Chapter 10: The Audrey Style

Chapter 10: The Audrey Method

"Big Sister, aren't the tutorials and tools for fire-breathing very expensive?"

Xavier leaned into her embrace, his brow slightly furrowed with worry, not wanting Audrey to spend her hard-earned money.

"Don't you worry, little one. I've accumulated points for many years without ever using them. Since the circus started bringing in revenue, I haven't had a single place to spend them; they’re completely overflowing."

Audrey held the boy tightly, unwilling to let go, as if he were a priceless treasure.

"Once the performances here conclude, I’ll head over to the Warrior's Guild outpost in the city. Hmm, let me think... there's no way to keep your training a secret from the others. I’ll have to speak with Vales and give him fair warning to pack his bags in three years. A circus can only have one fire-breather; that’s the rule of the trade."

The first half of Audrey’s sentence was lighthearted, but her tone shifted the moment she mentioned Vales, with coldness and determination seeping through her words.

"B-Big Sister, there's no need to be in such a hurry to tell Vales. I might not even be able to learn it," Xavier said, worried about provoking a potential rival—especially one known for playing dirty.

The other man’s experience, physique, and attributes were all far superior to his own; he had to be cautious.

Audrey assumed the boy was concerned for Vales's livelihood, so she comforted him gently, "You don't need to worry. With his current fire-breathing skills, he’ll have no trouble finding work in the more prosperous cities to the north."

"That’s not what I meant. Big Sister, I was actually awake that day, I just couldn't open my eyes," Xavier said, revealing what he knew and his wariness of Vales.

He concluded solemnly, "I promise, I haven't mentioned Vales stealing money to anyone."

The expression on Audrey’s face shifted from surprise to admiration, then gradually to a beaming smile. Her satisfaction and affection for the boy reached a new level.

"Little one, you are even more level-headed than I imagined. I will arrange everything. As long as you stay within my sight, Vales won't dare do anything to you. In fact, hmm, he might even be planning to leave our circus on his own to jump ship to a better place."

The two talked by the ticket carriage until night fell. After Audrey returned Xavier to his room, she went to have a chat with Vales.

While Xavier feared Vales’s underhanded tactics, the Big Sister certainly did not. Having worked in this business for so long, she had plenty of ways to handle such matters. Furthermore, to Audrey, Vales’s thievery was the perfect leverage.

…

The next morning, before the circus performance began, the members gathered around the Big Sister.

Audrey said with a smile, "Vales plans to head to the big cities in the north once he has fully consolidated his new fire-breathing techniques. Isn't that right, Vales?"

Snake, the clown siblings, and the burly Popeye were all caught off guard by the news. They were happy for their companion, yet anxious about the vacancy in the fire-breathing act.

"Congratulations, Vales. Have you already made contact with a new circus?" Snake asked, stroking the green snake on his shoulder, his dark face showing a complex expression.

Who wouldn't want to perform in a big city? More audience members, greater fame, more wealth, better venues, and finer costumes. You wouldn't have to follow the caravan; you could perform on a magnificent theater stage. You could have a permanent residence, get married, start a family, and enjoy a life far better than the average person.

In the entire circus, the only two who could possibly jump ship were Audrey and Vales. Knife-throwers and fire-breathers were far rarer than strongmen or clowns. The former required keen eyesight and superb force-exertion techniques, while the latter required enduring the toxicity of fire-breathing agents and facing the threat of flames head-on.

The bald Vales remained expressionless while being watched by the group. On the surface, he perfectly embodied the demeanor of a circus master.

He nodded slowly and gestured: The next job is lined up. I still need to practice for a few more years to meet their requirements.

Snake understood the sign language, and most of his worry faded. As long as Vales wasn't leaving immediately, the circus’s booming business wouldn't suffer a setback.

The burly man and the clown siblings wore the same expressions, breaking into relieved smiles.

"Everyone, I have more good news."

Audrey’s smile grew even brighter. "Our ticket seller, Xavier, has a talent for fire-breathing. I have decided that after this performance concludes, I will go to the Warrior's Guild to exchange for his fire-breathing tutorials and tools. When he trains in the future, I will personally guard him and teach him fire-breathing hand-in-hand."

"Whoa! Is that for real?!"

Snake was stunned for a moment, then grabbed the boy beside him, laughing and shaking his arm. Popeye grinned, reached out his large hand, and ruffled the boy’s hair into a mess. The clown siblings let out strange cries, jumping around the boy in excitement.

Xavier had been saved by the members themselves, and his relationship with everyone was very close—far beyond what Vales could compare to. Even if he were just a novice fire-breather, he was an indispensable part of the circus. Having someone to take over Vales's spot was better than leaving the performance slot empty.

Most importantly, Xavier was young and just beginning. He would be with the circus for a very long time, and the troupe would enter a long, stable phase of growth because of it.

The members, who had just been worried about the circus business being disrupted, suddenly realized that a beautiful and comfortable life was right in front of them. The joy, fueled by the contrast, was intense and long-lasting.

"Yes, yes, Big Sister tested me twice last night. Snake, stop shaking me, I’m getting dizzy. Clown sister, your voice is too shrill, my ears hurt."

Xavier finally found a moment to speak amidst the enthusiastic celebration, casting a look of help toward Audrey.

"Alright, everyone. Go prepare for the show. The audience is waiting."

Audrey clapped her hands, soothing the restless emotions of the members. Everyone went to work. Popeye and the older clown checked the seesaw and safety ropes, Snake adjusted his custom flute, and Vales silently prepared the fire-breathing agent.

The younger clown sister applied exquisite stage makeup to Xavier and decorated his fluffy green wig with star stickers. Xavier put on his curled-toed clown shoes and a vibrant colorful scarf, looking dazzling and multicolored.

He walked to the ticket carriage and blew a funny horn at the queue of waiting audience members.

"Beep-boop! The Audrey Circus is starting now!"

If the circus is doing well, I’m doing well. Once I become a fire-breather in the future, the copper coins and experience will roll in. Heh heh.

…

In the blink of an eye, five days passed.

The circus’s run in this small city came to an end. The experience gained from ticket sales, plus the 10 points from his grip-strengthening training, allowed Xavier to reach Level 1, earning him one new free attribute point. He now had a total of three free attribute points waiting to be spent.

[Level] Lv.4
[Experience] 0/50

It only took 20 experience points to go from Level 3 to Level 4. This time it required 50...

Deep down, Xavier felt as if he were leaving the "newbie bonus" phase; future level-ups would likely require significantly more experience.

The last day the circus stayed at the outpost was a time for the members to move freely and attend to their own affairs.

Early in the morning, Xavier arrived at Audrey’s door, unable to wait any longer.

"You, you're even more impatient than I am."

Audrey pinched the boy's cheek. "Wait in my room. I’ll be back soon."

About half an hour later, Audrey walked in carrying a leather case. She took out a booklet, a small vial of liquid, and a jar of oil, placing them on the table.

Xavier cast "Identify."

"《Fire-Breathing Training Essentials》: Memorizing this book grants 10 experience points and increases Spirit by 0.08 points. Once memorized, the system will automatically scan and record the entire contents into the host's knowledge base."

"Weak Fire-Breathing Agent: Brewed by the Warrior's Guild. Drinking it will cause physical damage, estimated to deduct 60 HP over 60 minutes. While held in the mouth, it deducts 20 HP per hour. Successful consumption or fire-breathing grants experience."

"Edible Fire-Proof Oil: When applied to the skin, it reduces external fire damage for 30 minutes. When ingested, it reduces internal fire damage for 30 minutes, with an estimated deduction of 1 HP over 60 minutes. Taking fire damage while the effect is active grants experience."

Xavier opened the *Fire-Breathing Training Essentials*. Half the book was dedicated to teaching how to protect the body. From daily routines and exercise methods to diet and medication guidelines, it even covered the posture and frequency of drinking water—it was like a health and wellness guide.

The remaining content introduced various fire-breathing agents, usage instructions, and preparation methods. The final pages featured illustrations depicting common fire-breathing postures, diagrams showing the relationship between wind direction, airflow, and flame, and self-rescue methods for emergencies.

Hmm, very detailed.

Xavier nodded silently and closed the book, watching the Big Sister fiddle with the alchemical instruments in the case. Audrey’s knife-throwing skills were top-notch; her hands were extremely dexterous, and her control over the glass bottles was effortless, her technique seasoned and her movements fluid—even better than Vales’s.

Using the weak fire-breathing agent, the fire-proof oil, and other protective agents, she concocted a new fire-breathing mixture.

Xavier cast "Identify" again.

"Audrey-Style Weak Mixed Fire-Breathing Agent: Combines fire-proofing and fire-breathing effects.
- After holding in the mouth for 3 seconds, the fire-proof oil forms a protective layer.
- After holding for 5 seconds, the fire-breathing agent fully separates from the oil, allowing for exhalation.
- Ingestion causes physical damage, estimated to deduct 30 HP over 60 minutes. While held in the mouth, it deducts 3 HP per hour. Successful fire-breathing grants experience."

Wow, mixing multiple agents together not only reduced the HP loss from toxicity significantly but also didn't diminish the fire-breathing effect at all.

Xavier curled his lips into a smile, suddenly feeling that having the Big Sister as a part-time fire-breathing teacher was quite reliable. The agent she brewed looked far better than Vales’s.

"Little one, let's start learning to breathe fire."

Audrey sat by the table and had the boy sit right next to her so they could read the *Fire-Breathing Training Essentials* together.