I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 88

The video we spread caused a major social issue.

It's only natural, as the opponent is not an ordinary villain, but Plague, the villain rumored to have overthrown a country.

Moreover, he, who usually only roughly conveyed his ideology, had never mentioned a target so directly before.

And to top it off, there's a rumor that the source of that video was none other than the large mafia group, Calione.

It couldn't help but become an issue.

"Is it because of that?"

"Boss! Did you watch YouTube yesterday too?"

As soon as I entered the classroom, Jinwoo looked at me and smiled brightly.

"......Are you talking about the Plague video?"

"Yeah. That's it! Do you know who uploaded the video on the internet?"

The guy seemed eager to talk, twitching his lips.

It seemed he felt a sense of pride in the fact that Calione was behind it.

"I saw that on the news today, so don't overreact and just sit down."

"Huh? Was that on the news?"

I walked past Jinwoo, who seemed surprised as if it was his first time hearing about it, and took my seat.

"Hmm? I don't see Youngje."

Normally, Youngje should have been here early, reading a book, but he was nowhere to be seen.

As if to answer that, Seah, who was sitting in the front row, turned around to look at me.

"Youngje? He left before Yoojin came and hasn't returned since. Maybe the instructor called him?"

"Instructor Ji Soohyun?"

"Yes, other than that, where else would Youngje have to go?"

I was thinking that was definitely true when...

"Isn't he in the bathroom?"

Another plausible opinion came up.

The bathroom was a reasonable guess... Should I contact him?

"Almost here?"

At that moment, Youngje, with a complicated expression, opened the front door and stood in front of the teacher's desk.

"I'll start with the announcements from the instructor. Today's morning classes in Dungeon Studies and Monster Studies are canceled due to a meeting with the academy instructors and staff. We'll have a quiz in Monster Studies next period, so don't just goof off."

The kids were excited about the self-study, but when they heard about the quiz, they let out sighs.

"From the atmosphere in the faculty office, it seems quite serious because of the Villain Alliance. There's also the freshman welcome party coming up."

In response to Youngje's words, a student in the front row raised their hand.

"Wait, does that mean we're not having the freshman welcome party?"

The freshman welcome party is a kind of opportunity.

At the mention that such an event might be canceled, the other students also showed anxious expressions.

"Well, I'm not sure, but isn't the meeting about that? The fact that they're having a meeting might mean they're trying to hold the freshman welcome party somehow."

The freshman welcome party isn't just for freshmen; it's also an event where alumni participate and donate.

Missing such an event would not be good for the academy, so the direction of the meeting would likely be towards holding the event.

That's how it always went in the game, too.

"Anyway, that's all the announcements. Do your self-study or play on your phone, just don't disturb the others who are studying."

Since I was confident in Monster Studies, I was checking the news and world affairs through my smart lens, and before I knew it, lunchtime was approaching.

The instructors, who were supposedly in a meeting, were nowhere to be seen.

In this situation, what would happen to the afternoon classes? As I was thinking about this...

"Ha, I'm going crazy... Were you all doing well with your self-study?"

Ji Soohyun came in, messing up her bangs.

"You know there was a meeting all morning from the class president, right? I'll tell you the academy's guidelines based on the meeting results, so listen carefully."

What Ji Soohyun said were three things.

1. The academy's classes will proceed normally, but there will be no practical sessions like sparring or dungeon exploration, and as a result, the afternoon classes, which are full of practical sessions, will not be held. This is because the academy instructors have been mobilized for villain searches at the request of the association and the government, and students will be guided to return home after lunch.

2. The freshman welcome party will be held. With the help of academy alumni and the association, we will maintain the highest level of security. The safety of the students will be our top priority.

3. Students are advised to refrain from external activities for the time being.

At this, the students began to murmur and show signs of anxiety.

The fact that the academy was officially going into meetings meant that even the academy felt at risk of terrorism.

It felt as if the sense of crisis was right in front of them.

"Anyone have any questions?"

At that moment, Jinwoo raised his hand.

"......Jinwoo Vivaldi. What is it?"

"So, can we eat and then go home?!"

'Ha, that crazy bastard.......'

Ji Soohyun made a dry wash of her face at Jinwoo's excited shout.

"......Yes. Eat and then get lost."

"Whoo~!!"

Excited by the news of going home early, the guy let out a strange sound.

Feeling embarrassed just by looking at him, I turned my gaze away from him and raised my hand.

"Then, can we not do club activities today? Since it's a sudden announcement, we'll need to prepare."

Ji Soohyun nodded at my question.

"Yes, if you're going to ask a question, ask one like that. Not a damn question like 'Can we go home?'"

"Huh?"

"Shut up, Jinwoo Vivaldi."

"Yes!"

With just one word, Ji Soohyun silenced Jinwoo and turned her attention back to me.

"Unfortunately, club activities are banned after today. What can we do? A global villain has declared a terrorist attack."

Saying that, Ji Soohyun looked at her watch to check the time.

"So...... there are 10 minutes left until lunchtime, so take a break and then go home after eating. Oh, and Kim Seah."

"Yes?"

"The government and the association have requested spatial mages for a job. Want to do it?"

"Huh? A, a job? But I──"

"Of course, you'll be going as an assistant, so you just need to assist me. The daily wage is about 200,000 credits."

200,000 credits a day. At that amount, Seah's jaw dropped.

"T, two hundred thousand? I'll do it! I'll definitely do it!"

Seah shouted in joy, and Ji Soohyun smirked.

"Alright, then come to the faculty office after eating."

"Yes!"

Seah, happy to have found a high-paying part-time job, answered quickly and sat down with a big smile.

"Even if I work for a week, that's 1.4 million! Hehe......!"

Jinwoo, who had been watching Seah closely, suddenly raised his hand.

"Instructor, are you not hiring more patrol members?"

It seemed the daily wage of 200,000 credits was quite tempting.

But Ji Soohyun shook her head and answered firmly.

"No."

At this, Jinwoo drooped his head. Seah patted his shoulder, laughing.

"Don't be too sad. I'll earn a lot of money and treat the club to a meal."

"Really? You?"

"How about tteokbokki in front of the academy?"

"......Cheapskate."

"With mixed fried food."

"──I thought you were a cheapskate, but you're actually an angel?! Deal!"

Just because mixed fried food was added, Seah's evaluation rose from cheapskate to angel.

Ji Soohyun, who was watching this with a look of disbelief, shook her head and headed towards the door.

"Anyway, the rest of you, don't stray off course and go home after you're done."

Only after the students answered with a 'Yes~' did Ji Soohyun leave the classroom.

"Wow, with so much free time today, I should go to the PC room."

Jinwoo's determination to go to the PC room despite being told about the risk of terrorism made him look like a typical high school student in the Republic of Korea, which was rather peaceful.

"Hello? Ugh? Dad? You want me to come home? Huh? Right now? But, I'm at the academy... You know it ended early? How did you... Oh... Okay. I'll head home right away."

However, Jinwoo is also the successor of both the Calione Family and the Vivaldi Family.

It was impossible for him to rest alone when the entire Calione was on high alert.

...I feel sorry because it seems like it's because of me. Just a little bit?

* * *

Several days passed like that.

The academy, which I saw on my way to school, was very noisy.

It seemed to be because of the preparations for the freshman welcome party tomorrow.

'Kim! Carry this over here!'

'Hey! Watch out!'

Workers had been coming in and out of one side of the academy for a while, setting up stages and sculptures, and the other kids were also looking forward to the freshman welcome party tomorrow with excited expressions on their faces.

Surprisingly, nothing happened even during the emergency situation over the past few days.

At first, the kids followed the instructor's orders diligently, but they gradually became lax, and some instructors returned to their normal routines when nothing happened.

Seeing kids like Jinwoo enjoying the shortened classes, it seemed that everyone was starting to feel a bit more relaxed.

Moreover, this freshman welcome party was the first festival to be held since entering the academy, so it was only natural for everyone to be excited.

As I passed through the bright hallway and entered the classroom, I saw Jinwoo, who turned his head towards me with a welcoming look.

Jinwoo, who had been chattering loudly with the other kids, got up from his seat and ran towards me.

"Ah! Boss! What do you think, Boss?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"No, that. You know, that. The text message."

...Text message?

"The text message saying that afternoon classes will resume after the freshman welcome party is over?"

"Yes! That's it! But Boss, isn't resuming afternoon classes within a week a bit too much?"

So, that's what all the fuss was about?

Above all, it was clear that Jinwoo was the one who looked the most relaxed over the past week.

He must have family business to attend to, but he seemed too carefree because of his nature.

"Come on, we pay a lot of tuition to go to this academy, so it's not right to just have morning classes and leave. Right, Youngje?"

"...I'd rather take afternoon classes than be dragged around by my mentor every day just because there are no afternoon classes. I fully agree with the academy's decision."

...I can understand that feeling, somehow.

I also had to return to the mansion and help with the organization's work as soon as the academy ended, so I had no time to rest.

"Look at this. These guys are weird. They say they'd rather stay longer at the academy. What do you think, Boss?"

"Well, I..."

At that moment, Ji Soohyun, looking as tired as usual, entered the classroom and slumped over the teacher's desk.

"Ah... Everyone's here? Did you see the text message? The afternoon dismissal was so sweet... but now it's over."

"Even the instructor thinks so, right?!"

There was another instructor like Jinwoo here.

"Huh? What's he talking about? Sit down and stop talking nonsense."

"...Hmph."

It seemed a bit different, though.

"Since everyone's seated, I'll briefly go over the announcements. As the text message said, afternoon classes will resume after the freshman welcome party tomorrow. But don't let your guard down! It's just government policy; the guy hasn't been declared gone yet. So, keep that in mind, and the next announcement is──"

[──Crackle ────Crackle]

Ji Soohyun stopped talking due to the sudden loud noise coming from the classroom speaker.

The other kids were also frowning or covering their ears because of the sound.

I was also wondering, 'What's going on?' when──

──♪ ───♬

Ring around the rosie.

A pocket full of posies.

Ashes! ashes!

We all fall down!

It was completely out of place here.

A cheerful and bright song echoed throughout the academy.

This song, which most people in the Republic of Korea might have heard at least once on the news, was in this classroom.

"...Huh?"

As someone realized this and let out a short sound──

────────!!

A tremendous explosion occurred, and everything went black.