I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 35

......What is this woman saying right now?

She wants me to scold the 'Ranger Club' that's been bullying her club?

"I am having trouble understanding... May I ask for a detailed explanation of what happened and how you want me to scold them?"

"Ah...! I left out the detailed explanation! I, I'm sorry!"

Lee Seri soon realized her mistake and quickly bowed her head in apology.

After taking a breath, she slowly began to explain the relationship between her club and the other club.

Most of the clubs at the academy have close relationships with each other.

For example, to import foreign goods, the power of the 'International Trade Club' is needed, and they form relationships and make requests based on their needs.

"Our 'Recipe Development Club' is not a club for combatants. Rather, it's a club that focuses on using alchemy, manufacturing, and herbal studies to create beneficial food recipes."

However, the 'Ranger Club' was different.

They operate under the name 'Ranger'. In dungeons, the position of a ranger is essential for exploration, and to them, the title of 'Ranger' was a source of pride.

"The 'Ranger Club' mainly consists of students who are skilled in hunting or exploration, or who use ranged weapons. That's why we used to request them to gather ingredients when they went out for training or exploration."

And it seemed that the incident started from here.

"But one day, the demands from the 'Ranger Club' started to increase. At first, they asked for food with buffs along with the request fee because the cost of materials had gone up, but later they started making unreasonable demands for all sorts of ridiculous reasons."

At first, the 'Recipe Development Club' complied with their demands.

But gradually, they demanded more buffs and more dishes, and when the 'Recipe Development Club' refused to make the food, they stopped supplying the ingredients.

Moreover, it seemed they had been threatening to prevent us from requesting other clubs.

They had already started infiltrating.

After realizing that the food from the 'Recipe Development Club' was not ordinary, as they felt their physical abilities temporarily increase with each meal.

"And eventually, they crossed the line. They stole the recipe for the 'Golden Walnut Pie'."

'Golden Walnut Pie'.

It was said to be the ultimate pie that the members of the 'Recipe Development Club' had created after months of effort and experimentation.

"That dish was the recipe we were going to submit for the second-year performance exam. I could confidently say it was the best recipe, made with all my skills and abilities. But... we shouldn't have left it carelessly in the club booth."

As usual, members of the 'Ranger Club' came to the 'Recipe Development Club' booth to deliver goods.

And they copied the contents of the recipe that was left among the exhausted children from the ongoing research.

"Permanent physical ability enhancement. That was the effect of the 'Golden Walnut Pie' discovered by my [Skill: Creative Cooking]."

The eyes of the other children widened as they listened to Lee Seri's story.

Permanent enhancement of physical abilities. It was an effect seen only in elixirs.

"So, you mean that the 'President of the Recipe Development Club' created a recipe for a dish that is as good as an elixir?"

Seah, stammering in shock, asked again, to which Lee Seri nodded.

"Yes, but I'm not that stupid! I always leave out one or two ingredients from the recipe. And only I know what those ingredients are."

That's why the 'Ranger Club' started pressuring them.

To find out from her why they failed despite using the expensive golden walnuts according to the recipe.

To identify the missing ingredient and obtain the manufacturing method of the 'Golden Walnut Pie', which was as good as an elixir.

"Those guys are total scumbags, huh?"

Jinwoo grumbled, getting excited after listening to Lee Seri's story.

Lee Seri nodded vigorously in response.

"Exactly! They keep saying they need to get stronger to bring us better ingredients, but... would people who care about us threaten us with an all-out war? Would they force us to cook?"

As she spoke, it seemed that her frustration burst out, and Lee Seri continued her story with a very angry expression.

"The 'Golden Walnut Pie' is my life's masterpiece. And to be threatened like this..."

According to her, the most important ingredient in the 'Golden Walnut Pie'.

The 'Golden Walnut' was a very rare ingredient even in dungeons, and it was obtained from Lee Haru after much pleading.

The amount obtained was just enough to make it once.

"Even now, they are constantly doing all sorts of cowardly things to us...! They steal cooking ingredients from the club room or secretly damage items in the club booth."

As she spoke, her voice began to break.

"We just wanted to enjoy cooking... Why do we have to be treated like this just because we created an excellent dish...? Please... help our club."

Gradually, tears welled up in Lee Seri's eyes. Soon, she grabbed my hand and, with a tearful voice, began to plead.

"With our club's abilities, we can only ask for help from the 'Familia', a Bronze Club...! We'll do our best to compensate, so please...!"

With desperate eyes, Lee Seri trembled as she clutched my left hand.

Naturally, I covered her hand with my right hand.

"I will accept the request."

"R, really...?"

Lee Seri looked up at me with teary eyes, impressed by my clear response.

To think that this tearful person would become the [Cooking Master] in the future.

It was truly astonishing no matter how much I thought about it.

[Cooking Master]

It was a name known to everyone who had played [City of Seoul].

Despite not being focused on combat, they were one of the five individuals who earned the title 'Master' through crafting.

[Alchemist Master]

[Blacksmith Master]

[Farming Master]

[Enchanting Master]

And the last master was the [Cooking Master].

A being capable of creating dishes with all existing ingredients and granting permanent buff effects.

In CS, as you reach the mid to late game, you always find the [Cooking Master] taking their place.

The fact that such a talent was now asking me for help was nothing short of a stroke of luck.

"Have they ever used violence against any of your club members?"

"...No, not yet."

She nodded slowly as she explained the events up to now.

"Your biggest concern would be an all-out war, right? But usually, a full-scale confrontation between support clubs and combat clubs is hard to pass through the student council's review, isn't it?"

"...If it's them, they'll use the freshmen to pressure us. If they say only freshmen will participate, even the student council might approve it."

In other words, it was a situation where we had no choice but to step in.

"I understand the situation. Then, let's set the deadline... to resolve it within this week."

"Uh... Is it that easy to do?"

It is. If I step in, honestly, I am confident I could make them kneel in five hours.

But what we are doing now is club activity.

If I keep stepping in alone, not only will the club's purpose be lost, but the children won't have a chance to grow either.

That's why the shortest deadline I set is this week.

Within this week, I am confident I can train the children to face and defeat the 'Ranger Club'.

"Of course. Just trust me."

As I smiled and extended my hand, Lee Seri grabbed it, relieved, and smiled broadly.

"See, the boss has a plan, right?"

Jinwoo, unaware that the plan was himself, watched with a cheerful expression...

Well, what's good is good.

The situation was flowing very favorably.

* * *

After sending Lee Seri away, the children gathered in the president's office for a strategy meeting, and their expressions looked very determined.

"Boss, those guys need to be taught a lesson."

"I agree. Those who act like they own the world need a beating to come to their senses."

"I think so too. The ability to make elixirs... the growth potential of the 'Recipe Development Club' is beyond imagination."

...They seemed excessively determined.

Well, it was a good sign, I suppose.

"I share your opinion. So... let's assign tasks to solve this request. First, Youngje."

"Yes."

Youngje nodded when his name was called.

"You will participate in the 'Ranger Club's' briefing and experience sessions starting tomorrow to gather information. A mage who uses four attributes is a rare existence, so they will welcome you."

"What if they find out I'm from 'Familia'?"

"We haven't even started our club activities yet, so they won't recognize you."

"Then, it's a piece of cake."

With Youngje nodding in agreement, I turned my attention to Jinwoo next.

"Jinwoo."

"Yes, yes."

"Until the situation is resolved, make frequent visits to the 'Recipe Development Club' to take on the role of their protector. If a dangerous situation arises, just stall for time."

"Boss, what do you take me for? Just because the opponent is the boss, it doesn't mean I go around getting beaten."

In any case, he seemed confident.

"Yes, for the sake of the request, it's okay to strike first. ...And Seah."

"Yes!"

"Investigate the image and rumors surrounding the 'Ranger Club' from the outside, and report back. Also, both you and Jinwoo will train with me from 3 PM to 5 PM, when the club activities end."

As soon as I finished speaking, Jinwoo shuddered.

"Wait a minute, Boss. Are we training during club activity time?"

"There will be many such instances in the future, so it's good to get stronger in advance."

And for that, I've recruited you because of your growth potential.

Of course, I didn't intend to just throw the mission at you.

"If this goes well, I'll pay a performance bonus of 2 million credits. Will this get your motivation going?"

At this, the expressions of the two, who had been showing complex expressions until just a moment ago, changed instantly.

"Mr. Yoojin! Leave it to us!"

"Two million... I've always wanted to train!"

...Easy enough.

"Then, off you go."