Published: August 3, 2025
Practice with the Fischpiel, led by the high priest, had begun. The instrument handed to me was the small Fischpiel for children, meant for beginners, but compared to my own height, it was actually quite large.
The number of strings on the children's version was significantly fewer than on the adult Fischpiel. While the adult one spanned about five octaves, this one covered roughly half that range — about as much as two melodicas.
“You should support it leaning against your shoulder, but if it tilts, the weight feels heavier. Try to hold it as straight as possible.”
“Yes.”
I held it the way the high priest had demonstrated, supporting it from my left shoulder to the upper arm, pinching it between my thighs. It was basically made of wood, without heavy materials, so just supporting it was something I could manage.
“The Fischpiel is said to contain all the sounds. If you learn the notes on this, it will help you with other instruments too.”
Perhaps because it was a practice instrument, only one string was colored. The high priest plucked that string sharply.
“This is the most basic note.”
…Ah, that's the note 'Do.'
Even though my mother had forced me to learn, I had studied piano for about three years back in my time as reno. So I knew that the fundamental note in music was Do. Skipping one string was Re, and another one was Mi.
The strings were thin and lined up closely, seemingly changing pitch by semitones, similar to plucking piano strings directly. Unlike a piano, there were no black keys, so finding the right notes was quite difficult.
“This is the scale. The notes continue higher and lower endlessly.”
As the high priest explained the basic scale, I could mentally translate it into Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti.
It would be hard to play smoothly until I got used to it, but since the colored string marked Do, I felt I might be able to play songs I already knew.
“Sa-i-ta... sa-i-ta...”
Matching my words, I clumsily played "Tulip" and felt satisfied, causing the high priest to open his eyes slightly.
“What’s that song?”
“It’s a flower song I heard somewhere.”
There were no tulips here, but since the high priest didn’t know all flowers, it was fine. When I confidently answered, he touched his chin, thought for a moment, then looked down at me.
“...Perhaps you have some musical talent?”
“No, I don’t! Not even a bit!”
Oh no, I’d just raised the bar myself.
Playing a self-made song on a new instrument right away sounds like a Mozart episode, but I’d rather not be looked at like some prodigy genius.
The songs I had memorized were just a few school songs and pieces I had to play at piano recitals back in school. I had no musical talent.
“No, you shouldn’t decide that yourself. Honestly, I was worried how much a commoner could do, but with this, you might progress quickly.”
Ignoring my desperate denial, the high priest grinned and began planning my practice schedule — mainly by cutting into my precious reading time.
“High Priest, I don’t intend to reduce my reading time any further.”
“But daily practice is essential to learn an instrument.”
“Yes, I understand that perfectly. Still, I won’t give up my reading time.”
Between checking on the orphanage, visiting Myne Workshop, helping the high priest, and Fran being busy, my library time in the temple was limited. Meals were strictly scheduled, and I was always chained up with no chance to borrow books. The time for reading was far less than I had imagined before coming to the temple.
“When I entered the temple, the high priest assigned me to provide mana and organize the library. Helping with his work is purely voluntary on my part, right? Even if I spend the time helping him on Fischpiel practice, I will never give up my reading.”
The high priest was momentarily speechless, but after weighing his duties and music, he decided music was more important. He told me to practice the Fischpiel every day until the third bell.
“Then inform Wilma and Rosina. I will check in from time to time, so practice hard. If you slack off, I’ll know immediately.”