UnderWorld Superstars: Rising to the Top of Stardom

"Ladies and gentlemen! PUT YOUR HANDS UP AND GIVE A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE STAR OF THE NIGHT, KAEL MERCER!" 

A booming voice echoed throughout the tent, dripping with passion and showmanship.

The lights dimmed and a halogen flared to life, forming a bright spot in the center of the stage. The earlier clamoring hall was quietened as everyone turned their heads towards the stage, stars forming in children's eyes. 

And then, with a flash of light and a screen of smoke, a young handsome man strode forward. He wore a well-tailored suit, his signature hat sitting atop his forehead and a charming, easy-going smile affixed on his lips. 

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!" Kael's voice was smooth and flowery, each word infused with charisma, "I don't think anyone here needs my introduction, but in case someone came unknowingly to have the best evening of their lives, I am Kael Mercer... 

And I am known for my magic." Kael tipped his hat forward, putting his hand into the hat as he spoke. And as soon as he finished his introduction, a long wand was pulled out of his hat. 

The audience cheered loudly, hooting as they sat in their seats. 

"Hello miss, you look adorable today." Kael ran his eyes over the crowd, stopping at an elderly grandma who sat on the first seat, "This is for you."

He walked forward and leaned to hand her his wand, but she was confused. 

"Oh, my bad." Suddenly, his wand popped in front of the grandma's eyes, turning into a beautiful bouquet, making her eyes widen in surprise. 

"Ah! Thank you very much, son." she smiled and took the bouquet, feeling giddy inside.

Kael smirked and walked backward to the center of the stage, looking at the crowd in confidence. 

"Isn't that just a special wand packed to open as a bouquet?" Kael said with his hand spread, "That's the question in everyone's mind, isn't it?" 

The crowd screamed a collective shout, most of it was a resounding "Yes!" with some shouts like "Give me one too!" and "Take the rabbit out of the hat!"

"I won't be showing you the boring rabbits today, I will show you the magic that I have personally developed over the years. It's a technique science is still experimenting on, but haven't understood how to master it." Kael's voice dripped with confidence and a tinge of narcissism, "No one except me, of course." 

"WHAT???" The crowd asked excitedly. 

"Teleportation." 

As soon as Kael said that, he kicked a curtain on the ground, covering his body from head to toe as a screen of fog blinded the audience from looking at the stage.

"Where is he?!" a young girl sitting at the end of the hall clutched her father's shirt and shook it, turning her head in all directions to find Kael. 

"This is just a trick, baby. There is probably a hole in the stage where he jumped in, then he will run to another location and come out. It's all cheap tricks." her father patted the girl's head and explained.

"Oh? There is a hole in the floor?" a voice questioned in curiosity. 

"Yes, most likely. I have seen many tric- WAIT WHAT?" the father's voice cracked as soon as he realized who he was talking to. 

"YAYYY! KAEL!" the little girl ignored her father and screamed, her eyes glittering when she saw the handsome man on the stairs. 

"Hello, princess." Kael plucked a button off his shirt and tossed it towards the young girl, but the button turned into a golden-wrapped chocolate midair, urging the girl to throw her hands up and catch it.

"Don't look on the stage, ladies and gentlemen. I am here~" Kael spoke into the mic, his voice sounded sweeter than before, containing a teasing charm. 

And with that, the hall erupted into a series of screams and cheers again. 

***

2 Hours Later.

A fat man sat on a cushioned chair, his feet up on the table as he carefully counted the bundle of cash in his hand.

"This is your pay for today." He threw the bundle at Kael, who counted the notes in his hand.

"You are mistaken, boss. This is missing 200 dollars." Kael frowned.

"I ain't mistaken, boy." the boss spat, not bothering to lower his feet while talking, "Your shows are earning much lesser audience these days. Your tricks are getting old."

Kael gritted his teeth, looking hatefully at his boss for a few seconds before he went back to his normal bubbly personality, "I understand, boss. I will work harder on them." 

"Good as you should. I am already paying you much more than you deserve because of your debt, kid." the boss waved his hand in dismissal.

"I understand, sir." Kael bowed his head in a curt nod and turned around, swiftly leaving the cabin.

His bubbly mask was shattered again once he escaped from his boss's eyes.

But he again pulled himself together when he saw a charming woman waiting by the door, she wore a tight office suit and a pair of round glasses complemented her sexy face. Her black hair cascaded down her back while her hands were crossed against her bust.

"What's wrong?" she asked when she looked at Kael. 

"Nothing new, boss being a greedy little son of a whore." Kael spat glaring at the closed door.

A giggle escaped the woman's lips when she heard him curse, "I wonder what your fans will say if they see you using such language. They think you are so pure~" 

Kael rolled his eyes, "How much more do I owe this fatty, Cath? When can I ditch this shithole and show where my talents truly shine, huh? How long do I need to dance around a stage and hide in a box like a monkey with some tricks?" 

"Patience, Kael. I know you're itching to showcase your profound talents of bullshitting to the world, but don't forget you are a mere young boy with no backing or connections." Catherine smiled and patted Kael like a little boy, "Slow and steady wins the race." 

Kael slapped her hands away, "I am not a turtle, Cath. What do you mean by no connections or backing, huh? Why do I need such crap when I have something much greater. Something no one else has?" 

A smirk crept up Cathy's lips, "And what is that?"

Kael turned toward the door where a young man stood. He wore an oversized hoodie with a pair of headphones over his ears. 

"Him," Kael smirked.

Standing at a height of 6'1 inches and a well-defined handsome face, he was none other than Kael Mercer himself. Or rather, it was his identical twin.

Felix Mercer.