The Music Speaks

My mind feels cleansed and my soul feels light. Contrary to what I should be feeling after such harrowing trials, I am at peace. As though a veil had been lifted from my eyes, I can now see clearly in front of me.

‘What about the others?’

Looking around me, I notice that all of them have collapsed. Both Ugo and Sophia lie flat on their stomach, their mouths agape and their eyes rolled back. Camille on the other hand, is in a seated position with her head slumped down.

‘I see.. So they couldn’t clear it…’

“Am I the only one who succeeded?” I ask the Maestro.

“...Yes, but all of your friends came quite close. Especially the red-haired girl slumped on the ground over there, she only needed one more step… Perhaps, when they wake up, it’ll click, who knows?”

I frown and look at Camille. From her mental state prior to the trial, I did not expect her to be the one closest to clearing it. Her mind seemed to be the most fragile and it seemed as though she would break at any given moment. Truly, I’m impressed. Perhaps she finally found her resolve, or at least part of it, during her last trial.

Not wanting to leave them in these awkward positions. I drag all of my teammates next to each other and flip them so that they all lie on their backs. I then turn their heads to the side, in the off chance that they regurgitate. Finally, I silently watch over them for a few moments. Surprisingly, the Maestro watches me in silence as I do this and does not attempt to interrupt me.

Eventually, when I feel enough time has passed, I ask for clarification. “So… what happened? Even now, I’m not sure.”

Slightly surprised by me suddenly addressing her, she grins, and retracts her instrument back into her sleeves. “What happened? You conquered fear, of course, and passed my challenge with flying colors!”

“Was that the point of the trial this entire time?”

“Yes? What, Did you think I subjected you to this out of pure sadistic desire?”

I shrug. “...Yeah?”

I cannot see behind her mask, but I know for sure that she rolls her eyes at that statement. Up until now, I was certain that this challenge was meant for us to learn true terror, but not to conquer it.

The Maestro approaches me slightly. “Tell me, what do you think you’ve gained from this?”

I observe the world around me and try to focus on the sense of clarity I felt upon clearing the trial. The grass, the moon, the starlit sky and my companions, I observe everything.

When I’ve absorbed all of the information surrounding me, I give her an answer. “I… feel like everything has become a bit clearer.”

A smile creeps up her lips and she jumps with joy. “Exactly! What you’ve managed to grasp is something higher level [enlightened] refer to as composure.”

‘Composure…?’

She notices the visible confusion on my face and continues. “You see, when an [enlightened] has perfected their battle style, or craft, to an extent where it flows perfectly, flawlessly, and continuously, we say that they have gained their rhythm. A specific manner of existence unique to them! Unfortunately, though, it is impossible to reach that state without a clear, focused, and open mind. That, trainee, is what we refer to as composure. It is not necessary to ascend between stages but it is what makes all the difference between mediocre and excellent [enlightened]!”

I frown. “And obtaining this… composure, was the purpose of this trial?”

“Precisely! Normally it would take months for geniuses and years for your average person to reach composure, let alone rhythm. But this method I’ve developed can forcefully awaken composure, provided the person on the receiving end of my trial does not break first! Aren’t I just amazing?”

‘Haha… she’s really crazy…’

I have no doubt that the Maestro is unlike any other professor at DaiKar. Though I am happy that I have managed to hasten the process of obtaining such an important state of mind, I wonder what would have happened if I broke first.

Though I would like to keep discussing the subject, I’ll have other opportunities to do so. Sensing that I do not have much time, I change the subject. “Anyways, what happens now? Do we get the access permit?”

She pulls a rectangular card with the words ‘access permit vault 101’ inscribed into it and then hands it over to me. I can feel my legs shaking as I step forward to grab it from her palm. Though I’ve managed to pass this challenge, it appears it has taken a considerable toll on me.

“What about the special reward?” I ask

She points to my fallen teammates. “Unfortunately, you did not all succeed, so that won’t be possible!”

I knew she would say that, but I’m disappointed nonetheless. I click my tongue, and move on to my next talking point.

“Alright then, what about the reward for the eleventh step, the favor?”

She arches her eyebrow in amusement. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but your team did not take eleven steps.”

“Sure, but I cleared your challenge in even less than that. If anything, I should get a better reward,shouldn’t I?”

“... If you put it like that…” The Maestro ponders for a moment. She taps her right foot on the ground vigorously. I can tell she is considering my words. Gradually, her foot stomping slows down, and she seems to be coming to a conclusion, or at least something to answer me with.

“Let’s say I were to agree to that request, what would the favor be?”

I swallow a bit of saliva, fearing for her response to my request. If she refuses, we are doomed after all. After a short pause, I gather my courage and ask her. “I would need you too… protect all five of us until sunrise.”

Her eyes expand, and she immediately draws an ‘x’ with her arms. “No can do, instructors cannot directly interfere with the trial!”

I’m not done yet, I expected this response.

“Right… Maybe it’s impossible for Maestro Lauren, but it shouldn't be for Requiem, the mysterious figure of the south, no? After all, Requiem is simply a mysterious challenge administrator who happened to find herself in the grasslands. I doubt there is any higher authority to hold Requiem responsible.”

She scoffs. “A sharp tongue I see, but alas, it’s impossible. To know your limits and to avoid undertaking trials that would leave you defenseless is also your responsibility. We are trying to simulate a real environment after all.”

I refuse to let this go. “I’ll pay you, with points!”

Her lip curls into a half-smile. “I have no need for points, trainee. I cannot buy anything with that.”

“I’m offering them to Requiem, not Maestro Lauren. In this ‘world’, points are currency, and in the real world, everyone has a price.”

Her expression turns to intrigue. “Oh? Aren’t you a crafty one? That’s quite a solid line of reasoning… If that’s what you’re going for… even they’ll have to agree… Still…” Her tone now teasing, she warns me. “I’m rather expensive you know?”

I look at her with resolve, barely holding myself together. “I’m prepared to pay anything…!!”

She rubs her chin. “Anything you say…interesting, but there’s one thing you still haven’t considered. Putting you five into so many illusory realms alongside at least a few dozen spectators no less, put quite the burden on me. Even if I were to accept, I might not be able to protect you.”

I blink a few times and stare at the Maestro with genuine confusion. Her statement is completely ridiculous. Not only is she an instructor, putting her at an entirely different level from us, but she’s also nearing the third stage. She’s a genius among geniuses with immense power. Does she take me for a fool?

With a frown, I answer. “You’re joking right…? First, there’s simply no way this exhausted all your flow… and in the very improbable event that it did… it wouldn’t really matter. Even if you had one foot in the grave, your hands were bound, and you were blindfolded, there isn’t a single person in this event who could put a scratch on you… If you’re going to feed me a lie, at least make it convincing Maestro…”

Hearing my reply, she bursts into hysterical laughter, clutching her stomach. “Hahaha! You’re so right!! A flick of my finger is enough for someone of your level! Hahahah!!” Her laughter continues for a few more minutes. Eventually, she wipes tears from her eyes, and continues. “Alright, alright! I accept it! Until sunrise, correct? That’s in about six hours! I’ll protect you and your team until then, or at least until one of you wakes up!”

Her tone softens, she presses her palm on my chest and softly pushes me down. “Rest now child, It’s impressive that you’re still standing, but you’ve reached your limit.”

Pleased with her answer. I perform one last action. With my remaining strength, I stuff the access permit in-between my skin and my body suit. With this, any assailant would have to rip off my suit in order to obtain it, which would have to be considered an attack on my person. In such a case, in accordance with our contract, Maestro Lauren would have no choice but to defend me, and by extension the access permit. My task now competed, I collapse to the floor. The exhaustion has finally caught up to me. In the last moments of my fading consciousness, I hear a few words being said not too far from me.

“Ah, so you’ve finally come out I see! You five, who had been hiding from sight, have finally decided to show yourselves! How may this humble Requiem assist you?”

A male voice snaps back, clearly impatient. “Step aside instructor, our business is not with you.”

“No can do unfortunately.” She replies, her voice hiding a tinge of hostility. “They’ve employed my services you see! As such, not a soul shall interrupt their slumber while I still stand”

“...What? You’re helping them…? Is that even allowed?” He asks, in disbelief.

The Maestro scoffs. “If I allow it, then it is allowed. What more permission do I need?”

This time a female voice, younger than the Maestro's, resonates. “It’s fine… She can’t eliminate us no matter how willing she is to bend the rules… so If we all go together, she can’t possibly stop us all.”

The Maestro chuckles. “Should we test that theory?”

I’d like to listen more, but with each passing moment I feel my consciousness slipping farther away. In any case, with the Maestro defending us, there is no fear within my heart. Finally, I allow my body to shut down. The world fades and everything is engulfed in darkness.

-End of day 1-