Chapter 1361 Monsignor Magic Material Street <TOC> Chapter 1363 Reuniting with Old Friends
Translator: SumTLMan
Amidst a gentle breeze, wisps of mist danced through the streets.
As the melodious strains of music wafted by, a sense of serene tranquility rose in the hearts of those strolling along Monsignor Magic Material Street.
Angel, like everyone else, gazed quietly at the young man playing the saxophone by the fountain.
Donned in a black tuxedo, this young man sported slightly long, curly hair. As the music swayed, so did he, moving with a rhythm that was uniquely his own.
He seemed lost in the world of his music, as though every external distraction had been shut out, leaving only himself.
The notes he played became increasingly spirited and unrestrained. It was as if his very aura embodied a wild, carefree spirit.
“He must have been a distinguished musician once,” whispered Leon, reflecting. Although he lacked musical talent, as a titled noble, his musical appreciation was no less refined than Angel’s.
Yet, Angel and Nausica didn’t respond to Leon’s musings.
Nausica just smiled silently, for she knew the true identity of the musician. He was not just any musician — and, in fact, not even human.
Angel, on the other hand, was distracted by something else.
Just as the young man’s performance reached its climax, Angel felt a slight movement in his chest. Instantly, his attention was drawn away from the music, his focus entirely on what lay within his chest, for——
Toby was nestled there, soundly asleep.
Angel observed Toby closely, but much to his disappointment, Toby remained undisturbed afterward. Had Angel’s senses not been extraordinarily sharp, he might have believed the earlier stirrings were just a figment of his imagination.
Toby twitched slightly, leaving one pondering whether the stirring was due to the melody or some other reason.
As Angel deliberated in his heart, the musical notes came to a hushed pause.
Even the most mesmerizing melodies have their finales; this ten-minute performance enveloped the audience in sheer ecstasy.
Undeniably, the young performer’s talent was acknowledged by everyone, Leon included. In fact, Leon felt an urge to approach and befriend this young saxophonist.
Yet, as Leon’s heart leaned towards this desire, he was taken aback to see the previously captivated audience dispersing swiftly, as if fleeing from some imminent peril associated with the young musician.
Leon was baffled. Shouldn’t this be the moment to shower the young performer with applause? Why the sudden exodus?
In the next heartbeat, Leon’s confusion was addressed.
The artist, who moments ago epitomized the essence of free spirit, leisurely retrieved a bowl from behind and, with a broad grin, extended it towards a nearby individual.
The implication was clear: it was time for tips.
The man’s face was a canvas of regret, seemingly lamenting his delay in making an exit.
As the young musician persistently rattled his bowl, the man sighed, depositing a fragment of a magical crystal, and then hastily retreated without a second thought.
“Is this… A Street Performance?” Leon watched in bewilderment. How did a musician of such grandeur end up as a mere busker in this extraordinary world? And with such an entitled demeanor, no less?
After procuring a magic crystal fragment, the young man flashed a sly grin. He turned to identify his next target, but to his surprise, the crowd around him had dispersed.
Using the fountain at which he stood as the focal point, the vicinity of ten meters was utterly vacant.
“Come on, was that really necessary? Why the rush?” He muttered with a frown, “If I wasn’t planning to participate in the Novastar Competition, why would I be out here hustling, ahem, performing?”
Hearing his words, nearby shopkeepers couldn’t help but shake their heads in disbelief.
A few days earlier, some folks learned he was to compete in the Novastar Competition. Thinking they could befriend a talented individual, they willingly parted with their money. However, after checking the competition more closely, they found out he never even set foot on stage.
Clearly, his claim of participating in the Novastar Competition was merely a sugar-coated excuse for begging.
For the benefactors, what was sugar-coated on the outside, was indeed a ruse inside.
After sighing heavily in place, seeing no more potential donors, the youth begrudgingly packed up his saxophone and whispered, “Looks like it’s time to find a new spot.”
Seeing the downcast figure of the young man, many felt a surge of satisfaction. They knew all too well how he had swindled countless magic crystals with his saxophone antics. Now, with no one falling for his ruse, the sight of his despondency was a sight to behold.
While the onlookers reveled in his misfortune, a scruffy-looking middle-aged man unexpectedly approached the young scam artist.
The youth blinked in surprise, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He quickly brought out his collection bowl, portraying an image of mischief.
Seeing this unfold, a bystander warned, “Hey, move along! This guy’s nothing but a swindler.”
Yet, the middle-aged man paid no heed. Instead, he gazed intently at the swaying bowl, gradually extending his hand.
A crystal-clear magic crystal materialized in his palm, rolling into the basin, ringing with a pristine resonance.
“An entire magic crystal?” The onlookers couldn’t help but shake their heads. No matter how affluent one might be, this seems excessively extravagant.
Yet, the true astonishment was yet to come.
Tinkling sounds echoed from the basin, akin to harmonious notes resonating in a symphony.
One, two… ten…
In a flash, more than twenty magic crystals tumbled into the basin.
The basin, which had never been filled to the brim before, was not only full now but even sported a protruding tip.
Under the sunlight, the facets of the magic crystal shimmered with iridescent hues.
This spectacle rendered the spectators green with envy. Their previous amusement at the young man’s downtrodden state now evaporated, leaving behind only deep-seated jealousy.
It wasn’t just the bystanders; even the young man was taken aback.
“This… what you’ve given seems a bit…”
He halted mid-sentence, swallowing the word “excessive,” realizing it was a rare opportunity to encounter such a generous soul, and it would be foolish to let it slip.
“That’s thirty magic crystals. If you perform another piece, and it’s of the same caliber as before, I’ll give you another thirty,” the middle-aged man, known as Angel, said leisurely, observing the young man who seemed vaguely familiar.
The young man gulped. Just one more performance for a chance to double his earnings?
Adhering firmly to his principles, the book spirit showcased his talent every three days, offering only a single performance each time. Such a routine ensured he evaded the watchful eyes of the law enforcement.
“My rule is a solitary performance,” the young man paused, adding, “However, finding a kindred spirit in music justifies an encore.”
What’s the essence of principles? Can they satiate hunger?
What’s the purpose of rules? Aren’t they set just to be shattered?
In an instant, the young man was utterly enchanted by the allure of the magic crystal. He picked up his saxophone, transforming under the envious gaze of the bystanders from a rogue seeking wealth to an elegant artist.
Melodious tunes resonated.
Angel seemed absorbed in the music, but his attention was fixated on the content of his pouch.
Meanwhile, in a dim alleyway hundreds of meters away on Monsignor Magic Material Street, a youth leaned against an aging wall. Using the faint glow of a wall-mounted gas lamp, he engrossed himself in a magazine.
The distant music captured his attention, and he looked up, puzzled.
By the lamp’s light, his features became discernible. It was Shalem, the very person Angel and his group were searching for.
“Why has the book spirit played again?” Shalem’s brow furrowed. Despite being engrossed in the magazine, a part of his mind had been attentive. He recalled that a performance had occurred not long ago; this was already the second time.
The book spirit, known for his unwavering principles, had broken his rule. Could something have transpired with him?
Shalem was suddenly filled with apprehension. At first, when the book spirit performer mentioned wanting to showcase his talent, Shalem was against it, fearing it would provoke the law enforcement officers. The penalties for unauthorized street performance could be daunting. However, after the book spirit performer assured him of his discretion, Shalem reluctantly gave his consent.
During several consecutive performances, the book spirit performer executed flawlessly without drawing the attention of the authorities. Only then did Shalem’s anxiety ease.
But now, the book spirit performer was breaking the usual norms, and there had to be a profound reason behind it.
A cloud of concern hung over Shalem. After much contemplation, he tucked away the repeatedly-read magazine, —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—, and swiftly made his way towards the source of the music.
As Shalem approached the fountain, he noticed a middle-aged man standing before the book spirit performer.
Shalem wondered about the man’s significance. Could he be the reason behind the performer’s encore? Just as he pondered, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
…
As the melody concluded, disappointment was evident in Angel’s eyes.
Angel had hoped that the music would evoke an emotion in Toby. After all, apart from his passion for exquisite clothing, music was Toby’s greatest love.
However, the same piece failed to stir any reaction in Toby.
Perhaps, it was just a fluke the first time.
Angel handed over the promised magical crystals to the young man. This act sparked envy among the onlookers. Though most visitors to Monsignor Magic Material Street had some savings, magic crystals didn’t just fall from the sky. Bestowing sixty crystals on a stranger was a generosity they couldn’t fathom.
After bestowing the magic crystal upon Angel, he gazed at the young man hurriedly packing, ready to leave. With a ponderous voice, he said, “Play another melody for me, one with a different cadence than before. The price remains — thirty magic crystals.”
The young man’s movements momentarily stalled, astonishment apparent in his gaze towards Angel.
Onlookers cast incredulous glances, as if witnessing a madman’s request. Among them, one individual rushed from his alchemy shop, presenting an item to Angel, “I have the latest version of the Illusion Music Box. Though not crafted by that renowned Music Box Magician, it contains Angel’s composition —Castle in the Sky— and the elusive —Alice— that once graced the Ancient Auction.”
“Why seek his performance? Come to my shop, and I’ll play every tune for you. I won’t ask for thirty magic crystals — ten for each melody will suffice.”
Chapter 1361 Monsignor Magic Material Street <TOC> Chapter 1363 Reuniting with Old Friends