The woman studied Adela quietly for a few moments before motioning her to walk towards one of the seats surrounding the circular pool. Her expression remained calm, composed, and strangely welcoming despite the obvious abnormality of the situation. Unlike many leaders Adela had met, she carried no overwhelming pressure or hidden intimidation.
"You must have questions."
Adela remained standing for a moment before finally sitting across from her.
"A lot of them."
The woman gave a faint nod.
"Normally, when outsiders accidentally enter our realm, we return them immediately. The reason is simple. Most suffer extreme pain the moment they enter Regnum Musicae. They do not resonate with the realm. Their existence clashes against its rhythm. Yet you remain completely intact. That means you belong to a generation of Deities."
Adela stayed silent for a moment. That explained why she felt normal, though hearing someone casually identify her nature so quickly felt mildly unsettling.
"What exactly is this place? I want proper answers."
The woman gave a small nod.
"I expected as much. I know this is confusing so let me ease your worries first. This place is Regnum Musicae. Translated directly, it means the Realm of Music. It consists of three major islands. Concerto, Modernia, and Antiqua. You are currently in Concerto. And as Epsilon V likely already informed you, Concerto itself is divided into five Regios. Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Keyboards. The Strings Regio serves as Concerto's headquarters."
She connected the dots now.
"As for our capabilities the explanation is relatively simple. All people born in Regnum Musicae possess the Music Divinity. Unlike Spheraphasians," she continued, "we do not suffer from the Ascension Curse. To explain it in Spheraphasian terms, every child born here immediately becomes a First Enlightenment Divine."
Adela froze.
"And the Music Divinity they receive depends on the region they are born into."
"That explains the Percussion thing?"
The woman nodded.
"Yes. Which naturally brings us to Concordants and Discordants."
"Those terms again."
"You are familiar with Resonance and Integration, correct?"
"Yeah. In Spheraphase, they mostly refer to unity, synchronization or fusion."
"Exactly. Here, however, we use Resonance differently. Every living being possesses rhythm. Concordants possess a rhythmic flow that moves naturally. Their Musicum Talentum develops harmoniously."
"Musicum Talentum?"
"It's Latin. It simply means musical talent."
She continued before Adela interrupted again.
"Discordants, however, possess irregular rhythmic flow. They are rare. It is… comparable to a disability in our realm."
Adela frowned.
"You're saying I'm disabled?"
"Not physically but rhythmically. Everyone in existence possesses rhythm. Yours is irregular."
Adela stayed quiet after that. She honestly had no idea how to feel about that explanation. Before she could think too deeply about it, another question surfaced.
"How exactly does music become power? In Spheraphase, music mostly exists as tradition like folk songs, orchestral performances and entertainment."
The woman looked surprised.
"Music still exists in Spheraphase?"
"Of course."
The woman looked oddly relieved.
"That is good to hear."
Then, without warning, a piano appeared. The pristine white piano materialized beside the pool as naturally as if it had always belonged there. The woman calmly walked towards it and sat down.
Soft music flowed into the hall. Invisible currents moved around the woman while glowing symbols resembling floating musical notes drifted gently through the air. The water in the pool rippled in perfect synchronization with every note. Even the room itself somehow felt more alive. The melody carried harmony that somehow soothed Adela's senses.
The woman looked at her again once she stopped
"Everyone in Regnum Musicae possesses a Musicum Instrumentum. This is mine."
"A pianex?"
"A hybrid instrument of a Percussion and Keyboard. I am somewhat of a unique existence."
Adela looked at the piano again.
"So how does the Music Divinity actually work?"
The woman laughed quietly.
"That is complicated. You will need to understand it yourself."
"What relation does your realm have with Spheraphase?"
"That is not something I can reveal. You'll know eventually, especially if you remain here long enough."
"Your names. What's with them?"
"Ah. That."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"We do not use names the way Spheraphasians do. Instead, we use Greek letters. The Roman numerals specify distinction. For example, I am Delta II."
She raised two fingers briefly.
"Delta represents the fourth rank of naming."
"The higher the name, the more respected the individual becomes."
Adela slowly processed that. Eta XXVI. Epsilon V. Delta II. Suddenly, their naming system made sense.
"So, would you prefer to stay or leave?"
Adela answered immediately.
"My companions came with me. I'm searching for them."
The woman nodded without hesitation.
"Then we will help you."
"You will?"
The woman looked mildly amused by her surprise.
"Of course. We are not hostile toward outsiders. As long as they do not bring harm to our people, we have no reason to harm them. For now, you will need time to adapt. You are unfamiliar with Regnum Musicae and while we search for your companions, it would be reckless to leave you wandering alone. You will stay with Epsilon V and Eta XXVI for the time being."
Adela honestly expected worse. At least she already knew them, even if Eta XXVI somehow managed to confuse her every five minutes.
"I can work with that."
She casually raised her hand. Adela immediately frowned once she saw that. There was no Tether activation or any energy gathering. A sharp sensation pierced through her mind. It felt like a musical note striking directly inside her consciousness, resonating strangely through her thoughts before spreading. For a brief second, countless faint presences brushed against the edge of her awareness like distant whispers.
"What did you just do?"
Delta II lowered her hand.
"You are now connected to Concerto's telepathic network."
"You have an entire telepathic system?"
"Communication is essential."
Before Adela could ask more questions, Delta II's expression became more serious.
"There are rules. Taboos, to be specific. Even as an outsider, there are some you absolutely must follow. First, no sound is to be made with the lips between sunrise and sunset."
"What?"
Delta II remained completely serious.
"No speaking. During the day, verbal communication is forbidden. Telepathic communication is permitted instead. The only exceptions are border posts and areas close to the ocean. That is why Epsilon V and Eta XXVI spoke verbally near the beach and Praesidium Limitare."
That suddenly explained the silence.
"There are exceptions. For instance, speaking with outsiders unfamiliar with our customs, like now. Second, no melody may ever go unfinished."
"What does that mean?"
"If you begin to play music, you must finish it. Abandoning melody midway is taboo."
Something about the way she said it made Adela feel like there was historical trauma behind the rule. She wisely decided not to ask.
"Third, intentional music may not be played between sunrise and sunset."
Adela frowned harder.
"Isn't this the Realm of Music?"
"Yes. That is precisely why the rule exists."
Adela somehow felt even more confused.
"Music is sacred. Daytime belongs to silence and harmony. Music during the day is only allowed under extreme circumstances."
Adela silently decided she would stop questioning cultural logic before her head started hurting again.
"Fourth, when performing music, shoes must never be worn. It is one of the strongest taboos."
Only then did Adela finally notice something she somehow missed earlier. Delta II was barefoot. Her pale feet rested naturally against the white floor. On her piano performance, she had no shoes. That one was oddly specific.
"Fifth, metal cutlery and utensils are forbidden. We use alternatives like wood, stone and ceramic."
Apparently metal touching food violated some cultural or musical principle Adela did not yet understand. Then Delta II grew visibly more serious.
"Sixth, this is the most dangerous taboo. Never play another person's leitmotif."
"Leitmotif?"
"A person's unique tune. Every individual possesses one. It belongs to them and them alone."
"So what happens if someone copies it?"
Delta II's expression did not change.
"They are sentenced to death. If someone intentionally uses another person's leitmotif, they may be flogged to death or condemned to discordant resonance."
"What's that?"
"Discordant tunes invade the offender's rhythm. The suffering continues until death."
Adela remained silent for several seconds. Suddenly the word taboo felt extremely literal. The Realm of Music apparently did not joke around. Still, oddly enough, the rules fascinated her.
"I'll follow them."
"Good. Because accidentally violating them would make your stay here considerably harder."