Chapter 18: Innate Affinity

Chapter 18: Acquired Affinity

The circus thrived in an atmosphere of harmony, spending each day in pleasant camaraderie.

Happy times always pass swiftly.

In the five months since leaving Pierk Fortress, the circus had toured the northern region of Rosak.

Whenever they encountered a stronghold, they would stay for two to six days.

Whether it was a small village with fewer than a hundred households or a town of several hundred or even thousands, the circus performed.

Though each show earned a bit less, the total number of performances far exceeded before.

Chazot even specifically suggested to Audrey that they increase the audience size for the fire-breathing act to improve experience gain efficiency.

Overall, the results were quite satisfactory.

[Identity Level]
Apprentice → Novice → Skilled Fire Breather

Spitting small flames (0.5 meters) or medium flames (1 meter) grants 50% to 80% experience; spitting strong flames (2 meters) or large fireballs (3 meters) grants 100% and 120% experience respectively.

[Promotion Requirements]
Under the witness of at least 40 unfamiliar spectators, continuously spit strong flames for over 10 seconds, and achieve an average audience satisfaction of over 85% for three consecutive times to be promoted to Expert Fire Breather.

[Identity Bonus]
Level 3 Fire Resistance, fire resistance increased by 1.5%.

[Level] lv.5 → lv.8
[Experience] 0.2/800
[Perception] 3 → 4 (improved by driving the carriage)

Only one free attribute point was awarded from level 5 to 6, but from level 6 to 8, two free points were granted per level up, leaving five free attribute points in hand.

In five months, he barely advanced three levels, averaging about 200 experience points per month.

The next level-up was four months away; experience gain was no longer keeping pace with the requirements.

Chazot urgently needed to increase the intensity of his fire-breathing performance.

He planned to replace all other fire types with strong flames entirely.

During the five minutes on stage, maintaining strong flames continuously, occasionally using even more powerful fireballs to elevate the show's climax.

This would both increase experience gained per second and improve audience satisfaction, achieving a small leap in experience efficiency.

Accomplishing this was not difficult.

He only needed to balance the rate of health loss and recovery, carefully managing his health threshold. If necessary, he could add one point to vitality.

The key to all this lay in the composition of the fire-breathing potion.

All common supplies were available in towns and villages, but only in Rosak City was the potent fire-breathing potion sold.

Following Chazot’s suggestion, the circus arrived today in the long-missed Rosak City, marking an end to nearly half a year of touring performances.

…

Rosak City remained as prosperous as ever.

Chazot entered the Starry Night Potion Shop with a heavy heart, his gaze sweeping over various potent combustible potions, his eyes reflecting deep thought.

He lingered long before the counters of potent potions and protective potions, silently calculating the mixing ratios between them.

“Little one, are you a member of Audrey’s Circus? I remember you coming here before.”

The potion shop owner leaned on the counter, smiling warmly at the boy deep in thought.

“Ah, yes, I am now a fire breather,” Chazot replied, snapping back to reality and turning his head.

The owner’s tone carried a hint of admiration:

“Not easy at all. How’s your fire-breathing skill? I see you’ve been standing here a while—is it to experiment with new fire-breathing potion formulas?”

“To be honest, yes.”

Chazot’s train of thought was interrupted, but he did not feel annoyed.

He wanted to gather inspiration from a professional, and the middle-aged man running the potion shop was precisely such a person.

Suddenly, Chazot’s gaze froze as he studied the man before him.

Something about him seemed different from before.

The man wore a standard robe of the Starry Night Academy, a silver-black base reminiscent of the night sky, dotted with tiny sequins like stars, a silver-white cord cinched at the waist holding several small fragrant leather pouches.

His features were ordinary, framed by gray-white hair and a gentle, unassuming face.

At first glance, he seemed nothing more than an average potion shop owner.

Chazot found himself involuntarily locked in the man’s gaze, drawn by eyes as deep and still as an ancient well.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Thales Meso, owner of the Starry Night Potion Shop. You may call me Thales.”

“I’m Chazot,” he replied, extending his hand for a light shake while discreetly casting a detection spell.

[Character Name] Thales Meso
[Role] Owner of Starry Night Potion Shop in Rosak City, ???
[Health] ??? (Healthy)
[Resistance] ???
[Strength] 4
[Agility] 6
[Endurance] 3
[Vitality] 3
[Perception] 9
[Willpower] 7
[Spirit] 22
[Charisma] 8-7 (affected by unknown factors)
[Specialty] ???
[Skills]
[?????] Reduces perception of nearby targets by 7 points, decreases own charisma by 7 points, effect lasts until voluntarily ended.

Chazot’s pupils sharply contracted.

Twenty-two spirit points!

Could he be another resident city mage?

Thales Meso was far lower-key than the chubby mage from Pierk Fortress, but boasted overall higher attributes.

Seemingly anticipating Chazot’s reaction, Thales smiled faintly and said:

“Tell me your troubles. I might be able to help. Consider this a pre-sale consultation, no extra charge.”

Chazot shifted his gaze to the display case before him.

“I want to concoct a stronger fire-breathing potion, one that balances fire power with low toxicity.”

Thales crossed his arms.

“Can you spit out flames one meter long now?”

“Of course. In fact, I can stably spit flames two meters long.”

Chazot shrugged, pointing to his mouth and throat.

“Before my partner here cries out in pain, spitting three-meter flames is no problem.”

Thales showed a hint of surprise, opening the counter’s partition and gesturing:

“Could you demonstrate in the backyard? There are tools ready. It’s the first time I’ve met someone who can spit three-meter flames without breath training, especially someone not yet of age.”

Chazot nodded and followed him to the backyard.

He skillfully prepared a fire-breathing potion with three drops of blazing solvent, easily spitting flames over three meters long.

After several attempts, Thales finally believed him.

“Chazot, do you know how the blazing solvent increases flame power?”

Thales paced slowly in the backyard, continuing almost as if talking to himself:

“Blazing solvent makes the potion ignite more easily. The most obvious sign is that the flame’s origin moves closer to your mouth.”

Chazot was momentarily stunned; without the reminder, he might never have noticed this detail.

He prepared one potion without blazing solvent and alternated between the two to spit flames.

With the solvent, the flame started about ten centimeters from his lips; the more solvent added, the closer it got.

Without solvent, the flame began at least twenty centimeters away.

After Chazot finished his experiment, Thales drew a circle near his face with a finger:

“The closer the flame, the more your face is exposed to high temperatures, causing peeling and cracking. This is an unavoidable side effect of fire-breathing.”

Thales moved close, his gaze scanning Chazot’s smooth face inch by inch:

“But your skin is very hydrated and smooth, showing no signs of heat damage.”

Chazot shivered involuntarily, realizing how easily a highly perceptive person could spot his vulnerability.

Yet what Thales said next plunged him into deep shock and delight.

Thales circled around the slightly dazed Chazot, finally standing before him and speaking calmly:

“A few months ago, the Starry Night Academy discovered serious flaws in the traditional methods of detecting elemental affinity.

“In truth, elemental affinity consists of two parts: one is the ability to perceive and control elements, the other is the ability—like yours—to resist energy damage.

“The Academy calls the first innate affinity, and the second acquired affinity.

“Previously, tests only targeted innate affinity, never considering acquired affinity.

“This oversight has led to many people like you, who possess some form of acquired affinity, being overlooked by time—until they mastered breath techniques to develop innate affinity.”

Fearing Chazot might not understand, Thales carefully explained each term.

Chazot stared blankly, his thoughts racing.

He recalled Audrey’s previous comforting words, then focused on his character stats.

[Fire Resistance] 1.5%

Isn’t this the ability to resist energy damage Thales mentioned?

Isn’t this acquired fire affinity?

“So… I already possess some form of affinity, though it’s acquired through hard training.”

A gleam lit Chazot’s eyes as he stared at his hands, whispering to himself.

“Can I go to the Starry Night Academy now?!”

Thales nodded slowly at his eager gaze:

“The Academy is developing new detection instruments. In at most half a year, testing stations across the land will screen all young people who haven’t trained breath techniques.”

Being able to enter the Academy within six months was much sooner than he had expected.

Chazot’s eyes flickered as he took a deep breath to calm his excitement.

“Thank you, Thales.”

Thales lifted his chin toward the south:

“You should also thank the resident mage of Pierk Fortress. If he hadn’t mentioned you to me, I likely wouldn’t have sought you out. But, to be honest, even if I hadn’t told you all this, you could still enter the Starry Night Academy within six months.”

Huh? Chazot blinked, surprised to learn that the sleazy chubby mage had such a kind side, raising his opinion of him.

“I’m sure you guessed—I’m the resident mage of Rosak City. I’m just older now and couldn’t bear the loneliness of the fortress, so I opened this potion shop in the bustling streets.”

Thales patted Chazot’s arm.

“Keep this between us—don’t tell anyone.”

“No problem, Lord Thales. My lips are famously sealed.”

Chazot had unexpectedly gained valuable insight about elemental affinity and felt quite pleased, growing fond of the low-profile Thales.

“Come with me. Let’s find some potions suitable for you in the shop.”

(End of Chapter)