Chapter 157: Black and Gold – 28
One day before the end of the two-week temporary contract, on a Monday.
The members who had been selected in the draft gathered for an interview in front of the Miracle Palace.
About thirty acrobats stood in a line in front of the reporters.
Two weeks had passed since the entrance exam, and most of them had already decided where to go.
Some acrobat groups announced that they had promised to trade for the talent they needed.
The teenagers were divided into two groups: those who decided to stay with the circus and those who chose to enter school.
Contrary to many peoples expectations, the numbers on both sides were fairly even.
The Wonder Stage at the Hippodrome of the Sky City was a dream stage for any acrobat.
Even renowned acrobats, unable to find sponsors, reluctantly joined large circuses, so it was unlikely that young acrobats would refuse this opportunity.
However, even though they were teenagers, they were talented individuals who had performed well in the tough entrance exam.
They were not just dreamy kids.
They knew how to face reality more calmly than expected.
Those who joined the top teams with stars, mostly chose to stay with the circus. However, those who joined the lower-ranking teams mostly chose to enter school.
They judged that it was better for their future to receive Lekacheps proven education than to struggle for two years in a place where the chances of advancing were slim.
Some honest directors advised them not to miss the opportunity for learning and go to school instead of joining the competition blindly.
So, many teenage acrobats chose school over joining.
Simon Maguire was always someone who did his best in his own work regardless of his personality.
He regularly remembered the demands of sponsors to attract attention.
He held a luncheon with Marquis Slagbrot in front of the journalists, pretending to have a meaningful conversation with him.
Your collection, Marquis, is indeed magnificent. There were things there that none of you could imagine. No one knows more about playwright Christian than you.
At that moment, one journalist asked a question.
Have you happened to see Fantasy 13 there?
Simon hesitated for a moment.
Officially, playwright Christian had only published 12 scripts.
But there was a rumor that there was a 13th that he had written but not yet announced.
He used to publish a script every year without fail.
However, he passed away after the time to announce that years script had passed.
The rumor of the unpublished script was not completely baseless.
Of course, it had not been found anywhere until now.
However, there was speculation in the world that Marquis Slagbrot, known as an expert on playwright Christian, might not know about its whereabouts, or perhaps he might even own it.
Simon quickly thought it over.
If he said he had seen it, he would be lying.
Because of his words, Marquis might be bothered by unnecessary attacks.
However, if he admitted it didnt exist, he couldnt avoid causing a stir.
So, he chose the path of catching two rabbits at once.
I cant go into details.
He pretended to have something and left room for imagination for the journalists, quickly changing the subject.
He brought up negotiations with Wondersteins side and trades.
This was also a subject that greatly interested the journalists.
Ella and Reyna, who took first and second place together in the last competition!
What would happen to them?
However, he skilfully avoided the crucial question and threw out breadcrumbs to stimulate rumours.
In tomorrows trade, there will be a tremendous ripple effect. Ah, I cant say it recklessly right now. Its that important. But Im confident everyone will be surprised.
With that, he ended the interview.
Thanks to intentionally ambiguous words he used, speculation brewed among journalists.
Whether maintaining the current status quo with Ella and Reyna, Reyna opting for enrollment over rejoining, or perhaps the Golden Carnival acquiring both Reyna and Ella.
People cited the stark contrast between the two circus groups as evidence for the third speculation.
It seemed wasteful for a talent like Ella to continue rolling with a relatively unknown circus group with only a dozen members.
Journalists viewed Ella as an ignorant bumpkin who didnt realize the extent of her talent and signed with a third-rate circus group.
It was all thanks to Lord Fantastic spreading such rumors behind the scenes.
He packaged himself as the benefactor who rescued her from the swamp.
Ella noticed something odd about the currents surrounding her during the interview.
It was then she realized Simon had orchestrated something behind the scenes.
She was itching to grab him by the collar right there and then, but she had to restrain herself in front of the journalists.
She barely suppressed the urge to grab his mustache and yank it out while waiting for tomorrow.
Simon, even during the interview, didnt forget to check on the Wonderstein faction.
He particularly closely monitored Reynas condition.
She was still performing the Golden Libra in front of people just as he had programmed her to.
Wonderstein seemed to have no control over her whatsoever.
As expected, Reyna couldnt break free from the constraints he had imposed.
Her impromptu actions the day before seemed to be mere impulses.
His carefully woven 15 years of suggestion and brainwashing wouldnt unravel so easily.
Reyna would come back to him.
And Ella, too, would be in his grasp.
The thought of having two of the eras greatest talents under his control made Simon unable to stop laughing.
Reynas interview proceeded stiffly and blandly.
Normally, Lord Fantastic would assist her with his flamboyant rhetoric, but now, he was absent.
She remained the trained ice princess.
Her authoritarian stance and dismissive tone conveyed a sense of superiority.
Despite the journalists snide remarks, her expression remained unchanged.
If there are no further questions, please step aside. Id like to return to my lodgings and rest.
When Reyna slightly furrowed her brows, the journalists retreated.
She stretched her long legs and effortlessly strode through them.
With a model-like tall stature and mature physique.
Her sculpted features, dazzling blonde hair, and haughty gaze combined to exude an imposing aura.
It felt like looking at an unsolvable millennia-old riddle thousands of meters high.
Reyna boarded the carriage.
Wonderstein was already inside, greeting her warmly, but she merely nodded and said nothing.
Her demeanor towards the ringmaster was nothing short of rude, despite the temporary contract.
Staying longer was an action that could never happen.
It seems like leaving Wonderstein was the right decision after all.
Of course. Theres no reason to stay in a place like that.
Is the first hypothesis about the trade also being discarded?
The carriage left the stable and raced towards the square.
Reyna glanced around through the carriage window and then closed the curtain.
Then, she turned her head towards Wonderstein and shouted loudly.
Dad!
She rushed towards him.
He smiled faintly and hugged her.
She smiled brightly, enough to astonish anyone who saw her, and acted coquettishly towards him.
Dad, how was I earlier? Was I pretty?
Uh, well, of course
Reyna burst into satisfied laughter at his response.
It was like that of an innocent child.
Hehe, did I do well with the presentation? I did as you instructed! Pat my head, please!
Yes, yes? Uh, sure.
Wonderstein awkwardly laughed and nodded his head.
At that moment, Reynas smiling expression suddenly changed.
She glared at him with a stern face and spoke in a cold voice.
Dad, you should use informal language with your daughter. Act properly. You promised, didnt you?
Recognizing her serious attitude, he quickly changed his words.
Ah, um, yes well done, my daughter.
Then she smiled again and sat on his lap.
Hehe, right? Now, pat my head!
Uh, sure
Wonderstein patted her blonde hair, which was curly and voluminous.
His height was 187cm, quite tall, but Reynas height was also 178cm.
That made her unusually tall for a 17-year-old girl.
From the outside, she looked like a mature woman, but in this situation, clinging to him and making childish sounds, he felt like banging his head against the carriage wall.
Whether she knew his feelings or not, Reyna wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled against him.
Dad, say Im good, say Im good!
Okay. Our Reyna is very good
He patted her back.
He continued to fulfil her demands until they arrived at the villa.
***
Two days ago, Reyna came to my room and expressed her intention to stay.
As I hesitated, she recounted the memories we shared during her two-week stay here.
While teaching the members and practicing with the Direcctor, I gained courage. Its something Ive never felt before.
I felt gratified by her positive transformation.
However, realistically, I couldnt afford to keep her.
Im sorry. Due to competition regulations, I cant have Reyna with us.
I tried not to dwell on the looming quest from my members and the continuous grumbling from Gascon.
Luckily, Reyna understood my situation.
I dont intend to burden you, Director. I dont want to stay at the cost of causing trouble to you.
Her face darkened slightly as she continued speaking.
But if I go back to my father like this Ill revert to how I was before. Ill become a puppet again, following my fathers gaze, voice, and commands.
She nervously fiddled with her fingers on her lap.
It seemed like this was what she wanted to talk about.
I felt it for the first time. The feeling of calling someone Dad
Haha, it was a bit awkward for both of us.
She nodded in agreement with my words.
No I felt some kind of fulfillment.
Is that so? Well, Im glad.
I could understand.
She had skipped her childhood due to Simon Maguires intervention.
But her subsequent request was perplexing.
So would it be okay if I called you Dad for the remaining two days?
Internally, I was greatly taken aback.
What?
As she hesitated, she seemed to gain more courage and spoke more confidently.
Then maybe I can resolve one of the knots in my heart.
I sorted through my thoughts internally.
Her request wasnt anything extraordinary.
She just wanted to have a family play for the remaining two days.
I accepted her proposal because I wanted to dispel the curse ringing in my ears, not because of her odd request.
If that can soothe Reynas heart, then its fine.
It didnt seem like a big deal.
Who wouldnt want to fulfill their unmet childhood desires?
I recalled seeing part-time jobs as wedding guests on TV.
It was just a matter of pretending to be the Dad she wanted for two days.
I would act contrary to Simons opposition.
Be kind, affectionate, and listen to whatever she says.
But she surpassed my imagination.
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Chapter 156: Black and Gold 27
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