"But there's no need. The notes dance in my memory."

A light bulb moment hit Cara. Of course! Maria was the mastermind behind the composition, so the music was etched in her very soul.

"Ah, now it clicks... You truly are a marvel!"

Cara hesitated, still refraining from using Maria's first name.

Even though Cara realized she might be a few years older than Maria, she still maintained a deep respect for Maria.

"Clang!" The resonant sound echoed.

The Ancient Zither's strings were artfully plucked, releasing their melodious song.

From the very first note, Clare discerned a distinction between the sounds of this Ancient Zither and her expensive one.

"You get what you pay for!" she mumbled smugly.

But as that thought settled, a tidal wave of music crashed over her, drowning her in its beauty.

True to form, the melody left Clare utterly spellbound!

While the core tune bore some resemblance to what she'd rehearsed, the very soul, the artistry, and the essence were worlds apart!

It painted a vivid scene: vast legions of troops quenching their horses' thirst by a sprawling river, steeling themselves for the impending conflict.

In Clare's mind's eye, a mighty river surged forth, cleaving the landscape in two!

Beyond its roaring waters, a sea of adversaries stood, their battle cries echoing, gearing up for the looming clash.

This emotional whirlwind was a far cry from any sentiment Clare had ever felt when she strummed her prized Ancient Zither.

Clare was flabbergasted. How could someone conjure such an epic, ancient battle tableau with the mere pluck of some strings?

But against all odds, Maria had achieved just that!

After her mesmerizing performance, Maria gracefully withdrew her hands from the Ancient Zither, her fingers lingering in the air for a moment before gently settling on her knees.

The rehearsal site was so quiet. The air seemed to hold its breath.

Cara was the first one to come to her sense. As the stillness lingered in the rehearsal site, her eyes slowly blinked, breaking the spell that had held everyone captive.

Cara found herself captivated by the splendid melody that emanated from the Ancient Zither. As the enchanting notes filled the air, she couldn't help but immerse herself in its beauty, her senses attuned to every delicate nuance.

As the final notes of the performance faded into the air, Cara's reaction was quick. With a burst of energy, she leaped to her feet, her eyes shining with excitement and her heart pounding with exhilaration.

"It's so... It's fantastic! I really don't know how to describe it!"