Rumors Faster Than Magic
"My name is Kasian! Please, please accept this Kasian as your disciple, Master!"
In the middle of the plaza, a man dropped to his knees and grabbed my hand, shouting at the top of his lungs.
I could feel the stares of countless onlookers piercing me like arrows.
Unable to hide my burning face, I awkwardly tried to pull my arm back, but this guy's grip was far stronger than I'd expected.
"Disciple? What disciple! Mister, get up already! This is embarrassing as hell!"
"I won't stand until you agree to teach me, Master!"
"Hey, where'd that confident attitude from earlier go? Don't you have any pride as a performer?!"
Despite my desperate cries, Kasian just sparkled even brighter with his eyes and shot back.
"If I can learn that heavenly melody you just played, tell me to shove my pride where the sun don't shine! My musical life is now divided into before and after hearing your performance, Master!"
This guy's logic is airtight.
This dude's too damn serious about music.
The already sizable crowd had now settled in, sitting down to enjoy this rare spectacle.
Luna, who had been doubled over laughing beside me, finally wiped her tears and straightened up.
"Riiiia~ There are way too many eyes on us. Should we move somewhere else first?"
Luna snapped her fingers lightly.
Snap—.
My vision rippled for a moment, and the plaza's noise drained away like the tide.
When I came to, we were tucked into a quiet corner of an old-fashioned café.
Space-transfer magic—honestly, it'd be more surprising if there was something magic couldn't do these days.
I turned to Kasian, still sitting across from me with that enraptured look, and laid down the law once more.
"Let me say it again: I have zero interest in taking disciples. And since I won the bet, stick to our deal—no more performing near my house. Got it?"
My firm words made Kasian's shoulders slump visibly.
He mumbled, looking like he'd lost the will to live, "A promise is a promise, so I'll keep it..." Then, suddenly, his eyes widened as if a lightbulb had gone off.
"...Wait a sec. Doesn't our deal only say I won't make that awful noise?"
"...Well, yeah?"
A sly smile crept across Kasian's lips.
The desperation from kneeling and begging was gone; now his eyes burned with a weird, manic passion.
"Then that means if I can make a sound that's not awful enough for you to hate, I can perform by your side!"
"Huh? No, that's not what I—"
"Got it! I'll figure out the principles of that real music on my own first. And someday, I'll come back with a performance you'll have to admit is 'not noise anymore'!"
Kasian jumped to his own conclusion, then bolted out the café door without giving me a chance to respond.
I stared into empty space, mouth agape, watching his bold—no, almost frenzied—back recede into the distance.
"...What kind of person is that guy?"
The café fell silent, like a storm had swept through.
Luna sipped leisurely from a cup of tea that had appeared out of nowhere and fixed me with a steady gaze.
"So, Ria, what do you wanna do now~?"
"Huh? What do you mean...?"
"There were plenty of people in the plaza today. Rumors spread faster than magic, y'know. Word about that guitar thingy and you will be all over the capital soon. You'll probably get buried in annoying stuff~?"
Her words hit me like a blackout.
"Can't I just... hole up in the mansion like before, strum the guitar a few times for research, and live quietly? I wanna stay low-key."
"Hmm~ That could work, but... I think a few mages clocked my spell earlier and figured out who I am. Bold ones will show up at the grand mage's doorstep for sure~?"
"......"
I'd always dreamed of spreading music.
But not like this—not waking up one day as some instant celebrity.
"Arghhh... I knew this would blow up. Should've just held back...!"
I melted over the table like goo.
My dream of peaceful hikikomori research life under the grand mage's protection!!!
Luna propped her chin on her hand, watching me snivel into the table like it was no big deal.
"We'll figure out a solution later. Anyway, Ria, you've made me forget something important~."
"Huh? What'd I do?"
"From that hassle yesterday to today's showdown, I've been too distracted to buy the catalyst we came for... Like I said before, the mansion storeroom only has super outdated stuff, so we need fresh ones."
With that, Luna snapped her fingers again, draping a faint mana veil over me and herself.
"Perception interference magic. Now even if we bump into folks on the street, they won't dream we're those kids from before. Alright, let's head out again~."
Future problems could wait; for now, I sighed in relief at not being exposed and trailed after Luna.
After walking a bit, curiosity struck, and I poked her side.
"By the way, Luna, couldn't you just teleport us like before? Why walk?"
"I planned to grab materials and bounce, but things got crazy~? Might as well see how your rumor’s spreading while we're out. We'll eavesdrop and stroll slow~."
As she said that, Luna spotted something, dashed off, and returned with something in hand.
"Ria, check this out~ It's the latest trend, they say."
What Luna held out was a skewer of small, round sugar candies.
Coated in syrup, they glittered transparently like jewels in the sunlight.
"Whoa, so pretty. Can I eat it?"
"Of course~! Here, ahh~."
Luna teasingly offered one, and I absentmindedly opened my mouth and crunched it.
The crisp, shattering texture flooded my mouth with rich sweetness.
Like tanghulu, but with a subtle floral aftertaste—pretty damn good.
"How's it? Feeling better?"
"...Yeah. And I wasn't really upset anyway?"
I munched the candy, walking side-by-side with Luna.
Thanks to the perception spell, the people who'd stared us down in the plaza now passed by without a glance.
That sense of relief sharpened the sounds around me more than usual.
"Hey, heard the plaza news? Some little kid apparently..."
"Don't even get me started! They say Kasian dropped to his knees begging to be her disciple? That's all anyone's talking about around here."
From street vendors across the way to chatting passersby—everyone was buzzing about me like it was scripted.
"...Eek."
I flinched and clutched Luna's hem without thinking.
They had no idea the subject was right there, gushing nonstop praise.
My face burned; I ducked my head, but my ears kept pulling toward their voices.
"Totally. After hearing that sound, all the usual music feels lame now—big problem."
The compliments kept piling on, turning my face into a ripe apple.
"Ria, you're a star now~?"
Luna giggled right in my ear.
Infuriating, but I had no comeback—just kept chewing my candy.
Right when I wanted to crawl into a hole, familiar streets and buildings came into view.
"Huh, Luna? This is..."
"Yup, Garvan's workshop. Best place in the capital for special materials."
Damn, Garvan really is famous, I thought, newly impressed, as I approached the familiar iron door and knocked.
It creaked open moments later, and Garvan peeked out, sweat towel over his shoulder.
"Well, if it ain't her? The famous musician who's got the capital in a tizzy?"
Even from him—I shrieked and dove inside the workshop.
"Aaaah! Not you too, mister! Shut up already!"
"Heh heh, look at you. The customers in here are all yappin' about you too."
He chuckled at my freakout.
Pretending to be annoyed, I sneaked a grab at his sleeve.
"...So, what exactly are they saying?"
"Oh, y'know—'Like an angel plucking strings,' 'raised the capital's standards a whole level.' Total chaos."
His rundown of the glowing rumors had my lips twitching upward despite myself.
I fought to keep a straight face, but my clown was mid-ascension.
Garvan tsked at the sight.
"Your grin's about to hit your ears, kid."
"N-No it's not!"
He bantered with me a while longer before finally spotting Luna and nodding.
"So, what brings you here? You usually handle everything from that mansion stockpile."
"Need catalysts for sound magic, but I never cared much about music or sound~? Got some old junk in storage, but it's too outdated~."
The two dove right into jargon I couldn't follow.
Debating the perfect catalyst, they looked downright pro—unlike their usual selves.
After much deliberation, we left with the ideal one, and Garvan waved us off from the door.
"Take care goin' back, famous musician!"
"Ugh, seriously! Mister!"
I stomped in embarrassment, but my steps felt oddly light on the way to the mansion.
Being famous... might not be all hassle after all.