Chapter 110: The Last and the First
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion

Lucien reached out his hand, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Marcus.”

Holding Lucien’s hand, Marcus put on a sort of arrogant smile, “Likewise, Lucien. I heard your name when I was in Shaq. When I had just arrived in Aalto, a couple of days ago, I was about to visit you, but Mr. Victor asked me not to distract you from the preparation of your first concert.”

Marcus put some extra emphasis on the word “first”. In his mind, Lucien should not be respected as a musician until his first concert achieved great success.

“Mr. Victor often mentioned your name, saying that you’re one of his most outstanding students.” Lucien remained polite, “In terms of concert experience, I’m not even close to you.”

“Well… It’s my great pleasure to be invited by the many countries.” Marcus put on a big smile when they came to the topic that he felt the most proud of. He sat down beside Lucien and started to spout his concert experience in different countries: the passion of the Kingdom of Syracuse, the rigidity and conservatism of the Holy Heilz Empire, the boldness of the Kingdom of Shaq…

Lucien did not mind knowing more about these countries. So he nodded and asked a couple of questions from time to time when Marcus was talking.

Marcus did not stop himself until the concert was about to start. In his mind, Marcus felt that Lucien was pretty easy-going, rather than arrogant as he assumed.

Marcus’ hostility did not come from nowhere. At first he felt truly happy that his teacher, Mr. Victor, noticed this talented young man, and he was proud that his peer could make achievements like him, until more and more news about Lucien Evans came to Shaq like snowflakes. Even the nobles in Shaq were talking about the young man and making comparison between them. All of a sudden, Marcus felt that his achievement was worth nothing compared with Lucien’s success, but Lucien hadn’t even had his own concert yet!

The audience gave Christopher a very warm applause as soon as he appeared on the stage. Dressing in black, Christopher looked rather hale and solemn tonight.

That would probably be Christopher’s last concert for his music career, the last concert of the president of Aalto Musicians’ Association, the most authoritative and the greatest musician across the continent, the “living music legend”.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Christopher turned to the audience, “thank you for coming.”

Straightening his back, Lucien listened carefully.

“I’ve been devoted to music for fifty-nine years, and now I’m seventy,” said Christopher with deep emotion. “I’m still standing here because of all your support, and because of the stimulus I received from a young lad. We, as human beings, we age and die, but music never!”

Then Christopher turned around and raised the button.

The first three symphonies were Christopher’s most well-known music pieces. One was elaborate and ebullient, one was elegant and sublime, and the third one was passionate and graceful. The intoxicating and familiar melodies seized every listener’s mind, no matter if they were inside or outside of the Psalm Hall.

Christopher’s achievement in music was the milestone in the history of music. Together with the music, the listeners’ remote memories were brought back.

During every interval, the audience applauded like never before, as if the whole continent was applauding the respectable, senior musician.

After the third piece of symphony, Christopher looked a bit tired, “Now, please enjoy my student Silvia’s piano sonata, while I’m going to prepare for the next symphony.”

In his last concert, Christopher wanted to support his student, and he knew that he must take a rest before the upcoming symphony.

“This is the ‘living music legend’! His concert is strikingly awesome!” said Piola with great excitement on the square.

“I know…” Sharon nodded earnestly, “It’s my greatest pleasure to be here right now and listen to Mr. Christopher’s concert.”

Dressing in white, Silvia walked onto the stage like an angel.

Lucien closed his eyes and listened to Silvia’s playing carefully. Generally speaking, her playing was pretty good, and Silvia’s progress was already very impressive to Lucien, but he knew she could still make some improvement on her piano fingerings and her understanding of the many features of the new instrument.

The ten-minute long sonata also received a warm applause. Silvia slightly lifted her dress and bent her knees to thank the audience, feeling quite excited.

When Lucien was applauding Silvia, he felt someone was looking at him. It was Natasha. Her beautiful purple eyes were shining as she smiled.

She nodded to Lucien, and Lucien knew that she was thanking him for providing Silvia with some tips for playing piano and recomposing the sonata.

Then Christopher’s returning immediately seized everyone’s attention again. They were all looking forward to the last symphony.

As Christopher lifted the baton and waved, the first two music notes struck every listener’s mind.

Christopher took them to a great battlefield.

Horns blowing, flags waving, and the brave soldiers howled and charged like lions against the enemy, with their blood burning out of the great determination and the will of fighting. Under the guidance of the many heroes, pastors and knights fought side by side and devoured their enemies like an overwhelming flood. They beheaded the titans and smashed the tall towers of the evil sorcerers. To protect their homeland, they killed all the demons who were trying to destroy the world.

The following movement had a more restrained style, as if the army was mourning the heroes, but hope came with sadness, and even greater determination followed grief. Then, an exciting and passionate movement changed the music tone. In the name of justice and light, the soldiers wiped off their tears and marched again with irresistible momentum.

The whole Psalm Hall remained silent for a moment after the symphony finished, then the audience burst into thunderous applause.

This was not only an applause for the symphony, but also for Christopher’s great spirit of innovation and perseverance in his seventies! Apparently, this piece of symphony was influenced by Lucien’s Symphony of Fate. It was astonishing that the greatest musician ever would learn from the younger generation and always seek to reach new levels even in his late years!

“Master. Mr. Christopher, master!” Piola was too excited to form a complete sentence.

“Yes… Yes!” answered Piola’s friends. Their voice was trembling.

The grand duke, the princess, the prince from the Kingdom of Syracuse, Count Verdi and all the people in the Psalm Hall stood up while they were applauding to show their great respect toward that great musician.

“Ladies and gentleman, my last concert has ended tonight.” Christopher bowed to the audience and said with emotion, “Tomorrow, our young, talented musician, Lucien Evans, will bring us his first concert ever here in the Psalm Hall. The last concert and the first concert… What God is telling us here is that… music never ends!”

“Music never ends!” The audience followed Christopher and repeated his words. And them many of them turned to look at Lucien.

Lucien bowed deeply to this great musician, with great respect.