I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 29

[Young Master, the guests have arrived.]

Just as I was sitting in the room organizing information, Parnello, who had knocked from outside, informed me that the Chinese Triad had arrived.

"I'll be out shortly."

After replying to Parnello, I rise from my seat and walk over to the full-length mirror in the room.

I smooth over my impeccably neat black suit, pristine white shirt, neck collar, and tie, ensuring my appearance is as flawless as possible.

Since this is the first time I'll be appearing in front of an external organization, not as Calione, it was crucial to be even more cautious and not appear underestimated.

I open the door and look at Parnello standing in front.

"Parnello, do I look fine as I am?"

I ask Parnello, who is known for his meticulousness within Calione, and I turn around on the spot.

Parnello, after observing me gravely, nods his head in satisfaction with a pleased expression.

"Very good. You look like Calione's number one gentleman, Young Master."

"......You're embarrassing me with such praise."

"What can I do if it's the truth?"

If Parnello says so, then it must be true.

So, the only thing left to do now is to showcase my abilities in front of everyone.

"Let's go."

"I will escort you."

It was time to handle the first official external task since becoming a member of Calione.

* * *

Recently, I've found another joy in life.

How ironic that I, the hunting dog of Calione and the one closest to money, have found joy in life.......

If others heard this, they would surely tell me to stop joking.

The reason for my newfound joy is none other than the son of money, and recently the successor receiving training, Calione's Young Master, 'Yoojin Han Calione'.

Currently, the Young Master and I were heading to meet the members of the Triad who had come from China.

Those fools from the Triad, despite being situated across the sea on the continent, even within Asia, which is within Calione's sphere of influence, had the audacity to attempt smuggling into our territory.

According to the reports, the Young Master had handled them quite well, but regardless, they must pay the price for their crime.

Moreover, this was the Young Master's first meeting with another organization.

Since I was entrusted by 'Don' to take care of the Young Master, I reaffirm my commitment to serve him to the best of my ability.

"This is the place, Young Master."

The annex located next to the main building of the mansion.

The meeting room here, equipped with CCTV installed on all sides, was a place where 'Don' could observe from the study.

"The annex, is it?"

After glancing around once, the Young Master enters, and following him, the personnel who were waiting in advance bow deeply to show respect.

"That's enough for introductions. Are those guys inside?"

"Yes, Young Master."

With confirmation from the organization member, the Young Master enters the room first.

A faint smell of blood tickles my nose. Inside the room, there's a man bound with a blindfold and gag, and another man quietly holding his position.

"That's the guy."

That man, who had dared to bare his fangs at Calione, was the branch manager of the Triad.

As much as I'd like to slit his throat right now, the decision-maker today is the Young Master.

For now, I just need to stand quietly behind the Young Master.

"......And you are?"

The man jumps to his feet upon seeing the Young Master and me. His expression hardens as he looks at our faces.

Could it be that he thought 'Don' would personally come?

How laughable.

"Show some respect. This is the rightful successor of the Calione Family, Yoojin Han Calione."

I announce the Young Master's position to make him aware. Upon hearing this, the man utters an 'Ah' and bows his head.

"I am Jaos, the branch manager of Hong Long Society, a Triad organization active in China. It's an honor to meet such a distinguished person."

Though the man pretends to show respect, he doesn't even think to remove the hat on his head.

Clearly, seeing that it wasn't 'Don' but the Young Master who came, he must have underestimated us.

However, the Young Master doesn't even acknowledge his greeting and walks straight to the head seat at the table and sits down.

"Let's get straight to the point, Triad."

The Young Master, in front of another organization's person, a branch manager no less, shows no intimidation as he takes the initiative.

His demeanor is so composed that it's hard to believe he's a rookie.

"......Please speak."

The man lifts his head and takes his seat in response to the Young Master's words.

"First, I'd like to ask. What is that?"

The Young Master asks, pointing to the blood-soaked man trembling in the corner. The man responds with a slight smirk, as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Ah, he's the mastermind behind this incident. While secretly setting up a slush fund and laundering money, a problem arose, and he caused this mess. We brought him here as a gesture of apology."

The man slaps the head of the kneeling figure next to him.

Bound by the blindfold and gag, the man only twitches and gasps for breath.

Just from the blood on the gag, it's clear that his tongue had been cut.

Meaning, this man was merely a pawn used for some cleanup.

The real culprit is likely that Chinese man over there, putting on a serious act.

"Young Master, it seems───"

Before I could voice my thoughts.

The Young Master reaches out to me and stands up.

"Interesting. So this guy is the ringleader?"

"Y, yes."

The sudden action startles the man, but the Young Master, seemingly unconcerned, removes the blindfold to examine his face.

"Hmm. I see."

"......W, what do you mean by that?"

"Jaos, right? If you're from China, you should know a bit about physiognomy."

"Phy...... siognomy?"

"Yes, physiognomy. I've always had a curiosity for various disciplines, so I briefly studied it. And if I've learned correctly...... this man is not the type to commit such an act."

After saying that, the Young Master puts the blindfold back on. The man panics and stands up from his seat.

"What do you mean? How can you tell just by looking at his face! That's absurd!"

"Isn't it? It's absurd. So why are you presenting this puppet with a cut tongue as the culprit? Do you think Calione is that laughable?"

With that, the Young Master kicks the man's chair away.

"What do you think you're doing!"

"Shut up. I'm barely holding back from slicing your neck right now."

Anyway.

"Parnello, if the man tries anything funny, cut his Achilles tendon and ligaments immediately."

"I will, Young Master."

"P, Parnello? The hunting dog of Calione......!"

It seems my worries were unnecessary.

The Young Master walks over to the man, now collapsed on the floor, and sits in front of him.

"That's better. You should have looked at me with those eyes since the beginning. Finally, we're on the same level."

"Do you think you can get away with this! There are my subordinates in this annex!"

The man shouts at the Young Master, backing away as if making a last-ditch effort.

"Ha."

But the Young Master scoffs at his words.

"Funny? Yes! Even if our organization is humble compared to Calione, if we're ready to die─── Aaaaaaaah!!"

"I'm sorry, Young Master. It looked like he was about to reach out."

I throw a knife at the man's right ligament, severing it.

The atmosphere the Young Master wants right now is 'fear'. Overwhelming fear.

"Well done, Parnello."

"Haa... Haa... What in the world is this...!"

Realizing that his life is truly in danger, the man starts using honorifics again.

The Young Master nods, seemingly satisfied with the man's demeanor.

"Surely, you didn't think that handing over a puppet like that would end this situation. What kind of authority has your boss delegated to you?"

"I, I'm the boss's proxy!"

"If you're the boss's proxy... then you must have brought quite a bit of money. What's the maximum amount you're authorized to offer?"

"T, ten billion credits... Gulp......."

Despite being the branch leader of an organization, the man manages to stop the bleeding in his right arm by using magic to strengthen his muscles and responds.

The Young Master shakes his head.

"One hundred billion."

"O, one hundred billion! Such an absurd amount of money can't possibly exist! Even if it did, the boss wouldn't───."

"You're right, it is absurd. Parnello, the left leg."

"Aaaaaaaaaaah────!!"

This time, I throw a knife, grazing the man's left leg. With this, he would live the rest of his life as a cripple unless he received proper treatment.

"Attempting to smuggle into Calione territory was already an absurd act. But you think your actions are justified while ours aren't? Let me say it again."

The Young Master takes a step forward, slowly aligning his face with the man's, then presses down hard on the wound without changing his expression.

"Guh, K... Kaaaaaaaah!"

"One hundred billion."

"I'll prepare it! I'll prepare it!"

"Specifically."

"Gulp...! If we combine the organization's stolen goods and slush funds, we can come up with about one hundred billion. So please... please stop......."

I approach the pitifully sobbing man, reach into his pocket, and place his smartphone directly into his hand.

"Right now."

"R, right now...?"

"Parnello, the right hand──."

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Just before my name was called, the man hastily grabs the smartphone and starts furiously typing.

The Young Master watches the scene intently from the side. He then shows me his palm behind his back, out of the man's sight.

A signal to stop. Before I could fully grasp the meaning of that signal.

"Damn Calione... Eh?"

The man, who seemed to be trying to take the Young Master hostage, attempts to grab him but ends up with his face smashed into the Young Master's knee and is thrown back.

An excellent demonstration of never letting your guard down in front of an enemy, just as we were taught.

I can't help but smile, satisfied by the sight.

"There won't be a second chance. If you want to live, handle it immediately."

"Aheheheh... Eheung... Eheungheungheu......."

The man, completely broken and terrified of the Young Master who anticipated everything, starts working furiously again.

The Young Master watches him with a satisfied nod, then picks up the man's smartphone and stands up from his seat.

This was the critical moment.

It would show whether the Young Master truly had the qualities of a boss and was ready to become Calione's successor.

"Wha... What kind of fox are you?"

"Unlike you, the Calione value the bonds and promises made between people."

Ignoring the man who stares at the Young Master with bloodshot eyes, he walks toward the exit, speaking in a low voice.

"But that's a different story when dealing with a dog who doesn't even know what a promise is."

"Eh? Wa, Wait──."

"Parnello, I leave the cleanup to you."

"Please spare me! Please! Spare me!"

With that, the Young Master leaves the room indifferently after giving a perfect response.

"......As you wish."

It seems I was worrying over nothing.