Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter 109: Fespiel and Rosina

The Head Priest has begun my training of Fespiel. What he hands to me is a small Fespiel for children beginners, though it’s still large for me.

The strings of a child-specific Fespiel are less than that of adult-specific one. The range, which has about 5 octaves, is about half of adult-specific Fespiel’s. It is about twice Pianica's range.

"If you lean it against your shoulder, this angle will make you feel heavier and heavier. Please try your best to support it as straight as possible."

"Ok."

As the Head Priest does, I lay it between my thighs, supporting it with my upper arm and my left shoulder. The Fespiel is made of wood. No heavy material is used, so I can hold it like this.

"Fespiel can play all the pitches. If you master it, it will be very helpful for you to learn other instruments."

Perhaps because the small one is for practice, one of the strings is colored. What the Head Priest is touching is just that one.

"This is the basic sound."

… Oh, it’s the sound Do.

When I was Urano Motosu, my mother taught me piano for about three years. I learnt that the basic sound of music is Do, the next is Re, then the next is Mi…

There is a difference of a semitone between two thin and soft strings in terms of pitch. Differing from piano, the Fespiel has no black key. So it is very difficult to find the right sound.

"This is the scale. It makes the sound continue, high or low."

It’s just like remembering the numbers. The basic scales that the Head Priest explains are decoded into Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si in my mind.

It will be difficult to play fluently before I get used to it, but since I've known that the colored string is Do, I can play some melodies that I learned before.

"Blossom… Blossom…"

Accompanied by the melody, I chant these words and sing the song "Tulip". The Head Priest widens his eyes lightly.

"What is this song?"

"It's a song for flowers, as you heard."

There is no tulip in this world, so I'm sure that the Head Priest don't know this flower and will get confused if I tell him about the song "Tulip". Thinking of this, I lower my eyes.

"… You must have a music talent."

"No, I don't! Not even a little!"

Oops. I've raised the hurdle for myself.

In his view, it looks like I can play a piece of melody created by myself, with a musical instrument that I have never touched before. The Head Priest may regard me as a genius like Mozart. Thus it will be a great trouble for me.

I can only play some pieces recalled from a few songs which were performed in the school chorus, and several melodies which were heard at piano concerts during my school days. Not because I have the so-called talent for music.

"No, you should not jump to the conclusion by yourself. To be honest, I have been worrying how far a commoner can do. But now I believe that you will play well soon."

In spite of my desperate negation, the Head Priest begins to make a training plan with a grin, mainly intending to cut down my important reading time.

"Excuse me, Sir. May I have more time to read?"

"But daily practice is essential for you to master the instrument."

"Eh, I know that. But I just cannot sacrifice my reading time."

I have to take care of the children of the orphanage, and manage Maine's Workshop, and assist the Head Priest in the official business. Fran is also busy with many things. So I won't have so much time even when I stay at the temple. Dinner time is strictly controlled. And the books are locked so I can't borrow or take them out. The time for reading is much less than I thought before I entered the temple.

"When I came to the temple, the Head Priest asked me to provide mana, and to organize the library. As to assisting the Head Priest with official business, I do it out of my own kindness. I would like spend the assistant time, rather than reading time in practicing the Fespiel."

Considering my words in silence, the Head Priest weighs official business and music training, then he seems to conclude that the latter is more important. He tells me that after I arrive at the temple I need to accept the Fespiel training till the third bell rings.

"Well, let's notify Wilma and Rosina. And then I will come to check occasionally. Please do your best in your practice. If you slack off in practice, I'll know right away."

"Ha…"

I'm supervised, just like being stuck by an oversized nail. It's difficult for me to concentrate on practicing an instrument that I'm not interested in without supervision. In that sense, the Head Priest is right indeed.

"Well, then, Miss Maine. Please go to the orphanage. Because you need to notify your attendants Wilma and Rosina."

After seeing off the Head Priest, I go to the orphanage with Fran. And while we are talking at the orphanage, Delia and Gil clean the room for Rosina.

"Please. Make it clean by the time we are back."

"Lutz is always surprised by the Gil's speed of cleaning. Thank you."

"Ok!"

I go to the dining hall of the orphanage with Fran, and have somebody call Wilma and Rosina.

Children in the orphanage who finished the work of Maine's Workshop are looking at us with curiosity. Maybe they have known why I call the two.

"Does Miss Maine take Wilma away as your attendant?"

"Will Wilma go?"

Little children stare at me anxiously. I can see that they love Wilma deeply and feel relieved to make her stay at the orphanage.

"Wilma will become my attendant. And, as director of the orphanage, I will have Wilma continue to work in the orphanage. Her job is to take care of you guys."

"Wow! "Really?"

"So, Wilma will stay, right?"

The cheerful children rush towards Wilma who just showed up in the dining room. They cling to Wilma, pulling her clothes and arms.

"Wilma, you can still stay at the orphanage when you are my attendant!"

"As Wilma said, Miss Maine managed to do it!" Fran explains.

Crowded by the children, Wilma comes quickly with a happy smile.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mine."

"As I said that day, I will take Wilma as my attendant."

I invite Wilma to have a seat, and tell the children stay away and keep quiet until we finish the talk. The children leave as rolling waves, and line up against the wall, still looking at us with a happy face.

Wilma sits in front of me. I can see her calm brown eyes get wet for delight.

"As my attendant, you need to take care of the children who have not received baptism and to draw the picture that I ask. Since the young children may have a fever at night, you will stay here and live in the orphanage. I have talked about it with the Head Priest."

Now, Wilma can live in the girl's wing of the orphanage. And other blue-robed priests cannot call her for flower offering anymore.

"Thank you. I will work with all my heart for you."

"Thank you."

After talking with Wilma, Rosina appears in the dining room. Her hair is half-up today. I remember it was grouped together behind when I saw her earlier. Her blue eyes are shining brightly and she has fluffy and maroon hair, like Tuuli.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mine."

Rosina has a beautiful, mature appearance. Since she has not put her hair together, she is not an adult yet. Rosina is a neat lady, with beautiful hair and dignified behavior. When I see Wilma and Rosina, I can imagine their former masters' mode of behavior. They must be adept at arts.

… Perhaps, the Head Priest wants me to behave like Rosina.

I can understand. But human beings choose their own way of life. How can I compare with the beautiful attendants who refine every behavior, and boast courtesy? I sigh heavily.

"Please be my attendant, Rosina."

"Oh!"

Rosina covers her mouth with hands. Her face flushes, as if it is unbelievable. Even though I do the same thing, different people's response is quite different. I drop my eyes slightly.

… I think that beautiful Rosina is a little shy.

"The Head Priest asks me to improve artistic cultivation and recommends you as my attendant. We will practice the Fespiel every time when I arrive at the temple, till the third bell rings. The rest of time, you will do the same job as other attendants. What do you think?"

"Ok. Ok, sure. It's very good. Fespiel is my favorite musical instrument."

Having finished our talk, I leave the orphanage with Rosina. Wilma and the children see us off. Rosina has no personal luggage at the orphanage. She moves to my house without bringing anything. Her necessities should be prepared by me.

When we return, all assistants are waiting on the first floor. Fran takes me to the upstairs. After telling me not to eavesdrop their talk, Fran took Gil and Delia back to the first floor.

Then all the attendants gather on the first floor. Fran introduces everyone to Rosina. Apparently, as a master, I shouldn’t eavesdrop on communication between the attendants.

Now I'm idle, so I scan the score left by the Head Priest. It is the music for the first lesson. It's not that long, but it's hard to remember the melody which I'm not familiar with.

Suddenly, I hear Gil say, "I'm going to clean up the workshop and check the lock," and a sound of leaving the room. After the introduction and guidance on the first floor is over, Fran goes to the second floor with Rosina to show her the room of female attendants. Delia follows them to help Rosina prepare the room.

"Oh! Fespiel… Miss Maine, may I play it now?"

Seeing the large and small Fespiels in the room, Rosina cries with emotion.

I know the excitement that one will show when seeing the thing he really wants, so I want to nod immediately. But I am disturbed by Delia's voice.

“Well, Rosina! The instrument will not escape. It is better to have the room prepared first."

"… Yes, Delia is right."

It is not good to have Delia help her prepare the room, while she herself strums an instrument.

Rosina enters the room while looking at Fespiel with a strong attachment. There is little luggage, so the room will be prepared soon.

"Miss Maine, may I play Fespiel now?"

I nod at Rosina who quickly has the room prepared. Her blue eyes brighten delightedly. She takes the Fespiel, touches it with her thin fingertip, and strums one string gently. As a high sound resounds, Rosina slightly drops her eyes and sighs, listening with an enchanted expression.

"I want to hear Rosina play the Fespiel. Could you please play a song?"

"Ok."

Holding the Fespiel, Rosina bows gently and moves her hand down from the top of the Fespiel softly. After an act resembling Ballerina's greeting, Rosina sits in a chair and holds the Fespiel.

As Rosina moves her fingers softly to stroke a string, a delicate and melodious sound comes out.

Though people play the same instrument, because of the different characteristics of the player, and the different melody, it sounds different from what the Head Priest plays.

I've never heard this thin and high-pitched song, but her teary-eyes and slightly opened mouth are all reflecting the joy of being able to play the instrument.

"… It's a very nice performance."

"My honor, Miss Maine. I am really happy to perform once again… I will serve you with all my heart."

Therefore, I have two more attendants, and start my Fespiel training as a daily routine.