One-Eyed Monster

As soon as the word ”Circus” escaped from Kadi’s mouth, the eyes of the big guy brightened even more.

This reaction from the big guy made Igor and Kadi’s hearts tremble slightly. In that moment, they understood the position the Circus holds in the minds of all Non-professionals. The Alchemy Workshop is just a name; the Circus is the real presence among them. These Non-professionals might never get a chance to visit an Alchemy Workshop to witness the elegance of an Alchemist, but they can see the Circus perform anytime.

So when Kadi mentioned the Circus, the big guy could no longer hide his inner longing!

”I hope the Circus can help my brother recover his memory!” Kadi continued his performance, fully immersed in the act. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he had endured numerous tragic events.

Igor took over the harp and awkwardly fiddled with it, this being his genuine reaction. Still, under Kadi’s influence, it seemed like part of the act. Few could act so convincingly, leaving the musical instrument vendor and his assistants stunned.

It’s understood that a wandering bard in their eyes should play any instrument, whether a grand piano or a small recorder, seamlessly. No more than a few Gudu Times pass before they create beautiful music.

Yet here stood this person, clueless about handling the harp, like facing an unfamiliar object.

”Oh, what a pitiable fellow!”

”Indeed, a wandering bard forgetting how to play instruments—truly pitiful!”

The instrument vendor and assistants voiced their sympathy, feeling compassionate towards such a wandering bard. The instrument vendor even forgot the stereotype of bards being cheats, now only seeing a talented bard unable to recall anything sadly. This sorrow flooded out his compassion, strangely appearing in a merchant’s nature, causing a sudden impulse.

Impulse arrives unconsciously, always awaiting an opportunity—in this case, Kadi’s performance provided it. An impulse grasps moments for instant excitement; after people unleash it, it stands amused as the regret arrives afterward…

Like now, when the impulse amusedly watched the inner regret of the instrument vendor…

The harp was gifted to Igor—resulting from impulse—and led by unexplained sympathy’s chain reaction.

This made Igor feel uneasy, feeling like he and Kadi appeared as scammers, with Kadi as the master, and Igor as the assistant—neither viewed as good-natured.

Igor thought it necessary to discuss this with Kadi, believing Kadi’s approach was slightly off…

But now, to maintain the setting, Igor could only go along with Kadi’s narrative.

The future would bring what it may, but for now, the play must continue.

Igor felt he should consider giving the instrument vendor coins for the harp, seeing regret clearly on the vendor’s face.

The gift was given generously, but afterward, things seemed different…

Kadi continued his dialogue, cleverly weaving others’ words into his own. Through Kadi’s probing, the big guy shared everything he felt about the Circus.

The big guy was named Quinn, a genuinely honest person. He once aspired to be a Fighter but was ultimately judged unfit for the Adventurers with Class. Without other skills, he could only rely on his muscles and strength for work, taking roles as a loader, a blacksmith’s apprentice, and a lumberjack. Now, he found himself as a merchant’s assistant, moving goods.

Quinn said all jobs were tough: merchant’s work involved lighter tasks but earned less than being a loader. His greatest hope remained becoming a Fighter, serving the Empire.

Kadi wondered, does not being an Adventurer with Class mean you can’t serve the Empire?

Quinn revered the Circus, seeing it as a place to realize dreams. There, Quinn believed he might transcend the boundaries between Adventurers with Class and Non-Adventurers, becoming the Fighter he aspired to be.

”Do you think the Circus can help you achieve that dream?” Kadi asked. ”I used to think the same, but look at me—I can’t face others like this!”

”The Circus doesn’t care how unusual you look; they embrace everyone!” Quinn replied, viewing the Circus as sacred.

”I too wish to approach the Circus you speak of!” Kadi expressed genuinely. From Quinn’s words, Kadi realized the Circus accepted all walks of life. Kadi wondered if it housed creatures like him—if he could find belonging there!

Kadi kept pondering this notion, his mind filled with thoughts about finding the Circus…

”I think you both are quite lucky!” big guy Quinn suddenly remarked.

His words puzzled Igor and Kadi. What did luck have to do with this?

Puzzled glances turned towards Quinn, causing him slight embarrassment: ”Hehe, don’t look like that. I said you’re lucky because you can see the Circus today!”

”Today?” Kadi asked, surprised, looking at Quinn. ”Where?”

”In this city, the Circus just arrived, constructing their performance tent within the sanctioned area by the City Administrative Office. Their convoy attracted many to watch!”

”Really?” Kadi couldn’t believe it.

”Of course! Why else is this marketplace still sparse with people? Everyone’s gone to see the Circus!” the musical instrument vendor slowly replied, still distressed over giving away that harp.