I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 102

The Principal's opening remarks and address were just as expected.

Common stories that anyone could predict and regrets about what happened yesterday.

And talks about how the Academy should move forward in the future.

Some students seemed deeply moved by the Principal's words, but for me, who had heard these speeches to the point of boredom during my gaming days and even pressed the skip button, it was just a pity that there was no skip button in reality.

"......So, I hope you all remember once again that you are the heroes of the Republic of Korea, of the world. That is all."

As soon as the Principal finished speaking, numerous people began to applaud.

And through the sound of applause, the speaker's voice could be heard.

[Next, we will have the address from the Head of the Hero Association of the Republic of Korea.]

"Youngje, Youngje. The person coming out now is the pinnacle of the Korean Hero Association! Right?"

"Pinnacle...... might be a bit much, but he is the highest-ranking person, isn't he?"

As Seah and Youngje said, the man walking to the podium could make a stir in Korea just by his position alone.

His stride exuded dominance and his physique was sturdy.

His neatly slicked-back pomade and black horn-rimmed glasses.

"Hello, everyone. I am Kang Manseok, the Head of the Korean Branch of the Association."

With his introduction, the sound of camera shutters began to click from the back, and some students seated looked at him on the podium with eyes full of admiration.

Kang Manseok glanced at us and then gave a slight smile.

His speech to the first-year freshmen was no different from the Principal's, formal and filled with content one would want to skip.

......If it weren't for what he said at the end.

"Yesterday, I understand that the Academy was attacked by terrorists called the Villain Alliance. This place, which is responsible for nurturing the future heroes of our Republic of Korea."

'......Look at this?'

Could this also be a change in the content due to the date of the terror being moved up?

I started to get interested as he raised his voice and seized the atmosphere.

"Such an incident should never have happened, should never occur! I thought it was our fault as adults for not preventing it in advance, for not handling it properly!"

To translate roughly, 'What the hell did the Academy do to get attacked even after a warning? You know this is all your fault, right? Oh, us? We didn't know anything. Something like that?'

In other words, he was launching an attack on the Academy in public.

"The Hero Association and I deeply feel the responsibility for this. We feel a profound sense of guilt for not creating a safe environment!"

He was saying that the responsibility was not just on the Academy but also on the Association.

If one listened without thinking, it might sound like he was suggesting to share the responsibility because it was also their fault...... but in reality, it was completely different.

This was as good as indirectly saying that they would interfere with the Academy.

In real-time, the Principal's expression, who had been listening to Kang Manseok's speech with a smile, was stiffening.

"We, the Association, will do our utmost for the students to ensure that such incidents never happen again! We promise!"

The picture was starting to become clear.

This must be the kind of check that Mr. Gwak Chunshik had talked about in the past.

Especially since the Academy, where the Association's influence is weaker compared to other places, could be used as a leverage point through this incident.

The Academy was an independent institution that the Association couldn't control.

The only problem was that the place for this attack was the Freshman Welcome Party of the Academy.

Perhaps realizing that he had no intention of continuing his speech, Kang Manseok finished with a slight smile as he saw the Principal and the Student Council's expressions stiffening.

"I hope you all have a healthy Academy life. With that, I will conclude my speech. Thank you."

With the sound of applause, Kang Manseok left the podium.

Only after he completely exited did the applause stop, and Yulie's voice could be heard.

[......Next, we have the speech from the representative of Seoul Academy graduates, Hero Lee Wonho.]

The next to appear was a hero ranked S-class even within the Korean Hero Association, one of the most famous heroes in the Republic of Korea.

"Hello, juniors. I am Lee Wonho, a graduate of Seoul Hero Academy and a member of the 'Metal' Guild."

And.......

"I, too, have been deeply concerned and worried about yesterday's incident, and I strongly agree with the thoughts of the Head of the Association."

He was also a lackey of the Hero Association.

"Yesterday's incident taught us many lessons. That the freshmen of the Academy are not weak...... and that the Academy's security is extremely lax. As a senior, I cannot just sit idly by in such an environment. It's heartbreaking!"

This was something I had anticipated.

From his days as a student at the Academy, he had always been treated as inferior to Ray Pendragon, who was then the Student Council President and his junior.

As Lee Wonho continued his passionate speech, the faces of the Principal and the faculty were visibly hardening.

"......Wow. I never thought they would turn this place into a battlefield."

Youngje, with his sharp mind, seemed to have grasped the situation.

Though he looked stunned, as if he hadn't expected such a situation to unfold.

Even Jinwoo, who had looked like he was about to fall asleep just moments ago, was now eagerly eating popcorn that he had somehow pulled out, his eyes bright and alert.

"Jinwoo, let's eat together."

"Huh? Sure."

My gaze shifted to one side of the preparation area.

There, a man who was faintly smiling even in this situation.

A co-conspirator who had reviewed the script with the Head of the Korean Association and Lee Wonho, contributing to this plan.

Ray Pendragon.

Among the Student Council members who were all wearing cold expressions, only he was smiling.

"......So, they're already trying to nibble away at the Academy, huh?"

Then, I have no choice but to stop them.

"......Whenever you need help, please come to me. Thank you."

The applause was much less compared to before.

The other kids were starting to realize that something was off about the atmosphere.

That this place had turned from a simple Freshman Welcome Party into a kind of political battlefield.

[Next is the representative of the freshmen, Han Yoojin.......]

Finally, it was my turn.

I picked up the declaration script that the Academy had given me earlier and stood up, walking towards the podium.

At the same time, I could feel the gazes of many people around me.

If it were the me from reality, I might not have known, but having undergone the strict successor training from Parnello and Alessia, the current situation was very familiar to me.

'I never thought they would make me practice in front of the organization members after hearing that I would be making a pledge as the freshman representative......'

Finally standing on the podium, the scene in front of me swept across my eyes.

The people filling most of this vast auditorium were all watching my actions and listening to my words.

I glanced at the declaration script in my hand and slowly began to recite it.

[Hello. I am Han Yoojin, the representative of the freshmen at Seoul Hero Academy. Before making the declaration, I would like to first express my gratitude to the Head of the Association, Senior Lee Wonho, and.......]

Truly, truly, a bland and uninspiring declaration.

'This is boring.'

After they had so thoroughly criticized the Academy in front of me, I had to express gratitude to such people without any counter?

'This is boring.'

That was not the way of me, of Calione.

Thud!

As my smooth-flowing words stopped, the vast space was instantly enveloped in silence.

I immediately lifted the declaration script above my head for everyone to see.

'What, what are you doing?'

'Isn't it a performance?'

'Student Council, was this discussed beforehand?'

People started to murmur at my actions.

Yes, if it's a performance, then it's a performance.

Riiip──

I tore the declaration script in half for everyone to see, then tore it in half again, and again, turning it into complete scraps before scattering them on the ground and opening my mouth.

"──You should be ashamed."

If it were a different route, I wouldn't have known.

If I hadn't possessed the body of Yoojin Han Calione, I wouldn't have known.

But dare.

Dare── to pour ashes on the Academy I'm working on?

"Coming to the Freshman Welcome Party and fighting over your own bowls, you should be ashamed."

This was a matter of pride as the successor of Calione and as a gamer.

As long as I have enrolled in the Academy──

As long as I have recognized this Academy as my territory──

I could never tolerate any dog-like behavior here.

"You should have spoken not to criticize the Academy's mistakes, but to protect the freshmen from villains, to praise the instructors who have triumphed over them, and to speak for the freshmen who will feel anger towards them in the future."

But they did not do that.

They were too busy looking after their own interests.

"If I were the president of the association, if I were a proud graduate of Seoul Hero Academy, I would have confidently spoken to the students, to the distinguished guests who have come here."

You did well.

You held on well.

You won well.

"But you, in the end, said that the Academy was wrong and that you would fix it."

I took a brief moment to catch my breath here.

I decided to bring out the most suitable quote for this occasion.

Since that person doesn't exist in this world, I will probably be the first to say it.

"Freshman representative Han Yoojin. I will speak boldly here and now."

Though the declaration was not significantly different from what was written in the script, I added and transformed the 'history' from the world I originally lived in and made a solemn declaration.

"We do not need your help."

"We will not weaken or fail."

"We will fight to the end."

"We will fight in the Republic of Korea, in the world, and at sea."

"We will build confidence and strength and fight even in the sky."

"We will protect our citizens from villains no matter what the cost."

And then, I looked at the numerous freshmen seated in front of the stage.

"There are painful trials ahead of us. There are countless years filled with struggle and pain ahead of us. If someone asks what our purpose is, I will answer like this. We will fight against the most heinous crimes that have never been seen before in the long list of crimes committed by humanity, using the power we have been given! That is what a hero is. If someone asks what our purpose is, I will answer with one word."

Victory.

"Victory, no matter what the cost. Victory, no matter what fear comes. Victory, no matter how long and hard the road. Because without victory, there can be no peace."

In the end, thanks to the greedy adults, I ended up giving a word to the freshmen, but I had no regrets.

Because this was something the numerous hero cadets sitting in front of me absolutely had to hear.

"Never give up. Never, never, never! Whether it's a huge task or a small one, as long as you have strong confidence in honor and discernment, never give up."

And, they who spoke to the children before me should have said this.

"Success is not permanent, and failure is not the end. What matters is the courage to keep moving forward without surrendering. That is all. This was Han Yoojin, the freshman representative."

After finishing my final greeting, I bowed my head and closed, looking at the window that appeared before my eyes.

[Achievement Unlocked!]

[Achievement: [Freshman Representative] acquired!]

[Successfully completed the Academy's freshman oath above the standard!]

[The majority of the people in the auditorium were deeply inspired by your speech!]

[Special reward granted!]

Bingo.