The World Greatest Magician Is A Fraud

With Sister Maria excusing herself to start preparing dinner, Luke found himself standing by the dining hall, realizing that it was already evening. The demand of the girls must now be fulfilled. He took a deep breath, knowing he had to face the situation head-on. Heading to the lawn of the cathedral, Luke could already see the boys along with the girls, engaged in a discussion under the single tree.

Luke had never frequented the lawn much, making this almost like the first time he truly embraced the sight. He had seen this view before from inside the cathedral or during brief walks around the premises, but now, it felt different. The lawn, with its expanse of green and the majestic tree standing tall, seemed to symbolize the gathering of the children and the coming together of their worlds.

As Luke edged closer, he could hear the children's conversation more clearly. The girls were questioning the boys' presence, their voices tinged with scepticism.

"Why are you all here?" one of the girls asked, her tone curious but cautious.

The boys, led by Peter, stood their ground.

"Luke ordered us to be here," Peter explained, trying to sound confident.

The girls exchanged doubtful glances.

"Ordered? Why would he do that?" the oldest girl asked, her arms crossed as she scrutinized the boys.

The boys began to argue back, their voices rising in defence of Luke.

"He's not like that!" Thomas protested. "He just wants to talk to us all together."

"He's been good to us," Ben added, his small voice trying to sound persuasive.

Samuel, still visibly shaken from earlier, nodded vigorously.

"He helped me when I was scared," he said, his eyes wide with earnestness.

As the debate continued, Luke stepped closer, making his presence known. The children fell silent, their eyes turning to him with a mix of expectation and wariness. Luke could feel the weight of their gazes, each one seeking answers and assurance.

Luke raised his hands in a calming gesture.

"I asked you all to come here because I need to speak with you," he began, his voice steady but gentle. "I understand there have been misunderstandings, and I want to clear them up."

The girls watched him closely, their scepticism slowly melting into curiosity. The boys, having defended him, looked at him with a mix of relief and anticipation.

"Firstly," Luke continued, "I want to apologize if any of my actions have caused confusion or worry. I never meant for that to happen."

The children remained silent, their attention fully on him. Luke took a deep breath and went on.

"I know some of you have learned about my... abilities. And I need you to understand that it's important to keep this a secret. Not because it's something bad, but because it's something special that not everyone would understand."

The oldest girl, who had spoken earlier, stepped forward.

"We heard from the boys," she said, her voice clear. "Is it true? Are you really... magical?"

Luke took a deep breath.

"Yes, I am," he admitted, knowing he can't lie his way out anymore from them. "But it's not something I show to everyone. It's a part of who I am, and I trust you all to keep it safe."

The girls exchanged sceptical glances.

"Prove it," the oldest girl demanded. "Show us something magical."

Luke hesitated. All his items were back in the room, and leaving to retrieve them would only heighten their doubt. Thinking quickly, he remembered the two silver shillings he received from work. He took one out, holding it up for the children to see.

"Watch closely," Luke said, focusing on the coin. He performed a simple coin trick, making the shilling vanish and then reappear from behind his hand. The children watched, wide-eyed, as he seemingly pulled the coin from thin air. To add to the effect, he made the coin double, using the other silver shilling still in his pouch. The children gasped in awe, their faces lighting up with wonder.

But the eldest girl remained unimpressed.

"That's not magic," she said, crossing her arms. "If you're really a mage, show us something real. Like shooting fire or calling down lightning. Just like in the stories."

Luke felt a pang of frustration. He couldn't do any of those things. His abilities were limited to simpler, less dramatic feats. In other words, tricks. He needed to find a way to convince her, but with his limited items, it seemed impossible.

"I-I can't do those things," Luke admitted, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's dangerous and going to attract attention. But that doesn't mean my magic isn't real. Magic comes in many forms, and it's not always about fire and lightning."

The eldest girl narrowed her eyes, clearly not satisfied with his explanation. Luke racked his brain for another idea, something that could show his magic in a different light. He thought about his talents, about what he could do with minimal resources.

Luke's heart raced as he realized he needed to act quickly. He reached into his second pouch, his fingers deftly working to turn on his phone's flashlight without drawing attention to it. Keeping the phone hidden, he let the light shine through the thin fabric of the pouch. To the children, it appeared as though the pebble in his hand was glowing with an ethereal light.

"How about this," Luke said, his voice calm and steady. "Magic isn't just about big, flashy displays. It's about understanding the world in ways others can't. It's about seeing the potential in everything around you."

The soft, otherworldly glow emanating from his hand captivated the children. Their eyes widened in amazement, the scepticism on the eldest girl's face slowly dissolving. Remembering how Gareth had initially thought Luke was a mage because of a similar trick, Luke felt a small surge of confidence.

He turned off the flashlight and discreetly threw the pebble away, wishing he could have transformed it into something more impressive. But the trick had worked. The girls looked at each other, then back at Luke, their expressions shifting from doubt to belief.

"Why do you hide your abilities?" one of the girls asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "Why not make yourself known?"

Luke sighed, considering his response.

"I prefer a peaceful life, one where I can live like a normal person," he explained. "Revealing my abilities could bring a lot of unwanted attention and responsibility."

"But you have the power to change things," the eldest girl argued. "To help those in need, to stop evil from spreading. Why not use it?"

The children's earnest words struck a chord with Luke. He had heard similar sentiments from Gareth, and it resonated with his promise to help others and seek help when needed. He hesitated, then spoke honestly.

"I'm afraid. I'm not ready to take on such a burden or responsibility. There's so much I still don't know about this world. How can I decide what needs to change?"

The children nodded in understanding.

"If that's what you wish for, then we won't ask for more," the eldest girl said. "It makes us happy to know someone like you exists. Like Saint Cynthia, you are now the living embodiment of our faith."

Luke felt a profound sense of gratitude. These children, who had once been sceptical, now saw him as a beacon of hope and belief. It was a heavy mantle to bear, but their support gave him strength.

As the glow faded and the pebble was discarded, the children gathered around Luke, their curiosity finally satisfied. The eldest girl, who had been the most sceptical, stepped forward with newfound respect in her eyes.

"We should introduce ourselves properly," she said, her voice carrying the authority of a leader. "I'm Lillian, thirteen, and these are my sisters."

One by one, the girls stepped forward to introduce themselves.

"I'm Sarah, and I'm twelve," said a girl with bright red hair and freckles, smiling warmly at Luke.

"Clara, twelve as well," added another, her blond hair tied back in a neat braid.

"My name is Hannah, and I'm eleven," next came a girl with dark, curly hair and a shy smile.

"I'm Emily, and I'm eleven," then a tall girl with glasses and an inquisitive look said.

Finally, the girl who had caught Samuel's eye stepped forward.

"I'm Natasha, and I'm eleven as well," she said, her voice soft but clear.

She had long, wavy brown hair and a gentle demeanour that explained Samuel's affection for her.

Luke nodded at each of them, committing their names and ages to memory.

"It's nice to meet all of you," he said. "Thank you for trusting me."

"We understand why you want to keep your abilities a secret. But if you ever need help, you can count on us," Lillian, the eldest, spoke again.

"We'll keep your secret, Luke. You can trust us, too," Natasha nodded in agreement.

The girls' willingness to protect his secret gave Luke a sense of relief. He realized that, despite their initial scepticism, they were now his allies. And their age did not vary as much as with the boys, who ranged by a year between them.

"Thank you," Luke replied sincerely. "I appreciate your support more than you know."

"We should head back before Sister Maria starts yelling for us," the girls exchanged glances, and then Lillian spoke up once more.

"Yes, let's not make her wait," Luke agreed.

As they began to leave, Luke took a moment to reflect on the turn of events. These children, both boys and girls, had become an unexpected but welcome part of his life. Their belief in him, their willingness to keep his secret, and their admiration were things he hadn't anticipated. It was a heavy responsibility, but one he felt more capable of handling with their support.

As the group walked back towards the cathedral, Luke felt a mix of gratitude and determination. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with the trust of these children, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.