Chapter 56

Chapter 56 – The Reason To Regain Power

“Oh...”

A swordsman recognizes a sword.

A musician recognizes an instrument.

As soon as Marsyas saw the instrument I brought, he couldn’t take his eyes off my flute.

Well, even I could tell it was an unparalleled masterpiece, so I could fully imagine how this obsidian flute would appear to the eyes of this satyr.

“No way... Such a... such a masterpiece exists in this world...?!”

His eyes widened like lanterns, and his trembling hands gradually approached the flute.

Like Gollum discovering the One Ring, Marsyas reached out slowly, entranced, toward my precious.

“Teacher?”

“Gasp?!”

When I casually called him and retrieved the flute, Marsyas snapped back to his senses.

Even so, the passionate look in his eyes towards my precious, nestled dearly in my arms, did not fade.

This person is truly serious about musical instruments...!

“Wh-Where on earth did you get such a divine object?!”

“You recognize it, don’t you?”

Many people went through a lot of trouble to make their own flutes or procure them from outside for today’s assignment, but most probably bought theirs from the same music shop in the commercial district as I did.

Even just this morning, countless students must have been coming and going at the music store.

However, among them, I was the only one who recognized the true value of this flute, and the only other person who recognized it was Marsyas.

In fact, to the casual observer, it might just look like an ordinary, dark flute, and people around were murmuring about why the teacher was making such a fuss.

“May I take a closer look at it?”

“Hmm...”

I wanted to commend his musical insight and his passion for his darling instrument.

Nevertheless, it was true that I felt uneasy about handing over this darling to someone else.

Especially when I saw those almost Gollum-like, glaring eyes, it made me even more reluctant.

“Please, just once... I only want to see it up close just once! If you’re really worried, take this oak Syrinx that my father, Pan, personally crafted for me!”

When I didn’t readily give it, Marsyas, seemingly desperate, thrust the wooden flute he had hanging at his waist into my hand.

-Eek?!

The wooden flute, made of several differently sized wooden pipes bound together, was thrust into my hand.

It was a Greek-style Syrinx, often carried by shepherds or travelers.

Those who saw this couldn’t hide their astonishment, making choking sounds as if they were being strangled.

“M-my goodness, Marsyas just handed over his own Syrinx with his own hands?”

“Didn’t the Zephyrus Twins almost get buried in the real forest last time for swiping that?”

“The divine artifact woven personally by the Shepherd God Pan?”

Various bits of TMI were flying around me, but.

I was too busy examining the wooden flute in my hand to pay attention.

“Th-this is quite something...”

“Dianes!”

A voice as clear as a refreshing wave.

And in front of my eyes, filled with wave-like white hair, I was startled and turned around.

“Neri?”

Neri, who was smiling brightly, had popped out of nowhere and was resting her chin on my shoulder, grinning.

“I heard you were having a music lesson, so I rushed over~”

Right after the commotion last night, I had tried to send Neri back quickly.

But she absolutely refused, saying she had gotten permission from her older sisters.

So, I was wondering if I should let her stay in my room, when, thankfully, the forest nymphs offered to take care of her.

I thought I would meet her only after today’s schedule was over.

This swift sea nymph suddenly appeared and delved into my thoughts.

“But why did you have such a scaaaary face~?”

“Did I?”

“Yeah, you had a scary face, like you were being chased while looking at that amazing flute.”

At Neri’s words, I snapped back to reality as if doused with cold water.

Being chased?

“...I really enjoyed the flute. Marsyas. It’s truly a wonderful flute.”

“Haha, well. It’s only natural that many birds gather around a beautiful tree. I, too, had a truly splendid sight.”

Marsyas, who had returned the flute, assigned Neri to the seat beside me and then clattered back to the stage.

“Hehe~ Music lesson? Come to think of it, Dia, you played the flute really well, didn’t you?”

“...Yes, I did.”

Neri, sitting next to me, laughed innocently.

And then, Atalanta gently placed her hand on my other hand.

The warmth cleared my clouded eyes, instantly revealing the bustling scenery of the forest.

Hercules grumbling, Jason feeling regretful, students glancing at me, and Marsyas watching with satisfaction.

It was trivial and ordinary, but because of that, I could shake off the lingering confusion in the scene I longed for.

I realized what I almost did.

Even if I regained my martial arts and achieved success, it would have been nothing more than an abnormal shortcut.

And such a peaceful daily life, which I had forgotten in my previous lives, would vanish in an instant.

I almost destroyed the things I wanted to protect by regaining my strength.

“Then, Dianes? Shall we listen to the performance of that beautiful friend you brought?”

“I will accept it with a joyful heart.”

Regaining strength and training in martial arts were also important.

However, if I had to give up all of this daily life that I had regained, there was no reason for me to regain my strength.

It was truly a contradiction.

With a much lighter heart, I stood up and brought my darling to my lips.

Soon, the noisy surroundings became quiet, and only the sound of the flute I played began to flow softly.