Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Serika - [3]
If your brain were soaked in sugar syrup, would it feel like this?
Serika even forgot to breathe. The melody flowing into her eardrums seemed to travel down her spine, numbing every nerve in her body.
It was different from the grandeur of incantations she'd heard in the Magic Tower, and different from the overwhelming harmonies of the imperial orchestra.
Those were somehow artificial, forced, and made the listener tense up.
But the sound from this instrument called a 'piano'...
'It's warm.'
Like the sunlight of the first spring day after an especially harsh winter, tickling frozen skin.
Or like being buried in a cozy blanket that smells of freshly baked bread.
The melody was endlessly sweet and lyrical.
Every time Aiman's fingers glided softly over the keys, she hallucinated even the dust motes in the air turning into pink petals.
'Salut d'Amour.'
The title her brother had told her lingered in her mind. Love. A 'greeting' at that.
Like a shy lover approaching with a bouquet of red roses hidden behind their back, whispering a confession in her ear.
'Brother... knew how to do this?'
Serika's pupils trembled faintly. At first, it was surprise. Her brother, who no one could even flatter by saying he had talent for mana.
Put differently, awe at the fact that he created this magical moment without using any magic.
But that surprise soon twisted into a profound intoxication. Aiman had said it himself.
'I made it thinking of you.'
'Only for you.'
Those words mingled with the melody, pounding her heart. The years of her brother's quiet sacrifices flashed before her like a montage.
That lonely smile he always gave, hidden in her shadow, enduring silently. It felt like all those emotions were being rewarded in this beautiful melody.
'This isn't... just comfort.'
Serika was certain.
'If he didn't see me... as a woman, he couldn't write something this sticky and sweet.'
Nothing else explained it.
A melody this passionate, dripping with honey like this, just to cheer up his little sister? Absurd.
Serika's cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
Her heart was pounding so hard she worried it wouldn't be drowned out by the piano.
The piece ended. Until the final key's reverberation seeped into the room's air and faded away, Serika couldn't twitch a finger.
It didn't feel real. Had she really just heard that? Or was it a dream?
But her brother was still there before her, hands resting on the piano keys. Only then did her reason poke its head above the surface, just a little.
The brilliant mind of the genius mage called Serika finally began analyzing the situation.
'Music that doesn't exist anywhere in this world.'
Serika had experienced most of the Empire's arts. Songs from famous bards backed by nobles, operas in grand theaters.
But she'd never heard this melody, this chord progression. So the conclusion was simple. Her brother's words were true.
'He designed and built the instrument himself, and composed the piece himself.'
Her eyes gleamed.
'Brother... is a genius.'
Of course, Serika had always known Aiman was smart.
He'd taught himself to read before anyone taught him, and knew math and all sorts of trivia.
Serika had never once thought of Aiman as inferior.
Not even if the world saw him as a worthless human.
'My eyes didn't deceive me.'
As a child, her brother had been far more mature and wise than she was. That brilliance hadn't vanished.
The world just hadn't been big enough to hold him, so he'd hidden it away for a time.
Suddenly, a dark desire bubbled up from Serika's depths.
'I want to keep it to myself.'
She wanted to listen to Aiman's music forever, unknown to anyone else.
To be the only one to enjoy her brother's talent...
But.
'No.'
Serika shook her head. That would be an insult to Aiman.
'I have to show the world.'
Serika thought deeply. Helping Aiman spread his wings—that was how to repay his past kindnesses, and what family should do.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Silence.
Having finished the performance, I cautiously turned my head to gauge Serika's reaction.
'Why no response? Was it bad?'
I was anxious. Was Elgar's masterpiece too sentimental for this world's sensibilities? Or did I mess up somewhere?
But the moment I saw Serika's face, I let out a sigh of relief.
She stared at me with her mouth agape in a daze. Her big eyes brimmed with tears, and her cheeks were flushed red like she'd been drinking.
Anyone could see she was moved.
'Good. Success.'
As expected, a healing piece packs a punch.
"So, what'd you think? Pretty good, right?"
"...Brother."
Serika replied in a dreamy voice, like a sleepwalker.
"This... is a god's blessing."
"Huh?"
A god's blessing? That's a bit grandiose.
"It strikes the soul directly without defying the flow of mana... more beautiful and powerful than ancient magic spells..."
She reached out, grasping at the air.
"Brother, are you... the god of music? Or did you contract with the Spirit King of Music?"
"What...?"
I was speechless. Sure, Elgar was a great composer, but... Spirit King of Music?
'Come to think of it, it might not be wrong.'
Considering Beethoven, Chopin, Elgar, and the others in my head, it might actually fit.
Regardless, one thing I could be sure of.
'Serika... is totally smitten.'
She'd been like this since the orphanage days—believing every word I said with "Brother's right!"
Even though I was wrong way more often than right. I cleared my throat and waved my hand.
"Haha... what god? I'm just glad you liked it."
"Liked it? That's an understatement."
Serika said firmly. She propped her chin on her hand, lost in serious thought, furrowing her brow as if calculating fiercely.
Then, as if she'd made up her mind, she snapped her head up. Her eyes burned with determination, like a general heading to war.
"Brother."
"Y-yeah?"
She grabbed both my hands. Her warmth bordered on hot.
"How about... performing at the Academy?"
I doubted my ears.
"...What? Where?"
"The Imperial Academy."
I widened my eyes. The Imperial Academy—what kind of place was that? Where the nation's top elites, flying noble heirs, and geniuses gathered.
A sanctuary where a mana-less nobody like me, a plain commoner, would get turned away at the gate by guards.
"I don't know what you're talking about. How could I go there? I'm not a student or a professor."
"You can."
Serika's eyes sparkled with conviction.
"At the end of this month, there's the Academy's regular gala. Royalty, high nobles, even the Magic Tower Lord will attend—it's a huge event."
"And?"
"They have an opening slot for an external guest performance. It was supposed to be a famous lute player, but I can get it changed."
"What...? That's ridiculous."
Common sense said no way. Invitees would be famous performers or renowned figures—how could Serika just swap it?
"Ah, I explained it wrong. It's more like a performance duel? If you win, you can take the stage."
"..."
"In my opinion, you could win easily?"
Serika gripped my hands tighter.
"Perform this there. 'Salut d'Amour.' Announce that you made it for me."
"W-wait a sec, Serika. Calm down."
My brain short-circuited. Stand on the Empire's grandest stage? In front of royalty and the Magic Tower Lord?
This was like singing karaoke, then a friend saying, "Dude, you sing well? How about the Grammys tomorrow?"
"Don't want to? Don't want to show your genius talent to the world?"
"No, it's not that I don't want to... it's just the scale is..."
"Don't worry. I guarantee you, you could crush them effortlessly?"
"That's not the point, Serika."
At my words, Serika paused, then slowly looked up at me.
"Graduation gift."
"Huh?"
"Think of it as your graduation gift in advance."
"Sigh..."
Those pitiful eyes. I knew I couldn't resist them.
"Alright, how about this, Serika. You know I like quiet places, right? Instead of a public duel, set up a private one-on-one talk with the performer."
"And if I do?"
"We'll talk first."
"Promise?"
Serika held out her pinky.