a Sci-fi story about a group of friends enlisting in a space navy. somewhere between star treks exploration based setting and space operas. 

( this book is currently a closed project willing to reopen if there is interest.)

Inspired from the story Phantom by Susan Kay. 

*****************************

After taking over from senior architect Giuseppe, Quade and his apprentices traveled to France to complete a contract which was to build a Opera for the entire country and beyond to indulge in.

Becoming the owner of the Opera he was known as the best Musical Genius of all time. 
The world praised his unique operas and astounding music. 
But even though he was admired by all, he rarely appeared in public. People became curious and debated about his choice of living in solitude. Though Quade found a new life he still chose to conceal his deformity, not yet trusting mankind. He only had one desire: to find his Angel of music, whom he can share his passion with and finally show his real self. 

Will Quade be capable to convince Annabel, the beautiful soprano, that she is destined to be his or will the dashing Patron de Changy have triumph once more? 

*************************************

Qin Rong is your regular, every day man. Goes to work, pays his bills and watches soap operas under cover of night. 

He is also a elite mercenary for hire. (Gotta pay those bills somehow)

On one mission, he is shot in the back by an unknown ally and dies only to wake up in the body of a strange, malnourished child. Escaping his captors, he meets an young noble, befriends him and later leaves to get back into the mercenary business. Yet how is it that  once cute and innocent child ended up growing up to be such a devious person?

***
QR: Don't die~
ML: I won't if you stay with me.
QR: Don't use your life as a bargaining chip!
ML: Then I guess I'll just go on with-
QR: O-okay, okay, I'll stay with you!!
ML: It's your words. Don't take them back.
QR: ...

Thanks to the broadcast of "Arcana Voice" a few days ago, Banus and Ali were both aware that the "Rentato Music Festival" was scheduled on the last Saturday of the Month of Gold every three years for a duration of three days. They had come to the Baron Bechig Square today to learn the splendor of the Rentato Music Festival from "Arcana Voice" as soon as possible and to indirectly listen to the most touching and classic melody of Mr. Evans' "Valkyrie" from interviews and other problems.
They did not foresee this at all. Looking at the floating sorcerer in midair and the dark "screen" that was taking shape with the combination of complicated silver patterns, they weren't back to themselves for a long time.
It was not until the silver lines glittered one after another, letting out a gentle but warm light, that Banus and Ali were finally woken up from their shock. They craned their heads and looked ahead excitedly and confusedly.
"Live stream? Is the teletorium of 'Arcana Voice' set in the Rentato Royal Grand Theater today?" Although Ali had learned about "live stream" from "Arcana Voice", he did not really know what it was about.
"Teletorium", on the other hand, was learned from his pen pal's letter. "Allyn Impression", the weekly newspaper, had a special issue that introduced radio stations and interviewed famous anchors. As a gossip newspaper that came late but was most famous of all, Allyn Impression was not only loved by the arcanists but also pursued by the citizens of Rentato who were curious about the daily life of sorcerers and the affairs of the big shots. The circulation of the newspaper had already surpassed "Arcana" and "Magic", making it an unusual case of getting rich for the sorcerers.
Banus did not quite understand what "teletorium" was about, but he was astonished by the Rentato Royal Grand Theater. He asked in excitement, "Can we hear the entirety of 'Valkyrie' today?"
Holm was a country where plays, oratorios, and operas were popular. Even though the average music level was not as good as Aalto's, it was still rather distinguished in those aspects.
In Stuart, the Pearl on the Ocean on the opposite side of the Storm Strait, the citizens generally believed that the operas from Holm were much better than those from other countries in terms of plot, content, and meaningfulness. To put it more frankly, Rentato's operas were indeed better than Aalto's. After all, pure music was so brilliant in Aalto that the other fields were all eclipsed. Its playwrights and singers were not as good as Rentato's.
Therefore, even though he was a common civilian, Banus had an unusual interest in operas. He had been longing for the Rentato Royal Grand Theater, known as a holy land of operas, for a long time. Of course, due to his economic status, he and Ali could only watch plays in most cases. They mostly listened to operas on special occasions.
"If 'live stream' has the same meaning as what 'Arcana Voice' said, we will definitely hear 'Valkyrie' today!" Ali was very excited.
With the duration of "Arcana Voice", it could only play parts of the classic operas, but never the whole piece, and the opera singers that the baron of the town could invite were only mediocre. Therefore, even though they could not see the performers whom they had adored for a long time, it was still a most gratifying experience to appreciate a state-of-the-art opera at the earliest chance.
The best musician, the best singers and opera performers, and the best theater. It never occurred to them that they could enjoy the "luxury" of the nobles as civilians!
Banus rubbed his hands in excitement. "Hehe. We're also lords this time! However, what's that curtain about? They could've simply broadcast it. It's all about listening after all."
"It should be a wall, right? Huh, it's probably meant to enhance the effect. Ms. Nightingale mentioned in Arcana Voice that some listeners might hear noises due to signal problems…" Ali tried to find a reasonable explanation.
Banus waved his hands hard. "I forgot that. Ali, you do have a great brain!"
Ali raised his chin proudly. I told you that I'm smarter than you!
After the silver lines all glowed, illusionary and delicate patterns appeared around the "curtain". They combined in an amazing structure that dazzled Banus, Ali, and the other citizens into silence.
The middle-rank sorcerer who floated in midair finished the final debugging. As weird aria-like sounds came out of his mouth, a star in the sky glowed and sprayed a cluster of brilliance.
"Well…" Banus opened his mouth again. Could sorcerers command the stars in the sky? Wasn't it the power of the gods?
In the dreamy and astonishing scene, the black "curtain" was enshrouded in pure, flawless light that resonated with the stars in the sky, building the most beautiful painting with the flying fireflies.
The star in the sky was less dazzling and became normal and steady, and the black "curtain" seemed to be turning transparent. A silver moon slowly rose inside, driving the darkness away.
A slow and peaceful melody floated out, so beautiful that it sounded like a clear lake that was rippling under the moonlight. It pacified everybody's heart, bringing them vague sweetness, peace, and sorrow. They felt both somewhat gloomy and at ease.
Both Banus and Ali were intoxicated by the light of the silver moon that was gradually spreading out and the dreamy melody. The whole square fell quiet.
They were no strangers to "Moonlight", the most beautiful piano song. Not only would the elegant restaurants hire musicians to play it, but Arcana Voice also often used "Moonlight" as the background music for the program. However, this performance of "Moonlight" was still better than any time they heard before, thus allowing them to appreciate the most wondrous side of the music. How could they not be fascinated?
The cold moon grew brighter, and a white piano appeared in the darkness behind the "curtain". Next to the piano, a woman whose long hair reached her waist was seated, with one side facing the audience. She was wearing a black evening dress, revealing half of her fair shoulders. Her face was delicate and peaceful.
The moonlight seemed to have donned her in a silver gauze. Her long and agile hands bounced and danced in the brightness, creating the most beautiful notes.
"How beautiful…"
"How touching…"
Banus and Ali were so enthralled by the performance that they could think of nothing else.
In such an atmosphere, even a mediocre face would have been 100% mind-blowing.
In the quietness, the first movement of Moonlight came to the end. The lady turned around, showing everybody her beautiful and tranquil face.
"Welcome to 'Arcana Voice'. I'm your old friend, Nightingale." A sweet and familiar voice came out of the lady's mouth.
"Ms. Nightingale?" Banus stammered.
"It's… It's a real person?" Ali's eyes were almost popping out. How did the curtain, no, the wall, just turn into a living person who could play "Moonlight"?
Everybody who witnessed the act in the square was similarly stunned, including the middle-rank sorcerer who floated in midair. He almost forgot that he was still in midair. Although he knew and got involved in the Congress' "stream plan", such an opening was still a major shock for him.
"As a matter of fact, I am as surprised as you that the image signal transmission through the artificial planets can achieve such a result. This should be the most 'real-time stream' in history. Friends who are listening to 'Arcana Voice' at home, if you feel that I'm talking strangely, go to the nearest square and check it out. In fact, I already announced it last night…" Louise's sweet voice came over, solving the question of the "viewers".
"A real-time stream?"
"We can see Ms. Nightingale in Allyn from Samara?"
"Magic is too… marvelous!"
"Incredible! Incredible!"
Noises burst out in the square. The excited audience began to talk to each other about how they felt, even if they did not know those standing next to them.
Louise smiled. "'Valkyrie' is about to begin in the Rentato Royal Grand Theater. I'll stop wasting your time. Now, the sorcerers in the theater will take over."
The moonlight dimmed, like spreading ripples that blurred everything. By the time it was clear again, Louise was already gone from the "curtain", replaced by a splendidly-decorated theater that was full of gentlemen who wore tailcoats or long tuxedos and ladies in gorgeous dresses that dazzled the audience in the square.
"The Rentato Royal Grand Theater!" said Ali in amazement.
Banus was both happy and sad. "But I still want to watch Ms. Nightingale play the piano…"
......
Inside the teletorium of the Sky Radio Station in Allyn…
Seeing that the signal had been switched to the Royal Grand Theater, Louise finally patted her chest, greatly relieved. "I was so anxious just now."
"Louise, weren't you a musician before? You've already held concerts. Why were you anxious about a solo performance in a teletorium that nobody watched?" Samantha, who was supervising the program nearby, said half in comfort and half in confusion.
Louise shook her head. "Nobody watched? There must've been more than a hundred thousand people who watched the live stream. I felt anxious when I thought I was performing before so many people. Also, in concerts, people mostly listen to music, and they can barely see the musician on the stage. Such a live stream is the opposite. Everybody can see my every movement clearly. If it weren't for your encouragement, I would've tried to record it in advance as Mr. Evans suggested…"
"Understandable. Everybody will be nervous in their first 'real-time stream'. Mr. Evans only proposed the idea. We planned and carried out the details on our own. However, well played, Louise." Samantha nodded in approval.
Louise gradually relaxed. She complained, "Mr. Evans should've guided us more on such an important issue."
If he could hear her, Lucien could only open his hands and suggest that he had zero experience in that. Holding a satellite stream before TV was invented was not a case that had ever happened on Earth. It could've only been achieved in a world of magic.


"A falling star has brought the chaos. The throne of fate has lost its master. The nonbeliever who walks in light and darkness will make his debut."
In this magic world, knowledge is power.

In 2001 Detroit, MI, two boys become best friends and face the ups and downs of childhood in the first decade of a new millennium.

The 00's Theme Song: When It's Over by Sugar Ray

Meanwhile at the Petersson Communication office, Oscar had just finished examining all the documents submitted this morning. It almost took a day, but still the pile of documents never ended.
When the clock showed 6 in the evening, all the documents that had been mounting were finally resolved. The golden haired man stretched his back muscles which were stiff from sitting too long.
Dani helped him clear the damn documents from his desk. The man took a deep breath as he lowered his head, staring at the nameplate on his desk.
"Dani, do you think I'm in a rush to marry Lisa?" Oscar asked spontaneously. He rested his chin while staring blankly at his nameplate.
"What do you mean, sir?" Dani replied politely.
"Do you think I should date her longer and then marry her?" Oscar explained. The man looked at Dani's face which didn't have much expression.
"How old are you, sir?" Dani asked.
"Me? 27," Oscar replied briefly and clearly. He still rested his chin.
"I see. I think there's no need to be in a hurry. But you're already over 25, so it's time to get married," Dani said.
Oscar cleared his throat in return. He tapped his pen on the glass-covered work table daydreaming. "I'm afraid Lisa feels I'm rushing everything. I can't risk her feeling uncomfortable with me and asks for another divorce," Oscar said softly. His tone sounded sad.
"By the way Mr. Oscar, have you proposed to Miss Lisa again?" Dani asked curiously.
"I haven't formally proposed to her. I only promise that we will reconcile  tomorrow. I haven't even planned whether our wedding will be celebrated with a party!" Oscar replied.
"Mr. Oscar, if I may give you advice," Dani approached Oscar and then leaned over, "That woman really likes nice shoes, expensive bags, and brand clothes. She likes possessions, especially expensive ones! I'm sure if you buy jewelry or luxury items, Lisa will be delighted!"  
Hearing what Dani said just now seemed to offend his heart. Did he consider Lisa this shallow?  
"Dani you are so stupid, Lisa is not a materialistic woman like you think!" Oscar replied sharply. His face looked displeased at Dani's suggestion just now. Dani thought Lisa was a cheap woman who could be bought with money. No, Lisa was not Clara and she's not like most women. Even if Oscar didn't have much money, he believed Lisa would still love him until the end of his life.
Hearing Oscar's sharp words just now made Dani think, his boss didn't like his ideas and suggestions. He lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry ..."
For a moment the president's room was suddenly silent and awkward. Both Oscar and Dani were silent, busy with their own thoughts.  
"Mr. Oscar, I have other suggestions but I'm not really sure you will like it," Dani said, breaking the silence.
"Tell me, but if it's not that different from the previous one then keep it!" Oscar replied, his face looking lazy. He rolled his eyes.  
"Wait a minute sir, I haven't even told you about it. Okay, so, since Mr. Oscar said that Lisa is not materialistic like women in general, what if you don't have to buy her a fancy gift but take her to the place he likes best? Or take her to the place where you met her!" Dani explained confidently.
Instantly, Oscar's thoughts returned to the memory of the past, when he first met Lisa at the Sky Lounge. It was not a good first meeting, at least for Oscar. Previously, he really did not intend to marry Lisa, he just wanted to play with her to fulfill his unstoppable sexual desire. However, since he did not want to damage both the reputation of the company and himself, he convinced Lisa in various ways so that she would marry him. That was in the past.
Now his feelings were different. Gradually, when that man married Lisa and lived with her for almost a year, his feelings immediately turned 180 degrees. Without realizing it, the love that was previously dying slowly bloomed in his heart. Every day he always thought about her, and he couldn't get Lisa out of his mind.
"Mr. Dani please, don't be weird. My meeting with Lisa wasn't because of love!" Oscar replied sharply, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"Yes, you can take Lisa where she likes. It's up to you where you want to take her. Since Miss Lisa does not like excessive luxury, you should just take her to a simple place. Maybe dinner at a casual restaurant, or at a normal cafe?" Dani replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Isn't that too ordinary?" Oscar replied hesitantly.
"Look, have you ever seen Indonesian soap operas? Usually, the main male character takes the female character somewhere romantic but not fancy, and still their story has a happy ending! Make something simple but meaningful, I'm sure Lisa will like it," Dani added.
Oscar frowned at the ridiculous suggestion from the man who didn't seem like watching TV dramas.
"I was shocked, a big and frightening man like you like watching Indonesian soap operas?"
Dani was unable to hide his amusement, the man held back laughter from behind his grim face. "I often accompany my wife to watch soap operas. Over time I became part of watching. I'm upset with the incredibly delusional story that doesn't make sense."
"So, what should I do? Take Lisa to the Sky Lounge and propose to her again that night club?" Oscar asked, leaning his chin back and crossing his legs on the table.
"Yes, I will leave it all to you. Besides, the one who knows Lisa more deeply is you, not me. I just want to give advice, nothing more," Dani replied.
"Do I need to hold a grand party like weddings in this country in general?" Oscar asked again. The reason why he asked Dani this was because, in his country in Europe, wedding parties are not the same as in Indonesia. Wedding parties in Europe were not grand and crowded. Invited guests only consisted of family from the bride and groom plus closest friends.  
Dani scratched his chin thoughtfully. His facial expression was flat. " You can think about that problem later, though. Besides, Miss Lisa doesn't seem to like attention and big events,"
"You are right. Maybe I can discuss this with Lisa straight away," Oscar replied.


“You bastard! Because of your behavior now I'm getting drunk!"

After broke up with her previous boyfriend who had runaway with her all moneys, Lisa, an employee at a multinational company, had to fight tooth and nail to support her sick mother and her sister who was still in college.

Fed up with endless life and sad financial conditions, Lisa decides to have a one night love affair with a handsome man of European descent who turns out to be her own boss, a CEO at the company where she works.

For the sake of dwindling savings and the scorn of those who make fun of her, Lisa was forced to be willing to satisfy the CEO's wild appetite. Even Lisa began to think about agreeing to give herself up to be the wife of a wild man in order to maintain the financial stability of her family's life.

What kind of marriage would Lisa have living with a wild CEO who never stops toying with her body? What did the CEO mean to ask Lisa to marry him? Is it just to satisfy his fantasy? Or…

Lu Xingzhi could sense Jiang Yao's anxiety with her quick explanation. He offered a word of comfort, saying, "I believe in you, I know clearly how you really are." However, he couldn't help but sigh and remained silent.
His silence wasn't because of his suspicion about the possibility of hidden motives on Jiang Yao's side, but rather, he was caught by extreme surprise. He found the news unbelievable. After all, Zhao Zhuangzong was known to be very loving and affectionate towards Lu Yuqing all these years.
"You have to find a chance to talk to your sister about this matter. She has to know." 
Jiang Yao was quiet in hesitation for a while as she pondered what to say. Shen then added, "His assistant—I mean the woman—from what I can see, her belly is very big now. I assume her baby would be due soon. Zhao Zhuangzong hasn't told Yuqing anything yet so far, and he's even putting on the disguise of a loving and caring husband. What is he thinking? Does he really want to be a good husband at home while being a good father in another family? Or, would he pretend to adopt the baby once the woman gives birth and let Yuqing takes care of the out-of-wedlock child on behalf of the woman? Regardless, it will be a painful outcome for Yuqing."
"Okay, I understand. I'll talk to Yuqing," Lu Xingzhi said. He thought about the way Zhao Zhuangzong carried himself in the usual days and frowned. He must say, Zhao Zhuangzong's disguise was so tremendous and flawless that no one would ever suspect him of being a cheater at all. If it wasn't for Jiang Yao bumping into him, no one could have predicted what would happen in the future.
"Okay, good to know." Jiang Yao heaved a sigh of relief. She had been thinking about this matter for a few days already.
"I'll return to the base tonight. Call the base whenever you want to talk to me." Lu Xingzhi didn't tell Jiang Yao about the phones he would get from exploiting Zhou Weiqi. He figured it would be best to tell her after he registered the phone numbers.
Back in the room, Zhou Weiqi, who had escaped like a scaredy-cat, restored his usual comedic self. He mimicked Jiang Yao's voice calling Lu Xingzhi's name by speaking in a deafening high-pitched tone and dancing around with orchid fingers like the actresses in Peking operas.
"I don't think she knows how to sing operas," Chen Xuyao murmured as he turned his head around, ignoring Zhou Weiqi.
As they were chatting, Lu Xingzhi pushed the door open and walked in. He threw the phone to Zhou Weiqi and sat back in his seat.
Chen Xuyao felt his heart skipped a beat when he saw Lu Xingzhi's gloomy expression. It was his typical upset mode. Was it because of Zhou Weiqi's teasing that Jiang Yao had vented her anger at Lu Xingzhi?
"Xingzhi, what's the matter?" Cheng Xuyao poured tea into Lu Xingzhi's cup and asked with a pleasing smile. "Did Jiang Yao get angry after being teased by Weiqi?"
"No." Lu Xingzhi shook his head as he reached for the teacup. "She wasn't angry, she just informed me about some family matters."
"Is something going on at home?" Liang Yueze asked. "Tricky problem?"
"The tricky part is the connection of the people involved, not the problem itself," Lu Xingzhi said faintly. Then, he grabbed the car key and tapped on Zhou Weiqi's seat. "I'll head off to the base first. Zhou Weiqi, remember to send my phone to the base. Secondly, don't call and harass my wife again. If you do, I'll personally go after you."
"Yes, yes, yes! Roger that!" Zhou Weiqi muttered hastily. He didn't dare tackle the distressed tiger.
Lu Xingzhi left Longteng Restaurant and head straight to the base through the night. It was almost ten o'clock when he arrived at the base.
He didn't go directly to the dorm, but instead, he went to his office.
His office was the only room that was lit in the entire office building. Lu Xingzhi opened the drawer, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one stick skillfully.


“Commander Lu, there are rumors that we are sleeping together, we have a fling!”
He looked up from under the blanket and slowly got up. “What do you want from me?”
“Deny it, say it’s fake, stop it from spreading…”
He pushed her against the wall, blocking her mouth by a rough kiss. “Mrs. Lu, we have to substantiate the rumor.”
Before she was born again, what she had been doing was staying away from him!
After she was born again, what she always wanted to do was give him offsprings!
Lu Xingzhi strived for two personal mottos his entire life:
First, it was illegal to undermine military marriage.
Two, Jiang Yao was his in this eternity, till death do they part.


The director had nodded again and again as he spoke on the phone. The instructions he got had made his eyes glitter.
"I'm reminding you that you can find a way to convince the girl..."
Directors were always far-sighted. After several failures to convince Qin Guan, the director had decided to approach Wang Xiaoya.
The girl had promised that she would get him to come. It seemed like she would make a good matchmaker in the future.
That was why Zhou and Li had taken Qin Guan there. Their real destination was a shooting site not far away.
When he realized where they were going, Qin Guan was stupefied.
"Do you mean the exact place where the choir used to practise at primary school?"
"Exactly!"
He suddenly remembered a time when he and his friends would put flour and rouge on their faces and wear white shirts and blue pants.
"That small auditorium has remained the same?"
"Yes! Even the small hole on the floor is still there!"
Qin Guan stood up suddenly and asked, "Only one show? Is it a live one?"
"It's a recorded broadcast. We hope that's convenient for you… You know the local gala is pretty plain..."
Before Zhou could finish, he was interrupted by his friend. "What are we waiting for? Let's go! I've missed those uncomfortable folding chairs!"
Ten years before, the auditorium seats had been some wooden chairs that felt cold against one's bottom in the winter.
They all followed Qin Guan to the hall. Zhou was the last one out, so he locked the door with a smile. He is the same guy he was back then. He is still just as kind and sensitive.
After going through the scratched wooden gate, they reached the small hall of their memories. The actors, the director, the host and the gatekeeper were standing by the entrance, craning their necks around to peer at them.
As soon as they recognized Qin Guan, the director rushed over to them.
"Thank you so much for your support of the culture of Y city, comrade!" Qin Guan shook hands with him speechlessly. Actually, he had gone there just to reminisce. Suddenly, Wang Xiaoya squeezed through the crowd and rushed up to her handsome uncle.
"Uncle Qin Guan!"
"Xiaoya!"
Qin Guan hugged the little girl and lifted her up.
"See?" Li Jian whispered to Cong Nianwei. "He is ready to be a father. He is very familiar with holding children. You have been lovers for a long time. Just get married already!"
Cong Nianwei raised an eyebrow at him like a strict middle school monitor. Li shivered and moved away from her.
Qin Guan walked into the hall, surrounded by everyone.
"Our gala is a recorded broadcast, so each part can be shot multiple times. The best parts will be broadcast to the audience for entertainment purposes. We were really bold to invite you here. Our budget might be limited, but we can at least cover your cab fare..."
The director explained the situation with a plain accent. He was really afraid of offending Qin Guan, but Qin Guan felt warmth in his heart. He was deeply moved.
He is an honest man. As a citizen of Y city, I feel really optimistic!
Qin Guan put Xiaoya down and got to work.
"So which part should I take over, director?"
"Anything you like. Don't be shy. You could even recite poetry."
Qin Guan's advantage was his looks. His pretty face allowed him to do anything he wanted.
While Qin Guan was talking with the director, Wang Xiaoya was showing off.
"I'm not boasting! Uncle Qin is really coming!"
"We don't care. All he can do is sing or dance. He has nothing to do with our rehearsal. He is not some kind of god. A fashionable young man like him does not have the experience old men like us do."
The two men had sided against the little girl.
What a joke! A young man could never understand traditional folk opera!
Wang Xiaoya defended her Uncle Qin.
"Nonsense! My uncle is good at operas! He can do anything!"
What big talk!
The two old men turned their eyes to Qin Guan.
"Operas focus on heritage. What Wang Xiaoya is saying makes sense. Every year we argue over the performance, but this year we would like to retire and surrender the stage to our rising star. This will be a new era for folk opera."
"I agree with Lao Zheng. We should bid farewell to the old ways and welcome a new beginning!"


Qin Guan was reborn and sent back to his final semester in High School 18 years ago. Getting a second chance at life, he works hard to turn things around and eventually become a Prince Charming. What will his life be like the second time around? What will he have to go through? How will he succeed in turning from a loser into a Prince Charming? Read this story carefully and find out!

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