1 Chapter 1

"Wow, look at him, he looks so handsome !"

"Yes truly ! I wish I could just talk to him !"

All the girls were hushing around as Arata walked out of the Concert hall. He was slender, handsome with pearly white skin with bluish eyes. His emotions were vibrating around the hall when he played the piano. He looked soft hearted, yet he could bring out the violent emotions in the Revolutionary etude by Chopin.

He wore a black blazer and white shirt underneath. He was almost six feet with thin hands. He truly looked like a gentleman.

A few girls rushed to him with a canvas in their hands for his signature. They had excited looks on their faces. Arata brought out his Ink pen and signed on their canvases. They looked thrilled.

Arata after walking out of the concert hall, immediately took a taxi and went home. He wanted to continue practicing to hone his skills in Piano. He was not there yet. That place.

While coming back home, he bought a newspaper. Headlines showed :

Alvarez empire in trouble !

Coalition war from the Eastern Clover and Spade Kingdom have caused great casualties on the western border of the empire. Soldiers for the war are needed. Recruitment has been made compulsory in the Meschunia district.

Arata thought to himself, it was not the lack of soldiers that caused the problem, it is the lack of great generals in our empire…..

The Alvarez Empire. It stood right in the center of the continent. There were four kingdoms sharing borders with this empire, Eastern Clover, Eastern Spade on the western border, Brittania in the east and Gustak Empire in the southern region.

The Alvarez empire is the strongest empire, that is why it could survive being in the center of four states who want to monopolize over our rich motherland. Not that he cared. He just wanted the concert halls to be free and full of people. And he wants to get better at Piano. That's all that matters to him.

"I guess I need to tune the Piano now. It has been 6 months since I tuned my piano.", he thought. He sat down to tune it as he called his friend over to help with the telephone. His friend's name was Masamune.

"Hey Arata ! How was your concert. Found any beauties for yourself?", boomed his lively friend's voice.

"Nah, None of them were my type. I also think it is time to write Concerto. It has to be in C minor.", Arata said.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I am also planning to write one.", said Masa while he pressed down the Middle C. He was a professional violinist. After tuning, the two of them went and grabbed dinner.

"Yes, it should be based on the political problems developing in the country. Kind of starts from the major problem in the country. Then depict the 'evil deeds' and then end with how we should become better to help the country.", Masamune said.

"Nah, I can't care more about that. Really NO. No point. The evil is needed for society to highlight the good. I am thinking more about individual strength. How to improve ourselves.", Arata replied while Gulping down his sake.

Suddenly, a glass shattered in the restaurant. The ladies all screamed a high pitched F note as usual. Arata and Masa turned to see what happened. Two people covered in black clothes came in. Arata wondered how could they come to the 5th floor by shattering the window like that.

"No, we gotta move. NOW !", said his friend. Indeed that was true. Both Arata and Masa moved down the stairs, quickly trying to escape. When they reached the bottom. They saw the reception being held down by two men in black overalls.

"The information was leaked. I am sorry I have to eliminate you. Meet in hell again.", said one of the men

"No wait ! Spare me !..... "

Ching !

No screams. Just a head fell out. They could not see how. They begin walking towards Arata and Masa. But Arata and Masa did not try doing anything. They just stood there. Less shocked than curious. What did they see? Murder ? Assassination ?

The two cloaked in dark clothes had spotted them. They walked towards them. Arata and Masa were ready. One of them ran towards Arata. Arata could see the sharp blade in the opponent's left hand towards him. He honed his senses. Melody started playing in Arata's mind. He moved swiftly to dodge and held the person's hand which was holding the knife. Arata did not know what to do after that. He tried to trip the person but he was kicked in the gut. He felt the pain throughout his body. He kept singing Mahler's 9th symphony in his mind. The opponent had jumped back a few steps and continued his attack. The knives kept coming and Arata kept dodging.

This happened for about 30 seconds until the other black cloaked guy stopped him.

"Wait ! This guy is the pianist who performs in the concert hall every sunday. How is he so skilled in martial arts?"

Masa too was very surprised. But Masa never thought that Arata would answer that question.

"It is because of music. The flow. I find all arts very amusing because they are in flow. Always.���

The other black cloaked guy sprang ahead and knocked Masa unconscious. Arata did not catch his movements and could tell that he was on another level. He wouldn't be able to dodge his attacks due to physical limitations.

Then after knocking down Masa he turned around and asked, "Would you murder your parents if needed ?"

"It depends on how much it is needed."

The black cloaked guy took out a bundle of notes from his pockets and said, "Would this be enough for you ?"

Arata refused. "No amount of money can buy me"

"Hahaha. I was just joking !",he said silently chuckling.

"You need to get better at piano right? Come with us, and we will show you a new world. My name, ummmm.. For now is Yon", he said with welcoming eyes.

"Certainly." Arata said. It was the best option. He couldn't do anything against that man. He was curious about the other black cloaked person. He really felt something while dodging his/her attacks.

He followed them out of the hotel. By then other two who had invaded the top floor had come back together.

"How was it, did you like the flashy entrance Ichi ?" asked Yon.

"It was the best. We figured out the leaker. It is Mr.Serenade."

"Never thought he would be the one. What a disappointment. Is he eliminated ?"

"Yes of course"

I was surprised they could do all this talking while running.

I was barely able to keep up. A taxi then rolled up in the corner of an alley. All of them got in that. Of course, Me too. I have a feeling that my life was going to be changed for the better or worse.