Chapter 146: Black and Gold – 17
A large iron plate was spinning around on a metal rod, resembling a gigantic form of plate spinning.
On the plate were five large balls, and five acrobats each ran on top of a ball, rolling it with their feet.
With every movement of the balls, the plate wobbled precariously.
The acrobats dashed, leaped, stood on one leg, and somersaulted in the air to the rhythm of the music.
Their movements were spontaneous yet precise.
With each exquisite breath of the five, the plates balance seemed to falter, but it gracefully restored equilibrium, tracing smooth curves.
As the plate leaned to one side, the balls spilled onto the stage one by one.
Five balls lined up in a row.
The five acrobats on top of them exchanged final greetings.
The signal announcing the intermission rang out, and applause poured from all directions.
It was directed towards the youngest of the five acrobats.
Ella gracefully walked atop the balls as if walking on solid ground, bowing gently in all directions.
Thank you! Thank you!
She finished her greetings and turned to her fellow performers with a reminiscent expression.
How was it?
The four acrobats looked at her and raised their thumbs.
Bravo!
Amazing!
Handling the rolling five-person plate in just two attempts!
Its not like she was born with absolute balance like Reyna!
As Ella slid down from the balls, the acrobats who had been watching gathered around her.
They patted her head or tapped her shoulders.
Haha! Even with plaster on your arms, you showed such agility?
Amazing, truly amazing.
How about becoming my disciple after the competition?
What nonsense! What is there to learn from your skills? Come to my theater!
Humph. Neither of you could be her master. Youd be stripped of everything in a day.
Ella recoiled from their touch and exclaimed.
Thats a false offer, you know? Ill definitely report you.
Her words elicited laughter from the acrobats.
She looked at them with a somewhat displeased expression.
Im already the Assistant Director of a Circus Troupe. Ill pass on being treated like a child.
She straightened her crumpled hat with plaster-covered arms and sighed.
The acrobats chuckled at her appearance.
The Golden Carnival, nicknamed the Dream Team, had no shortage of experience and skill among its members.
However, due to the strictness and perfectionism of their director, Lord Fantastic, the atmosphere during rehearsals was tense.
They had temporarily come together for this Grand Prix, and with each member being a renowned acrobat in their own right, a comfortable atmosphere was not easily formed.
Even Reyna, the youngest, had a cold and mature personality, and her presence only made the atmosphere more chilly.
But Ella was different.
From the moment she entered, she greeted the seniors with a lively face and sprinkled jokes throughout the rehearsal to keep the heavy atmosphere at bay.
Most of the members of the Golden Carnival were in their thirties or older, so they welcomed the appearance of a youthful presence like her.
Some members initially expressed reluctance when she expressed her desire to participate in morning rehearsals.
However, even they couldnt help but admire her remarkable talent and passion.
Even now, there were still members who opposed her participation in rehearsals, but their reasons were different now.
They were worried that she might push herself too hard and get injured again.
If injuries become habitual, the lifespan of an acrobat shortens. Be careful.
Are you worried about me now?
About you. Even though its temporary, youre one of us now.
Even Lord Fantastic, who would normally be stern, spoke gently to her.
Even Simon Maguire himself seemed surprised at the change in his attitude.
Was practicing circus this enjoyable?
He seemed to be unintentionally influenced by her positive energy.
Perhaps Reynas invisible burden was also a factor.
But who made this rolling five-person plate?
I am that person.
Lord Fantastic snorted his mustache and said.
Where did you come up with this acrobatics.
From The Dancing Top by DeFord, right?
At Ellas words, Simon smiled subtly.
Impressive.
Your knowledge is truly astonishing.
I read it in the textbook. Its about using centrifugal force during rotation to assist balance, right? Pretend, and it becomes real! So, what are we doing for morning training now? More of the directors original acrobatics?
Hahaha, thinking about morning training already when we just finished breakfast? Lets start with the meal first.
They headed to the dining hall.
Even the members who usually ate alone joined them.
Soon laughter erupted in the dining hall.
At the center of it all was Ella.
Every time she spoke, smiles lit up the acrobats faces.
Her talent and passion as a junior in the industry were impressive.
It was grateful when she pretended to know their names, nicknames, and signature skills.
It was adorable when she reacted to the playful pranks of the members.
The members thought that such a joyful breakfast hadnt happened since the founding of the Golden Carnival.
Not even when they received stars.
So, even Director Lord Fantastic had the same thought.
***
Regular contact time that night.
I listened to Ellas excited chatter for over 30 minutes.
And then I even did Burning Wheel! Its where three charioteers get into a huge wheel!
I checked the clock and confirmed it was time for my appointment with Gascon.
Haha, lets talk about that later. Anyway, Im glad. I was worried you might be suffering. Was it fun?
Yeah! Of course! Where else can you practice with top-notch acrobats? Heh, just out of curiosity, youre not jealous, are you? Worried? What if I dont come back?
I checked her status in the Member Management window.
There was still no change in her favourability level, still at 31.
Not at all. Ella is still my Assistant Director.
At my words, she suddenly stammered something like empty words and then giggled awkwardly.
Um what what nonsense Oh, no, its just a natural thing Um hehe.
I think I should stop now. Its time for Gascon to come in.
Already? Um, I dont want that Youre not the one doing it I thought I could rest while bandaging.
Suddenly, she murmured with a strained voice.
It was an awkward smoke screen.
Yeah, how much flying around did you do during the day for you to say that?
Um Is that so? Um, someones knocking on the door outside. Well, Ill see you tomorrow. Same time for contact?
Lets do that.
I closed the chat window with Ella in the Sound Room and waited for about 30 minutes.
Then I found Gascon Halidon in the member list and initiated a conversation.
Mentor.
Mentor?
Something seemed wrong, so I tried to check his status again, but a response came from the other side.
The voice was of an old man.
I cant hold back.
I changed my tone to a more serious one and spoke.
Master.
Yeah, my disciple.
It felt strange to use casual language with someone I used to address formally until yesterday.
Still, since the person was an old man, I didnt feel uncomfortable using informal language.
How did it go? How is Ella?
Laughter was heard from the other side.
Heh heh, my guess was right. Seems like this girl Ella has been pretending to take medicine all this time. She acted quite well, but I could tell just by glancing at her complexion and breathing.
I was in her room.
I forced a bitter smile.
I was nave to think that just because someone had a liking for me, they would unquestioningly listen to me.
Is that so?
Hehehe, well, thats that for today. I administered the medicine by vapor inhalation. It might not be as effective, but it will definitely aid in the treatment.
I see. Please take care.
Of course, disciple. That aside, how many pages have you covered in my bitter herbology primer?
Huh? M-Master? My, my powers is fading
Hey? Hey! Hey!
I quickly hung up.
With Ella already missing, my workload had doubled.
And when would I have time to memorize herbs and trees?
What worried me more was how to teach the new acrobatics to the members tomorrow.
Demonstrating it with the Skill Book was one thing, but teaching it to them was another problem altogether.
Acquiring skills through the Skill Book was a natural process for me, but understanding the process of acquisition with my mind was not.
Avoiding Gascons teachings might be for that reason.
If he tried to properly impart knowledge, my incompetence would soon be exposed.
In fact, I wasnt anything close to a genius.
Gascons abilities were needed now for Ella.
I needed to make the most of his time until she fully recovered.
Then, I heard a knocking on the door from outside.
The only person who would visit me at this hour would be Yurakne.
Naturally, I was surprised when I opened the door.
Standing there was Reyna.
Whats the matter?
I motioned for her to come in and sit on the couch.
Master.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Do I have nothing else to do?
Something to do?
Yes. Its uncomfortable to just sit around even though Im a guest.
I didnt immediately understand why she was saying this.
She hadnt appeared in front of us since morning.
She had been absorbed in her own practice while having meals in the room.
The impulsive Triplets cursed at her, but the other members didnt seem to mind.
It was the appropriate reaction since Ella was extraordinary.
I knew she was emotionally withdrawn, so I just left her alone.
But now shes asking for work?
When I expressed my doubts, she stuttered out her words.
Well about the attitude I showed this morning Im afraid the members might misunderstand I dont I dont disdain them
Her expression remained cold.
But what came out of her mouth was incredibly timid.
Looking at her tentatively opening up, I felt a sense of discomfort.
Memories of the orphanage came flooding back.
At the same time, I remembered her in TT1.
Despite appearing cold on the outside, there was a big child inside her.
Contrary to her outward appearance, seeming more mature for her age, her inner self was immature compared to her age.
Having her by my side for a few months, I had mistaken her.
She seemed so mature for her age that I had assumed Reyna, who seemed even more mature for her age, was psychologically more mature than her.
We were like that in the orphanage.
Given strict etiquette training during the age when we should be mischievous and playing around.
We couldnt behave obediently to survive under the violence of the superintendent.
It wasnt because our personalities were mature.
Her behavior in the morning wasnt her true self; it was a childish mistake born out of emotional insecurity.
Hehe, apologizing to the members, huh? Well
I smiled, remembering what she would do in TT3.
Could you possibly lead them?
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