I became a mafia member of the Academy, Chapter 55
Defeat in a total war meant losing everything, literally.
Everything from the items and materials we used to the club room itself. However, since it's impossible to take everything with us, most of the time these things are 'lent' to us.
To be honest, it's called 'lending,' but it's more like 'tribute.'
"Based on the club room usage fee, the prices of consumables inside the club room, and the usage fees for equipment and facilities, I have calculated the total."
After the total war ended, Iharu greeted us as we came out of the field.
She seemed to have already been confident that we would win, as she held detailed calculation sheets in her hand.
The final amount, marked as the final calculation, was [5,000,000C].
"5 million... That's about 50% of the Bronze Club's support fund."
"Yes. To get out of this situation, we either need to regain the right to use the club room from 'Familia' or purchase most of the club room items at our own expense."
The paper Iharu handed me stated that the club room rental fee was set at [4,000,000C].
In other words, even if we bought everything, we would still need to pay 4 million every month to maintain the club.
In a sense, I held the fate of the 'Ranger Club' in my hands.
"I'll leave the Ranger Club to you. Would 10% as a fee be okay?"
I wanted to pay more, but considering Iharu's personality, she would likely refuse, so I offered a slightly above-average price.
"Personally, I think that's more than enough... But to you, it's probably pocket change. Yes, I'll take care of it."
"Thanks."
3.6 million credits per month...
I thought that amount would be sufficient for snacks and maintenance.
"Then I'll go talk to the Student Council President. If I don't go first, it might cause trouble for you, young master."
The guy who lost in the total war looked like he was about to cry as he stared at me.
I had avoided the situation to avoid unnecessary trouble, but it was nice to see Iharu take the initiative like this.
Indeed, I felt as reliable as Liu Bei must have felt having Zhuge Liang by his side.
"Always appreciate it."
"It's just my duty."
Iharu bowed slightly and walked in the direction of the Student Council President.
I, feeling extremely exhausted from using the new power for the first time, walked towards the room where the kids were.
"...Everyone, you've worked hard. You must be very tired today, so take a good rest."
The three of them nodded silently.
Especially the two who had used up all their mana were swaying as if their bodies were melting.
"Really... It's so tiring..."
"It's been a while since we used up our mana like that."
Jin-woo seemed to be the only one relatively unscathed.
Of course, he also looked exhausted, but not as much.
Judging that we wouldn't be able to have any more conversations or move around today, I decided to leave the detailed debriefing for tomorrow and got into the car first.
As soon as I sat down in the seat,
"Phew..."
My body slumped into the seat as the tension drained out of me.
Looking down, I saw my right forearm slightly twitching.
Did I push myself too hard by testing the new ability?
Recalling it, the power at that moment was truly overwhelming.
The ability to focus all my aura into one point, amplify my strength, and even transform equipment—this power alone could subdue most Awakened beings with just a regular rock.
Indeed, the guy flew dozens of meters after being hit by the glove knuckle.ver, which only had the ability to resist tearing.
Of course, the backlash was significant, causing a severe loss of strength throughout my body.
It felt as if all the vitality had been drained from my body.
Even though it wasn't on the scale of Vito Calione's in the game, the backlash was still intense. I wondered how he could use such a powerful technique continuously and cover his entire body with it.
"Sir, the clothes made by Maestro have arrived at the mansion."
While I was feeling the backlash, Han Seo-joon, who was driving, spoke.
"Huh? Directly to the house?"
"Apparently, to celebrate your promotion to a cadre, the heads of each family are coming, so they arranged for you to be able to wear the clothes as soon as you arrived at the mansion."
"...Ah, right."
For me, this was the first time meeting the heads of other families in real life.
I couldn't grasp why they were planning such a grand party.
'After all, we didn't expand the alliance during the Saber Crowd event.'
It was all for the sake of the achievement. Well, thanks to that, we could play in a unique way.
'Anyway, I'm looking forward to it.'
As I thought this, I saw Farnello waiting for me at the entrance as I silently returned home.
"I've been waiting for you, young master."
"...Did I arrive late?"
In response to my question, Farnello shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Since it's a dinner banquet, there's still some time left."
"...That's a relief."
"I'll take you to your room and show you the items sent by Maestro."
As we headed to the room, I saw the clothes on the table.
"...Is this it?"
"Yes."
Even wrapped in black cloth, it was clear that this was no ordinary item.
As I slowly approached the table and picked up the clothes, the item's information appeared.
[Name: DisPater]
[Grade: Unique]
[Type: Armor]
[Description: This suit is considered a masterpiece among the clothes created by Maestro, the greatest tailor of the 21st century. Made using the finest materials such as the fur of the Abyssal Prison King, silk from the Abyss Moss, and the horn of a unicorn, it possesses excellent defense, mobility, and aesthetic beauty.]
【Skills】
[1. Maestro's Work: There are no flaws in Maestro's clothes. It greatly reduces the impact from water, bullets, and blades.]
[2. Abyssal Prison Fur: Made using the fur of the Abyssal Prison King. It significantly increases resistance to magic and allows the wearer to hide in the darkness. It has an automatic repair function.]
[3. Abyss Moss Silk: The inner lining is made from silk extracted from the Abyss Moss. It greatly reduces the impact transmitted through the lining and increases the user's physical abilities by 10%.]
[4. Unicorn Horn Buttons: Buttons made from the horn of a unicorn. They protect the wearer from evil and allow interference with spiritual entities. They keep the clothes clean.]
[5. Luxury: The logo of Maestro's tailor shop [per l'Imperatore] is embroidered. It significantly increases charm.]
...It was unbelievable.
No matter how good the materials were, could a human really create such an item?
"How is it, young master?"
Farnello, unaware of my appraisal ability, seemed to think I was just surprised and looked at me with a very pleased smile.
"Just by looking, I can tell it's not an ordinary item. Is this paper the appraisal result?"
"Yes."
The paper under the clothes contained the same information I had just seen.
"Just a suit... The performance is unbelievable."
"I agree, but please remember that the suit is still incomplete."
Yes, this suit was still an unfinished product.
I wondered how absurd the item would become once the core was embedded.
"Since it's a custom suit, it might feel a bit different from what you usually wear. I'll help you put it on. By the way, the shirt is a gift from Maestro to celebrate your promotion to a cadre."
The shirt sent by Maestro as a gift was designed to keep the body cool and purify sweat, reducing discomfort.
With this, I could stay cool even in the middle of summer while wearing a suit.
This explained why my father could wear a suit all year round.
With Farnello's help, I put on the entire outfit and felt like I was entering a new world.
Of course, the academy's student uniform wasn't of poor quality or uncomfortable, but compared to this suit, it felt like a military poncho.
"You look great."
Farnello nodded as he saw me in the full outfit.
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, I could understand why people say 'clothes make the man.'
"Indeed, it's a masterpiece by Maestro."
I moved my arms around, and there was no restriction at all.
Until now, wearing a suit had always made it difficult to move freely, but this suit seemed to solve that problem.
"Well, it's about time. We should go. I'll lead the way."
Farnello checked the time on his pocket watch and spoke.
It was already time for the dinner banquet.
As we walked down the long corridor, Farnello suddenly remembered something and spoke.
"By the way, Han Wol Group, which sent the invitations, contacted us this morning."
"Huh? Han Wol Group?"
"Yes. They sincerely apologized, saying that there was an issue within the group and they couldn't participate."
"An issue within the group? Did something happen?"
Farnello smiled, thinking I was worried.
"From what I heard, it's not a serious matter. You and Don shouldn't worry too much."
"Okay, if that's what they said..."
I had hoped to update my character database this time, but it couldn't be helped.
Instead,
"Tell them I'll visit after the matter is resolved."
"Yes, I will."
We agreed to meet again and continued moving.
I noticed something different as we walked. The scenery along the way was slightly different from usual.
The mansion's security was even more stringent, and they were all touching their in-ear devices, having endless conversations.
This indicated that the dinner banquet at Calione was a significant event.
A gathering of all the cadres of Calione and the bosses of the affiliated families.
To be honest, I was a bit nervous.
Who wouldn't be nervous about being the main guest at a dinner where mafia bosses gather?
My heart was beating a bit faster than usual.
I wasn't sure if it was due to nervousness or excitement.
One thing was certain: how I presented myself to these people could greatly influence future events.
The authority of being the boss of an affiliated family of Calione was formidable.
But since I was attending as the successor, I had to maintain a calm expression.
As the successor of Calione, it was only fitting.
Thus, we arrived at the banquet hall.
Unlike the usual family dining area, this was a place used for external guests, designed to prevent conversations inside from leaking out.
Knock. Knock.
Farnello knocked twice, opened the door, and announced to those inside the banquet hall.
"The legitimate successor of the Calione family and the son of Don Vito Calione, the eldest son of the Calione family and a hitman of the Execution Department, Eugene Han Calione, is about to enter."
Hearing this grand announcement, I steeled myself and lifted my head.
The interior, hidden by Farnello's back, was now visible.
I walked in with a confident stride, recalling the faces and names of the other family bosses I had memorized over the weekend.
Including smaller-scale families, there were countless bosses, but even just considering those of district-level and above, there were five in the country alone. Including those abroad, there were a total of 24 family bosses.
Bibalt.
Muv.
Kovalnoz.
Pirro.
Milano.
Raikoslo.
Deyra.
Gondre.
Normash.
Nekgray.
Leonardo.
Isaac, and others.
Each of these people was a 'king' in their own territory.
I had to steel myself.
As I fully entered the banquet hall, the scent of thick cigar smoke and a bitter-sweet aroma filled my nostrils.
A massive dining table spread out before me.
In the center, the bosses of the families were seated on either side of my father.
Everyone was looking at me.
Puffing on their cigars.
With interest.
Smiling.
Tapping the table.
They were all assessing what kind of person I was.
To them, I was the future Don and boss, so their attitude was entirely appropriate.
And, as this was my first time standing before them as a successor, I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
Following what Farnello had taught me, I placed my right hand over my heart and bowed slightly to them.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. I am Eugene Han Calione, the successor of the Calione family and the son of Vito Calione."
Silence filled the dining room.
And when I slowly lifted my head again, what I saw was truly absurd.
"Is that my nephew?"
"You must be starving. Don, tell him to sit down quickly. The kid is so stiff."
"Hehe, he's so cute. So cute."
"Hey, kid, your uncle will give you some pocket money!"
"Kids these days grow up so fast. Look at Eugene with that pretty face, already grown up... Sniff, sniff."