The Third Time-This Is the Current [Scholar] Advancement Task (Continued)

Plink, plonk...

He was still testing the piano's black and white keys.

Zhao Kuo had earned lasting infamy for talking about warfare without ever seeing battle.

With a quest already triggered, Adrian had no intention of leaving a similar stain on this sea's history.

Ding—

Adrian's finger came down on the final key. At last, his faint frown eased.

Everyone in the hall watched.

Ding, ding, ding...

Adrian's hands danced across the keys like sprites. Clear notes flowed from beneath his fingers like water through the mountains, reaching every ear in the hall.

It took only a few notes!

Shock and delight appeared on many faces.

No one had ever heard the piece before!

But it was beautiful!

Elizabeth looked stunned. Her hands clasped together before she knew it, and a faint blush rose in her cheeks.

His technique still sounds a little rough, but this piece... He must have practiced it in secret for ages!

Did he hear about my event in Ballywood Kingdom and come all this way for me?

The singer said nothing. Her eyes stayed fixed on Adrian as she listened, unwilling to miss a note of this unpolished yet nearly perfect work.

The melody and structure were simple, and his playing grew steadily more assured.

Yet the music expressed a rare depth of feeling with remarkable clarity.

Everyone present could tell there was something extraordinary about it!

When the music ended beneath Adrian's hands, the entire hall remained silent for nearly half a minute!

Then—

The host, standing closest to him, was the first to recover. Professional instinct took over, and he began applauding excitedly.

I've struck gold!

With a perfect new piece like that, I'm sure to get a promotion and a raise. I might even become general manager!

Clap, clap, clap!

Elizabeth came