A heavy raindrop remained suspended an inch from Ryan’s nose, refracting the dull academy lamps into fractured sparks. The laughter of departing students was gone, replaced by a silence so absolute it felt physical.​[Ding! The Ultimate Music God System has successfully integrated with the Host soul.]​The voice vibrated from the center of his consciousness like a harmony of silver bells.​"Who is there?" Ryan tried to ask, but his throat only produced an agonizing click.​[Host: Ryan Parker.][Status: Severely Damaged.][Vocal Integrity: 2.4 percent.][Net Worth: Twelve dollars and forty two cents.][Evaluation: A dying spark.]​Ryan stared at the translucent screen in his vision. It was real. The raw, bleeding hole where his love for Megan once lived pulsed in time with the flickering display.​"Net worth twelve dollars," Ryan muttered in his mind, a silent laugh bubbling in his chest. "I saved her life. That is all a hero is worth."​[The System detects Host despair. Commencing Nov

The morning sun illuminated the towering glass facade of the Harmonia Conservatory West Wing. This was the sanctuary of sound. The architecture was specifically designed to amplify pure talent and filter out the unworthy. For three long years, Ryan Parker had entered this building through the rusted service doors in the back alley, carrying a mop bucket and a bottle of bleach. Today, he walked through the grand revolving doors as a conqueror.​He wore the dark charcoal wool coat from the luxury boutique. In his right hand, he casually carried the custom carbon fiber vault containing the Vogue Stratus. His stride was measured, calm, and dripping with a silent authority he had never possessed before. The billion dollar balance sitting in his account was like a quiet roaring ocean beneath his calm exterior.​He approached the polished marble concierge desk in the center of the lobby. The premium acoustic suites were located on the top three floors, featuring state of the art soundproofin

Sunlight poured into the Grand Acoustic Suite, illuminating the flawless grain of the Stratus resting on Ryan Parker lap. He sat like a monarch on a conquered throne.​"You are late for rehearsal," Ryan repeated.​Logan Murphy stood frozen in the doorway, his brain rejecting the scene. This was the campus mute he had thrown money at yesterday. Yet the man in the center of the room wore bespoke wool that cost more than Logan entire outfit, casually holding an instrument money alone could not acquire.​"What are you doing in here?" Logan exploded, stepping into the suite. "How did you get past security? Did you rob a boutique after I got you fired?"​Ryan did not flinch. He ran his fingers across the strings, producing a soft hum. "I walked through the front doors, Logan. The only difference is today, people held them open for me."​Megan Harper was speechless. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stared at Ryan with terrified eyes. She took in the expensive coat and perfectly sty

The evening sky was dark, but the Harmonia Auditorium blazed with artificial daylight. Massive spotlights swept the clouds. This was the Starfall Showcase, the most important night of the year for the entertainment industry. The crimson carpet stretched from the grand marble stairs to the velvet ropes lining the street, where flashing cameras created a continuous strobe effect.​Behind the ropes, hundreds of screaming fans, bloggers, and industry executives waited eagerly. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and raw ambition.​A stretched white limousine rolled to a halt at the edge of the carpet. The driver opened the heavy door, and the crowd erupted into a deafening roar.​Logan Murphy stepped into the blinding lights wearing a glittering silver suit that screamed unearned confidence. He paused, soaking in the adulation, before pulling Megan Harper out beside him. She wore an emerald green gown that clung perfectly, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder

Victoria Price did not hesitate for a single second. She plugged the sleek silver drive directly into the master judging console. The massive digital screens dominating the back of the auditorium stage flickered wildly before stabilizing into a crystal clear video projection.​The pristine audio of the Harmonia Auditorium was instantly replaced by the muffled, hollow acoustics of a damp basement practice room. The timestamp glowing brightly in the bottom corner indicated the footage was recorded exactly three years ago.​On the massive screen, a much younger, slightly thinner Ryan Parker sat hunched over a cheap, battered electronic keyboard. His clothes were completely faded, but his eyes burned with a profound, undeniable artistic passion. Sitting cross legged on the floor right beside him was Megan Harper. She was looking up at the younger Ryan with an expression of pure, unadulterated adoration.​"You see this specific chord progression right here, Megan?" the Ryan in the video as