With the help of several canons, Victor had explained this basic polyphonic form in its entirety. Lucian, Phyllis, and the others occasionally asked questions and received satisfying answers. Finally, Victor smiled at his students: "I know you've all been working hard and studying diligently. You've already begun studying canons on your own, so why not try composing one? It will greatly help your understanding of polyphonic music, harmony, and composing more complex pieces."
When he saw Lot, Phyllis, and Herodotus all looking eager while Lucian remained deep in thought and silent, Victor asked with slight puzzlement: "Lucian, although you have exceptional musical talent, your foundation isn't as solid as it should be — you can tell from your first performance of Fate Symphony. Composing a simple canon will help you just as much. Don't think that canon melodies are too plain — if you can write one well, it can be truly beautiful and elegant. For example, Mr. Pachelbel's classic Canon in D, which sounds just as wonderful nearly a hundred years later."
With Lucian, Victor didn't take the approach he had with his first true music pupil — Marcus, who was now touring the courts of every nation across the continent — allowing him to develop his genius with minimal interference. In Victor's view, Lucian's musical talent far surpassed Marcus's and could be compared to the great composers. Precisely because of this, as his teacher, Victor had to provide appropriate guidance and protection to prevent him from becoming arrogant or squandering his gift — which would be a tremendous loss for the music world.
Lucian snapped back to attention and explained earnestly: "Mr. Victor, I won't forget the importance of foundations, and I will seriously try composing canons. However, just now while listening to your explanation of Mr. Pachelbel's Canon in D, I suddenly had a bit of inspiration. I feel the melody could undergo slight variations, and why not adapt it for the piano? Played on this completely new instrument, it might bring a very different flavor from the original cello and violin ensemble."
"Canon melodies are all quite short, creating their beautiful effect through constant repetition and cycling. Mr. Pachelbel's Canon in D is the same — it only has a few two-bar motifs, so making even slight variations is very difficult." Victor first expressed his concern, then affirmed and encouraged Lucian's idea. "Of course, Canon in D has been adapted for pipe organ and for flute. I very much look forward to seeing you adapt it for piano — that could be a completely new musical experience."
Lucian smiled: "Don't worry, Mr. Victor. I'm only using the composition and adaptation of canons to study this musical form. I won't make changes blindly — the beauty of music can be discerned the moment you hear it."
"Then we look forward to hearing the piano version of Canon in D." When Victor nodded, Phyllis and Lot both smiled and said to Lucian.
After the music lesson ended and they went to the practice rooms to work on their instruments, Phyllis deliberately quickened her pace to walk alongside Lucian and asked quietly: "Lucian, are you planning to play an adapted Canon in D on piano at my birthday banquet next month?" The corner of her mouth curved upward — as if she were smiling, or perhaps expecting something.
Because canons were simple, she felt the adaptation shouldn't take long.
Lucian felt something stir inside him and returned a grateful smile: "Phyllis, I won't forget the help you've given me. At your birthday party, I will definitely play a brand-new piece — but it won't be an adapted Canon in D. I'll use this month to work hard on composing a cheerful serenade suited for a party atmosphere, as a gift for you."
"Really?" Phyllis exclaimed, delighted. She had originally just been hoping Lucian would polish a few piano pieces and perform them at the party. With his reputation as a musical genius and his title as the Princess's music advisor, even a performance of past works would greatly satisfy her vanity. She hadn't expected Lucian to prepare an entirely new serenade.
Lucian nodded seriously: "But it probably won't be a complete work with all movements — most likely just a piano miniature made up of select melodies, textures, and harmonies."
A piano miniature was a short, single-movement piece.
Phyllis clasped her hands together again: "That's truly such an honor. Lucian, you're such a wonderful person." She was very excited — even if it was only a piano miniature, given the short timeframe, having this much was more than enough.
Getting a good-guy card, am I? Lucian mocked himself inwardly.
But Phyllis soon grew anxious again: "Wouldn't a month be too short, too rushed? If — if the serenade has problems, it could damage your reputation, Lucian."
Although composing a serenade-style piano miniature in a month wasn't uncommon, when it concerned him personally, Phyllis couldn't help but worry. Lucian's current reputation was sky-high — President Christoph's effusive praise of Fate, the Princess's characterization of him as a "reformer," and Director Othello's words calling him "a true, admirable genius" — all of it had filled many people with jealousy and resentment, and they were all waiting for Lucian to make a mistake.
They were like fierce beasts lurking in the dark — the moment Lucian's new composition failed to reach a certain height, or had the slightest flaw, they would immediately swarm in and tear their prey to shreds, with Phyllis's own birthday banquet and the hopes she'd placed in Lucian suffering tremendous collateral damage.
In comparison, Phyllis would have far preferred Lucian to take his time — using a year, even two years, to write something not much lesser than Fate. That way his position would be completely solidified: no longer merely a newly emerged genius musician, but a true musical authority.
"A serenade should be no problem," Lucian said, trying to adopt the nonchalant, supremely confident tone that all geniuses seemed to affect. And this serenade Lucian had already decided on — it was a melody that didn't yet exist in this world, the most outstanding and classic piece among cheerful serenades. Even Lucian, who hadn't been much of a classical music enthusiast in his previous life, had often heard it.
Of course, in just one month, Lucian certainly couldn't produce the full four-movement format. He could only offer a piano miniature adapting the first movement as a substitute. With that as a prelude, expanding it into a complete work within the not-too-distant future would seem entirely natural.
Seeing Lucian's attitude, Phyllis opened her mouth but didn't know how to persuade him, so she could only say with a mixture of anticipation and worry: "Then I'll be looking forward to a wonderful serenade."