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"Now, you can all inspect this box," Daniel gestured. "You can get very close to look... wait, sir? What is that you're taking out of your pocket?"
"A magnifying glass," Morin replied, pulling one out of his suit pocket-his expression perfectly straight. "For a closer look."
Daniel: "???"
"I said you could get closer, not take out a magnifying glass!" Daniel screamed internally. And who even carries that around?!
On the surface, though, he maintained an awkward yet polite smile. "I see. Please, sir, feel free."
Facial expression management was a required course for every stage magician.
And since a magnifying glass didn't actually interfere with the trick, Daniel wasn't panicking.
But-
Morin clearly wasn't finished.
He was already on stage. Not using the opportunity would be a waste.
"I think a magnifying glass alone won't really tell us much," Morin said into the microphone a staff member had handed him, addressing the audience. "So I'm thinking of using some other tools. What do you all think?"
"Yeah!" The audience immediately perked up.
They had already been amused by the magnifying glass, and now their curiosity was fully engaged.
"Does anyone have any tools?" Morin asked. "Like... a hammer? Or a wrench?"
"Hahaha-"
The audience burst into laughter. Most people shook their heads.
Who carried a hammer around?
"Looks like I can't borrow anything," Morin shrugged and looked at Daniel.
"Hm?" Daniel raised an eyebrow. "If you want, I can lend you a deck of cards."
"That won't be necessary," Morin said with a faint smile. "Looks like I'll have to use my own tools. For example..."
He paused.
"A wrench."
As he spoke, Morin turned sideways, facing the audience, and patted his suit pocket, clearly showing it was empty.
Then he reached inside.
Slowly.
And pulled out a wrench that was at least twice as long as the depth of the pocket.
"Whoa!"
The audience erupted.
Morin handed the wrench to a nearby audience member, gesturing for them to pass it around.
Daniel couldn't stay calm anymore.
With a trick like that, anyone claiming Morin wasn't a fellow magician would be lying.
And fellow magicians were rivals.
Not long ago, his assistant Henley Reeves had left him.
The reason he told himself was simple-she had learned enough.
The real reason was simpler.
She couldn't stand his playboy behavior and controlling personality.
He cheated everywhere, but didn't tolerate being challenged. If she'd stayed, she'd have been the fool.
So she left, planning to go solo.
Right now, though, Daniel's attention was fully on Morin.
This guy might be here to sabotage his show.
Daniel stepped closer, set down his microphone, and spoke through clenched lips with a smile that barely moved.
"Sir. Colleague?"
"Yes," Morin nodded. "I only planned to watch. But you invited me up, so... I should perform, right?"
Who invited you?! Daniel cursed internally, while keeping his smile intact.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
If Morin intended to ruin the show, Daniel would have security drag him off immediately-even if it meant stopping the performance.
"Just a performance," Morin said calmly. "I won't take much time, and I won't expose your tricks. I'm a professional."
Then he added, "How about we cooperate? You can say you invited me. That way it won't be awkward, and both of us can continue smoothly."
Daniel hesitated.
"...Fine."
He was unhappy.
Very unhappy.
But compared to the risk of his tricks being exposed, the excuse of 'a magician I specially invited' was far more acceptable.
Daniel liked control. He liked leading.
But this time, Morin's plan was the least damaging option.
In his mind, Morin was just trying to piggyback on his fame.
He completely forgot who had pulled who onto the stage.
"Alright," Morin said. "This wrench has been thoroughly inspected."
He took back the [Super-Dimensional Wrench].
"Did anyone notice anything strange?"
"No!"
The audience answered in unison. They'd tested it every way they could.
It was just a normal wrench.
Of course, it wasn't.
"I've noticed a serious issue," Morin continued. "This box is nailed shut, right?"
He frowned slightly. "Which means we need another tool. How about... a claw hammer?"
The audience cheered.
Morin moved.
Fast.
He grabbed the wrench, clapped his hands together to block the view, muttered something under his breath, then opened his palms.
The wrench was gone.
In its place-
A claw hammer.
The audience froze.
So did Daniel.
Because even Daniel couldn't tell how Morin had done it.
Before, when Morin pulled the wrench from his pocket, Daniel had at least had theories. A sleeve. A modified suit.
This time?
Nothing.
He had no idea.
Still, Daniel quickly recovered and smiled again.
No matter how it was done, the audience was fired up. Their cooperation only elevated his own performance.
Morin kept his word.
Daniel had flaws. He was controlling. But he wasn't evil.
Morin had no intention of ruining his show.
Besides, Morin wanted to learn a few tricks himself.
Using magic was one thing.
Knowing magic tricks was another.
After a few more demonstrations-pulling items from his pocket, transforming objects in plain sight-Morin returned the stage to Daniel.
"Alright, alright," Daniel clapped. "This gentleman is actually a magician I invited. Let's have him introduce himself."
If Daniel hadn't already known Morin's name-and feared further trouble-he wouldn't have said that.
"My name is Morin."
A simple smile. A brief introduction.
Then he returned to the three beautiful women who had been invited on stage, leaving Daniel to continue.
The four of them were led backstage by staff.
This was standard.
Guests would receive a small gift, maybe chat, take photos.
And Daniel would usually flirt.
Daniel let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Well then," he said aloud, "let's begin today's performance!"
The show proceeded flawlessly.
The audience was once again thoroughly satisfied.
But backstage, as Daniel prepared to flirt with the three women-as usual-he stopped.
They were all gathered around Morin.
Laughing.
Touching him.
And they were the ones initiating it.
Daniel: "???"
He stole my stage. Rode my popularity. And now he's hitting on all three of them?
At once?
This was unbearable.
I curse you to be unable to get out of bed tomorrow.
"Ladies," Daniel interrupted. "Morin and I need to discuss something. Why don't you wait outside for a moment?"
"Go ahead," Morin said casually.
"Phone number?" the women asked.
Morin smiled and tilted his head slightly. "Instead of that... how about the hotel name and room number?"
Daniel: "!!!"
What shocked him more was their reaction.
They didn't get angry.
They giggled.
And then they wrote it down.
Morin had just opened a new world for him.
Daniel had slept with plenty of women using magic tricks.
But he'd never seen anything so simple.
I should try that sometime.
Morin glanced at him, sensing some questionable thoughts, and ignored them.
"Mr. Atlas?"
"Huh? Yes?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to talk?"
"Right." Daniel nodded. "Morin, was it?"
"Just Morin."
"Well," Daniel said slowly, "your skills are... impressive."
He recalled the comments from his regular fans.
"My assistant just left. Would you be interested in taking the position?"
"Don't you already have one?"
"You mean her?" Daniel waved it off. "Temporary. Just last night's companion."
"In that case..." Morin thought briefly. "No. Being an assistant isn't very appealing."
Daniel frowned. "Then what do you want?"
"Wouldn't it be more interesting if two magicians competed on the same stage?" Morin said. "Let the audience score us."
"It adds rivalry. Entertainment. And if we both get famous, we can separate later without affecting each other."
"You mean cooperation?" Daniel laughed lightly. "My popularity is far higher than yours."
"With my abilities, that won't last forever," Morin said calmly. "Think about it. Would you rather have a rival stealing your business, or a partner helping you succeed?"
He clapped his hands.
A wrench appeared.
Daniel's pupils tightened.
Not because he feared being hit.
But because, at this distance, with no distractions, he still couldn't tell how Morin had done it.
The idea suddenly didn't sound so bad.
The audience had been more excited than usual.
Morin watched Daniel think, his expression unchanged.
Inside, though, he felt genuine amazement.
No wonder magicians love showing off tricks.
Using cheats right in front of people's faces...
And all they can do is doubt their own intelligence.
It's incredible.