monica. She'd be performing with me too. But I didn't need her words—her eyes said it all. Accept it, no question.
Of course. Monica probably would've said yes even without the reward. Sharing a stage with Selenie, of all people.
Truth be told, I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed myself, but the idea of performing with her was thrilling.
"If you're offering such an opportunity, it would be our honor," I said, bowing my head to Selenie.
She beamed at my response. "Thank you for accepting. So, since you leave in the evenings a week from now, how about performing together during the day?"
"That works perfectly for me."
"Great! Oh, then we should decide on the piece too."
Selenie dove right into stage talk. "Do you know any of my compositions well?"
"Of course!"
"Yes!"
"We do!"
Monica, I, and even Temi all nodded eagerly. How could we not? Asking if we knew her pieces well? As if there was any doubt!
"I've grown up playing your music since I was little! My favorite is Repose for the Spirits of the Forest. Oh, and Over the Blue Sea too!"
Monica was especially excited, rattling off her favorites.
Selenie chuckled warmly at her enthusiasm. "I'm truly grateful you like my work. If it's alright with you, could we perform one of my pieces for the stage? Your compositions were excellent, of course, but perfecting a new one in just a week might be too rushed."
She had a point—a week was tight for practicing a new piece and syncing our breaths. Though with her skill, she'd master anything in that time without issue.
I pondered briefly before speaking. "How about Under the Pink City?"
"Oh, that's a fine choice," Selenie said, nodding approvingly.
Under the Pink City. As the title suggested, it was a piece Selenie had composed here in Ramisel. As she'd mentioned earlier, Ramisel had long been famed as a city of artists, where creators gathered to exchange ideas and grow. She'd written it filled with joy, excitement, and hopes for the future inspired by that city... or so the story went.
"It fits the meaning of this performance even better."
"Yes, I agree."
"I love it too! I practiced that one so much I memorized every single note!"
Selenie hadn't said it outright, but this stage was meant to ease the city's discord, even a little. Performing a tribute to Ramisel's beautiful past felt perfectly symbolic.
With everyone's agreement, the piece was set.
"Then it's decided. If you don't have another practice spot, how about my mansion?"
"Th-that would be our honor!"
"We'd be grateful."
"Hee hee, then let's gather every evening for practice. I won't take too much of your time since you should sightsee too."
Selenie spoke with a playful lilt, then called a servant for more tea.
We chatted more about the performance a week out before rising to leave.
"Take care on your way back."
Selenie saw us off at the door herself.
The city's night air was chilly, but the three of us were burning with excitement.
On the way to our inn, Temi playfully slapped mine and Monica's shoulders. "Whoa, you guys are legends! Performing with Selenie?!"
"I-I'm still kinda dazed."
"Yeah. Never imagined this before coming here."
We'd hoped to catch a glimpse of Selenie while in Ramisel, sure. But this turn of events? Unthinkable.
"Especially you, Arden! Selenie's gonna carry your instrument around and play it everywhere! You're gonna make a fortune!"
I gave an awkward smile. "Heh. At least I won't have to worry about promoting the violin."
I hadn't made it for money originally, but yeah, demand was bound to skyrocket. Requests were trickling in already, though I'd turned them down as too soon.
Selenie would likely be my first customer. After that, they'd flood in.
"Anyway, straight back to the inn? Or wanna look around more?"
"Look around where?"
"There's a night market that way! Wanna grab some snacks?"
"Snacks? Aren't you full?"
"I saved room for dessert tummy!"
I bit back a comment about all the desserts she'd already scarfed. No point earning the side-eye.
We wandered the night streets a bit longer before heading back.
Meanwhile, at that moment, a new figure stepped into Ramisel through the city's warp gate. The woman, cloaked head to toe in a thick robe, scanned her surroundings before her eyes lit up at something. Beneath the robe, sky-blue hair and eyes gleamed faintly.