Chapter 9: Gift of Fire
Over a month had passed.
The circus arrived at the third stop of their journey.
This city was a shade lesser than Rosac, slightly smaller in size with shorter walls, yet the shops within the city held a comprehensive array of goods.
At the city's heart lay a grand fountain square.
Xia Zuo and the troupe members, in sync with the mighty Pole Pie, began erecting peaked tents on the square.
Upon completing the grip training with the miniature elastic ball, he gained one point in strength.
Lifting things became a tad easier for him, but he remained cautiously attentive.
Whether it was the tent's wooden stakes or the ropes, the stage's soft padding or the wooden weapons, everything was handled delicately to avoid spending on repairs...
The elder sister had a clear system for this. Whoever damaged the props had to foot the bill for replacements or hire a craftsman for repairs.
Luckily, Fan Er Si handled the box containing the flame-spewing potion himself, sparing Xia Zuo and the others from lending a hand.
While Fan Er Si tinkered with the vials of potion, Xia Zuo sneaked a few glances into the box. Inside lay a set of rudimentary alchemical instruments, a small vial of pre-made flame potion, and a few boxes of elixirs.
He cast his probing spell and received startling information.
"Fan Er Si's Intermediate Flame-Spewing Potion. Ingestion causes bodily harm, deducting 180 health points within 60 minutes. While held in the mouth, it deducts 10 health points per hour. Successful consumption or use of this potion to spew flames grants experience."
180 health points in 60 minutes...
Xia Zuo glanced at his character template.
【Health】20/20 (Healthy)
20 health points would last only about 7 minutes.
This small potion, for Xia Zuo, was almost a guaranteed death sentence upon consumption.
Fortunately, it wasn't meant for drinking. It was a prop for fire-spewing acts—holding it in the mouth and expelling it was the true purpose.
Inside the potion box lay several small, thick red potions emitting a pungent odor, causing a tingling sensation in the nostrils and inducing tears in the eyes.
This potion seemed crucial, determining the intensity of the flames.
His probing spell returned a series of question marks, unable to predict even the negative effects. Clearly, his perception was too low, and his alchemical knowledge too limited.
Whenever Fan Er Si concocted the flame-spewing potion, he used only two or three drops of the red potion. For a more robust fire, he would add a few more drops.
Tonight, before the dress rehearsal, Fan Er Si unusually changed into his performance attire.
Audrey gathered the members, "Everyone, Fan Er Si wants to try a new fire-spewing act. Pole Pie, you and the clown siblings will go on later. Sneck and Xia Zuo, prepare five fire hoops and stands."
In the absence of a fire spewer, the clown siblings performed the fire hoop act, so these props were readily available.
Following Fan Er Si's gestures, Xia Zuo arranged the hoops in a circle, while Sneck coated them with flammable agents.
In previous fire-spewing acts, Fan Er Si had always stood straight, spewing flames directly without moving his feet or turning his body or head while expelling the potion.
This time, the fire-spewing process was different.
Fan Er Si stood in the center of the fire hoop, releasing a long flame first. After igniting the first hoop, he slowly turned his body.
Seeing this, Xia Zuo instinctively clenched his hands, sweat pooling in his palms.
Fan Er Si's approach was too risky.
Staying still while spewing fire was to ensure smooth exhalation, concentrating on the airflow to steadily expel the potion from the mouth.
Any slight mishap in between, like discomfort in the throat or an unstable body, could involuntarily turn the exhale into an inhale. Instantly, the flames would recoil, scorching the spewer severely.
As it turned out, Fan Er Si's control over the fire was stronger than anticipated.
The stream of water gushing from his mouth suddenly surged, intensifying the flames. Fan Er Si swiftly spun a full circle, instantly igniting the remaining four hoops.
Standing amidst the blazing circles, he raised both arms high, celebrating the significant breakthrough in his fire-spewing act.
At that moment, something peculiar seemed to emanate from this bald man surrounded by flames.
A distinct charm unique to fire spewers took root in Xia Zuo's heart.
He widened his eyes, envisioning a scene of fiery encirclement, reveling in the joy of creating and engulfing in flames.
"I've decided. I want to become a fire spewer," Xia Zuo resolved within himself.
With the aid of the "Undying Body" talent, even if burned by raging flames, he'd be unharmed. As long as his health was replenished, his body would be completely restored. Losing hair or eyebrows or even sustaining damage to his throat wouldn't be an issue.
Rather than investing time and effort in less lucrative circus acts, it was better to make the most of the "Undying Body" talent, endure some hardships, and master the art of fire-spewing.
Well, the training process might be quite painful, but compared to the coins and experience gained, it was all worthwhile.
The fiery gleam in Xia Zuo's eyes gradually dimmed, but his determination shone brighter in his gaze.
Only after the fire hoops naturally extinguished did Audrey approach Fan Er Si. "How was it? Are you sure it's safe?"
Fan Er Si nodded vigorously, making affirmative gestures.
"Do you want to replace the roast chicken with this act or add it after the chicken?" Audrey called Sneck to retrieve the fire hoops.
Fan Er Si clenched both fists, bringing them together.
"Counting the warm-up act, that's three performances. What about setting the ticket price for the fire-spewing act at 12 copper coins?" Audrey calculated, gesturing with her fingers.
Fan Er Si made reassuring gestures before departing backstage.
"Xia Zuo, could you update the price list?" Audrey turned to the lad who had come back to reality from the performance.
"Got it, big sis."
As Xia Zuo exited the low tent, besides his admiration for fire-spewing, there was also an anticipation for the earnings from this show.
Tickets for the fire-spewing act sold the best; many came specifically to witness Fan Er Si's performance. There was no worry about not selling tickets at a higher price.
Originally priced at 8 copper coins, the tickets for the fire-spewing act had increased by 50% to 12 copper coins. This would substantially increase the circus's ticket revenue and upgrade experience.
...
The next morning—
Xia Zuo pinned the new price list onto the carriage.
After updating the prices, he even sketched a simple drawing to promote the new fire-breathing act: a bald figure, arms raised high amidst a circle of flames.
This inspiration struck during last night's rehearsal.
Perhaps the promotional artwork had its effect, or maybe the residents were tired of the old fire displays, but surprisingly, tickets after the price hike sold out even faster!
By dusk, with plenty of tickets left for the first three shows, the fire act's tickets were sold out in advance.
Xia Zuo had to put up a "Temporarily Closed" sign and hurried to inquire with the troupe leader backstage.
As he drew aside the curtain of the small tent, he found Fan Er Si sipping a light blue potion, while Sneck, about to go on stage, was murmuring to a green snake.
Xia Zuo nodded at the two and the snake, then went straight to the changing room to speak with the troupe leader behind the curtain.
One minute later, Audrey changed into her performance outfit and stood before the fire breather. "Fan Er Si, your act is a hit. Tickets are sold out. Do you want to add extra shows? I'll have Clown Sister warm up the crowd for you."
Fan Er Si pondered for a few seconds and gestured to add two more shows.
"Xia Zuo, use spare blank wooden chips as tickets for the additional shows. Hurry," the troupe leader said.
"Alright, troupe leader."
...
2000 copper coins! That was today's ticket revenue, equal to the first day's earnings in Rosac City.
Fan Er Si's personal earnings approached 1000 copper coins, with over 400 coming from those two solo performances.
As usual, Xia Zuo handed over his earnings to Audrey for safekeeping. After everyone left, he expressed his desire to learn fire-breathing to the troupe leader.
Audrey had long noticed the boy's interest in fire-breathing.
She cupped his face in her hands and rubbed it firmly. "Kid, fire-breathing requires talent."
"Talent?" Xia Zuo blinked.
Audrey brought out two bags of equal size, filling one with air. "Inhale from this bag first."
Xia Zuo sealed his mouth around the inflated bag, trying to fill his lungs as much as possible. Eventually, he managed to inhale most of the air but not completely.
Audrey flattened the other bag, expelled all the air, and then aimed it at the boy's mouth, sealing the gap between the bag's mouth and his lips with her hands. "Exhale forcefully, expel all the air in your body."
"Phewww!" Xia Zuo's face turned red as he exerted all his strength to compress his lungs.
The airflow from his mouth inflated the flattened bag! "Ahahaha! I didn't expect you to have the talent for fire-breathing!"
Audrey laughed joyfully, opened her arms, and hugged the boy, lifting him up for a spin.
Just after exhaling, before he could catch his breath, Xia Zuo found himself plunged back into the bag.
He struggled out of her amazing embrace, leaning on his knees, panting heavily. "Troupe leader, why did you say I have fire-breathing talent?"
Excitement gleamed in Audrey's eyes as she refilled the bag with air. "Let's try again, just to make sure."
After a half-minute break, the dizziness from forcefully expelling air subsided.
Collaborating with the troupe leader, Xia Zuo repeated the test, achieving the same result: though he'd only inhaled half a bag of air, he could exhale a full one!
Now, even the bewildered Xia Zuo felt elated.
No elemental affinity, but potential to become a fire-breather!
Awesome! Not everything's going wrong after all!
Audrey stared at the boy, her eyes sparkling like she'd found a treasure trove, her voice trembling with excitement:
"When people breathe, they unintentionally retain a small amount of air in their bodies.
"Only extremely rare individuals can exhale this stored air. Most people, no matter how hard they try, cannot expel this air.
"Whether one has the talent for fire-breathing entirely depends on utilizing this stored air!
"Kid, you've truly surprised me..."
No one understood better than her how vital a self-trained fire-breather was for the circus.
And Xia Zuo was diligent and responsible.
Selling tickets, accounting for money, lifting and moving things, cooking, he tackled everything earnestly, more nimble and quick to learn than anyone else.
In his leisure time, instead of frolicking in the streets like other kids, he stayed in the inn diligently reading.
From the depths of her heart, Audrey believed that this boy was a gift fate had bestowed upon the circus, encountered unexpectedly on a forest path.
"Xia Zuo."
Audrey hugged the boy again, planting a firm kiss on his forehead: "Do you want to learn fire-breathing? I swear, I'll stand by every one of your training sessions, ensuring you won't get injured like Fan Er Si. I can also help you exchange for fire-breathing tutorials and tools from the Warrior's Guild."
Audrey gazed into the boy's black eyes. "As long as you're a member of the circus, those tutorials and tools will always be yours."
"I want to learn fire-breathing, and I love the circus life, wanting to make a living with everyone. But, troupe leader, why shouldn't I learn from Fan Er Si?"
Leaning against the tumultuous waves, Xia Zuo felt the warmth of the embrace.
Audrey affectionately stroked the boy's black hair. "Fan Er Si got his from the Warrior's Guild too. He can't talk, so it wouldn't be convenient for him to teach you. I'd rather prepare everything myself and personally teach you."
Xia Zuo heaved a sigh of relief.
Before, he had conflicting feelings about learning fire-breathing, a mixture of longing and reluctance. Now, that turmoil had completely dissipated.
After all, studying under someone with a tendency to steal would bring tremendous mental pressure.
Now, without this obstacle looming ahead, the process of learning fire-breathing would be much more relaxed.
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