Magical Log's Daring Vault Break-In
The action I was about to take wasn't anything particularly grand.
I pulled an item out of my cube for the first time in ages: the Thunder God's Stone. Just holding it in my hand made it emit an enormous current, like a fortune-teller's crystal ball crackling with electricity.
Even with my armor wrapped around me, Midas's Gloves on my hands, and my body shielded by aura, my fingers were going numb.
-Young master? What are you—
“Alohomora!”
Crackle—!
Ka-boom-crackle—!
I thrust the Thunder God's Stone toward the door, and the electromagnetic panels spat out bizarre noises amid showers of sparks.
“Done.”
-...Is that really open?
“Ignore Alohomora?”
These electronic locks pop right open with one hit from this thing, or so they say.
The only issue is the keyhole... but who am I? Disciple of an aura master, that's who.
“Let's see... shove some aura in here... harden it... press this part... and turn...”
Click.
“Ta-da.”
Using aura manipulation techniques, I'd even cleared the keyhole.
At the same time, with a heavy clunk, the massive door began to grind open slowly.
-It actually worked.
“Now that's real magic, right?”
It was a technique that only worked in certain places, but the Pendragon estate in Korea was one of them too. Well, it made sense—I'd raided the hell out of that place like it was an all-you-can-eat buffet.
-...It's insane that this kind of security gets breached by something like that.
“Looks simple, but it's super valuable.”
As an item that had once controlled one of Jeju Island's factions, it was incredibly rare.
“Alright, now let's check out the 'real' vault.”
The vault that should hold the estate's most precious and expensive treasures... contained...
“...?”
“...?”
“Huh?”
Inomiya Haru—her real name—had one recent worry on her mind.
It concerned Eugene Han Calione, the eldest son of the Calione family that her clan served.
'The young master has changed a lot.'
To Haru, Eugene Han Calione had been...
Every time they met, he'd throw sleazy come-ons, crack jokes and act in ways totally unfit for the occasion, like a clueless punk who had no idea of his position in the family hierarchy.
Hence his nicknames: Calione's wastrel. Calione's disgrace. Wastrel young master. None of them flattering.
So when she heard he'd gotten into the academy, Haru sighed first thing.
If it was the young master she knew, he'd have pulled strings with the Calione name to get in somehow.
And the rumors confirmed it.
'Some rich kid sniped an instructor in the head.'
'He didn't do jack—got in on his underlings' merits.'
'In the end, the guy did nothing himself.'
Yep, that's the young master I know.
Until that day ended, anyway.
'The young master changed.'
Haru never imagined her view would flip in just one day.
Showing up right after enrolling? Predictable enough.
She'd figured he'd come to her if he needed help.
But he proposed a deal.
Solve the problem plaguing Inomiya Haru, and in return, create a 'Gold Club' for her.
To a merchant like Haru, it was an offer she couldn't refuse.
Yes—the wastrel, the Calione disgrace, had made her an irresistible proposal.
That was when it started. Eugene began revealing a completely different side.
A young master who competently led people, anyone could see it.
A young master strong enough to terrify others on his own.
A young master who made academy history in a single day.
And that change didn't just affect Haru—it reshaped the Calione family from within.
From spoiled brat to eldest son.
From wastrel to heir.
From punk to Calione.
Haru rested her chin lightly on her hand, slowly savoring Eugene's image on the screen.
-Magical Heart! Blast!
The Eugene who'd shed the heir's burdens looked...
-Alohomora!
...like the boy from her tormenting wastrel days—or even earlier, playing in the garden together.
Pure and innocent, just like back then.
'Was the heir's pressure too much for him?'
Well, the weight of being heir to a massive organization like Calione wasn't light.
Haru nodded slightly.
Working alone with him like this made her feel closer, more understanding.
Seeing him so confident... yeah, he seemed better.
'Glad he's brighter now.'
Anyway.
-Alright, now let's check out the real vault.
Haru smiled sweetly at Eugene's excited voice through her earphones, like a kid unwrapping birthday gifts.
She hadn't thought this method would actually work, but in the end, 'Eugene' was looting every Pendragon vault.
Yeah, just raid the last one and—
“Huh?”
Two figures emerged from the vault.
The candy in Haru's hand dropped to the floor.
Ray Pendragon... and someone who shouldn't be there yet.
“...Him?”
The man Eugene was disguised as... Galerhead.
“Wh-what is he doing there...? Young master. You need to leave immediately.”
Haru's calm tone turned urgent.
“Young master! Right now—!”
-Wait.
“...Pardon?”
-If it's the power of friendship and love, we can overcome any adversity.
Haru's mind went blank.
'No, is he going too far?'
Honestly, I hadn't anticipated this mess.
Galerhead, of all people. Hadn't he not reached Korea yet?
“Calm down first. Double-check his info.”
-Understood. Please be careful.
“Got it.”
I ended the call with Haru and turned back to the two in front of me.
Ray staring at me like I was the most fascinating thing ever, and the man beside him chuckling dryly.
Slicked-back pompadour, pitch-black suit, wine-red shirt, and half-lidded eyes that screamed top-tier fighter.
“Is that how I come off to others, young master?”
“Kinda, but the vibe's different in person.”
“True enough.”
Chatting casually with me right there told me exactly what they thought of me.
'They figure they can clean me up anytime they want.'
That's the level they were sizing me up at.
The chairman might be another story, but this guy? He had the chops.
One of the Round Table Knights upholding the Pendragon family. Top ten strongest in the UK.
Looks like to throw off my intel network, the main group took a plane while he teleported solo.
'...At least he used his brain a bit.'
Guess I'd need to tweak the plan slightly.
“So, thief? Care to explain why you're in our Pendragon estate?”
Ray smiled leisurely, hand on his sword hilt. I switched Clown Makeup back to Magical Log form.
“Hm. So that's your true face?”
“Hah, me?”
“Yeah, let's hear it...”
“—For love, justice, and hope.”
“...Pardon?”
“How could fiends like you understand the magical girl's will?”
I struck a pose with my hot-pink Midas's Gloves on both hands and bellowed.
“Magical Form. Battle Mode.”
I clapped my fists together—boom!—sparks flew.
Ray burst into incredulous laughter.
“Thought you were legit for a sec. Just a lunatic after all. Stupid of me to take you seriously.”
His face hardened in an instant, growling low.
“No idea how you know about Bloody Monday, but targeting me seals your fate.”
Galerhead nodded. “Surrender now, and I won't get rough. Knightly honor and all.”
“Knightly honor? Only know it from magical girls.”
“...You're not one for talk, are you.”
I crooked a finger at him as he released the hilt.
“No weapons from you, so none from me. Come at me first.”
Knight types like this always rubbed me wrong. They call it manners, never realizing it looks like condescension.
Well, works in my favor.
Before charging, I glanced at Ray.
He lounged in a chair, sipping tea, ignoring me completely. That smug face screamed 'Galerhead's got this.'
Annoying prick. Time you ate shit too.
“Oh yeah, swiped this recently too.”
I pulled from the cube something he'd recognize.
“Ta-da.”
Vivian's Springwater.
One of the top elixirs he'd slaved over in the academy basement.
“This yours?”
His composure cracked.
“Y-you... how did you...”
“Oh right, snagged that blingy Excalibur shard you hid too. Gulp—.”
His cup trembled in his shaking hand.
His cool was crumbling.
Makes sense. Even the main family didn't know he'd used an Excalibur fragment to make Vivian's Springwater at the academy.
“And also—”
“Shut... your damn mouth.”
If I kept going, he'd report it to the family head back home.
But so what? I wasn't done spilling.
“Why? Pissed? Tough luck—only I know where they are~?”
I covered my mouth, giggling mockingly. He stood.
“...Galerhead.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Explanations later. Half-kill him and drag him here.”
“Keep him alive?”
“Got questions.”
“...Not thrilled, but orders are orders.”
Perfect. Phase one cleared.
Opponent: that Galerhead. One of the community-dubbed 'Round Table Monsters,' a knight captain with his own order.
To win this, I needed conditions met.
Time to go aggressive.
“Easy bastards. Think I'm some noob?”
First, light these cocky shits up—while they chatted like I was done for.
With my special manastone bomb that even hurt Am-yak.
“Magical Night.”
KABOOOOOM—!!!!
A massive explosion rocked the place as I raised aura to shield myself.
A ferocious wind blasted from the shockwave.
I kept tension high, eyes on where they'd been caught in the blast's center.
—————!
Suddenly, sand split diagonally, a silver line slashing through.
I tilted back, dodging.
A thunderous crash echoed from the vault door behind me.
“...Didn't say I wouldn't kill you.”
The door I'd busted open with effort was half-torn now.
“Got flustered and swung too hard. Still breathing?”
Galerhead emerged through the smoke, singed from the bomb, long sword already drawn.
“Sword. Said no weapons.”
“You used a bomb first.”
“Magic.”
“...Talking magician.”
He dusted off and gripped the hilt again.
“Anyway, you're no pushover, and it's late. Time to end this.”
Blue light gathered on his blade.
“Still refining power control—survive if you can.”
Even just gathering light, his sword roared ominously.
A familiar window popped up.
Dragon (Death God of the Immortals): He plunged a dagger into the heart of the one who rules the abyss's flames, devouring immortal blood amid a fatal barrage. He is the death god who granted rest to the immortal.
I grinned at the expected phenomenon and replied.
“Thanks.”
“...Pardon?”
“Got that condition covered, dumbass.”
Conditions met, thanks to him.
“Magical Breath.”
——The world plunged into darkness.