I Become a Mafia in the Academy [Novel] Chapter 29

[Young Master, the guests have arrived.]

Right around the time I was sitting in my room organizing information, Parnello knocked on the door to inform me that the Chinese Triad had arrived.

“I’ll be right out.”

After answering Parnello, I stand up and walk over to the full-length mirror in the room.

I stroke the impeccably neat black suit, pristine white shirt, collar, and tie, crafting an absolutely flawless appearance.

Since this is my first time appearing before an outside organization rather than within Callione, it is important to be extra careful and not look like someone to be underestimated.

I open the door and look at Parnello standing outside.

“Parnello, does this look alright to you?”

I ask Parnello, who is the most sharply dressed man in all of Callione, and do a quick spin in place.

Parnello observes me with a serious gaze before nodding with a satisfied expression.

“It is excellent. You look like the finest gentleman in Callione, Young Master.”

“…It’s a bit embarrassing when you put it like that.”

“It is the truth, what else can I say?”

If Parnello says so, it must be true.

Then the only thing left to do is to show my abilities in front of everyone.

“Let’s go.”

“I will escort you.”

After becoming a member of Callione, it was time to handle my first official external assignment.

—

Recently, another joy has entered my life.

To think that I, Callione’s hunting dog and the one who serves the Don from the closest proximity, would have a joy in life…

If anyone else heard this, they would surely tell me to stop joking around.

This joy in my life stems directly from the Don’s son and the Young Master of Callione, who recently began his successor training. It is all because of ‘Yu Jin Han Callione.’

Right now, the Young Master and I are on our way to receive the members of the Triad who crossed over from China.

Those fools, a mere Triad based on the continent across the sea—and in Asia, which falls under Callione’s sphere of influence—had the audacity to attempt smuggling into our territory.

According to the reports, the Young Master handled the situation remarkably well, but regardless of that, they still have to pay the price for their transgressions.

Especially since this is not just any meeting, but the Young Master’s very first time meeting with another organization.

As the Don has entrusted the Young Master to me, I vow once again to serve him with my utmost effort.

“It is right here, Young Master.”

The annex located next to the main mansion.

Thanks to the CCTV cameras installed all around, the meeting room here is a place where the ‘Don’ can watch from his study.

“The annex, huh.”

The Young Master glances around before stepping inside. As I follow him in, the personnel who were waiting on standby bow their heads to show their respect.

“Skip the greetings. Are they in there?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Hearing the subordinate’s confirmation, the Young Master steps into the room first.

A faint scent of blood brushes against the tip of the nose. Deep inside the room, 1 person is bound with a blindfold and a gag, while another man sits silently keeping his place.

“That is the man.”

That man is the branch manager of the Triad who dared to bare his fangs at Callione.

If it were up to me, I would slit his throat right this instant, but the one calling the shots this time is the Young Master.

For now, all I have to do is stand quietly behind him.

“…And you are?”

The man springs up from his seat upon seeing the Young Master and me. His expression stiffens as he looks at our faces.

Did a lowly fool like him really think the Don would come in person?

It is practically laughable.

“Show some respect. This is the rightful heir to the Callione Family. Yu Jin Han Callione.”

I announce the Young Master’s position to remind the man of his place. At that, the bastard lets out a quiet ‘Ah,’ and bows his head.

“I am Zhao Si, the branch manager of the Red Dragon Society, a Triad faction operating out of China. My, it is an honor to meet someone so esteemed.”

The bastard is pretending to be respectful, but he hasn’t even considered taking off the hat on his head.

He is undoubtedly looking down on us because the Young Master came instead of the Don.

However, the Young Master doesn’t even acknowledge the man’s greeting; he walks straight to the head of the table and takes a seat.

“Let’s get straight to the point, Triad.”

Even with a member of another organization—and a branch manager at that—standing right in front of him, the Young Master shows no signs of intimidation as he seizes the initiative.

His demeanor looks so thoroughly relaxed that it is incredibly hard to believe he is a rookie.

“…Please, go ahead.”

Raising his head at the Young Master’s words, the man sits down.

“First of all, I want to ask. What the hell is that?”

The Young Master says this while looking at the bloodied man trembling in the corner. As if waiting for this, the bastard smiles warmly.

“Ah, this is the mastermind behind the recent incident. He was secretly creating a slush fund and laundering money behind my back, and he supposedly pulled off this stunt when a problem arose. I brought him here like this as an initial sign of my apology.”

He says this while casually slapping the back of the head of the man kneeling next to him.

Bound by a blindfold and gag, the poor wretch just violently flinches and breathes raggedly.

Even just looking at the blood staining the gag, it is obvious that the man’s tongue has been cut out.

In other words, he is just being used as a fall guy to cut off the tail.

The real culprit is undoubtedly that Chinese bastard putting on a serious act over there.

“Young Master, it seems───.”

Just as I am about to speak my thoughts.

The Young Master raises a hand toward me and stands up from his seat.

“Interesting. So you are saying this guy is the ringleader?”

“Y-Yes, he is.”

The man flusters at the Young Master’s sudden action, but the Young Master unbotheredly removes the tied man’s blindfold to check his face.

“Hmm. I see.”

“…Wh-What do you mean?”

“Zhao Si, was it? If you are from China, you should know a thing or two about physiognomy.”

“Physio… gnomy, you say?”

“Yes, physiognomy. I have always been curious about various fields of study, so I learned a bit of face reading a while back. And, if what I learned is correct… this man is not someone capable of committing such a deed.”

With that, the Young Master slips the blindfold back on him. Panicking at the sight, the bastard jumps to his feet.

“What do you mean by that? Knowing just by looking at a face! That is pure nonsense! This guy is definitely the culprit!”

“Right? It’s nonsense, isn’t it? So why are you concluding that this puppet, whose tongue you even cut out, is the culprit right in front of my face? Do you find Callione that laughable?”

The Young Master outright kicks the bastard’s chair away.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

“Shut up. I am barely holding back the urge to slice your throat right now.”

It seems.

“Parnello, if he tries anything stupid, immediately sever his Achilles and his tendons.”

“I will do so, Young Master.”

“P-Parnello? Callione’s hunting dog…!”

My worries were entirely unfounded.

The Young Master approaches the bastard, who is slumped dazed on the floor, and crouches in front of him.

“Yes, you should have looked at me with those eyes the moment you first saw me. Now we are finally on the same level.”

“Do you think you’ll get away with this?! My subordinates are in this annex too!”

The bastard screams at the Young Master while scrambling backwards, as if throwing a final tantrum.

“Hah.”

But hearing the man’s words, the Young Master simply snorts.

“Is it funny to you? Fine! Even if our organization is pathetic compared to Callione, if we attack with the resolve to die─── Kuaaagh!!”

“My apologies, Young Master. It looked as though he was trying to reach for something.”

I throw a knife right at the bastard’s right tendon, severing it.

The atmosphere the Young Master wants right now is ‘fear.’ Overwhelming fear, at that.

“Well done, Parnello.”

“Haa… Haa… What on earth are you doing…!”

Realizing that his life is ‘truly’ in danger, the bastard starts speaking respectfully again.

Looking thoroughly satisfied by this, the Young Master nods.

“Surely, you didn’t think handing over a puppet like that would resolve this situation. How much authority did your boss delegate to you?”

“I-I am the boss’s proxy!”

“If you are your boss’s proxy… you must have brought a considerable amount of money. What is your maximum budget?”

“1 billion credits. Ugh…”

I suppose he really is a branch manager of an organization after all. The bastard answers while using his mana to fortify his muscles and stem the bleeding in his right arm.

At this, the Young Master shakes his head.

“10 billion.”

“1-10 billion?! There is no way we have that kind of absurd money! Even if we did, the boss would───.”

“Right, it’s nonsense? Parnello, the left leg.”

“Kuaaaaagh────!!”

This time, I throw a knife to graze the bastard’s left leg. With this, he will be crippled for life unless he receives proper medical treatment.

“Attempting to smuggle yourselves into Callione’s territory was a nonsensical act to begin with. Yet, it’s okay when you bastards do it, but not when we do? I will say it one more time.”

The Young Master smoothly shifts his steps and slowly brings his face level with the bastard’s, then, without a single change in expression, presses firmly down on the man’s wound.

“Gah, kgh… Kuaaaaagh!”

“10 billion.”

“I will prepare it! I will prepare it!”

“Be specific.”

“Ugh…! If we combine the organization’s stolen goods and our slush fund, it will come out to roughly 10 billion. So please… please stop…”

Stepping up to the pitifully sobbing wretch, I reach into his pocket and place his smartphone directly into his hand.

“Right now.”

“R-Right now? But…”

“Parnello, his right hand too──.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

Just before my name is called out, the bastard frantically fumbles with the smartphone and starts working his hands intensely.

The Young Master stares intently at the sight from beside him. He shows me the palm of his hand behind his back, hiding it from the bastard’s view.

A hand signal to stop. But just before I could process the meaning of that signal…

“You damn Callione… Agh?”

Perhaps trying to take the Young Master hostage, the bastard attempts to grab him while holding the smartphone, only to get his face smashed by the Young Master’s knee and sent tumbling backward.

It is a brilliant execution of the lesson I taught him: to never let his guard down in front of an enemy.

I can’t help but feel so satisfied by the sight that a smile naturally forms on my lips.

“There won’t be a second time. If you want to live, process it right now.”

“I w-wiw du iht… wigh… wigh ah-ay…”

Completely terrified by the Young Master, who anticipates everything, the bastard gives up on any further tricks and earnestly begins moving his hands again.

The Young Master stares blankly at the display for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. He picks up the bastard’s smartphone and rises from his seat.

This part is crucial.

It is the definitive moment to see if the Young Master truly possesses the qualities of a Boss, and if he is truly ready to ascend as the heir to Callione.

“Ah y-yew… ah yew th-paring my life?”

“Unlike you people, Callione cherishes the bonds and promises forged between humans.”

Ignoring the bastard staring up at him with bloodshot eyes, the Young Master speaks in a low voice as he walks toward the exit.

“However, it is a different story when dealing with a son of a bitch who doesn’t even know what a promise is.”

“Eh? W-Wai a minu──.”

“Parnello, I will leave the cleanup to you.”

“Yew th-thaid yew’d sh-shpare me! Sh-shpare me! Sh-shpare me!”

With that, the Young Master delivers a perfect, full-marks response and indifferently walks out of the room.

“…As you command.”

Well now, it seems my worries really were for nothing.