This was especially true for all members of the Baltech Basketball Team.
"Hmph. Just a stupid song on a stupid musical instrument nobody uses. What's the big deal?" Dylan Smith, a huge third year boy with a fearsome scar running down the side of his face scoffed in derision.
"A freshman trying to show off? He doesn't understand just how vast the heavens are!" A pretty girl with a shocking crew cut hair spoke up as well.
"We'll put him in his place. Harry. Kimbal. Terence. You three are freshmen as well, right?" Dylan Smith the scarred boy glanced at the three first years near him.
"Yes big bro Dylan! We are even in the same class as this bugger!"
"Then you know what to do! Maximum force! Understood?!"
"Yes big bro Dylan!" All three of them replied in unison as their lips curled into nasty smiles.
However, their sinister discussion was completely drowned out by the rest of the school hooting and screaming out their appreciation for Jordan Lin!
"Thank you. Thank you everyone. The school has spared no effort to nurture each and everyone of us. This little performance is just an inadequate way to repay the kindness I have received. I am very glad you all enjoyed it. Thank you. Thank you!"
Jordan Lin stood up and bowed deeply.
"Excellent, little Jordan. Well done! Well said!" The MC said loudly. "Indeed the school had poured in an enormous amount of time and resources for all students, not just Jordan Lin. Let us welcome the next performer!"
"That old bugger Mr Chang owes me three now!" Jordan Lin chuckled to himself and made his way backstage.
In the first row of the audience, a mini argument was actually taking place amid the slowly subsiding applause.
"Ehm. Mr Walza, the Orlando Music Academy is the best place to nurture gifted musicians like this Jordan prodigy. We even have our own Grand Piano. Why don't we trans-" Angelina Burns, the pretty middle aged woman dressed in black formal wear started to say.
"Absolutely not. The Orlando Music Academy is small and weak. Such a small pond is not suitable for raising dragons. What Grand Piano? If I remember correctly, your Grand Piano is a 70 year old antique! Hmph. Ours is a Near Mint 15 year old Garfield and Sons. It is miles better than your old, half broken relic!" Elliot Hawking, the short, chubby old man with wrinkles everywhere and a headful of white hair snorted.
"You…you st.. fu.. as.." Angelina Burn's eyes bulged in anger and she started to stutter incoherently at the old man as she held back curse after curse from leaving her mouth.
"Old Walza, it's a good thing that you dragged me along to this school visit. If not, we would have missed this diamond in the rough. A multi carat diamond in the roughest of roughs! The Florida Orchestra wants him!" Elliot Hawking ignored Angelina Burns and immediately stated his intentions clearly.
"Ah?" Mr Chang could only shake his head helplessly.
What do you mean roughest of roughs? Bro! I am sitting right here! Can you please at least hold back your insults after you leave this place?
And why are you snatching my student? Didn't you hear that his talent is the product of my school's nurturing?!
But there was nothing much he could really say in response.
Afterall, that white haired chubby old man was the Assistant Deputy Director of the Florida Orchestra.
The hands down, number one musical organization in the State of Florida! The number of national awards and trophies that they had won for Florida was innumerable.
Even the President holds them in high regard.
"Hehehe. Stop bickering you two. Elliot is right, the Orlando Music Academy is indeed a little small to handle this little rising star." Mr Walza said with a massive smile.
"Mr Walza!" Angelina Burns cried out in dismay.
"Mwa ha ha ha!" Elliot Hawking sniggered like a little boy.
"In the same way, the Florida Orchestra is too small as well!" Mr Walza continued.
"Ah? Wh-what do you mean?" Elliot Hawking's smirk was instantly wiped out from his face.
"This young man is only a freshman. His musical talents are still exploding upwards! And even right now, he is able to compose such incredibly touching and emotionally complex music! I truly believe that he… He is the next Ryan Gillians!" Mr Walza proclaimed in a solemn voice.
"Ryan Gillians!" Angelina Burns' eyes burned with fervor.
"Ryan Gillians…" Elliot Hawkings eyes sharpened like a hawk's.
"Ha? Ryan Gillians?" Mr Chang, the musically challenged Principal of Baltech High School, had no idea who Ryan Gillians was.
Ryan Gillians was, of course, the Mozart equivalent of the parallel world's musical geniuses.
"Yes. We need to give him the best coaches! He needs to be exposed to every single kind of music! He needs the best instruments! And the only organization in the entire United States capable of providing that to him is…" Mr Walza said.
"The National Institute of Music." Elliot Hawking whispered with reverence.
"The National Institute of Music." Angelina Burns whispered with reverence.
"Ha? The National Institute of Music?" Mr Chang exclaimed quietly in his heart. "There is such an institute in America?"
Mr Chang! You're the Principal of a High School, can you at least be abit more updated in the field of education? Haiya!
"Hmmm. I will contact Dean Peter Pelosi personally to request for an invitation. This Jordan kid will probably have to take their entrance test, but it will definitely be a non-issue. This is excellent. American Music will definitely enter a brand new golden era!" Mr Walza said with a calm smile.
However, internally, his heart was pounding like mad.
What an incredible find!
Jordan Lin was definitely a once-a-millenium musical prodigy!
He must be nurtured in the National Institute of Music at all costs.
At all costs!
Backstage, Jordan Lin was blissfully unaware of the plans made by the three big shots.
He was happily basking in the admiration of a bunch of girls, including the most beautiful girl in school. And not just that, he was also bragging his head off!