Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Bursting with Popularity
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The melody I played wasn't anything particularly special or grand.
It was just a simple tune from my very early childhood—one that now evoked only the faintest nostalgia—that had suddenly come to mind, so I gave it a try on the spot.
At first, the unfamiliar style of the flute threw me off a bit, but after fiddling with it a few times and getting a feel, it began to sing beautifully at my command.
-𝅘𝅥~𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅮~𝅘𝅥𝅮𝆕~
When most people think of a flute's sound, they imagine something shrill and piercing, like "peep-peep," the cry of a bird.
A sound like a bird chirping. That's only natural for the instrument.
But this obsidian flute's tone was on a completely different level from that ordinary shrillness.
When I played waves crashing on the shore, it felt like cool ocean waves crashing in my ears.
When I imagined a vast, lush forest brimming with towering, vibrant trees, I could almost smell the crisp forest air.
It was truly wondrous, transforming everything I pictured into sound.
Of course, that made it tricky to handle at times.
If my focus slipped even a little or I missed a beat, this finicky flute would pounce on my weakness like a ghost. If I had to compare it, it was like a haughty noble young lady—temperamental and aloof.
But I had over a hundred years of life under my belt, half spent on battlefields and the other half wandering the vast wilderness of the martial world, several times the size of all Greece combined. I had more than enough memories to whisper to this flute.
Plus, I had that old romantic notion like Kim Satgat from the tales—whenever I slipped out of the sect for a wander, I'd grab a bamboo hat, a staff, tuck a flute in my robes, and roam for years, begging meals or performing as a wandering musician.
When it came to the flute I'd practiced to the brink of death or lived with for nearly a lifetime, I was already at a master's level.
It was like... yeah, that thrilling dance I'd shared with Atalanta last time. I was locked in a razor-edge duel with the obsidian flute, walking the line between mastery and disaster.
-𝆕...
"Hoo..."
They say all things, good or bad, must come to an end.
The performance, breathtakingly beautiful yet utterly draining on my spirit, finally wrapped up. I glanced at the sweat beading on my forehead and was startled.
How intensely focused I'd been, how much energy I'd poured in—for something as simple as playing a flute, no less.
But considering it matched my every thought, turning imagination into melody with this enchanting little darling, it made sense. No, it had to be that way. I accepted it and moved on.
Having reached that conclusion on my own, I lifted my head slightly. Even after the music ended, the classroom remained deathly silent, like everyone had frozen.
"...What?"
Everyone's mouths hung open in disbelief as they stared at me.
Among them were Jason, eyes wide as saucers like they might pop out, and Heracles, his face frozen in stunned awe.
And when I glanced to my right...
"Waaah...!"
Atalanta, hands clasped over her mouth, eyes glistening with emotion as she gazed at me.
"Hmm~ Must be because I switched flutes? Today's performance was even sweeter. Gotta brag to my sisters later~"
Neri nodded leisurely, clapping her hands.
-Clap, clap, clap.
In the hush following the performance's shock, applause suddenly rang out from center stage up front.
"Magnificent. Utterly magnificent. A beautiful melody, and beneath it, the fierce yet tender duel between musician and instrument! The second performer in this forest to awaken their instrument as an extension of their own body—just as I've always preached!"
Everyone, applaud!
Starting with Marsyas's fervent cheers, the music classroom erupted into thunderous applause and cheers for me, awakening like from a deep sleep.
* * *
After class ended.
"Dianes, right? Where'd you learn the flute?"
"How'd you pull off a performance that moved Master Marsyas?"
"Can you play other instruments too?"
"They say the Orion gang fled the forest in terror because of you?"
"Uh, um... any room in your group?"
...Is this what being popular feels like?
During the break after music class, as I tried to head to the next classroom, I was suddenly surrounded by a chorus of boys and girls, leaving me dumbfounded.
Some questions were so odd I couldn't even tell what they meant.
But in this forest where everyone's looks could qualify them as aspiring idols, to draw this much attention...
In my past life, plenty followed me too.
But as the blood on my hands thickened, those who looked at me with trust and affection dwindled.
Once my masters' curses came true and I shed all burdens, everyone revered me from afar with fear and awe.
No one approached with such innocent, sparkling eyes anymore.
"Pfft..."
"Ahem..."
But I couldn't fully savor these sentiments right now—not with those two women glaring daggers at me from behind the crowd.
"We'll chat later. Gotta hurry to the next class now."
I was dispersing the herd of young heroes with what I called my benevolent smile when suddenly five presences pushed through the throng toward me.
"Aw~ Class already? You're more of a stickler than I thought."
"Tell me about it, Ereineia. But that performance was gorgeous."
"Looks tasty too, doesn't he?"
"Great body, pretty face. Honestly, I prefer this over some gigolo or beefcake."
"Oh my, Pesileny. No filter on you."
Parting the crowd came five stunning beauties.
Stunning beauties—sounds like I'm obsessed, but anyone would glance their way, thinking idol group or models.
The five girls with those unbelievable rainbow hair colors I'd glimpsed briefly yesterday.
They strutted like they lived for the attention, basking in the crowd's envious stares as they circled me, appraising me like merchandise.
"Whoa...! Check out those muscles. How young did you start, and how brutal was the training?"
"Hmm... Face is a pass—nay, above that."
"Got your flute? Play again."
"Chasing off the Orion crew and holding your own one-on-one with Heracles? Not just rumors, huh?"
"Slurp..."
At first, I was impressed by their beauty and shocking hair, but as they barged in and judged me so brazenly, my temper flared.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Oh?"
My growl soured the mood, and the hot-pink-haired leader widened her eyes in surprise.
"You don't know us?"
"Ah~ Ereineia, he's a newbie from three days ago. Might not know our names."
"Right, from some unheard-of island called Pasos or whatever."
"Those creepy crescent-moon hunters were your doing too?"
"Oh? The ugly ones carted off with cramps earlier? Served 'em right. Cute move for a freshman."
Forget idols or models.
They might speak a tad politely, but those cocky eyes and blatant condescension screamed they were the forest's resident mean-girl clique, lording it over everyone with their looks and backing.
"Hoo..."
Hm... Gods leave, and suddenly two packs of hot-headed brats pull aggro on me one after the other? Backlash from drawing too much heat early on?
Round 1: Delinquent high-school girls. Round 2: Mean-girl gang?
"Sigh... Young masters, is this your will?"
I see.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Before tackling the divine versions, turn these knockoffs into proper humans first—that's the grand lesson?
-Crack.
My Confucian soul ignited, granting me strength and purpose.
As I pondered how to teach this mean-girl gang the cost of pushing me twice today, cracking my knuckles...
"You girls still causing trouble?"
Suddenly, Atalanta grabbed my shoulder, her sunny red hair whipping as she stepped in front of me, facing off against the five.
"Oh... Atalanta?"
"What? You hate men so much, yet you're fussing over these uggos?"
"Why the beef? One little belly punch, and it's all ruined anyway?"
-Cackle, cackle!
The gang openly mocked Atalanta for shielding me.
Atalanta ground her teeth, sighed deeply, then launched her counterattack.
"What? You beggars who couldn't even get your own parents to vouch so you had to grovel your way in?"
...Turns out it wasn't a counter—it was a nuke. Nice one, Atalanta.