Chapter 3: Harpist Academy (22)
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When Lin Nan decided to join in the middle of Edith’s performance of “Battle Overture,”
Edith was completely oblivious at first.
But then, she suddenly felt the notes escaping from her fingertips being swept away by some unseen force, drifting towards a different direction.
That’s when it hit her—this musical duel was more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
It was a completely new experience for her.
She felt as if she was trapped in a whirlpool, struggling to breathe, until she took a deep breath and, with unwavering determination, continued to play “Battle Overture.” It was as if she’d reclaimed a fraction of her musical territory.
Thanks to that small moment of respite, Edith seized the opportunity to glance at Lin Nan, who was sitting diagonally opposite her.
To her surprise,
Lin Nan had also summoned forth a harp, and its elegance exceeded all expectations.
Its body was made of white jade, adorned with complex and beautiful patterns that seemed to have come from a dream, utterly unforgettable. On the side, it sparkled with more than a dozen bright gemstones that shone softly in the dim light, emitting a gentle, pure glow.
Generally, the level of refinement in a harp is directly proportional to the skill of the harpist.
While it might be a manifestation of the harpist’s inner vision, the craftsmanship still varies wildly depending on their talent and strength—it’s not like you can just daydream something beautiful and expect it to materialize intact!
So, when harpists compete, the first thing to examine is usually the material and style of the harps they use.
This somewhat symbolizes their overall power.
Of course, it’s not a hard and fast rule.
For instance, while Edith’s harp might not have the most luxurious decorations, its overall smooth and rounded appearance conveys a feeling of comfort.
Lin Nan, joining in the middle of Edith’s performance, had a glimmering harp, but his rule-breaking antics rubbed everyone the wrong way, making it hard for them to warm up to him.
“Ding ding dang!”
The beautiful and dynamic harp melodies continued.
Clearly, the duet of “Battle Overture” was transforming into an extraordinary musical feast,
And with Lin Nan’s stimulus, Edith’s performance became even more distinctive.
The notes she played seemed to sprout wings, swirling above the audience’s heads, as if at any moment, a host of angels would descend from the sky, whisking those immersed in the enchanting sound up to heaven.
At that moment, whether it was Sani, Lisa, the female judge, or Trissa,
It was as if a new world had opened before them, and the last obstacle between them and the new doorway vanished into thin air.
“Oh my gosh, how did we not think of this before? If two harpists connect their souls through a perfectly harmonized duet, even if they’re not very high-ranked, they can unleash skills far beyond their levels.
This… is the power of collaboration!”
Sani was beyond excited, realizing that when she focused her attention solely on enjoying the music and appreciating the duo’s harp skills,
Her insights flowed like an endless fountain, bubbling over with inspiration.
It’s safe to say that the academy’s rigid education had not only confined students’ minds but also shackled teachers’ creativity. They always assumed that what had been passed down was correct and never considered the possibility of change for fear of being misunderstood as trying to be different; as long as they weren’t making mistakes, everything was fine!
But today, for the first time, they felt what it was like when two harpists with perfect skills collaborated.
Just then, another morale boost erupted like a spell from the center of the two women, radiating outward.
The astounding effect of this was not only felt within the academy but even spilled over to the crowd outside.
The range and sheer number of buffs far surpassed those of Edith’s initial effort.
For just this contribution alone, Sani thought Lin Nan should earn the title of an A-rank harpist.
Let alone the fact that her harp and her skilled technique proved she indeed had the chops.
Who would’ve thought that a foreign woman, lacking demon bl**d, could master such exquisite harp skills in a world where only the Harpist Academy taught them?
Crazy as it sounds, it must be said, the world is full of surprises!
Perhaps she possessed immense talent coupled with a stroke of luck (like a wandering harpist casually agreeing to become her mentor) that led to such results.
This must have been what the dean had in mind when he told her to listen closely.
Sani was struck by such thoughts, and her fellow teachers were no different.
They looked at Lin Nan as if he were a treasure chest overflowing with sparkling jewels, ready to rush in for knowledge the moment the competition ended.
People even sensed that once the Harpist Academy mastered the technique of harp duets, their status in the Empire would be solidified further, securing them as an indispensable hub for cultivating harpist talent.
But at that moment, just when everyone thought that “Battle Overture” was nearing its end and the duo’s performance would wrap up,
Lin Nan’s fingers suddenly danced across the strings, unleashing a series of sharp, unexpected notes.
It was as if the sunlit day, filled with birds singing and flowers blooming, had abruptly plunged into ominous dark clouds and a looming storm.
This new melody, both in style and execution, starkly contrasted with “Battle Overture,” yet connected to it in the most seamless manner; it was as though they had just experienced a jubilant celebration, only to be thrown into a dismal silence, like a grand parade now reduced to an empty echo.
Earlier, it had been Edith leading the way, with Lin Nan playing the supporting role.
But now, as the mood shifted, it was Lin Nan who seemed to take command, with Edith just there for decoration, like a garnish on a fancy dish.
And yet, Edith, caught in a trance, couldn’t seem to stop.
Her heart plunged into an endless abyss of darkness along with the haunting melody.
It was as if stopping her fingers on the strings would lead to her complete consumption by the void, dragging her further away from reality.
“What on earth… is happening?”
Sani was left dumbfounded.
She thought the end of “Battle Overture” would bring a joyous conclusion.
She was even prepared to declare Lin Nan and Edith the winners and considering Lin Nan’s request—sure, the academy could entertain it and try to fulfill it later.
After all, someone like Lin Nan was a talent worth nurturing.
But she never expected the performance wasn’t over; it veered toward an unpredictable ending.
Without realizing, a shiver raced down her spine.
Because the melody Lin Nan was playing… she had never heard anything like it before.
