Chapter 100

I became a mafia of the academy, Chapter 100

After returning to my room and changing clothes, I spent my time checking if there was any problem with Dispatheir.

"…Is it just a slight scratch?"

Despite the attack being powerful enough to tear the academy uniform, which has basic defensive magic, Dispatheir seemed completely fine, as if nothing had happened.

With its automatic repair function, this minor scratch would be fixed soon.

Even though it’s of Unique grade, how much more of a cheat will it become once the core is properly installed?

While thinking about this, I took out the dungeon core that I had carefully stored in the cube.

[Name: Dungeon Core]

[Grade: Epic (EPIC)]

[Type: Material]

[Description: A crystalline formation created from the condensed mana of an artificial dungeon. The mana, compressed over several decades, provides sufficient output to maintain a dungeon.]

It was essentially the world’s version of an arc reactor.

"Surely, it was a trap, right?"

"Yes. There were definitely signs that the guy had been there, but when we arrived, there was only a bomb."

…That means the soot on Father’s face must have been the work of Bloody Clown.

"I went in alone because it felt too suspicious to be their hideout. If I had stormed in with the other members, a major accident could have happened."

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Hmm? Do you really think this father would be hurt by something like that? Ha! It didn’t even tickle, so don’t worry too much."

…Indeed, this is the man who can crush an anti-tank shell with his bare hands without a scratch. What’s there to worry about?

No matter what Bloody Clown did, it was impossible for them to harm Father.

"But if it was a trap, doesn’t that mean there’s a problem with the informant?"

"…I thought so too, but it seems they were definitely there."

Father said this and took out his phone, showing me a photo.

A blackened wall. On it was a drawing of a black rat waving a stick and cackling.

"…The Plague Rat."

"Yes, it’s the symbol of the Plague. The information wasn’t wrong. It’s just unfortunate that it turned out this way. We should be grateful that no one was hurt."

Father’s eyes, however, had the look of a determined avenger.

"Don’t worry, I’ll catch them for sure."

The aura of determination to chase and kill them was palpable.

Even though he wasn’t looking at me, I felt a moment of tension.

But then Father patted my shoulder and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"By the way, the academy is still going ahead with the freshmen welcome ceremony tomorrow, right?"

Did he get a separate notification? Given his position, it was natural for him to know.

"Yes, if we postpone it, it might create the impression that the academy is afraid of the Villain Union."

The academy had just announced that the Villain Union’s terror attack had been completely thwarted by the students, and that the Villain Union was merely a club of villains, which happened this evening.

"Is that so? Then the oath will be taken by the top student of the Changcheon family, right? It’s really a shame."

"…Ah. Actually, Father."

"Hmm?"

"That oath. I’m the one who will take it."

"What, what?"

Father’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you saying you’ll take the oath of Seoul Hero Academy, the one that only the most outstanding hero cadets can take?"

"…Yes."

"No, no. I knew you were outstanding, but… how? Did that kid die during the terror attack?"

No, I had heard from the consigliere that Chae-yeon and Geum-seon met after the incident, so his surprise was evident.

"No way. Chae-yeon just stepped down from the position, so I’ll be taking it instead."

Even after explaining, Father’s eyes didn’t seem to shrink.

In fact, his tired face was gradually brightening.

"Ha! Ha ha ha ha! Paranello, did you hear that? My son will take the oath of Seoul Hero Academy."

"Congratulations, Young Master."

"Not now. Immediately ask Dominic to write the best declaration for Eugene."

"Yes, I’ll pass it on──"

"Wait, a moment!"

Surprised by Father’s overreaction, I immediately turned and grabbed Paranello’s hand as he was about to move.

"It’s fine! The academy will provide the declaration."

"…Is that so?"

"Yes. So it’s really fine."

A declaration written by Callione’s consigliere.

I had no idea what it would contain, but I was worried it might be something strange.

Moreover, if I stayed any longer, I didn’t know what other suggestions Father might make.

"I need to prepare for tomorrow, so I’ll go to bed now. You should rest well too, Father."

"Ah, yes. Well, you’ve been trained in oratory since you were young, so I’m sure you’ll do well."

…Did I learn oratory?

I gained a new piece of knowledge about Eugene Callione.

"You’ve been holding me for too long. Go to bed and rest."

After saying this, I turned back to my room and looked at the declaration I had received from the academy a few days ago.

"…I have to read this in front of the entire school, right?"

I had read declarations at the academy before.

Most of the time, I aimed for the top or second position for easier gameplay, and always went through the event of reading a speech.

But there was a big difference between reading it in the game and actually having to read it in real life.

"Seems like there’s no other way."

Since I’m reading the declaration, might as well aim for the achievement.

While thinking about this, I continued reading the declaration.

[Young Master? It’s Alessia. Are you sleeping?]

Alessia’s voice came from outside.

She came at this hour?

"The door is open, come in."

Curious, I said this, and Alessia entered cautiously, bowing her head.

"I apologize for the late visit. The items I just ordered have arrived, so I came to bring them to you."

"Ordered items?"

In response to my question, Alessia showed me the item she was holding.

"The academy uniform. According to the executive secretary, your uniform was completely torn, so I rushed to get a new one. You can’t give the oath in casual clothes in front of the entire school, can you?"

I couldn’t help but smile at Alessia’s playful tone.

"You’re right. I almost made a big mistake."

After receiving the uniform from her, I checked it.

It was the same size as the one I had before.

It seemed to have been washed after purchase, as it smelled fresh.

"Thanks, Alessia."

"It’s just my duty. Cough, cough!"

"Are you sick?"

"…Hmm, I don’t think so. Probably just inhaled some dust while following Don… I’ll be fine if I drink some warm water before bed."

Right, there was an explosion.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Your concern… It’s been a while. No, fortunately, no one, including me, was hurt. After all, Don was leading the way."

Indeed, Father said no one was hurt.

She didn’t seem to have any visible injuries, so it must have been just the dust.

"If that’s the case, it’s fine…"

"Is this the speech you’ll read tomorrow, Young Master?"

Smiling, she noticed the monitor that was still on and walked over with interest.

Since there was no reason to hide it, I let her read the declaration.

"Hmm… How to put it… It seems rather cliché."

"Right?"

As she said, it was a declaration that had been used from the past to the present, so I also thought it was cliché.

"Can’t you write your own speech, Young Master?"

"I don’t mind if you do, but the academy probably won’t like it. It would be my unilateral decision."

Most importantly… I had barely maintained my sanity by thinking I was just reading what the academy told me. If I changed it to an original one?

My face might explode.

"If you say so, Young Master, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll take my leave then."

"Alright. Take care."

After seeing Alessia off, I sat back at my desk and sighed, looking at the declaration in front of me.

"…I don’t know."

* * *

The entrance to the academy was even more chaotic than usual.

"External guests, please have your identity verified here!"

"Student ID checks will be conducted! Students, please present your student IDs before entering through the school gates!"

Security was tightened due to yesterday’s terror attack.

While students only needed to have their IDs checked against the academy’s records, it was clear that the entry screening for outsiders was extremely strict.

"Here is fine. I’ll go in alone from the school gate."

"Are you sure you’ll be alright?"

Sitting in the car driven by Han Seo-joon, I realized it had taken longer than expected and gathered my things.

"It’s better than waiting here. Since it seems difficult for outsiders to enter, I’ll contact you when I’m leaving."

"I’m fine. I’ll be nearby the academy, so just let me know."

"…Do as you please."

I got out of the car, took out my student ID, which I usually kept in my wallet, and approached the school gate.

It’s more troublesome than usual, but it’s for security, so there’s no choice.

Just as I was about to show my student ID to the academy staff who had noticed me──

"Are you Han Yu-jin, the student who will take the oath at today’s freshmen welcome ceremony? You can go in directly."

"…Ah, yes."

Without showing my student ID, I was given free passage.

What’s going on…?

Still, I thought it was a good thing and headed to my classroom.

There was still a lot of time before the freshmen welcome ceremony started, so the academy instructed us to wait in our classrooms.

"Welcome! Freshman representative! Boss of the Familia! Han! Yu! Jin!"

As soon as I entered the classroom, Jin-woo greeted me with a loud and exaggerated welcome.

From the looks of it, Yeong-je, who was holding his forehead, and Se-a, who was sighing, seemed to have a good idea of the situation.

"Jin-woo."

"Huh? Why? Were you moved?"

"Stop overacting."

"Hmph…."

I don’t know what to do anymore.

I need to prepare for the declaration.