I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 103

After finishing the freshman declaration, I returned to my seat and sat down, and the children, who seemed quite excited, were looking at me.

"Yoojin! It was moving!"

"Boss...! I will follow you to the end...!"

The children welcomed me with different reactions.

Seeing the children's expressions, it seemed I hadn't said anything in vain.

"But President. Is it okay? You've made enemies with the Hero Association and the Metal Guild now."

Unlike those children, Youngje, who had been sitting silently, asked cautiously with a worried look.

The Hero Association was, needless to say, one of the top organizations in the country, and the Metal Guild, with Lee Wonho as its guild master, was also a top-tier guild comparable to major mid-sized companies.

I wasn't unaware of Youngje's concerns.

I knew better than anyone what it meant to act against their expectations.

But...

"I have many things I believe in."

At best, it's the Hero Association of the Republic of Korea. At best, it's an ordinary guild.

My personal information was already being protected by the Hanwol Group and Calione, and even if they found out, they would have to face the harsh reality that they shouldn't touch me.

"Try it if you can."

Because I was sure I would win.

[With this, we will conclude the event in the auditorium and move to the grand banquet hall for the celebration and lunch. Students and distinguished guests, please move in order as instructed by the security personnel.]

Not long after I came down, Yulie, who was in charge of hosting, announced the instructions to the people inside the auditorium.

Unlike when she introduced my turn, her voice seemed a bit excited.

Turning my head to look at the booth where the student council was gathered, I saw Yulie smiling at me with her lips curled up.

'You were the best.'

She raised her thumb towards me and moved her lips.

She must have been one of the people the system had told me about.

I looked down again to review the achievements that had just appeared.

[Achievement(N)]

[Second Place of the Academy]

[Successor of the Underworld]

[Executioner of the Organization]

[Freshman Representative(N)]

.

.

[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!]

[New trait: [Orator] granted.]

[Orator]

[1. People feel stronger persuasion in your words.]

[2. People around you focus more on your words.]

It was a trait for those who use words as weapons.

The [An Offer You Can't Refuse] attached to [Successor of the Underworld] is an ability to turn the situation in my favor just by speaking.

The synergy between the two would be a great power.

"Wow, I wonder if there won't be a fight in the dining room."

I saw the people from the association leaving with serious faces.

Jinwoo muttered as he stood up, perhaps still bothered by the atmosphere just now.

"They probably won't fight openly."

The celebration of the freshman welcome party is a perfect occasion for outsiders to naturally approach the academy students.

Since it's an event where others are participating, those who care about public perception won't start a fight openly.

...not openly, at least.

With that, I also moved towards the grand banquet hall with the other children.

Though it might be a place I've never been to in reality, unlike in a game, it was where most of the academy's events took place.

The grand hall reminiscent of a wedding venue, with buffets set up around it, and people cooking in real-time...

"Boss. Aren't those people from the Recipe Development Club?"

"...Yes, they are."

Was that what they meant by preparing for the freshman welcome party?

It seemed that more than half of the cooking staff were members of clubs related to cooking.

As I approached the buffet where the 'Recipe Development Club' was, I could see Lee Seri smiling brightly at us upon spotting us.

"Ah! President and the Familia members! Congratulations on the freshman welcome party!"

Wearing a white chef's hat and a hygiene mask, she was vigorously whisking whipped cream and seemed to welcome us, which made me feel somewhat grateful.

"Is today's Recipe Club doing the dessert they practiced last time?"

"Yes! We did our best cooking, so please enjoy your meal and visit us too!"

"I will."

As I answered her and looked around, a completely different scene unfolded.

Seniors and external guests participating in the welcome party as representatives of each club, looking at new talents.

And people trying hard to talk to the children of capable families.

It was a scene that perfectly depicted what is commonly called social activities.

"Yoojin! They're serving steak at the Western food corner! Let's go together!"

Unlike me, Seah, who had been looking at the food, shouted with an excited expression while looking around.

The other children also laughed and followed her to the Western food corner, and as I was about to walk there too.

"Han Yoojin. Is that right? The freshman representative."

At the sound of a familiar voice calling my name, I turned my head, and there stood the Head of the Hero Association of the Republic of Korea, smiling kindly.

It was Kang Manseok's face.

"Nice to meet you. I am Han Yoojin."

Given the occasion, I couldn't ignore him as he approached me openly.

As I bowed slightly in greeting, he opened his mouth with a smile as if it were nothing.

"Ah, don't misunderstand. I came to tell Han Yoojin that I was deeply moved by your speech, not for any other reason."

Considering the excessive politeness in his words, I heightened my vigilance and looked around.

"...Isn't the timing too perfect? You came right after the children around me disappeared."

"Haha! That might be better for Han Yoojin too. Don't you think?"

Was he saying there was no need for the other children to hear our conversation?

Interesting.

"But it seems my friend doesn't think so."

"...What?"

Kang Manseok made a face as if he couldn't understand the meaning of my words.

And at the same time.

"Yoojin. Aren't you eating?"

Choi Yeon, with her plate full of desserts, approached and naturally stood beside me.

"...Choi Yeon?"

Choi Yeon glanced at Kang Manseok's face upon hearing him speak as if he knew her.

"...Hello."

But Choi Yeon, showing no interest, simply bowed lightly and turned her gaze back to me.

"Yoojin. This is delicious, try it."

Seeing her approach and talk to me so suddenly, unlike her usual self, did she think Kang Manseok was bothering me?

It seemed she had come to help me.

"Sorry for leaving you to do the speech. Will this make up for it?"

...Or not?

"Dessert isn't a meal."

"...That's exactly what Grandfather would say."

As Choi Yeon and I were talking, Kang Manseok interjected with a smile.

"Choi Yeon. Han Yoojin is currently in a meeting with me. Could you give us a moment to talk?"

Choi Yeon glanced at me briefly after hearing his words.

"Me, leave?"

Since there was no reason for her to leave at that moment, she shook her head and said,

"Do as you please."

"Okay. Then I'll stay here."

"Eating standing up?"

"...I'll eat at the table next to us."

It seemed she would be nearby, though not right next to us.

Kang Manseok, unable to do anything about the granddaughter of the powerful Cheongcheon Sword Family, nodded in satisfaction and looked at me again.

And then.

Snap!

He lightly snapped his fingers.

At the same time, all the surrounding noise disappeared, and silence quietly enveloped the area.

"Is it necessary to use a soundproofing spell for this conversation?"

To pull such a stunt even though Choi Yeon was eating cake at the next table.

How blatant.

I was dumbfounded.

"Yes. The topics we will discuss from now on... are quite sensitive."

Though his face was smiling, the voice coming out of his mouth was not.

"Well then, let's continue our conversation. It seems you deliberately belittled my and Lee Wonho's words and protected the academy... Did you receive a special request from Principal Heo Seokgi?"

"...Hmm?"

"It's no use trying to deny it. When you were giving your speech, Heo Seokgi's expression was as if he was about to die of happiness. I've already figured it out. There must be something between you two, right?"

Why is the principal's name suddenly coming up here?

Does he think I'm the principal's man?

"That's a misconception."

"A misconception? Ha, that's amusing. A misconception, huh..."

Then, Kang Manseok suddenly put strength into his voice.

"It seems you don't know what kind of place you've stepped into, so let me make it clear to you, kid."

The guy, lowering his head slightly to hide his expression, glared at me and spoke in a voice mixed with anger.

"You are challenging me, who is called the overall leader of the heroes of the Republic of Korea. You are aware of that, right?"

Is he finally showing his true colors?

At the sight of such an obvious act, I almost burst out laughing unintentionally.

"I have something to say about that, but is the soundproofing spell really in effect right now?"

"...What?"

"I'm just wondering if our conversation is leaking outside."

"It's my spell, so of course it is. No one outside will be able to hear our conversation."

...Not hearing it, huh.

It seemed that Lee Wonho at the table behind Kang Manseok was glancing at our situation.

Perhaps he adjusted his magic power to make our conversation audible to him.

Well, that's enough for me.

I deliberately showed a hesitant demeanor before cautiously opening my mouth.

"To be honest, I'm not sure if I should say this. As the president of the association knows, it depends on how I say it."

Yes, it depends on how I can screw you over.

But it seemed to sound different to him, who didn't know the circumstances.

Did he find my words interesting? His expression softened a bit.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, not only the principal but no one else will be able to harm you."

"The president of the association?"

"Yes, I will personally protect you. I've been looking for a talented kid, and you should be more than enough."

That's interesting.

Alright! Let's go with this approach then.

"I really appreciate your words, but... just the president of the association isn't enough."

"...What?"

Kang Manseok looked at me in disbelief upon hearing my response.

"I'm not enough?"

"Yes. Just the president isn't enough. Because... it seems my influence is stronger than yours."

And at that moment.

Crash──!

The transparent wall surrounding Kang Manseok and me shattered, and the sound of breaking glass echoed through the banquet hall.

"──Who dares to break my spell!"

Kang Manseok, enraged by the fact that his spell was destroyed, clenched his fist and turned around, only to freeze.

"It's me. Manseok."

Behind him stood an old man wearing a fedora, smiling.

The only difference from a regular old man was... the blue aura enveloping both his hands and the numerous old men standing behind him.

"G, Gwak Chunshik?"

"What? Gwak Chunshik? Manseok. Have you lost your mind after not seeing me for so long? Shall we greet each other in the old-fashioned way?"

Well, do I really need to step in myself?

──Gwak Chunshik.

He came with dozens of old hero veterans who once commanded the Republic of Korea.