Chapter 103

Chapter 103

I Became the Academy Mafia Chapter 103After finishing the freshman declaration and returning to my seat, the kids looked at me as though they were extremely excited.

“Eugene! That was moving!”

“Boss...! I'll follow Boss to the very end...!”

The kids welcomed me with different reactions.

Judging by their expressions, it seemed I hadn't said anything unnecessary.

“But President. Will you be okay? Right now, President... just made enemies of the Hero Association and the Metal Guild.”

Unlike the others, Young-je, who had been sitting silently, carefully asked with a worried gaze.

Needless to say, the Hero Association was one of the foremost organizations in the country. And the Metal Guild, where Lee Won-ho served as guild master, was also a top-tier guild comparable to a decent-sized corporation.

It wasn't that I couldn't understand Young-je's concern.

I knew better than anyone what it meant to do something that put me on their bad side.

But...

“I've got plenty of backing.”

In the end, they were only the Republic of Korea's Hero Association.

Only an ordinary guild.

My identity and personal information were already protected by Hanwol Group and Calione, and even if they somehow uncovered them, they'd be forced to face the harsh reality that they were the ones who shouldn't touch me.

“If they can do something, let them try.”

Because I was absolutely confident I would win.[This concludes the events in the auditorium. We will now move to the grand banquet hall for the celebration banquet and lunch. Students and distinguished guests, please proceed in order according to the instructions of the security personnel.]

Not long after I came down, Yuli, who was acting as the host, relayed the instructions to everyone in the auditorium.

Unlike when she introduced my turn, her voice sounded a little excited.

When I turned my head toward the booth where the student council had gathered, I saw Yuli looking this way with the corners of her mouth raised.‘That.

Was.

Awe.

some.’She moved her lips while giving me a thumbs-up.

Apparently she too had been one of the people the system had mentioned.

I lowered my gaze again and examined the achievement section that had just appeared.【Achievements(N)】[Second-Ranked at the Academy][Heir to the Underworld][Organization Enforcer][Freshman Representative(N)]..[Achievement: 「Freshman Representative」 acquired!][You have completed the Academy freshman oath above the required standard!][The majority of the people in the auditorium were inspired by your speech!][A special reward will be granted!][New Trait: 「Orator」 has been granted.]【Orator】[1. People feel stronger persuasive power in your words.][2. People around you focus more intently on your words.]

It was truly a trait meant for people who used words as weapons.

The [Offer They Cannot Refuse]

attached to 【Heir to the Underworld】, combined with this, was an ability capable of shifting situations in my favor through speech alone.

The synergy between the two alone seemed like it would become a major force.

“Wow, by the way, I wonder if a fight's going to break out in the dining hall.”

I could see the Association people leaving with heavy expressions.

Jin-woo muttered as he stood up, apparently bothered by the atmosphere from earlier.

“They probably won't fight openly.”

The freshman welcome party's celebration banquet was the perfect place for outsiders to naturally approach Academy students.

Since other people would be attending, anyone concerned with outside appearances wouldn't openly pick a fight...

Openly, that is.

And so I too headed toward the grand banquet hall with the others.

It was a place I'd never visited in reality, though I had in the game, and it was also where most of the Academy's events were held.

A massive hall reminiscent of a wedding venue, buffets set up around the area, and people cooking food in real time...

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

“...

They are.”

So this was what they meant when they said they were preparing for the freshman welcome party.

It seemed more than half of the people cooking were members of clubs related to food.‘Recipe Development Club’When we approached the buffet where the Recipe Development Club was stationed, I could see Lee Se-ri smiling brightly after noticing us.

“Ah! President and everyone from Familia! C-congratulations on the freshman welcome party!”

She wore a pure white chef's hat and sanitary mask while busily whipping cream, and for some reason I felt grateful seeing how happy she was to see us.

“Is the Recipe Club doing desserts today, just like what you were practicing before?”

“Yes! We cooked with all our strength. S-so please enjoy your meal and stop by here too!”

“We definitely will.”

After answering her, I looked around and saw a completely different scene from before.

Upperclassmen attending the welcome party as representatives of their clubs while scouting new talent, and outside guests.

And even people busily striking up conversations in order to become acquainted with the children of influential families.

It was exactly what one might commonly call high society networking.

“Eugene! They have steak at the Western food corner! Let's go together!”

Unlike me, Se-ah seemed to have been focused on the food, because she looked around excitedly and shouted.

The others laughed and followed her toward the Western food section, and I was about to walk over there as well when.

“Han Eugene. Correct? The freshman representative.”

I turned at the familiar voice calling my name, and there stood the President of the Republic of Korea Hero Association with a benevolent smile.

Kang Man-seok.

“It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Han Eugene.”

Given the setting, I couldn't exactly ignore someone openly addressing me like this.

I gave a rough bow in greeting, and he spoke with a smile as though it were nothing.

“Ah, there's no need to misunderstand. I didn't come looking for you with some other intention, Han Eugene. I merely wanted to tell you that I was deeply impressed by your speech.”

His overly courteous tone made me raise my guard another level as I looked around.

“...

For that to be the case, isn't the timing a little too perfect? It seems you came over the moment the kids around me disappeared.”

“Haha! Isn't that better for you as well, Han Eugene? Don't you agree?”

Was that his roundabout way of saying there was no need for the other kids to hear our conversation?

Interesting.

“But it seems my friend doesn't think so.”

“...

What?”

Kang Man-seok looked as though he didn't understand what I meant.

At the same time.

“Eugene. Aren't you eating?”

Choi Yeon approached with a plate piled entirely with desserts and naturally stood beside me.

“...

Choi Yeon?”

At Kang Man-seok speaking as though he knew her, Choi Yeon glanced over at his face.

“...

Hello.”

But as though she had no interest in him, Choi Yeon simply gave a light bow before turning her gaze right back to me.

“Eugene. This is good. Eat some.”

Seeing her suddenly come over and talk to me like this, unlike usual, did she think Kang Man-seok was bothering me?

Apparently she had come to help me.

“Sorry for making you give the speech. Eat this and forgive me?”...

Or not?

“Dessert isn't a meal.”

“...

Same thing Grandpa says.”

While Choi Yeon and I were talking like that, Kang Man-seok smiled and intruded into our conversation.

“Student Choi Yeon. Han Eugene and I are having a brief private discussion. Would you mind allowing the two of us to talk alone for a moment?”

At his words, Choi Yeon glanced at me.

“Should I go?”

There was no particular reason for her to leave, so I shook my head and said.

“Do whatever's comfortable.”

“Okay. Then I'll stay here.”

“You're going to eat standing up?”

“...

I'll eat at the table next to you.”

It seemed that even if she wasn't directly beside me, she intended to remain nearby.

Kang Man-seok couldn't exactly do anything to the granddaughter of the powerful Azure Sky Sword Clan, so apparently deciding that much was acceptable, he nodded and looked back at me.

Then.

Snap!

He lightly snapped his fingers.

At the same time, every bit of noise that had continuously filled the surroundings disappeared, leaving silence quietly hanging around us.

“This is something that requires soundproofing magic?”

Even with Choi Yeon eating cake at the table right next to us, he was doing something like this.

He was being absurdly blatant.

It was almost ridiculous.

“Yes. Because what we're about to discuss is... quite a sensitive subject.”

His expression was smiling, but the voice coming from his mouth was nothing like that.

“Now then, let's resume our conversation. It seems you deliberately disparaged what Lee Won-ho and I said while defending the Academy... Did Dean Heo Seok-gi make some sort of request of you?”

“...

Hm?”

“There's no use playing innocent. During your speech, Heo Seok-gi looked like he was about to die of happiness. I've already figured it out. There must be something between the two of you, right?”

Why was the dean's name suddenly coming up here?

Did he think I was one of the dean's people?

“That's baseless speculation.”

“Baseless speculation? Ha, amusing. Baseless speculation...”

Then Kang Man-seok suddenly put force into his voice.

“It seems you don't understand what kind of place you've just stepped into, so I'll make it very clear for you. Kid.”

Tilting his head slightly so that no one around us could see his expression, he glared at me and spoke in a voice filled with anger.

“You've just provoked me, the man called the person in overall charge of the Republic of Korea's heroes. You do understand that much, don't you?”

So he was finally showing his true colors.

His painfully predictable behavior nearly made me snort with laughter.

“There is something I'd like to say about that, but is the soundproofing magic definitely active right now?”

“...

What?”

“I'm asking because I want to make sure the sound of our conversation isn't leaking outside.”

“I cast the spell myself, so of course. No one outside will be able to hear our conversation.”...

Unable to hear it, my ass.

From the look of things, Lee Won-ho was glancing over at us from the table behind Kang Man-seok.

He had probably adjusted the mana so that Lee Won-ho could hear our conversation as well.

Well, that was enough.

For now, I deliberately acted hesitant and carefully opened my mouth.

“To be honest, I don't know whether I should say this. As you know, Association President, it all depends on how I choose to speak.”

Right, how exactly I decide to screw you over.

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

Had my words piqued his interest? His expression relaxed a little.

“Don't worry. As long as I am here, neither the dean nor anyone else will be able to harm you.”

“You, Association President?”

“Yes. I will personally protect you. I happened to be looking for a talented child, and someone of your caliber should be sufficient.”

Interesting.

Good! Then let's go with this.

“I'm truly grateful for the offer... but you alone won't be enough.”

“...

What?”

Kang Man-seok stared at me in disbelief after hearing my answer.

“I alone am not enough?”

“Yes. The Association President alone won't be enough. Because... I think my influence is stronger than yours.”

At the same time.

Crash──!

The transparent wall surrounding Kang Man-seok and me collapsed, and the sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the banquet hall.

“──Who dares destroy my magic!”

Enraged by the fact that his magic had been broken, Kang Man-seok clenched his fist and turned around... then froze cold.

“It was me, Man-seok.”

Behind him stood an old man wearing a fedora and smiling brightly.

Though if there was anything different about him from an ordinary old man... it would be the blue aura coating both his hands, and the countless elderly men standing behind him.

“K-Kwak Chun-sik?”

“What? Kwak Chun-sik? Man-seok, has it been so long since we last met that you've lost your manners? Shall we greet each other the old-fashioned way?”

Well, do I even need to step in myself?──Kwak Chun-sik.

He had arrived leading dozens of elderly heroes who had once dominated the Republic of Korea.