Chapter 19: Life Like Flames
Roughly half an hour later, Xia Zuo strolled onto the street carrying a vial.
Apart from the more concentrated Blaze Solvent and Fireguard Oil, Taelus had also selected a rather obscure elixir for him.
One had to admit, those who attended the Mage Academy had an entirely different level of knowledge and breadth of thinking.
"The Flame Dye Solvent. Adding this solvent to the flame-spouting elixir will produce flames of different colors. Ingesting this elixir causes bodily harm, an estimated deduction of 10 health points within 60 minutes. When held in the mouth, deducts 2 health points per hour."
Taelus presented three types of flame dye: purple, green, and white.
Following the color-mixing formula inside the vial, Xia Zuo could create six distinct colors.
Adding to the regular red flames, he could produce a total of seven different colors of flames.
This would be a novelty unseen in the Rosack Province, an exclusive spectacle only available in the capital city of Starry Night.
Xia Zuo chuckled as he walked down the street, already envisioning the audience's ecstatic reaction.
Before leaving the apothecary, he inquired with Taelus if he could share the latest information on Elemental Affinity with Audrey.
Taelus reverted to his usual taciturn middle-aged demeanor, scribbling down accounts and waving his arms to shoo Xia Zuo out of the shop: "What elemental affinity information? I have no idea what you're talking about. Did you hear this in the tavern?"
Xia Zuo smirked knowingly; indeed, there was no need to withhold anything from Audrey.
The elder sister was always well-informed; she might have heard rumors long before, maybe even knew the third-in-command at the Pietek Fortress.
At that very moment, a military messenger who had traveled hundreds of kilometers from the Pietek Fortress dashed into Rosack City.
This dusty messenger, upon entering the city, spotted the circus flag atop the peaked tent.
Hurriedly, he dropped a letter at the backstage of the circus, brushed past Xia Zuo, and made a beeline for Rosack Castle.
As Xia Zuo stepped into the low tent, Audrey had just finished reading the newly arrived letter.
"Take a look at this. A rare piece of good news."
Audrey handed the letter to Xia Zuo, turning to announce loudly to the other members, "Everyone, everyone~ another big deal has come our way. The conflict near Pietek Fortress has concluded, and the commander there invites us for another performance!"
"Yaho~!"
The clown siblings let out joyous odd cries, drowning Sneck and Pol Pie's cheers.
Last time, performing at Pietek Fortress for a month fetched them more than twice the usual income, without the need to frequently change locations. It was indeed the dream job for the circus.
Xia Zuo perused the letter, secretly relieved.
The rogues in the underground, the alchemists, and the bandits were not allied, but they had a close working relationship.
Thanks to the Fat Mage aiding the Pietek Fortress soldiers, they had captured one such rogue alchemist.
Within a minute of being caught, the man discreetly swallowed lethal poison and met his demise.
However, all his belongings were retained.
Letters exchanged with the bandits, diaries on potion development, records of a surviving boy's lineage—all remained intact on the desk in the underground.
The castle's troops followed the trail, demolishing nearly ten covert dens of bandits, successfully quelling the disorder in the southern Rosack Province.
Batch after batch of bandits found themselves on the town's guillotine and gallows. The executioner tirelessly sent them off day and night, the faint scent of blood pervading the streets...
Audrey pocketed the letter close to her person. Meeting Xia Zuo's gaze, they both inadvertently shared a smile.
Apart from the performance, this trip to Pietek Fortress also entailed collecting rewards from the castle.
Perhaps these rewards would be even more bountiful than the performance earnings!
...
A fortnight later, at dusk.
Inside a small reception room on the third floor of Pietek Castle.
Alchemy lamps cast a soft orange glow, illuminating precious ornaments displayed in glass cabinets along the walls, adding grandeur to the room carpeted in red.
Audrey sat to the side, clasping her hands on her ample thighs, gazing at two figures standing opposite each other not too far away.
"Xia Zuo, brave child, the intelligence you provided for Pietek Fortress holds extraordinary significance."
Wilson, donning a brown military robe with a stand-up collar, adorned with three gleaming gold medals on his chest, had a solemn countenance and spoke gravely.
"After deliberation by the Rosack Council, it has been decided that I shall confer upon you the commendation."
Wilson lifted a scroll bound with a red ribbon from the table behind him.
"This is the first reward, a certificate of citizenship for Rosack Province. As per the 'Starry Night Kingdom Citizenship Management Ordinance,' any commoner recorded in the historical archives of any province is eligible for citizenship."
Xia Zuo's eyes brimmed with confusion and puzzlement upon hearing Wilson's mention of citizenship, which seemed different from what he had imagined.
First, he accepted the scroll, then inquired, "Uncle Wilson, what do you mean by citizenship?"
Wilson smiled gently, explaining in simple, understandable terms.
Instantly, Xia Zuo's eyes lit up; he swiftly picked up the pen from the table and left his clearest, neatest signature on the citizenship document.
"Detected change in host's 'Identity.' Character template updated, adding advanced entries related to 'Identity.' As entered into the historical records of Rosack Province, gained +1 Charisma attribute. Unlocked 1 'Character Skill.'"
'Identity': Flame Performer
'Citizenship': Starry Night Kingdom, Rosack Province
Acquiring citizenship means your personal information is registered in the local archives of your homeland.
When meeting the people of Starry Night Kingdom for the first time, revealing your citizenship origin grants a higher initial favorability.
'Charisma': 3+1→4 (As your significant contribution is recorded in the historical records of Rosack Province. Your deeds will be known to all who join the Warrior's Guild or the Mage Academy.)
'Character Skill'
'Greeting Etiquette - Starry Night Kingdom': Within the territory of Starry Night Kingdom, introducing oneself as "I am Xia Zuo from Rosack" grants a temporary +1 Charisma effect during the first encounter. The effect lasts until the end of the initial meeting.
In the previous life, citizenship and identity were obtained at birth, but for the commoners of this world, citizenship was an unattainable entity.
Before acquiring citizenship, anyone introducing themselves could only say, "I am from such-and-such place," instead of, "I am who I am from such-and-such place."
A simple change in phrasing, regulated strictly by laws.
Those without merits to the provincial council or the kingdom couldn't put their citizenship before their names.
In many cases, the citizenship document served as a civic certificate or a travel permit.
For instance, this heavily guarded Pietek Castle.
Until today, if Xia Zuo had wished to enter the castle alone, he would have
faced stringent interrogation. Even if he spoke the truth, he might not have gained entry.
Yet, after obtaining citizenship, displaying his certificate would enable the guards to fulfill his requests within their authority.
"Xia Zuo, this is the second reward; you may choose one from within."
Wilson took out two thin booklets and placed them on the table.
They were the deeds of Rosac Castle and Piek Fortress.
Rosac Castle's deed was for a small cottage, while the fortress had a small house with a backyard.
Xia Zuo glanced at Wilson's expectant expression, knowing that the house in the fortress was added by the old man.
He hadn't forgotten Wilson's words when they first met, the man keen on recruiting Xia Zuo into Piek Fortress's army.
"That won't be possible. I'm headed to the Starry Night Academy to become a mage. Even when I get to the capital, I might not come to such a remote place as Piek Fortress..."
Internally apologizing, Xia Zuo acted oblivious to Wilson's intentions and promptly took the deed for Rosac Castle.
Wilson remained composed, chuckling self-deprecatingly. "A house with a backyard can't compare to Rosac Castle's cottage. Seems like Piek Fortress isn't quite your fancy."
Audrey stepped forward, patting Xia Zuo's shoulder. "Hehe, this little fellow is already aware of the changes at the Starry Night Academy. Just wanting to keep him in the army won't be enough."
Seemingly aware of his defeat, Wilson laughed, "News spreads fast. Those with innate affinity will now be admitted to the Starry Night Academy; that's indeed a good thing. Enrollment used to be stringent, and mages were too few. Perhaps even the fortress's army might have accompanying battle mages in the future."
Glancing at Xia Zuo with a cunning look, Wilson continued, "When that happens, I'll ask the commander to issue a bounty at the academy. What do you think, kid?"
"If the reward isn't high, I won't take it. Hehe..."
Xia Zuo replied with a smile, exchanging pleasantries before leaving the castle with Wilson and Audrey.
...
The next morning marked the beginning of a month-long performance.
As Xia Zuo ascended the stage, a belt laden with vials filled with different-colored fire-breathing elixirs encircled his waist.
Within the transparent glass, flowed fiery elixirs of varied hues, each liquid corresponding to a flame's color.
Approaching the audience, Xia Zuo randomly selected an adorable child and spewed forth a white flame.
"Wow! A white flame! Dancing like butterflies, it's so adorable."
The child clutched the adult's arm in excitement.
A flame of unseen color naturally held immense allure, quieting the previously bustling audience.
Above the pointed tent, a ventilated skylight allowed bright sunlight to stream through, casting several radiant beams onto the performance arena.
Standing amidst the beams, Xia Zuo ingested a more intense fire-breathing elixir.
"Hoo~"
A white flame spurted diagonally from within the beam.
The fire-breathing performance seemed akin to a contemplative ritual seeking solace.
A serene aura extended from the dancing white flames, permeating the hearts of the audience.
As Xia Zuo continued breathing flames for over ten seconds, he unexpectedly noticed many in the audience lost in reminiscences.
Glancing towards the backstage, behind the curtains, several pairs of eyes expressed a complex mix of anticipation and reluctance.
Xia Zuo replenished the elixir.
The white flames intertwined with sunlight, their radiant embrace resembling intertwined partners unwilling to part.
His departure was inevitable, though there were still months left as a buffer.
The troupe members witnessed his transformation from a rustic boy to a fire-breather.
Sneck couldn't shake off the image of Xia Zuo collapsing by the roadside as if it happened just yesterday.
Pole Pie vividly remembered lifting Xia Zuo from the muddy grass into the carriage.
That frail boy, so light in weight, seemed capable in the blink of an eye.
The Clown Siblings' eyes reddened, tears silently cascading down their cheeks.
Audrey, trying to maintain composure, occasionally wiped away her tears.
The more she spent time with Xia Zuo, the more she realized his potential shouldn't be confined to the limitations of Rosac, nor squandered within the circus.
The Starry Night Academy was indeed lowering its admission standards; a new assessment would commence in a maximum of three months.
This news had spread across every nook of the fortress earlier today.
For youths who, post-adulthood, would no longer solely join the Warrior Guild, all unpracticed in Breath Techniques could retest their elemental affinities in the testing stations of each city during June and July annually.
Those already practicing Breath Techniques were no longer suitable due to hidden injuries within them, rendering them unfit for transitioning to Meditation Techniques.
Xia Zuo's departure from the circus bore witness to the birth of a new generation of mages.
"White is the radiance of the sun."
Xia Zuo breathed out a lengthy white flame.
"Green embodies abundant vitality."
"Purple represents inevitable trials."
"The fiery red blaze symbolizes our will to overcome adversity."
He produced an indigo elixir, a blend of green and white, "This is the color of storms, pacifying our rage and soothing our wounds."
"After the storm, we will once again witness the eternal brilliance of sunlight!"
The grand white fireball concluded the performance, the applause echoing endlessly.
Audrey pulled Sneck and the others onto the stage, holding Xia Zuo's hand, bowing to the audience.
"A distinctive performance, kid. You need to give it a name."
Audrey's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she looked at Xia Zuo.
"Let's call it 'Life as Flames.'"
Setting aside the thoughts of information from the floating golden finger, Xia Zuo gently embraced Audrey, "Thank you, big sis, for helping me become a fire-breather."
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