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odorekijinchapter one
[Langrenus Island—Main Street]
Oz: (...This island is pure cacophony, and a far cry from the usual merry bustling of the Manor, but...)
Child: Hey, hey, look! A new flower is blooming!
Other Child: You’re right! Wow, it’s bright red and super pretty! What about the flowers over there? They’re new too? Come on, let’s check them out!
Oz …Flowers still grow on such an island.
Shylock: I’m afraid they’re not quite the flowers you are thinking of.
Oz: Shylock.
Shylock: Greetings, Oz.
Those flowers are pure imitations—dare I say they are manufactured by the very engineers of this island.
After all, wildflowers can't grow amidst smoke and dust all year round.
Oz: Is that why these children mentioned a “new flower”?
Shylock: Yes, although I do not know if they are aware that these are “fakes”.
A fake flower born from Magical Science… I wonder if “real” authenticity could exist on an island laden with counterfeits.
Oh?
Oz: What is this sound...
Shylock: I am positive a street performance is happening nearby. Why not take a look?
Shylock: Just as I thought. From what I can see, the engineers seem to be using their tools and exhaust pipes as instruments.
Oz: They don’t seem to be following a score or a conductor either—yet...
Oz & Shylock: …
chapter two
[Langrenus Island—Main Street]
Engineer: Would you look at that: pretty rare for the sun to peek through, although the smoke will block it out soon enough.
Other Engineer: It sets the tone pretty nicely though, almost like it’s lighting up the stage for us! Awright, one more for the road!
Oz: …
(I suppose the particles glittering around them are dust—it almost takes after the diamond dust of the North.)
Shylock: Fufu, even the reflection of the light makes dust glitter like diamond dust.
Perhaps “stage lighting” more adequately describes it.
Oz: …I suppose.
(It seems we shared the same string of thoughts.)
(...He asked if “real authenticity” could exist here just a moment ago, but this…)
It seems those who find entertainment and beauty in such places do not carry fakery in their heart.
Shylock: …I agree. Their enjoyment and penchant for even the most trivial of events seem undeniably genuine.
Performers: Hm? Hey, you guys back there, came to listen to us?
Other Performer: Oh, sweet! It’s nice to have an audience every once in a while! Since you’re there, how about you join us?
Oz: No, I don’t–...
Shylock: Oh, you. They are so kind as to extend an invitation, it would be incredibly impolite to refuse now, wouldn’t it?
I believe you still have the hand bell Rustica entrusted you with, yes? Then you are already a musician yourself.
Oz: …You’re decidedly obstinate.
Shylock: Why, of course. I'm a Western wizard after all. I simply want to involve others in a little distraction.
Oz: …Fine, but just for a short while then.
episode
“At The Sound Of The Flute”
[Wizard’s Manor—Foyer, first floor storey]
Akira: I’ve heard from Shylock that you two joined a street performance back on Langrenus Island.
Oz: …It was mere happenstance, and we did not linger for long.
Akira: I wish I had been there. You both participating in a musical performance is a once in a lifetime sight in itself.
I know that wizards like music, but I’ve never asked you about it. Maybe you prefer to play an instrument instead?
Oz: I'm not averse to listening to music. As for playing…
Long ago, the twins brought a long flute made for children as a gift for Arthur on one of their visits.
Akira: (So a recorder, or something in that vein…)
Oz: After their departure, Arthur said that he wished to play the instrument. However…
I was ignorant of the techniques to play the flute. So I searched for manuals on the subject, and we practised together.
Arthur proved to be a quick learner and improved faster than I did. He used to play from sunrise to sunset to memorise a piece.
Akira: I can understand Arthur: he must have enjoyed the learning journey so much that he could not stop himself from playing.
Oz: Indeed. That’s why those moments come to mind when I hear the sound of the flute, even now…
Those instants spent together with a whilom Arthur.
homeline
“I did not take on the “World's Strongest Wizard” title myself.”
