Above The Sky
Chapter 522 - 522 491 Adventurer 13

522: Chapter 491 Adventurer (1/3) 522: Chapter 491 Adventurer (1/3) The melody coming from the second-floor study was melodious and appealing, with the piano sounding delicate and soft, like the chirping of birds at dawn, and like the babbling of a brook, clear and bright, making the listener feel a sense of peace, immersed in the atmosphere of the tune.

——It’s of a very high standard.

This was Ian’s evaluation.

He didn’t understand music, rather, he had never learned music.

Liking to listen and being able to perform were two different things, and he had never thought that Yisen Gard would have such masterful piano skills.

But, thinking about it now, as the youngest son of Marquis Ayrin, it was unlikely that Yisen Gard had only ever studied Alchemy and knew nothing else——he had also been through a complete noble upbringing, and being proficient in one, or even several musical instruments, was the norm.

Ian arrived at the doorway of the study, where he saw the blond youth’s shoulders and arms incredibly steady, his slender hands reaching out, tapping and pressing on the piano keys with a smooth yet swift motion, bringing about one note after another.

“Ian, did I disturb you?”

Noticing his friend’s arrival, Yisen Gard finished his practice with a fluid rhythm, stood up, and with a touch of embarrassment, said, “I sensed you were awake and thought it would be alright to practice a bit.”

“It’s quite lovely,” Ian said straightforwardly in praise, “There’s no need to stop on my account; you can keep playing if you want.”

“To tell you the truth, I also didn’t expect your piano skills to be so advanced, it’s really beyond what I anticipated.”

In Ian’s view, Yisen Gard’s skills were good enough to hold a small concert…

Of course, it was also possible that it was the Sublimator’s enhanced body control, but it was obvious that the other person had talent.

“It’s almost over, just maintaining the feel of it every day, not forgetting is enough,” Yisen Gard said with a smile, “This is my hobby… When Mom said to be an Alchemist, one needs a pair of hands that are dexterous and steady, capable of precise control; she asked me what method I would like to practice, and I preferred the piano.”

“But for you,”

At this point, Yisen Gard also seriously sized up Ian, expressing his wonder, “I should be the one surprised— you actually left South Ridge and came to the Imperial Capital…

Goodness, the journey must have been so dangerous?

How many adventurers and mercenaries dare not easily traverse through half of The Empire’s territory.”

“Moreover, looking at the timing, you left almost without any delay…Ian, it might be a bit presumptuous, but I feel that you might truly enjoy the sense of journey and adventure…”

“Is it really that interesting?”

Those tranquil lake-like green eyes gazed at his friend, filled with deep puzzlement.

Yisen Gard’s question was, in fact, the question of many others.

Mr.

Silver Workshop had also expressed his amazement at Ian starting his travels at such a young age; it was truly unimaginable.

Even Viscount Grant, who had suggested the journey, essentially did so as a way to protest against Marquis Barton; he even suggested Ian live in Nauman City, where he had a luxurious residence available for Ian’s use and Alchemy practice.

They didn’t think that Ian would want to travel himself.

None had considered that Ian would embark on his journey with such an open heart, and even with joy.

This was far from the rejection and dissatisfaction they had imagined.

Hence their confusion.

“Hmm…”

Ian pondered for a while.

If it had been yesterday afternoon, he might have made up a random excuse to tell Yisen Gard, considering the matter unimportant, and not feeling that such an answer was deceitful.

However, after experiencing the Fae’s meditation and gaining deeper understanding of the desires within his heart, the youth decided not to mislead anyone on this matter.

So, after thinking it over, he spoke earnestly, “How should I put it, Yisen…

Exploration, travel, and adventure are essentially the same thing, and it’s not something you can choose as a hobby.”

“It’s a part of my life.”

“Yisen, even if I convinced myself that staying in Harrison Port was safer and more beneficial for me, eventually, something would compel me to embark on a journey.”

“And at that moment, I would discover that my luggage and packages had been packed and ready all along—my heart is full of it, unconsciously preparing…

preparing the coat, shoes, weapons, and the yearning for home.”

“Only when I take the first step do I truly feel alive.”

“That’s the kind of person I am.

Elan, Elder Prude, and even Viscount Grant…

they might slow me down a bit.

But they can’t keep me forever.”

Saying so, Ian smiled with an optimistic self-deprecation and a humorous sense of self-praise, “After all, for someone like me who would rather aim for the pot than be content with what’s in the bowl, staying in one place is just an invitation to get moldy.”

“And isn’t that a waste?

Everyone likes me, both my personality and looks…

With that being the case, I should travel more and make more people happy.”

“With my wit and intelligence, I should see the bigger world and let more people meet me—otherwise, wouldn’t that be burying the resources?”

As Ian spoke, he was essentially joking, waiting for Yisen Gard to tease him about his vanity.

Unexpectedly, his peer responded seriously with a nod, “Indeed.

Now I kind of understand…

Indeed, Ian, you should travel everywhere.

That’s how you’ll better understand the world, help more people, and be helped by more people.”

This made Ian somewhat uncomfortable, “I was kidding, I’m not that self-centered to think that I’d make everyone happy just by showing up—don’t take it seriously.”

“But it’s true.”

Yisen Gard picked up a stack of documents from beside the piano, “This is the information I need to show my mother later…

Look, wherever you’ve been, you’ve solved problems there.

Ian, you might not realize it, but you have helped quite a few people, and that’s something I admire and envy.”

Ian began to think that Yisen Gard’s praise was a bit excessive.

While that’s true, being recognized by others certainly makes one happy.

“Ian, do you play any instruments?”

Yisen Gard stood up from the piano bench.

He was just making conversation, not trying to probe or guess anything—at that, he was still very pure-hearted.

“I could.

But those instruments have no soul.”

Ian glanced around the study and noticed indeed there were many instruments, from simple to complex, from street level to sophisticated, almost everything one could think of.

He stepped forward and picked up a lute—it was the most common instrument he had seen in the taverns he visited and the one he was most familiar with in Terra, “To be precise, I don’t know how to play.”

“I only know how to imitate.”