Chapter 490 : Everyone’s Reaction
Chapter 490: Everyone’s Reaction
Silence—absolute silence.
Even though the performance had already ended, everyone in the rehearsal hall still remained deeply immersed in 【Isabelle】’s emotional world, unable to return to their senses for a long while.
Until Janna, holding the 【Strings of Flotenath-Moonlight】 in her arms, stood up, and Liji Silks—who was the first to regain her composure—suddenly stood as well, clapping passionately.
「That was incredible, Janna! Your performance was absolutely incredible!」
Liji Silks’s words fell into the quiet hall like a stone dropped into a lake. In an instant, the originally silent rehearsal hall erupted once more into thunderous applause like crashing waves.
Among them was David-Berg, whose face was already flushed bright red with excitement. He paid no attention at all to Quentin-Lycente beside him and applauded without reservation.
「It’s 【Isabelle】! This is the 【Isabelle】 in my heart! So it was her—she’s the one who truly understands me!」
When he heard the final movement that Janna played, David-Berg’s emotions could no longer be described simply as excitement.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he had felt the impulse to cry several times.
Of course, his tears weren’t because of the sorrow evoked by the music, but rather because he had finally found someone who understood both him and the very soul of the character 【Isabelle】—a true kindred spirit!
It was as though Janna could hear the thoughts inside David-Berg’s heart. The emotions expressed in her final piece were identical to what he had always imagined!
At the same time, another person stood to applaud—Siwen-Rogers, the male actor who had always considered Janna his “rival.”
Like everyone else present, at first Siwen-Rogers hadn’t believed that Janna could play anything remarkable.
That was why, from the very first piece, Siwen-Rogers had listened to her so-called “original composition” with bias.
But the reversal came so suddenly—it was completely unexpected. By the time the first piece ended, Siwen-Rogers already felt a strange sense of disbelief.
Was this really her first time composing music!?
Yet Janna gave him no time to think. As soon as the first song ended, the second piece—filled with even more intricate and delicate emotion—completely stunned this veteran opera actor of fifteen years.
That was why, when the second song finished, he had unconsciously joined in with the others, clapping his hands together.
By that moment, Siwen-Rogers had completely overturned his prior assumptions about Janna and began to look upon her with genuine respect.
However, when Janna began her third piece, Siwen-Rogers could no longer think about her “music composition” at all. He was completely drawn into the emotional world of the character 【Isabelle】.
The final scene of “Withering Rose”—the grand climax of the entire opera—was also a key part for Siwen-Rogers, who played the role of the Lord of Heaven (Augustine).
So while feeling the emotions of 【Isabelle】’s world, Siwen-Rogers also found himself immersed in the inner world of his own character.
As the greatest antagonist in the script, the Lord of Heaven wasn’t just a twisted, brutal tyrant—he also had many hidden sides, such as the sincere care he once showed 【Isabelle】 at the beginning.
But because the script offered very little on their emotional bond while emphasizing too much of the Lord’s darkness, Siwen-Rogers had originally focused his performance on portraying his “evil” side.
That was, until today—after hearing Janna’s final piece, his perception completely changed. If he portrayed only the Lord’s “evil,” then his role would be nothing more than a tool to highlight 【Isabelle】’s kindness and compassion—devoid of any brilliance of its own.
If that were the case, then the label of “pretty male vase” would never be lifted from him, even if he played a villain.
「To think that one day, I’d be inspired by a rival—」
As he thought this, Siwen-Rogers looked at Janna with a gaze that held not only wariness, but also something more complex.
「I hope your acting is as refined as your music—」
「I think…I might just fall in love with your idol too.」
Standing and clapping as well, the actress Hill watched as Janna bowed to the audience in gratitude. She nudged Freya beside her with her elbow and said with rare seriousness:
「She’s always full of surprises, but what I love most is still her acting.」
Hearing this, Freya’s gaze softened with faint reminiscence.
So far, though Freya and Janna had worked on a play together, the two hadn’t shared many direct scenes.
Even so, Freya could never forget Janna’s radiant, sun-like brilliance in “Song of the Ocean.”
Unparalleled beauty, a voice like heaven’s melody, and acting so extraordinary that it could touch everyone—truly divine—」
It was all of this that made Freya truly “love” Janna, becoming one of her fans.
「It seems that for 【Isabelle】’s solo piece, we now have a far more suitable composer.」
Hearing his longtime friend’s slightly teasing words, Quentin-Lycente—who was still seated—remained remarkably calm.
「Janna Roland. It seems your troupe really has struck gold this time.」
He dabbed at the corner of his slightly moist eyes with a handkerchief. At this moment, there was no trace of his earlier “condescension” in his gaze—only appreciation, and the deep respect between equals.
After this “duel,” Quentin-Lycente was completely convinced by Janna’s talent. So, even when faced with Roman-Roland’s teasing, he simply accepted it peacefully, without the slightest sign of irritation.
「Since your troupe already has such an outstanding musician, I suppose there’s no reason for me to stay—」
「That won’t do!」
Seeing Quentin-Lycente actually intending to get up and leave, Roman-Roland—who had only meant to tease him—quickly pressed him back into his seat and hurriedly changed his tone.
「No matter how talented she is, her abilities are still limited. These three pieces were already her creative limit. How could she possibly compare to a master like you—」