Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

It was early afternoon, and we were in the lounge room. Mitile and Riquet were sitting next to each other, brushes trailing on paper. 

Riquet: What a beautiful shape and colour…the petals in the light here look like lace. 

Mitile: You should’ve seen it! Especially when the wind blew, it’d sway so prettily.

Its colour actually changes when hit by the sun. That’s why I made it a little red here…

Riquet: Oh wow…

What Mitile was drawing was a flower that we saw on a mission the other day in South Country. 

And together by coincidence watching over the pair of them was Rustica and I. 

Akira: It was a small but pretty flower. I can still picture the petals falling in the wind.
Rustica: You know of this flower, Master Sage?

Akira: I do. I was even there to see it with Mitile! I’d say he’s drawn it pretty accurately. 

Rustica: That’s wonderful. I see that it’s thanks to Mitile’s feelings for Riquet that he was able to draw such a picturesque piece. 

Mitile: Picturesque…you really think so? I was just drawing the flower as I remembered it, though.

Riquet: But it’s true! I love this drawing of yours, Mitile.

Rustica: I am of the same opinion. Your choice of colour is so sensible and gentle, just like you are yourself. 

It is a splendid drawing that only you could draw, Mitile. Don’t you think so, Mithra?

Mithra: Huh? 

To my surprise, I turned around to find Mithra standing behind us. 

Akira: Mithra!

Mitile & Riquet: W-When did he…

Mithra: When doesn’t matter. I’ve been looking for you, Master Sage. 

He said with a sigh and a frown, reaching for my arm. 

Mithra: Come on now. I want to sleep. 

Akira: (Is it the sleep deprivation or is he in a bad mood today…?)

Riquet: Hold on a second, Mithra! You still haven’t answered Rustica’s question.

Mithra: His what? Remind me again.

Riquet: He asked you if you think that Mitile’s drawing is splendid and is just like him. Well, don’t you think so?

Mithra: Drawing? Oh, you drew this.

Mitile: Yeah, I did…

Mithra: Hmmm…

Letting go of my arm, Mithra silently observed the drawing in Mitile’s hands.

Mithra: I don’t have any interest in art or whatever, but I guess it’s nice.

Mitile: R-Really…?!

Mitile’s eyes sparkled at the rare compliment from Mithra.

However, his next words ruined it all.

Mithra: Yes. This squashed bird drawing. 

Akira & Mitile: A what bird?! 

Riquet: Y-You’re completely wrong! This is a flower, not a bird! 

Mithra: Flower? What part of it?

Mitile: All of it!

Rustica: …How interesting! So that is how you see it, Mithra.

Amidst our panicked explanations Rustica voiced his admiration. 

He continues to speak to Mithra, who was looking at the drawing once again with a serious gaze. 

Rustica: There are certainly points where a bird and a flower may look alike. Where they coincide most though is in the beauty of life. 

Essentially, what Mithra saw and thought from this drawing was likely an “ensemble of life”. 

To think he could discern that from a painting in progress…

you must have a sharp eye for the arts, Mithra. A free-spirited, unique, and keen sense for it.

Mithra: Well, it is me after all. This is nothing.

Mitile: Uh, I wonder…

Rustica: Mithra. It would be a delight to hear more of your opinions on art. 

If you’d please, won’t you come with me to an art museum? 

Mithra: What?

He asked like he was asking him out for tea. Upon hearing the invitation, Riquet recalled something and spoke up.

Riquet: Art museum…I heard about those from Prince Arthur. It’s a place where many pictures are hung. 

Rustica: Indeed so. There are also statues, artifacts…it depends on the establishment, but it is essentially a place to enjoy the arts. 

I would love it if the talented artist of this painting, Mitile…

Riquet, and the Master Sage could come too. How about it, everyone?

Akira: Me too?

Rustica: Of course. I have a particular museum back in West Country I like, so I could show you around. 

His milk tea coloured hair swayed ever-so gently as he smiled. With a smile back, Mitile and Riquet nodded their heads.

Mitile & Riquet: …

Rustica’s favourite art museum. His eagerness to show us. 

Even though no one has said an answer yet, we all feel the same. 

…Except for one guy. 

Mithra: Eh, I’ll pass. 

I don’t have the time to visit museums. I also have no interest in them.

Master Sage, if you have the time to be doing that, you should spend it on helping me sleep instead.

I have no idea how to reply to him. I can only make a complicated face in return to his deadpan stare. 

In contrast to me however, Rustica grinned and replied in my stead. 

Rustica: Of course, we do not have to go at this moment. Please, take some time to think about it. 

Though I really hope you can come, Mithra. I would love for you to visit this town too.

Mithra: Why.

Rustica: Well you see…

A few days passed. With Rustica as our guide, we were about to head off to the art museum he invited us to. 

In the foyer there were Riquet, Mitile, and other wizards who we asked to come. 

Though there were wizards who had plans already and couldn’t go, we still managed to bring in a large group. I was excited. 

Rustica: Hello, everyone. I see we’re all gathered.

Chloe: Rustica! I thought I’d be the first one to arrive, but Rutile and Mitile were here before me.

Mitile: Hehe. We were really looking forward to it, so we met up early!

Rutile: Hmhm, you said you wanted to wake up early just to get ready, didn’t you? 

Riquet: I’m so glad you’re coming too, Rutile! I knew you’d like this sort of thing.

Akira: Heath, thank you for accepting.

Heathcliff: Oh no, don’t thank me. I’m quite interested in the aesthetics of the West, so…thank you for the invite. 

Chloe: Ah, right! Since we’re going to an art museum and all, I made us some outfits!

If you’d like, let’s wear it to the venue! Suispicibo Voitingoc!

A dazzling light encloses my sight when he says his spell. The moment I opened my eyes again, everyone’s clothes were refashioned.

My eyes were drawn to the grey undertones, the neatly sewn pleats, and the geometric patterns on the fabric.

Mitile: Wooow, awesome!

Akira: You guys look great! It’s giving off a mature vibe.

Chloe: Hehehe, thanks!

Snow: That’s our Chloe for you. Glamorous yet not gaudy, and a good eye for aesthetics. The perfect clothes for our destination.

Art is food for the heart, as they say. That’s quite important to us wizards. Wouldn’t you agree, Mithra?

Mithra: …

I was surprised to see Mithra standing among us.

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