"Before we decide anything, I feel like I need to ask you this - why do you want to possess the central chord? Your answer would decide everything for me."


    Yohan waited for Beta''s answer but his mind was all but made up. It was not Beta would be able to win over him if he got serious for real. So even if Beta wanted to fight him, Yohan would more than wee it.


    "Huh, possess the chord? I want to do no such thing. The only thing I want to do is to find the chord and nothing else. This is the challenge I set for myself."


    And here was where Beta lost Yohan. He had no idea what Beta was talking about. And from the look Shizue was leveling her partner with, even she had no idea what was going on.


    "You see, the world is a boring ce for geniuses like me. So what I want is a challenge that can make my heart pump and cause me to go ''Wow, now this was difficult. And I have a feeling that this is exactly what I want-"


    "Beta, stop talking right now. Gosh, I am so sorry for my partner. She''s not all there right now so don''t take anything she''s saying to heart."


    It was a nice try to save face Shizue but Yohan''s face said that he did not believe a single wording out of her mouth. Even Shizue would have not believed herself if she was in Yohan''s shoes.


    Still, all she could do was bow down in front of Yohan and pray that he would not tell anyone about this. This was her earnest request and she tried to convey her sincerity even when Beta did her best to foil Shizue''s ns.


    "No, Yohan, don''t listen to her. I will send you the coordinates of our meeting locationter. See you…"


    And just as fast as Beta and Shizue had taken him away, they were gone as well. They left Yohan with a ring headache as well as a tone of confusion.


    ''Ah well, that certainly happened. I guess I should focus more on myself for now and think about Beta''s proposal when shees around again.''


    The day had been eventful but it was finallying to end now.


    //////////////////////////////////


    "Fuck, shit, what should I do now? I was banking on using the cultural festival to make myself stand out. But that n ended up being a burst."


    Lizamented as she considered what she could do next. Her options were starting to limit themselves now and her three-year n had failed in the first year itself. Things could not have gone any worse for her.


    What was more, Yohan had been taken away by the police. Since he was under observation, it would be nearly impossible to get to him now.


    "Why did this happen? What possessed Marvis to go and get himself killed? What should I do now?"


    There was not much left for Liza to prove herself with. Any of the other major events had no likelihood of happening. And Liza also needed the ranking from this cultural festival to solidify her ns.


    She was helpless right now. And it was because she was desperate that her mind was able toe up with the most brilliant idea she ever had to this date. Perhaps, all was not lost to her yet.


    Threw was one thing that her brother had tried to do but had been unsessful in the end. And it was to tame the central chord.


    As an academy graduate, everyone was awarded one chance to tame the most powerful object in this world - the central chord. But no one had ever been sessful in attaining affinity with the best conductor in this world.


    But if Liza was able to achieve that, she would finally have something she was better than her brother at. And she would also be able to let go of all the resentment she had been carrying over the years.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "Yes, this should work. No, I have to make this work somehow. I need to get the central chord the next time it is being transferred."


    As for the thought of failure? That never even crossed Liza''s mind.


    //////////////////////////////////


    Sid looked toward the man scientist he had managed to procure from his illegal sources. This man was said to be the best by everyone but no one knew his full name.


    Everyone just called him Khole, the magician since he was able to uncover whatever you tasked him with. He was a well-known genius and someone everyone admired.


    "So, I heard that you have a job for me? But I must warn you before I take it. If it turns out to be too boring, then you would pay the price for wasting my time."


    Sid felt sweat run down his face as he held his ground. This man was scary. He emitted as much pressure as Yohan did when he tasked Sid with finding a professional.


    But unlike Yohan, Sid did not even need to speak up to threaten Sid. The weight of his eyes was enough to make Sid squeak in his seat. He wanted to keep Trisha as far away from this creep as he could.


    But Trisha was far too curious for her good and she walked toward Sid and Khole all on her own. Sid tried to signal her not toe toward them but she ignored him.


    ''Why does no one listen to me when they know I am right? Will I ever gain the respect I deserve from those under mymand?''


    Sid cried out inside his mind even as he appeared to be calm and without any fault. But anyone who looked at him could see that he was shaking in his ce. His hands were not able to keep his teacup from spilling out tea.


    "What do you want, runt? I don''t have time and patience to y around with kids like you. So I would appreciate it if you leave me alone."


    Khole looked at the kid, expecting her to look away. And Trisha from a day before might have looked away as well.


    But not the Trisha of today. Being saved by Yohan and being taken to this group ignited her spark. And she was ready to show her real abilities.


    Besides, this man had a really pretty aura which called for Trisha toe closer and explore it. She had never seen such a pure aura before in her life.


    "So pretty. Your aura is so pretty. It''s all clear and sparkly. Hey, how can I get an aura like yours? I want one just as shiny as you."


    Sid knew he needed to stop Trisha before she spilled any more of her secret but saying anything, when Khole was looking at him was difficult.


    "I have a pretty aura? So, are you saying that you can see my aura? Then, does that work for others as well? What about inanimate objects?"


    ''Fuck. Mission failed this time. I cannot believe I allowed a good kid like Trisha to be a predator''s interest. How will I be able to look my parents in the eye?''


    Sid cursed his luck in his mind but he did not let it show outwardly. And how could he open his mouth when he had so much resistance?


    Why had he ever thought that this would be the break he needed in his life? It was now causing him undue stress.