Magical Log Makes Headlines
The next morning.
As usual, we were gathered around the table for breakfast when...
“Hah.”
My father, who had the morning news on while eating, let out a hollow chuckle.
Vigilante? I turned my head to check the news as well.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk...”
Father shook his head, clicking his tongue at the TV.
“A so-called prestigious family can't even catch a single thief. What an entertaining world this is turning into.”
It seemed yesterday's events had made the news.
Of course, I'd slipped out of the mansion undetected and escaped via a route pieced together from comprehensive Calione intel, so no one inside the family even knew about it. At most, Haru, who helped deliver the donation, might suspect.
Honestly, Magical Girl Magical Log? It was the character I'd created for maximum fun, and after so long embodying that concept, it was thrilling... but come on. It's kinda cringy.
I couldn't help feeling embarrassed to reveal it to others. That's why the mysterious phantom thief/vigilante persona worked so well.
As expected, since Haru handled it personally, even the government couldn't trace it properly. This meant I could keep operating as Magical Log without issues.
After all, it was an irresistible concept—one that embarrassed me as much as it humiliated my targets.
Father switched the channel.
“Donating to an orphanage... Still got some romance to it.”
“Right?”
“Yeah. Hm? Eugene, you seem pleased. Something good happen?”
“Haha, no, nothing.”
As expected, my father was a man who appreciated romance.
* * *
“Boss! Bossbossbossbossboss! You hear? Did you hear?!”
Jinwoo's usual morning fuss had become routine. I sighed and looked at him.
“What now.”
“Oh man, you know that thing! The treasurer's house got robbed.”
That was it? I thought it was something new.
“You know the student council treasurer didn't come to school today? Heard from someone he got dragged into that mess last night—face totally smashed. Heh heh heh!”
Guess that's why my punch felt soft—it connected with a proper Falcon Punch.
“You're talking about that news this morning, right? The one called 'Magical Log'? How's a thief named Magical Log?”
Sea-a had seen the news too and knew about the incident. If these two knew, most people already did—that the treasurer's house got properly cleaned out last night.
“Getting robbed by some clown with a Magical Phantom Thief name. Guess the treasurer's family ain't all that.”
I said it casually, and Sea-a nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. They were all over TV when they first came to Korea, bragging about being some English noble house. This exposed them good. For real?”
One man's shame is another's festival. Now I was curious about the student council's reaction.
That thought didn't last long.
“Eee hee hee hee! Hey! You guys see the TV?! Check this out! Ack!”
Ji Suhyun burst in clutching her stomach, fired up YouTube on the teacher's desk, and projected it onto the classroom beam projector.
Footage of last night's events, the treasurer loaded into an ambulance, and the Podish family head with a devastated expression.
“Serves the student council right—strutting around with their heads held high.”
I couldn't help but chuckle at her roaring laughter. Was a teacher supposed to act like this? But thinking about it, the student council wasn't on great terms with the faculty either. So her reaction made sense.
Besides, as our club advisor, she might especially enjoy the downfall of our enemies.
“Those damn Bi-wing bastards—! Eeeek!”
...Or maybe she was just like that.
“Haa... Haven't had a good laugh in ages lately. Whew... Ahem. Ahem.”
Realizing how she'd been laughing, she turned off the video, cleared her throat, and reverted to her usual self.
“Anyway, academy announcement first. Due to recent terror incidents and such, the school trip planned for the first semester is postponed to the second. Not canceled, so keep that in mind... Dismissed. I'm off to watch more videos.”
She vanished in an instant using her ability.
Using powers for personal reasons on campus violated school rules... but Ji Suhyun treated that like a joke. What a woman.
Well, with her experience as a teacher, she'd handle it somehow.
And so, academy life continued as usual...
A message from Yuri to meet up.
She'd mentioned the chairman suspecting her lately—was meeting this often okay? Whatever, she had her reasons.
“Hm? Boss, where you going? Not to the club room?”
Today's club activities were settling accounts from the club tournament and total war prizes.
“I'll be at the club room before lunch ends.”
It wouldn't take long anyway, so I sent the kids ahead and headed to Cielo Notturno Cafe.
The undisputed top spot at the academy—still with lines out the door. Its popularity was insane; even the guinea pig who should be cleaning inside was handing out numbered tickets to the crowd.
As owner and VIP, I went straight in. Latte was hustling with serving.
“Boss! Tissues please!”
“Yessir! Right away!”
...She looked busy—no need to bother her.
I passed her and entered the VIP room.
“Junior here?”
Yuri, already seated sipping what looked like grapefruit tea, stood up when she saw me.
“Sunbae. Didn't you say the chairman thinks you're betraying us?”
“Yeah?”
“Then is meeting like this okay?”
She tilted her head like I'd said something weird.
“This is a cafe. I come to my favorite cafe for a drink—do I need the chairman's permission for that? You're the owner, so you can be here too. If we happen to visit at the same time, it's coincidence. People grab food and drinks habitually.”
In other words, without hard evidence, the chairman couldn't complain.
“...Pretty brazen method.”
“And solid.”
“So, what'd you call me for today?”
“Oh, nothing much.”
She pulled out her phone and showed me the news.
“...Magical Log. That?”
“Oh, you saw the news too, junior?”
“Instructor Ji Suhyun blasted it on the projector this morning for public shaming. Everyone in my class knows by now.”
And probably the whole academy did too.
“Then you know the student council's in chaos?”
“I was curious. The treasurer got hit, after all.”
By a thief with a ridiculous name. Though inflicting injury made it robbery.
“The council's in an uproar. Treasurer suddenly gone, and... the president got a threat letter.”
“...The president?”
“Yeah. Wanna see?”
She pulled a photo from her pocket and placed it on the table.
“What's this?”
“A threat note from Magical Log not reported on the news. Found in the treasurer's safe.”
She looked at me.
“Just maybe, hypothetically... This isn't you, right?”
“...Pardon?”
“I mean, student council wrecked the day before, then treasurer's house robbed. Bad blood too.”
“Plenty of people have grudges against them besides me.”
“True! But... who could rob the Podish mansion solo and escape scot-free?”
Was this woman's intuition? Sharper than expected.
But.
“Do I look like the type to write crap like this, sunbae?”
“Eh? Yeah?”
“Sunbae. You know my family.”
“I... do?”
“Would I write childish letters like this out of boredom and rob poorer houses? If I'm pissed, I just send the organization.”
“Uh... well...”
“Above all, what's this 'Bloody Monday'? I don't even know.”
No evidence. Slim suspicions at best.
A magical girl's identity stays secret from everyone but allies—no matter who.
“Right? Just kidding~ No way you'd do this. Heard Magical whatever chants embarrassing spells to break through guards... Doesn't fit your image.”
The gap made me an unlikely suspect.
Plus.
“Above all, 'Bloody Monday.' No way you know about it properly. Hardly anyone does.”
My trap worked perfectly.
The Pendragon family's deep, dark secret—known to few players or even in this world. No one'd imagine I knew.
“Anyway, called you to chat about the student council.”
“So, what's the president doing now?”
“Huh? Ray? He's tense knowing he's next.”
“Is he?”
“Yeah. Reportedly asked his family for backup and government for extra forces. Since the guy who breached the treasurer's place is coming for him.”
“Hoo...”
Seemed he was preparing properly.
“So, be careful too, junior. This Magical Log's a serious Awakener. Your family has valuables, right?”
“Yes. I'll watch out.”
Just watch.
Now, time to escalate things a bit more?