59 Center of Attention (1/2)
While Ronan and Greyson had been exchanging compliments, the head examiner had made his way over. He had their respective badges in his hands signifying their passing grades for the painting association test.
”Congratulations to you both! So young, yet so talented. You guys will be the new shining stars of our association and take it to new heights. I can already tell that you both are meant for greatness looking at your ages, magic level, and painting ability...” He continued droning on without even bothering to ask for their names. Unlike Grandmaster Allen, this head examiner did not come off as sincere at all. Instead he had a wily fox-like gleam in his eyes and a servile posture that looked like he would kiss up to anyone with power. Seeing through the man's demeanor, Greyson did not respond at all to the man and just accepted the badge with a nod. Ronan, however, felt trapped by the sudden burst of the man's words that were praising him to the high heavens. He could only innocently blush while trying his best to deny the claims.
Completely bored with the pointless exchanging of pleasantries, Greyson had long drowned out the man's words. His brain was turning through ideas on how to quickly leave without coming off too offensively. However, he was soon distracted when he saw some sneaky movement in the crowd. Spotting the face along with the body, his eyes filled with an evil glint and a smirk formed on his face.
”Oh, no, where ever did Mr. 8-years-of-experience go? I so was hoping that he could give his advice to 3-years-of-experience me. I know I still have much to learn from him.” His voice practically dripping with sarcasm, the poisonous words suddenly drew the crowd's attention back to the young boy who spoke out earlier. Some people showed sympathy while others were smiling at other's misfortune. Said boy, pretended he did not hear Greyson's words and continued sneaking away. Staying would only be inviting more humiliation on himself, especially since some people would recognize his name and know which painting is his. To be fair, his painting ability was really not bad, however, he had been so distracted looking at Ronan and Greyson that his painting for the exam was done haphazardly and distracted. When he finally came to and looked at his work after the head examiner had yelled that time was up, he could only think of quickly leaving. Just as he had believed he had quietly left with no one noticing, he heard the words of that half-elf and almost just died at that moment. Feeling the blood rushing to his head and his eyes turning red, the boy took a deep breath and controlled his anger. Leaving only one last murderous glare towards Greyson, he humphed before turning around. It would not be over with just this!
...
”Hm?” Although he could not be sure, Greyson had instinctively felt killing intent towards himself. Sneering inwardly, he could already guess who that look had come from. However, he was now an accepted student of the academy and he believed he would be able to stick out as a talented student above most of the others. This would grab the attention of those higher up in the academy who would in turn protect him. What could a random kid like that do to him?
Finally, noticing Greyson's attention had completely wondered away from him, the head examiner took the hint and stopped the conversation and let them go. He could tell by this point that both of these students were not weak towards flattery like the other egotistical noble children. Unknown thoughts flashed in his minds while a weird look was hidden as he bowed his head. This meant these kids would be much harder to control. Hmmmm... he would have to think of a solution. Greyson was too distracted to notice the odd behavior, however, Lucius, who had never left Greyson's shoulder, had noticed the strange atmosphere around the examiner and made sure to remember to remind Greyson about it later.
Ronan had let out a huge sigh of relief once he was freed from the situation. Seeing the other boy looking so worn out, Greyson couldn't hold in a small giggle.
”You know that you did not have to respond to him. You are part of the reason he would not stop talking to us. If you just ignore people like that and give them a cold response then they will go away on their own. No one likes to be the one forcing interaction.”
”You make it sound easy. I don't know. With my personality, it's already hard enough to not stutter in front of strangers, let alone come off all cool and collected like you.” Ronan just shook his head while smiling wryly.
”Hahaha, well, you have me now right? I'll be the confident one for us.”
”Yeah! I'll be counting on you then.” Ronan smiled happily while extending his hand. Greyson smiled before shaking it.
”Are you going to be headed over with the rest of the kids who passed then?”
”No, I am actually going to go over and take the music exam as well.”
”Music?! You play an instrument, too?” Ronan looked over with a shocked expression.
”Yeah, I'm not exactly positive of my skill, but I think it should be passable.” Greyson responded while scratching his head slightly in embarrassment.
”You even have the blacksmith's badge on... Isn't that three occupations, then? Plus you already passed for two of them.” Ronan's looked at the other badge shining on Greyson's chest that was now accompanied by the painting badge. Not holding back at all he glanced at Greyson like he was looking at some sort of monster. His expression quickly changed from awe to bitterness.
”What is it?”
”I practiced so hard to get to my level in painting, yet you somehow are already catching up to me with only 3 years of experience and while splitting your time between two other occupations. Comparing yourself to others with talent is just too depressing...”
”This is only in the earlier stages. Even I know that I will probably have to give up at least one of them to continue getting better at all of them. It only gets harder the more I try to increase my level in all of them.” Hearing Ronan's words, Greyson only sighed while shaking his head. Practicing all three only seemed easy right now, but he knew that blacksmithing especially would get harder and harder to increase his tier.
”Do you want to walk over with me to check out the situation?” Greyson looked over and asked.
”To the music association area?” At first he paused in thought before Ronan's eyes flashed with a slightly mischievous light as he suddenly thought of something.
”No, I don't think I can. I'm not good with strangers, plus I know nothing about music. I think its best if you just go by yourself.”
”Hm? What did you just think of?” Greyson noticed the weird look in his eyes before Ronan had said no.
”Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of a funny happening before with the music association.”
”Really?” Greyson squinted his eyes and slightly scrutinized the boy in front of him.
”Yeah, really!” Ronan rapidly nodded his head.
”Okay, then. Well, I catch up to you later after the exam.” Greyson of course did not believe him at all, but since Ronan had not wanted to say, he decided against prying. Waving goodbye to his new friend, he headed off to the music association exam area.
...
Slightly looking around, Greyson soon found the area. It was in a large outdoor amphitheater and the testing student would stand on the stage and perform a randomly given song before the judges and the rest of the waiting students. It was to test their musical ability first and foremost, but to also test their experience performing in front of crowds. As most musicians would have to play in front of grand audiences if they wanted to become famous later on. In contrast to some of the more stage-fright prone peers, Greyson was completely calm with the idea. His teacher, Carlyle, had allowed him to play in the music association's concert hall before, so he was not a stranger to this aspect. He did, however, start to realize something very odd with the testing area. From the moment he arrived, all of the waiting students and even some of the judges kept glancing over at him and whispering. It was not that he was not used to others staring, since with his mixed blood status, a lot of people normally point and stare. It was the look in their eyes. A different kind of confusion and disdain. He also couldn't help but notice that he was one of the only males in sight. Almost every single other student and judge was a female.
Greyson was not aware, however, in the noble circles of higher tier kingdoms, only females pursued side occupations in music. Actually even back at the Dalia Academy, he was one of the few boys, but it was not exaggerated to this point of disparity. Very few men joined and most of them who did only had impure intentions towards being surrounded by only females. They also all joined later on and made some excuse like they had only just started learning when in reality they had hit puberty and recently became more and more interested in flirting with girls. This built up a bad reputation and a stigma towards all boys who wanted to join the music association. This was why so many people were whispering about him and looking at him with disdain and disgust. Such a cute-looking and gentle half-elf boy was actually hiding such a perverse mind. He didn't look any older than 8! Most of them shook their heads thinking of such a distracted boy's future.