Solo Swordmaster

Chapter 63: Versus

‘Why?’

Julia was curious.

‘Really, why?’

She didn’t really do these kinds of things. Life was too short to waste time like this, and she thought that she lacked the talent necessary. And yet, there were two reasons why she came to this place.

‘Why did the dean ask me something like this?’

First, was that this was a teacher’s request. Her teacher only did other’s favors without asking for any in return. It was hard to say no to a person like that.

‘And why did they give me a fortune for just a month’s worth of lesson fees?’

Secondly, was the pay.

Even someone like Julia, who had never been poor, doubted her ears when she first heard it. It was money that could hire an entire orchestra and some more.

But for just a single first-class violinist? Her curiosity about the ridiculous cost was the second reason she took up the favor.

“You look like you have a lot of questions, Julia.”

“Is it showing?”

“I have quick wits.”

Black hair in a jade binyeo. A silk dress, and the oddly mature energy that contrasted her physical youth.

Li Chingwei, the beautiful girl emanating the very essence of ‘eastern charm’, beamed.

“The person before you also had the same question.”

“I figured I wasn’t the first one.”

“Really?”

“There’s usually a common reason for offering such a massive payout,” Julia stated nonchalantly. “Out of curiosity… How many came before me.”

“Two.”

“I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Because there were too few or too many?”

“Too few. I expected to be at least the 100th with an offer that generous.”

Julia was being half serious. Otherwise, the pay just wouldn’t make sense.

Li chingwei gave her a bright smile.

“Was it a bit extreme?”

“A lot more than a bit. I almost thought you guys wanted me to do something illegal.”

‘Though, I’m also curious about who this girl is.’

There were a lot of Asians who looked young for their age—maybe a bit too young in Li Chingwei’s case. She didn’t look to be any older than her late teens.

But not only had she been the one who invited her, she had bought out an entire first-class cafe at Leviathan. Of course she’d want to know who Li Chingwei was.

As if she’d read Julia’s suspicions, Li Chingwei smiled.

“I don’t intend on making you do anything dangerous or illegal. I simply raised the price because you’re the only one who can do this job.”

“There are many first-class violinists besides me.”

“But not many who are top-notch.”

Julia had nothing to say to that. Though maybe not the best violinist, it was a fact that whenever it was brought into question, she would be one of the first names to pop up.

There was also another reason besides her skills when it came to her prestigious reputation.

“Especially for a non-player, who doesn't use musical or instrumental skills.”

After the Iron Age opened its gates, most people considered ‘first-class’ met their downfall. Composers, singers, directors, finance specialists, professors, doctors… Swordsmen…

Players took the place of countless professions. They could perform beyond human limits with just a skill. And yet, there were those who still stood on their own two feet.

Julia was one of those people. Being able to perform on the same level as the Iron Age’s first-class players without the power of skills, Julia Francke was also known as the ‘Violin Witch’.

“That’s a rather unexpected reason.”

“Is that so?”

“Most people wouldn’t want a civilian musician. It’s faster and more accurate to learn from a player.”

“Yes, that is usually the case.”

Li Chingwei agreed without hesitation. What would take an average musician months, players could know the aptitude or potential of a student from skill alone. On top of that, the lessons would be exponentially more effective with skills like 「Instruction」and 「Progress Boost」.

It was only natural for any normal musician to want lessons from a player.

“But the person who invited you this time is a bit…… Quite special.”

“Hm? I thought you invited me.”

“If you mean the person who sent you the invitation and will pay you the lesson fees, then yes, that is me. But I am not the one who wanted lessons from you directly.”

“Really…?”

Julia’s curiosity grew even more at Li Chingwei’s calm answer. For someone who had seen her fair share of modern aristocrats, Li Chingwei did not come off as someone who would receive orders. She thought this girl was obviously going to be her student, but to hear that she was just an agent!

It was indeed unexpected for multiple reasons.

‘Could it be for her younger sibling or friend?’

Julia guessed Li Chingwei’s reasons, but did not bother to dig deeper.

She decided to just focus on her new student.

“What do you mean by special? Is it their talent? Personality?”

“Both.”

“Is that so? They must be quite the difficult student.”

Julia smiled wryly. From a teacher’s viewpoint, this was bound to be a migraine for her—whether they had the talent but a horrible personality, or were mild-mannered but had zero talent. But if both were the problem, it was understandable why the two people who came before her had quit.

Li Chingwei had an inexplicable expression on her face as she watched her.

“I don’t think so. The lesson will be difficult, but not in the way you’re thinking.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s hard to explain. And it will be hard to understand or believe until you see for yourself.”

“…?”

“So let me tell you in advance. Please take care.”

Julia was perplexed. She didn’t know what Li Chingwei was trying to say.

“If possible, try not to listen to his music. For the time being, at the very least,” she continued calmly.

For a minute, Julia thought that she was joking. Teach without listening to the person perform at all? That was more nonsensical than telling her to teach a deaf student.

But as soon as she looked into Li Chingwei’s eyes, no longer smiling like before, she realized this wasn’t a joke.

“…Why?”

“You will want to run away.”

Julia looked at her with a hint of skepticism, a pinch of suspicion, and a dash of curiosity.

Li Chingwei responded with a bitter smile.

“At least, that’s what the two people who came before you did.”

To skip to the conclusion, Julia accepted the offer.

Not only was Li Chingwei’s attitude serious, she really wanted to see for herself who this ‘special someone’ was.

Although, even she was a bit reluctant when she had to sign a confidentiality agreement. Only after she signed it, was she introduced to the student.

“Is this the place I’ll be teaching in?”

“Yes. He is waiting inside.”

“Just to make sure, what are the restrictions for this practice room?”

“There are none.”

“…Do you mean the time?”

“No, all of the instruments and equipment in this room are a part of Hotel Leviathan.”

And of course, the guest room was the executive suite room.

Julia watched Li Chingwei’s beaming face in awe as she blinked blankly.

Finally, she asked, “are you trying to make me go bankrupt?”

“Don’t worry about that. All fees while you are teaching here will be paid as part of your lesson fees.”

“Just who am I teaching, for you to do all this?”

Julia was now genuinely curious.

But Li Chingwei did not answer her questions.She simply beamed as she looked at the door.

“You’ll find out soon.”

Saying that she was going to be nothing more than a distraction, Li Chingwei slipped away, leaving Julia behind with those purposeful words.

She looked at the empty spot astringently for a while. With a short sigh, she gathered her spirits as she opened the door.

“Hallo, schön dich zu treffen.(hey, nice to meet you.)”

And she saw.

With crossed legs and a blue baby bird on his head, he waved. The most memorable student Julia would ever have—a young boy with black hair.

***

***

“Student Li.”

“Li.”

“What?”

“It’s just weird to be called a student at this age. Just call me ‘Li’.”

“…Okay, Li.”

As if he was giving her special permission, the young man corrected his name.

Julia had an inexplicable look on her face. She had taught quite a number of students compared to her young age. However, this was the first student she had who acted this arrogantly just in the introduction.

‘Is he some conglomerate CEO’s grandson who never learned manners or something?’

Then that would be plausible—his supercilious character and tremendous wealth using Hotel Leviathan as his living room.

One thing that didn’t make sense, however, was that—

‘But his attitude is a little too distinguished for that…’

His appearance and tone only appeared pompous. But for someone like Julia, who had seen many aristocrats, she could sense a peculiar nobility in the young man’s attitude.

He wasn’t trying to show off. It looked like he truly believed he deserved to act like this. Not to mention, the mysteriously elegant German accent…

‘That’s right, like a noble.’

Back when she was studying abroad in the Great British Empire, she’d seen old nobles. The young man had a similar aura to that of a retired soldier of a noble bloodline prideful of their military prowess.

There was a big age difference, of course. But it was possible if he was raised in the arms of such a grandfather.

‘Maybe he’s a young master of some noble household.’

Julia stopped guessing. Surely they must have a reason when she had to sign a confidentiality agreement for violin lessons. She didn’t really want to dig into the details.

And more than anything, there was something she needed to know over who this young man called Li was.

“Will you tell me your musical background? I haven’t heard anything beforehand.”

“Background“?”

“Yes. Like what concours you have participated in, or which awards you’ve gotten.”

In actuality, she wasn’t someone who thought of experience as important. Regardless of whatever renowned music academy they attend or whichever award they win, background was nothing more than just that. She believed that the only thing that proved a musician’s worth was their performance alone.

But as per Li Chingwei’s had specially requested, she was just going to have to be content knowing his background.

“I don’t have such things.”

“…Don’t have what?”

“Concours or whatever. I’ve never been to one.”

“What?”

That was why Julia couldn’t help but be flustered.

Unlike Li Chingwei, whose age was impossible to guess, Limon was a young man clearly in his 20s.

A musician who had learned the violin from a young age would obviously have at least some experience participating in a concour, especially at his age.

But he had never even gone to one, let alone win a prize.

“By any chance, Li, where… I mean, who taught you the violin?”

“Sorry to tell you, but everyone who came before you ran off. If I must say, then you’re the first one to.”

If you don’t run away too.

The young black-haired man showed a catty smile.

Julia could feel the corners of her mouth spasm. but she did not burst—not yet.

Instead, she asked a final question with her final ounce of hope.

“Then, when did you first start playing the violin?”

“'Bout a month ago?”

The minute she heard Li’s confident answer, Julia laughed in defeat.

Two words escaped her mouth.

“Verdamnt Schei ße.”

'Fuck.'

——

——