Chapter 21: You Are a Magician, Too?

Meanwhile, Moray, having descended from the rooftop into the floor below, found Kid blocking his path.

Kid leaned casually against the corridor wall, a playing card dancing between his fingers. His white top hat cast a shadow over his eyes, making his expression impossible to read.

"If I’m not mistaken," he said, looking at Moray, his monocle reflecting the moonlight, "you’re a magician too, aren't you?"

"Oh?" Moray, who had been somewhat indifferent, asked with genuine interest, "‘Too’?"

"The way you drew your gun." Kaito Kuroba thought to himself that it was a speed even he could barely track; surely, only a magician would hone their hand speed to such a level. He imagined that others must feel the same way when watching his own magic tricks as he felt watching Moray draw that weapon.

*Oh, he noticed the presence of the imaginary space?* Moray mused. *He says "too," implying he’s a magician? No wonder no one can catch him... though I wonder what his lineage is.*

With that in mind, Moray probed, "I see. Is your tradition local to Japan?"

"Even with me wearing this outfit?" Kid tilted his hat brim down slightly.

"The attire can be Western while the school is Japanese. They don't conflict."

"It’s a family tradition, though the origins are likely European."

*So, a European lineage,* Moray noted to himself.

"And your magic..." Kaito Kuroba ventured.

"As for me, I suppose I’m self-taught?"

*Self-taught to this level?* Kaito Kuroba felt a sudden surge of respect, followed by a flicker of competitive spirit. *Right, I’m adding extra practice when I get home!*

"Such a large, natural sapphire, and it has some age to it. What do you intend to use it for?" Moray asked, feigning casual curiosity while harboring his own motives.

Moray had heard that Kid always returned the gems he stole, seemingly enjoying the thrill of playing games with the Japanese police. If Kid didn't want it, why shouldn't he take it? At worst, he could provide full compensation to the original owner later—a minor sin of forced commerce.

A top-tier natural sapphire was rare and precious, capable of storing vast amounts of magical energy and serving as a component for artifacts. This particular stone was pure and nearly flawless, having soaked in the earth’s veins for ages; the special structure formed by eons of magical infusion gave it excellent magical compatibility and storage capacity. It was a superior material.

In almost every magical system, the sapphire symbolized wisdom, truth, and protection. Unlike the ruby, which represented vitality, the sapphire leaned toward defensive purposes. It was well known that ancient Egyptian civilization used lapis lazuli extensively, but they also regarded the sapphire as a sacred stone, using it for amulets, idols, and ritual objects. The Egyptians believed in its protective and healing powers, often inlaying it into pharaonic jewelry as an offering to the gods.

People along the Mediterranean coast believed in the sapphire's power to guard against curses, and ancient Roman magicians used it to create talismans to ward off the threat of the "evil eye." In medieval Europe, star sapphires, which displayed a six-rayed star when polished, were highly sought-after ritual tools for astrologers. In churches and monasteries, sapphires were sometimes set into crosses or chalices to enhance their sanctity.

Why did Moray want this sapphire? During the skirmish on the rooftop, he had felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck, a vague sense of threat from afar. Through the shroud of smoke, he had spotted the telltale glint of a sniper scope on a high-rise building in the distance. He knew it was someone sent by the Organization to monitor his assessment.

This served as a wake-up call. Previously, he hadn't been drawn into the conflicts of the Japanese underworld, living in what could be considered a relatively safe environment. But now that he was involved, there was no guarantee he wouldn't be targeted for assassination. Not to mention that he would eventually have to rebel against the "Wine Distillery," a path bound to be fraught with danger. If he could secure this sapphire, he could craft it into a perpetual talisman to deflect curses or a rechargeable shield—a major boost to his survival.

The "immortality" granted by the materialization of Moray’s soul was merely a near-eternal lifespan. A materialized soul could still be wounded by physical objects, and since his soul served as his organ of thought, any damage—while repairable—would impair his processing speed during the recovery period.

But, everything depended on getting the gem first.

"What do I intend to use it for?" Kaito Kuroba found the question strange. *What could one possibly use a gem for?*

He grew wary, but a smile tugged at his lips. He replied in a languid tone, "I don't ever need these gems... I simply enjoy appreciating their beauty. Once I’ve finished, I return them to their rightful owners. Trying to claim someone else's property as your own isn't a very good habit." He subtly jabbed at Moray.

*Since when does a professional thief get to say that?* Moray thought to himself.

Kid then seemed to recall something and chuckled. "Besides, that group of people has been collecting these large, pure, natural gems lately. Giving them a hard time is a decent way to pass the time."

*Is he hinting that if I rob the 'Zoo,' he won't interfere?* Moray raised an eyebrow.

Kid’s gaze fixed on Moray. "I get the impression you don't get along with them, either. I’m planning to track them down to their hideout. Want to come?"

*Is he really inviting me to team up?* Moray suppressed a laugh and decided to decline. However, robbing the "Zoo" was an intriguing idea. If that were the case, he didn't need to take this specific sapphire; there was no point in making an enemy of such a person over a single stone.

"It is my organization that doesn't get along with them," Moray corrected, pointing out the error in Kid's assumption. "And since I killed their men and walked away unscathed, I suppose it is they who don't get along with me."

"Unfortunately, my organization declared before the mission that we shouldn't escalate the conflict," Moray said, clasping his hands behind his head and yawning. "It’s inconvenient to negotiate if you overdo things. If I were to raid their headquarters while representing my current identity, what would my superiors think of me? No, no, that won't do."

"So, that’s all for today." He waved a hand, walked to the window, braced himself against the frame, and vaulted over. "Carry on with your investigation, Kid the Phantom Thief."

A few minutes later, Kaito Kuroba watched the rapidly moving blips on his screen and strode toward the window.

*A mysterious man in a silver-haired trench coat, possessing profound magical mastery... how could I not be curious? Let me use this tracker to see where you're heading!*

As for the fact that he would spend a long time tracking the signal only to find the device discarded under the chassis of a taxi—that was a story for another time.