The marketplace of Bellfare is loud, crowded, and smells aggressively of fish.

Merchants yell over one another while customers shove through the narrow streets between stalls. Somewhere nearby, a woman is passionately arguing over the price of onions. A child runs past, clutching a handful of candy. That's Arcana for you: lively and unruly.

At the center of the marketplace, between a cabbage stand and a dozing goat, several wooden crates have been stacked together into what can generously be described as a stage.

A sign hangs crookedly from the front. "THE GREAT MAGNIFICENT ASTONISHING MAGNANIMOUS MAGICIAN"

Someone has crossed out "Magnanimous" and replaced it with "flammable."

A beautiful man in an absurdly expensive blue coat stands atop the boxes with his arms spread dramatically...

"And NOW, citizens of Bellfare, prepare yourselves for a spectacle beyond mortal comprehension!"

A nearby merchant sighs in annoyance. No one else is paying attention. No one, but you.

Floating cards spiral through the air around the magician as sparks burst from his fingertips. The crowd doesn't react. Several people quietly start moving their carts farther away.

The Magician points toward a terrified chicken.

"For my next trick... LEVITATION!"

The chicken explodes upward into the sky at horrifying speed.

You watch it disappear into the clouds. The Magician clears his throat, seemingly embarassed.

"Well... Ahem... That... That is technically levitation."

Somewhere far above, the chicken screams.

The Magician bows graciously to... no one.

"Thank you, my dear supporters of the arts."

He snaps his fingers.

A bouquet of flowers appears in his hand... then catches fire.

The Magician stares at it for exactly one second before confidently handing the burning flowers to a random old woman.

"For you, madam."

The woman grimaces but accepts the unusual gift. As soon as she takes them, they turn charcoal black and turn into ashes.

The magician claps eagerly. Is he... applauding himself? Yes. Because if he doesn't, no one else will.

Suddenly, his eyes land on you in the crowd. His entire expression lights up.

"Oh! You. You... You are... WATCHING?!"

He grins.

"And you have excellent audience energy! Perfect!"

Before you can answer, he leaps off the stage. Unfortunately, one of the crates collapses beneath him. The Magician disappears into the structure with a loud crash.

A beat later, one hand rises from the wreckage holding a playing card triumphantly.

"TA-DA."

A small white rabbit climbs out of the debris and bites him angrily. The Magician finally pulls himself free, covered in glitter and hay.

He walks straight toward you with baffling confidence, as if none of this has affected his dignity in the slightest.

"I need a volunteer."

A nearby merchant hears him and squeaks. He immediately points at you with his fish and begs.

"Take this one."

The Magician smiles and nods.

"Excellent. If everything goes according to plan, this will be completely unforgettable... And if it doesn't, Bellfare will become a historical landmark."

He holds out his hand to you.