Chapter 64
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Fragments of Starlight
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Julia Franke.
A genius violinist who swept through countless competitions before even reaching adulthood, and at the tender age of her twenties, was appointed professor at Frankfurt National Conservatory.
Given her background, she was quite skilled at teaching, and she had never easily given up on any student.
'Should I just call it quits?'
But right now, Julia was seriously contemplating throwing in the towel, lessons be damned.
"Have you really never learned anything before? Your violin experience is just one month?"
"That's what I said."
Seeing Ri so calmly admit he was a complete beginner made Julia's head throb.
Of course, it wasn't impossible to teach a beginner.
In fact, they were often easier than sloppy intermediates with bad habits ingrained in their bodies.
If they were young, that is.
"Ri, let me say this upfront: I believe age doesn't matter when it comes to learning."
"That's a fine attitude."
"...But violin is a different story."
For whatever reason, he looked utterly satisfied.
To the young man nodding contentedly, Julia explained as earnestly and sincerely as she could.
"Do you know why so many violinists start learning from a very young age?"
"Pushy parents' education fever?"
"No. It's to maintain the flexibility in their wrists and fingers."
The violin was a delicate instrument whose sound could ruin from the slightest humidity shift.
Thus, a top violinist needed that flexibility and delicacy to handle it precisely before even musical sensibility or technique.
"Even those starting in their mid-to-late teens have to work twice as hard as early starters."
Teens were still growing, after all.
With room left to develop, effort could shape the physical foundations.
Even then, those who became pros—especially top-tier violinists—were exceedingly rare.
"But starting violin after adulthood and becoming a top violinist? Generally, it's next to impossible."
A violinist wasn't merely someone who played an instrument.
They were those who remade themselves from childhood to fit it, becoming one with the violin.
"Of course, you could learn now for hobby fun. But taking my lessons for that would be a massive waste."
Don't chase pipe dreams.
Some things money can't buy.
My lessons are overkill for a mere hobby.
So don't squander your money, effort, passion, and above all, my time.
Julia spoke so gravely it was heavy, her eyes deadly serious—enough to make anyone reconsider.
But the young man didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow.
No, he snorted.
"No need for empty worries. If nothing else, my 'ears' and 'hands' won't lag behind your lessons."
"...Are you really that sure?"
"Why need certainty? It's fact."
Julia's face twisted oddly at his reply.
Arrogant to the point of hubris, yet delivered with such blasé obviousness it didn't feel like bluffing.
Curious about the source of that confidence.
Gazing at Ri quizzically, Julia suddenly felt a spark of anticipation.
"By chance, familiar with other instruments? Violin's the only new one?"
"No, violin's the first instrument I've ever touched."
"...Then are you a Player? Got some performance-related skill lately?"
"Regrettably, I'm not keen on Constellations or whatever. Never been a Player, no plans to."
It was instant.
The anticipation on Julia's face melted like snow in spring sun.
Familiarity with playing itself? Understandable—skilled instrumentalists adapted quickly to others.
Skills? Fine too—Players transcended age and aptitude with prowess.
"But what backs that overflowing confidence?"
"What? My body, honed my whole life."
"Honed? Sports? But athletic bodies differ from performance ones."
"You'll see."
"...Yeah, we will."
Julia gave up convincing Ri.
Not solely because no logic would sway him.
She was curious about that confidence's root—and how far this brazen youth could go.
"Fine. If you're that insistent, Ri, I'll teach you as desired."
"Owe you thanks?"
"No need. Just be diligent and practice while under me. Slack or quit midway, and I'll be deeply disappointed."
"Hm... Understood. Promise. Not doing this for kicks anyway."
"Reassuring words."
Julia smiled faintly.
Attitude still royally cocky, but it rang true—not empty talk.
And unless an immature heir bragging about top-tier lessons with cash.
Any student earnestly intending violin was reason enough for her full commitment.
"Violin... no, performing itself is first, right?"
"Pretty much. Treat me like a kid you're teaching. Easier that way."
"You know sheet music at least?"
"Sheet music? That paper scribbled with frolicking tadpoles?"
"...OK, understood. Basics from scratch it is."
Gauging via chit-chat what to teach, Julia looked troubled.
Knew he was green, but worse than imagined.
Didn't know basic scales. Beyond novice—like zero school music basics.
Yet Ri felt no shame.
As if music or culture were luxuries his childhood lacked, he asked calmly.
"Ah, teacher."
"Just Julia. Not here as professor."
Unfair to hardworking conservatory admits, no?
Ri snickered at her playful jab.
"Got it, Julia. Before diving in, mind a personal curiosity?"
"Three sizes? Classified."
"Treating me like a lecherous geezer? To your near-husband, no less. Lesson-related."
"Then fire away."
Julia nodded readily.
Curiosity-driven herself, she favored open lessons—ask anything anytime.
"This violin playing. Help with indigestion?"
"...Pardon?"
"Just play, body improves magically? Or heard tales?"
"Well, good playing boosts condition, sure, but..."
"Concretely. Cure cancer overnight? Aid mana or psionic training?"
"Not following?"
"Really? Then, playing, feel watched from behind?"
"..."
Julia's face went bizarre at Ri's dead-serious weirdness.
Hesitating, she finally blurted, half-suspicious.
"Ri, you do drugs?"
Call it a blessing.
Julia's misunderstanding cleared fast.
Ri raged at the junkie label, insisting pure curiosity on performance aiding health.
Afterward, he endured cultist stares, though.
Anyway, post-twists, Julia left to draft curriculum.
The black-haired youth frowned, turning back.
"Fun? Having a laugh?"
[Ahahaha! Druggie, they called you druggie! Team leader a druggie!]
"...You'll croak laughing."
A blue-feathered fledgling with a tiny ring on slim ankle, tumbling giggling atop the piano in the practice room corner.
Yuna Kyung parted beak, chuckling.
[Why ask that?]
"Famous violinist—figured she'd know something."
[Expect miracles? Know that, she'd be witch or priest, not violinist.]
Not spoken words.
Telepathic thoughts rippling minds, not air—the youth tsked at Yuna Kyung's barbs.
"Tch, wasted getting that telepathy item."
[Hehehe. Regret too late? Item-got me's winged bird! Tease team leader freely now!]
"Snatch that item now?"
[Eek! Take back gifts!?]
"Didn't know? Giver holds reclaim right."
Terrified of losing it.
Yuna Kyung hid ringed ankle quick, huddling fluffball-like, protesting fiercely.
[Nonsense. Item's my flesh now? Fused inseparable!]
"Then yank with leg attached."
[Team leader devil?!?!]
"Nah, demon-fleeing human."
[Tch, cheap fact-smack! Fair fight: rile and fib!]
"...Pure facts, no rile or fib, yet 'cheap'? What drug births that logic?"
Brief spat with Yuna Kyung over.
The youth glanced at Julia's exit door, muttering.
"Well, this teacher's a keeper. Lasted day one, no fleeing."
[Your fault.]
"Me? Played when told—quitters' issue."
[Normal playing...?]
Yuna Kyung muttered self-mumble, weird expression indescribable, eyes flicking aside.
To practice room depths.
There, long box stored seal-like, solemn.
Staring wordless, beak parted abrupt.
[Anyway, team leader, this really training?]
"Think I'd chase hobbies at my age?"
[Story's wild.]
"Fact's fact."
Black-haired youth swept hair back.
No—cocky noble face swapped for sharp gaze, icy visage: white-haired man returned.
Rimon Asfelder extended hand, resting atop the cursed heart-black violin's box, voice low.
"Violin special, or my state unique—either way. It clearly aids Constellation power control.">