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Chapter 103 – Highlight (5)
From my past life to my present, the ‘theater’ that I envisioned for the medieval period is a type of play like an opera or a musical, where actors appear on stage to showcase their acting skills and sing songs intermittently.
However, the stage that I just saw in a teaser format was definitely not a play. It was a level of performance that even someone like me, who has memories from a past life, can give a perfect score of 10 out of 10, and no one can match its artistic output.
A man who entered the center of a plain shouted in a shriek, gradually transforming into the shape of a devil, and before long, when his wings were fully grown, a huge sickle suddenly popped out of the darkness and caught his neck.
Finally, even a prayer hinting at the appearance of a specific character. Even though it’s fantasy, the directing was not inferior compared to my past life experience, but rather, it was even more outstanding.
This wasn’t a ‘movie’ that used CG, but a ‘play’ that took place in real-time on the stage. Thanks to this, my expectations were inflated, and I ended up waiting for the start of the actual performance.
“Oh, I will inform the people waiting in the seats. Our Matrics Theater’s performance is scheduled to start in 20 minutes, so please take a break until then. Once again, we inform you that our…”
When I didn’t know when the performance would start, the announcement broadcasted loudly. It seems that the Matrics Theater group also has equipment like microphones. It’s not so strange since there was a microphone on the stage at the Academy’s admission ceremony.
‘What kind of equipment are they using? Are they using magic?’
The excellent performance of the Matrics Theater group is shrouded in secrecy. Moreover, the identity of the theater director is not properly known, and they tend to present a proxy instead.
In fact, even the person who visited our mansion was a proxy, and not the leader, just like Lirus. When I asked where the responsible person was, the only answer that came back was that the director was afraid of meeting people.
Many people were curious about who the director of the Matrics Theater group was because of this mysticism. Even I was wondering who the owner of the extraordinary creativity, far ahead of our time, was, so what about other people?
It seems it’s time for a break, I stood up from my seat to go to the restroom. As soon as I got up, the two women sitting next to me asked in turn.
“Where are you going?”
“Where are you going?”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering who to look at while answering. But then, pretending to fix my clothes, I looked towards the stage and replied.
“Just to the restroom. I’ll also get something to drink while I’m at it.”
“Oh, can I come with you?”
“Sure. What about you, Cecily?”
“I’ll stay here. My mind isn’t calm yet…”
As I looked at Cecily, I noticed that tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. It seemed like the song “Life” by the Lirus troupe had deeply moved her.
I looked at the handkerchief that was still clenched in her hand. It was more damp than I had thought, perhaps indicating that she had shed more tears than I had realized.
“Alright, I’ll be back soon since the restroom and the snack bar are nearby.”
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Alright. Marie?”
“Yeah.”
When I reached out my hand, Marie naturally held it and stood up from her seat. I looked around as she got up from her seat. Perhaps because the performance was starting in less than 20 minutes, many people had briefly left their seats. Empty seats could be seen not only in the VIP section but also in the regular seats where ordinary people were seated.
I decided that I should quickly return, as I might lose my seat. Marie and I headed outside together.
After finally leaving the audience seats, I looked at Marie and asked her.
“So, Marie, are you going to the restroom too?”
“I just followed you.”
How does she manage to choose only the prettiest words to say? I almost hugged her in front of everyone, but I managed to restrain myself. Anyone who sees my objectively beautiful girlfriend with her cute gestures and playful behavior would find it hard to resist, but I managed to control myself.
After quickly going to the restroom and taking care of business, Marie and I began to choose drinks to have during the performance. I didn’t forget to ask her about the Matrics Theater Group.
“Have you ever seen a performance by the Matrics Theater Group? Do they usually use that kind of staging?”
“I’ve only seen it once. And the staging was exactly the same as it was then. Should I call it a teaser trailer? Anyway, that’s how they start. A lot of people expect what kind of teaser trailer the Matrics Theater Group will show because of it.”
It seemed that today was no different from any other day. I became even more curious about the identity of the director of the Matrics Theater Group.
“Do you know who the director of the Matrics Theater Group is?”
“Of course not. Maybe they’re someone like you? Just as you hide your identity to write what you want, the Matrics director hides their identity to show the stage they want.”
“Hmm… that makes sense.”
It’s been over 10 years since the Matrics Theater Group became famous, but the director has never revealed their identity even once during that time.
Of course, a select few may know who the director is, but I doubt anyone would dare to mess with them as they are a master among masters.
“Why? Do you want to meet them?”
“Yeah. When the devil’s wings appeared behind the actor’s back, I thought the devil had actually shown up. Weren’t you surprised?”
“At first I was, but I realized it was a play when the audience’s reaction was quiet. Oh, and I vividly heard you cursing. Were you really surprised?”
“I-I was. I was.”
I cleared my throat in a flustered tone to hide my embarrassment from Marie’s teasing. I was so shocked that cursing came out reflexively.
But honestly, if that was the kind of production, who wouldn’t be shocked? Moreover, it wasn’t just anyone, but a demon turning into a devil, so it was natural to react strongly.
“…Anyway, let’s go back quickly. What do you want to eat, Marie?”
“Don’t change the subject. I want lemon juice.”
“Then I’ll have grape juice.”
As they were returning to the stage after each buying their preferred drink, I spotted someone in my view while taking a sip of grape juice. Though they were wearing a robe and I couldn’t see their face clearly, their small stature and distinctive silver hair peeking out from under the robe were noticeable. From the height and hair color, I realized it was Arwen.
She was currently sitting on a bench, her head down as if she was lost in thought. From a distance, she looked like she was sleeping.
“Isaac?”
“Just a moment.”
I ignored Marie’s call and approached Arwen. Although our relationship was just fleeting, I couldn’t simply pass by someone who had helped me choose a book.
I didn’t want to be rude and just ignore someone who had shown kindness to me.
“Arwen?”
“…yeah?”
When I called her name just in case, the girl who had been bowing her head slowly lifted it. From her silver eyes and sharp features, I could tell it was definitely Arwen.
Upon seeing me, Arwen blinked her silver eyes a couple of times and then quickly widened them in surprise.
“Isaac? What are you doing here?”
“I happened to pass by and saw you here. It looks like you’re deep in thought.”
“Thought?”
As if asking what Arwen was saying in response to my question, she blinked her eyes once again. I could sense it inwardly that I was mistaken. For no reason, I scratched my head, feeling confused.
“It’s nothing. I thought you had some worries because you were looking down.”
“Oh… no, that’s not it. I just had something to think about. It’s not a big problem that you should worry about.”
“Well, that’s a relief. By the way, did you enjoy the performance?”
“It was a really impressive performance. And, although it was just a performance, I liked the structure of the seats that were considerate of people like me who are short. I heard that it was temporarily constructed, but I could watch the performance with my own eyes.”
Actually, Arwen is quite short. She’s barely over 150cm in height. However, the structure of the seats wasn’t flat and was designed to go up gradually, so even short people like Arwen could watch the performance without any difficulty. At first, it was almost built flat, but thanks to the designer’s sense, disaster was prevented.
“Then there’s no problem, right?”
“As I said before, there’s no need to treat me like a child. Even though it may look like it, I can handle my share.”
As Arwen grumbled in response, I smiled faintly. Anyway, it seems that there are no problems aside from what I was worried about.
“Okay, I’m going to go. Have a good time at the performance.”
“I hope you had a good time too. Even I can’t easily watch Matrics Theater’s Groups performance.”
If you hear the words ‘even I,’ you can roughly guess her unusual status. Nevertheless, I didn’t show it and shook her hand before returning to Marie.
When I finally returned to Marie, I met her full of complaints about something. It seemed like she wasn’t happy that I had talked to Arwen.
She drank only lemon juice with a blunt expression, then looked at me suspiciously and asked with an annoyed tone.
“Who’s that girl?”
“Just an elf I happened to meet at the bookstore.”
“Is that all?”
“What else do you think there is?”
“Hmm…”
Marie continued to stare at Arwen, who was still sitting on the bench, and then muttered in an ambiguous tone, shaking her head.
“Judging from the fact that she wears a robe inside out, she is undoubtedly not of ordinary status… But even so, it’s strange to come out alone without a guard knight.”
“Is it necessary for a guard knight to always accompany you?”
“Of course. Look at Cecily. She has the power to destroy a mountain alone, but she has Mr. Gartz with her. Arwen may be in a similar situation.”
After listening to Marie’s explanation, I pondered deeply before recalling what Cecily had said upon meeting Arwen.
‘Who are these people?’
Cecily must have seen something that I hadn’t. I quickly brushed off the thought, remembering what had happened earlier that morning. Arwen couldn’t have come here with impure intentions, and even if she had, our mansion was being heavily guarded by the knights dispatched from the palace, so we could trust them. As they were a group of knights sent from the palace, we could rely on them.
“You might be right. But everyone has their own reasons, right? Besides, she might not even know that I’m a Xenon.”
“That’s true. But still, don’t give her any attention. Got it?”
Marie warned me sternly as she poked my cheek with her finger. I gently grabbed her finger and replied with a grin.
“Are you jealous or something?”
“If I am, what are you gonna do about it?”
“Should I give you a kiss?”
“…Let’s go over there for a bit.”
To be honest, I couldn’t help but chuckle at Marie’s reaction as she led me to a secluded area. What we did there… didn’t need to be explained. We just showed each other our affection in a way that words couldn’t express.
Afterward, we returned to the VIP section and dozed off until the performance started. As if to prove the collaboration, the Lirus Orchestra was still on stage.
One notable difference is that the location seems to have moved slightly lower and closer to the seating area. Additionally, during a brief intermission, a semi-transparent barrier was erected between the stage and the seating area, perhaps to prepare for the next act.
For a moment, I wondered about the purpose of this barrier, but then a familiar feeling crept over me and I muttered to myself.
‘Could it be similar to what I saw in the combat arena?’
The true nature of the barrier is a protective shield specially designed for shock absorption, and the Matrics Theater Group strives to achieve the ultimate in realism in their performances.
‘No way. They wouldn’t…’
But my expectations were shattered beautifully because as soon as the performance began, the actors’ stunning battle scenes unfolded right before my eyes.
Baang!
“… …”
Not only did the ground shake with each sword swing, but also when weapons clashed, there were huge explosive flashes of blue light and loud rumblings.
Fortunately, thanks to the protective barrier, the seating area was not affected, but it was truly a pursuit of the extreme reality.
‘Oh… that’s awesome…’
I should have brought some popcorn or something.
*****
Meanwhile, at that time, she was sitting in an ordinary seat, not a VIP seat. Arwen, the queen of Alvenheim, sat quietly in the seat she had just taken, waiting for the performance to begin. Although it was just a performance, which she usually didn’t like, she was exceptionally excited because it was based on Xenon’s Biography. For this day, she had put aside all her duties as queen and come to this distant land. Arwen felt her heart beating as she held both hands full of food.
Of course, one hand was for Rain, the dark elf who had come with her. Even though she was ecstatic about the trip, she didn’t eat as much as Arwen did.
But then…
[Your Highness, may I briefly check something? Can I go and come back?]
Rain’s voice echoed in her head. It was telepathy that could only be used by those who had mastered magic. Rain usually used telepathy to communicate because she had to hide her body due to his racial characteristics. Since both of them were elves, it wasn’t much of a problem.
[You have something to check?]
Arwen replied in a puzzled voice to Rain’s request. What could be found in this land where there was nothing to see except the exhibition?
For a moment, Arwen was curious, and Rain sent her telepathy with an excited tone.
[Maybe it’s something you’ll like, Your Highness. I’ll just check it and come back.]
[…okay. But don’t do anything dangerous.]
[Your Highness, really? Do you not trust me?]
I ask because I don’t believe you. Although Arwen was doubtful inside, she agreed to Rain’s request.
‘Because I have insurance…’