Wizard, I Have Another World – Chapter 12

Chapter 12: A Small Gathering of the Singing Troupe

Jenny was both angry and anxious.

She had finally achieved her long-cherished dream of being admitted to the Barrow Singing Troupe, earning the qualification to learn and sing within it.

Her long-standing hard work had paid off.

Yet, she hadn’t expected that the reward her mother had promised would be withdrawn.

Tonight’s banquet was very important to her.

If she could catch the attention of the troupe’s seniors, she might have the opportunity to perform on stage ahead of schedule.

“It’s only three pounds!”

Jenny sniffled, her eyes reddening:

“I’ll pay you back when I earn money. Do you want me to make a fool of myself at my first banquet?”

“Everyone else will be dressed beautifully, and your daughter will be the only one wearing rags and being laughed at?”

“It’s three pounds, not a small amount.” Mary was equally troubled:

“And joining the singing troupe is just the beginning. There are many more expenses to come. Newcomers won’t be able to earn money in a short period.”

“You’re just an apprentice now. You don’t need to dress up so fancy. A decent dress will do.”

If it were one pound, or even two pounds, she might have gritted her teeth and agreed.

But this was three pounds!

How long would it take her to earn three pounds?

How long could this money support the family’s expenses if used at home?

Mary was not unwilling to buy her daughter a dress, but the price of three pounds was indeed beyond her expectations.

She knew the things on this street were not cheap, but she didn’t expect a random dress to be so expensive.

If she refused,

her daughter would be heartbroken.

If she agreed,

the family’s finances would face difficulties.

For a moment, Mary was also caught in a dilemma.

“What a coincidence.”

At this moment, a familiar voice rang out:

“Mrs. Mary, Jenny, you’re here shopping too.”

“Karl!”

“Baron Karl!”

The mother and daughter turned around at the sound of the voice and saw Karl, dressed in his City Patrol uniform, walking out from inside.

“Yes.”

Mary forced a smile:

“I brought Jenny to take a look.”

“I heard Jenny got into the Barrow Singing Troupe?” Karl said with a smile:

“Congratulations!”

“The Barrow Singing Troupe is qualified to sing Gospel Hymns. If Jenny can perform on stage, she will surely become a distinguished guest at many banquets.”

Whether or not a troupe could sing ‘Gospel Hymns’ was a crucial distinction in judging its status.

Those who couldn’t,

could only mingle among commoners.

Many women in those troupes even ended up as prostitutes, and their reputation worsened.

The opposite was true for those who could.

Singing Gospel Hymns required the singers to maintain their physical purity; otherwise, it would be deemed disrespectful to the gods.

Only such troupes could grace ‘refined gatherings’.

“Thank you.”

Jenny lowered her head, hiding her reddened eyes:

“I’ve just joined the troupe. I have to study for a long time. I don’t know when I’ll be able to perform on stage.”

“Your voice is very unique. I believe you’ll be able to perform officially soon.” Karl said politely, then looked at the displayed dress:

“This dress looks nice.”

“Yes.”

Jenny’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said:

“I think so too. Mom was just about to buy it for me.”

As she spoke, she tugged at Mary’s sleeve.

You…

Mary’s eyes darted about in panic. She really didn’t want to buy it, but it was difficult to directly refuse her daughter at this time.

Jenny also saw this, so she took the opportunity to ‘coerce’ her with words.

“Really?”

Karl smiled:

“I haven’t given Jenny a gift for getting into the singing troupe. Why don’t I buy this for you?”

“Ah!”

Jenny’s face was filled with ecstasy, her hands covering her mouth:

“Really?”

“Of course.” Karl nodded and beckoned to the shop assistant:

“How much is it?”

“Three pounds!”

“Okay.”

“No, wait.” Seeing Karl take out his wallet to pay, Mary finally came to her senses and hurriedly said:

“I’ll buy it.”

“It’s alright.” Karl shook his head:

“I was just wondering what gift to get.”

“Jenny, you go try on the dress first. If there’s anything that doesn’t fit, have them alter it. It’ll be quick.”

“Okay.”

Jenny shook off Mary’s arm, took the dress with a grin, and walked towards the fitting room.

“I’m so sorry.”

Seeing that the matter had come to this, Mary could only apologize helplessly:

“You’ve spent so much.”

Karl waved his hand dismissively.

He had just heard the mother and daughter arguing, and since he did intend to give a gift, he simply paid for it.

Three pounds was nothing to him, but for an ordinary family, it was already a considerable sum. Although a carriage ride cost three to five pence, taking a carriage was not an expense for ordinary families.

Mary had to carefully budget every penny.

“Baron Karl.”

Emerging from the fitting room in a gorgeous dress, Jenny extended an invitation:

“Tonight, the senior members of the singing troupe are holding a banquet for the newcomers. Could you accompany me?”

“Would that be alright?”

✿✿✿

“Of course!”

Jenny’s face was full of enthusiasm:

“It would be our honor to have a nobleman attend the banquet.”

Mary, standing beside them, opened her mouth, wanting to say something but stopping herself. She had originally promised to accompany her daughter to the banquet.

“Alright then.”

Karl nodded:

“I’ll be there for sure.”

*

*

*

“Your uncle’s neighbor has a carriage. He’ll take you to the banquet. Remember to be polite.”

In the room.

Mary helped her daughter adjust her dress:

“Karl will go after he finishes work. I don’t know what time he’ll arrive. Don’t blame him if he doesn’t make it. After all, City Patrol officers have a lot to do.”

“I know.”

Jenny flicked her sleeve, somewhat impatiently:

“I’m leaving.”

“Take the money.” Mary stuffed the prepared wallet into her hand:

“You’re grown up now. You can’t go out alone without money.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Jenny gave Mary a cheerful kiss on the cheek, waved goodbye, and walked out, holding up her skirt with both hands.

This was her first formal banquet after becoming an adult, and it was a banquet for the singing troupe. She was already impatient.

Arriving at the banquet venue.

Many people were already waiting.

“Northcan!”

“Pray!”

“Jenny!”

“…”

Several newcomers greeted each other, admiring each other’s attire and waiting for the arrival of the senior members.

Not long after.

“Senior Percy!”

“Senior Oberon!”

“…”

Several senior members of the singing troupe arrived one after another.

Compared to the inexperienced newcomers, these seniors, though not much older, were more sophisticated in their demeanor.

The banquet.

Was a novelty for the newcomers.

Was commonplace for them.

However, only the relatively peripheral members of the troupe came. The true core members did not participate in this banquet, presumably because the newcomers’ status was not high enough.

“Jenny, nice dress.” Percy, the troupe’s backup lead singer, came to Jenny’s side and asked with a smile:

“It must have been expensive, right?”

“It’s alright.” Jenny was slightly reserved:

“Three gold pounds.”

“Oh!” Percy raised an eyebrow:

“I remember your family’s financial situation isn’t very good.”

“Yes.” Jenny blushed:

“A friend gave it to me.”

“A friend?” Percy subconsciously frowned:

“A male friend?”

“…” Jenny lowered her head:

“Yes.”

“Willing to spend so much money on you, it seems he’s serious.” Percy sighed and continued:

“But let me remind you, if you want to be the troupe’s lead singer in the future, you can’t get involved with men.”

“Without a pure body, many performances can’t be done.”

✿✿✿

Jenny’s expression changed slightly.

“Who’s calling for Percy!”

Just as the two were talking, a loud voice rang out.

Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a group of men in City Patrol uniforms marching over aggressively.

“I am.”

Percy hurriedly raised her hand:

“What’s the matter?”

“Yes.” The leading officer nodded:

“There’s a case that might be related to you. Come back with us for investigation.”

“Ah!”

Percy’s face turned pale:

“Right now? Can I not go?”

“What do you think?” The officer frowned, somewhat impatiently:

“We know you’re members of the Barrow Singing Troupe. If there’s no problem, you can go back tomorrow.”

“But…” Percy turned around, her eyes full of pleading.

However, everyone else had different expressions. Even her close friends averted their eyes, clearly not intending to intercede for her.

“What’s going on?”

Karl had just gotten out of the carriage when he saw this scene:

“Ham, long time no see.”

“Baron Karl.”

Officer Ham, who had been stern-faced and imposing, immediately broke into a smile upon seeing Karl:

“What a coincidence, you’re attending the banquet too?”

“Yes.”

Karl nodded:

“What’s happening here?”

“Well…” Ham hesitated for a moment before saying:

“It’s a small matter.”