Chapter 106: Justin's Journey I

Kenneth wasn't the only one inspired after watching Beatrice's performance. Justin was the same.

He felt that he was not performing enough in front of the audience.

He wished to compete more, but at the same time, to learn more.

Not just what was taught in the majority, but he wanted to learn more of the music of his home country.

When he returned to the country, Lucius informed him that his departure was earlier. He would have to return to Europe for a big performance for the royal family of a country in Europe.

It was already the beginning of another year.

"You are still in your early years at university, why don't you join me on this trip? You may learn something else while watching the performance," Lucius suggested.

Justin had indeed been to many performances due to his family, but he had never been in such a big performance. Currently, most of those performances are for the principalities in Europe. Lucius would be part of the ensemble that would perform for one of the kingdoms.

It would allow him to watch such a meticulous performance, and it was indeed a very good opportunity.

But…

"There is something else I wish to do while you are there," he honestly said.

Lucius looked at him seriously before nodding his head.

"Very well, you can do what you wish to do while I am there. It will be six months. If you do not improve within that time, then I am cutting you off."

Lucius had always been strict toward his students.

Going abroad and learning while observing their performance was the best way of learning, he knew Justin would need. But seeing how determined he looked, Lucius decided to give him a chance.

Justin nodded his head, "Yes. I will surely improve."

Lucius nodded his head, "Also, remember you have another competition at the end of this month. Show me something then that will let me fully let you stay here."

Despite his strictness, he seriously wished to see Justin improve by leaps and bounds. And if leaving him to do what he wants won't help him then Lucius would rather not go along with what his student wants.

Justin nodded his head.

"And that you will be going against Wynter Morgrave," Lucius added.

Justin once again nodded seriously.

Lucius looked at him for a good while before dismissing him to practice on his own.

Justin practiced and watched Wynter's performances more and more as the days ticked.

"What happened to you?" Kathrine asked when she came to his practice room and found him looking gaunt.

Justin was currently in City S, where she was also studying.

When she found out, she started going to his practice room, and when she noticed that he was not busy, she would barge in and ask him to play for her again.

Something Justin no longer bothered throwing her out.

Justin looked at her.

"You know what, just join me for some early dinner," she suggested.

She walked up and took his violin case before handing it to him.

Justin wished to retort.

"I don't want to argue with you right now. So put your violin in its case and join me for some meal," Kathrine interrupted.

She was already used to seeing these kinds of looks.

Because she had been with Beatrice for so long, she knew the look Justin had at that moment mirrored the look on Beatrice whenever she started losing confidence in herself.

Justin seemed so down that he just went along with what she wanted.

He packed up and walked out of the place with her.

Kathrine did not ask him what he wanted to eat and simply went to a nearby restaurant she frequented.

"Do you have any allergies?" she asked him once they were seated.

"None," he replied without energy.

He, too, did not feel like bickering with her today.

The competition was in a week, and he still felt like he was completely lacking.

If he did not win this, then he wouldn't be able to do what he wanted to try after watching Beatrice's performance.

And unlike Beatrice's case, where she broke free from the shackles of her family, he knew that was not his path.

His path was to keep on learning under Lucius.

Beatrice had told them her current situation during that short vacation. They all wished to help, but she insisted that she would be fine and would surely reach out when things got harder.

Kathrine ordered different dishes, some even had his favorite mushroom in them.

Through the times they ate together as a group, she noticed that he liked ordering dishes with mushrooms in them.

"Go on, eat before it gets cold," she handed him the spoon and fork.

"I really—"

"Even if you are not in the mood to eat, eat."

Her tone was sharp like a parent making her child eat.

Justin sighed before he lethargically started eating a few mouthfuls.

But the warm meal and the presence with him allowed him to slowly eat more.

Kathrine remained silent while they ate, she just kept eating as she was also quite hungry and was already planning on inviting him after asking him to play for her.

His music truly could invigorate her in many ways.

But when she saw how he looked a while ago, she knew she needed to pull him out of that place.

"So, what's on your mind?" she asked, only after Justin was looking better than he was a while ago.

Justin felt more of his energy returning after eating.

Even his feeling of defeat lessened tremendously.

He looked at her, and feeling grateful for what she had done, he opened his mouth.