Freshman Declaration
After finishing my turn for the freshman declaration and returning to my seat, the kids stared at me, buzzing with excitement.
“Eugene! That was so moving!”
“Boss…! I’ll follow you to the end…!”
The kids welcomed me with all sorts of reactions. From the looks on their faces, it seemed I hadn’t said anything unnecessary.
“But, boss. You okay? You just made enemies of the Hero Association and Metal Guild.”
Unlike the thrilled kids, Youngje—who’d been sitting quietly—asked cautiously, worry in his eyes.
The Hero Association went without saying: one of the top groups in the country. Metal Guild, led by Lee Won-ho, was a powerhouse guild rivaling mid-tier corporations. I got his concern.
I knew better than anyone what it meant to get on their bad side.
But…
“I’ve got too many cards up my sleeve.”
It was just Korea’s Hero Association, after all. Just your average guild.
My identity and personal info were already shielded by Hanwol Group and Calione. Even if they dug it up, they’d have to face the brutal reality that they couldn’t touch me.
“If they’ve got the guts, let ’em try.”
I was dead certain I’d win.
With this, the auditorium event concludes. Please proceed to the grand hall for the celebration banquet and lunch in order, following the safety personnel's instructions. Students and guests alike.
Not long after I descended, Yuri—who was handling MC duties—broadcast the instructions to everyone in the auditorium.
Unlike her tone during my introduction, her voice carried a hint of excitement.
I turned toward the student council booth. There was Yuri, looking our way with a grin tugging at her lips.
‘Per.fect.’
She flashed a thumbs-up my way, mouthing the words.
She must’ve been one of the people the system flagged.
I glanced down again, checking the achievement list that had just popped up.
1. People feel a stronger sense of persuasion from your words.
2. Those around you focus more intently on what you say.
A trait tailor-made for those who wielded words as weapons.
The [Irresistible Offer] attached to 【Underworld Heir】 let me turn situations in my favor with speech alone. The synergy between them would be huge.
“Whoa, but with those association guys storming out like that, wonder if there’ll be a brawl in the dining hall.”
I spotted the Hero Association folks leaving with grim faces. Jinwoo muttered as he stood, still hung up on the vibe.
“They won’t fight openly, probably.”
The freshman welcome banquet was the perfect spot for outsiders to naturally approach academy students. With all these eyes on them, anyone image-conscious wouldn’t pick a blatant fight.
…Blatant, anyway.
With that, I headed to the grand hall alongside the others.
In the game, maybe, but this was my first time in reality. It was the venue for most academy events.
A massive hall reminiscent of a wedding venue, surrounded by buffets.
And chefs cooking live…
“Boss. Aren’t those Recipe Development Club folks?”
“…Yeah.”
So that’s what they meant by prepping for the welcome event. Over half the cooks looked like club members from cooking-related groups.
Approaching the Recipe Development Club’s buffet, I spotted Lee Sera beaming when she noticed us.
“Aaah! Boss and Familia! Congrats on the, the freshman welcome!”
Seeing her happily whipping cream in her pristine chef’s hat and hygiene mask stirred an odd wave of gratitude.
“Desserts today the same as what you practiced last time?”
“Yes! We put our all into it. E-enjoy your meal, and swing by here too!”
“You got it.”
Answering her, I scanned the surroundings. A totally different scene unfolded.
Seniors from various clubs mingling to scout fresh talent, outsiders doing the same. People hustling to schmooze with promising heirs from elite families.
The classic high-society networking scene, laid bare.
“Eugene! They’re handing out steaks at the western corner! Let’s go!”
Unlike me, Sea-a had been eyeing the food. She yelled excitedly, scanning around.
The others laughed and trailed after her to the western buffet. I started to follow when—
“Han Yujin. That you? Freshman rep.”
A familiar voice called my name. I turned to see Kang Man-seok, chairman of the Korean Hero Association, wearing a kindly smile.
“First time meeting. Han Yujin.”
Couldn’t snub him with everyone watching. I gave a casual nod.
“Ah, no need to misunderstand. I’m not here with any ulterior motive—just to say your speech really moved me.”
Too polite for that. I upped my guard and glanced around.
“…For that, your timing’s impeccable. You show up right after the kids around me clear out.”
“Haha! Better for you too, isn’t it?”
Hinting the kids didn’t need to hear this.
Interesting.
“But my friend doesn’t seem to agree.”
“…What?”
Kang looked baffled.
And right then—
“Eugene. Not eating?”
Choi Yeon approached, plate piled high with desserts, and casually took position beside me.
“…Choi Yeon?”
Kang blurted, as if surprised she knew me. Yeon flicked her eyes to his face.
“…Hello.”
But she brushed him off with a perfunctory nod and turned straight back to me.
“Eugene. This is good. Eat.”
Her sudden clinginess—was she thinking Kang was hassling me?
Looks like she came to back me up.
“Sorry for dumping the speech on you. Eat this and cool off?”
…Or not?
“Dessert’s not a meal.”
“…Same as Grandpa.”
As Yeon and I chatted, Kang grinned and cut in.
“Choi Yeon. Han Yujin and I are having a quick chat. Mind giving us a moment?”
Yeon glanced at me.
“Me, leave?”
No reason she had to. I shook my head.
“Do whatever.”
“Yeah. I’ll stay.”
“Eating standing?”
“…Next table over.”
Not right beside us, but close enough.
Kang couldn’t manhandle the granddaughter of the mighty Cheoncheon Sword Family, so he nodded, apparently satisfied, and turned back to me.
Then—
Snap!
He lightly snapped his fingers.
Every ambient noise around us vanished. Silence draped the air.
“Soundproof magic necessary?”
Yeon was right there at the next table, eating cake, and he pulls this?
Blatantly obvious.
“Yes. What we’re about to discuss… it’s rather sensitive.”
His face smiled, but his voice didn’t match.
“Now, let’s get back to it. You deliberately downplayed me and Lee Won-ho while shielding the academy… Did Heo Seokgi commission you separately?”
“…Hm?”
“No use denying. When you spoke, Heo looked thrilled to death. I’ve got it figured. Something’s up between you two, right?”
Why drag the president into this all of a sudden?
Does he think I’m his guy?
“That’s speculation.”
“Speculation? Ha, amusing. Speculation…”
Suddenly, he hardened his voice.
“Looks like you don’t grasp where you’ve stepped, kid. Let me spell it out.”
He dipped his head slightly to hide his expression from onlookers and glared at me, voice laced with fury.
“You just provoked me—the man dubbed chief of Korea’s heroes. You’re aware of that, right?”
Finally showing his true colors.
So predictably obvious, I nearly snorted.
“Got something to say on that, but… soundproof still up?”
“…What?”
“Just checking if our talk’s really not leaking out.”
“It’s my magic. Obviously. No one outside can hear us.”
Can’t hear, my ass.
Lee Won-ho was peeking from the table right behind Kang, watching us.
He must’ve tweaked the mana flow so he could eavesdrop.
Perfect. That’s all I needed.
I feigned hesitation, then spoke carefully.
“Honestly, not sure if I should say this. It all hinges on how I put it, as you know.”
Yeah—like how I’ll screw you over.
But to him, unaware, it landed differently. Intrigued, his expression softened a touch.
“No worries. With me here, the president himself—or anyone—can’t lay a finger on you.”
“You mean?”
“Yes. I’ll protect you personally. Been scouting talent, and you’ll do nicely.”
Interesting. Good! Let’s roll with that.
“Truly grateful, but… you alone won’t cut it.”
“…What?”
He stared at me, incredulous.
“I’m not enough?”
“Yes. You alone—no. Because… my backing outranks yours.”
The words had barely left my mouth when—
Crash—!
The invisible barrier encasing Kang and me shattered like glass, the sound echoing through the hall.
“—Who the hell broke my magic?!”
Kang whirled, fist clenched in rage at his spell’s destruction… then froze cold.
“Me. Man-seok.”
Behind him stood an old man in a bowler hat, grinning.
But not your average geezer… Blue aura cloaked his hands, and a horde of elders loomed at his back.
“G-Gwak… Chunsik?”
“What? Gwak Chunsik? Man-seok. Long time no see—snap out of it? Wanna greet the old-fashioned way?”
What, did I even need to step in myself?
He had arrived, leading dozens of the veteran heroes who once dominated Korea.