Blazing Symphonia

Arc 1 : The raven and the dragon

Tires screeching on the asphalt at top speed and an overexcited crowd. On the outskirts of the super-metropolis of Seoul, there is a motor racing circuit popular with the younger generations. It attracted more and more curious onlookers and racers every year. Today was the final of a national amateur tournament organized by the owner. A lot of people had followed this year's event with great attention. Many eyes were on the favorite, a young rookie¹ in a red Ferrari.

It was the last lap of the last race of the tournament. Everything was going very fast. The first car crossed the finish line and the final shot had been fired. The shouts of joy and admiration grew louder and louder as the favorite won.

The young pilot's car pulled up to his assigned pit-stop, and he got out of his vehicle under the cheers of the technical staff. He removed his helmet. Revealing the smiling face of a man in his early twenties, with a tanned skin and short brown hair.

He looked up at the clock on his left and expressed his surprise by uttering what sounded like an insult in Thai. He quickly apologized to those around him before running off to the changing rooms. Another driver, the runner-up, had also found himself surrounded by supporters and other colleagues. He saw the young favorite slip away:

“Ashlay!” he exclaimed suddenly. Unfortunately for him, Ashlay was already far away. He himself couldn't reach him due to the surrounding crowd.

Half an hour later, a very chic dark red suit had replaced Ashlay's racing outfit. He hastily made his way to his car. Once settled, he looked at the time on his phone and reassured himself. Then, he started his car and headed for the center of town. On the way, his phone rang. He glanced sharply at the screen to see who was calling, then adjusted an earpiece to his right ear before answering:

“So, you are leaving like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight?” The voice on the other end of the line was the one of the pilot who called out to Ashlay earlier.

“Hao Ming, I see you're in a good mood.” Said Ashlay.

“Are you going to be on time?”

“I think I'll make it on time without running any red lights... Well, maybe one or two. It depends on the traffic.” He replied, a little annoyed.

“Ha ha ha!" The young man found the situation amusing. “Okay, okay. Your mother won't spare you if she finds out you turned up late, after all. And don't worry about the podium and the trophy. I'll explain the situation to the circuit president.” Explained Hao Ming.

Ashlay shuddered at the thought of having to explain himself to his mother. If he had the misfortune to arrive late for tonight's charity concert at the Seoul Arts Center, he’ll be doom.

The aim of the concert was to raise funds for an organization that helps underprivileged families around the world. Both Korean and foreign classical and jazz musicians, more or less well-known, had been invited to give one performance each. For a total of three hours.

Originally, it was his mother who had to go, but due to other imperatives, Ashlay had to go instead. He was supposed to represent their company: The Orchid Prestige group. This conglomerate, originally from Thailand, has made a name for itself in the Asian hotel and real estate market. As heir to the family, Ashlay sometimes had to go to such events with his mother, or on his own, like today. Whether he liked it or not.

Ashlay wasn't going to miss the final of the motor racing tournament he'd just won for anything in the world. Also, having to replace his mother had come at the last minute. So he promised her he'd be at the concert on time after the race was over. His mother didn't really appreciate her son's hobby and had threatened to stop him if he didn't keep his word.

“To think I'd have been partying with you instead of going to that boring charity concert.” Ashlay sighed.

“Why don't you come to my place later, once it's over? My father brought back a few bottles of good wine from his last trip to France.”

“I'll think about it. Maybe I'll go straight home instead. I'll call you later.”

“Okay... See you later, probably, and don't forget to smile.” Hao Ming added before hanging up.

At six o'clock, Ashlay parked and entered the Arts Center. In the lobby, a young man in a black suit, short black hair slicked back and wearing club-master glasses, waited anxiously at the side. He seemed to be looking for someone. The moment he saw Ashlay, his facial expression relaxed, and he moved towards him:

“Mister Nienrao! At last, you're here!” He announced, almost in tears. “The concert starts in less than thirty minutes, and you haven't been answering my calls, so I was afraid that...”

“There's no need to be so dramatic, Secretary Shin”, Ashlay cut in. “And how many times have I told you that you can call me Ash, Ha Ri.”

Shin Ha Ri, twenty-four-year-old, had been Ashlay's secretary for two and a half years. That is, since Ashlay had officially joined Orchid Prestige. He was very diligent and organized in his work. Sometimes even too serious. He also got along well with Ashlay, as he was the same age as him, and they'd gone to the same university.

“Given the situation, I prefer to keep things professional, Mister Nienrao.” He asserted, readjusting his glasses.

“As you wish, Secretary Shin. Where should I go?”

“This way, please.”

As Secretary Shin guided the young man towards the concert hall, he could feel a variety of eyes on him: young women who found him attractive, older businessmen who wanted to do business with Orchid Prestige, people who were jealous, or even people curious about the fact that he was a foreigner.

Ashlay was used to all this. He ignored them and remained focused on his task. But, some gossips caught his attention as he was handing an envelope to a hostess at the entrance to the hall. It contained a check his mother had given him for the event. A group of people seemed excited to hear a certain musician. Apparently, he was some kind of piano prodigy who had already performed abroad, notably in Europe and the United States. These people seemed to have come tonight just to see him play, which intrigued Ashlay.

“To come here just for ONE musician? How good is he?... I didn't hear his name." Ashlay thought.

“Mister?”

“Yes!” Replied Ashlay, snapping back to reality.

“Here, we'll be guided to our seats.”

“I'm coming.”

_____

The concert had been in progress for two hours and a half. It was nearing its end. The music wasn't much to Ashlay's taste. But he made sure he enjoyed it a little. He was dreaming of the moment when he could finally go home, take a shower and crawl under the covers of his bed. The music he was currently listening to was making him terribly sleepy. Secretary Shin, for his part, was in his element. You could see the wonder on his face every time a musician came on stage.

_____

In one of the dressing rooms at the Arts Center, a young man was rehearsing a piano music in his mind, eyes closed. Using his fingers, he mimed movements while lightly humming a melody.

After a few minutes, someone knocked on the dressing room door, putting an end to his mental rehearsal.

"Excuse me, Mister Altaha, it's your turn in ten minutes.” Informed a member of staff.

"Thank you.” He said, inclining his head gently and gracefully.

The pianist looked at himself in the mirror in front of him for a few moments. Then, breathed in and out several times to relax and release stress. He picked up the glasses in front of him and put them on before leaving his dressing room and heading for the stage.

On the way, he sensed an unpleasant presence behind him and suddenly turned to see if anyone was there. Nothing. Had he been dreaming? He wanted to confirm his doubts by retracing his steps, but another member of staff called out that he was about to go on stage. He put this doubt aside and continued on his way.

Just as he was leaving, a stranger wearing a black cap and mask and the uniform of the staff stepped out of the shadows. He entered his dressing room carrying a large bag.

____

Applause rang out at the end of the performance. A master of ceremonies then climbed up the stage to announce the next musician:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've come to the end of this charity concert. To bring this event to a close, allow me to welcome a young prodigy, who is also one of our guests of honor this evening. He has made a name for himself on both piano and composition. He has already performed on stages worldwide: Mister Altaha Gwenval!”

A wave of applause resounded through the concert hall. Some people began to whisper cheerfully among themselves.

"It's finally time to see this “famous prodigy”. I wonder how good he is at provoking such a reaction", Ashlay thought skeptically.

Even Secretary Shin had a smile on his face and kept his eyes glued to the stage, his gaze was filled with stars.

"Do you know him too?” Asked Ashlay, amused.

"Of course!” Replied Secretary Shin cheerfully before clearing his throat and adopting a professional attitude. "His music is wonderful. He knows how to diversify and mix styles. And more, he's very handsome. He's gained a lot of attention in the last three years. You've never heard of him? Seriously?” He asked, surprised.

"No, I haven't. Since I started working for the group. I haven't really had time to discover new musical productions. Besides, classical music isn't my thing.” Assured Ashlay.

"Beautiful and gifted... Hmm... Is it because of his beauty that everyone listens to him?"

Ashlay didn't have time to continue his thought. The famous Altaha Gwenval stepped onto the stage. Secretary Shin hadn't lied to him.

"What...."

He appeared to be of mixed race. Dark skin, short wavy black hair, slim waist and rectangular-rimmed glasses. He was dressed simply in a white shirt and wide black pants. A single earring with a violet tint was visible in his left ear. From where he stood, Ashlay couldn't be sure what it looked like.

However, one thing was certain: he instantly understood why everyone was so excited to see him. Ashlay's heart had never beaten so fast when he saw someone. He couldn't take his eyes off the musician. Which spell had been cast on him?

"He can't be as good as they say... He..."

Ashlay didn't know what was wrong with him and wanted to convince himself that the musician only had his looks, but he'd never been so wrong.

Gwenval bowed to the audience before taking his seat in front of the piano. The room was plunged into total silence and the performance began. At the first notes of the music, everyone was captivated.

Ashlay sat up straight in his seat, his heart beating ever faster.

"I have a problem.” He said quietly in Thai, his right hand close to his heart.

________

Glossary

1. Rookie: young and brilliant pilot