Screening

The next day.

Ma Linna had just finished the enrollment procedures for a Magic Academy with I Nuo, and then brought I Nuo to the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater.

It was already close to noon, and the scene at the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater today was completely different from yesterday. A large number of carriages were lined up on the street in front of the theater.

Young Mages in Mage Robes stood together on the steps at the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater, waiting for something.

Ma Linna also recognized visitors from other countries by their attire.

And the reason they were gathered here was the super-sized Poster hanging at the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater.

Beauty and the Demon, Ma Linna's gaze was instantly drawn to that Poster.

There was no such thing as a Poster in this World; at most, a shop would have a sign made of wood. But this 'sign' at the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater completely broke the perception of signs for the people of Nolan, and even this World.

It was no longer just a few simple lines of text, but a complete picture. The scene of the Beauty and the Demon dancing gracefully in a magnificent hall, dressed in gorgeous clothes, was perfectly presented on this Poster.

From the moment this Poster appeared in Nolan, it was destined that everyone passing by the White Thorn Flower Theater would stop.

Ma Linna was no exception. With strong curiosity, she pulled I Nuo up the steps of the White Thorn Flower Theater, only to suddenly realize that the girl holding the Demon on the Poster seemed to be I Nuo beside her, or more accurately, Belle, whom Ma Linna had met in the Village before.

I Nuo's hair color was silver-white now, while Belle's hair color was flaxen. Coupled with the significant difference in temperament between the Belle on the Poster and the current I Nuo...

It made Ma Linna almost forget that her adopted child's previous name was Belle.

Just as Ma Linna was about to ask I Nuo, two tall women walked towards them. The language they spoke was not the common language of Nolan, but the unique language of the Frost Country, Osta.

Ma Linna had traveled all over the World with her husband when she was young, so she understood a little of the languages of various countries. At this moment, she clearly understood the discussion between these two Osta girls.

"Agatha, stop crying. You killed so many Demons when you joined the army back then, why didn't I see you cry?"

"But... but that Demon was innocent."

"This is just a Stage... no, the people of Nolan seem to call this new form of Performance a Movie."

Ma Linna brushed past the two Osta girls and stopped at the entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater, because the entire entrance of the White Thorn Flower Theater was blocked by people. Even though many people in attendant uniforms came to try and maintain order, it was completely useless.

So many people?! Ma Linna had been in business for so many years, and when she was well-off before, she had watched a few Stage plays. But she had never encountered a situation where visitors blocked the entire theater hall when she went to the theater.

"Welcome, Madam Ma Linna."

Joshua walked out from the crowd.

This time, Joshua had underestimated the promotional effect of the Poster. On Earth, you could see a Poster almost every few steps, and everyone was already used to it, even aesthetically fatigued.

But this was the first time something like a Poster had appeared in this World. Driven by curiosity, many young Mages were attracted.

And after they watched the Movie Beauty and the Demon, while fully satisfying their curiosity, the emotion and enjoyment the Movie itself brought them became the capital for them to chat with their friends.

One spread to a hundred, a hundred spread to a thousand. In an era where newspapers were only in their embryonic form, the best means of promotion was through word-of-mouth.

In the morning, there were only a few scattered people in the hall of the White Thorn Flower Theater. As time moved towards noon, the number of visitors increased geometrically. Many of them had watched it once in the morning and brought their friends to watch it a second time.

"Mr. Joshua... is this what you meant?"

Ma Linna had many questions she wanted to ask Joshua, but she didn't know where to start.

"It's still what I told you last night. If you feel confused, go and watch this Movie. After you've watched it, that's the time for us to truly discuss cooperation."

Joshua had a servant lead Ma Linna and I Nuo to the VIP seats. Currently, all the tickets for the entire theater were sold out, with only the VIP seats reserved for a select few.

Led by the servant, Ma Linna arrived at the VIP seats in the White Thorn Flower Theater's performance hall.

This was a private room located at the highest point of the entire performance hall. Sitting on the sofa in the room, one could clearly see the giant screen in the performance hall.

"Sit down, I Nuo. Right now, I can only go along with Mr. Joshua's intentions."

Ma Linna noticed her adopted son's unease. She patted the seat next to her and used her usual comforting tone towards I Nuo to alleviate his stress.

I Nuo obediently sat on the other sofa. The performance hall fell into darkness at this moment, and during this time, Ma Linna could still hear many low whispers below.

"Why don't I see a stage?"

"That backdrop is pushed too far forward..."

"Do you know which theater troupe is performing?"

"Shut up, this performance doesn't need a theater troupe."

How could a performance happen without a theater troupe? The whispers Ma Linna heard were also the questions in her heart, but soon the images appearing on the giant screen resolved her doubts.

A long time ago, there was a cursed demon prince, in whose veins flowed half human blood...

The narration, voiced by a ghost under the Bone Duke's command, slowly recounted the background of the story. With the images on the giant screen, the audience was instantly drawn into the world constructed by Joshua.

Following this was a place Ma Linna was all too familiar with... that small village. The story's heroine, Belle, who was also I Nuo sitting beside her, slowly walked out and, through a chorus with the villagers, told the audience what kind of girl Belle was.

"Could farmers in those villages give birth to such a beautiful girl?"

"Beautiful, but I still think Miss Galolie is more charming..."

The whispering voices instantly disappeared during Belle's chorus with the villagers. As the movie screen advanced, many people had already forgotten to discuss with their friends.

When the movie's story gradually unfolded, those who held the view that the 'Flower of Falosi' was the most beautiful girl in the world began to completely waver.

Because even if the rumored 'Flower of Falosi' was indeed stunningly beautiful, she was too distant for everyone present. She was so distant that no one knew her true personality. She was merely shrouded in a veil of mystery by the various roles she played on stage, making her seem completely untouchable.

But Belle was different. Despite being separated by a screen, she appeared approachable. She was just an ordinary girl living in a village... until Belle put on a gorgeous dress and began dancing with the demon prince in the hall.

The young people present who had not yet experienced love felt a flutter in their hearts.

"Is that alarm clock named Hua Luo a familiar? I want to know how to summon it."

"Hey... that's a demon's servant, but I do want that teacup."

The focus of the women was completely different. Another highlight of Beauty and the Demon was, of course, the talking furniture.

Although the audience's viewing experience varied throughout the movie, when the final ending arrived, sounds of sobbing echoed throughout the audience seats.

Joshua stayed in another VIP seat, watching the audience's reactions below. Their reactions made Joshua very satisfied. The movie Beauty and the Demon was undoubtedly a success. In the coming month, and even year, this movie would become a topic of conversation among the people of Nolan!