One-Eyed Monster

Igor and Kadi joined the Star Circus just like that.

This was something they never expected. The process was so simple that they couldn’t believe it themselves.

They had thought joining a circus would be complex, at least the captain would carefully assess them, or at the very least, know what kind of skills the new members had! But reality always deviates greatly from expectations. They never thought that Captain Stanley would let them join without any assessments. It was simply unbelievable.

However, it wasn’t a bad thing for Igor and Kadi. They had this plan all along, and now everything was going according to plan. As long as they didn’t act foolishly or deliberately expose their undercover identity, everything could proceed step by step.

Now, Captain Stanley was leading Igor and Kadi to slowly get familiar with the circus.

This was a necessary step for newcomers joining the group. In any industry, newcomers must familiarize themselves with the environment and team on the first day. Usually, this job is done by someone insignificant, but it’s rare to see a captain personally leading two newcomers to familiarize with the environment...

Normally, newcomers receiving such treatment would be flattered, because it’s rare for a captain to personally lead a newbie to get acquainted with the environment. However, Igor and Kadi were no ordinary people, and they couldn’t be evaluated with ordinary thinking.

Igor and Kadi slowly followed the leisurely Stanley, listening to Stanley repetitively narrate the history of their circus. Of course, this history was glorious, highlighting the shining moments of the Star Circus, such as performing for a certain prince at a certain time or taking the stage at the Empire’s grand stage, among others. Stanley, hunched over, spoke slowly as if talking to himself. Walking behind him, Igor and Kadi didn’t speak, feeling as if they were infected by the old man’s pace, sensing time slowing down. What originally took one Gudu to walk now took three or four Gudu Times.

”The development of our Star Circus to this day relies on everyone working together. This is not my achievement alone,” Stanley said slowly, giving the two youths time to digest the long history he’d just shared.

They had just stepped out of the tent... the process was exceedingly long...

Igor and Kadi walked out of the tent slowly, the glaring sunlight making them slightly uncomfortable. Although it was approaching evening, the sun was still fiercely bright. Perhaps Stanley’s tent was just too dim...

Then Igor and Kadi were amazed to see their captain, Stanley, gradually straighten his body. The previously hunched figure vanished without a trace, transforming from a sloppy silhouette into a neat and tall figure...

The entire transformation happened in an instant, and Igor and Kadi could even feel the steam rising rapidly around Stanley.

”Oh, you can’t be so leisurely when there’s work to be done. Hurry up, I’ll introduce you to the various members, and then you can start getting into your roles,” Stanley urged with a slight sense of impatience, resembling someone urging a horse forward with a whip...

Igor and Kadi were clearly still stuck in the slow rhythm and hadn’t transitioned over yet.

”Why are you standing there dazed? Since you’ve joined our circus, you must obey my commands. Now quickly follow me to meet the entire circus team,” Stanley’s urging grew increasingly urgent, almost as if he were ready to grab a whip.

Realizing the situation, Igor and Kadi promptly adjusted their pace, shedding the sleepy rhythm for a rapidly accelerating one...

”This big guy is a giant named Amoon, a very ancient species. Besides his size, he doesn’t have any merits. Don’t speak to him unless necessary because his voice is too loud. We mostly communicate with gestures,” Stanley said, pointing to a tall, bearded man. This bearded man was the one Igor had previously mistaken for the captain.

After saying this, Stanley twisted away from the giant Amoon, using his long fingers to point at two people practicing jumps: ”These are the Lain Brothers, the aerial performers. Don’t be fooled by their brilliance now; it’s backed by the support of many people. Have you seen those behind them? They are Smitt, Arras, and Kurtu. These three are the unsung heroes of the aerial acts. You’ll find out in due time.”

Stanley’s speech was quick, leaving Igor and Kadi struggling to remember so much information. Before they could process it, Stanley’s long fingers were already pointing elsewhere.

”See those short folks over there? They are Dwarfs, all named Douglas. My god, their names are too long, and there are so many of them. No time to communicate with each individually, so they send a representative to communicate with us. They are Dwarfs, mind you, not Dwarves. They are growth-stunted, not the same as Dwarves! You must remember this!”

Igor and Kadi could only nod to indicate they understood, though many things Stanley said were unclear to them.

”Those are the general hands. We hire them, and after we pay, they disappear, so no need to pay them much mind.”

”Those are the apprentice magicians. It’s a shame our circus lacks a decent magician, so they need to train hard to bring glory to our circus in the future!”

”That one over there with face paint is Brava, our circus clown. You will start by following him and playing the role of clowns. Newcomers start as clowns; paint your faces, forget who you are, and then focus on other things,” Stanley instructed.

Igor and Kadi exchanged glances. This process was too fast, completely different from the previous pace. If only the captain had been this crisp and decisive earlier, many things could have been streamlined...

”Oh, by the way, the tent next to the clown’s is where my beasts are. Try not to provoke them; they aren’t very friendly!”

After issuing his warning to Igor and Kadi, Stanley twisted his long frame and departed, leaving Igor and Kadi feeling helpless.