Watching the completely engrossed Astra Yao play, Andrew didn't rashly interrupt her. Instead, he looked at the record-cutting machine placed in the corner. On it sat four records marked as 'complete,' which made Andrew fall silent for a moment.
Although these pieces were not much less difficult or lengthy than "Proof of a Hero," the fact that Astra Yao could complete so many in such a short time was definitely not something that could be achieved just by waking up early.
Faint dark circles stood out clearly against Astra Yao's fair skin.
Seeing this, it was obvious Astra Yao hadn't slept a wink after sneaking over last night, and the freshness of the tracks around the room directly confirmed Andrew's suspicion.
Just then, the muffled 'click-clack' of the electronic piano keys stopped.
Having finished playing, Astra Yao had just lifted her hands from the keyboard and taken off her headphones when she spotted Andrew at the door of the music room.
Then she was startled by the sudden figure.
But as she came to her senses, she was like a child caught playing on their phone during bedtime. She frantically put down the instrument in her hands, trying to cover her tracks.
"Andrew?! G-Good morning! Why are you up so early? I thought you'd be asleep for at least another hour or two!"
"It's not that early, it's almost seven."
Hearing the time, Astra Yao froze for a second.
In her memory, the last time she looked at the clock, the numbers still showed four in the morning.
Realizing she had once again gotten too engrossed and lost track of time, Astra Yao tilted her head slightly, fluttering her eyes in an attempt to distract Andrew with her cuteness.
Looking at her, Andrew said with a bit of helplessness: "So you snuck over not long after I went back to my room?"
Like a child who hadn't been caught red-handed, Astra Yao immediately tried to argue. "No, of course not. I just got up early and had a huge burst of inspiration, so I finished a little bit ahead of schedule. I definitely didn't sneak over in the middle of the night and skip out on my rest!"
Seeing her stubborn refusal to admit it, Andrew raised his eyebrows, directly waving the stack of records in his hand as he spoke: "Oh? Why wasn't Miss Songstress, who also claimed to have a big burst of inspiration last night, this efficient?"
Seeing Astra Yao still wanting to argue, Andrew's eyes narrowed slightly, and he issued a direct threat: "Tell the truth. If you don't admit it, I won't be coming to you for any more music recreations."
Hitting her right where it hurt, Astra Yao immediately swallowed the words of her defense, grabbing Andrew's arm and acting spoiled. "Aiya, I was just being stubborn out of habit, I was wrong~"
Looking at the girl's guilty admission, Andrew asked directly: "You didn't sleep all night?"
Knowing she couldn't hide it, Astra Yao could only nod and admit it.
"Your concert starts tonight, and you pulled an all-nighter... Didn't I say that even after the commission is over, you can come find me anytime you have free time?"
In the face of Andrew's scolding, Astra Yao put on a look of sincere repentance, but her darting eyes showed her unrepentant resolve.
Her words, however, were full of righteous confidence: "I just wanted to give you a surprise, Andrew... After all, when it comes to music, I'm very sensitive."
Looking at Andrew, Astra Yao's eyes showed incredible earnestness.
"Although you never said it, Andrew, when you heard that music yesterday, the nostalgia on your face couldn't fool my eyes!"
Although it was just a fleeting moment, she, who had been carefully observing Andrew's reaction, had keenly noticed his emotions.
Coupled with the fact that this music had never appeared in New Eridu, the nature of his former life was self-evident.
Whether it still existed or not, the chances of ever returning were surely slim.
"I can understand that feeling of loneliness, of suddenly losing everything from before. While I can't replace the people from your past, and I can't restore other things, when it comes to music, I'm very confident!"
She proudly puffed out her well-endowed chest, not thinking there was anything wrong with what she was doing.
Despite being utterly exhausted, she spoke with immense determination: "As long as I can let Andrew hear his old music again as soon as possible, even if it's just a little bit sooner, it's worth it!"
Astra Yao's unrepentant attitude was built on a clear understanding of what she wanted to do.
Looking at Astra Yao like this, Andrew was at a loss for words for a moment.
Andrew never expected Astra Yao to be so perceptive, much less that she would take this matter to heart and put so much effort into it.
A feeling of being touched welled up inside him.
Andrew looked at Astra Yao, momentarily speechless.
The words of reprimand he had been about to say were now stuck in his throat. Andrew opened and closed his mouth several times, finally managing to say dryly: "Let me hear it. Let me hear the music you've recreated."
The vinyl record was placed on the gramophone, which had a giant horn made of alloy. As the record spun, the music flowed out melodiously.
"Grammeowster Chef's Warm Soup!" As this piece played, a warm and loving tune flowed from the gramophone's horn.
It made one feel an involuntary sense of warmth. Combined with Astra Yao's words from just now, the two feelings overlay, allowing Andrew to truly feel that warmth flowing through his heart.
This heartfelt gesture from Astra Yao, Andrew etched it deep into his memory.
As the music played, Andrew became more and more convinced that his decision to ask her to recreate it was the right one. Putting everything else aside, just the fact that she could recreate this music based solely on Andrew's verbal descriptions was worthy of the title 'musical genius' her fans gave her.
Of the remaining three pieces, besides the already known "Proof of a Hero," the other two were Glavenus's "Scorching Blade" and Rathalos's "Bakar/Destruction."
However, in Astra Yao's hands, these two pieces were slightly different from the originals.
Although the main melody hadn't changed, the two songs had undergone some subtle key changes in her hands.
But because of this, compared to the original versions which tended to showcase the monsters' unparalleled danger, absolute majesty, and oppressive presence, the new versions had a subtle shift. Instead of the original tension, the music in Astra Yao's hands made one's blood boil.
Especially Glavenus's theme, which was already incredibly stirring. The subtle key change didn't affect the music's emotion at all; instead, it was like a battle anthem.
It made Andrew feel like he wanted to find a dragon to fight right now.
However, the change in style wasn't Astra Yao's fault.
After all, as a native of New Eridu, Astra Yao had never truly seen the dragon species corresponding to the songs, and it's difficult for humans to imagine things they've never seen.
Let alone the shock of witnessing the power of nature firsthand.
So, facing Astra Yao's expectant expression, Andrew unhesitatingly gave her a thumbs-up. "Perfect!"
"Yay!"
Having received his approval, Astra Yao immediately cheered joyfully.
Looking at Astra Yao like this, how could Andrew possibly say a single critical word?
Not to mention that what she had done was already nearly flawless.
But then, Astra Yao said with some impatience: "Well, Andrew, hurry up and try it with the Ether Engine!"
"Huh? I don't think that's a good idea, is it?"
Although Andrew did want to try it, what happened during yesterday's casual experiment was still fresh in his mind, making him much more cautious about experimenting.
He had originally planned to go to the Outer Ring and find a deserted area to test it after the commission was over.
After all, that was the most convenient natural testing ground. Didn't Miss Eve land in a Gobi desert?
It's an officially certified testing site.
However, while Andrew was prepared for that, Astra Yao thought differently.
Wanting to see the effect with her own eyes, her curiosity was making her impatient.
She pointed to the recording studio, which already needed a complete overhaul because of the Hemiola's shockwave, and said nonchalantly: "It needs to be rebuilt anyway, so a little more damage won't make a difference."
"But Evelyn... didn't Eve say no more experiments?"
After blurting it out, Andrew, under Astra Yao's pouting gaze, immediately corrected himself, still a little unused to it.
Nodding in satisfaction, Astra Yao continued: "Eve just said I'm not allowed to use the Hemiola for experiments before the concert, not that I'm not allowed to at all. It's fine."
Astra Yao wore an expression that said 'if she didn't say no, that means yes,' looking at Andrew expectantly, very curious to see what effects the music he brought could achieve.
The epitome of someone who loves to watch the chaos unfold.
Seeing her like this, Andrew began to understand why Evelyn always looked so helpless when looking at Astra Yao.
Unable to win against her, Andrew could only raise his guard mentally, preparing to press the eject button immediately if anything went wrong.
Looking at the Ether Engine in his hand, Andrew sighed inwardly:
Although I originally added this emergency eject button for the convenience of changing songs, it seems I made the right choice now.
Of the four records in his hand, "Proof of a Hero" had already been tested. While the effect was powerful, it was a bit too powerful.
Judging by the effects from the experiments on the Ether Engine and the Hemiola, an Ether Engine made of the currently available Ether alloy materials couldn't withstand such a massive energy output at all.
But the existing materials, like the higher-strength Odogaron parts, were completely incompatible with an Ether Engine or a Hunting Horn.
Forcing it would be more likely to result in a negative effect due to poor conductivity rather than an increase in strength.
And Dragon Bone, as a universal material, had already reached its limit here.
Though it was a bit of a shame, it was only a little one.
After all, as long as he had strong enough materials, he could use it normally, right?
As long as he could find materials that could support it, the effect of "Proof of a Hero" would definitely not disappoint.
As for the effects of the other three... it would be difficult to replicate the previous feat again.
After all, not every piece of music could have an effect as strong as "Proof of a Hero," right?
If they were all that powerful, then the little tune from the Meowscular Chef that he recreated before wouldn't have had such a strong effect.
Thinking of this, Andrew decided to play it safe and first try the other lifestyle-related tune, the Grammeowster Chef's theme.
Although she was the Meowscular Chef's master, the song wasn't particularly long, so even if it couldn't handle it, the problem wouldn't be severe.
As the warm music, with piano and flute as its main melody, began to play again, the situation Andrew was worried about didn't happen.
The Ether Engine performed its intended function.
A surge of energy stronger than the Meowscular Chef's tune flowed out, resonating within Andrew's body.
The effects were no longer the original Stamina Recovery (M) and Endurance Recovery (S).
Instead, it received a direct buff.
The original (M) became (L), and the Endurance Recovery (S) became (M). In addition, it also gained a Health Boost.
Although the increase in the upper limit wasn't very large, this was already a complete qualitative leap.
This experimental result also made Andrew breathe a sigh of relief.
Indeed, if every song were like "Proof of a Hero," it would be too absurd.
And with the lifestyle-related part over, next came the combat-related ones.
When Rathalos's "Bakar/Destruction" played on the Ether Engine, the heavy drums, accompanied by the violin, still carried an unparalleled sense of pressure despite Astra Yao's key change.
However, this time the Ether resonance wasn't as gentle as with the previous song.
Surging Ether energy once again began to flow within the Ether Engine, causing it to vibrate slightly. Before long, it made a sound as if it couldn't bear the load.
Before the situation could worsen, Andrew immediately cut his losses and ejected the record.
Although the pressure was much less than that of "Proof of a Hero," judging by the Ether Engine's reaction, the current materials couldn't handle it completely.
Based on the situation just now, maintaining it for one minute was the limit. Any longer, and the Ether Engine would be at risk of burning out at any moment.
And that would be followed by a rather long cooldown period.
But at least compared to "Proof of a Hero"'s 'it'll explode if you look at it again' level, the two currently available were much better.
And then Glavenus, whose strength was close to Rathalos's, with their combat power being arguably evenly matched.
Unsurprisingly, it had the same situation as Rathalos.
And when it came to the direction of their buffs, they were somewhat different.
Rathalos's was more focused on attack power and fire resistance. The specific buffs were Attack Up (S), Fire Res Boost (L), and Health Boost.
Glavenus's specific buffs were Attack Up (L), Defense Up (S), and Affinity Up.
The two had different focuses, and since he could only play one at a time, Andrew would need to choose the most suitable buff for different situations.
But if he could later upgrade it to the point where the Ether Engine could play them continuously, switching between the six records at will would surely be a significant improvement.
It would just be a bit of a challenge for his reaction speed.
Looking at the effects of these two songs in the Ether Engine, the two of them felt that the reason "Proof of a Hero" was so overpowered probably wasn't the Hemiola's fault.
Based on the current evidence, it was indeed because "Proof of a Hero" was just too ridiculously powerful.
But that being said, an experiment was out of the question.
Not to mention Evelyn hadn't returned yet, even if she had, after what happened before, the two of them wouldn't dare to try again with the Hemiola.
At least not before the concert was over.
And in the current situation, the enhancement to the Ether Engine's effects had already exceeded Andrew's expectations.
But as for "Proof of a Hero"...
Until he found new materials suitable for the Ether Engine, this music was better off being used for simple appreciation.
Or as a victory theme.
For Andrew, just being able to hear these songs again in New Eridu was already very satisfying.
With the experiment over, and after confirming her efforts weren't in vain, the high-intensity all-nighter of busy work made the already exhausted Astra Yao begin to sway.
The moment her taut spirit relaxed, fatigue rushed in like a burst dam, immediately sweeping over her.
This wave of fatigue was so fierce that the unprepared Astra Yao couldn't even stand steadily for a moment.
It seemed that if it weren't for the buffs from Andrew's cooking, as well as the buff from the Grammeowster Chef's theme spreading through the Ether Engine and helping her recover a bit of strength...
Astra Yao would have collapsed long ago.
Noticing that something was wrong with Astra Yao's condition, the quick-witted Andrew subconsciously reached out and supported her slender waist.
His strong arm kept her from falling, and at the same time, the slim curve of the girl's waist and the soft elasticity of her skin emerged in Andrew's mind through the sense of touch.
Subconsciously, their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze in that instant.
____
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