One-Eyed Monster

Igor and the others quietly waited for Brava. The last performance by the clown leader left a deep impression on them, although they didn’t see it in its entirety, just catching a glimpse of its bowing conclusion...

Brava was reluctant to leave the stage, seemingly possessing a deep emotional connection to it. He slowly walked towards Igor and the others, occasionally glancing back at the stage.

Igor thought perhaps Brava truly loved being a clown; otherwise, why would he reject the power of Soul Devourer?

No matter what, Brava had made a place for himself in Igor’s heart. To thoroughly investigate the circus, understanding Brava was essential.

”You all came!” Brava greeted Igor and the others.

”Yes, leader!” echoed the clowns in unison. They admired Brava indeed, but if the troupe leader were here, they’d unquestionably withdraw that admiration.

”Let’s enjoy the performance by the troupe leader, our circus’s grand finale!”

Igor thought it wouldn’t be anything more than beast training, something he didn’t find intriguing, having seen such acts before... Remembering Stan Sol’s Sharkmon and Battle Pet Fiery Blaze were much advanced than these animals...

Hence, Igor felt the grand finale held no attraction, offering nothing worth anticipating.

The other clowns, having joined the circus not long ago, hadn’t seen the full circus performance, thus held considerable expectations for the grand finale.

”One day, I will stand at the center stage, embraced by everyone’s cheers!” exclaimed the red-haired novice. He joined the circus for power, which he sought to satisfy his vanity, craving praise and applause. He believed only power could fulfill all these desires.

”Your wish will come true!” Brava shrugged. He thought these novice clowns were all impatient, never enjoying the stage experience. When accustomed to being on stage, naturally people would cheer for you. Yet these people always desired instant success, wanting to achieve what others strived for years.

But there was no point in discussing these matters; the entire circus favored such practices. He was just a clown and should focus on doing his bit...

During Brava’s reflections, Star Circus’s troupe leader Stanley made his entrance.

Still the same tall and lanky figure, now holding a whip, clearly meant for beast training.

Stanley bowed to the audience: ”Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the beast training show, a miraculous moment awaits. Close your eyes, light is about to vanish, and endless darkness will follow.” As he finished speaking, the performance tent plunged into pitch darkness.

Igor chuckled inwardly, knowing the lights being turned off was merely a ploy to attract audience attention, not substantial. Soon, the lights would flicker back on, and the beasts would appear...

Crack--a clear sound! This sound echoed through the circus tent, startling the spectators below.

With the crack of the whip, two sources of light suddenly appeared on stage.

Igor felt smug, as everything unfolded as he expected, soon to feature those beasts...

No wait, why did these lights seem weak and listless...

These lights were moving and seemed to flicker on and off...

No wait, this... these are eyes! Igor suddenly realized that the source of light on stage was a beast!

Crack--another clear sound. Igor unleashed his spirit power and opened his night vision eyes, making everything so clear—the creature bore the body of a python, yet its eyes emitted light.

Under the influence of Stanley’s whip, the glowing-eyed giant python began to rise...

Crack--another clear sound made the python’s eyes emit a dazzling light...

The light illuminated the entire circus tent in an instant.

”Ladies and gentlemen, meet Shnake, the giant python whose eyes can shine!”

Exclamations erupted from the audience, half in fear and half exhilaration. They feared the python but were curious about its glowing eyes.

”I can make its entire body shine!” Stanley landed another whip, immediately causing the python to shift, its body emitting a faint glow.

Igor was stunned; he hadn’t witnessed this kind of performance before, encountering such an animal trainer for the first time.

”This is just the beginning, ladies and gentlemen, when you see monkeys flying in the air scattering candies, don’t be surprised, it’s my gift to you.” Stanley cracked the whip again with a loud smack, then a cacophony of screeching monkeys could be heard above.

The crowd gazed upwards, seeing at the tent’s apex several winged monkeys with baskets tossing candies...

Igor widened his mouth, realizing these beasts were all bizarre indeed!

”Astonishing, isn’t it!” clown Brava calmly observed his nearby pupils’ astonished expressions.

Mmm, the clowns nodded their heads like bobbleheads.

”They are just ordinary animals; their transformations bestowed by our troupe leader.” Brava continued calmly, as if he knew everything like the back of his hand.

Hearing this, Igor quickly expanded his spirit power for investigation, yet his probing spirit power met resistance before its range unfolded, apparently someone noticed his use of spirit power...

Igor had no choice but to stop, while becoming more cautious, realizing this circus wasn’t without defenses through this attempt to probe.

Indeed, this beast training performance created a sensation, garnering a fervent reaction from the audience.

When Stanley bowed with the beasts restored to their original form, the entire circus tent was in uproar.

”You can also possess this power!” Stanley didn’t forget to promote at the end.

The circus performance concluded amidst cheers, a mere two to three hours, yet the splendid show made those hours pass swiftly.

Igor and others busied themselves again as the performance ended, returning to cleaning tasks...

”Next, you’ll go to the troupe leader.” Brava said while moving props, addressing Igor and the others.

”Why?” Igor asked foolishly.

”The troupe leader has rewards for us clowns.”