by Feng Yue
Ye Qingxuan smiled. “If using force works, then I don’t mind.”
Charles looked up to the sky and sighed. “Other people use their experience and look for shortcuts when trying to pass a mountain. I can’t believe I met a lunatic who would try to flatten the mountain!”
—
“The Royal Academy of Music has more than ten majors. Most are more specific divisions of the four major schools. This includes our school, Music History. It is considered a branch under the School of Revelation. But because the material we cover overlaps too much with other majors, and all of the professors left, the major was basically eliminated.” Abraham sighed with a sense of loss. “When I first came to the academy, the principal saw that I wasn’t good at anything else and put me in charge of this major. There’d never been many students. There’ve only been you two in these recent years.”
Here, his expression became bitter. “I’m not the best at teaching and no one is interested in research-oriented studies, so it has never been popular. It probably won’t even exist in a few years.”
“Professor, don’t worry. You have a genius like me!” Charles comforted him. “Wait for me to take care of my problems at hand, and then it’ll be our time to shine!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. A major is a serious branch of study that needs the blood and sweat of many people. It’s not just you getting attention!” Abraham knocked on Charles’ head and returned to teaching Ye Qingxuan. “Do you have any thoughts?”
“Basic criteria of ancient writing, exploration of the sources, and changes of major language branches, the history of the Dark Ages…” Confusion was written all over Ye Qingxuan’s face. “Why do we have to learn this stuff?”
“These are our professional courses, my friend,” Charles drawled. “Music History’s strong points are deciphering ancient literature, music scores, and runes. They produce scholars and archeologists.”
“So we can’t fight?” Ye Qingxuan asked.
Charles patted his shoulder. “It’s okay, junior. We’re different from the hooligans from the School of Modification. At least scholars don’t have to go to war, right?”
“Other than our professional courses, the classes aren’t much different from the other majors. And we have our own field in music scores too,” Abraham said. “There are similarities between the ancient language and runes. You’re talented in deciphering runes and analyzing data. This major suits you.”
Ye Qingxuan’s was still somewhat confused. “Professor, you saying this makes me happy, but I still feel that the future is just bleak archeology.”
“Why don’t you look at this?” As he spoke, Abraham placed a notebook before the youth. “These are Charles’ notes from when he first started. I think you’ll find something you like in it.”
“Huh?” Ye Qingxuan opened the notebook, flipped through a few pages and froze. It was clearly Charles’s notes, filled with explanations of ancient languages found from archeology digs. Ye Qingxuan had never seen these things before, but it felt familiar for some reason.
When he read the reasoning portion, a streak of light flashed passed through his mind. This book of theories and patterns used when deciphering ancient writing was identical to what he had been doing when looking for the changes in runes and syllables! In fact, the structure and direction was far more complete than his. Just by scanning and comparing, he realized that he had made many mistakes down in the basement. It was just theories and did not include any applications, but they seemed to target his weak spots, and goosebumps popped up on his skin. Compared to these notes, the exhaustive method that Ye Qingxuan had been proud of was like a sieve. If these theories were correct, then he could save at least seventy percent of his efforts when analyzing the runes and changes in syllables. At least seventy percent!
“What…is this?” Ye Qingxuan glanced up in shock, seeing Abraham’s lips curl into a faint smile. He had never seen such pride in his stiff, wooden teacher.
“I told you. Music History is the best at deciphering ancient history and literature. Music scores are part of literature. Most of the scores and techniques we know today were found from archeology sites. No one is better than us at reading music scores and runes.”
“But why have I never seen this in textbooks?” Ye Qingxuan gaped.
“Ah this…” Abraham suddenly seemed embarrassed. “Charles always complained that the textbooks before were too hard, so I created some new methods from my own research. But then this guy wouldn’t learn them, and I didn’t have a student to teach. Would you…”
“Yes! Yes!” The youth practically ran over to hug the professor, his eyes shining. “Professor, please teach me! How about we start with the runes? I have some questions about the variations of Light…”
“Uh, get down first.” Abraham finally pulled the excited Ye Qingxuan down from his body. “I still need to organize the teaching material. How about we start class tomorrow? You still have five days. If you’re only going to memorize it all, then you still have a big chance to pass.”
Ye Qingxuan finally calmed down, but he was still euphoric and would not let go of the notebook. “Hehe, there’s always a road when you get to the mountain!”
“Is that a saying from the East?” Abraham lowered his head, sighing, “I remember an Eastern professor used to say that.”
“Eastern professor?” In an instant, Ye Qingxuan woke up from his euphoric state. Finally remembering the things that Wolf Flute had told him, his eyes lit up. “Who?”
“It was decades ago. You asked me so suddenly that I don’t remember.” The professor’s brows furrowed. “Was it decades ago, or just a few years ago? I remember the academy used to have a professor in the School of Mind from the East. I think his name was…his name…” The more he tried to remember, the more confused he became. “No, maybe he was Burgundian? Did I remember incorrectly? But why do I feel like I went to his wedding?” Here, he shook his head. “I really can’t remember. Is it because I’m getting old?”
“…” Ye Qingxuan stayed silent, not sure what to say. He suddenly realized that everyone had forgotten about his father.
Abraham had lost his memories, and if those people in the academy had remembered him, they would have remarked how similar Ye looked to his father. Even Wolf Flute who had ditched school had started to forget what his father had taught. In this academy, everyone’s memories of the Eastern musician, Ye Lanzhou, had disappeared. It was like he had never existed in this world.
Who did it? Someone else? Or was it…his father himself?
Musicians of the School of Mind were the best at controlling others’ memories. He had surpassed the seventh level of the Scepter Rank, and he did not even need to make any physical movements to erase everything. But he was able to erase the memories of so many musicians, and even put a seal on Wolf Flute’s lecture notes without even so much as a hand gesture. Such skill had surpassed everything.
But with skill like this, why would he still join Satan?
Since the beginning, Ye Qingxuan never believed the crimes that he had supposedly committed, but now…what did this all mean? He sank into contradicting thoughts. No matter what he did, he could not solve this mystery.
70 The Most Important Thing Is to Be Happy
“Hey! Ye Qingxuan, your thing is everywhere!”
Just as the youth lowered his head in thought, a roar sounded. He attacked on instinct, but hit empty air.
“Hehe, you want to make a sneak attack on me? You’re still too young.” As if he had predicted everything, Charles took a step back. “Hey, are you awake now? You’ve been standing under the sun for an hour. Bai Xi said you’re practicing some weird Eastern music called Nine Suns. Have you been enlightened yet?”
“Enlightened my *ss.” Ye Qingxuan rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I didn’t go out for two days, and I realized that today your thing is everywhere! It’s amazing! Everyone knows.”
“…Kn
ow what?” Instinctively, the youth had a bad feeling.
“Know what? Your amazing reputation, of course!” Charles said, his features animated. “Practically the whole school knows that there’s a mysterious student from the East. He’s brave and just, can’t stand evil and injustice. The praises make you sound like the representative of chivalry and hope for Anglo’s future.
“They say that on the first day of school, you couldn’t stand seeing the elites bully others and stood up in a fury to help. You took on ten at a time and beat them all up. Then for the last show of bravado, you argued with evil teacher Ben until he couldn’t reply and had his entire worldview changed. He even spat out liters of blood!
“When Ben and the others heard, they went crazy! Someone said that they’re going to make you leave the public lecture on a stretcher in five days. Congrats, the elites hate you!” Charles exclaimed.
“What the heck?” Hearing all of this, Ye Qingxuan was in a daze and wanted to cough up blood. “Who spread these rumors?!”
“Hehe,” Charles laughed shyly and pointed at himself, “me.”
—
“You *sshole! Charles, don’t run!” Ye Qingxuan’s angry roars bellowed over the Royal Academy of Music at noon. “I’m going to kill you!”
“Ah, don’t. I just said it for fun, but I didn’t know they would all believe me!” Charles ran, dodging the bricks and wine bottles thrown at him and explained in panic, “I didn’t want this to happen. Junior, calm down! Calm down! There’s a good side to everything!”
“Good?!” Ye Qingxuan roared. “I was just staying home and now I suddenly have a bunch of enemies. How can this be good?”
“There’s a good side. Really!” Charles put his hands up, pleading. “Did you know? Someone found out about your recommendation letter, and now you’re a legend in the academy! I didn’t even know that you had something to do with the legendary King of Black…”
“You make everything sound weird. Why don’t I know about this?” Ye Qingxuan felt a little guilty about this. He had always thought that someone like Wolf Flute could only come up with a recommendation letter along the lines of, “I recommend Ye Qingxuan to take your exam. Please accept him.” But then he somehow ended up with Bach’s signature! After finding out, Ye Qingxuan had almost peed his pants. That b*stard Wolf Flute had dared to forge a recommendation letter from the most powerful King!
“Okay, let’s not worry about whether this is true or not. You’re so popular now, even the congress knows!” Charles praised. “When I went to the cafeteria this morning, I said that you’re my junior, and I got more meat than everyone else! This is good! It’s good, my friend! Without your reputation, where will I get my extra meat?”
“You’re still thinking of your meat?” Ye Qingxuan’s face darkened even more. “Stand there and don’t move. I’ll fix the hole in your brain. Don’t worry, everyone in Lute knows that my technique is the best.”
“Ah, junior, your image will be ruined if people find out!” Charles closed his hands, catching the wrench that had been hurled at his head. Feeling the pressure of the wrench, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Do I still have an image to protect?” the youth yelled.
“Yes, yes! It’s a great image! Junior, you’re the leader of the commoners, and the heart of downtown. Everyone knows about the brave and Little Qingxuan! It’s like a golden plaque.” Charles continued, “So many people want you to join their club. I’ve gotten so many buffet coupons just so I can introduce them to you. Now, you just need to find the chance to make an appearance, and the title of Prime Student of the Class will be yours without a doubt!”
After chasing this guy for so long, Ye Qingxuan was out of breath and had no energy to do anything but roll his eyes. “What the f*ck are you joking about…”
“You don’t believe me?” Charles smiled. “Come eat lunch with me at the cafeteria and you’ll see…”
—
Ye Qingxuan still had not figured out just how big the Royal Academy of Music was. It seemed like it only took up a bit of midtown, but going through the doors was like entering a whole new world. The size was unimaginable.
Divided by layers of ancient trees and high walls, the campus was like a maze. If one did not know the roads, taking a few wrong turns would be enough to get lost. Very few people could figure out the exact location of the buildings. Apparently, only the principal’s office had the full map of the campus, and that the one on the last page of the student’s handbook had been torn out.
Apparently, the map of every school was different. Some places that seemed far away could be reached within a few minutes if one knew the path. Others that looked close would somehow disappear once one got close. According to some students’ research, the parts used for teaching was only one-third of the entire campus. But when they decided to look into the other two-thirds, they somehow lost their memories and forgot their plan.
There were many cafeterias in the campus too. To reach the closest one, Ye Qingxuan only needed to take a right turn and then a left turn after three intersections. It was already after lunch hour, so there was barely any crowd.
Ye Qingxuan followed Charles into the cafeteria and gazed about. Smelling the food made him feel better. He would even forgive Charles for leading him into the ditch. Around them, students sat on the chairs and ate lunch, some talking quietly. Seeing them like that, Ye Qingxuan felt relieved.
Good! No one had tackled him, and he was not being watched like a strange animal in the zoo. Nothing had happened yet. Everything was normal.
He let out a breath. “This is nothing.”
Charles laughed. “Why don’t you turn around?”
Ye Qingxuan sensed something strange behind him. He looked back and saw that half of the cafeteria was silent. Everyone that they had passed had fallen silent.
It was as if Ye Qingxuan had stolen their voices. The ones who were laughing and talking with their friends had all shut their mouths. Those who had been eating had put down their bowls. The ones who had been sleeping raised their heads, looking at his backside. Those in line for food sensed something odd. They understood when they turned and saw Ye Qingxuan’s white hair.
“That guy is…”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“The first day of school…I was there…”
“He made Edmund…”
As everyone was in shock. Charles quickly cut the line and threw two lunch coupons into the window, speedily piling food onto the plates, not feeling that anything was wrong.
But the stares made Ye Qingxuan’s hair stand up. “Why are they looking at me like that?” he asked quietly.
“Because you’re a good man!”
“…Good man my *ss!” Not knowing what to say, Ye Qingxuan waited until Charles finally filled his plate, and walked toward a quiet corner.
“Eastern Ye, good luck!” someone yelled above the whispers.
“Don’t lose!” a girl called out after gathering her courage, then ran away with a red face.
In the crowd, a dark-skinned boy had a drumstick in his mouth and waved at him, saying unclearly, “That’s right. We support you!”
“…” Ye Qingxuan’s expression froze on his face.
—
“Don’t lose what?” he asked quietly from the corner. “Why do I need good luck?”
“Ahaha, well…” Charles looked away and replied a bit guiltily, “Probably because someone spread the rumor that you can’t stand those elites, and proclaimed that you’ll beat up Edmund so badly after Friday’s class that even his mom wouldn’t be able to recognize him?”
“What the f*ck?!” Ye Qingxuan wanted to cough up blood all over this stupid face. “You again?”
“Surprise!”
“Senior, do you want to find my corpse on the streets?”
“I said this so that I won’t find your corpse on the streets within a week!” Charles exclaimed as if he had been greatly wronged.
“Wow, it seems t
hat you kind of make sense and are trustworthy…as if!” Ye Qingxuan’s features twisted. “You’ve been busy these days, huh?”
“Well, it’s not like you can escape the challenge during the public lecture next Friday, right?” the d*mned senior asked, raising his fork. “If nobody cared about it, do you think you can survive the elite’s tricks?”
“Uh…”
“The school board is completely controlled by the elites. All the commoner professors have been replaced, and the principal isn’t here either. The school is the elite’s territory.” Charles continued, “Let me tell you, over these years, a lot of people have disappeared in the Thames River’s sewage system. Those elites all grew up in the viper’s nest. All of them are heartless. Do you think they’ll let you go after getting screwed over by you?”
Ye Qingxuan was disgusted. “They started it!”
“In their eyes, it was the commoner’s fault for fighting back.” Charles’ voice made him freeze. Seeing his helpless expression, Charles patted his shoulder. “Hey, I gave my all to help you make a hit. That’s all I can do for you at this point!”
“So you think it’s better to die when everyone’s watching?” Ye Qingxuan could not believe it, and glared at the b*stard before him. “Why do I feel like you’re just here for the show?”
“You’re making me sad.” Shrugging, Charles pushed a plate of food. “Here! The most important thing in life is to be happy. You’re so hungry, and the meatballs will get cold if you don’t eat soon. Eat!”
“You’re going to kill me someday.” Ye Qingxuan grabbed his fork, turned his anger into hunger, and attacked the food.
71 Manners
But as the two devoured their food, someone knocked gently on the table. Ye Qingxuan looked up to see a stranger.
The thin young man had a pair of delicate and long hands. He seemed steady and sure. His robe was pure black, bare of any decorations, as if he was going to a funeral. But there were no funerals at this school, and he seemed out of place.