For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

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“Someone who surpasses Andrey has appeared.”

The Russian master Alexei’s brow furrowed roughly. But his deep eyes remained fixed on the screen. From the left hand touching the strings to the right hand holding the bow, it felt like watching a painting come to life. Especially when preparing for vibrato, he commanded attention like a master at his peak.

“Hey, what was the age of the youngest competition winner ever?”

“The Russian violinist Andrey was the youngest. He was twenty-one at the time.”

Eva immediately answered someone’s question. Many geniuses had headed to Brussels throughout the competition’s long history. But Eva couldn’t close her mouth at the sight of the child projected on the screen. A young boy who looked barely over ten years old.

“How!”

Everyone simultaneously let out an admiring gasp. This wasn’t a typical interpretation of Beethoven; he was performing the sonata through his own interpretation. When the bow and strings caressed each other like whispering love, hands unconsciously clenched with sweat. As emotions rode the strings projecting springtime, it was like cherry blossoms falling. Yes, it was the end of a heartbreaking spring day. The masters were captivated by the child’s sonata, as if enchanted.

At the end of what seemed like eternal silence,

“His nationality, is it China?”

The Chinese master Deng-ryun hoped expectantly. But he withdrew his disappointed gaze at the answer that followed. The masters maintained silence, withholding words. A filter that had to screen hundreds of people. Usually, they wouldn’t listen to even a syllable of newcomers’ performances. They were people who didn’t spare harsh criticism, saying they disliked the posture, the first note was rotten like a spoiled apple, or the performance was good but emotionally garbage. But now they had been lost in thought for over an hour.

“How is this possible? This child has never participated in any competition except this Brussels one!”

The child’s pristine record, like blank white paper, made the masters doubt their eyes. With such skill, he had no notable competition experience, not even a teacher he studied under. Now they understood why both Queen and London showed such great interest in this child. If they hadn’t shown interest after hearing that performance, they both must have gone deaf. That’s when.

“Would it be alright to listen once more?”

It was Deng-ryun’s suggestion. As if speaking everyone’s mind.

*

‘There are many foreigners.’

Foreign guests could be frequently spotted in the hotel. No longer an era clinging to the image of a tourist hotel. One could say a major transformation into a business hotel had begun. Of course, it would reach its peak several years later. While my mouth was turning bitter like biting an unripe persimmon.

“Mother?”

The restaurant grandfather and I visited already had guests. Two very familiar people. My eyes widened at the sight of mother and father in his suit.

“Mr. Kang, you must have had a hard time coming.”

“Ah, no. Father-in-law!”

Mother’s face was full of emotion. She probably never imagined father would use the word “father-in-law.” Grandfather also patted father’s shoulder unnecessarily, releasing long-held emotions. At this unexpected meeting, the smile wouldn’t leave my face.

“Hyun-ah, are you happy?”

At grandfather’s question, I nodded like a real child. In my past life, this would have been beyond my wildest dreams.

“Mr. Kang, if you need my help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll help as much as I can. By the way, are you interested in the chemical industry? Looking at what you studied in college, it seems like it would suit you well.”

Say you’re interested, father!

The chemical industry, at the center of high added value, continues endless development. It serves as excellent foundation across many 4th industrial revolution sectors, from basic materials that become cash cows to IT and bio industries. It’s no coincidence that major corporations rushed to join the chemical war. Moreover, the unique new materials that Dongju will develop will become the source that helps overcome any upcoming turbulence[1].

Looking at Dongju’s past life record, I couldn’t help but lament. Dongju, which would have been a golden goose even if left alone, disappeared without a trace. Anyway, if you make up your mind, I’ll help you with all my might, father!

By the way.

‘Why is it so noisy?’

The Western woman sitting across was raising her sharp voice. Making excessive gestures as if dissatisfied with her current situation. This lady is interrupting at such an important moment!

* * *

“Oppa! Really?”

Son Yu-ha clung to me with an expression so excited she might float away. Oh my, I worry my neck might break. True to becoming the tall Ice Queen in the future, Son Yu-ha had longer limbs than her peers. Compared to her, I was on the shorter side – just need to be patient a little longer. I’ll grow exponentially in a few years.

“Hyun-ah, this is wonderful. Being able to stay in Seoul!”

Park Sun-young also couldn’t hide her joy. This lady seems to be happy for different reasons. Father couldn’t readily decide on grandfather’s proposal. But I’ll definitely find a way to bring my parents to Seoul somehow. It’s an opportunity to completely untangle emotional knots.

“Oh right, Hyun-ah. Did you send the tape with the competition application?”

“Of course.”

Fortunately, there was a video from the banquet. I hate anything troublesome. By the way, I wonder when we’ll hear back. Well, in this era before widespread internet, there’s no way to know.

“They must be busy with the selection process right now, since thousands apply for the competition.”

That many?

The number was quite larger than I thought. I suppose it’s natural for an international competition.

“Among them, they only review videos of two hundred people selected based on their credentials, the rest don’t even get a chance. That’s why I was worried. Since you don’t have any credentials, ordinary recommendation letters wouldn’t be enough.”

Well, we have the Queen of Strings and London Symphony’s chief conductor. Their reputations are undeniably outstanding. But seeing Park Sun-young’s expression made me nervous too. If I’d known this, should I have asked Gardner as well?

‘Tsk.’

When my mind is unsettled, all sorts of thoughts come up.

“What happens after that?”

“From the two hundred, they select sixty based on the tapes alone. Only they can perform in Brussels.”

My goodness, it’s truly a survival of the fittest world. But somehow it feels familiar. In my past life, didn’t I achieve passing the bar exam that thousands, no, tens of thousands yearned for? Not only passed first attempt with top scores but even beat the “cream of the crop” at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Though now it’s just a fading bitter memory.

“From the sixty, twenty-four are chosen, and after another third preliminary round, finally twelve remain. They’re called by various names. What’s certain is that if you make it into those twelve in the violin world, you can perform on the world stage without shame.”

“Then, don’t those twelve compete?”

“Of course they do. This is where it gets interesting.”

Park Sun-young looked at me with excited eyes. Even Son Yu-ha was listening intently with perked ears.

“In the Waterloo battle area of Brussels, there’s an isolated mansion called Chapelle. Twelve violinists stay there together for 8 full days, and everything is broadcast. Even their practice of required and free pieces.”

What?

This was the first I’d heard of it. What’s Chapelle, and what’s this about staying together? Plus media appearances? Good grief, this feels more annoying than when Documentary 5 Days came to film at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Being the top student there, I was bombarded with interviews. Seeing my furrowed brow, Park Sun-young showed a puzzled expression.

“Ah, and if you win the competition, they lend you a violin made by a master.”

I care more about military service exemption. But at the mention of violin, Son Yu-ha jumped up from her seat.

“Oppa! Let’s play that!”

Park Sun-young looked at me questioningly at Son Yu-ha’s sudden words. I knew what Yu-ha meant. Gulp, my Adam’s apple bobs just thinking about Fantasy. Would I really be worthy to touch it? I hesitated for so long even then. But before I could answer, Son Yu-ha had already disappeared like an arrow. Ah, that ice blockhead.

How much time had passed?

“Oppa, play it quickly!”

Son Yu-ha appeared proudly carrying the violin that Chairman Wang had hidden, somehow having found it. Park Sun-young was dumbfounded at the clearly ancient violin case. I had no choice but to take the case from Son Yu-ha.

Damn it.

My heart starts pounding wildly again.

As I carefully took Fantasy out of the case, Park Sun-young’s eyes, watching from beside me, widened. She had majored in violin her whole life. She would know what instrument was in my hands. Someone once said they would sell their soul to the devil just to directly experience a Strad’s sound. Park Sun-young’s expression as she swallowed hard looked exactly like that.

Thump thump thump.

In my turbulent heartbeat,

I lifted Fantasy completely.

That’s when it happened. My wildly pounding heart inexplicably found stability.

*

Ding dong―!

The housekeeper cleaning the Ichon-dong mansion straightened her back at the unexpected doorbell. It wasn’t time for the master to return, and student Kang Hyun should be in Pyeongchang-dong. The young miss and her husband had gone back to the province. Could it be the master’s other children visiting? With this question, she crossed the garden to the gate.

“Mail from overseas?”

The postman greeted the housekeeper.

The housekeeper accepted the mail but couldn’t tell who sent it. Not even English, the sender’s address was written in unfamiliar squiggly letters. She wondered if it came by mistake, but you never know. It could be for the master.

However, the letter began:

-To the dear violinist, from Brussels.

A letter that normally would reach sixty preliminary round passers in two weeks. The sender was Brussels, Belgium, and uniquely, a master had written the letter personally by hand. The reason they wrote to one person two weeks early was simple. They wanted to meet the child from the video as soon as possible.