Chapter 9: The Harpist (2)
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Since a Harpist is a profession, there are bound to be differences in skill levels within the craft. The most direct way to judge a Harpist’s talent is by the dazzling quality of the harp they can manifest with their mental energy.
The beginners, just taking their first wobbly steps into the realm of harpistry, summon harps that look as if they were cobbled together by toddlers in art class.
Through countless hours of study and a rigorous culling process, as their skills improve, the harps they conjure begin to transform. As their tutor puts it, a Harpist’s magical prowess comes not only from how adeptly they can use their skills but also from all aspects related to the harp.
The more ornate and high-end the harp, the purer the energy it can unleash. It’s like a blade you’ve honed with your mental energy—thinner and sharper, it poses an even greater threat to your enemies.
Trissa, a leading talent among the younger generation of Harpists, had been hailed by her mentor as a once-in-a-century genius. Her harp could only be slightly outshone by a handful of instructors; everyone else was no match for her.
Every detail, from the harp’s shape to the intricate carvings on its body, was a crystallization of her devotion to her craft.
The reason she performed in the tavern was twofold: to soak up the nightlife favored by the demon kin and to be prepared in case enemies posed a threat to the demon race. With a Harpist in the house, everyone was assured safety.
Just then, a woman clad in luxurious garments—the Demoness—unexpectedly strutted onto the stage, claiming she wanted to give Trissa’s harp a trial run.
This left Trissa utterly flabbergasted, caught between hilarity and absurdity.
The Demoness clearly had no clue about the legacy of Harpists; she seemed to think that Trissa’s precious creation could simply be touched by anyone. That was as likely as someone handing you the keys to their mansion!
Every Harpist treasures their harp like a jewel; how could they allow just any random person to tarnish it?
Moreover, the Demoness carried an air of arrogance that implied she could handle it just fine, which irked Trissa, who had been playing the harp since she could remember.
So, Morris prepared to have her dragged off and given a good beating, which somehow pleasantly satisfied Trissa. Her opinion of Morris mysteriously improved a notch.
At that moment, Adeline glanced over at Xi, who was pretending to sleep on the bar, and sighed, “It’s a shame he’s a man. No wonder that Demoness is probably just some fling for him. Why would he help her when she’s brought this mess upon herself?”
Truly, before hitting the sheets, he lavished her with flattery, only to dispose of her like yesterday’s trash afterward.
A woman’s worth can flip from positive to negative in an instant.
If only I had realized this sooner, I wouldn’t have ended up in this predicament,” Adeline lamented, taking a hearty swig of ale that tasted as bitter as her thoughts.
She didn’t even care about the Demoness’s fate anymore.
But at this juncture, the rowdy tavern fell suddenly silent. Adeline wiped some foam from her lips, glancing skeptically at the stage.
In the next moment, her eyes widened to saucers, and she dropped her drink, which shattered with a dramatic “clang!”
But no one turned to look back; nearly everyone was stunned into silence by the sight of a magnificent harp that had just appeared on stage.
It gleamed with the brilliance of the bluest ocean and sky, with strings made of pure gold. Just standing there, the harp radiated a gentle light, overshadowing all the tavern’s flickering flames, like a colossal luminous pearl bathing the entire establishment in a glow that was bright yet gentle on the eyes.
Indeed, the mere appearance of the harp was nothing short of mind-blowing.
Trissa stepped back a few paces in shock before forcing herself upright.
“This… this can’t be! You’re not even part of the demon race; how can you master the harp?”
Lin Nan, with a poker face, casually stroked the newly materialized harp’s body, showing no desire to engage in her drama.
Trissa felt insulted, her first encounter with such provocation from someone outside the demon race since starting her harp journey.
Morris immediately sensed an opportunity to win points with Trissa.
He had always considered the demon kin to be a superior race, and the demon nobles as the crème de la crème of humanity.
The Harpist’s profession was undoubtedly exclusive to the demon race; this Demoness likely summoned her harp as a sleight of hand.
To uncover the truth, all he needed was a little test.
He signaled to two burly subordinates, “Catch her! There’s no way that lowly creature could be a Harpist!”
The two hulking men dashed forward, determined as if they were hunting down a particularly fragile marshmallow.
In their minds, the gangly Demoness’s scrawny arms and legs meant she would be an easy catch even without jingling handcuffs.
But just as their hands were about to grasp Lin Nan, the sound of enchanting harp music filled the air.
“Ding ding dong…”
It rippled like a gentle breeze through wind chimes, both effortless and rhythmically beautiful.
“Ah! Why can’t we move?” the two men shrieked in terror.
They froze like statues in mid-action, able to talk but unable to budge a single muscle.
Trissa’s eyes widened at this spectacle.
“You… you can perform the immobilization technique of a Harpist!”
With delicate fingers, Lin Nan plucked a string, casually responding, “You think only the demon kin have the talent to manipulate a harp? It’s really just been dominated by the demon nobles for the past few thousand years.”
Trissa swept her sleeve to contain her shock, refreshing her frosty demeanor.
“Though I don’t know where you learned this trick, I’m confident that you couldn’t possibly stand up to us demon race Harpists.”
Lin Nan calmly regarded her. “Oh, is that so?”
“Are you daring to accept my challenge?” Trissa shot back coolly. “We will settle this as Harpists! Allowing outsiders to masquerade as Harpists is an abomination! No one shall tarnish our name! The loser must destroy their harp and never play another note!”
Lin Nan raised an eyebrow, “You sure you want to be that tough on yourself?”
Trissa declared, “I won’t lose! I’m the first ten-year-old genius Harpist in demon history!”
At the mention of their harp duel, Morris excitedly shouted, “Let that lowly Demoness finally experience true despair!”
“Exactly! How dare she impersonate our proud Harpists! She must have a d*ath wish!”
“Thank goodness for Trissa, or who knows how smug that Demoness would be.”
The crowd erupted in agreement, and in an instant, every eye in the tavern was glued to the stage, tension crackling in the air.
