Chapter 3: Expectations vs. Reality

Chapter 3: Expectations vs. Reality

"Composing or acting?"

"..."

"Bro, why are you even studying to be a composer, eh?"

"Haa... Sigh. I might be a bit biased, but in the starting stages, if one is not experienced or talented enough, then both are broke. If enough talent is present, then at the beginning stages, a composer earns more than an actor. If a composer manages to become an all-rounder maestro and an actor manages to become a professional working in many movies, then both of their earnings are almost similar."

After pondering for a few seconds, Eden suddenly looked at Hugie, his eyes sharp. "What about the singers, the vocalists?"

"Haa, the tools of the composer?"

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing. Well, these so-called vocalists only get a 0.5% share to a 20% share. However, if a vocalist works for a company, then they can earn much more." Hugie abruptly froze and then looked at Eden, squinting his eyes.

"You wish to change careers?"

"I wish to earn money."

"Haa... Money... When that enters, dreams and passion deteriorate."

"Well, I wish for my dreams to deteriorate, so that I can earn money for me... And my family..."

'And for my passion too.' He thought inwardly 

"I see. So what do you plan to do?"

"I plan to write a song, while I try to become a vocalist. I might as well try acting too." He shrugged his shoulders.

His family was really at its ends meet. If things continued, then Eden probably won't be able to make it to the fifth year. He would have to drop out early.

Art Academy's fees were just that outrageous. The past Eden might've had some passion in the career of music, but he had none now.

"Alright, take this." Hugie threw a red notebook towards Eden, who caught it in a swift movement.

"The song I'm making requires a soft vocalist. Here, the lines which are blue, sing them. Skip the green ones."

"Mn." Even he wished to check whether he had any talent for singing.

The fine tune instantly started, suddenly turning chaotic with a thunder strike.

"In the dead of night, shadows come alive..."

"Whispers in the dark, where nightmares thrive..."

"Mystery and horror, beneath the moon's glow, The night holds secrets, no one dares to know..."

The song was extremely immersive. So much so that Eden had closed his eyes, listening to the dramatic tone, feeling as though he was in a misty night filled with entities that whispered.

As he was lost in the isolated world, the music stopped.

"Hey, what are you doing? It's your part," Hugie questioned.

"Ah, bro, I'm no expert, but this song could be a hit! And I even feel like you can be an excellent writer."

"Alright, alright, enough bootlicking. Shall I play it again?"

"Yeah."

The dramatic music instantly played again. A second later, Hugie grabbed the mic.

"In the dead of night, shadows come alive..."

"Mystery and horror, beneath the moon's glow, The night holds secrets, no one dares to know..."

By the end of the fourth line, the music had naturally transitioned to a softer note.

It was his turn to sing.

Nervously, Eden grabbed the microphone and started singing.

"But then the sun rises, and the darkness fades away, In the warmth of the morning light, I find my way."

"The fear that gripped me in the depths of the night, Melts away with the dawn, everything feels right."

"Through the misty morning, I see a brand new day,"

"The colors of the sunrise, chasing fears away. In the daylight, mysteries unravel, one by one, And the nightmares of the night, fade with the rising sun." His part had ended, it was Hugie's turn, but the guy stayed quiet, looking at Eden as though he was a monster.

Hugie was surprised, no, that would be an understatement; he was greatly shocked, extremely and absolutely baffled.

He had to say... 

This friend of his had talent... 

Talent in f*cking the song up!

He had created this song to jot down his frustration, which made this song extremely simple. Somehow it turned out to be good, not better than his other works, but definitely something that could earn money.

Anyone, even with a little bit of a soft voice, would be able to sing that song, a song with a simple structure that didn't require much change in rhythms other than the main part.

However, this friend of his somehow managed to even f*ck that up; his voice didn't sync with the tone, sometimes it was too low and sometimes too high, and it felt as though Eden was trying to force as much emotion into the song as possible, making it sound even more forced.

Even a newborn baby's cry had more rhythm than his friend's singing!

He could only say one thing.

Thank God he isn't a professional vocalist, or the composers might beat him to death.

"Bro, what's the matter? Did I look that handsome while singing? Was my singing that amazing? Ha, I knew I had talent in singing; I was born for this."

"What happened? Say something. Comment on my singing, man," He was basically telling Hugie to shower him with praises.

"Wanna hear the truth?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Are you sure? Our friendship might be pulverized."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"You dense MF."

"Well, from where should I begin... Here." Hugie instantly rushed towards the computer.

"Waaaaaaaa!" The sound of a crying baby echoed in the room.

"???" Confusion was all over Eden's face.

"That was more rhythmic."

"Huh?"

"Here, our singing is recorded. Let me show you; your ears will become blind and your eyes will become deaf. Your knees will become brain dead."

Click! Click Click!

He soon pressed the start button.

"In the dead of night, shadows come alive..."

"Whispers in the dark, where nightmares thrive..."

The song started once again, immersing Eden into the world of chaos.

But then, at that second, his eyes widened. His part of singing had come.

And this was the instance Eden understood those videos titled as .

The man was too stunned to speak.