Chapter 8: Harpist Academy (17)
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Outside the teaching building, the big screen displayed Black’s expressions, which were all over the place in comedic fashion.
“Wow! Edith is challenging the Masked Woman again and is demanding that outsiders not be allowed to play as substitutes?
Haha, could it be that Edith doesn’t want to compete with Trissa because she shined a bit too brightly before?”
Betty chimed in, “From what I see, Trissa has clearly gotten chummy with that Lin classmate. Plus, the harp technique Trissa just displayed probably has Lin’s influence written all over it.
But since Trissa isn’t even using a Four-stringed harp, we can assume that Lin must not be very skilled at playing instruments.
That explains the approach—focusing purely on effect rather than true artistry.
And the fact that Edith wants to duel a foreigner in music might mean she’s found the Achilles’ heel of the exotics.
After all, a Harpist’s fundamental skill is to play each piece beautifully. Without solid fundamentals, it’s like a house of cards that could tumble down, making it impossible to handle even the basic Four-stringed harp.
So, even if it’s not Edith stepping up, other students are just as likely to have significant skill. It just depends on whether Lin will accept the challenge.”
Of course, Lin Nan knew what a bunch of folks, led by Vice Dean Sani, wanted to do.
Harpists are primarily musicians first and combat specialists second.
Edith keenly noticed that Trissa left her clumsy mark on her technique—simple, brutish, but definitely not elegant.
Such performances hardly meet the Empire’s standards or definitions for a Harpist.
In people’s imaginations, it often goes something like this:
After a fierce battle, in a resting camp, a noble and elegant Harpist strums a piece to soothe wounded soldiers with soothing music and graceful demeanor.
By the flickering campfire, the Harpist seems like an angel descending, each note a painkiller to make them forget their injuries.
Hence, the art of harp playing is not just trusted by the academy but by the entire Empire.
If that foreign woman’s skills were massively lacking compared to Edith’s, even if her words were sharp as a tack, who would listen to the ramblings of someone who can’t even play the harp?
Society is cruel and practical like that.
As expected, when Lin learned that Edith was challenging her to a musical duel, there was a moment of hesitation on her face.
Good sign!
Though it was only a moment, Lin seemed to be agreeing to the challenge shortly after.
However, everyone saw it as her way of reluctantly riding the tiger, leaving her no choice.
“Betty, based on your expert level, how do you think the chances play out between the two?” Black asked.
“Setting aside how that foreign woman learned some harp skills, just the fact she hasn’t attended any specialized academy makes it likely she’s self-taught.
I’m not saying self-learning is bad.
But comparing it to a Harpist Academy equipped with strong teaching resources, those who stay in the academy are the cream of the crop—exceptionally bright, not to mention they have expert guidance. While there may be gaps in executing skills and effects, nearly every student’s harp artistry can be considered a piece of art.
Worth listening to time and time again, and worth feeling deeply.”
“Exactly! Whenever Betty plays the harp, I, as a singer, feel a surge of mission from the depths of my soul. It’s like, with such enchanting background music, if I don’t sing well, I might just be hit by lightning!”
Through the explanations of the two hosts, even the citizens who weren’t too familiar with the harp artistry understood that it is the foundation of what it means to be a Harpist.
And that foreign woman? She’s likely trying some flashy gimmick just to grab attention.
Once she steps on the real stage, her true self will undoubtedly be exposed!
“If you lose, you’ll drop to your knees immediately, admitting that everything you just said was nothing but malicious slander.”
When Edith saw Konglif emotionally confronting Lin Nan for Trissa’s sake, she was boiling with anger at being ignored for her own grievances caused by the switch mishap.
It was her! Because of that foreigner’s existence, her plans were in ruins!
Otherwise, she’d have already severed Konglif’s lingering feelings by scoring an “SS” level evaluation and totally defeating Trissa.
But unexpectedly, that foreign lady meddled right when it counted.
Not only did it make her lose face, but it also reignited Konglif’s old feelings for Trissa.
Logically and emotionally, she had to make that blasted foreigner lose face, ensuring she wouldn’t dare set foot on the Empire’s land again.
“So, do you dare to accept it?”
Edith pressed.
Lin Nan smiled, “Of course! But as a counter-condition, what if I win?”
Haha, that’s utterly impossible.
In terms of harp skills, even Trissa wouldn’t be a match for her; Edith was extremely confident.
“You can make demands, but in the end, it’ll be up to Lord Sani to decide.”
Lin Nan looked at the slightly rotund Vice Dean and said blandly, “My request is straightforward. If I win, the Harpist Academy must add a regulation: graduates must serve the Empire for at least three years before they’re allowed to marry or leave active duty.
Otherwise, with the harpists consuming such national resources, how can the academy justify the taxes and expectations of the people?”
Everyone had thought she’d propose something beneficial for herself, like seeking a high-level harpist evaluation or gold and silver rewards—anything tied to personal gain.
But no one expected Lin Nan’s winning condition to be so shocking.
It felt as if she and Edith had swapped identities; she was standing on the Empire’s side, considering only what was best for the country—acting like a loyal imperial noble!
“Uh…”
Sani was momentarily speechless.
If it were any other request, she could have agreed without hesitation under her Vice Dean authority.
But this involves the academy’s major policy, even touching on communications with the Empire’s military. Worse yet, a lot of nobles were already very eager about graduation, waiting for rankings to get hitched!
If they suddenly changed the policy, it would undoubtedly offend a massive batch of nobles.
While the Harpist Academy is rooted deep in the Imperial Capital, it still relies on the nobles’ support; wouldn’t this isolate the academy?
“I can’t agree to your terms.”
Lin Nan scoffed, “Then I’m sorry, but I have no need to compete with Edith. It’s meaningless to me.”
“Ha, I get it. You deliberately proposed such terms to avoid a fair duel with me, right?”
Edith shot a glance at Trissa, “See? Your mentor is such a coward.”
“A frog in a well has no idea how vast the world truly is,” Trissa retorted.
The scene erupted into chatter; most people believed Edith had a point. That foreign woman clearly wanted to dodge the duel, crafting an impressive excuse to do so.
