*Note:

Van Thac's two friends are Luyen and Thuyen. In Vietnamese, 'Luyen Thuyen' means 'prating' (speaking nonsense and talkative)

Văn Thac's English name is similar to "master of knowledge"

Ngoc Lam's English name is Saphire

Thac's teacher is called Lâm (written Lam in English documents), but his name means 'Woods'. That's why I use his English name even though he is a Vietnamese

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Near the Conservatory, groups of students are walking quickly in a nearby park. Most of them are wearing white shirts and black trousers. Since it is noon, some students are heading home after finishing their session, while others are choosing to gather together to chit-chat. A few groups are preparing their music assignments, and some others are taking a nap in wooden huts under the yellowing foliage of autumn.

Away from the noise of heavy traffic, mixing with the tranquillity is the sound of chirping birds in the distant treetops, or some kinds of classical music, harmonies, violins, or the sound of flutes reminding of a certain traditional melody.

Van Thac carries a box of trumpets and a cup of noodles from the convenience store to a small hut where two boys sit sipping cups of newly bought instant noodles. They have put some fruit and milk on the ground. After exchanging a few greetings, everyone settles down to finish their lunch.

"I'm so sleepy today," says Luyen, the boy with crew-cut hair, suddenly. All three boys are cleaning up in the hut after their meals.

"Aren't we all sleepy after lunches?" Thuyen, one with a layered haircut, replies immediately

"Do you want to sleep or practice now?" Van Thac is always the one who gives solutions.

"What if we get stolen when we are sleeping?" Luyen replies, " I'd rather be in school napping!"

"I don't want to sleep, either, "Thuyen continues, laying down on his backpack, "but I choose to lie down for a while."

The three find their jackets and backpacks to lean on. On a leisurely Wednesday, with no worries about exams, Van Thac has time to run to the Conservatory to practice with his two friends.

Luyen and Thuyen are from families with deep backgrounds in classical music, and both have demonstrated their innate musical talent at a young age. Last year, they were accepted into local orchestras and have toured across Asia. With this momentum, both have the potential to receive scholarships and work for some world's prestigious orchestras.

Thac is an ordinary student who was discovered and introduced to teachers of the Conservatory by accident. Despite playing the trumpet since elementary school, his teacher believes he is not yet qualified enough to enter the Conservatory and suggests he work harder. It sets him apart from his two friends.

“The orchestra will perform next week, Thac, come?” Luyen, with his hand on his forehead, suddenly speaks.

“Next Friday night.” Thuyen chimes in

"Will you guys perform?" Thac asks if his friends will be playing in the orchestra that day.

"Yes!" Luyen and Thuyen answer together.

"I need to ask my parents in advance," Thac says.

"It's time to practice." Luyen sits up

The three of them sit up in turn, check the instrument, and then open the books of music sheets to run through the most recently practised song.

As the music plays on, witness the changes in the expression of Luyen and Thuyen. Initially, they appear to enjoy the melody; gradually, it's "something goes wrong" with slightly furrowed eyebrows, and then the faces seem to stick the two words "restraint" on. Eventually, blue veins appeared under the skin. It shows that endurance has reached its limit. Meanwhile, Van Thac was still passionately playing the trumpet without knowing anything.

A hopeless scream echoes through the treetops and starts the bird to flee in a frenzy.

Van Thac scratches his ear, looking at his two friends collapsing on the ground.

"Something wrong... again"- Asks Thac. It seems not the first time he's driven his friends crazy.

"It's not wrong..." Luyen replies

“The notes are all correct…” Thuyen continues

"But..." Luyen says again

"You don't know how to coordinate with others." Thuyen finishes the sentence.

Thac lowers his head lower. He doesn't know what to do with himself. Despite the hard work that he's put in over the past few years, Thac has only been able to play somewhat consistently. His strong lungs allow him to play for extended periods without running out of breath, according to the teacher.

But as two friends complained, that was not enough. Every time he plays in a group, Thac always makes others unable to coordinate. Either his "enthusiastic" blowing overwhelms the others, or his technique is too simplistic and makes him fall behind.

“I… tried another approach but…” Thac hesitates. “I couldn't do it.”

Thac sighs dejectedly. Perhaps he is not suitable to pursue this path.

"Have you presented it to the teacher, then?" Luyen askes.

"Already," Thac replies.

"What did he say?" Thuyen follows up.

"He told me that I'm not skilled enough," Thac says.

The two friends exchange looks, then quickly turn to Van Thac with a bright light bulb on their heads, representing some greatly cosmic discovery. The teacher they introduced Van Thac to was an exceptionally talented person. He was even the guest of honour for plenty of major orchestras. Despite this, he chose to return to work for the country. Moreover, he was a very profound person. If it's "not skilled enough", then...

"Why don't you present it to us?" The two friends spring on Thac, requesting unanimously.

"But..." Thac hovers, thinking of the problems he has with the new technique.

"Stop that hassle!" Luyen chides

"We ask you to play once more, not for your whole life!" Thuyen continues.

At the urging of two friends, Van Thac recalls the melody that Ngoc Lam had played. Although the technique is wonderful, Thac makes it sound cheesy and shrill, causing him to lose his breath at every slight part.

Luyen, Thac's friend who plays the clarinet, thoughtfully frowned. Unlike earlier, he patiently waits until the last note, places his chin in his hand, and contemplates for a while.

“Who… did you learn this technique from?” -Luyen asks Thac.

"Are there any problems?" Thac bewildered

“There certainly is a problem!” Thuyen affirms

“I have listened to thousands of different orchestras” - Luyen adds

“But only heard that technique from five” Thuyen squeezes the violin in his hand

"That's..." Luyen's face is getting more and more serious.

“The World's Top Five Orchestras!” Thuyen asserts.

Luyen's closing sentence surprises Thac "Even the teacher is only close to achieving it". It caused Thac to realize that the one who can do it is the master of masters.

“But…” The more confused Thac said, “I learned from a classmate.”

“WHAAAAAT?!!!”

The treetops shake once more, indicating that significant changes are to come.