Three days before the start of the Exam…
On that day, all students were required to leave the Academy to ensure a secure environment, eliminating any opportunities for cheating. Even the wayward Robert Moore had to return home for three days before the exam in which Vivian wholeheartedly ignored him and he did the same until it was evening.
On this specific evening, the Academy will commence the distribution of Exam Notices to all students at their places of residence. These notices serve as a final notification regarding the exam schedule and each student's unique seat number. This unique numbering system plays a crucial role in preventing external parties from tampering with the exam results, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the evaluation process.
The entire family gathered in the drawing room. The Lord and his wife were drinking their tea, the third child, Robert, was examining the sword he would use in the Martial Arts exam, while the second child, Vivian, was picking up a new hobby… or rather an old one.
In the reception hall, stood a piano, seemingly ancient yet exuding an impeccable tune and meticulously maintained. Vivian was drawn to it, taking a seat in front of the instrument and directing her gaze to the music sheet placed neatly at its center.
This caught the eyes of Lord Julian and a perplexed look appeared on his face.
"I thought you hated the piano." He said half mumbling and half blurting out.
"Hm?" Vivian heard him and couldn't pinpoint any memory from the previous Vivian where she particularly hated it and she replied, "I don't think I did."
Her reply was more of a shock to everyone now since they all recall perfectly that Vivian insisted on never taking any lessons in music. This piano, in particular, was something that was the central reason for this whole thing.
It's her mother's.
The previous lady of the house was a famous pianist to the point where it caused the young Count Julian to fall head over heels for her.
The current lady of the house, Saskia, once tried to get rid of that piano and the memory of that day when the lord found out still makes her shiver in fear. If there is a taboo in this house, it is that damn piano.
Only the Lord and Old Theo were the ones allowed to touch and maintain it. Now that Vivian was approaching that thing, and as the daughter of the previous lady, Saskia could hear the beating heart of the Count almost jumping off his chest despite his masterful poker face.
"You learned how to play?" Lord Julian stood off his seat and walked behind Vivian, "This note may be too advanced for you."
"Yes. While I can practice, I prefer using the things I know." Vivian said as she put the sheet away.
The Lord smiled warmly despite his callous self, which is a rare sight. He felt an internal pride swelling from deep within as he put his hand on her back.
"Why don't you give it a try?" He said.
"Yes, Dad." Vivian replied as she felt the warmth of his hand on her and a strange feeling possessed her.
The previous Vivian was clinging on to her father and craving his attention. She may have a trauma from the piano since her precious few memories of her mother are closely related to it but the one who showed this interest in the piano was actually Nadia.
After all, she is a pianist too, and not just any pianist, she is totally obsessed with the piano.
Each Medjay Agent had a few quirks of their own which their mentors would encourage to develop. Nadia loved the Piano despite starting to learn it at the age of 19 and she went as far as anyone could dedicate themselves to a hobby by hours to years of training and perfecting.
However, once her fingers touched the piano and her right foot stepped on the stamper pedal, she realized that there was a strange stiffness running through her. The same stiffness she felt during her first fight.
It means that Vivian never practiced the Piano before… at all.
"Alright, let's do it the easy way. Talk to me."
She thought to herself and her fingers ran across the keyboard. As she pressed five keys in good succession, the sound started to echo in a heavenly tone that satisfied her and gave her a rough estimate of what this piano can do.
She then cracked her fingers, positioned them right, and started Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 1st Movement.
It was calm, easy, and natural. The feeling of its flow was artistic and friendly for those who would hear it first and to Vivian's untrained fingers.
In an attempt to overcome the stiffness of her work, she diligently applied derivative notes to the original. This practice not only perfected her piece but also infused it with a wealth of emotions. It began with subtle pulses of emotion, gradually evolving into loud expressions and extended ideas until it reached its satisfying conclusion.
« Dormant Record "Pianist" was added to your status. »
« New Trait: Novice Pianist? »
The performance then was switched when Vivian jumped to the 2nd movement which was just as simple as that of the first but with strong feelings of joy and wonder.
A great deal of stiffness was lifted from Vivian's fingers and she started to radiate with confidence as she readied herself for the big one. Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement.
The start was clumsy and she couldn't keep up with the note she memorized in her soul and slowly started to catch up to her thoughts.
« Trait Level Up: Novice Pianist? → Apprentice Pianist? »
This particular piece was fast, joyful, moody, and beautiful. Nadia loved it so much and it was one of her favorites from Beethoven. She started raising the speed with a very focused attitude and forgot her surroundings for a second there just to give all her focus to the piano.
« Trait Level Up: Apprentice Pianist? → Adept Pianist? »
And she kept getting better with the piece. The 3rd Movement of Moonlight Sonata was hard to keep up with and she messed up a few of the last few fast parts but she was soon to recover and finished the piece with style.
« Trait Level Up: Adept Pianist? → Expert Pianist »
« "Pianist" Record is no longer dormant! »
"Phew!"
Stolen novel; please report.
It was refreshing how it ended. Somehow, she managed to revive Nadia's piano ability in Vivian to full and it only took her around 20 minutes.
She then turned around and suddenly realized what she had just done.
Many pairs of eyes were looking at her with conflicted emotions yet they all shared this utter amazement. This was the Lord, the Lady, the third child, and a score of the servants.
Everyone here, except for her half-brother, had something to say to Vivian in a scene that would be like an outburst of emotions. However, the Lord was here and everyone couldn't step ahead of line.
Seeing Lord Julian's face, which only she could see from this angle, an unfathomable sadness wasn't ever this deep in his eyes.
In his head ran a memory, but it was actually running in his heart.
A beautiful garden, a piano, a violin, a girl, and a boy.
"You played very nicely, when can I hear you play again?"
"You played nicely as well, what makes you think I want to hear you play again?"
"Fine, you won all the bets at the music performance this year so it is only right to officially challenge you then."
"My lord, you're welcome anytime."
From that garden, the two grew ever closer and when spring passed, they played in summer, autumn, and winter back to spring again. They ran and played across the city, across the countryside, in the palace, on the roadside, and they became infamous in every musical gala.
But during one autumn season, the notes couldn't be played right anymore. Her piano was left abandoned as the world chose not to leave any traces of her behind.
The Lord simply walked to the window and let out a breath from deep within before turning around to his daughter with a bright face.
Clap Clap Clap
As he clapped for her, all those who witnessed her performance followed forth. This included the Knights staying on standby, the maids waiting behind the tables, the servants waiting at the corners, and finally the somewhat hesitant lady and the clearly dejected third child.
Vivian smiled shyly, even though she had performed a few times publicly as Nadia in the past. Still, she now is in trouble for sure with her playing the piano with no prior proof of training. Trouble she is happy to deal with anyway since she at least got the chance to play.
"When did you begin to learn?" The Lord asked as soon as the clapping died down.
"I had some free time back in the Academy." She replied.
Of course Vivian had some free time back in the Academy, everyone had free time back in the Academy. However, Vivian wasn't the one practicing in the auditorium, it was the Heroine, who liked to sing, dance, and play.
"I…" The Lord wanted to say something but he was overwhelmed with warmth from inside.
That was until his eyes met with his butler, Old Theo.
Different from everyone else, Old Theo seemed to neither have clapped nor reacted much. The look in his eyes was hidden by the wrinkles of his age to not show what he was thinking.
It was then that the warmth in the Lord's heart was replaced with something cold. He and Butler Theo were there that day on the road amidst the piles of fallen leaves and blood.
Where is she? He shouted at Theo, he shouted at the land as he tore through it with his fingers, he shouted at the twin bodyguards who lowered their heads, he shouted at the heaven when the autumn turned to winter, he shouted at the earth when leaves dissolved into snow.
He could only hold his son's hand in one hand and carry his daughter in another. One miserable man with his young children against the entire world.
The Lord collected his emotions, cleared his voice, and his eyes returned to their usual coldness. The same coldness that of metal clad by soldiers in battle.
He patted Vivian's back one last time and seemed to be returning to his seat for the long wait to be resolved.
A lot of feelings needed to be settled, the demons in a man's head are for him and him alone, either he devours them or be devoured by them, and back to the battle he went.
As for the rest, the reason why they are gathered here in the first place is because they are expecting a visit at any minute now and both Robert and Vivian had to be ready.
It was then that a few figures started walking into the room, among them was Knight Logan, Vivian's escort, who had been given the cold shoulder since the incident a few days ago.
The other people were of course knights of the house escorting two knight errants from the Academy.
"To young lord Robert Moore." The First said.
"To young lady Vivian Moore." The Second said.
"Present." Robert stood up.
"Present." Vivian turned away from the Piano and stood up.
Each knight headed towards one of the children.
"You have been served."
"You have been served."
The two knights handed an envelope to each Moore child before turning and leaving. This was an official ceremony of handing over the exam invitations that were to be considered equal to a Royal Summon.
Robert broke his letter's seal and opened it. He read its content and everything seemed to be in order.
"Father." He respectfully handed the letter to Lord Jillian who nodded with satisfaction.
As it was Vivian's turn, all eyes turned towards her as she broke the seal and opened the letter.
Vivian took out the paper inside, which was one made of quality paper that had a very strong texture, and she began to skim through it.
But after she was done skimming, she had a weird look in her eyes and started reading the entire letter from the start without missing a detail.
After that second attempt, there was a third one, and there when everyone started whispering.
"This has to be a mistake." She said and her words made those around her quieten down.
"Vivian, what's wrong?" Lord Julian, who wasn't back to his seat yet, moved a few steps towards her and took her letter. Vivian collapsed on the Piano's seat with a pale face.
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By the order and grace of His Royal Majesty, King August III of Elgard, may his reign be long and prosperous.
Subject Vivian Keone Moore is hereby directed to present herself at the First Royal Academy for the final examination of the Third Year, to be held from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the upcoming third, fourth, and fifth days of March, in the year XXXX. We extend our sincere wishes for your success and eagerly anticipate your contributions to our esteemed nation.
Given on behalf of His Royal Highness by the Provost of the First Royal Academy, Count Albert Morgan.
The following are the student's information that are required to attend the exam.
— Student Name: Moore, Vivian Keone
— Seat Number: 08-4566
— Registered Major: Diplomatic Affairs
— Listed Additional Courses:-
* History of Great Elgard
* Modern Literature & Linguistics
* Religion: Dawn of the Saints
* Trade & Economy
* Basics of Domain Management
* Geography & Navigation
* Nature & Environment
* Advanced Mathematics
* Technology & Engineering
* Anatomy & Medicine
— Performance Applications: The Musical Performance, 7th Role.
May you shine as the bright stars that lead the future of Great Elgard.
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It was a complete shocker to Vivian and almost everyone who saw what was in the letter.
Not only were the Additional Courses she applied for doubled, but she was even pushed into the Musical Performance of the spring festival which will be attended by the nation's lords and the foreign envoys.
The Count's face grew darker as he looked into that list and couldn't believe what he saw.
As for Vivian, she raised her face to look at her father but along with that, she could see Robert's face that carried a grin that couldn't be more clear.
It was them.
They wanted to embarrass her and sabotage her finals.
Those gang of bastards have really gone and done it now.