A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1539 - 1038 Antarctic

Chapter 1539: Chapter 1038 Antarctic

"Whew..."

Slumped over the table, Huang’zen Kumiko let out a long sigh.

"Finally done!"

"Seriously, even though the national competition is over, we can’t slack off, you know. After all, the final exams are coming up. If we don’t work hard, we’ll get scolded again when we go back. If this keeps up, Mom will deduct my allowance. You’re in the same boat. If you don’t study hard, you won’t pass the exams, and if you end up in remedial classes while everyone else is practicing, that would be a disaster."

"I know."

Upon hearing her friend’s reminder, Huang’zen Kumiko responded while turning her head towards the empty seat behind her. It was vacant, looking quite desolate.

"Naruse is lucky, huh, not having to attend classes and even getting to go to Antarctica..."

Putting aside the Antarctic trip, merely taking a break from school while others are still studying is quite impressive.

December.

For the school’s students, there’s only the final exams left, and the third-year students have graduated, leaving the Wind Band Club half empty.

"Speaking of which, when Teacher Duanmu isn’t around in the Wind Band Club, everything feels suddenly relaxed."

"Yes, exactly."

Hearing Huang’zen Kumiko’s sentiment, her friend nodded. Normally, no one in the Wind Band Club dares to critique Duanmu Huai, mainly because his aura is too intimidating. Whenever he’s at school, it feels like there’s an almighty tyrant in the vicinity. Hence, even though they know he’s not around, no one dares to casually comment on him. But now, it’s fine; he’s far away in Antarctica, thousands of miles from here, they can finally relax and vent a little.

"Speaking of which, with Classmate Mary not around, how should we handle the upcoming concert?"

"Teacher Long said we’re changing the pieces and starting practice from scratch..."

"Ah..."

The group exchanged glances and simultaneously sighed. Although the national competition was over, the Wind Band Club still had a series of events coming up. Especially since their debut in nationals won them a silver award, drawing quite a bit of local attention. They have to participate in some public performances and, to live up to the title of national silver medalists, they definitely can’t deal with it casually.

Even if there’s no rank involved, they must showcase the Wind Band Club’s prowess to the audience.

"Are you sure it’s okay? With Classmate Mary not here, the Wind Band Club’s capability takes quite a hit."

"That’s why we must work hard to make up for it."

"But still, Classmate Mary is amazing."

Recalling Mary, Huang’zen Kumiko’s friend Xiao’Lu expressed admiration.

"Xiao’Lu has never seen anyone play the violin so well, and she hasn’t even practiced that hard..."

"That’s talent, I guess. It’s so enviable it’s beyond envying."

Listening to Xiao’Lu’s remarks, Huang’zen Kumiko nodded, inevitably recalling her friend Kousaka Rina, who was also an outstanding trumpet player. Yet Huang’zen Kumiko knew Kousaka Rina never took her training lightly. Not only did she arrive early every day, but she also attended private trumpet lessons after school.

But Mary was entirely different. Although she practiced during club activities, beyond that, she rarely reinforced her training. According to Mary, her violin performance was part of "a lady’s refinement," playing to cultivate her character and relax.

In fact, every performance, Mary seemed genuinely to enjoy it, treating the violin purely as entertainment, unlike them, who trained relentlessly and didn’t even know when their efforts would pay off. Yet, she comfortably retained the top violin chair, with no one able to catch up to her.

Moreover, she also had the leisure to mentor other students, which truly embodied the disparity of talent.

"But Teacher Duanmu is quite nice too, although he is pretty terrifying, when he’s kind to us, he’s not bad at all. Xiao’Lu really misses that cake."

"Indeed..."

Upon hearing this, Huang’zen Kumiko nodded. Xiao’Lu was referring to the day when they returned to school after participating in the national competition, utterly exhausted, only to find sweet treats placed in front of each of their desks. Then Duanmu Huai told them, "Even though you might have complaints, the competition is over. Eat this and go rest. It’s no use dwelling on the past."

That was quite rare; the daily limit was three hundred of those desserts. No one knew how Duanmu Huai acquired them, but generally speaking, after everyone finished the cake, their somewhat gloomy moods were swept away, and they went home laughing and chatting.

Honestly, after spending a year with Duanmu Huai, the Wind Band Club’s perception of Duanmu and Tasuku, the two advisors, drastically changed.

Initially, Tasuku was very popular as an advisor because of his looks, after all. But soon, the Wind Band Club was utterly worn out by Tasuku’s devilish training techniques. He wouldn’t scold with a stern face but would make you practice over and over until he was satisfied. So after a year’s training, those students who once held onto the idea of "LUCKY, getting guidance from a handsome teacher," had long abandoned their childish notions.