The Eye of Horus

"Then," Daniel said as his eyes glinting with mischievous excitement, meticulously reassembled the deck of cards, his fingers dancing in a hypnotic rhythm.

"I didn't do any of those flashy tricks... just brought them all back together, and now, I'm going to make them magically leap into your pocket."

Jack arched an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of skepticism and intrigue.

"Please," he quipped, leaning in with an air of curiosity.

"Crack!" Daniel snapped his fingers, the sound sharp in the air, charged with anticipation.

Jack's fingers delved into his pockets, his movements both eager and cautious. He glanced up, a bemused smile tugging at his lips.

The pocket was empty.

A sheepish grin played on Daniel's lips.

"Sorry," he admitted with a chuckle, "I haven't mastered that particular feat proficiently yet."

Daniel closed his eyes, took a slow breath, and let himself sink into the moment. Focusing intently, he tried to recapture that elusive feeling – the sensation he stumbled upon in a serendipitous moment last night. "Ah..."

His voice was a soft murmur, a blend of concentration and determination, as he sought to reconnect with the newfound ability.

"Fuck!" Suddenly, an anguished groan escaped him, and he crumpled to the ground, his posture one of utter defeat.

In that moment, he felt as though his very essence had been hollowed out, leaving behind nothing but an echoing void.

"..." This time, Jack's eyes narrowed, amusement dancing within their depths.

He had sensed the abrupt shift, the change that had overtaken Daniel, and he possessed the means to halt it. Yet, he chose not to intervene, allowing the scene to unfold.

With an air of nonchalance, Jack reached into another pocket, his fingers deftly pinching a hidden card before presenting it to the now-prone Daniel.

"Playing Cards - Four of Diamonds," Jack announced with a triumphant grin, revealing the mysterious card.

He meticulously surveyed the scattered cards that had fallen like confetti due to Daniel's dramatic collapse. His fingers traced a deliberate path as he confirmed his suspicions, gaze unwavering. The Four of Diamonds had vanished from the chaos and materialized within his pocket.

Drawing upon his exceptional vision and heightened mana perception, Jack validated his earlier hypothesis.

As suspected, the enigmatic display Daniel had conjured was no mere sleight of hand; it was magic.

Jack had an arsenal of reasons supporting his deduction. Firstly, given Daniel's agile but certainly human physique, slipping a card into Jack's pocket without detection was an insurmountable challenge.

Secondly, Jack's mastery of [Mana Control] endowed him with a panoramic enhancement, encompassing even his mana perception.

In that pivotal moment, Jack had keenly sensed a surge of mana, forming an intricate lattice of energy around Daniel – a pattern designed to transcend space, transporting the card from the deck to Jack's pocket.

A smile of satisfaction tugged at Jack's lips as the pieces fell into place. Reflecting on Daniel's audacious performance earlier, coupled with his experience during the prior evening, Jack's certainty solidified.

Daniel Atlas, the charismatic illusionist with his entrancing gaze, was now more than a mere entertainer; he was a wielder of magic.

——

"What? A magician?" Daniel's startled breath escaped his lips, causing a ripple of intrigue that spread across the restaurant like a gentle breeze on a calm evening.

"Don't let your excitement run wild," Jack responded with a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

He couldn't ignore the curious glances now directed their way. Rising gracefully from his seat, Jack offered a warm smile to the curious onlookers.

"We were simply delving into the enigmatic realm of magic and its artistry. Please, do understand."

A voice erupted from the crowd, brimming with excitement, "I recognize you! Weren't you the magician from last week?"

Jack's eyes crinkled at the corners as he nodded graciously.

"Thank you for recalling my performance. It warms my heart." He acknowledged the surroundings with a polite nod, extending a silent greeting to the restaurant's patrons.

Resuming his seat, he turned his attention back to Daniel. "You've already witnessed the magic firsthand. What remains unbelievable?"

Daniel's eyes were wide, his mind struggling to catch up with reality. "It's just… it's hard to wrap my head around it. Magic?"

"Yes, indeed, magic. Yet, remember, we're not just conjurers of tricks but true magicians," Jack confided in a hushed tone, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes.

"As magicians, it's only natural to seize opportunities to showcase our craft. So, let's not create a spectacle."

Daniel chimed in with an enthusiastic tone, "But is this truly normal?"

Jack maintained his composure, nodding earnestly. His years of honed skill in keeping a straight face while weaving the mystical had transformed deception into an art form.

"Absolutely," he asserted. "Look, I'm a magician myself, well-versed in various magical incantations. Doesn't that make it ordinary?"

Daniel's eyebrows twitched skeptically. "Then why haven't I ever encountered other magicians with these kinds of abilities?"

"Magicians are of different tires," mused Jack with a sly grin, leaning in as if sharing a well-guarded secret.

"You and I, my friend, we tread upon the same magical ground. We awakened to this hidden realm, unearthed the enigma of magic, and seamlessly woven it into our enchanting performances."

Daniel's eyes widened, curiosity dancing across his features like fireflies in the night.

"But is there more beyond our level?" he inquired, his tone a delightful mix of intrigue and fascination.

A mischievous spark twinkled in Jack's eyes as he leaned back, his hands gesturing animatedly.

"Indeed, dear Daniel, a higher echelon awaits the bold and the worthy!" he proclaimed, as if unveiling a long-buried treasure trove.

Leaning in closer, Daniel couldn't help but hang on to every word. "Tell me, what's the key to reaching that level?"

Jack held up a finger, ticking off the conditions with theatrical flair.

"First, my friend, you must awaken your own dormant abilities and master the art of weaving magic seamlessly into your every move. A performance not just of tricks, but of true enchantment."

Nodding along, Daniel absorbed every detail, his imagination fired up. "And the second?"

"Ah, the second," Jack chimed, a conspiratorial smile curving his lips. "Fame, my dear fellow, fame! You must become a star that shines so bright, the world can't help but cast its eyes upon you."

Daniel's eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly intrigued by the unexpected twist. "And once these two conditions are met?"

Jack's voice lowered, creating an air of mystique. "Then, my friend, the veil between worlds thins. You'll attract the attention of a certain elusive organization."

Daniel leaned in, his eagerness palpable. "An organization? What do they want?"

With an almost theatrical pause, Jack leaned back, letting the suspense linger for a heartbeat.

"They will offer you a task, a challenge that only a magician of your newfound caliber can conquer. Complete it, and you shall earn the grandest audience."

Daniel's eyes glinted with a mixture of curiosity and determination. "Who are these people? What's the name of this organization?"

Jack's grin widened, a twinkle of mischief in his gaze.

"Ah, the answers lie shrouded in the tomes of ancient secrets," he intoned mysteriously, drawing Daniel into the narrative.

"All I know is this organization is known as the The Eye of Horus."

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