——The triple releases these two days will follow the usual schedule: 9 AM, 7 PM, and 11:30 PM.
Also, praise to little Bashila for completing the map — it's wonderful, and thank you so much. Will upload it shortly.
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Franz spoke with genuine emotion, as if lost in his own memories: "Because I stayed up late studying music while working grueling hours, pouring all my heart and energy into composing songs, my body and mind gradually couldn't take it anymore. My health began deteriorating, I was frequently tormented by illness, and I could no longer concentrate. To put it the way my neighbors and coworkers did — I was dazed and confused, like someone who hadn't woken from a dream, like a body without a soul."
"They urged me to give up music, believing that if I kept going, my body and mind would completely collapse within five years. Though they all admitted my music, my songs were decent enough, they unanimously agreed I couldn't support myself — couldn't support my mother, my younger brothers and sisters — on them alone."
"The hardships of life, the pressure of my circumstances, the limits of my body and mind, and the invisible burden of my family made it impossible to breathe. I began to think about giving up music, because I wasn't living for myself alone — I had many responsibilities to bear."
His slightly choked description resonated with the many successful musicians present, as well as the struggling performers and music students, who thought of the hardships and obstacles they had faced or were still facing on their own musical paths — that omnipresent pressure, that bone-deep exhaustion. Those without similar experiences could hardly relate.
Of course, they all acknowledged that compared to what Franz had endured, their own struggles were far lighter. And so the performers and students secretly resolved to persevere and keep striving, hoping that one day they too could stand on a concert stage, reminiscing about the past with the kind of success Franz had achieved. It was both a wistful sentiment and a glory!
In their eyes, Franz could already be considered a success — because his piano technique was excellent, his songs broke new ground in form. These were things everyone could hear, undeniable to all. And on top of his own abilities, he had received the highest praise from Mr. Evans!
To be lauded so highly by a top musician meant he had made a name for himself in the music world and was on the verge of becoming a true musician — just as Mr. Evans had been when praised by Mr. Christoph.
Lucian was quite moved by Franz's story. If he himself hadn't enhanced his mental strength during a dangerous situation — strengthening his memory and energizing his mind — then even with the Soul Library, while staying up late researching and analyzing Arcane Magic, he would probably have struggled to master the fundamentals of music. And even with great works like the Fate Symphony and others, he wouldn't have dared to present them, exposing his own shortcomings.
Seeing Mr. Evans, Mr. Christoph, and Mr. Victor all nodding slightly, Franz's vision seemed to blur just a little, and he continued with deep emotion:
"When I decided to give up music, I initially felt both relieved and lost. So I prepared to go to a public music hall to attend a cheap concert — as a farewell ceremony to my musical path."
"But I underestimated my love for music. As sonatas, concertos, and symphonies poured forth from the orchestra's hands, I was overwhelmed with grief and despair. Without music, what meaning would my life have? In pain so intense it felt like dying, I chose to stand up and make my way with difficulty toward the exit, not wanting to hear melodies that no longer belonged to me, not wanting to waver any longer."
"When I finished walking through the aisle amid the beautiful melodies and stood by the exit door, the symphony happened to end at that very moment. The applause drowned out the music, as if signaling the end of my musical path. A tremendous sense of loss struck my heart, and so I turned around and prayed in silence, reciting poems — making my final farewell to music."
Franz grew more emotional as he spoke, waving his hands: "It seemed as though all light had vanished completely, darkness fully enveloping my life. But just as I dragged my disappointed, dimmed soul and body back to push open the exit door — dun-dun-dun-dun! Short, powerful, and electrifyingly stunning notes suddenly appeared! They seemed to be striking my soul, filling me with both terror and an indescribable thrill."
"The melodies that followed came crashing in like a tempest, pressing down until I couldn't breathe — as if the hardships of life, my failing body and mind, and the invisible burden of my family had all erupted at once, wanting to destroy me. But amidst the storm, I heard a battle cry, heard an unyielding resolve to never give up. One passage after another of melody flew like javelins, proclaiming the courage to fight."
"I seemed to hear the interrogation you, Mr. Evans, had embedded in your music: Was I defeated by life, or did I choose to surrender? Did life make me give up, or did I give up music of my own accord? When facing hardship, did I find every excuse to make myself weak, or did I charge forward like a knight through blood and battle, unto death, never retreating, never giving up?"
"No, I will never submit to hardship!" When the brilliant movement of triumph finally concluded, I had found my answer. Shouting like a madman near the music hall entrance, my heart filled with strength. After that day, I quit my other jobs and became a Bard — the very thing I had always looked down upon — because only it could let me study music while ensuring my family survived. And no matter how much discrimination, hardship, and suffering I encountered afterward, I never again considered giving up. Whenever I felt weary and powerless, I would play myself a piece of Fate, play a piece of Pathétique."
Franz lowered the hands he had been using to emphasize his words, his voice softening: "As the songs I performed under my Bard identity grew popular with people, my income gradually became substantial. Several nobles also hired me to join their private ensembles, finally allowing my family to live a decent life."
"After my younger brother and sisters became apprentices, having found their own life paths and skills to sustain themselves, I left the vast majority of my savings with my family and pursued my dream of music truly free of burden."
He pressed his right hand to his chest and bowed with extraordinary respect: "And all of this is because of you, Mr. Evans. Without the philosophy of life and the questioning cry embedded in your music, I could never have found the strength to carry on. You are the mentor of my life. Having you attend my first true concert is my greatest pride and honor."
"Thank you again, Mr. Evans."
The musicians, performers, and students in attendance applauded from the heart, thunderous as a tide — both for Franz's perseverance and for the power of music.
Lucian said with genuine emotion: "The main credit goes to your own resilience."
Afterward, Christoph and Victor also offered their commentary on Franz's songs, all giving favorable reviews.
The joy and excitement of being truly validated made Franz's subsequent symphony fully reveal a style uniquely his own — though still immature, and far from outstanding, the hope and anticipation contained in the music felt as natural and unforced as spring fields.
While quietly appreciating Franz's symphony, three women entered through the concert hall doors. One was radiant and gorgeous, with full lips and fiery hair. One had brown hair and green eyes, sweet and charming. One carried a mature bearing, with black hair and a full figure.