I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 14

"Good morning. Did everyone get a good rest yesterday?"

Ji Soohyun placed what looked like an attendance book on the podium and glanced around the room.

"'Yes~'" came the students' replies, and Ji Soohyun nodded with a faint smile.

"That's good to hear. Alright, the first day was to figure out which of you I should nurture, and the second day was to check what type of combat you prefer. Well, except for one person who collapsed right at the start, so I couldn't assess them."

At Ji Soohyun's words, the other students' gazes turned toward Jinwoo.

Jinwoo, suddenly realizing the story was about him, felt embarrassed and lowered his head.

However, Ji Soohyun continued without hesitation.

"And today is the third day. The activity you'll be doing today is a kind of Academy orientation. Let's see...... Ah, we still haven't chosen a class president. How troublesome......"

As she muttered, Ji Soohyun snapped her fingers, and the stack of papers she'd brought in with the attendance book disappeared, replaced by a booklet appearing on each of our desks.

"Alright, this booklet contains today's schedule, so check it out on your own."

Wait... Did she just move 12 objects of this size to designated spots simultaneously?

It's the kind of crazy act that could be called a mad feat, but she was doing it carelessly, only because she found it bothersome.

Is this the power of the once-celebrated genius Spatial Mage?

When I opened the booklet Ji Soohyun had sent us, there was a map of the Academy and a schedule divided by class periods, accompanied by illustrations.

[1st, 2nd Period (09:00~12:30). Academy Exploration: Newly enrolled at the Academy? This is your first time, right? The Hero Academy has prepared an event just for you! Explore the various clubs scattered around the Academy!]

[Lunch Break (12:30~13:50). Move to the Dining Room: Have you had enough of looking at the clubs? Let's eat now!]

[3rd, 4th Period (13:50~17:20). Liberal Arts Class: A lesson on the virtues and etiquette that all heroes should possess will be conducted in your class.]

Academy classes, scheduled in 1 hour and 30-minute blocks, four times over.

And as expected, during the 1st and 2nd periods, we were going to explore the clubs, just like in a game.

"As written there, the 1st and 2nd periods are for exploring the Academy's clubs. By now, various clubs will be setting up booths to recruit freshmen, so take a look around. Many of these clubs may be helpful to you in the future, so it's worth examining them carefully."

Hearing her words, I glanced out the window and saw that booths for club promotions were already set up all over the Academy.

It's bustling......

"Alright, then there's still some time left? It's 8:40 now. Shall we choose a class president? Han Yoojin?"

Why is she calling my name, making me uneasy?

"Yes."

"You'll be the class president."

"Me?"

Seriously, is she just passing the role of class president onto me like this?

"What, don't you want to do it?"

Ji Soohyun looked at me, her expression hinting at a sneer as she asked.

"Are you serious?"

Damn, this crazy woman.

Sighing, I said,

"Shouldn't we at least take nominations? There might be someone who wants to be class president."

"Hmm? I think it'd be nice if you took the role?"

She's trying to make me class president for such a trivial reason?

Since taking the role of class president would interfere with my plans, I decided to decline.

"I'm sorry──"

"I'll do it."

Just as I was about to decline Ji Soohyun's suggestion, Kim Youngje, seated in front of me, raised his hand and declared his candidacy.

"Oh? Alright, Kim Youngje. You want to be the class president?"

"Yes, I'd like to nominate myself."

"Is that so?"

Ji Soohyun glanced at me after saying that.

Avoiding her gaze, I looked out the window.

"Well... alright. Since he doesn't want it... Is there anyone else besides Kim Youngje who wants to nominate themselves?"

This time, no hands went up. Ji Soohyun then pulled a notepad from her pocket and started writing something down.

"The class president will be Kim Youngje. What about the vice president? Should I take nominations for that too?"

"I'll do it."

"What?"

Ji Soohyun looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Didn't you just say you didn't want to be class president?"

"Being the vice president is different, isn't it?"

"Heh, what a funny kid."

Ji Soohyun glared at me with sharp eyes.

In reality, there was a specific reason I had chosen to run for vice president instead of president.

First, unlike the class president, the vice president isn't obligated to attend school events.

For someone like me, who has organizational responsibilities, that was a huge drawback that made becoming president impossible.

Second, the vice president, while not being dragged into many events, still holds power as a class officer and can easily access meetings and events exclusive to the president and vice president.

And third...

Ji Soohyun──

"Alright, you can be the vice president. No one else seems to be volunteering anyway... Oh, after today's Academy activities are over, the class president and vice president should have dinner with the main instructor. I, as the instructor, will treat you."

It's because instructors tend to treat their class presidents and vice presidents a bit more specially than other students.

"Alright, now that we've chosen both the president and vice president... Just relax until the bell rings, and then go check out the clubs. That's all for today's HR."

Just as she was about to leave the classroom after saying what she needed to say, I raised my hand high to stop her.

"Instructor."

"Hmm? What is it, Vice President? Are you asking what we'll eat for lunch?"

Ji Soohyun said something strange to me, ignoring her own question. I ignored her comment and continued with what I was about to say.

"......You haven't explained about creating a club."

At my question, Ji Soohyun's expression went blank.

"What? Creating one?"

Her body began to shake slightly.

"Hah... Haha!"

She couldn't hold it in anymore, bent over, and started laughing loudly.

"Hah! Hehehe! Create a club? Of course, you can do it! It's the students' right to create clubs. But it'll be tough, you know? Are you thinking of making a club?"

I wanted to say yes right there, but there was no need to rush.

Acting as though I didn't know, I casually asked,

"Well, I figured I should at least hear about it."

"Wow, he really is planning to make one, huh? Well, I can understand if you knew nothing about it before. I get it."

Ji Soohyun nodded to herself and returned to the podium.

"Alright, since our vice president is so curious, I'll tell you. Creating a club at the Academy. It's not as hard as you might think."

Using her mana, Ji Soohyun summoned a piece of chalk to her hand and began writing on the blackboard.

Everyone in the class stared at the blackboard.

[1. Gather a minimum of 4 club members.]

[2. Recruit a club advisor instructor.]

"That's generally how clubs are created at other schools. Just gather a group of people you like and you're done. It's quite simple. But this is the Hero Academy. It's an institution that trains heroes, not just students. Therefore, there are additional steps."

Ji Soohyun continued writing on the board.

[3. Obtain 3 club creation consent forms.]

"The three club creation consent forms. You must get these to create a club."

Ji Soohyun continued, moving her chalk-wielding hand.

[3. Obtain 3 club creation consent forms.]

┗Bronze Club consent form.

┗Silver Club consent form.

┗Gold Club consent form.

Ji Soohyun placed a dot next to the "Gold Club consent form" and smiled at us.

"The consent forms. You must obtain these forms from the club presidents of each rank, using whatever means necessary—force, wealth, connections, anything."

Yes, that was the biggest obstacle.

"The Academy's clubs ultimately receive support from the Academy. But what if there are bugs who want to leech off the Academy's resources without having the necessary skills? To prevent that, the consent form system was introduced. But that's not the end."

As she spoke, Ji Soohyun began writing more on the board.

[4. Submit consent forms to the Student Council and pass the review.]

"Only after going through all this can you finally create a club."

That too was a system devised by the Academy to prevent unnecessary clubs.

The three consent forms? Let's say you can get them somehow.

However, without overcoming the barrier of the Student Council, you ultimately cannot create a club. That's the club system of the Academy.

"Create a club? Sure~ Creating a club. If you think you can do it, give it a try. If you have the confidence to raid the seniors' clubs to get the consent forms and persuade the Student Council."

The entire classroom fell silent at the sight of Ji Soohyun's smile, which seemed nothing short of sinister.

"By the way, there hasn't been a case of freshmen creating a club in the last two years. They all failed to meet the seniors' conditions."

At Ji Soohyun's words, this time Kim Youngje raised his hand.

"Yes, what is it?"

"In that case, are you saying there was a case three years ago where a freshman created a club?"

"Three years ago? Hmm. Yes, there were such crazy bastards."

As she said this, Ji Soohyun sharply pointed at the word 'Student Council' written on the board with chalk.

"The Student Council. The current Student Council president created a club when he was a freshman and then rose to the Diamond rank as a sophomore. Using the power he gained, he ran for Student Council president with his followers and, as you know, became the president. The Academy back then was really fun, you know."

Everything Ji Soohyun was talking about now was factual information known through the Academy route.

"How about it, was your question answered? Cadet Kim Youngje."

"...Yes. Thank you."

"Good. Now, anyone else want to ask a question? No one?"

Finally, Ji Soohyun checked to see if any students were raising their hands, and upon confirming none were, she picked up the attendance sheet again.

"Alright. Then, am I really going?"

With those words, Ji Soohyun immediately left the classroom.

I immediately got up from my seat and followed her out of the classroom.

"Instructor."

"Hmm? Why are you following me? Do you have another question?"

"I want to create a club."

"...What? Didn't you hear my explanation just now?"

"I did."

"And yet, you still want to create a club? As a freshman?"

"Yes."

"You know you've only been enrolled for three days, right?"

"I know."

"And yet, you want to create a club? Now?"

"Yes."

The corners of Ji Soohyun's mouth lifted as she listened to my story.

"So, why are you telling me this?"

"I want you to be the advisor for the club I'm going to create."

"...What? Are you crazy? Why should I do that?"

"I will fulfill what you desire."

"What I desire? And you think you know what that is and can fulfill it?"

"Chaos. I will cause unprecedented chaos in this Academy, which has been quiet for two years."

"What?"

Last night. The newly updated information on Ji Soohyun was extremely valuable to me right now.

[Name: Ji Soohyun]

[Affiliation: Republic of Korea, Academy]

[Age: 28 years old]

[Specialty: Spatial Magic and Tactical Command]

[Family Relations: Both parents deceased, no siblings]

[Information: An instructor at Seoul Hero Academy who believes that heroes are born in crises since the past.

She is very positive about the ecology of competition where the strong prey on the weak, and has submitted three papers citing this ideology.

In the past, during her active duty, she nearly lost her life due to a dungeon outbreak but was saved by Don Vito Calione.]

The atmosphere of the Academy, stabilized by several strong organizations in recent years.

It would be good if it stayed that way. It allowed for the smooth training of graduates in a stable and quiet environment.

But what she wanted was not graduates like that from the Academy. What she desired was not just ordinary, slightly stronger beings than others, but true heroes.

Heroes who emerge in times of crisis.

Heroes who can inspire hope just by existing.

Heroes more special and noble than anyone else, true heroes.

For Ji Soohyun, who believes that true heroes are born by crushing and breaking the sprouting three-leaf clovers, my proposal must have felt irresistibly sweet.

Will you cause new chaos in the Academy, which has been peaceful under the Student Council?

Isn't this exactly the kind of Academy she desired?

And as if to confirm that my prediction was correct, she looked at me with a very pleased expression.

"You planned this from the beginning, didn't you? Asking about creating a club in front of the kids, suddenly applying for the Vice President position, everything was aimed at this."

"...Did you catch on?"

As expected, Ji Soohyun, I smiled back at her.

"You think I wouldn't know? Asking in front of the kids was to implant the thought, 'You can't do it,' to incite rebellion. Freshmen are like that. When told, 'You can't do it, give up,' they want to do it even more."

Saying that, she looked straight into my eyes with a smile.

"Wow, thinking about it again, you're really something, huh? Using me of all people? Hahaha! As expected of that man's son."

Laughing cheerfully, Ji Soohyun slowly approached me.

"Alright, I'll play along. You've caught my interest so far.

She placed her hand on my shoulder.

"But there's a condition."

"A condition... you say?"

"Yes, bring me three founding consent forms by tomorrow. Then I'll take on the role of advisor. Is that all? I can also help you pass the Student Council's review. How about it, if you're determined to create a club, you should be able to do this much, right?"

As expected, she was the Ji Soohyun I knew.

A woman who enjoys challenges thrown at her openly, accepting any challenge with a smile.

That's why she's called the crazy woman.

"It's really an offer I can't refuse."

"Isn't it?"

"Yes."

Truly.