episode_0021

The instruments moved in unison, the performance began. Starting with a fast tempo. The violin takes the lead, with the cello, viola, contrabass, and piano building up the sound. A beautiful melody created by the soft string instruments. Merina, who had been crossing her arms and acting arrogantly, couldn’t help but be flustered. That’s because the performance, even just the introduction, far exceeded her expectations. ‘How can human music be like this…?’ She thought nothing was as appealing as the voices of the elves. But listening to this performance, she felt like she was seeing a landscape in front of her eyes. Yes. This sound is like… ‘Like the sound of birds rejoicing.’

Giunt’è la Primavera e festosetti Spring has arrived and joyfully La salutan gl’augei con lieto canto, The birds greet it with cheerful song.

She had the illusion of hearing the welcoming greeting of a bird towards the spring that came after a long winter. ‘How can a lowly human instrument produce such expressiveness?’

In front of Merina’s eyes, a scene unfolded with a gently flowing spring rippling in the breeze.

E i fonti allo spirar de’ zeffretti And the springs, with the breath of zephyrs, Con dolce mormorio scorrono intanto. Flow with a sweet murmur meanwhile.

Soon, the atmosphere of the performance changed slightly. A still soft melody that felt like something was about to happen. It was like a performance where dark clouds covered the sky and thunder and lightning struck.

Vengon’ coprendo l’aer di nero amanto Dark cloaks cover the air, E lampi, e tuoni da annuntiarla eletti And lightning and thunder, chosen to announce her arrival.

After a while, it returned to the same melody as the beginning. As the brief commotion subsided, she felt like she was back in the landscape where birds were singing.

Indi tacendo questi, gl’augelletti Then, as these quiet down, the little birds Tornan di nuovo al lor canoro incanto. Return again to their melodious enchantment.

And a brief silence. During this brief silence, Merina couldn’t recover from the shock. ‘The sound of birds in spring. A gentle breeze. The sound of a spring.’ Could these things be ‘expressed’ with human instruments?

She wanted to continue to be immersed in the shock with a dazed feeling, but soon the soft melody that resumed playing didn’t even allow that. This time, the performance proceeded at a slower pace than before. Merina began to feel as if she was lying in a meadow enjoying the warm sunlight. ‘It’s comforting.’

Her imagination developed, and Merina had become a shepherd. As a shepherd, she freely released the sheep into the meadow, lay down with her beloved dog, and began to sink into a slumber.

E quindi sul fiorito ameno prato And then on the flowered, pleasant meadow Al caro mormorio di fronde e piante To the dear murmur of leaves and plants Dorme ‘l caprar col fido can’ a lato. The goatherd sleeps with his faithful dog at his side.

Another silence. When Merina was still caught up in a fluffy sensation. The performance began again at a fast tempo. Even though stringed instruments such as the violin were the main instruments, she had the illusion of hearing the sound of a flute. To put it simply, the current atmosphere is, ‘Exhilarating.’ It felt like being invited to a small party held in nature. ‘I want to dance.’

Merina was overwhelmed with the urge to get up from her seat and dance with gentle movements. But then, an amazing thing happened. “Oh…?” “Th, this is?”

Small spirits appeared in the lecture hall, which was supposed to be only filled with the audience. Many people couldn’t help but be embarrassed by this. Merina was equally embarrassed. ‘Wh, why are the spirits here?’

Everyone was in a situation where they didn’t understand. At that time, an even more amazing sight unfolded. -Pahyah~ -Pillu pillu~

The spirits started to add interjections and dance to Serena’s performance. Merina was shocked to see this. ‘She summoned the spirits? With just her performance?’ No way.

Merina thought that Serena had summoned the spirits through other magical means, so she tried to observe the magic power with the elves’ unique spirit eyes. However, shockingly. What she learned was that the spirits had revealed themselves, ‘purely’ drawn to the performance. ‘How… how could this happen?’

Spirits were beings who didn’t easily show themselves in the human realm. The same was true even when elves sang. This fact gave Merina an even greater shock. ‘No way….’

The spirits continued to gather one by one, eventually creating a mysterious atmosphere like a brilliant spring.

Di pastoral zampogna al suon festante To the festive sound of the pastoral bagpipe Danzan ninfe e pastor nel tetto amato Nymphs and shepherds dance in their beloved nature Di Primavera all’apparir brillante Together they greet the brilliant appearance of Spring.

With a soft final note, the performance, which was like a warm spring, came to an end. -Kyaareureuk~ -Berry berry~

At the same time, the spirits disappeared back into the spirit world. The audience, including Merina, were too busy savoring the earlier performance to even think about applauding. Serena, covered in sweat, released the instrument manifestations, stood up, and bowed, and then thunderous applause poured out. -Clap clap clap clap clap!! “Oh my god. To perform such a song.” “Well, I can’t tell you to study other fields.” “I agree.” “You’re the best! Serena-jjang!”

Leaving the cheers of the audience behind, Serena approached Merina. -Thud, thud.

Is that what it means to put your heart and soul into a performance? Serena, gasping for breath, was still wiping the sweat flowing from her forehead. But her eyes. Her eyes were still as unwavering as before the performance.

* * *

Leading her tired body, I stood in front of Merina, and stared at her for a moment. “…….” “…….”

We just stared at each other silently for a while. Serena was the first to speak. “How was it?” “……” “Judging by your reaction, I think I won.”

Merina, chewing on her lip, said in a tone that she couldn’t accept. “I, I can’t accept it.” “Accept what?” “It’s not that humans are superior. It’s just that, Serena-nim is too outstanding!”

Merina said wildly like a spoiled child. “Serena-nim’s performance? I’ll be honest. Yes. It was great. It was the best I’ve ever heard. But what if Serena-nim isn’t here? Can humans create this kind of music? Can they give this kind of performance?” “No!” “This isn’t a victory for ‘humans’. It’s just a victory for ‘Serena’. Serena-nim’s victory!” “So I still can’t agree that humans are inferior!”

The fact that she couldn’t accept the victory, clearly showed that she was still a child. A child who couldn’t even control her emotions properly, and couldn’t accept defeat. ‘I’m reminded of Flora.’

Suddenly, I smiled at the thought of the blonde princess. Merina, who seemed even more upset at that, shouted once again. “Ha. What’s with that sneer? Is there something wrong with what I’m saying-.” “I didn’t make this song.” “Huh?”

My calm declaration, was enough to make Merina’s expression dumbfounded. “This song. I didn’t compose it.” “…Liar.” “The composer of this song is not me, but Antonio Lucio Vivaldi.”

Merina was in great shock and froze with her mouth wide open. “No way. That can’t be true.” “I’m sorry, but it’s true.” “Really, it’s a song made by an ordinary human, not Serena-nim…?” “Yeah. Without even an ounce of magic power. He was truly just an ordinary human.” “That’s, impossible….” “The title of this song is, Spring from《The Four Seasons》.” “The Four Seasons, The Four Seasons….”

Merina, muttering blankly, suddenly realized something and asked. “If it’s Spring from The Four Seasons, does that mean there are other seasons too?” “Of course.” “There’s a human who made 3 more songs like this….”

She stood blankly for a long time, then said. “I’ll admit it….” “Humans, weren’t an inferior race at all….”

After closing her eyes for a moment and thinking deeply about something, she opened her eyes as if she had made up her mind and strode towards me. Then, she quickly grabbed my hand and said. -Squeeze. “Serena-nim.” “Yeah?” “Uhm, by any chance….” “Yeah. Go ahead and say it.” “C, can I call you sister again…?”

She was embarrassed after saying that, and the tips of her pointed ears turned red. ‘How cute.’

I stroked her head and replied. “A cute elf lady is always welcome.” “!!Re, really?” “Of course. But you can’t say you hate humans again~.” “Ah, I won’t! I was wrong!”

Fortunately, the Kkan Elf rehabilitation project (?) ended with such a great success.

* * *

Since the concert, Merina and I enjoyed our happy magic tower life. Merina, who had truly gotten rid of her hatred of humans, more actively roamed around the inside and outside of the magic tower and enjoyed human culture. It was truly a smooth daily life. I thought that if things continued like this, I would be able to easily receive the ‘Tear of the World Tree’ from the tribal chief. ‘No. If I handle things this well, they should give me extra rewards.’ -What if I end up getting a branch from the World Tree?

Such frivolous imaginations continued day after day. Until I heard urgent news from my master. “…What did you say?” “W, well, that’s what I mean.”

My master, with a very troubled expression, directly showed me a letter from the tribal chief. It was written quite urgently, and the letter was scribbled in a hasty handwriting like this.

Entire quantity of Tears of the World Tree stolen. Academy students listed as suspects. Request for Merina’s immediate return.

And finally, the tribal chief’s seal was stamped at the end. I read the letter several times, as if I was going to dissect each and every word, and asked my master. “So, Master. Am I understanding correctly?” “Se, Serena. Let’s calm down first. Okay?” “Are you saying that my Tear of the World Tree has been stolen?” “Strictly speaking, it’s not yours yet….” “Master.”

I said to my master in a very emotionless expression and voice. No. I informed him. “I’ll go visit the World Tree.”

I’ll just go get it myself since you’re being frustrating.