Having changed out of his tailcoat, Lucian left the Sacred Hymn Hall through a side door wearing a plain black coat. According to word, quite a few fervent music lovers were waiting at the main entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the captivating Mr. Evans and his performance.
Several carriages were parked in the dim corner by the side door, and standing before them were people Lucian knew well.
A sudden wave of wistfulness and the ache of parting welled up in his heart. Lucian let out a soft breath and walked toward Victor, Joel, and the others.
"Congratulations, Lucian. Your music and your performance exceeded all my expectations. You are the student I'm proudest of." Victor stepped forward and embraced Lucian in a few strides. "But you don't seem very excited or happy?"
Victor keenly noticed that something was off with Lucian's mood.
Lucian forced a smile. "Those three consecutive piano solos at the end were truly exhausting — both body and mind." The last half of the sentence was directed at John, who knew of his near-knight strength.
Victor didn't question it. "I can understand. I still haven't forgotten the sorrowful emotions you conveyed just now. Get some good rest tonight, and we'll hold a celebration for you tomorrow evening. Because if we wait any longer, I won't be in Altor anymore."
"Master Victor, where are you going?" This was the first time Lucian had heard about this.
Victor smiled warmly. "After last year's concert, I received numerous invitations, but that was during a critical period when you were learning the fundamentals, so I turned them all down. Now that you've become a true musician, it's time for me to travel and perform. Heh heh, otherwise I'll end up penniless. Phyllis and Lot will be coming with me."
He couldn't very well bring along Lucian, who now had his own status and standing.
"Is that so?" Lucian asked reflexively. Seeing Victor and Phyllis both nod, he took the opportunity to bid farewell to everyone. "Actually, I've been planning something similar. Without rich life experiences, without personally witnessing the scenery and culture of different places, I think it would be very difficult for me to write any more good works. So I intend to accept the invitations and take a journey across the entire continent to gather inspiration."
"Lucian, I'm very pleased and happy that you can keep a level head, remain humble, and actively seek ways to surpass your own limitations," Victor said with great delight. "I wish you all the best. For the next year, I'm afraid I'll only be able to follow your news through the newspapers."
"I wish you a smooth journey as well." Once more, Lucian embraced Victor with the heavy emotion of parting.
Then he turned and hugged both Joel and Elisa together. "Uncle Joel, Aunt Elisa — I probably won't be in Altor for my coming-of-age ceremony."
Lucian's birthday was the twenty-sixth of June each year.
"A young eagle leaves the nest to fly on its own once it's grown. We may feel helpless about it, but this is your life, and we'll always be proud of you. You've never let us down." Joel patted Lucian's shoulder with a smile. "Oh, and congratulations — our musician Lucian. That performance just now was truly magnificent, and the music happened to 'strike' me right where it counts. It reminded me of those difficult early days when I first arrived in Altor."
Elisa laughed heartily. "Young Evans, it's not as though you'll never come back. Why are you getting all sentimental like a little child?"
Lucian opened his mouth but couldn't find the right words, so he simply pretended to embrace Phyllis to dodge the moment.
"Lucian, your music and your performance were all absolutely wonderful. I need to master the piano as quickly as possible!" Phyllis was more excited than anyone. "The violin is called the queen of instruments — I'm sure the piano must be the king!"
Thinking of his promise, Lucian smiled faintly. "I'll organize my piano techniques and some of my knowledge into written materials, so that your piano studies won't fall behind while you travel and perform on the continent with Master Victor. Also, Phyllis, if you have any good pieces of music, I'll write an article about them for the Musical Review."
Then Lucian turned to
"Thank you, our great musician," Elena replied with a cheerful, playful tone.
Amid the radiant smiles of Phyllis and Elena, Lucian walked up to John and embraced this friend who stood a good head taller than him. "I hope that when we meet again, John, you'll already be a full knight."
John answered without the slightest hesitation. "Conviction determines will, and will commands the bloodline. I already have my own firm conviction — to fight against devils and demons and to protect my homeland. So I believe I can awaken my bloodline!"
He looked full of confidence, then added with a grin, "But I still can't compare to you. You're already a musician famous across the entire continent. That makes me a little jealous — though mostly, I feel honored and proud."
Lucian exchanged a few more words with John, then turned to take in Joel, Victor, and the rest with a sweeping glance. With a faint trace of parting sorrow, he pressed his left hand to his chest and bowed to everyone.
"I hope you all live happy and fulfilled lives. Please allow me to say my farewells in advance."
Everyone was somewhat surprised that Lucian would be so solemn about it, but they quickly chalked it up to this being his first time venturing far from home.
…………