Chapter 56

The moment the host’s cold voice sent chills down everyone’s spine, a few people flinched.

“Y-yes!”

Small hands shot up here and there.

Children wearing masks larger than their faces, or none at all, waved their little hands eagerly, their cheeks flushed red as they tried to catch the host’s attention.

Seeing the sight, the host smiled brightly and spoke again in his lively tone.

“I’m overjoyed to see so many little guests with us today! Since we have such precious young visitors, we must make sure the show fits the right age group!”

However.

The host’s voice softened, gliding into a low tone as his lips curved into a long, strange smile.

“On nights when only adults attend, we can offer quite a different kind of performance. I assure you, it’s truly remarkable.”

“…?”

Some people exchanged puzzled looks at his suggestive tone, but the host suddenly raised his voice again in a playful cheer.

“Of course, that’s only if we meet again!”

Hahaha!

Laughing heartily on his own, the host snapped his fingers. Music filled the air once more, and the performance resumed.

Acrobats dropped from the ceiling, shot up from the ground, swung across flying bars, and leapt from one side of the tent to the other. After a long series of dazzling tricks, the finale finally arrived.

“Wow!”

“That was amazing!”

As all the performers gathered on stage to bow, Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands in delight.

Demius watched her, his expression softening as petals rained down from above.

‘Thank goodness.’

There had been some suspicious signs, but as long as Melissa was happy, nothing else mattered.

While he gazed at her radiant face, her green eyes suddenly turned toward him, meeting his gaze.

“When the fire suddenly burst up earlier, wasn’t it beautiful? It really surprised me!”

“I liked that part the most too.”

In truth, he hadn’t seen it.

Demius smiled faintly, but when he noticed a shadow cross Melissa’s face, he asked seriously,

“Is something troubling you?”

“Ah, well…”

Melissa hesitated, which was rare for her. Demius felt his chest tighten.

Was she hungry?

She had eaten thirty skewers earlier, but that was far too little.

‘She should have eaten fifty at least.’

Considering how active she had been, even that might not have been enough.

As he recalled where the food stalls were, Melissa finally spoke.

“Um, by any chance…”

“Yes!”

“Do you think the animals were beaten with whips?”

“…?”

He looked at her, startled. Melissa frowned slightly and continued in a subdued voice.

“I think I was being thoughtless. If animals perform in a circus, it means they were trained. And if they were trained, there must have been a way to force them to obey…”

“No, Miss Lily, you didn’t do anything wrong!”

“No, it’s my fault for wanting to watch.”

Melissa lowered her gaze, then gave a small, apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. I think I ruined your mood too, Mi-mi.”

“Not at all.”

How should I comfort her?

Demius turned his head slightly, trying to think quickly.

‘What is that fool doing?’

Usually, that idiot butted into every conversation, yet now he was silent.

Annoyed, Demius glanced at his useless sibling, only to notice that Natalianne’s expression had gone rigid.

He was about to ignore it, but something about it made him frown.

Leaning closer, he whispered so only she could hear,

“Why do you look like you swallowed something bitter?”

“It’s magic.”

“…?”

The cryptic answer made him scowl.

Natalianne’s voice dropped low and fast, just enough for him to hear.

“That earlier scene. It was magic. The lights going out, the illusion of the exploding doves, and most of all…”

She paused briefly before exhaling.

“Stopping the tiger.”

Demius’s brow arched.

“So it wasn’t training?”

“No.”

“Then what does that mean?”

He asked bluntly, impatiently.

Natalianne frowned at his curt tone, clearly irritated.

How ignorant.

Even after she had handed him such an important clue.

She found it tedious to explain such things to someone who couldn’t grasp the intricacy of magic, but she answered anyway, half-heartedly.

“That type of spell hasn’t been approved by the Magic Tower yet.”

“Does it need approval?”

“Of course it does.”

Natalianne quickly explained.

“If it’s not approved, it’s not officially recognized. And if it’s not official, it’s dangerous.”

Her eyes darkened.

Magic.

It was a method created so that those who were not born with the power of spirits could still borrow that power artificially.

In other words, it allowed ordinary people, not just rare spirit users, to manipulate the immense energy flowing through the world.

To study, refine, and safely distribute that knowledge to the public, Magic Towers had been established all across the world.

Over time, the people who gathered in these towers became more diverse, and their goals more varied. Yet the fundamental purpose of the Magic Towers remained the same: to study and regulate the safe use of spiritual power by ordinary humans.

“Of course, not all magic research happens inside the towers.”

There were those who couldn’t or wouldn’t join the Magic Tower.

Independent researchers and sellers of magic.

The Tower called them freelance or unregistered magicians and often looked down on them.

But Natalianne didn’t share that prejudice.

Among those independents were people who proposed new perspectives or made discoveries that even the Tower had overlooked.

Still, many gave up for lack of funds or turned into frauds who sold ineffective spells as real magic.

But what she had seen at the circus was different.

That was real magic.

And dangerous magic at that.

According to her knowledge, the same type of spell was still being researched in the Nerencia Magic Tower. It wasn’t expected to reach practical use for a long time.

And yet it had been used here.

On a tiger.

“A circus that uses such a spell on wild beasts must be insane.”

Natalianne’s voice was icy.

“The magician who sold it is insane too, and so is whoever bought it. Magic like that isn’t cheap. Its materials are rare or require enormous quantities. Using it in a public show means either the circus master has more money than sense or…”

Their eyes met.

Demius’s gaze had gone cold.

Natalianne finished slowly, matching his look.

“The circus is just a cover for something else.”

Damn it.

Demius’s jaw tightened.

I have to get Lily out of here.

“Um…”

“Yes!”

The instant he heard Melissa’s small voice, Demius responded immediately.

Melissa bit her lip slightly before speaking carefully.

“Would it be alright if I went to see the animals up close? Just for a moment. I’ll ask the circus members for permission first.”

“Of course.”

“Hey!”

Natalianne shouted, baffled, but her brother was already smiling politely.

“Would you like me to come with you?”

“Yes!”

Natalianne reached out to stop her, but Melissa was already trotting down the stairs.

And right behind her, that madman followed like a loyal hound.

“That idiot.”

She had just warned them it was dangerous.

Grinding her teeth, Natalianne glared at their retreating figures.

“Damn it.”

She stepped forward reluctantly.

‘Well.’

With herself there, and that fool too, nothing should go wrong.

If something did happen, she could always throw her brother to the beasts and escape with Melissa.

Natalianne dashed off toward the other side of the tent where the two had disappeared.

“I’m coming with you, Teacher!”