Chapter 90: The Forbidden Magic

Rin was completely fascinated by the magical performances at the circus. His eyes sparkled like those of a little child seeing the world for the very first time.

And, in a way, that was exactly what was happening to him. Everything was new.

The strange creatures, the magic, the colorful decorations, the performers, the enormous tent—Rin wanted to see everything.

However, there was one person on the stage who managed to catch even Rin’s attention.

The host of the circus was a handsome blond man with shoulder-length hair. His appearance was so striking that even Rin, who had already seen demons and gods in this strange world, was left speechless for a moment.

"He’s really handsome," Rin whispered.

Kaelith’s expression immediately darkened.

"Oh? Is he your type, wife?" he asked in a low voice, filled with jealousy.

Fuck... I did it now.

Rin could already feel trouble coming.

"Of course not! You look much better." he quickly answered.

Kaelith’s eyes softened slightly.

"How much better?" he asked with a spoiled tone.

It was obvious that he loved being praised by Rin. Rin immediately understood what he had to do.

"The best in the entire world," he answered quickly. "Now let’s just watch the show, okay?"

"Hm. Fine."

Kaelith looked satisfied.

I dodged the bullet this time.

Rin secretly congratulated himself. On the stage, the blond host raised one hand.

"Dear spectators! As we have taught you, we will now choose one person from the audience for a unique magic performance!"

The audience immediately became excited.

"Each one of you has received a number. You can find your number behind your seat. Please check it now."

Rin’s eyes immediately lit up. He loved this kind of thing. Without hesitation, he leaned backward and checked the number behind his seat.

111.

Rin memorized it. But when he raised his head again, he immediately encountered Kaelith’s extraordinarily jealous gaze.

Rin pretended not to notice. He slowly turned his attention back toward the stage.

"Oh?" So you enjoy listening to other men while ignoring your husband?" Kaelith said obsessively.

"Not at all! Not at all! It’s just a show. Stop getting angry over everything." Rin waved his hand.

"Exactly. You should calm down a little, Kaelith," Sol added.

Kaelith’s eye twitched.

"You two really are brothers. You both have a talent for annoying me."

Sol laughed. Rin ignored them. The host continued speaking.

"Dear spectators, the long-awaited moment has arrived! We will now choose a number, and the lucky spectator will be invited onto the stage!"

The entire audience fell silent. Everyone waited in suspense.

Above the host, a huge glowing screen appeared. Rin stared at it. It reminded him of a smart TV from his old world, except this one was at least two meters wide.

What extravagance. A television this huge... Only millionaires could afford something like that back home.

"Such extravagance, this is a big TV" Rin whispered.

"TV?" Kaelith and Sol asked at exactly the same time.

Rin blinked.

"Ah... it’s a box where people dance, sing, act in movies..." He paused awkwardly. "Eh, I suppose there’s no way you two would know what that is."

For the first time, Kaelith and Sol had exactly the same thought.

Rin’s real world must be incredibly cruel. They lock people inside boxes and force them to do whatever they want.

Rin stared at them.

"What?"

"Nothing," Kaelith answered.

The numbers on the screen began moving. They changed constantly. For two whole minutes, the numbers continued spinning, making Rin think of a lottery draw.

Just like the lottery...

Finally, they began slowing down. Rin leaned forward. The number changed once. Then again.

And finally—

110.

The host smiled.

"Congratulations, spectator number 110! Please come onto the stage!"

The audience looked around. But there was one problem. The seat belonging to number 110 was empty.

Well... It wasn’t exactly empty. Sol was sitting there. But because nobody could see him, all the audience could see was an empty chair.

The host looked slightly confused before quickly recovering.

"It seems that our spectator with number 110 is not present."

He looked toward Rin.

"In that case, what about our spectator with number 111? Would you like to join us?"

Rin remained silent. He looked at the empty seat beside him.

"Sol," he whispered. "It’s your turn. Aren’t you going?"

Sol sighed.

"I can’t. You forgot that I don’t have a physical body. And if I suddenly started talking right now, I’d probably scare half the audience."

He laughed.

"You go if you want."

Rin frowned.

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Of course. Go and have fun!"

The host spoke again.

"Spectator number 111, what do you say?"

Rin’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Alright! I’m coming!"

He stood up. But before he could take a single step, a hand grabbed his wrist.

"Are you really planning to go? What if something happens?" Kaelith asked.

Rin looked at him.

"I’m literally within your sight. What could possibly happen when you and Sol are both here?"

"But..."

"I’ll be fine."

Rin rolled his eyes. Kaelith hesitated.

He finally released Rin’s wrist. He didn’t want to create a scene in front of hundreds of people. But inside his mind, one thought had already settled.

When we return to the inn, Rin and I are going to have a conversation.

Rin, completely unaware of what Kaelith was thinking, walked toward the stage.

Rin climbed onto the stage with nervous excitement. More than a thousand people were staring at him.

But among all those gazes, there was one that he could feel more intensely than the rest. Kaelith.

He’s nervous. One hundred percent nervous.

Rin almost laughed. The blond host approached him with a playful smile.

"Thank you, spectator number 111, for joining us!"

He raised his arms dramatically.

"And now..."

The lights suddenly became brighter.

"IT’S TIME FOR... MAGIC!"

The audience erupted into cheers. For the next ten minutes, everything went wonderfully. Rin had the fun of his life.

There were flames dancing between the magician’s hands. There were strange illusions. There were little ice sculptures that appeared out of nowhere.

At one point, Rin even received an ice figure shaped like a small bear—or perhaps some kind of animal he had never seen before.

He had no idea what it was. But it was cute.

"Wow!" Rin exclaimed.

He completely forgot about his worries. He laughed. He enjoyed himself. For a few precious minutes, he felt like an ordinary person visiting a circus.

Then the host’s expression changed.

"And now..."

His voice became quieter.

"Mister spectator number 111..."

Rin looked toward him.

"Please take your place here, in the center."

Rin did exactly as he was told. He wasn’t worried. Everything had been fun so far. What could possibly go wrong?

The host slowly raised his hand.

"This final magic is known as..."

He paused.

"The Forbidden Magic."

The audience became silent. A strange expression appeared in the host’s eyes.

"And if you are wondering why it is called forbidden, the answer is simple."

His smile widened slightly.

"Because it is too extraordinary."

There was something strange in his eyes. Something that made Rin’s instincts immediately scream.

Something isn’t right.

Rin had heard about Forbidden Magic before. Kaelith had told him about it. And Sol himself was living proof of the consequences that could follow after such magic was used.

They’re not actually going to use Forbidden Magic here, are they? With this many people around?

Rin looked around. Hundreds of spectators were watching.

Families. Children. Merchants. Travelers. Nobody seemed to realize that something was wrong.

Rin swallowed. For the first time since entering the circus, the excitement disappeared from his face.

He should have stopped. He should have walked away. He should have listened to that small voice in the back of his mind telling him to run.

But Rin still had one problem. Somewhere deep inside, he continued to believe that this was simply another strange world.

Another fantasy. Another adventure. And because of that, he failed to understand just how dangerous the situation truly was.

The host raised both hands. The ground beneath Rin suddenly began glowing.

"Wait..."

Rin’s eyes widened.

"What is—"

The floor disappeared beneath his feet. A massive hole suddenly opened. Rin fell.

His heart jumped into his throat.

"AH—!"

He desperately reached out. But there was nothing to grab. The stage vanished above him as darkness swallowed his body.

And then, while he was falling, Rin heard two voices screaming from the audience.

One was filled with panic. The other with desperation.

"RINNNN!!!"

"BIG BROTHER!!!"

Rin’s eyes widened.

Then everything went dark.