For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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“Do you remember Fantasy?”

Hirose smiled faintly. These days, more and more people were becoming interested in Stradivari. Tanaka, like before, had beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Though meeting the Queen again, she had that strange charm that always made people tremble.

“How could I forget?”

Antonio Stradivari always pursued endless melodies. He made violins with the same numbering and selected the best among them. The rest that couldn’t become the best had no choice but to disappear into ashes. Some said that such obsession with melody was proof of selling one’s soul to the devil. And thus, the best instruments were born.

“Fantasy and Ecstasy.”

Among the violins left by Antonio Stradivari, these were the only ones sharing the same numbering. Even he, who was said to have sold his soul to the devil, couldn’t distinguish between the melodies of these two instruments. Because each possessed such different tones.

“Decades ago, two Stradivari appeared simultaneously at Sotheby’s. I was a novice violinist then. I spent a lot of money just to see these same-numbered Stradivari I had only heard about in rumors.”

Tanaka swallowed hard and his eyes sparkled. Seeing this, Hirose somehow felt like sharing the story she had kept hidden all this time.

“Despite sharing the same numbering, the two instruments were completely different. They created a stark contrast, like summer and winter, day and night.”

While Ecstasy burned like the blazing sun…

“In the end, both instruments were sold to one person. He was an elderly gentleman. One day, he suddenly came to me and said:”

Fantasy was as cold as the thick darkness settling in.

“Violinist, create endless melodies with this Stradivari.”

Tanaka’s eyes widened. It was unbelievable. Even though it was decades ago, the price of a Stradivari was beyond imagination. Moreover, it was widely known that the Queen herself had won the Stradivari at auction decades ago. Then what was the truth? Tanaka’s mind became confused.

“I still don’t know who that old gentleman was. Though I met him face to face, I can’t even remember what he looked like. I just haven’t forgotten the promise we made then.”

“Why did he give Ecstasy to you, Hirose-san?”

The Queen’s eyes clearly showed no deception.

“That old gentleman told me then that Stradivari finds its own master, and he was merely a caretaker of the Stradivari until then. You can dismiss all this as a fairy tale. It might be easier on your mind that way.”

Her white hair rippled. Tanaka was concentrating as if listening to a legendary tale.

“Then, what happens if the Stradivari’s true owner doesn’t appear?”

At that moment, Hirose showed a mysterious smile.

“It will turn to ashes.”

*

“Brother, please eat this.”

Did she watch some historical drama somewhere? Despite me having my own fingers, she insists on feeding me with her clumsy chopstick skills. Moreover, her proper sitting posture is quite admirable. Mother watched this scene with a smile.

“Son, is that person going to keep filming?”

Mother seemed concerned about the camera. I also felt somewhat uncomfortable with that burly man holding just a camera all day, creating an inexplicable pressure. How much more uncomfortable must Mother be, being unfamiliar with filming? The only one here not conscious of the camera is this blockhead.

“PD-nim, how long will today’s filming continue?”

“I’m sorry if it was uncomfortable, but the scene of family harmony was just too beautiful to pass up. By the way, Hyun, if it’s alright, could I interview your mother and sister? I promise I have no intention of bothering you, so feel free to refuse if you’re not comfortable with it.”

Mother seemed surprised to see me conversing fluently in English. It was understandable since I had never spoken English in front of her. By the way, Ria was mistaking Son Yu-ha for my younger sister. She probably thought it was Asian culture for younger sisters to take such devoted care of their older brothers. This is giving me a headache.

I relayed Ria’s proposal to Mother and Yu-ha.

“I want to do it!”

“I’m fine with it too, son.”

Son Yu-ha readily agreed first, and Mother nodded in agreement afterward. They probably wanted to help me, and Ria’s earnest eyes must have played a big part. She looks more like a celebrity than a PD. Come to think of it.

“Oh right, Mother, what happened with my school?”

School would be starting soon.

“The principal came to our house personally.”

The principal?

“Grandfather called ahead, saying you wouldn’t be able to attend school for a while because of the competition. We decided to look into transferring schools later.”

I could picture it clearly. This was the same principal who used to cower before the parent council president. Well, knowing who Grandfather was, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Son, and that uncle from Pyeongchang-dong sent a violin – is it expensive? Several people came because of the violin, not just Yu-ha.”

Pyeongchang-dong uncle? Ah, since Mother had known him since I was young, it made sense she’d call him uncle. Chairman Wang wouldn’t have sent precious Son Yu-ha alone, and with the Stradivari, they would have needed many hands.

“Grandfather said he’d only lend it during the competition. I’m not sure if it’s expensive.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say it was worth as much as a building in downtown Seoul.

* * *

Crack―!

William, the British prodigy, bit down hard on his molars. It seemed like he might draw blood. Cold sweat ran down his face and dripped from his chin. Despite both his left hand on the strings and his bow-holding right hand trembling violently, he didn’t stop playing. Only when he could no longer lift his arms did he finally stop bowing.

“William, are you alright?”

Joseph, also from the Royal Academy of Music, couldn’t hide his shock at William’s appearance. William had always been neat and precise, but now? His clothes were completely wrinkled, his hair disheveled as if blown by a storm. There was even dried blood at the tip of his nose.

“Do you think I’ll crumble here?”

What could this mean?

William had always been brimming with high self-esteem. Even at the Royal Academy of Music, known for gathering prodigies, hadn’t he looked down on everyone except himself? He had even boldly proclaimed he would prove himself the most outstanding new talent at this Brussels competition. But no one criticized him for it. Not only was his confidence backed by skill, but musicians needed to believe they were the best.

“William?”

Though Joseph called out carefully, there was no response. William’s eyes were already fixed on someone else. A small child barely reaching past his waist. Moreover, rumors said the child had only been learning violin for just over a month. Could Paganini, Jascha Heifetz, or Eugène Ysaÿe have been like this in their youth? It was unbelievable to witness. His skin crawled watching the left and right hands play freely without constraint, and his heart pounded at the impossible melody.

“You think I’ll become Salieri?”

William again bit down hard on his molars. The reason his trembling arms kept rising was simple. Someone had lit a fire in his dried-out wick. Joseph wondered if he should forcibly stop his friend. After all, the second round of judging wasn’t far off.

Just then.

“William. Your nose, your nose!”

The blood flowing from his nose forced him to stop playing.

*

The second round would select 12 people from 24 contestants. Queen Elizabeth’s unique feature was that it allowed any genre for the free choice piece without restrictions. Mother’s eyes showed clear disappointment since the second round wasn’t open to the general public.

“Mother, please don’t worry too much.”

She seemed quite concerned about her young son competing with unknown people in a foreign country. She quickly smiled, probably worried I might be nervous or flustered.

I’ll do well, Mother.

“Orabeoni―!”

Son Yu-ha had now completely adopted “orabeoni” instead of “oppa.” She cheered “fighting” with her small hands, looking adorably cute. She finally started looking her age. Before that thought could fade, Yu-ha quickly ran to Mother’s side and clung to her. As expected of a chaebol’s daughter, she was skilled in social graces.

Hagrid captured all of this on camera without missing a moment.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

Unlike the first round, each contestant was given their own waiting room due to the significantly reduced number of participants. The obviously old violin case drew attention from not only the filming camera but also Ria’s gaze. Though she seemed to have many questions, she didn’t interrupt my time. Having filmed Queen Elizabeth documentaries before, she knew how sensitive violinists could be before competitions.

Thump thump thump.

My heart was beating wildly even before taking out Fantasy. It felt like the instrument inside the case was crying out to be released. Wait, I’ll help you show your true worth. Let’s create perfect harmony today.

“Number thirty-seven, please get ready.”

A voice called from beyond the waiting room.

I carefully took out the violin from its case. Ria blinked repeatedly at the black veins running through the deep red soundboard. A violin with an eerie appearance like the devil’s touch. Though she might have seen it somewhere, she couldn’t immediately recall where. Even Hagrid, holding the camera, tensed at the appearance of this extraordinary violin.

The soft stage lighting illuminated me once again.

Strangely, I wasn’t nervous. Unlike last time, instead of tension gripping my whole body, my chest felt like it was burning hot. I suppose expensive things really are better after all. When I return to Korea, I’ll have to find a way to get this instrument from Chairman Wang. I know exactly how to make money anyway.

“Number thirty-seven?”

The judge calling out numbers suddenly stopped.

Alexei uncrossed his arms in disbelief. Deung-ryun was equally surprised, looking ready to leap over the judges’ table. Hagrid’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he alternated filming between the masters’ reactions and the contestant on stage. At that moment, the Stradivari’s silver strings gleamed as if ready to burst into melody.