Academy Conquest: Phase 1
To kick off the academy takeover, phase one required infiltrating Famiglia members into the school first. There wouldn't be another chance like this to slip one of our own inside.
"First, I need someone from Famiglia who's got a bit of free time..."
Hmm... Let's run through the roster in my head.
"Wait, do I actually have anyone?"
No matter how I thought about it, no one came to mind. Sure, things looked peaceful now, but the organization was still at war with the Villain Union. Ever since their last terror attack, everyone's workload had only gotten heavier.
"No point stressing over it. I'll just ask around..."
Crash!
Something shattered outside right then.
-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!
-Don't touch it with your bare hands! What if you get hurt?
Familiar voices drifted through the door. Peeking out cautiously, I saw a white-haired girl staring helplessly at the broken porcelain, while Alesia swept up the shards with a broom.
"...Do I just not have what it takes to be a maid?"
"You're not a maid in the first place—you're an intelligence agent. Don't beat yourself up over it."
"Yeah..."
The girl looked dejected as Alesia comforted her. Then, suddenly.
"Huh?"
Our eyes met.
"Ah, found her."
"Eek? Y-Young master?"
Had I startled her by bursting out? Latte jumped in surprise at the sight of me.
"Latte. You free right now?"
"Pardon? W-Well, I have some cleaning to do... Huh?"
Alesia gave Latte's back a nudge with her shoulder as the girl flailed in confusion.
"Latte. The young master is calling for you—think you're just gonna ignore him?"
"N-No, that's not it!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Say, 'Yes, young master!' and go."
"Ahh. Yes! Young master!"
At Alesia's words, she suddenly pumped herself up, clenching her fists.
"I need help with some Famiglia business. You in?"
"Famiglia... business?"
The word "Famiglia" lit a spark in her eyes. Her expression softened into dead seriousness in an instant.
"For Famiglia, anything. What do you need?"
She might look the part, but she was the agent who'd infiltrated the Villain Union for us. Her reliable response made me grin as I placed my hands on her shoulders.
"Latte, I need you to run the cafe."
"Yes! Run the cafe... Wait, what?"
"Run the cafe."
She'd said anything for Famiglia, right? Let's see her try cafe boss.
Whirr— Whirr—
Clank clank clank
Construction noises echoed from morning rush hour onward. Kids passing by couldn't help but glance at the site where a building was rising on what used to be an empty lot in the academy grounds, smiles tugging at their lips. They looked full of anticipation.
And why not? A cafe—a sight never seen near the academy before—was going up.
"Huh? Boss! What're you doing over there?"
Jinwoo spotted me standing by the site on his way to class and waved as he jogged over.
"Just watching the construction."
"Construction? Out of nowhere? Any idea what they're building?"
"A cafe."
"A cafe?"
He furrowed his brow, clearly thrown by the answer.
"A cafe in the academy? If you're building, make it a PC bang. This feels like some ancient teahouse boom from the '80s..."
"It's mine."
"Even so, a chill cafe for kicking back sounds way better. Hmm, judging by the look, it's gonna be a hot spot already."
"..."
It was just the skeleton frame so far—nothing but rebar and concrete—but Jinwoo was already calling it a hot spot. Nodding sagely with a straight face, utterly shameless, the sight was comical.
"But a cafe inside the academy is weird enough— and it's yours?"
Only now did it click, and he tilted his head again.
"Hanwol Group snagged the academy's business rights this time. Since I'm a student here, they handed it to me."
"...A cafe in the academy. You're something else, boss."
His eyes sparkled with the usual admiration.
"Should be done by afternoon, so let's head out."
"That fast?"
"Remember the clubroom? Back then?"
It was the Move family handling the build again. Their boss had pushed it through as a "congrats on the top spot" gift, insisting only the best for me. Whatever— their skills were solid, so it was perfect.
Heading up to class with Jinwoo, we found Sea-a and Youngje chatting. They turned as we entered.
"Ah, you're here."
"Good morning."
The usual morning greetings. As I sat, they swarmed around me like they'd been waiting.
"Yujin, did you see that thing outside?"
"Outside?"
"You know! The new building going up! It's a cafe. A cafe! In an academy where we have to buy snacks off-campus or beg from clubs—huge, right?"
Ah, so that's what it was. I was about to explain when—
"That's boss's doing."
Jinwoo beat me to it, puffing up proudly to gauge their reactions.
But.
"Oh, yeah? Makes sense."
"If it's the boss, totally doable."
They accepted it without batting an eye. Jinwoo blinked at them.
"Wait, no freak-out? A cafe outside. Boss's cafe?"
"It's Yujin, though? Not that surprising."
"Boss could pull off anything."
"Right?"
Jinwoo's face fell from confusion to pout at their casual shrugs.
"...Am I the weird one?"
"You've always been weird, Jinwoo."
"You're the weird one to begin with."
"Eeeek..."
Yeah, that's our crew. Jinwoo tastes best when roasted.
Morning homeroom rolled around, and Ji Suhyun entered with the attendance sheet as usual. Unlike her recent tired look, she seemed bright-eyed. Even her once-dry skin looked plump and fresh—something good must've happened.
"Instructor, you're in a great mood today."
Jinwoo's ritual question time. She'd normally snap at him to shut up, but today she nodded with a smile.
"Our class scores came in great, so the academy gave me a bonus. I knew I could count on you kids."
Ah... financial therapy. No wonder she was glowing. Top scores from her students would've thrilled her anyway, but a fat envelope from the academy? Bliss.
"Today we'll review yesterday's sparring matches. Your midterms error log, basically."
Groans and sighs from the class at Ji Suhyun's words.
"~Principal's orders~ Gotta do it~"
Grinning like she loved their misery, she popped the CD she'd brought into the player by the podium and projected a hologram screen.
"Starting with the first from our class to drop."
The review kicked off. The kids started reluctant, but soon focused, the mood turning serious and attentive.
"Jinwoo Bivalt. Going full frontal against Mari Nate? An assassin's mistake from the jump. You wanna tank an army? Without those early points, you'd be bottom tier."
"...Yes, ma'am."
She dissected each one, pointing out flaws down to movements and counters.
"Kim Young-je. Instead of buffing to dodge, spawn magic around you to keep 'em at bay. No one can gauge your mana pool exactly—bluff and buy time."
"...Sorry."
"Still, solid scores. Good work."
"Yes, ma'am."
One by one, until it was my turn last.
"Han Yujin."
"Yes."
"...Just do you. Nothing to nitpick in your fight. If I had to say, you toyed with Jeong Ui-hoon a bit—but that's your personality, so we'll skip it."
"Yes."
She read my mindset back then like a book. No critiques meant she'd acknowledged my skill.
"That covers it?"
Lunch neared; she shut off the screen and addressed us.
"Class dismissed. You all busted ass on midterms. Club kids, go club; rest, head home."
"""Yes!"""
Post-exam leniency ended class early. I stood to leave.
"Boss, club today?"
Jinwoo asked while packing up.
"Nah. Probably the cafe—got word it's done."
"Already?!"
"For real? Can we go now? Let's go!"
"Kinda curious myself. Mind if I tag along?"
Excitement over the new academy cafe had Sea-a bouncing, hands clasped, while Jinwoo and Youngje looked genuinely intrigued.
I'd planned to show it off anyway. Nodding, I led the way.
"Let's go. First day, but coffee should be ready."
Time for soft launch. With Sea-a beaming uncontrollably at the front, we filed out of the classroom.
"There! That's it, right?"
The new cafe sat a five-minute walk from the main building. Four stories total: floors 1-2 cafe, 3-4 reserved for later.
"Whoa... It's gorgeous!"
Sea-a's jaw dropped at the exterior. Open terrace seating, mint-painted wooden door, sleek brick walls. Pure European cafe vibes.
Details screamed Leg Move's taste—the Move family boss.
Motif from his hometown? Good eye.
Even to my untrained eyes, it screamed high-class beauty. Real effort poured in.
Best part: the sign.
Cielo Notturno
Night sky—perfectly symbolizing my dual identities.
"Huh? That lady inside the manager?"
Jinwoo stared, cheeks flushing. His quick-heart syndrome acting up again.
"Let's head in."
Opening the mint door filled the air with fresh wood and roasted beans.
"Welcome!"
A white-haired woman bowed deeply in greeting. Neat twin tails, crisp black blouse and skirt.
"To Cafe Cielo Notturno!"
My secret weapon against the academy. My trusted right-hand.
Latte.