Chapter 52: Chapter 52 – Musical Talent

A woman with tanned skin stood at the front of the group of musicians. Her posture was more perfect and graceful than even the highest of nobles. It was as if she had attached a metal rod to her spine. Her long black hair cascaded all the way down her back like a waterfall that had been slowed down with time magic and she wore a long, light-blue dress that trailed along the floor.

Her reddish lips parted ever so softly. Men and women alike had their gazes attached to her as if she was the centre of the universe.

Astrid frowned. She could tell it was an illusion. Her very aura seemed to stir up the crowd. She turned to Freya, and from the stony look on her face, she could also tell. Astrid had the urge to tear down the illusion, but she didn’t have to, as the woman did that herself. With the Illusion gone, she displayed a bright smile and bowed. The crowd all stood up and erupted in a raucous applause.

“Who is she?” Astrid turned to Freya.

She had never seen her before, and judging by the applause, it was only her that was unaware. When it came to the people of the Upper District, she knew a lot. It was a byproduct of being forced to attend countless balls. Apparently, it was necessary training for a noble heir to remember the faces of all the important people within Rebirth.

“Her name’s Koya,” Freya said. “She was born within Dreadline. That’s the rumour, anyway?”

Astrid’s eyes widened. “Dreadline? The survivor colony at the edge of the world? The Dead Sea?”

“Indeed,” Freya continued, “but she now stays at Mount Hullbeck.”

“Seems like more and more people are moving there,” Astrid said.

“People like their freedom.”

“It’s also the haven for Wayfarers, they can pick and choose their missions and go whenever they want.” Leena added.

Astrid nodded. It definitely had more appeal than the militaristic system on Rebirth. No one enjoyed following orders if you didn't have to. It also meant that whatever you looted would belong to you completely. Many Wayfarers weren’t happy that they had to pay a tax on whatever they earned, but it was necessary. The Wayfaring Headquarters provided equipment if one needed it. It was their responsibility to scout the countless towns and cities, and whatever equipment or transport that were damaged during a mission, they would repair it free of charge.

It had its benefits, but if one was a higher levelled and more experienced group, going on their own would be a better choice. Astrid guessed the only reason that Daniel and the others stayed within Rebirth was because they were under her father, Lord Sinwen.

My father probably helped them train. It also wouldn’t be a surprise to think that their families had ties with her father as well. It was clear after spending a good amount of time with them; they didn’t have ordinary classes like most from the Lower District. That meant they held a strong bloodline, and their classes along with it.

With the applause ending, the auction house employees rushed forward and placed down an enormous stringed box in front of her. The box matched her elegance. Smooth corners travelled down at a slight tilt, just like the languid water of a peaceful stream. The dark wood was blended with what looked like a frigid blue glass, or some sort of crystal as it followed the grain of the wood in streaks. The box was hollowed out, and on top lay taut metallic strings. Astrid counted thirteen in total. She had never seen a musical instrument like it before.

Koya gently raised her hand and rested her fingers on the strings. Her movements were graceful, and one could easily tell that she had dedicated her life to playing the instrument just with those trained movements.

With a pluck of her finger, Astrid could feel the very strings of her heart twang. Her veins pulsated and her eyes turned sharp. She looked at the other, weaker people in the hall as their eyes sparkled. Just with the one note, it brought a tune of love and compassion, but to Astrid, it held the opposite effect. Something within her blood boiled as the feeling instantly washed away. The pain pricked at her eye, and she quickly covered it with her fringe.

Your Anger has reached 36/100.

Astrid took a breath and calmed down. With the pain in her eye and the X visible, all of her internal theories gushed into her thoughts. Whatever had entered her during the day of her awakening was now inside her head. She was certain that the black blob had altered her bloodline and affected her class choice. And now she was certain it was either heightening her emotions or controlling them completely. She recalled the thought of killing inside her mind throughout her journey so far. The mocking Titles were also another fact. She wasn’t blessed by Godess Iara, but by something else.

Is it trying to harm me? But she shook her head at the thought. Her class and abilities had saved her life countless times by now. She had so many questions, but it scared her to ask them. What would her father do if he knew she had something alien within her? Would he attempt to pry it out somehow? Or would he leave it be? Astrid gnawed at her lips.

“Astrid, are you okay?” Leena whispered. Her eyes twitched as she noticed the black X scored within Astrid’s eye. Her hand quickly reached forward and tidied her hair so that it covered her eye completely.

A warmth bubbled up within Astrid as she nodded. Her finger covered her eye as the pain faded, the X along with it.

The music continued, with it no longer affecting her. She could enjoy the talent of the woman without the urge to tear her into pieces. Astrid watched as Koya’s speed gradually increased, then lowered into a lull before picking up speed once more. Her fingers flashed around the box in a blur.

Slow, fast, graceful, fierce. Koya displayed the limits of her playing ability as the sound graced everyone’s ears. It was, without a doubt, the best Astrid had heard. With the effect her playing had, Astrid could make an educated guess she had a class to play the instrument. Astrid wondered. It obviously could change someone's emotions with her playing.

Can I do the same? Changing the matter within their mind. It was far too dangerous to test it out on humans; she was afraid that she would scramble their mind if she tugged the matter in the wrong direction, or worse, she could accidentally Crash it. Spawn would be the perfect training partner. If she could control monsters to be calm, or wake them up in a blood frenzy, she would have another trick up her sleeves.

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Koya’s playing was coming to a halt, only for the rest of the musicians to join her playing in a cacophony of different melodies that soothes her ears. Although they weren’t as skilled as Koya, they had the experience of bringing out another feeling for her music.

Astrid’s mind twitched as she glanced at the door. Within the next couple of seconds, someone knocked on the door, then opened. Astrid glanced at the person and groaned internally. She stood up, curtsying her dress as well as she remembered.

He was wearing an immaculate three-piece suit. He combed his hair to the side and slicked back the hair with a wet product. A silver pocket watch swooped from his outside pocket, and the chain disappeared behind the luxurious fabric at his chest. Astrid noticed his eyes, red, stripy veins, lightly sprawled across his eyes.

She glanced at Freya’s well practised curtsy as a smile was plastered on her face. With Astrid knowing Freya for so long, she could tell it was fake.

“Please, don’t put on ceremonies.” Earl Kamron bowed in return. “It fills my heart with unease.”

“Earl Kamron,” Freya said. She let go of her dress and stood straight.

“And Lady Astrid, I’ve heard of your travels, and especially uncovering the dungeon.” Earl Kamron once again bowed. “The entire world is in a frenzy right now. Most of the Wayfarers are gone and in search of more. Some scientists even say that a new world is hidden within. They sure have fanciful minds, don’t they?”

“Earl Kamron,” Astrid said, “long night? Your eyes look a tad sore.”

“Indeed,” Earl Kamron said. “With everything going on, I’ve not had the luxury of a good night's rest, I'm afraid.”

"No doubt you've been scurrying around, gathering gold."

“Not just me either," He said. "With these new dungeon items, all the nobility has arrived and if they had delayed the auction, I don't doubt even the twelve pirate lords would arrive here.”

“Indeed, I plan on snatching up a few myself.” Freya nodded.

“That, I believe.” Earl Kamron chuckled. “Knowing you, Lady Freya, you’ll be focusing on the bulk items?”

“Of course, that’s where all the profit lies,” Freya said. “I’ll leave the higher tier items to you and the others.”

“Well, it will be a shame to lose out on some extra competition,” He said. “But I will gladly welcome any advantage I can get for today.”

“There’s always a chance I spot something." Freya said. "You never know.”

“And if there is, let me know. I’ll help you get it.” Earl Kamron checked his stopwatch. “It’s about time the auction started. I’ll leave you in peace. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me hanging around. Lady Astrid, it was a pleasure to see you again.”

“Likewise.” Astrid nodded, while Freya curtsied as he left the VIP box and moved towards his own.

Astrid sighed in annoyance. She was just getting into the band when she was interrupted, and now it was over. The auction house employees rushed onto the stage and took away the exquisite music box at Koya’s feet. She remained on the stage as she held her hands together.

Her sweet voice filled the entire hall.

“Welcome, everyone, to today's auction,” Koya continued. “Without further ado, I will no longer keep you waiting. Auction Master Samuel, please.”

As her words finished, the stage’s red curtains split open as a man walked forward. Everyone clapped as he made his appearance.

Astrid gazed at the man that barely fit his white velvet suit. Long, wild golden hair lay atop his shoulders and fell down his back. His face looked like something sculpted it from stone. Sharp facial features brought with it a heroic aura. His enormous muscles threatened to rip the suit at any movement, yet it remained whole. Thankfully.

He was the Auction Master, Samuel Nairn.