Chapter 78

I got a train ticket to Petra immediately and started on my way there.

Of course, as a minor, I would need to be accompanied by someone. From Knife Agency, Blake was busy, John was busy, Jessica was busy, Felix was busy, and Arden was busy.

What does this mean?

It means I am currently sitting next to another Knife Agency celebrity on a train.

You'd ask yourself why a celebrity would be sitting on a train, and be snoring and drooling right now.

I must remind you that my colleagues at Knife Agency are all very humble and see themselves just as normal as anybody else.

Still, it does not explain why this dude is using my shoulder as support while sleeping.

His name is Jagger and he's an actor like Arden. Similarly like Arden, he was picked up as a result of Knife Agency's sweep and extension to the Acting industry.

He had some business in Petra and the company made use of him to be my guardian. However, like always the case with fellow Knife Agency artists, I'm always the one taking care of them.

I glanced at my phone and read Felix's texts laughing his head off at the picture I sent of Jagger on my shoulder.

Dude… there's plenty of space on the other side.

To my relief, he began shifting and his eyes fluttered open.

He yawned and stretched his arms out.

"...Good evening, Jagger."

"Hey, Charlie. What time is it now?"

I checked my phone and relegated the time to him.

"Okay, cool. Thanks for the support man."

"Yeah, no problem… By the way… you drool when you sleep."

"..."

He looked down and wiped his mouth.

"I was merely testing you to see if you'd move me while I was asleep. I was awake the whole time."

His eyes looked sleepy and serious all the time. From when we met up to now, he's only had a deadpan and serious expression on his face.

I thought Actors shifted their faces a lot and had many expressions?

"Ah… I see."

I did not believe him for one second.

He nodded.

"How far away are we, now?"

"Around half an hour or so."

"I see… Do you want to eat something first when we arrive or should we immediately go to the hotel?"

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah…"

"Then you go get food and I'll book the hotel."

His groggy eyes lightened and he looked at me like a genius.

"Good idea. Wait… can you even book a hotel at 16 years old?"

"..."

"..."

"Alright, I'll go get the food and you book the hotel."

He gave me a thumbs up with his expression as serious as ever.

"Roger that."

Is he the guardian, or am I the guardian?

"I've never been to Petra though so you'll have to tell me where to buy the food."

"Yeah, I'll point you to the place."

"So what are you going to be doing over at Petra?"

I turned my head to glance at his curious eyes.

"Well, I'm a pianist and composer and I got a request for a game."

"Ohh, that's interesting. What game is it?"

"I'm not sure, but the company is called Platform Frame. I think they're relatively well known? What are you here for?"

"Here to audition for a movie. I really liked the script and it sounds pretty fun." I nodded and he continued, "About Platform Frame, I've heard of them. They've got some pretty good games."

Oh, and suddenly the topic has been expanded.

"You're auditioning for a movie? Which movie is it?"

"It's an action movie. I'm auditioning for the main antagonist. I was offered the role but I much prefer auditioning for it."

"I see… Why do you prefer auditioning for the role?"

"I believe it's fairer for the others and opens opportunities and chances."

I don't know if he's confident about getting the role every time, or it's something about his pride?

"You play videogames?"

"I recently started playing a few videogames with a friend. She really likes videogames and introduced me to a few."

"Ohh. Which ones have you played so far?"

…

…

…

"So... you like Chinese fast food?"

I looked at him opening the food boxes eagerly while he left all of the baggage on the floor of the hotel room.

Of course, his face was still serious and the only thing showing emotion was his eyes.

"Yes. I used to eat it a lot when I was younger and I haven't many chances to eat it these past few years."

Years? He's got a strict diet then, I suppose.

While he nommed on the food, he spoke.

"It'll probably be the only and last day I can eat this because the character I'll be portraying is very thin and skeletal."

I raised my eyes.

"Thinner..? Isn't that unhealthy?"

His eyes had some hint of normalcy and comfort with the subject.

He didn't at all look bothered that he would have a harsh diet and would have to probably starve himself to look 'skeletal'

Of course, he already looks pretty thin but if he's got to be even skinnier than that…

"...Hmm. Yeah, I'm used to it. I'm excited about the role, though. The character has some cool lines and the director is good."

I nodded slowly at him.

He's used to starving himself, huh.

Some people aren't as fortunate as me and needed to go to the extremes to be able to get to where they are now. I really am very fortunate…

I'm going to have to keep working hard.

…

…

…

I met up with the directors and the cinematic and media production side of the company. They were kind enough to me, but as a 16-year-old they believed I didn't have much experience.

They gave me specific instructions for the game's cinematic trailer music. Honestly, I don't think they were completely taking into account the impact music has on a trailer and told me that anything would be fine.

I'm going to have to arrange the song and they'll take the production into their hands. This means I won't have to direct nor require a great orchestra to play for me.

In essence, they'll be using me for the hype I currently have as a game streamer, model, composer, and teenage star to promote their game with my arrangement.

The pay is not small but it's not a very comfortable feeling having others hire you for your name and public relations rather than for your skills or creativity.

A job is a job though, and the game looks like it'll be incredibly successful. Their outlay and expenditure range is not little and the amount of development and hard work taking place was palpable from the little time I was there.

So, though they might be using my name and a little of my arrangements that I have displayed thus far, I'll also be using their game's success to sky-ride through tier lists.

Business is business and win-win for us both.

Now, all I need to do is get them a quick arrangement for their cinematic trailer that they'll be displaying.

Maybe I can also play the game when it comes out.

For now, let's focus on the arranging.

The trailer would have to be compelling, strong, and energetic.

What comes to my thoughts immediately is League of Legends' legendary Worlds music videos. Warriors featuring Imagine Dragons and Legends Never Die featuring Against the Current are the most memorable ones.

Warriors was an absolute banger of a song, however, I am not too sure if it will fit for a trailer.

Still, this is a different trailer. This is a cinematic trailer and needs a supposedly strong song to start the game off with.

Composing would be fun, though. By arranging and transcribing the songs I played on Earth to here, I've gained a touch of my style for music.

I believe the style would complement the song and make the masterpiece a little more profound. The song is pop rock and therefore adding a few cinematic music traits to it would strengthen its sound a little to fit more for an uplifting battle song rather than a pop-rock to listen to.

I wrote a few notes on paper and opened up a laptop to open up the digital composer.

[Composing has gained 1.1 points.]

I'll quickly draft the base notes first, then add a little simple accompanying harmony and the rest will start coming together.

[Composing has gained 11 points.]

[Composing has gained 7.7 points.]

[Composing has gained…]

And then the lyrics… they're as good as they are.

Now, the only thing is I'd really like to take part in the post-production of performing the song rather than just giving them the royalties.

[Composing has gained…]

This song is just too good to leave it at the hands of anybody.

Too bad I won't be able to sing it though. My voice is just not suited towards rock and my technique is still in its beginning stages.

The lyrics of the song were still fresh in my mind, probably with a little help of my Intelligence and some help from the other mental perks I've gotten.

[Composing has gained…]

I turned the page with my notes to the backside and wrote the lyrics quickly with beautiful letters dramatizing every part of the song.

The Drawing skill is indeed very handy to have.

Now, even these lyrics look like divine language portraying different emotions and personalities.

I patted the paper and mouthed out the lyrics out loud.

"...Here we are, don't turn away~ now…"

[Singing has gained 5.5 points.]

Oh my.

I sang the lyrics once again.

My mouth quivered in anticipation and a feeling of spring rose within my heart.

This is one big revelation.

Since my voice still has a little raspiness from the few months of the inactive voice box, my voice seems to go with some of the lyrics.

Oh, I think my voice will be okay for the Chorus and someone else's rock voice can be the echoing lyrics which would give it some contrast and a little flavor.

I turned the page again and added more to the written notes and scribbles.

Then it's adding a few more instruments for the cinematic music feel. Though the song is still in essence the pop-rock Imagine Dragons feel, it'll be more suited towards something like a Movie which is what I'm trying to go for.

It's got a lot of drums, a keyboard, violins, trumpets… For a more cinematic effect would need string instruments like the Cello, Trombone, Trumpets…

There's a lot to think about.

I rubbed my hands in the cold morning of the winter season and continued my work.

...

???

"How's he doing so far?"

"He's doing well and accustoming nicely to the scene."

"I see… Is he still paranoid of us? Hahaha."

"...Ha ha ha… You are very humorous, director. It seems he's gained trust for us now…"

"Ha ha ha. Great to hear. We've got a good star in our hands for now. Keep the treatment the same."

"That will be done. What should be next in the agenda?"

"No need for interference. It seems he's got his own project and agenda."

"...I see…"

"Are you bothered that he's going to be taking matters into his own? Or that the schedule that's taken painstaking hours doesn't sound very useful?"

"...The plan was a good one."

"No matter. The schedule may also serve as a guide and future reference."

"That is true."

"On the subject of him, how's the other one doing?"

"Most report-backs have been fails. There has been no show of budging or change of opinion albeit now present slight hesitance."

"Hah… I told you being annoying would work."

"...Sir, I am not sure if that was the best course of action to take."

"...Ah, well… At least it has worked out well in the end, huh?"

"...Not completely."

"True, but it seems like it's going to work. Keep the reports active now."