Chapter 24

Late at night, Tao Zheng left the library and walked back to the dormitory.

——If you choose the right major, every month will be like the college entrance examination.

The canvas bag containing the computer and water cup was pressed on her shoulders. She rubbed her face, took a deep breath in the cool spring night breeze, changed her state of mind, and turned on her mobile phone impatiently.

[The work you are following, "The Incomplete One", has released its 10th episode! ]

The first item on the news column is the update notification of the comic software, but the update will not be missed and I can take my time to read it, not to mention that I will rely on this bowl of rice to make a living for the next week.

So Tao Zheng first clicked on the information of his roommate who was shown as +16 below.

As expected, the content sent by my dear roommate during this period was all-encompassing.

The earliest time point was still the shared cat and dog videos and funny jokes. Not long after the comics were updated on time, new screenshot emoticons from the forum were added at the speed of light, mixed with the howling of the hungry wolf who asked Tao Zheng to bring back a bag of instant noodles and ham sausage after reviewing, and the forum analysis posts that she found interesting, etc.

Tao Zheng first replied, "Baby, you are an internet retriever," and then walked into the 24-hour supermarket while opening the comic update.

The cover page of episode 10 is a long-lost modern setting, and it is actually a one-on-two music lesson.

On the side of the upright piano, which is an important prop in the picture, is Lazarus standing with his shoulders against the wall, looking relaxed.

In this version that takes place in modern times, the lich still has long dark red hair and his face remains unchanged, except for a pair of glasses with simple chains, which makes him look particularly gentle.

The hair on his right temple was deliberately tied behind his ear with a golden ribbon, revealing his thin profile and jawline. Between the low-key dark shirt and the large tan coat was a gold-embroidered scarf that faded from spotless white to tea green.

Lazarus's long sleeves and classical musician-style outfit matched the wooden music classroom perfectly. Tao Zheng noticed that the cuff of his right hand was still connected to the black leather glove, which was covered tightly.

He gave lessons to more than one person at the upright piano.

The boy and girl sat on the piano stool together, and one could see that the music score was slightly tilted towards Xiaoman, who was in the center of the picture.

This time they were all wearing school uniform-style clothing, the difference was that Xiaoman was wearing a light beige vest and thin jacket, with a silk flower pinned on his chest pocket and a hint of pink and green on his bow tie, clearly a spring outfit.

The girl stared at the music score in front of her intently, and her hands resting on the keys looked a little awkward.

Her gray-black hair had grown longer. When she was studying, she would use a simple iron hairpin to pin up her forehead hair, and tie the rest into a small braid that was just a finger's length. The prickly appearance looked like a wolf's tail that had just casually run through the dense woods.

Sumei next to her was still wearing the slightly heavy black and white autumn and winter school uniform. Her snow-white shirt was not paired with a formal tie, but a thin sapphire blue bow, which made her look even more calm and dignified.

A coat of the same style was hanging on the coat rack in the distance, and the long, warm white velvet scarf obviously also belonged to him.

The setting surrounding the trio has many elements, such as the scattered sheet music near Lazarus and the two solid-color posters on the wall behind Sumei.

It was too troublesome to enlarge the mobile phone screen to view it, so Tao Zheng remembered that there was an analysis post forwarded by his roommate that had a title related to the cover page, so he simply switched the interface and clicked on the link to see the content of other people's analysis.

"10 episodes of hidden music scores and related elements"

-Original Poster-: I am an amateur music lover. The content of this post comes from the discussion between me and my friends about the title page design. Please be gentle. If there are any mistakes or omissions, please feel free to point them out.

-2L-: Sofa

-3L-: Squat, put your butt down

-OP-: First of all, the drawing. The messed-up music scores at his feet [four partial screenshots stitched together.jpg], after my friend and I identified the parts that could be seen clearly, should be "Demon King", a famous narrative music. The protagonists of the background story are the demon king phantom who wants to take the child's life, the child, and the father who is running with the child.

Combined with the plot, the correspondence is already very obvious. Lasi is really worried about her cub...

-5L-: I told you that Pink Star is not just a random drawing, it hides a knife and a metaphor, it is a refined boomerang specially provided for second-timers, it is well-trained!

-OP-: Then there is the music score in front of the little wolf cub [screenshot.jpg], which should be the four-hand piano version of "Do Re Mi". "Far, a long long way to run."

This calendar page [partial screenshot.jpg] attached to the side panel of the piano, when enlarged, you can see that the words "school anniversary" and "performance" are written on the day with a red circle, and the weekend three days before is marked with a five-pointed star and "rehearsal". So I guess the plot is that the two kids are going to perform a four-hand piano duet at the school anniversary, so they come to Lasi for special training.

-6L-: To add to the original poster, I suspect the marks on the calendar were drawn by classmate Su Mei, because the blank spaces were also doodled with stick figures of a wolf cub, flowers, plants, blue sky and white clouds. XD It's so adorable!

-7L-: I love the analysis, I'm waiting. (Modern drawing is actually a good surprise for teaching music——)

-8L-: Maybe music and magic have something in common?

-OP-: Next is the little fox. There is a piece of musical notes on the corner of the piano next to him [screenshot.jpg]. I think it is op.27 "Moonlight". It is the famous "Moonlight Sonata".

-9L-: He is still looking at Xiaoman here... wuwu... I am not crying, there is mustard in the rice...

-10L-: I really support him. If you don't draw a modern spin-off, then stop whetting everyone's appetite. I want to see them go to school together, study together, and attend the school celebration together! (crying) (crying) (crying)

-11L-Good kids sitting in a row is so beautiful! In the dream, you are two little fur balls——

…

-OP-: The dot patterns on the two stream-of-consciousness posters on the wall also contain music scores. After a simple decoding, the pink and purple one [screenshot.jpg][music score excerpt.jpg] can be compared to show that it is a clip from Fur Elise.

The brown-gold [screenshot.jpg][music score excerpt.jpg] should be "A New World".

Both are very nice songs. I will post some of my favorite versions later, and you are welcome to listen.

-15L-: I originally thought that the pink poster referred to the female city lord, but now it doesn’t seem like that. Maybe it’s a foreshadowing that the two posters correspond to two new characters?

-16L-: Indeed, the style of bad woman does not match that of Alice. If it were her, Fanxing would probably choose another song. And in that case, there would be no other character with the same color as her.

-17L-: So many elements are hidden in one cover page, awesome, 666

-18L-: And it’s obvious that the OP has not mentioned something very important…

-OP-: Finally, there are two points that are hidden the most obscurely: underneath the silk flowers in Xiaoman’s pocket, there is not a ribbon with words on it like those used in school ceremonies, but a small silver bell [screenshot.jpg].

Combined with the embroidered branches and nightingales on the lapel of the brushed coat [screenshot.jpg], the elemental allusion is already very obvious to those who have seen it. It should be referring to the fairy tale "The Emperor and the Nightingale".

-OP-: The nightingale that sang for the emperor drove away death. This may mean that Lazarus hopes that he is the nightingale that keeps death away from Xiaoman.

-OP-: There is also the relief pattern on the bottom board of the piano. After adjusting the brightness and contrast, it becomes clearer like this [screenshot.jpg]. In reality, there is a mural in a cemetery called "The Victory of Death". The two are highly similar [partial comparison picture.jpg].

Combined with the unity of the elements of the entire title page, it should refer to the music "Dance of Death" that was inspired by this mural. Its appearance here is very consistent with Lazarus's identity as a lich, and the concept that death itself treats everyone equally.

-22L-: I have benefited a lot from this! Thanks to the original poster for his research.

-23L-: Thank you for your hard work, the songs you mentioned have been added to the playlist. I hope you can recommend a version you like? Thank you

…

Tao Zheng read through all the content in the post in amazement, clicked on the collection, and then switched back to look at the comic updates.

At the beginning of this episode, the screen briefly tells the story of Queen Calisse.

"So this magic was named after its creator, 'Kalise's Eye of Foresight'."

An old man in a robe spoke to the disciples around him.

Readers still had some impression of him, after all, Lazarus had encountered him briefly when he was collecting information about the disabled.

The old man's hair and beard were all white, but the whiteness was more gray-brown. In between his fluffy and elegant hair stood a pair of pointed cat ears covered with long fur. His eyes were clear and wise, one yellow and one blue. The hollow six-pointed star badge on his collar was the same as the one on the only existing dragon heir. It was impossible not to be impressed.

[The old Persian cat appears again so soon ww]

[I recognize you! You look like a smart old cat! ]

Because readers are very fond of this image, they have shown generous kindness to it.

As one of the twelve pedestals of the Magic City, the old man was one of the spectators who watched Lazarus recreate this magic.

So he changed the subject in the next frame and said, "It is a misfortune for the world, but a great fortune for the caster, to be able to see this magic being used in one's lifetime."

"Watch carefully and remember this moment." The old man looked focused and told his young disciple without turning his head as he stared at the huge image of a canyon somewhere in the Death Wasteland projected by a combination of dozens of polyhedral crystals.

"——Today, one of our most rebellious compatriots is taking the liberty of peering into the future held by the Star Father."

As if in response to his words, Lazarus, who was in the wasteland of death, finally raised his head from the silent state and began to sing.

Before that, he said, "At this time, I should have gone out for a walk."

The lines of the magic circle lit up one after another, emitting a grand brilliance that was even more impressive than the scale of the initial display by Queen Kalithea, almost completely engulfing the lich's figure.

This may be because the target of the spell is Xiaoman, and her teacher saw from the information that she seemed destined to die young, so the preparations he made were more rigorous than the queen.

[Oh my god... the creator was so strong but he died quickly because of this magic. How dare Lasi use it? ]

[This predicted backlash seems to be acting on the soul. There is a description in the previous sentence that the queen's soul is shattered without a trace. Can the lich withstand it... (worry)]

[Lazarus, during these thirty seconds when you did nothing, were you worried about your own death or were you worried about the spell you restored from the remnants failing?]

[Before Lasi cast the spell, she muttered, "Little wolf cub, cry to death."]

[No, why would he? Although the little wolf cub is very good, who would risk their life for a disciple they have just known for less than three months? Especially for a spellcaster who is the opposite of impulsiveness...]

[An ominous feeling. I mean, is it possible that Lasi feels that she won't live much longer? ]

[Ah? ? ? Don’t wow——]

Readers who noticed the bad signs cried out in pain, but they could not stop the already completed scenes from slowly unfolding.

The long chant falls into an elongated, alien dialogue frame, connecting different scenes.

The north wind in the Death Wasteland was still, the great bell in the cathedral rang, all matter with characteristics of life was dissolved in the aftermath of the spell, and the lich's eyes were completely drenched in dark red.

——Across the vast sea of ​​stars, four hooves moved with difficulty, heaviness, and staggeringly.

It is difficult to describe what form it specifically resembles, with a piece of golden mane attached to a transparent body. The huge and fantastic creature should have been extremely beautiful, but its strange posture accurately conveyed to the audience of any race that it was about to be dragged to death by some serious illness, just like seeing an old and sick beast staggering on the road, and seeing clearly that its back was full of rotten sores and covered with parasites.

Despite this, His body is not fully depicted in any frame. In all frames, only a portion of His scales and claws are captured, thus contrasting His hugeness and the fact that He is too huge to be viewed directly.

His cry for help and his desire for death is everywhere, pressing against the edges of the frame and seeming to burst out, making the weight of this idea very vivid and heavy.

[Ah? What is this? Aren't we here to see the future of the little wolf cub? How come there is such a thing? ]

[What a terrifying visual tension… I didn’t draw any dirt on my hands, but I could hear the sound of my sanity dropping…]

[Wait. Could this be the Star God? ]

[Oh my god, come on, monotheism and the true God are like this, is this world doomed?! ]

[The Star God wanted to die so he asked someone to kill him? If he failed to kill him, he would just go back to the furnace? What kind of logic is this? ? ? ]

[After all, they are not human beings... The primitive logic of life is to eat the useless cubs and recycle their nutrients...]

[Xing Shen has no heart but Lasi does! No wonder he is angry. Even though he didn't say anything and had no expression, he was definitely angry! ]

[Thank you for the invitation. I am angry too. Xiaoman is our cool and good kid! She is the moonlight of the little fox! The star of the brush! The prince charming of the little bunny sister! She is not a tool of some old thing!!!]

[Thinking about the huge price that Lasi paid to see this, I get even angrier! The beautiful green! And the soft and gentle black! All gone! This is an irreversible damage! My beautiful eyes, which I just saw one episode, are crying——]

[Don't say anything upstairs, I'm going to burst... on what basis! 】

[I hate this world. Lasi's efforts and Xiaoman's hard work seem to be worthless in the face of fate...]

[I understand, I understand. The joys and sorrows of these characters are trampled upon by such a grand bullshit! It feels familiar!]

[I've already placed an order for a custom front page poster in extreme anger! I want to dream of a beautiful modern setting——]

Yuan Qian, who bought the update as soon as it was released, was also watching this video, and felt somewhat comforted by the increasing number of comments and feedback from the forums.

Thank you readers, don't worry, Lazarus has received your grievances and indignation, and I will definitely use the emotional value you have given me in the right place!

[It’s great to be young. I feel energetic again so soon...] The adjutant muttered to himself while patting the pine down pillow without being noticed.