Chapter 20: Boarding First, Paying Later – Part One

Chapter 20: Board First, Pay Later · Part One

Three months later, in Rosack City.

With the rebellious bandits gone, the circus troupe traveled freely throughout Rosack Province, performing extensively in southern towns they hadn't visited for a long time.

During his free time, Xia Zuo optimized the colorful fire-breathing act, integrating Snake and his companions into the performance.

Originally a lone fire breather, Xia Zuo now shared the stage with the others.

Snake beat the drum, the Green Snake danced on the ground. The strongman Popeye tossed the clown siblings through the flames, and Audrey caught them on the other side.

Strange purple flames brushed past the clown sister’s legs, eliciting gasps from the audience.

The clown siblings and the vibrant flames became the focal point of the show, with Xia Zuo, the fire breather, surprisingly reduced to a supporting role.

But Xia Zuo didn’t mind.

He only wished to leave something behind for his companions before parting ways.

Whether it be abundant copper coins, widespread fame, or vivid memories, he wanted each member to have at least one of these—a small token of gratitude for their care.

That way, he would depart without regrets.

The morning sun rose, and the breeze was refreshing.

Since the beginning of the postnatal affinity tests, mornings in Rosack City had become exceptionally lively. Even before dawn, faint noises of bustling activity could be heard along the streets.

“Xia Zuo, let’s go.”

Audrey tugged at Xia Zuo’s head, urging him to leave the inn and head toward the busiest part of the city.

Over a year ago, Xia Zuo was only about 1.4 meters tall, noticeably shorter than others his age in the city. Since joining the circus, with plenty of food and rest, he quickly caught up in height.

Now standing 1.7 meters tall with a sturdy build, he looked like a capable young man. His prominent nose bridge and ever-present optimistic smile made his handsome face more approachable.

“Big sister, is it my turn yet?”

Xia Zuo naturally held Audrey’s hand, their relationship as close as siblings.

He no longer bore the immature appearance of before.

Audrey, aware of the difference between men and women, rarely embraced him now, though she occasionally couldn’t resist pinching his cheeks.

“It should be your turn soon.”

Audrey pulled a wooden token from her leather pouch and compared the number on it to the announcement board outside the testing station.

“Go ahead, little one. You’ve waited a long time for this day. Do your best.”

She pressed the token into Xia Zuo’s hand, pushed through the crowd, and ushered him inside.

...

At the Starry Night Academy Affinity Testing Station.

The place was much more spacious than the first time Xia Zuo had visited.

Originally a single-story, two-room space, it had been expanded into a three-story stone building with winding corridors.

Following the instructions of a staff member clad in a starry night robe, Xia Zuo joined the back of the inspection line.

Today was the third day since the postnatal affinity tests opened.

The station distributed wooden tokens engraved with entry times, in ascending order of age.

Each evening before dusk, the test results were posted on the announcement board outside.

The previous two days had mostly seen very young children tested, all with predictable results—none possessed postnatal affinity.

This was normal.

Postnatal affinity was something accumulated over time. Without enduring rigorous training, one would never develop resistance to elemental damage.

Only teenagers like Xia Zuo had even a slim chance of exhibiting postnatal affinity.

“Xiao Moben Riley, come with me. We’re moving on to the next test.”

At the front of the line, a sturdy, muscular, mature-looking boy followed a staff member to a nearby room.

He was the only one so far to remain in the testing station after the initial screening.

A stir broke out in the line, whispers spreading.

“Who is that? Does anyone know him?”

“I know, I know. Xiao Moben is Old Moben’s son.”

A boy wiping his runny nose spoke up.

...You seem to be just spouting nonsense...

Xia Zuo smirked and turned his head to listen.

The boy wiped the stream under his nose with his sleeve and continued, “He’s the son of the blacksmith down south. A bit slow-witted, mostly just helps his father operate the bellows.”

Xia Zuo’s curiosity was piqued. He cast a detection spell toward Xiao Moben as the boy approached the door.

[Name] Xiao Moben Riley
[Identity] Son of the blacksmith in Rosack City
[Health] ??? (Healthy)
[Resistance]
[Fire Resistance] 2%
[Strength] 4
[Agility] 1
[Endurance] 4
[Vitality] 1
[Perception] 2
[Willpower] 5
[Spirit] 9
[Charisma] 1
[Specialty]
[Forge Mastery: Heat Control] Having long helped his father operate the bellows and manage the furnace’s flame temperature, Xiao Moben Riley has excellent control over heat.

His Spirit was much higher than Xia Zuo’s.

Xia Zuo checked his own stats.

[Spirit] 1.5

Having risen from 1 to 1.5 entirely through study, without spending a single free attribute point.

“Kelly Muller, come with me. Next test.”

Another person was led to a room after testing.

This time it was a girl wearing an off-shoulder satin gown.

Her flaxen hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, tied into a ponytail with a red ribbon, exposing her fair neck and smooth, delicate shoulders.

“The miller’s daughter.”

The runny-nosed boy lifted his chin under the crowd’s gaze, seeming to enjoy the attention.

“She’s rich—half the city’s flour comes from her family’s mill.”

Xia Zuo cast detection on Kelly’s slender figure.

[Name] Kelly Muller
[Identity] Daughter of Muller, the miller in Rosack City
[Health] ??? (Healthy)
[Resistance]
[Water Resistance] 1%
[Wind Resistance] 1%
[Strength] 1
[Agility] 1
[Endurance] 2
[Vitality] 1
[Perception] 3
[Willpower] 4
[Spirit] 10
[Charisma] 5
[Specialty]
[Mill Mastery: Hydropower] Long-term monitoring, maintenance, and improvement of the water mill has given Kelly Muller an understanding of water elements.
[Mill Mastery: Wind Power] Likewise, her work with the windmill has fostered insight into wind elements.

Kelly’s Spirit attribute was one point higher than Xiao Moben’s, though her Willpower was one point lower.

Could her family have spent a fortune collecting books and artifacts to boost her Spirit?

Xia Zuo mused wryly to his inner “cheat code”—clearly, they had money, yet you still leave question marks on their specialties, who are you fooling?

Over the next several minutes, more teenagers from various backgrounds were brought into rooms.

All had developed minor elemental resistances from years of exposure to certain things.

The most common was Earth Resistance.

Those who had it were mostly descendants of herbal gatherers.

Fire Resistance was the rarest.

Flames were dangerous, and only a few professions frequently dealt with them.

Most people had at least two resistances. Those like Xia Zuo and Xiao Moben, with only one, were in the minority.

After the runny-nosed boy was eliminated, Xia Zuo calmly placed his hand on the transparent glass orb.

The red pattern symbolizing fire resistance appeared on the smooth surface.

“Xia Zuo... Oh, I remember now, you’re the fire breather from Audrey’s circus, right?”

A nearby staff member chuckled kindly.

“Once you leave, Audrey’s definitely going to be worried sick. Come with me; we’ll proceed to the next test.”

Xia Zuo followed, puzzled.

“Isn’t having postnatal affinity enough?”

The staff hesitated for a moment, seeming to weigh whether to answer.

Rubbing his light golden hair, he finally stopped and whispered in Xia Zuo’s ear.

“Having postnatal affinity alone isn’t quite enough. Without innate affinity, meditating on the elemental arts causes immense pain. Those with postnatal affinity only fare slightly better—they still suffer the torment of elemental energy entering their bodies.”

“Thank you for the explanation. I’m Xia Zuo of Rosack. And you?”

Xia Zuo smiled sincerely and shook the man’s hand.

“I’m Mars Morton. If you pass the second round, I wouldn’t mind chatting with you more.”

Mars opened the door and gestured for Xia Zuo to enter quietly.

“It’s already started.”

Xia Zuo nodded in thanks, noting the rarity of Mars’s hair color, planning to investigate further after the test.

Once Xia Zuo stepped inside, Mars gently closed the door.

At the center of the room was a square area enclosed by thick curtains, obscuring the view inside.

Around the perimeter, wooden chairs were arranged in a circle, and the waiting teenagers sat along the walls.

Xia Zuo took a seat nearest the door, patiently awaiting his turn.

“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t hold on anymore.”

A girl emerged from behind the curtain with a forlorn expression.

From inside came a familiar voice: “Number 6, please come in.”

Xia Zuo raised his brow, recognizing the voice as Tylus Meso, the city’s resident mage.

The called number was also a girl. As she entered, the curtain was drawn closed.

Tylus’s gentle voice drifted from behind the curtain.

“Little one, you possess two postnatal affinities. You may choose either of these two elemental vials.”

“Water blue or cyan... I want the water blue one, sir. I like this color.”

After a brief pause, the girl spoke.

“Good. Open the bottle stopper and cover the mouth with your palm.”

Xia Zuo heard a crisp pop, followed by a suppressed groan.

“Sir, there’s something crawling into my hand—it’s hurting a bit.”

“Calm your mind and feel it. Hold on for five minutes,” Tylus said softly.

The girl seemed to say something else, but her words turned into a pained mumble.

(End of chapter)