Synthesizer Debut and a Blush from Wine
Anyway, since it was all because of the booze, "Synthesizer?" Edelrin cautiously repeated the unfamiliar word.
It made sense. Hell, guitar was already a foreign concept to people in this world—synthesizer probably sounded like some ancient magic incantation to them.
I leaned back on the sofa, rubbing my still-tingling ears as I replied.
"Well... simply put, it's a magic tool that doubles as a musical instrument?"
"This is a musical instrument? From the sound alone, I thought it was some kind of wide-area sonic attack magic device..."
Edelrin shot me a doubtful look, still fiddling with her ears.
Luna, looking sheepish as she scratched her head, chimed in from beside her.
"Sorry, sorry~. I didn't expect it to be that loud either. Guess I overdid the output settings~."
"...It's really okay now, right? It won't blast our eardrums again like before, right?"
I asked with anxious eyes, and Luna flashed a thumbs-up with a cocky grin.
"Adjustments done! No problems now. Give it a try~."
Only after hearing her confident assurance did I half-doubtfully bring my fingers back to the piano-key-shaped panel.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly and pressed down firmly on one key. A smooth, clear sine wave flowed through the living room air—nothing like the explosion from before.
"Whoa..."
It worked perfectly.
An artificial tone, unbroken and free of noise.
I pressed the other keys in sequence, playing a simple melody. Edelrin, watching from the side, went wide-eyed.
Boksoon, back on her shoulder, seemed to love the sound too—its wings fluttered as it stared at the circuit board.
'Good, it's working without issues. It doesn't feel like pressing actual piano keys—more like tapping a desk—so the hand feel is a bit off... but it won't hinder playing at all.'
I stopped, inwardly pleased. But the satisfaction was short-lived. Luna crossed her arms, eyeing the hideous mess of circuit boards strewn across the living room floor and the tangled mana wires.
"Lia, it's an instrument, right? Can't have it looking like this if you're gonna carry it around. Looks like a half-disassembled mana bomb~."
I nodded in agreement with Luna's words.
Yeah, in this state, forget performing—it'd get me arrested if any inspection squad showed up.
"It does look pretty rough. Luna, could you maybe encase it in something sleek?"
"Hm, fixing it with magic is easy... but I'm no good at the artistic stuff~. If we're doing it right and making it look cool, better leave it to Garvan~?"
Glancing out the window, the sun had fully set, thick darkness blanketing everything. Knowing that dwarf's personality, visiting this late would be a no-go.
'Or... maybe not? He might actually be thrilled, wondering what new thing I've brought to make.'
"Mm... it's late anyway, so we'll head to Garvan tomorrow."
As I moved to wrap things up, Edelrin, who had been fidgeting and glancing at me, hesitantly spoke up.
"Um... Master. Could I... try playing it too?"
"Oh, sure, of course. No problem. Go ahead and press one."
Edelrin placed her fingertip on the panel, tense as could be.
Beep.
A clear note rang out as she pressed lightly. She flinched like a kid seeing magic for the first time but soon got hooked, poking around the keys to hear the sounds.
I watched her back with a sly grin.
'Oho... she whined about hating guitar practice, but this is just pressing buttons, so she's loving it? Perfect insurance—if she slacks on guitar later, I can teach her this and stick her on stage. No issues!'
It felt like the retirement life of my dreams was one step closer.
After playing around for a good while, Edelrin pulled her hands away and exclaimed with a thrilled face.
"This is so amazing, Master! It's like I'm controlling a spirit's voice myself!"
Boksoon on her shoulder nodded as if in agreement.
Seeing the heartwarming sight, I tossed in a light tease.
"Oh, you and Boksoon are buddies again?"
"Huh? What do you mean? Boksoon runs away the second it sees me..."
Edelrin tilted her head, then spotted Boksoon casually perched on her shoulder. Her eyes bulged.
"B-Boksoon! You didn't abandon me after all!"
Overjoyed, Edelrin reached out with both hands to hug it.
But Boksoon dodged into the air without a second's hesitation. Edelrin flailed at empty space, frozen in embarrassment.
"Ahh, Boksoon...!"
I sighed inwardly at Edelrin's despairing flailing.
'Reconciliation between disciple and spirit... gonna take a bit more time.'
Just as I inwardly tsked at Edelrin's teary pout—
Grrrooowl—.
A clear, brutally honest rumble shattered the silence, echoing through the living room.
Looking at the source—Edelrin—her face flushed red as a ripe apple in an instant.
She clutched her stomach with both hands, at a total loss.
"Ah... uh, um... that is..."
"Hungry?"
At my question, Edelrin ducked her head, mumbling in a tiny voice.
"...Guess I practiced too hard."
Yeah, ever since getting back to the mansion, she'd been glued to the guitar, so it figured.
"Come to think of it, I'm feeling peckish too. You've worked hard, Edelrin, so how about a light snack before bed?"
"Sounds good~."
Luna jumped on my suggestion right away, and we all headed to the kitchen together.
Thanks to the kitchen magic, no need for elaborate cooking.
Freshly baked, savory cheese chunks and sugar-preserved fruits wafting sweet aroma soon filled the table.
As we sat around munching, Luna suddenly stood, pulling a dark-hued bottle from the cupboard.
"What's that?"
"Wine. Got the craving while snacking. Want a glass, Lia~?"
I reached for a glass without hesitation, then paused.
'Wait, how old is this body right now? Isn't this underage drinking?'
The reflection I'd seen in the mirror before was far from a mature adult.
I glanced at Luna and asked.
"Luna, what's the drinking age in the Empire?"
"Hm? Most start at 14? Why, Lia, are you younger than that~?"
'14? Lower than I thought...'
Come to think of it, I didn't even know my exact age here.
'Eh, it's Luna's mansion. Should be fine.'
I set aside the complicated thoughts and took the glass.
The sharp grape aroma tingled as I sipped—the tension melted into pleasant drowsiness.
As we chatted idly, Edelrin, munching cookie crumbs, hesitantly spoke up.
"Um... Master. I've got a question."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Why do you go so far as to design complex magic devices yourself for music? Just the guitar alone is impressive enough."
At Edelrin's question, I stared blankly at the purple liquid swirling in my glass.
There wasn't some cool reason.
But I couldn't exactly say to my disciple, "Because everyone else's music sucks."
I swirled the wine, pondering, then answered in my best artistic tone, packaging it nicely.
"Well... no one in this world makes the sounds I want to hear, so I make them myself. If others won't, I have to, right?"
'Well, it's the truth.'
This world's music was so sparse, and six guitar strings fell woefully short of expressing the myriad sounds echoing in my head that I yearned to share.
Edelrin's eyes sparkled at my answer.
She gazed at me with pure admiration, murmuring in awe.
"Whoa... that sounds so cool. As expected of you, Master."
"Cool? Nah, it's nothing. Just stubbornness."
I played it off casually to hide my embarrassment, but Edelrin slammed the table, fired up.
"No way! Creating something that doesn't exist in the world for your own desires—how is that not cool? I couldn't even dream of it."
I took another sip of wine, watching her praise me with crumbs on her lips.
Felt kinda nice, like real recognition—my chest tickled a bit.
"Huh? Master, your face is super red."
"...!"
"Oh? It really is? Lia, don't tell me you're blushing from a little praise~?"
Luna, watching from the side, joined in with a mischievous smile.
I covered my burning face with one hand, snapping gruffly.
"No, it's not. Just the alcohol hitting me. This wine's stronger than it looks."
"After just one glass~?"
"I-I'm not good with alcohol to begin with!"
I shoved a cookie in my mouth, pretending not to hear.