Elegia's New Star

Elegia, Music Academy.

In the corridor of the piano practice room, Elegia's King Gordon walked slowly, holding sheet music.

As he walked, faint music drifted, catching his attention.

He was the king of this country and the dean of this academy, remembering the melodies of every student's performance.

But at this moment, he vaguely heard a piano melody that was unfamiliar, yet no less brilliant than anyone else's. Curiosity compelled him to follow the source of the music, to investigate.

As he passed a corner, a brightly lit practice room caught his eye. The increasingly clear piano music told him this was the source of the unfamiliar melody.

"..."

A girl with long, red and white hair sat before the piano, her slender, fair fingers dancing across the ivory keys.

Uta closed her eyes, a slight smile on her lips, a serene expression on her fair face. Her petite, delicate body swayed gently with the beautiful melody.

Uta's exceptional musical talent, combined with the expensive, high-end instrument, produced a melody as beautiful as a babbling brook, giving Louis and Yelena beside her an unprecedented musical experience.

After a long while, the melody in the piano practice room continued, but its moving tones gradually softened.

Louis watched Uta, who appeared serene and graceful during her performance, and asked softly:

"Uta, after we meet Shanks and the others, we'll be leaving the East Sea and heading to other waters. Will you come with us?"

Uta slowly opened her eyes, like purple gemstones, during her performance. She turned to look at the two people sitting beside her, watching her quietly, and revealed a smiling expression.

"Okay..."

To Louis and Yelena's surprise, Uta seemed to have not thought much about it, or perhaps she had already made up her mind. She quickly gave her answer, agreeing to leave with them.

Louis and Yelena exchanged glances, then smiled in unison.

"Welcome aboard, Uta!"

"Please take care of me, Captain, First Mate!" Uta's eyes curved into crescents, her smile blooming like a flower.

Just then, the door to the piano practice room was pushed open. A tall, middle-aged man with long golden hair and a slightly peculiar chin hurried in, stopping excitedly in front of Uta.

He looked at Uta with eyes as if he were looking at a raw gem waiting to be polished.

Then, under Uta's puzzled gaze, he tidied his attire, cleared his throat, and spoke sternly: "My name is Gordon. I am the king of this country and the dean of this academy."

"And then?" Uta's eyes were full of confusion. She didn't quite understand.

The next moment, Gordon's serious demeanor vanished, replaced by a comically pleading posture towards Uta.

"Young lady, you seem to possess great talent in music. Are you interested in learning more here?"

"Huh? Learn more things?"

Uta's eyes widened.

Then, a hint of interest flashed in her eyes, and she looked at Louis for confirmation. With Louis and Yelena around, she didn't need to worry about this man trying to trick her.

The words of this man, who called himself a king, sparked Uta's strong interest.

Gordon followed Uta's gaze and noticed that there were actually two other people in the practice room.

When he saw the wings behind Louis, his pupils contracted. He had always thought that the rumors of Elegia having an angel appear yesterday were just rumors.

He didn't expect it to be true, and right here in the Music Academy.

Louis met Uta's expectant gaze and nodded gently, "We also need to wait for Shanks and the others, so we need to stay here for a while."

"Okay!" Uta was stunned for a moment, then broke into a bright smile.

Some time passed.

Uta's talent in music surpassed the expectations of Gordon and the tutors who taught her.

Whatever knowledge was related to music, Uta would grasp it in an extremely short time and quickly apply it to new situations.

In a very short period, Uta surpassed and conquered many tutors who were immersed in the path of music.

For a time, Uta's name spread throughout Elegia, and everyone was discussing the arrival of a musical genius in Elegia.

Thanks to Elegia's rich musical atmosphere, most of the discussions among musicians, students, and the public were positive praises and discussions.

Everyone here knew that slander and jealousy would not improve their musical artistry. Humble learning would take them further.

Another performance ended.

Louis and Yelena sat in the audience seats of the large concert hall, silently watching Uta, who was surrounded by many musicians as if she were the center of the universe.

Amidst the cheers and exclamations of the crowd, Yelena turned her head to look at Louis's profile and asked softly, "Louis, are Shanks and the others still unreachable?"

Louis shook his head and remained silent.

With Shanks's strength, being forced to the point where they didn't even have time to answer a Den Den Mushi in the East Sea made Louis think of a low-probability event.

He suspected that Shanks and the others had been caught after their scheme to abduct a certain third-generation marine and second-generation revolutionary in Foosha Village was exposed. Thus, they were being pursued by Garp.

Yelena's heart sank upon seeing this.

She believed that Shanks and the others had likely encountered an irresistible accident, leaving them no time to respond to Louis.

"You know, do you think he'll come here for the appointment?" Yelena looked at Uta, who was showing a bright smile on the stage, and felt a pang of heartache.

If Shanks couldn't make it as promised, Uta would be very sad.

Louis thought about Shanks' current strength and then about Garp, who was in his prime, and gave an ambiguous answer.

"I can't say for sure..."

Yelena sighed upon hearing this.

Among the three, only Uta firmly believed that Shanks would come to Elegia to meet them.

"Boruru~ Boruru~ Boruru"

Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on Louis's body rang.

Yelena was stunned and then thought of the Red-Haired Pirates.

"Click" Louis quickly connected it.

Just as the two had expected, a voice they were both familiar with came from the Den Den Mushi.

The Den Den Mushi, mimicking Yasopp's appearance, panted and quickly said, "Louis, I'm sorry, we might not be able to make it to Elegia!"

"Garp?" Louis said thoughtfully.

After a moment of silence, Yasopp said helplessly, "That's right, we happened to run into that old man Garp. He's really strong, and we might not be able to make it to Elegia..."

Moreover, they didn't want to bring danger to Uta, Louis, and Yelena.

In response, Louis looked up at Uta and said, with a poker face, words that the Red-Haired Pirates couldn't ignore.

"During this time, Uta has learned a lot in Elegia, and she has become the new star of Elegia."

"Tomorrow night at seven o'clock, Uta will hold her first concert here."

"Everyone from the Red-Haired Pirates, I'm sure you don't want to see Uta disappointed in Shanks and in you because you didn't come, right?"

"..."

Meanwhile, on the Red Force.

Yasopp, covered in wounds and bandages, froze in place upon hearing this.

"Uta's first concert?!"