The Routine

But in the end, only a few could react instantly. Many people—even those still standing in the rain at the scene—felt, at that moment, as though the rain truly had begun to flow backward. When vision was deceived, cognition was deceived as well.

"It's not magic! This isn't magic—it's just strobe lights!"

At that moment, those who had caught on began shouting.

After all, times were different now. People today were not so easily fooled.

"Shh!"

In response, the enormous projection merely made a gesture.

"Indeed, this is only a little trick. What comes next is the real magic."

"I will breach the distance of space and seize the Sky Crown right here!"

As he spoke, the enormous projection casually waved a hand. In an instant, space itself seemed to be sliced open.

At the same time, a brightly lit exhibition hall appeared, along with the Sky Crown inside its transparent display case—strong enough to withstand powerful explosives—and the elderly Sword Master seated beside it.

"A projection! It's just a projection!"

After a brief silence, someone shouted.

"Is it really only a projection?!"

Facing the doubts of countless people, the phantom thief merely smiled faintly. Then he extended his hand and gently removed the Sky Crown. Sharp-eyed observers had already noticed that not only in the projection, but also in the hands of the phantom thief's actual body atop the statue, there was now an additional crown.

"Oh, and this."

As he spoke, the phantom thief flicked a finger. A card appeared in his hand, which he then placed into the display case through the rift in space-time, replacing the original Sky Crown.

On the other side, the elderly Sword Master sitting cross-legged beside the display case keenly caught the commotion outside. He opened his eyes, only to watch helplessly