“Are you telling me to help with music composition after the performance!?”
“Director! That’s too hard!!”
Hearing about the music composition work, the members of the Riana Orchestra naturally protested.
Typically, any free time they had outside of performances and rehearsals was just that—free time. So, it was only natural there would be backlash when asked to work during such precious time.
However, as soon as the reward was shared…
“When can we start?”
“I’ve really wanted to work on music for a popular game these days!”
In an instant, the orchestra’s opinion flipped 180 degrees.
Yuren watched this with satisfaction and began the music work.
“You are my cute black cat! A bright red ribbon suits you so well! ♫”
“I don’t know! I can’t figure it out!! ♫ You loved me so much!! ♩”
“I can feel the gaze on me ♫ Come closer and tell me ♩”
I played test recordings of upbeat and fun songs that fit well with “Jump” from my memories of my past life to Riana and the Riana Orchestra members.
They listened intently, their expert eyes blazing as they grasped the music.
“The lyrics are one thing, but the song is really unique.”
“Right? It resembles the regional folk song I heard in the Yura Republic, but the rhythm changes are far more varied.”
“Should we play it like this?”
Based on the test song, the orchestra members began to improve the lyrics and performance among themselves.
Seeing this, I turned to Director Olsson and asked.
“The atmosphere isn’t bad. With this vibe, when can we expect the test song?”
“Probably by next week.”
Director Olsson said with a satisfied smile.
I replied with a beaming smile.
“Then please have it ready by three days from now.”
“Huh?”
“In three days.”
At my words, Director Olsson’s eyes widened.
How could he try to brush me off with a schedule when I had experience working with the sound team? I merely pressured him with a silent smile.
His expression darkened at my look that seemed to say, ‘If you’ve accepted it, you should be able to do that much,’ and then he nodded.
“Ah… Understood. I will prepare it by three days.”
“Thank you very much.”
With that, I entrusted the sound work to him and headed toward the game development team.
At that moment, Riana cautiously approached me.
“Um, Yuren…”
“Yes, Riana.”
“Is it okay if I watch you during the meeting…?”
“Oh! Of course. I won’t have anything too exciting to show, but let’s go together.”
I headed toward the Game Development Laboratory with Riana.
In the Game Development Laboratory, all the members of our school were relaxed for the first time in a while.
It was understandable.
Rhythm games weren’t structurally that difficult. To be precise, they were much easier than open-world crime games or dragon-catching games.
Consequently, we had already completed a fair amount of work with the basic prototype I had created, which left us feeling quite relaxed—until now.
“Alright! Let’s have our new system meeting.”
“Is there anything left to discuss? Execution?”
“We’ve completed all the systems planned so far. What I’m talking about is a new system.”
“A new system?”
If there was no work, what should we do?
The answer is simple: create more work!!
I explained to everyone about that one system I always wanted to include in the rhythm game someday.
Upon hearing it, everyone was stunned.
“Whaaaat!?”
“You want to put something like that in the game!?”
“Yeah.”
Including Jiren and Noirin, everyone’s expressions grew serious.
I understood.
Adding this one system would instantly increase the development difficulty of “Jump” to that of an open-world game like “Triad.”
“What kind of system you’re talking about, I get it. But… is it possible to design it with magic, Master?”
“Well… It’s difficult, but it wouldn’t be impossible, Jiren.”
“It seems like this system might precariously touch the law. We might need a lawyer’s review on this, Yuren.”
Jiren, the Master, Silvia, and everyone spoke up about the system I mentioned.
Various opinions were exchanged, but not one of them said they wouldn’t do it.
Whether it was trust in me or shared excitement at the thought of how fun it could be, I enjoyed watching their reactions.
Then Riana, who had been quietly observing the meeting, came over.
“This is fascinating. So this is what a game development meeting looks like.”
“Isn’t the orchestra meeting similar?”
“Our meetings are boring.”
Riana spoke as if devoid of emotion.
There was a sense of loneliness—or emptiness—in her eyes.
“Since 500 years ago, the songs and pieces we have to perform have all been decided. So, we hardly ever have discussions like this.”
“You’ve been doing the same performance for 500 years!?”
“Yes…”
I could only be shocked by her explanation.
How could they perform the same show not for 1 or 2 years, but for 500 years?
However, as I listened to her, I could roughly understand the reason.
The Riana Orchestra’s performances started to honor the war where Karna had fought 500 years ago.
In past life terms, it was like an intangible cultural heritage performance, maintained by the Empire.
In other words, it wasn’t a performance to enjoy the joy of music but to carry on a memory.
To think that made sense for why I was drawn to the Riana Orchestra—surely it wasn’t that I had cheap musical talent.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, an interesting idea suddenly struck me.
Hmm… It seems like this could end up being really fun!
I asked Riana.
“Riana, does the Riana Orchestra have a separate contract for performances?”
“A performance contract? Why do you ask?”
I shared my fun plan with her.
“Since we’re making songs anyway, let’s have a performance too.”
“A performance?”
And thus began the planning for the performance to celebrate the opening of “Jump” by the Riana Orchestra and Irene School.
*
Riana was confused.
At first, she was just curious about what made her heart race and came to find Yuren.
It was a trivial curiosity; like being drawn to a shop while traveling and deciding to look inside.
But before she knew it, the entire orchestra was overwhelmed.
“So, are you telling us we have to compose while performing and also perform that song?”
“Yes… That’s right…”
Director Olsson looked at the orchestra members with a more complicated expression than ever.
He knew better than anyone that this was an unreasonable schedule.
But he had no choice.
He couldn’t afford to defy a first-class wizard and knight who was playing with the Minister’s Office Crystal Ball in exchange for additional rewards.
“This isn’t right, Director.”
“Yeah. Even if we get a lot of money, this seems a bit…”
Naturally, some orchestra members voiced their objections.
However, everyone was taken to the Truth Chamber of Irene School and underwent something called financial therapy before eagerly changing their minds.
As the atmosphere shifted, Riana’s friend Sophie expressed her concern.
“Is Riana okay? She has the most to handle.”
The one most affected by this demanding schedule was Riana, who was involved in every aspect.
She had to sing, compose, and practice the choreography for the performance.
In the past, she would have flatly rejected it.
But now she…
“I’m… okay.”
It was striking.
Since Riana joined, the orchestra had never been this chaotic.
Yet she didn’t dislike the confusion.
Her heart raced, and she felt excited about tomorrow.
Somehow… she felt like she might be able to find the answer she had been looking for if she pushed just a little further.
This change within her began to influence the performances as well.
“Requiem ♩ aeternam ♩ dona eis ♫ Domine ♫,”
On the 12th performance day held in the Southern Region by the Riana Orchestra, the venue was packed.
Because the Riana Orchestra’s performances weren’t something you saw often, there were fans who came back multiple times to watch.
And at some point, they realized that Riana’s singing was changing.
The perfection they had previously felt, which sent chills down their spines, wasn’t bad.
But slowly, the ice that had surrounded her voice began to melt, and life started to breathe within it.
“Did you hear? This performance by the Riana Orchestra.”
“Of course! I thought it would end with the seven Rianas, but I had no idea there would be a treasure like this. I’m so glad I came.”
“I’ll be going again tomorrow!”
They were curious.
Her song was still in the process of changing.
Whether the result would be a masterpiece of the century or a nightmare of doom was uncertain.
But whatever it was, they wanted to witness it.
