I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 123

My words, based on the school rules, stop their steps.

"A freshman memorizing the school rules... No, did you prepare in advance knowing we were coming?"

Yes. No. I memorized everything that could be used against you guys a long time ago.

Do they know? That I've gone through the Academy's enrollment and graduation countless times more than they have.

As if he was displeased with the ongoing standoff, Jinwoo stretches out his hand holding the documents with an air of frustration.

"You guys come rushing in like beans being roasted by lightning, and you talk about preparation? Ugh, just take these already. What kind of tyranny is this, messing with other clubs' business?"

Seo Yeonsu frowns at the small number of papers visible at a glance.

"What are these?"

"What do you mean? Aren't these the documents the seniors asked for? The documents verifying the use of club funds and the supporting documents."

"...Bring them here."

At Seo Yeonsu's words, one of the male seniors approaches Jinwoo and snatches the documents away.

She then examines the contents.

"Expenditure of 0 won? Are you kidding me?"

"Are you saying we tampered with the documents? Seeing that you're now trying to make up for it by fabricating documents without evidence, it seems our president must be quite nervous. Why, did the president of Ares tell you to scrutinize us?"

The guy flinches, and a slight fear can be felt.

It was as if I hit the nail on the head.

"...The Student Council's audits are conducted fairly. There's no overdoing or underdoing because of one person's feelings."

If they call it an audit just based on a report, even a passing financial auditor would laugh.

"In that case, there's no need for you to enter our club booth since we've provided all the necessary materials for the audit fairly and in accordance with the school rules."

Crunch.

I can hear the sound of the guy grinding his teeth.

"Jinwoo."

"Yes, sir."

"The guests are leaving. See them off and sprinkle some salt too."

"Yes, sir! Come on, everyone, let's go? If you block the hallway like this, how are our clients supposed to come? Yes?"

As long as there isn't even a speck of dust for them to nitpick about the school rules, documents, or any other elements, there's nothing they can do.

Perhaps realizing this themselves, they turn their steps away at our pointing out.

"Oh, and before you go, those seniors over there."

At my following words, the audit team about to leave the hallway stops.

"It seems some members of the Ares club are mixed in. Please convey my regards to the president."

From this incident, I became certain.

That the Student Council President, Ray Pendragon, had noticed the disappearance of Vivian's Spring Water, and that he suspected me as the culprit.

There shouldn't have been any suspicious circumstances, so how did he pinpoint me as the suspect?

I had checked the movement patterns of all the CCTV cameras leading to the garden, and confirmed there were no witnesses around.

Was that all? After the villain's terrorist attack, I even scattered some remnants that could be attributed to the villains around Vivian's Lake.

Could it be because I spoke out in favor of the principal and against the Association?

No, if he wanted to betray me, he would have done so, but he's not the type to risk everything for the Association.

Then, because I ruined his plan in the Student Council room?

No, that alone wouldn't be enough to raise suspicion.

'Is it just a test then?'

Perhaps, considering I'm a freshman with exceptional strength, he might think I've already consumed Vivian's Spring Water.

The likelihood of this scenario seemed high.

"Whee~ Whee~"

After telling him to sprinkle salt on the empty space left by those guys, I returned to the President's Office, leaving Jinwoo behind as he was sprinkling pink Himalayan salt, and gathered the kids exercising in the Training Room.

Perhaps realizing that the earlier incident was not trivial, their expressions were quite serious.

"They'll probably keep bothering us for a while. They'll pressure and annoy us under various pretexts."

They might hinder our club from raising its rank carelessly, or they might constantly pick fights over every little thing.

This could be quite fatal for us, who are still a Bronze Club.

So.

"I'll go and settle things directly tomorrow."

It's a frontal assault.

I just need to prove that I didn't take 'Vivian's Spring Water.'

It's safely tucked away in my Cube, after all.

"The president is going to settle things?"

"I think we can resolve the misunderstanding by talking it out."

If their reason for doing this isn't 'Vivian's Spring Water,' things might get complicated, but... well, whatever.

Most of it is within my ability to handle.

'All I need is time.'

For now, it's important to grow our club to the point where we can properly confront them.

Then, Jinwoo raises his hand high.

"Boss. I have a good idea."

"A good idea?"

"I'll bring some explosives from home, so we can set them up and make the president bald──."

"Are you suggesting we blow up a bomb at the Academy shortly after a terrorist attack? Don't talk nonsense."

"Sigh..."

It seemed like he really thought it was a good idea, as he instantly shrinks back.

Anyway, putting Jinwoo's suggestion aside for now.

If I remember correctly, he should have a way to detect 'Vivian's Spring Water.'

'I can prove my innocence(?) through that ability.'

But what if he still suspects me?

His proud ability will prove that I didn't drink it. If he's wronged, shouldn't he bring the evidence?

Because of his lofty pride, he'll have no choice but to accept it if it's confirmed by his own ability, even if he doubts everything else.

So, my thought is that he'll have no choice but to accept it once he meets me and sees the proof.

Of course, I'll have to leave the 'Vivian's Spring Water' that's currently in the Cube at the mansion.

"For now, let's not worry too much and focus on club duties. Youngje, how's the request we received last time going?"

"The literature club protection job? We've almost finished the information gathering before starting the request."

"Then, go with Jinwoo and talk to their club president based on the information, and make a report for me."

"Got it. Hey, stop pretending to cry and get up. We need to go meet the seniors from the literature club."

"Glasses..."

"Huh?"

"Are those seniors pretty?"

"You crazy bastard."

With that, the two left the booth first, and I was in the President's Office, preparing for the upcoming scrutiny from the Student Council, when I was touching the documents.

Suddenly, I felt a tremendous amount of Magic Power emanating from the President's Office.

I immediately got up and grabbed my shotgun, and an urgent voice came through.

"Junior! Calm down! Calm down!"

...This voice?

Looking towards the direction of the voice, I could see a black bat sitting on the sofa.

"...Senior Yulie."

"Phew. Seems like you still remember my voice?"

At the same time, red smoke started to envelop the bat, gradually growing larger.

As the red mist dissipated, a woman sitting with her legs crossed and smiling appeared.

It was Yulie Rodmang, the Vice President of the Academy's Student Council.

"Did I surprise you a lot? Sorry, it's because the matter at hand is sensitive."

"How did you get in?"

"Through the window? As you just saw, my magic is a bit unique."

In response to my question, she smiled playfully and flapped her hands like wings while glancing at the sofa opposite her.

"Can we talk for a bit? It's an important matter."

"...I'll have a club member prepare some refreshments."

"Huh? No, no, it's fine. I came secretly, so I'd prefer not to be seen by others. You understand, right?"

What could possibly be so sensitive as to warrant such caution?

For now, since the other party is the Vice President of the Student Council, I sat across from her without relaxing my tension.

"I just encountered the Student Council's audit team."

"Ah, that? I know about it. It was directly ordered by the president during a meeting. And what we're discussing now is also related to that."

Related to that?

"What do you mean by that?"

"It seems the president was quite upset because of your last speech. And it looks like they're trying to properly check you because of that."

"Check me?"

In response to my question, she points at me.

"Your actions. Even you must admit they're a bit unconventional, right? Creating a club as a freshman and overpowering seniors and others with force. It's quite similar to the current president, Ray Pendragon. Do you understand what I mean?"

"So, they want to crush me while I'm still a sprout because I might take over the Student Council?"

"Crush you? That seems a bit harsh... As I just said, it's more about checking you. Because you didn't accept the offer to join the Student Council."

I had expected this, but it's more interesting hearing it directly.

"So, you came here to warn me?"

"No. Not a warning, a proposal."

"A proposal? To join the Student Council now? As I mentioned before, I have no intention of joining the──."

And then, an unbelievable statement came out of her lips.

"──How about we work together to oust Ray Pendragon?"

"...Yes?"

My mind went blank for a moment.

"Oust the Student Council President... Did I hear that right?"

"Yes. You did."

Despite it being a proposal to stage a coup, the smile never left her face.

"Is this some kind of trap?"

"No way. I'm very serious."

"For someone so serious, your expression is quite playful."

"I think I look prettier when I smile. Can't you just take it as a honey trap?"

...From what she's saying, it doesn't seem like a joke or a trap.

Such things weren't unheard of in games, either. There was an Academy coup event in CS, after all.

However, the problem was that triggering it was incredibly complex and difficult.

Just thinking about it now, it required 'enrolling as the top student of the Academy' and 'joining the Student Council', neither of which I was a part of.

"Why are you making this proposal to me?"

So, I asked.

Why was she making such a proposal to me?

From her perspective, just mentioning this to me could lead to her being ousted as the Vice President of the Academy and even affect her family back home.

Yet, she's making such a proposal to me, with whom she hasn't even built proper trust yet?

It was hard to believe.

"Junior. Are you asking because you really don't know? Do you know how many organizations in the Academy are on par with or similar to the president?"

"...The presidents of the Diamond Clubs. And a few students who don't move independently, as well as a few Platinum Clubs."

"Right, so how many of them are close to our president?"

"...Most of them maintain a good relationship with the Student Council."

"Correct. But I see you and them as being on the same level. It's only natural that I consider you, a junior who openly checks the Student Council more than the others, the most trustworthy."

Indeed, we were the only club that had taken such an adversarial stance against the Student Council.

But why was she making such a proposal to me in a pattern that had never been shown before?

As I looked at her with unresolved doubts, Yulie sighed as if she had no choice and continued the conversation.

"Half of it is personal grudge. And the other half is ambition? Of course, if you help me, I'll make sure you're not left out."

"What do you mean by 'make sure I'm not left out'?"

"One of the treasures the president is hiding. And the alliance I'll create with the Student Council in the future. How about it? Isn't that tempting?"

Setting aside the latter...

"One of the treasures the president is hiding?"

Nodding to my question, she carefully checked her surroundings and quietly spoke while covering her mouth with her palm.

"...Junior, do you know about Vivian's Spring Water?"

"Yes?"

That, I already have it.