Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Dress Rehearsal - [2]
"The piece I'll be playing... is called Moonlight Sonata."
Aiman spoke up before beginning his performance. Serika tilted her head in curiosity, and Haruna did the same.
That was because he'd never introduced it before. And for the townsfolk at the market, it was a piece they'd never even heard of.
Before Serika could ask for clarification, Aiman placed his hands on the keys.
The moment his right hand slammed down on the keys and his left hand struck the low notes... the noisy clamor of the market vanished.
⚙ TRACK TITLE ⚙ Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14, 3rd Movement Moonlight Sonata The word "Moonlight" suggests a deeply lyrical title, but the content is anything but.
It's the third movement, condensed with the despair and rage Beethoven felt as he lost his hearing, along with his indomitable will to overcome it.
This isn't a gentle moonlit glow—it's more like a stormy night sea...
Tarararararak—!!
Aiman's fingers raced across the keys so fast they blurred into invisibility.
(Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration.)
Each time his fingers moved, the sound of striking steel strings echoed through the wooden resonator, amplifying and bursting forth.
"…."
In that moment, Serika, standing beside the piano, flicked her fingers lightly. Transparent waves of mana rippled out from her fingertips.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Amplification] Mana-enhanced sound projection / Expands range dramatically / No cooldown
It was a simple spell, but its effect was anything but.
Kugugugung—
The piano's strikes vibrated through the magic, shaking the market air. The sound carried past the plaza fountain, echoing grandly down the distant shopping alleys.
Horses pulling passing carriages whinnied in fright, and merchants mid-haggle froze with mouths agape.
A bard's tinkling lute? The delicate harp favored by nobles? This was on another level entirely.
"Is that... human fingers?"
Hans, seated in the front row, muttered in a dazed voice.
A relentless torrent of notes gave no room to breathe. When the right hand's dazzling arpeggios soared skyward, the left hand's heavy strikes shook the earth.
He couldn't stop. Lurking between the notes was a terror that felt like it would devour him if he faltered.
The piercing high notes clawed at the ears like they were scraping nerves raw, and the unceasing speed synchronized the heartbeats of the dozens gathered in the plaza.
The music seemed to catch its breath after the initial frenzy, only to surge back as an even greater wave.
It was a tsunami. An emotional tsunami that blanked out the crowds' minds in white.
Listeners shuddered. The terror of standing before a massive vortex of fate. And amid the overwhelming pressure, a strange ecstasy.
Thump, thump, thump.
Like a carriage racing toward a cliff, the music wobbled precariously yet never slowed. Whatever awaited at the end of this sprint, right now, he had to keep going.
One thought dominated their minds.
'I've never heard anything like this.'
Not in any imperial concert hall, anywhere in the empire. Music this passionate, with such perfect structure.
There was only one conclusion.
"That man... composed it himself."
Someone whispered in a trembling voice. The whisper spread like wildfire.
"He built that bizarre instrument himself, didn't he?"
"Wait, isn't that guy... the young man from the rumors?"
"Ah! The lunatic always hanging around that 'Haruna Workshop' on the capital outskirts?"
"Yeah! Everyone laughed, saying he was making furniture or something... my god."
Their gazes shifted. Before, it had been the look reserved for a weekend spectacle freak.
Now...
"We had no idea."
"Yeah... geniuses are never understood, right?"
"He's a monster. A genius monster ahead of his time!"
In their minds, Aiman's image was rebuilt. In his seat sat a tormented genius artist.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ His left hand struck chords in the bass.
Pinky on C#, ring finger on G#, index on C#, thumb on E.
His right hand struck chords in the mid-range.
Thumb on G#, index on C#, ring on E, pinky on G#.
Eight keys pressed at once.
Dooong...
The final chord slammed into the plaza's paving stones. The strings' vibration traveled up his fingertips, along his arm, up his spine to his brain.
"Hoo, hoo..."
I panted roughly, unable to lift my hands from the keys. My breath burned in my throat.
Felt like a sprint. Just piano playing, and I'm drenched like this... cold sweat poured down my back, soaking my shirt.
'There were a few misses...'
Mis-hits midway, pedal timing messed up. Beethoven's probably shedding bloody tears in his grave—gut feeling.
But.
'Eh, no one would know.'
This is that world. No Beethoven, no Chopin. Only I know if it was right or wrong. Shamelessness is skill here.
I slowly lifted my hands to my knees and raised my head.
"…."
Silence. In the wake of the storm, only suffocating quiet remained. People seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.
'No way... no reaction? Was it that bad?'
I was ready to blame it all on Beethoven if it flopped. Just as anxiety crept in...
Clap, clap, clap.
Serika, beside me, started clapping like a seal. It was the signal.
"Waaaaaaah!!!!"
"Bravo!! My god!!"
"Encore! Encore!!"
Cheers erupted like a dam burst. The plaza shook with roars. People clapped and shouted; some tossed their hats.
I stared ahead in a daze. Front row, Hans.
His jaw practically on the floor, then clapping harder than anyone.
'….'
A smile crept onto my lips. Honestly, I hadn't expected this.
But... dozens cheering for me? Addictive.
I grinned, wiping sweat—then.
Chill—
My back went ice-cold. Amid summer swelter, like ice water dumped on my nape.
Instinct screamed danger. I stiffly turned to peer at the crowd's rear.
Haruna. Under the lamppost shadow, she wasn't clapping.
Just glaring at the piano with bloodshot eyes.
A hallucination whispered.
-You broke your promise... should I kill you?
Vision of my head smashed by that dwarf hammer flashed by.
'Gotta survive.'
Only one way in this vibe. I shot up.
Raised both hands to calm the roaring crowd.
"Everyone!! Hold on a sec!"
My shout quieted them. All eyes on my mouth.
"This amazing sound isn't because I played well!"
I raised my voice dramatically, pointing straight at Haruna in the corner.
"It's thanks to the empire's greatest artisan standing right there!!"
Spotlight shifted.
"This masterpiece—the piano—crafted by Haruna herself!!"
"...Huh?"
Gazes followed my finger. To Haruna, dark circles and all, staring at the piano.
"Haruna? That clumsy dwarf?"
"Nah, listen to that sound. She made that and she's clumsy? No way."
"Maybe jealousy of talent...?"
"Exactly! Had to be! Dwarves jealous of genius—they could never make something like that!"
Crowd psychology is simple. Applause and awe turned to Haruna.
"W-Wait..."
Haruna panicked at the unexpected turn. Her pale face flushed beet red in seconds.
Ears crimson with embarrassment and fluster, head bowed.
Like a praise-allergic social misfit. Nice view. Natural smile.
'Saved.'
That quells Haruna's rage for now. Her work praised like this—she won't hit the maker.
Serika beamed with pride; naturally, tons of tips from the crowd.
"We'll hold regular concerts from now on, so that's it for today!"
Haruna looked ready to say something, but I bolted.
Surprisingly, Hans gave the most tips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Serika and I headed home. She magicked the piano back—magic world's the best.
And amazingly, a week later, Ria and Anna visited in person!
Ria's eyes were icy, but whatever; Anna's gaze mattered more.
I just trembled like a leaf and said to Anna,
"What... brings you here?"