Chapter 101: The Ringmaster, Part 1

Entering the Circus Tent, the boys would be enamored by such a color scheme. Despite it being a basic color scheme, it uses an assortment of patterns and lines to better detail the inside of the tent itself, almost as if it was a drawing brought to life. The boys would see small booths that await tickets to see such shows, quickly realizing that they themselves do not possess such tickets. To bypass this, Harvard would set up a spell, hoping it would be used as a form of bribery, casting it to spawn a giant, golden coin that is just big enough to fill the tent's entrance, but not too big as to accidentally dismantle the entire thing. The people operating such booths were practically shocked at such a large item with such a wealthy payment. They would notice the one responsible for the spell, and to ensure they secured it, they simply gave a hand wave to let them pass through, pretending as if they didn't notice the children in the first place. Amidst the four of them, Solomon was not impressed. "Really? Bribery?"

"Oh C'mon, Like we were supposed to know we need tickets for a place like this! The Rides didn't say that, So why should this place?" Harvard would reply, attempting to defend himself.

"I don't know, maybe buying the tickets would've worked better?"

"But then we wouldn't see the shoooooooooooooooooooows.." The Card Magician would whine, trying to guilt trip the Biblical Sorcerer, to which the latter was unaffected.

"Dude, Its not like it's gonna grow legs and walk away for 2 minute-" Solomon's words, as well as any words stated by Harvard, would be halted by Zazel, covering their mouths and shushing them, moving his head in a way to act as a point to a specific section of the area. A Silhouette of a man, moving in a way similar to a dance. The boys would go to investigate, much to the confusion of everyone involved. When seeing the man up close, both Stolas and Zazel would be somewhat shocked of his appearance, as well as what he was, implying he is just like the two of them.

A Demon.

He was a man with a tall, lean build, possessing the traditional outfit of a standard ringleader. A Black and Red tailcoat with a white, frilly undershirt. The Tailcoat holds the same patterns as the circus itself, more specifically having a pattern across the folds looking like a dance was occurring, with two figures moving in a ballet formation. He possesses a black bowtie, black pants, and red hair, being extremely messy, as well as possessing a traditional bull's horns, one each on the man's side of his head. Another detail that somewhat gave such children the same reaction would be his face, or rather, a lack of one. They could see the part of the head that is suppose to hold a face look more like an open hole, not seeing any end to its depth. Hiding such a hole was of a porcelain mask, more specifically a comedy mask one sees in plays, its expressions being still, yet still reactionary as it took a quick glance at the children spying. Seeing the ringmaster's reaction, the four jumped back a bit, startled in his movements, before the man gave a simple bow to them. "Welcome~! Welcome~! My, My, I did not expect such guests to arrive so quickly in my chambers. I do apologize for scaring you children." He would state, his voice sounding polite and calm, like a gentlemen. Harvard would be the first to speak up.

"You're.....Jesta Spade...?" 

The mask merely kept its current expression as he would talk further, being just as whimsical as the very location he was in. "My, My! Good guess, young man! Yes indeed, I am Jesta Spade. The Ringmaster. The Author. The Modern Shakespeare for entertainment, even! Are you perhaps a fan of my works?"

The boy stumbled upon his words, trying to correct himself. "O-Oh! Ah...N-Not particularly! I just read up the signs and just guessed, that was all. Harvard Helsing, Card Magician. Nice to meet you Mr. Spade!" He would state, offering a handshake to the demon, in which he would oblige, before Solomon would interrupt.

"Also known as the "Would-Be Hero" for this little world." Harvard would shoot a glare at him, before the demon would catch wind of such words. The handshake became a bit more aggressive, and when the boy would try to ask to slow down, his expression changed slightly.

It was now gaining a bigger grin. "A HERO You say?? Why, that's a lovely goal of yours! I, myself, am actually in need of such a Hero for my works! I didn't expect you to actually play such a role by yourself! Tell me, my little Hero, How much have you done today? Have you learned any lessons before being in this very moment? Have you conquered such trials that nearly slaughtered you like an animal? Are these your allies, your side cast, to make sure that you are gaining their hopes and trust in the bitter end of-" He continued to ramble on and on, making the child somewhat uncomfortable, trying to look towards the group to get him out. His friends came to no avail, much to the annoyance of Harvard.

He would try to at least answer one of his questions, if anything than to shut up the Ringmaster for a bit. "W-Well, yeah! Kinda. Just recently we fought against a big snake thing! Yesterday we went up against pirates, and a couple of weeks ago, I faced against a tree monster! I think those counts as trials, right?"

The Masked Man couldn't help but laugh heartily, finally letting go of the boy's hand. "Ohohoho~! You're truly too much! I see that your adventure really HAS started well! Come, Come, I want to show you something, young Harvard. You can bring your friends along as well, I'm sure." Jesta would state, attempting to lead the kids to a secluded spot on the Tent, supposedly a chamber that acts as his personal office.

"They have names, by the way! Zazel, Solomon, and Stolas! The- HEY WAIT UP!" The boys would immediately try to follow suit after Harvard declared their names.