Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Balcares Academy 3
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I sat facing Victor Korsolin.
This wasn't my first time meeting him.
Though it was the first time we were alone together.
He wasn't unfamiliar to me.
I had followed my father to his solo concerts before I started my career as a performer.
I hadn't heard any news about him lately, but I never would've guessed he was working as a professor at the Academy.
And besides, these were my scores.
From Moments Musicaux, which I released with Edward, to Canon.
According to his assistant, Mael, it seemed he had been researching my scores all this time.
To be honest, I wasn't a fan of his playing.
Even if I listened to it again, I probably wouldn't feel a thing.
However, I highly respected his attitude.
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'He's more sincere than I thought.'
At this level, I could understand why they'd want him as a professor at the Academy, even if he had been forgotten in the Capital.
A considerable zeal for learning.
The type who drives himself to improve.
And his adaptability was quite fast, wasn't it?
"I really wanted to meet you."
How could he make such an expression right in front of the person who destroyed his stronghold?
He looked happier than anyone.
He wasn't angry with me at all; rather, he approached me with pure, fan-like devotion.
If I had met him a little sooner, we might have become good colleagues.
"I have felt so many emotions while watching and listening to your work and music. Perhaps what I had been doing until now was just a child's play..."
The word "Master" used to refer to me was filled with immense respect.
He continued speaking.
"Right now, I am digging deep into this piece called Canon. It's truly a fresh structure. It's a form where chords repeat and create variations, isn't it? How did you manage to create such a pleasant melody in such a short time? I can't help but be amazed. If it's not too much to ask, may I inquire about the source of your inspiration?"
Ah, that.
Johann Pachelbel, a performer from the Baroque era of the Holy Roman Empire, and so on...
I couldn't say that.
I made something up on the spot.
"Just as there is night if there is day, and sadness if there is happiness... well, chords also have their own suitable partners... By interpreting that principle, I ended up with a result that is, in its own way, listenable. I received a lot of help from my colleague, Erdi Bilet."
I dredged up everything I could remember about consonant harmonies, voice leading, and contrapuntal harmonies.
It was completely made up on the fly.
But Victor clapped his hands with a moved expression.
"That's exactly the answer I was looking for! I might even be able to apply it to my composition technique lectures!"
He kept nodding as he said this.
Did he really understand what I said?
I was at a point where I didn't even know what I was talking about myself.
As for how I get my inspiration...
I get the music that comes to my mind, strike the keys, and write it down on the score.
That's it.
The motive for composition?
How would I know, I'm not the original author.
I've become quite brazen myself.
I couldn't just admit to plagiarizing, so glossing over it was the best option.
Anyway.
I recalled the purpose of our visit.
"The piano we had was broken. If you have one used at the Academy, would it be possible to borrow it?"
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"Of course!"
Victor said he would take care of the details himself until the concert.
To think I would receive help from this man.
You never know how things will turn out in this world.
I should properly express my gratitude to him later.
After greeting him, I went outside.
The hallway was starting to be tinged with a reddish hue.
Evening had come.
'When did it get this late?'
First, I returned to the dormitory to regroup with my companions.
"Shall we go to dinner right away?"
Since Oscar offered to guide us, I followed him.
The cafeteria was on the first floor of the dormitory building.
It was very spacious and comfortable.
I could see students taking the prepared food and finding their seats.
It felt like a school cafeteria.
Schools are the same everywhere, it seems.
It had been a while, so I might as well enjoy the feeling of being a student again.
I stood in line to get my food.
I could hear whispering voices from around me.
"Is that...?"
"The person next to Senior Oscar..."
"Look over there."
"Wow..."
Even without listening closely, I could tell they were talking about me.
Oscar looked back at me with an awkward expression.
"I misjudged this. It would have been better to bring the food to our room."
"It's fine."
I'm used to getting attention.
It just ended up this way for some reason.
"Young Master."
Erdi called out to me.
"Take a look at that."
I turned my head in that direction.
A group of students in uniforms was slowly approaching.
'What is this?'
If it were just one person, it would be fine, but they were swarming in, which was a bit scary.
One woman standing in the middle rushed forward and handed me a sheet of paper.
Upon closer inspection, it was a musical score.
"P-Please sign this!"
She held out a pen she was holding in her hand.
It was a high-quality quill pen with a feather at the end.
"Here!"
"Ah, yes."
"Do you have a phrase you'd like? I'll write it down for you."
"Ah... 'To Selena, with love'? No, that's not it, just the signature... Ugh..."
What on earth is this?
After carefully writing my name and handing the score back, she quickly left the cafeteria.
This is overwhelming.
After that, I gave signatures to a few more students.
"As expected, now that we're in a place that recognizes the Young Master, I can really feel his popularity."
Edward joked around.
Certainly.
This was a level of interest I had never received when I held concerts for commoners.
They had welcomed me too, but not to this extent.
So, the high society is different after all.
There were a few who threw me scornful glances.
A very small number.
I didn't pay them much mind.
Anyway.
I felt completely drained, and I hadn't even stood in front of the piano yet.
After quickly finishing my meal, I went back up to my room.
"Huuuuh..."
I need to rest a little.
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Some time passed like that.
The day of the concert arrived.
Oscar was waiting in the hallway.
"You really look like an Academy student when I see you like this."
It wasn't strange for him to think so.
I was wearing the expensive clothes I had received as a gift from the Margrave of Rosly.
They were a bit too much to wear normally, but if the goal is to get on stage, the story is different.
There could be no better attire.
"By the way, may I ask you a question?"
Oscar asked.
"I heard you've been touring the local lordships, holding concerts for the local residents."
"That's right."
"Is there a reason you suddenly visited the Academy?"
That was his question.
It's simple.
The reason we planned a local tour was to spread this culture to commoners who have difficulty accessing music.
But that doesn't mean we intend to exclude the nobles.
Rather, it should be interpreted as the opposite.
What matters is not 'commoners' but 'more people'.
The majority of those 'more people' just happened to be commoners, so dividing by class is meaningless.
All cultures increase in value the more people enjoy them, and in turn, their level rises.
This was the intention Edward and I originally had.
So, holding a concert at the Academy has a clear meaning.
"I see."
Oscar muttered softly after hearing my explanation.
"The students will surely be greatly inspired by the performer's philosophy."
I think so too.
No, I hope so.
We walked through the quiet hallway toward the auditorium.
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I met Victor Korsolin under the stage.
"I've prepared the piano I usually use."
"Thank you."
"It's the same model as the one from Rune Moon, so there shouldn't be any special issues with the feel of playing."
That's right, I remember now.
Thinking about it, this man is also from Rune Moon.
I wonder if he met Edward over the past few days.
"I heard you have many pieces prepared for today. I heard it from Mr. Oscar."
He said.
It was true.
Piano Sonata, Clair de Lune, Polonaise, William Tell Overture, Canon.
Finally, Liebesträume and Cadiz.
I excluded some pieces, including The Great Gate of Kiev which I performed at the send-off ceremony.
Even so...
'That's seven pieces.'
It's definitely a lot.
Still, well, for a concert, it's right to show this much.
It was abnormal that I had only shown new pieces until now.
"I look forward to it."
Victor said that and returned to his seat.
I slightly opened the curtain and looked outside.
The auditorium was already filled with students in uniforms.
On the far right, the professors and the Dean were seated.
'But where are those guys?'
Erdi and Edward.
I assumed they would have arrived safely since they said they would leave first.
I can't see them.
Right then.
"Young Master."
"...Where have you been until now?"
The two of them appeared.
"We were suddenly called to the magic research lab, so we were late."
It was Edward who answered my question.
"The magic research lab?"
"The professor there said he wants to meet the Young Master after the concert."
No way.
Is it already complete?
"I understand for now."
The concert comes first.
Encouraged by them, I went up onto the stage.
"Waaaaah!"
"Ooooh!"
"The hero forged by the god of music has finally descended!"
"I feel like I'm going blind!"
You crazy bastards.
After politely greeting them, I sat down in front of the piano.