59 The Dark Mother (2/2)

What were their names? The Wright Brothers?

For a time, many musicians passed on this joke…

The strange professor at the podium told the joke and laughed by himself, pounding the table for a long time. But no student found it funny at all, and there was only awkward silence.

”Uh, that was to lighten the atmosphere. Don’t mind it.” He finally finished laughing and dragged a chair over to sit. He propped his elbows on his knees.

He was smiling, but his eyes seemed icy, as if there was a sword in his hands.

”I hope you all will listen carefully to what I am going to tell you next. If an idiot thinks that it doesn’t matter, that’s okay too. It won’t be a big deal to me if they fail the class because of this.

”If the Dark Mother is the source of all fear and disaster of mankind, then the next will be a natural enemy that all musicians must be wary of. Ever since the Dark Ages, it appeared with the fall of the first musician, and became the Church’s mortal enemy. For hundreds of years, it has bewitched countless musicians to fall into the darkness and become its talons.”

He paused and quietly said its name, ”It is Satan Hyakume.”

--

As soon as he finished, a commotion sounded outside the door.

Ben had appeared and knocked on the door, ”Sir, if it’s okay, may we talk outside?”

The professor huffed and rose. Waving at the students, he said, ”Read your books and I’ll be back later. And that guy…leave some durians for me!”

”…”

--

”Mr. Administrator, long time no see.”

At the staircase beside the classroom, Ben put a hand to his chest in greeting. ”I didn’t think that the representative of the Musician Union would come personally. My apologies for not coming to welcome you.”

”I remember you’re…Mr. Ben, right?” The administrator glanced down at Ben. ”Hurry up and say whatever you need to say. I’m a bit upset at being called out during class.”

Ben flinched and his expression changed, but he could not say anything.

Taking a deep breath, he said in a low voice, ”The Academy has just learned that the person from the Musician Union would replace the professor of the first lecture. The Union has some control over all musicians, but isn’t doing so a disrespect to the Royal Academy of Music?”

”Maxwell asked me to teach this class. If you didn’t know, then that’s your problem. You can talk to Maxwell about it,” the administrator said coolly. ”If you disrespect your principal, that is.”

”…If it’s arranged by the principal, then that’s a different matter.” Despite his words, Ben looked like he had just swallowed a fly. His expression made his thoughts very clear.

Anyone would be pissed if they met an opponent that always gave them a hard time. Especially those that had the principal on their side. Arguing with them in public was the worst choice. So he chose another method. Glancing in the direction of the classroom, he said, ”But Mr. Administrator, isn’t it better to teach them about Satan later in their studies?”

”Mr. Ben, have you been staying in the greenhouse for too long?” The administrator glanced at Ben strangely. ”When did ‘musician’ become a fancy title to catch the attention of others at elite parties? If you decide to become a musician, then isn’t it natural to step onto the battlefield? Isn’t it natural to learn about your enemies?”

Ben’s face was almost green from the direct taunt. Working hard to control his anger, he said, ”To them, it’s still too early. And anyway, the secrecy level of Satan is not something they can understand.”

”The material that I arrange clearly has reason behind it. If you have any problems, you can go talk to your principal.” The administrator was annoyed. ”Did you call me out just to talk about this stuff? I’m going back. You can go do whatever you need to. When did musicians turn into this, plotting against each other all day…”

Face changing between green and white, Ben suddenly reached out to stop the administrator.

”What do you want?” The administrator glanced at him.

”Actually, I’m not the one who called you out.” Ben unwillingly let go and looked upward. ”Today is the first day of class. An esteemed guest came to observe the new musicians for the Queen. He saw your class and wanted to catch up with you.”

”Oh?” The administrator thought for a moment and suddenly glanced at him, chuckling. ”So that’s how it is…no wonder you sound so jealous. I stole the chance to shine from you.”

Ben turned around wordlessly and guided him.