Chapter 884
Chapter 884
Although Mironor explained that the performances on the center stage were essentially practice sessions, Anton was still impressed by the artists' remarkable talent. He tossed a handful of coins into the enchanted collection gap, and the performers responded with appreciative smiles. It was obvious they were grateful for the generosity shown by Anton and his friends.
"I liked the songs you sang more," Eric suddenly said.
Anton understood what the young man meant. He possessed a strong tenor voice capable of belting out Earth's classic slow rock songs from the 1980s. They were the songs he usually performed whenever he and his friends gathered on one of the many decks aboard the Melinda.
It was only natural that Eric preferred those songs. Teenagers tended to enjoy rock music more than traditional ballads.
"You're a singer?" Mironor asked with obvious interest. "I'd love to hear the songs from your homeland."
Anton simply nodded.
Mironor immediately led him to the center stage of the Hall of Music and Orchids.
Anton retrieved a stool and his guitar from his inventory before taking a seat at the center of the circular stage. Since visitors rarely performed there, the surrounding artists watched him with curious anticipation. He intended to make a strong impression.
He chose Bed of Roses by Bon Jovi.
It was a classic power ballad that demanded both vocal range and emotion, making it the perfect song to showcase his singing ability.
Anton also knew that what fascinated people most about Earth's music was its structure. Songs in this world were still composed as lengthy epic ballads that told complete stories from beginning to end. Earth's songs, on the other hand, often captured brief moments of emotion without narrating a full story. Yet despite that, they had an undeniable ability to stir the hearts of listeners. The emotions they conveyed could fit countless different situations.
He also realized that the magical enchantment on the stage would allow everyone in the amphitheater to hear him perfectly. When he reached the soaring chorus, listeners unfamiliar with rock music would undoubtedly be caught off guard.
He was right.
The moment Anton belted out the chorus, many in the audience stared at him with their mouths hanging open. Even those who had been seated—including Paul and Eric—rose to their feet instinctively, as though moving closer would somehow let them experience the performance more fully, despite the stage enchantment already carrying every note flawlessly throughout the venue.
When the song ended, Anton stood and bowed.
Several audience members tossed coins onto the stage in appreciation.
"Encore!" Paul shouted enthusiastically.
Anton smiled and obliged.
His fingers began strumming the opening chords of Faithfully by Journey.
The most entertaining moment came during the famous "whoa-oh" section. Anton stopped singing briefly and gestured for the audience to join in.
Paul and Eric immediately understood and sang along. They had heard Anton perform the song aboard the Melinda before.
Anton deliberately repeated the vocal refrain several more times than the original version, encouraging the crowd to follow him. Before long, nearly the entire audience was singing the "whoa-oh" chorus together.
Only then did he continue with the rest of the song.
When it ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the amphitheater.
Anton could almost feel the excitement coursing through the audience.
That had been his goal from the beginning. He hoped to inspire the musicians of this world to create an entirely new musical genre influenced by Earth's rock music.
Several audience members, most of them elves, began calling for another song.
Anton granted their request once again.
This time, he played the opening chords of Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.
Only after finishing his third performance did he finally step away from the stage.
Mironor approached him with wide eyes.
"So... you're a bard as well," the elven guide said softly.
Four elves approached Anton shortly afterward. They were all performers whom he had watched earlier.
"Your songs are unlike anything we've ever heard," one of them said. "They stirred so many emotions within us."
Another stepped forward.
"Would you allow us to study them? We'd like to draw inspiration from your music. If possible, could we ask you to perform them again for us sometime?"
Anton smiled.
"Please wait a moment."
He retrieved the recording from his Globe of Browser Sharing and quickly edited it to include the three songs he had just performed. Afterward, he took out a small Globe of Browser Sharing and transferred the recording into it before handing it to the four elves.
"This globe contains a recording of my performance," Anton explained. "It will remain active for seven days. I recommend copying both the image and sound onto a magical recording device. That way, you'll be able to watch and study the songs whenever you wish, for as long as the recording device continues to exist."
The elves stared at the globe in surprise before expressing their heartfelt gratitude.
They enthusiastically shook Anton's hand several times before hurrying away, eager to preserve the recording exactly as he had suggested.
"That was generous of you," Paul remarked after the elves had departed.
Paul and Eric had witnessed Anton freely giving away the recording of his performance.
Anton merely shrugged.
"I'd be happy if these songs inspire them to create something entirely new."
Afterward, Mironor guided the three young men to another famous location known as the Twilight Garden.
Since the sun was beginning to set, it was the perfect time to witness one of Meronoma's most enchanting sights.
The flowers of the Twilight Garden were unlike any Anton had ever seen.
During the day, they remained tightly closed, resembling ordinary flower buds. But as the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, the blossoms slowly unfolded. At the same time, they began emitting a soft silvery glow reminiscent of moonlight, while a sweet fragrance gradually filled the air.
Anton silently thanked himself for keeping his Globe of Browser Sharing active.
He intended to record everything he experienced on the Island of Meronoma, edit the footage later, and show it to his family. He planned to return to Rose Manor on the third day, before Melinda departed for Izmorta.
By the time they reached the garden, only a handful of visitors were strolling along its winding paths, and most of them were elves.
It did not take long for Anton, Paul, and Eric to notice that the majority of those wandering through the glowing garden were couples.
"I wish I had a girlfriend," Eric said with a wistful sigh.
"Haven't you met anyone you like aboard the Melinda?" Anton asked.
"At first, a lot of us did," Paul answered. "But our parents warned us against starting relationships. They said that being confined together for such a long voyage could easily turn affection into resentment. Besides, once we reach Izmorta, we'll all be trying to join different magical organizations. Any relationships we form now would probably end once we're separated."
"That didn't stop everyone," Eric added. "Even though we were taught methods to prevent pregnancy, one couple still ended up expecting a child. The healers had to terminate the pregnancy."
Anton simply nodded. Given their circumstances, he could understand why the adults had made such difficult rules.
"I would've ignored my father's advice if someone actually liked me," Eric admitted with a helpless grin. "The problem is that I haven't found anyone who's interested."
Anton and Paul burst into laughter.
Even Mironor smiled.
As they talked, the flowers around them finished blooming.
The breathtaking display left the three young men speechless.
Their soft radiance illuminated the entire garden, while their sweet fragrance drifted gently through the evening air.
Soon, night had fully fallen, yet the garden remained awash in gentle light from the countless glowing blossoms.
The darkness only enhanced its beauty, transforming the Twilight Garden into an almost dreamlike landscape.
Anton quietly admired the magical scenery, grateful that his Globe of Browser Sharing had faithfully recorded every enchanting moment.