I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 2

"Young Master, I'll escort you."

"Okay."

Is this what it means to be the heir to the underworld?

This Yoojin Han Calione apparently even had a dedicated personal secretary.

It seems this secretary has been following me since I was young, but still, is he also a member of the Calione organization?

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing."

Even while simply walking down the hallway, his vigilant glances and precise movements stood out.

At a glance, it was clear he was no ordinary man.

Or is it just natural since he's the secretary assigned to the boss's son?

'As expected, being part of Calione means even the secretary is extraordinary.'

Following him outside the building, I saw a black sedan waiting for me at the entrance.

"I'll escort you."

He said as he opened the door to the backseat.

I naturally got into the backseat and pulled out my smartphone.

Alongside the [City of Seoul] window, other windows below it caught my attention.

[Character Codex]

Originally, the only people in the Character Codex were me and my father.

All other windows were marked as [??].

"Is this the interface I received as a perk?"

It had the kind of intuitive design you'd typically see in games, so understanding its content wasn't difficult.

Buzzzzzzzzzzz─

At that moment, a notification arrived.

Since it was marked with an "N," it must mean something was updated. It seemed the condition for updating the Character Codex was meeting new individuals.

[Don Vito Calione], [Yoojin Han Calione], [Han Seojun], [??], [??], [??], [??], [??], [??]

The Character Codex now included a person named Han Seojun.

Clicking on it revealed a brief description and a photo.

[Name: Han Seojun]

[Affiliation: Calione, National Intelligence Bureau]

[Description: A member of the Calione family and an agent of the National Intelligence Bureau. Currently serves as the personal secretary to Yoojin Han Calione, the heir to the Calione family.]

"Huh......?"

National Intelligence Bureau? My personal secretary, Han Seojun, is affiliated with the National Intelligence Bureau?

A sudden headache made me run my hand through my hair.

Gradually, the puzzle pieces in my head started to fit together.

Right, if he's the heir to the Calione organization, then he'd naturally be someone monitored by the state.

It was clear he had infiltrated to keep an eye on me.

"Is there a problem, Young Master?"

Han Seojun, who was driving, asked without taking his eyes off the road.

To hide my agitation, I answered in the most indifferent voice possible.

"Nothing, just died while playing a game."

Saying so, I pressed the word "National Intelligence Bureau," written in a different color.

[National Intelligence Bureau]

[A state-run intelligence agency. Also referred to as the National Intelligence Agency, it primarily conducts villain investigations and national espionage missions.]

It was practically the CIA equivalent in this world.

Anyway, who would've thought the ability I received as a perk would even reveal hidden details of the setting?

Judging by how it didn't appear immediately, there must be some conditions for it, but even so, it was a highly satisfying ability.

Moreover.

'This could make for an interesting scenario.'

Han Seojun being affiliated with the National Intelligence Bureau.......

It was indeed somewhat peculiar.

Thinking back on how the game progressed, he had never caused harm to Yoojin, not even once. Even during villain activities, that is.

No matter how unreasonable the orders, he carried them out faithfully, focusing solely on his role as a personal secretary.

'For now, it's better if I'm the only one who knows this fact.'

Reporting his identity to my father immediately wouldn't be a problem, but that would be short-sighted.

To survive as Yoojin Han Calione in the bustling [City of Seoul], proper preparations were essential.

Whether it was strength or information.

And the National Intelligence Bureau was too valuable a card to waste like this. With events like "that" occurring later, there were numerous ways to use it.

"We've arrived, Young Master."

While I was lost in thought, the sedan came to a smooth stop. Outside the window was a massive crowd and a towering front gate.

This was none other than the 'Seoul Hero Academy,' said to nurture Asia's finest heroes, also referred to as Seoyoung A.

"I'll accompany you."

Han Seojun said as he opened the rear door.

No way, is he planning to follow me inside as well?

Bringing a personal secretary into the examination hall would draw unnecessary attention, so I firmly shook my head and spoke decisively.

"Don't follow me right away. Come in a bit later and handle something for me."

"Handle something...... you mean?"

Han Seojun looked puzzled, as if he hadn't expected me to assign him a task.

I patiently explained to him in detail what he needed to do, then turned toward the academy.

"Young Master, are you sure I should only do as instructed?"

"Yes, don't worry too much; there won't be any problems."

".........Understood. Please be careful, Young Master."

After lightly waving toward Han Seojun, who bowed his head, I entered the area where the examination hall was located.

"Please present your examination ticket."

As I tried to enter the hall, a man wearing an armband labeled "Discipline" held out his hand.

"Here it is."

After showing the ticket I had prepared in my pocket, I stepped into the hall and saw the space filled with a huge crowd.

"There are so many people."

The area around the exam hall was packed with examinees and adults who seemed to be their parents.

Well, considering it was the most prestigious academy in Asia, it made sense.

"But this is too much."

With the path obscured by the crowd, I had no choice but to follow the movement of people.

Most of them were probably here to take the exam, just like me.

Luckily, my assumption turned out to be correct. Following them led to a gymnasium marked as the exam hall.

The gymnasium was truly massive.

Its size was reminiscent of a gigantic dome stadium.

Entering the gymnasium, I saw that there were about ten minutes left until the exam, so I decided to look around.

It felt strange seeing it directly with my own eyes instead of through the polygon graphics on a monitor.

There was a quirky guy who only pursued the academy route; he'd probably be incredibly jealous if he knew about my situation.

"From now on! The Seoul Hero Academy entrance exam will begin! Examinees, please move to the group marked on your examination ticket!"

A voice echoed through the speakers.

Confirming that my group was Group B, I headed in that direction.

Ten people were assigned to each group.

In no time, there were a total of twenty-one groups.

At the front of each group stood people who appeared to be instructors, and the instructor for our group was a woman wearing sunglasses.

"We will now begin Group B's exam."

The woman said with a smirk, then sat down on a chair with a plop and spoke.

"Just demonstrate your abilities to the instructor from now on."

So, this is how it's done. Honestly, I thought I was lucky.

I currently had no special traits.

At best, I was only slightly stronger than the average civilian.

However, this wasn't an academy where such things alone could get you through.

-Wow, a fire attribute user.

-That's an automatic pass.

The first person in Group B began to show off, spouting flames all over their body.

Whether they already knew how to control their ability, the flames began to move freely across their body.

"Okay, next."

Seeing this scene, the instructor wrote something on the paper she was holding and called for the next person with a businesslike tone.

"Hmm, that's a unique hair color."

The previously expressionless instructor smiled faintly as she saw the second participant, a girl.

Actually, I knew why the instructor smiled.

Light aquamarine-colored hair.

If it was a girl with that hair color carrying a sword, it was obvious.

The head of Korea's most prestigious swordsmanship family and the strongest in the country, the Sword Saint.

It was undoubtedly Choi Yeon, his only granddaughter.

"Alright, well then, let's start sli..."

As the instructor opened her mouth, Choi Yeon's hand suddenly moved swiftly.

And just as I blinked for a moment──

─────!!!

Sparks flew before my eyes.

An incredible speed of drawing the sword. Sparks flew between the girl who charged in an instant and the instructor's dagger.

"What is this situation?"

Attacking the instructor before the test even started, while she was speaking no less.

Blocking the sword with one hand, the instructor asked the girl curiously.

"......Didn't you ask me to show my ability?"

Speaking calmly as if it were obvious, Choi Yeon quietly sheathed her sword once again.

Then she returned to her position, standing motionlessly with the same posture as before, her face expressionless.

As if waiting for the results with absolute confidence.

"Haha."

The instructor, instead of getting angry at this scene, chuckled lightly and jotted something down on her paper before shouting again.

"Alright, next."

Anyone who watched would've wondered what kind of exam this was. An unexpected attack on the instructor and the indifferent way it was handled were certainly 'abnormal.'

But in this place, it was entirely possible.

Here in 'Seoyoung A,' such behavior was completely valid.

More than that, if the instructor in charge was her, it might even earn extra points.

Instructor Ji Soohyun.

That NPC, famous as the Devil Instructor, would inevitably be encountered if one followed the academy route.

Moreover, the hero she pursued was one who used everything they had to achieve victory.

In short, a hero who wins.

I still remembered being startled in the game when her favorability increased after I attacked her during a spar.

"Alright, next."

As the instructor spoke, a loud boom rang out from the right.

Several students collapsed to the ground at the sudden noise.

Looking at the source of the sound, the instructor and a man were clashing their fists.

"Is that guy joining this academy, too?"

Seeing this scene, I unconsciously muttered.

The son of South Korea's Chief of Police, and someone who would later become a named NPC.

It was Jung Euihun.

"This academy batch has a lot of strange ones."

Smiling as if amused, she soon turned to me and spoke.

"Alright, you're next. What can you show me?"

I still had no special traits or abilities.

But even so, there was something only I could show.

Slowly approaching the instructor, I extended my hand from my pocket toward her.

"......?"

What I did wasn't anything grand.

I simply made a gun shape with my thumb and index finger and aimed it at the instructor.

That was all.

The instructor frowned at the sight, but I kept a relaxed expression and spoke.

"La famiglia lavora per la famiglia."

"Wait, that's──."

At the same time as her eyes widened in surprise.

Bang──────!!

With a clear gunshot ringing in my ears, time began to flow slowly as if it were a scene from a movie.

My heightened senses allowed me to perceive everything around me.

The cartridge case slowly falling to the floor.

The sniper rifle emitting white smoke from its pitch-black barrel.

And the slight recoil pushing back the instructor's head.

As prearranged, Han Seojun had aimed and fired directly at Ji Soohyun's head at the signal.

Fortunately, she didn't die.

The lead bullet floated in front of her forehead, spinning in place as if time itself had stopped.

Though everyone else was in sheer shock, I was the only one who casually stepped forward.

Click─ Click─

The sound of my footsteps echoed in the gymnasium as I approached the instructor and spoke softly.

"My ability is Famiglia."

What do you think?

Ji Soohyun, wearing a dumbfounded expression at my words.

"Famiglia......? Your ability is family?"

"What else could I do when the family motto is such? You know it well, don't you?"

You wouldn't fail to recognize it.

After all, in this world, there's only one family that uses this motto.

And this phrase was once shouted to the world by the man who wrote a legend.

[La famiglia lavora per la famiglia]

The family works for the family.

Bowing respectfully toward her, I spoke in a voice only she could hear.

"Yoojin Han Calione. The ability I brought to today's academy exam is family, Famiglia."

The best ability I could show right now.

The best power I could display right now.

It was the power of the family.

An inexhaustible fortune, authority that could neutralize most incidents on the spot, and a mobile weapons cache.

Actions possible only because I was a Calione. Privileges granted only to the successor of Calione.

What unfolded here today was the result of that.

What do you think, Instructor Ji Soohyun? You often gave passes to those who defied you.

Then what would you make of me?

A brat backed by his family? A spoiled fool who knows nothing?

No, I guarantee you'll realize it. An ordinary fool would never have pulled off something like this.

Something an ordinary person couldn't even imagine.

Through her sunglasses, I could feel the instructor's gaze trembling.

And then, she lowered her head deeply.

"Heh... Hahahahaha!! Hahaha!!"

The instructor's body trembled violently.

The instructor burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as if she couldn't control herself.

"Hahaha! You, you, you! You do know, right? If I hadn't stopped the bullet, it would've hit me right between the eyes?"

Ji Soohyun looked at me while wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.

I gave her a relaxed smile in response.

"Even if it hit, it would've just left a small bruise, wouldn't it? If something more had happened, I would've been disappointed instead."

"Haha! Crazy guy, huh? Just from the way you talk, you don't seem like the kind of guy who'd order a shot to the instructor's head."

"Thank you."

"Hahaha! This guy's seriously insane, huh."

Ji Soohyun, still holding back her laughter, approached me, placed her hand on my shoulder, and spoke.

"Alright, go on back. The results will be mailed to you within three days. Wait comfortably."

"I will do so."

"Good."

Saying that, the instructor wrote something down on a piece of paper and pointed to the exit the previous candidates had taken.

"See you at the Academy, Young Master of the Underworld."

Perhaps she was quite impressed, as Ji Soohyun immediately informed me in writing that I had passed. I gave a short nod toward her and walked toward the door she pointed to with her fingertip.

Does this mean I've overcome one major hurdle?

With that thought in mind, I stepped outside the door and saw Han Seojun waiting near the entrance.

"...Nothing out of the ordinary, just as I told you, right?"

As I approached and asked the man standing there expressionless, Han Seojun nodded.

"Yes, it was strange how the surrounding guards didn't even pay attention."

"That's because this is the Academy's entrance exam."

"...What?"

"The Academy's exam allows not just helpers but also all sorts of weapons."

Of course, that's because they have the confidence to deal with any trouble or incident that might occur within the Academy quickly.

After all, didn't a monster stop a sniper rifle's bullet fired from less than 300 meters away?

But seeing Han Seojun's expression still showing confusion despite my explanation, I shook my head and got into the car.

"Then let's go. I'm tired."

"Yes, Young Master. However... there's somewhere you need to stop by before returning home."

"...Somewhere to stop by?"

If Han Seojun is saying this, it must mean orders came from someone above me.

Where exactly are we going?

"Yes, Don is waiting for you."

Huh?

The excitement I'd felt from doing well on the exam evaporated in an instant.

My father came to this Academy?

"...Where is Father now?"

"He is currently waiting in the parking lot of a shopping complex outside the Academy."

"...Let's go."

"I'll escort you."

I immediately followed Han Seojun into the car, and we headed for the parking lot where my father was waiting.

In the underground parking lot of a shopping complex not far from the Academy, a single black sedan that exuded an extraordinary aura was parked.

And in front of it.

As if security was unnecessary, a man stood alone, holding a cigar in his mouth.

A man exuding an intimidating charisma despite standing alone.

Don Vito Calione.

My father was there.