16th July 2022 - Windsor Square - 9:27 AM
The next day, as expected, Kai was wheeled into the largest room on the second floor of the villa. The moment the door creaked open, he was greeted by the sight of a magnificent pure white grand piano. Its polished surface gleamed under the soft morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows. The room itself was spacious yet cozy, with soundproof walls lined with shelves holding old music scores and records. In the midst of it all sat Jeffrey, his fingers gliding effortlessly over the piano keys as a soothing melody filled the air.
Kai couldn't describe the feeling that washed over him. It was as if the music bypassed his ears and went straight to his soul. The melody seemed to awaken emotions he hadn't even realized were buried deep within him. It wasn't just skill—this was raw, unfiltered artistry. Kai marveled at how music could invoke such pure feelings, making him respect the old man even more.
Albert, standing beside Kai, waited respectfully for Jeff to finish his piece. The butler broke the silence once the final note lingered in the air.
"Good morning, sir. As requested, I've escorted Mr. Kai here."
Jeff turned his head slightly, his blind eyes still facing the piano. "Ah, thank you, old friend. Just close the door on your way out, and don't let anyone disturb us until I call."
"Of course, sir," Albert replied, lowering his head slightly before leaving the room and shutting the door with a quiet click.
Jeff shifted his focus to Kai. "Alright, kid. Let's begin. Singing is not like any other art. I can't show you how to do it step by step or hand-hold you through everything. Singing requires a genuine aptitude. What I can do is refine what you already have. So let's hear it. Pick a song you're comfortable with."
Kai swallowed nervously. The idea of singing in front of Zephyr, the Maestro himself, was daunting. But he reminded himself that this was the career path he had chosen. He had to push through the fear. He pulled out his phone and played the instrumental version of one of his favorite songs, Starry Night by Olivia Smith.
The song was slow and hauntingly beautiful, filled with themes of loneliness and longing for connection—emotions Kai resonated with deeply. As the instrumental played, he closed his eyes, taking a moment to gather his courage before starting to sing. He tried his best to hit the high notes during the crescendo, letting the melody guide him. He poured everything he had into the performance, remembering Jeff's words about conveying emotion and empathy through music.
When the song ended, Kai opened his eyes and looked at Jeff with anticipation. The old man remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.
"Alright," Jeff finally said. "Not bad, kid. You're not great, but you're not bad either. You have a natural tone, and there's potential in how you emote. But you're rough around the edges. There are things we need to polish before you can be called a singer. It'll take time and effort, but it's doable."
Kai's heart sank slightly at the critique, but the mention of potential reignited his determination. If the Maestro believed he had something to work with, then he wasn't starting from zero. Still, he couldn't help but wonder about the system's mechanics. What did having Level 1 in singing even mean? How far did the levels go—10? 50? 100? And why hadn't the system unlocked the skill earlier? Last night, he'd tried singing in his room and noticed a distinct improvement. His voice was clearer, more controlled, as if he'd been practicing for months instead of days. It wasn't a miraculous transformation, but it was noticeable enough to make him giddy with anticipation.
Before he could dwell on the system's mysteries, Jeff's next words pulled him back to reality.
"Now, come here. Alongside singing, I'm also going to teach you the piano. You can't truly understand music without knowing how to read notes, and the piano is one of the best tools for that. Wheel your chair next to me."
"The piano?" Kai echoed, hesitating for a moment before realizing Jeff's logic. Determined, he maneuvered his wheelchair next to the grand piano.
Jeffrey placed his hands lightly on the piano keys, pressing a few to orient himself. "I'll play a simple melody first. Watch how my fingers move across the keys, and try to understand the mechanics. Once I'm done, I'll explain what the piano truly is to me."
Without waiting for a response, Jeff began playing. Though the melody was simple, it carried an air of elegance and grace. Each note felt deliberate, evoking a sense of calm and clarity. Kai found himself mesmerized by the fluidity of Jeff's movements. The Maestro's fingers seemed to dance over the keys, creating music that painted vivid mental images—a serene mountain breeze, a quiet lake at sunset.
As the final note resonated in the room, Jeff broke the silence. "The piano is one of the easiest instruments to grasp initially, but one of the hardest to master. That duality is what makes it special. Amateurs learn the basics and think they've conquered it, but true mastery takes a lifetime."
Jeff turned to Kai, his tone becoming more instructional. "Every instrument has a defining characteristic. For a guitar, it's flair. Without flair, it's just wood and strings. For drums, it's energy. A good drummer can awaken even the laziest audience. For the piano, it's elegance. To play it well, you need a calm mind, steady hands, and a sharp ear. Now, before I teach you anything, close your eyes. Clear your mind of all distractions. Focus only on the present."
Kai obeyed, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. It took a few minutes, but he eventually managed to discard his swirling thoughts. The doubts, aspirations, and worries that had been weighing on him faded into the background. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was steady and focused.
Seeing the determination in Kai's expression, Jeff nodded approvingly. He began explaining the piano's layout, the purpose of each key, and the basics of reading music. His instructions were clear and methodical, yet he occasionally threw in anecdotes about his own experiences as a musician, making the lesson both educational and engaging.
Hours passed unnoticed as morning turned into afternoon and then into evening. The sunlight streaming through the windows shifted, casting long shadows across the room. Kai was so engrossed in learning that he barely registered the occasional DING sounds from the system.
DING
+1 INT
+1 INT
+1 CHA
New Skill : Piano Level 1
By the time Jeff called for a break, Kai's fingers were sore from pressing the keys, but his heart was full. He'd made mistakes, struggled to remember the positions of certain notes, and fumbled with the rhythm once, but he'd also felt a spark—an understanding of why people devoted their lives to music.
As the butler returned to wheel Kai back to his room, he couldn't help but smile. Though he was exhausted, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but for the first time in a while, he felt like he was heading in the right direction.