Chapter 18: Affinity of the Future
The circus thrived within an atmosphere of harmony, each passing day a joyful symphony that, much like whispered dreams, danced fleetingly away.
Five months had waltzed by since their departure from the bastion of Pyec, the circus meandering through the northern expanse of Rosak.
They lingered for a stretch of 2 to 6 days at every outpost they encountered—be it a hamlet housing no more than a hundred souls or a bustling town of several thousand. Each settlement was graced by the spectacle the circus unfurled.
Though each performance garnered less income, the frequency had multiplied manifold.
Xia Zuo had particularly suggested to Audrey to augment the audience count for the fire-breathing act, thus enhancing the efficiency of their skill acquisition.
Overall, the gains were satisfactory.
[Identity Level]
Novice → Apprentice → Proficient Fire Breather
Spewing flames, small (0.5 meters), and medium-sized flames (1 meter) yielded experience ranging from 50% to 80%. Emitting strong flames (2 meters) and large fireballs (3 meters) reaped 100% and 120% experience, respectively.
[Promotion Criteria]
Under the witness of at least 40 unfamiliar spectators, sustaining strong flame emission for more than 10 seconds, achieving an average audience satisfaction rate of 85% or higher thrice in a row, would warrant elevation to the status of an expert fire breather.
[Identity Bonus] Level 3 fire resistance; a 1.5% increase in fire resistance.
[Level] LV.5 → LV.8
[Experience] 0.2/800
[Perception] 3 → 4 (Enhancement from carriage driving)
Ascending from level 5 to 6 merely bestowed a single free attribute point. However, progressing from level 6 to 8 granted two free attribute points on each occasion, leaving Xia Zuo with a total of five free attribute points.
A meager advancement of three levels over five months averaged around 200 points per month—an inadequate pace for the forthcoming upgrade in four months. The rate of experience acquisition lagged behind the requisites for progression.
Xia Zuo direly needed to bolster the intensity of the fire-breathing act.
He devised a plan to exclusively employ strong flames, eschewing all other forms of fire breathing. Sustaining a continuous burst of strong flames throughout the five-minute stage performance, occasionally accentuated by more potent fireballs, aimed to elevate the spectacle to its zenith.
This strategy not only heightened the hourly experience but also augmented audience satisfaction, a modest leap in efficiency.
Achieving this goal wasn't arduous. It entailed striking a balance between the rate of energy consumption and regeneration while maintaining control over his vitality. If need be, an additional point could be allocated to vigor.
The crux of it all lay in the composition of the fire-breathing elixir.
While commonplace supplies adorned towns and villages, the volatile fire-breathing elixir was exclusively procurable in the confines of Rosak City.
At Xia Zuo's behest, today marked the circus's long-awaited return to Rosak—signaling the conclusion of their cyclical performances spanning nearly half a year.
...
Rosak City flourished as ever.
Xia Zuo, laden with thoughts, stepped into the Starry Night Apothecary, eyes scanning the array of incendiary elixirs, his expression a tapestry of contemplation.
"You, young one, part of Audrey's Circus, aren't you? I remember your visit here," the apothecary owner leaned against the counter, a smile gracing his features as he observed the pensive lad.
"Yes, indeed. I'm a fire breather now," Xia Zuo replied, turning his head toward the owner.
The apothecary's tone carried a tint of admiration. "Quite an achievement. How is your fire-breathing prowess? You've been standing here for a while; are you concocting a new mixture for your fire breath?"
"To be frank, that's precisely what I'm doing."
Interrupted mid-thought, Xia Zuo didn't seem perturbed. Seeking inspiration from a more seasoned individual, the middle-aged man managing the apothecary seemed precisely that.
Xia Zuo gazed at the apothecary owner, suddenly caught in a mesmerizing stillness.
Somehow, the figure seemed different from his previous impressions.
Adorned in the standard robe of the Starry Night Academy, a base of black akin to the night sky bedecked with specks of shimmering stars, silver-white cords cinched at the waist held several fragrant pouches.
His appearance was unremarkable—a plain countenance beneath ash-grey hair, features soft and unassuming.
At first glance, there seemed nothing extraordinary, merely an ordinary proprietor of an apothecary.
Xia Zuo involuntarily locked eyes with him, drawn by the profound silence echoing within those ancient well-like eyes.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Taelus Meisou, owner of this Starry Night Apothecary in Rosak City. You may call me Taelus."
"I am Xia Zuo."
As they lightly shook hands, Xia Zuo subtly probed:
[Character Name] Taelus Meisou
[Identity] Rosak City's Starry Night Apothecary Owner, ???
[Health] ??? (Healthy)
[Resistance] ???
[Strength] 4
[Agility] 6
[Endurance] 3
[Vitality] 3
[Perception] 9
[Willpower] 7
[Spirit] 22
[Charisma] 8-7 (Affected by an unknown effect)
[Character Specialty] ???
[Character Skills]
[????] Reduces the perception of surrounding targets by 7 points, decreases self-charisma by 7 points, effect persists until actively terminated.
Xia Zuo's pupils abruptly contracted.
22 points in spirit!
Could this be yet another resident mage of the city?
Unlike the rotund mage in Pyec, this Taelus Meisou carried an air of understated modesty, and his overall attributes surpassed even that.
Taelus seemed to anticipate the other's reaction, wearing a faint smile as he spoke, "Tell me about your troubles. Perhaps I can be of help. Consider it a pre-sales consultation, no extra charge."
Xia Zuo shifted his gaze to the showcase in front, "I wish to concoct a more potent fire-breathing concoction, one that carries both the power of flames and low toxicity."
Taelus folded his arms, "Can you currently breathe out flames up to 1 meter long?"
"Of course. In fact, I can maintain a steady stream of flames up to 2 meters long," Xia Zuo replied confidently.
Shrugging, Xia Zuo gestured to his mouth and throat, "Before my mate starts complaining, spewing out flames at a length of 3 meters isn't an issue."
Taelus, somewhat amazed, gestured to the counter's barrier, "Could you demonstrate this in the backyard? There are tools readily available. It's my first time witnessing someone unleash 3 meters of flames without practicing breath control, especially someone seemingly not yet of age."
Xia Zuo nodded and followed him to the backyard.
With practiced skill, he concocted a vial of fire-breathing potion with 3 drops of intense fire solvent and effortlessly breathed out flames over 3 meters in length.
After several attempts, Taelus finally believed Xia Zuo's claims.
"Xia Zuo, do you know how the intense fire solvent enhances the power of flames?" Taelus paced slowly in the backyard, continuing as if in self-dialogue, "The solvent makes the potion easier to ignite. The most immediate manifestation is the starting point of the flames getting closer to your mouth."
Startled by the reminder, Xia Zuo hadn't paid attention to this detail until now.
He prepared a vial of fire-breathing potion without adding the intense fire solvent, alternating between using these two different potions for flame-spewing.
With the intense fire solvent, the flames started about 10 centimeters from his mouth. The more added, the closer it got.
Without the solvent, the flames started at least 20 centimeters away.
Once Xia Zuo finished the experiment, Taelus gestured a circle on his face, "The closer the flames, the more your face is susceptible to high-temperature effects like peeling and cracking. It's an inevitable downside of breathing out flames."
Approaching Xia Zuo, Taelus scanned his smooth face, "However, your skin looks remarkably hydrated and flawless, showing no signs of heat damage."
Thinking his superior recovery rate had been noticed again, Xia Zuo's body involuntarily shuddered.
It seemed incredibly easy for someone highly perceptive to catch one off guard.
However, Taelus' following words left him in a mix of shock and delight.
Walking a circle around the slightly dazed Xia Zuo, Taelus finally stood in front of him, speaking calmly, "Several months ago, the Starry Night Academy discovered significant biases in their past methods of detecting elemental affinities.
"In truth, elemental affinity comprises two parts: the ability to discover and control elements, and the capacity to resist energy damage, much like your own."
"The academy termed the former as 'innate affinity' and the latter as 'acquired affinity.'"
"The previous detection methods solely focused on innate affinity, never delving into acquired affinity."
"This directly resulted in a substantial number of individuals, like yourself, possessing some form of acquired affinity, being overlooked until they honed their breath control, unlocking their innate affinity."
Fearing Xia Zuo might not understand the terms, Taelus meticulously explained each one.
Xia Zuo stared, thoughts swirling in his mind.
He first remembered Audrey's words of comfort, then turned his attention to his character template.
【Fire Resistance】1.5%
Wasn't this what Taelus referred to as the ability to resist energy damage?
Wasn't this the acquired fire affinity?
"So... I already possess some form of affinity, though it's only an acquired one earned through rigorous training."
Eyes shimmering, Xia Zuo stared at his hands, murmuring to himself.
"Can I go to the Starry Night Academy then?"
Taelus nodded slowly amidst Xia Zuo's expectant gaze, "The academy is developing new detection instruments. Give it at most half a year, and detection stations across the region will test all young individuals who haven't practiced breath control."
Within half a year, he could head to the Starry Night Academy... much sooner than anticipated.
Xia Zuo's eyes flickered, taking a few deep breaths to calm his excitement.
"Thank you, Taelus."
Taelus inclined his chin southward, "You should also thank the resident city mage of Piecetown. If he hadn't mentioned you to me, I probably wouldn't have sought you out. Nevertheless, even if I hadn't said anything, you could have gone to the academy within half a year."
Huh? Xia Zuo blinked, unexpectedly raising his estimation of that sleazy, fat mage; he had a kinder side. Internally, his opinion of him improved slightly.
"I suppose you've guessed it. I'm the resident city mage of Rosack. Just getting on in years, couldn't stand the solitude within the castle, hence opening a potion shop on the bustling streets."
Taelus patted Xia Zuo's arm, "Keep it between us, don't spread it around."
"No problem, Lord Taelus. My lips are famously sealed," Xia Zuo assured.
Having unexpectedly gained information on elemental affinity, Xia Zuo felt incredibly upbeat, harboring a newfound fondness for the discreet Taelus.
"Come along. Let's find some potions in the shop that suit you."
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