For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

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Like seeing shadows at dawn,

The red soundboard is filled with black stems. Could it be the discoloration of maple wood that has absorbed time? No, some said differently. That it’s the tears of countless violinists, the marks of melodies engraved by the devil. The strings crossing the fingerboard gleam silver as if they might come alive at any moment. The bow tip stirs the depths like a sharp blade. Ah, how many people must have yearned to hear that melody until now.

“Right, yes, that was Fantasy.”

How could one not know?

An instrument that anyone interested in classical music would recognize, a legendary masterpiece and ill-fated work made by Antonio Stradivari. In my past life, the world was in uproar about Fantasy that had vanished into a handful of ashes. The wealthy Chinese man who possessed the masterpiece told an absurd story about Fantasy self-igniting. But seeing it directly before my eyes, that man’s words felt real.

Thud.

That’s when Son Yu-ha walked toward the violin as if entranced.

“Grandfather, what is this?”

Even to a child’s eyes, it couldn’t look like an ordinary violin. She probably couldn’t precisely judge what instrument sat before her eyes. Though clearly silent, it seemed alive.

“It’s a gift grandfather prepared for Hyun.”

For me?

Only then did I remember the Go game with Chairman Wang. To think that the gift would be a Stradivari! I still remembered Fantasy’s auction price. Later, it set the record for highest price ever paid for an instrument when it was won by a Chinese tycoon, making headlines in international news.

“Hyun-ah, do you dislike it?”

How could I dislike it?

Thump thump thump.

Since the moment I saw Fantasy, my heart had been beating wildly.

*

-Beware the blonde devil.

Another story passed down at Gramophone. A blonde beauty entered the meeting place frowning at the unexpected downpour. Gramophone’s editor Adam Wisho saw her and raised his hand.

“What bloody awful weather.”

The beauty, speaking coarsely unlike her elegant appearance, sat cross-legged on the sofa. Her legs were so long one might suspect she was a model. Sharon, another chief editor at Gramophone, skillfully put a cigarette to her lips. Being a bar, there were many smokers, but Sharon’s presence stood out distinctly among them.

“Adam, I hear you went on a business trip?”

As smoke clouds reached the ceiling, Sharon leaned forward.

“While you were away, I focused on reforming these overconfident sprouts. Most think they’re brilliant critics when they join Gramophone. In reality, they’re just babies who can’t do anything on their own.”

“Sharon, at your position as chief editor, you don’t need to manage everyone like that. I always see this, but you’re as fussy as London’s weather. Isn’t that why everyone avoids you?”

“Well well, who’s worrying about whom?”

Sharon didn’t dislike Adam sitting across from her. He was the only one worth talking to at Gramophone. By the way.

“I heard a strange rumor, that the London Symphony wrote a recommendation letter.”

“Spencer?”

Sharon nodded briefly in affirmation. Spencer had built a brilliant reputation as the London Symphony’s chief conductor. Spencer himself represented the London Symphony. But he had never taught anyone, let alone written a competition recommendation letter. Not only were there no newcomers who could meet his standards, but his pride as a master reached the sky. For such a person to write a recommendation letter – where did such an impossible rumor come from?

“That’s not all, another master wrote a recommendation letter too. For the same person as the London Symphony.”

Sharon’s blonde hair swayed greatly.

Adam couldn’t understand it at all. Why would two masters recommend one person?

“The Queen you so admire, they say she wrote a recommendation letter.”

At that moment, Adam’s eyes grew as big as lanterns. Sharon was puzzled by Adam’s sudden change, unusual for someone typically unexpressive. Empty cigarette smoke wandered in the air.

“Who?”

What was he asking about?

“The person who received recommendation letters from both the London Symphony and the Queen.”

“That must be just a groundless rumor?”

Sharon couldn’t continue speaking. Adam’s eyes were unusually intense. She had thought it was a false rumor. The violinist who supposedly received the recommendations was someone whose name she’d never heard before. Sharon took a deep drag of her cigarette. A habit when she was worried, and soon smoke poured out like fog.

And then,

“Hyun.”

The blonde devil remembered the violinist’s name.

*

“Huh.”

Chairman Wang let out a quiet exclamation. He never imagined someone would refuse that violin. Even to classical music outsiders, it was clearly no ordinary instrument. Just looking at it was mesmerizing enough – it was impossible to gauge how a violinist would feel about it.

“Old man, did you see Hyun’s eyes just now?”

Chairman Yu nodded at Chairman Wang’s question. It was the first time seeing such intensely burning eyes.

“Yet he declined, even when I offered to give it completely. In the end, he said he’d only borrow it for the competition.”

It was hard to believe such self-control in a young child. It seemed almost sad how he approached the violin nearly touching it, then withdrew his hand. Even Chairman Wang, who prided himself on his eye for things, was completely impressed. Suddenly Chairman Wang firmly grasped Chairman Yu’s hand. But that look in his eyes was unusual.

“Ahem.”

Chairman Yu coughed and withdrew his hand. After all, he wasn’t the urgent one.

* * *

Violin masters were gathering in Brussels, Belgium. The reason these reclusive, music-focused individuals came together was simple. For Queen Elizabeth. After four years, the war of strings had returned – could there be a better day for those waiting for the birth of a new star?

“Whew.”

Eva composed herself as she welcomed the masters. Each one was a prominent musical figure who would receive VIP treatment in their countries. That made it all the more necessary to be careful. Their personalities were all different, like trying to mix incompatible paints. If they had one thing in common, it was their love-hate relationship with the violin.

“Is it true that both the Queen and London pointed to one person?”

The Russian master’s words froze the room. Everyone knew who “Queen” and “London” referred to. Some had even experienced frustration from them. As the heavy silence continued.

“Then let’s look at that one first.”

The Chinese master spoke up with a seemingly friendly smile. Eva rose from her seat feeling overwhelming pressure. Among the many violinists applying for global preliminaries, only those initially selected would have their performance videos reach the judges. Playing violin in Brussels had such high barriers.

Bzzt.

After a brief silence, a video was projected onto the large screen. When they first heard about both Queen and London sending recommendation letters for one person, everyone thought it was just a rumor. But now that it was proven fact, the masters’ attention wasn’t directed at any other newcomer. Would the season of violin truly return?

That’s when.

“How on earth.”

Someone let out a puzzled exclamation. It clearly wasn’t a concert hall. Perhaps a hotel banquet room. But the child on stage looked far too young. Could such a young child have captured the hearts of the Queen and London? It didn’t make sense. Just as the masters were doubting their eyes, the child finally raised the bow.

*

‘Ah, should I have just accepted it?’

These past few days, my mind has been so troubled it feels like riding a roller coaster. That’s because the image of Fantasy keeps flickering in my head. Why didn’t I accept it when offered?

‘Because it’s Chairman Wang!’

Knowing the price of a Stradivarius made me hesitate even more. Especially Fantasy, which would later achieve the highest price for an instrument at Sotheby’s. Chairman Wang wouldn’t give me something so valuable without reason. In my past life, as a Jeil Group scholarship student, didn’t I observe chaebol family dynamics closer than anyone?

Surely not.

For a moment one person came to mind, but I quickly erased the thought. Though I decided not to stop women coming or going, she’s still too young to think of as a woman. Yes, definitely too young.

“Hyun-ah, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

I raised my head at grandfather’s voice.

“You said you’d treat me to something delicious today, grandfather. I’m looking forward to it.”

I erased my expression and showed a casual smile. Just then, the car driven by Driver Kim arrived at Shilla Hotel. A restaurant I’d visited several times in my past life. But I followed behind grandfather as if going for the first time. Still thinking of Fantasy in my mind.

By the way.

‘Are those people models?’

A middle-aged white couple, but both so tall they put most models to shame.

*

“Adam, how are you going to find him in this vast Korea?”

Gramophone’s chief editor Sharon flicked her blonde hair as if complaining. They had flown to Korea knowing only the violinist’s name. But there was no way to figure out who this “Hyun” was. Adam just enjoyed his meal with a mysterious smile.

“Adam, can you even swallow that soup? You irresponsible man!”

A sight that would have made Gramophone employees hold their breath. Two of the three devils passed down in Gramophone lore were dining face to face. As Sharon’s voice rose, surrounding gazes gathered. But rather than eavesdropping on their conversation, more attention was drawn to the pair’s striking appearances.

“Of all places, you chose somewhere I can’t even smoke. Really, Adam, I don’t like you. Coming for an interview and ending up quitting smoking unexpectedly.”

“So Sharon, who told you to come along?”

Sharon, a notorious smoker, frowned at not being able to smoke. What good was a delicious dinner without cigarettes? That’s when Sharon’s eyes met those of a boy across from her. Gradually, Sharon’s blue eyes focused more and more on the boy’s lip movements.

Be quiet, lady.

The boy was clearly saying that.