Report
Monique Futt is the granddaughter of the owner of a magic tools shop in the capital. She lives modestly with her grandparents and her younger sister.
Her grandfather is a skilled magic tool artisan, working tirelessly in a small workshop attached to their home, crafting various magical devices.
Although her grandfather is genuinely human, many joke, “Are you sure he’s not a dwarf?” due to his perfectionist, craftsman-like nature. Despite creating high-quality, expensive items, he often refuses to sell them to anyone he dislikes. Conversely, he offers steep discounts to those he takes a liking to, often disregarding profits. As a result, their livelihood is far from wealthy.
But Monique often thinks, “This is fine.”
While it would be a lie to say she wasn’t worried about her grandfather’s lack of savings, she found value in running a business with integrity.
The truth is, the Futt family isn’t originally from the Moonrain Kingdom.
They once worked as magic tool artisans in a different country. However, they were betrayed by a man they trusted—a family friend—forcing them to flee.
Despite their honest, wholehearted efforts, they were met with a brutal act of betrayal. For loyalty’s reward to be a broken family… It’s almost too cruel to believe.
Monique’s parents are still alive, but they’ve taken refuge in another country, making it impossible for her to see them. The only fragile connection left is the occasional letters they send under a false name.
Even so, she holds onto the hope that if they keep working hard, they’ll be reunited someday. With that hope in her heart, she diligently goes about her day.
“Big Sis, I finished writing it!”
As Monique cleaned the store shelves, her younger sister, Hannah, rushed over with a piece of paper in hand.
“Hey, Hannah! How many times have I told you not to run in the store?”
Although she reprimanded her, Monique’s face was full of warmth.
She adores her five-year-old sister, and hearing her say, “I finished writing it,” brings her immense joy.
The Foot family may be commoners, but with a skilled artisan like their grandfather, they’ve been able to learn basic reading and writing. Monique herself once studied hard, and now Hannah is learning her letters, too—so she can write to their parents and help with the shop.
Monique felt that her little sister was brave and precious. She was determined to create a future where this child could live happily.
But happiness was as fleeting as snowflakes in the spring.
Suddenly, the sound of commotion erupted from outside, followed by a loud crash.
Monique quickly told Hannah to stay back as she cautiously opened the door to peek outside.
No… It can’t be!
Her breath caught. She recognized the men standing in the street.
One of the groups consists of the bouncers recently hired by a nearby tavern. Facing them, alone and smirking, is a short, pudgy man.
(It’s that notorious thug... Hyuho!)
Monique’s memory flashes back to rumors she’s heard—this man is a well-known extortionist who shakes down various shops for money.
Hyuho, still grinning his slimy smile, speaks to the bouncers with feigned innocence.
“What a terrible misunderstanding… Attacking me out of the blue like this. What exactly did I do wrong?”
“Don’t play dumb! You tried to extort money and alcohol from our tavern!”
“I was simply trying to build friendship. No need for such baseless accusations, my friends.”
Hyuho shrugs theatrically, clearly provoking the men, whose faces twist in rage.
A broken potted plant laid nearby, and one of the bouncers was sprawled out on the ground—that must’ve been the source of the earlier noise.
“You bastard…!”
One of the bouncers swung his fist, but Hyuho’s palm was already shimmering with wind magic.
“Gah…!”
In an instant, the man is blasted away, slamming into a wall.
“Impressive. So this is your magic, huh?”
“Hahaha. It’s a little trick of mine.”
Hyuho’s oily grin only deepened, while the three remaining bouncers exchanged sneers before pulling out short rods.
“Well, well… You all can use magic too?”
“It’s three against one, plus we have these mana-boosting rods. Don’t think you stand a chance!”
The bouncers grinned triumphantly. Hyuho’s lackey, the bracelet-wearing mage, steps forward to assist, but Hyuho silently motions him back. The mage obediently retreats.
“If you really think three of you can defeat me, go ahead and try. But remember, we’re not friends yet, so I’ll be collecting a tuition fee afterward.”
“Shut your mouth!”
The three bouncers unleash their magic at once, but it’s all absorbed by Hyuho’s wind barrier.
“Wh-What the…?”
“No way, that was three spells combined!”
The men’s shock was evident, but Hyuho shook his head, still smirking.
“That’s nowhere near enough. You’ll need much more to break through my barrier.”
Hyuho advanced slowly, his magical shield forcing the bouncers back.
“We’re being pushed!”
“Hahaha. A magic barrier can be used offensively too, you know.”
“Ugh… Guh…!”
Hyuho pressed forward, pinning the men between the buildings like a sandwich. He slammed another barrier down, crushing them. The bouncers’ heads slammed against the walls, and they collapsed, unconscious, bleeding from their mouths.
“As expected of Hyuho-san!”
“Three against one, and he didn’t even break a sweat!”
His cronies rush over, and Hyuho orders them to collect the tuition fees from the fallen men. The lackeys eagerly strip them of their wallets and valuables.
Then—
“Eek…!”
Monique gasps, locking eyes with Hyuho.
“Oh, what a cute young lady.”
He turns on his heel, striding straight toward the shop.
In her fear, Monique hesitates, trying to close the door, but Hyuho grabs it with ease, preventing her escape.
“This is a magic tools shop, isn’t it? I’ve been looking for this place.”
“Wh-What do you want…?”
“Oh, plenty. You see, I’m a big fan of making friends. I’d love to become friends with the shopkeeper here.”
His slimy grin widened as he stepped fully inside.
Monique’s heart pounded in her chest. Her gaze darted around, desperate, just as her grandfather emerges from the back.
“Hmm? What’s all this noise? A customer?”
“Grandpa…!”
Monique’s eyes plead with him.
Hyuho smirks, looking at the elderly man.
“Oh, I’m definitely a customer, but not the buying kind. I’m here for a personal visit.”
The old man stares at Hyuho, then shakes his head.
“I don’t know who you are, but you’re not welcome here. Leave.”
“Come now, we haven’t even had a proper conversation yet. Give me a chance—I promise I’m quite a pleasant fellow.”
“I said leave!”
The old man’s voice booms, filled with authority, but Hyuho’s grin only grows wider.
“I just wanted to make a friend. But I suppose I’ll have to leave a friendship mark instead.”
Hyuho grabbed the old man’s arm, heat radiating from his hand.
“Gaaah…!”
The sickening smell of burning flesh filled the room.
“Grandpa!”
Monique screamed as her little sister, Hannah, rushed in.
“What’s happening, Sis? Grandpa!?”
“Don’t worry. I’m just marking you all as my friends. How about it? Ready to get along now?”
Monique’s face goes pale as Hyuho approaches her next, flames flickering in his palm.
“No! Nooo! Help… Someone, please…!”
“Too bad for you, my compatriots are guarding the outside. Nobody will come before we all get along real well together”
Sporting his constant viscious grin, Hyoho reaches out for Monique’s face.
“Noooooooooooo!”
“... Huuh?”
The plump man suddenly tilts his head in disbelief.
“My flame was extinguished, huh? That’s odd. I have no recollection of cancelling the spell.”
Monique has been frozen in fear.
Both the old man, his precious granddaughter and the plump man had their focus on what had been happening.
Only the young Hannah had noticed...
The door that should’ve been guarded and shut was open.
And in had come a small boy around the same age as herself.
