I Become a Mafia in the Academy 173 - 'On the Development and Utilization of Strategic Weapons Using Mana Stones'
Anyone who's played City of Seoul could never forget that one technology.
The "Mana Stone Reactor." A technology that would later revolutionize CS's energy sector, harnessing the immense power generated by stimulating mana stones—essentially a form of nuclear power generation.
While current tech simply relied on the energy leaking from mana stones, this amplified it for dramatically higher efficiency.
The catch? It only became commercially viable in the late game.
For players, it felt like a fresh update, injecting novelty into the mix.
And the pioneer behind this precursor tech? Ahn Byeong-hun, the eccentric scientist dubbed the mad genius of Seoul Hero Academy.
"I figured he'd be tinkering with personal research by now, but he's already drafted a prototype?"
The report was straightforward: Convert mana from mana stones into shockwaves, then apply a secondary shock to massively amplify the explosive force.
"Easier said than done. Sure, it's simple in theory... but that's exactly why no one's done it yet, right?"
It was proven fact that slamming a mana stone with massive force spawned a dungeon alongside the energy burst. Hadn't current scientists thought to exploit that?
This was basically a conclusion from half-baked experiments.
But still...
"...Maybe I should back him after all?"
The Ahn Byeong-hun I knew would dive into research fueled purely by spite and glee, no support needed. Practicality for others? Irrelevant to him. He was the classic mad scientist, driven solely by personal satisfaction.
"A gift horse like this... but the guy's a walking hazard."
Later on, he'd lose himself in his obsessions and turn villain.
Could I recruit him now and use him as a long-term piece?
A brief moment of thought, and the decision was clear.
"Haru."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Approve this."
I slid Ahn Byeong-hun's application across to Haru at the next table.
She scanned it, then looked at me.
"You're serious? Strategic weapons using mana stones? This is absurd."
"I know. I get it—but the real question is how we capitalize on the byproducts."
"...Pardon?"
"I've got ideas, so approve it for now. His requested funding isn't outrageous, right?"
Even as an investment, the returns were guaranteed massive. I said it with full confidence.
"This guy's a surefire profit. Approve it, and sponsor the R&D costs from my account."
Types like him were easier to manage leashed and under watch.
We could hash out details later; no rush.
"...If you're that certain, Young Master, then I'll do it."
Haru finally relented, signing the papers and setting them aside.
With this, Calione would leap ahead in tech acquisition.
The Academy really is a treasure trove of untapped talent, I thought.
"Still, with your help, Young Master, this is wrapping up fast. I had no idea you processed paperwork quicker than me."
She was right—visibly, I'd cleared more docs than she had.
"...Family training's brutal. I've been learning the organization's admin work lately."
"From the consigliere, I assume? That explains the speed."
He handled all of Calione's paperwork, making him a specialist par excellence. Following his methods made scanning these a breeze.
That's how I blitzed through the pile.
"At this rate, we'll finish soon. Let's push a bit more."
"Yes, Young Master."
Was it the end in sight? Haru smiled faintly, lips curving up.
I smiled back and kept at it.
Of course, the sun had set by the time we wrapped.
The final day of the "Reformed Delinquents" evaluations.
Score sheets from each school's selected students arrived at the Academy.
"They actually pulled this off? You didn't, like, lock 'em up and threaten 'em with knives, did you?"
"As if."
Ji Suhyun shook her head in disbelief while reading my kids' reports.
"What kinda black magic turns S-difficulty delinquents into model citizens overnight, drowning in guilt over their pasts?"
"All thanks to my hard work, obviously."
My methods weren't anything fancy. Simple principle: Make them confront their actions and commit to lifelong remorse and atonement.
"They even do volunteer work and funnel all their part-time earnings to victims? Spill it—did you bury the originals and swap in body doubles?"
"Give me some credit."
It would've been quicker that way... but nah, I wouldn't stoop that low.
Latte and Han Seojun handled the heavy lifting, so I wasn't sure, but probably no burials.
...Probably.
"Total scores put you solidly at first. And... Jinwoo Bivalt?"
"Yessir!"
"No clue what you did, but why's your kid joining a temple?"
...A temple?
"Dunno? Sudden urge to renounce the world, maybe."
"You little...!"
I knew exactly what he'd done—stuff he posted in the group chat.
Dragging them to family shops or a 2-night, 3-day camp, something like that?
"You're a safe second. Parents and school are thrilled. First time I've seen a mentee go monk-mode; threw me."
"Yay~"
The others scored high too, but no one topped my S-difficulty success with three A-ranks.
Rumor had it Jeong Ui-hoon challenged an S-mission too... but ended up shipping them all to juvie with cops.
Idiots who underestimate reform.
"Prizes from the president later. Keep that in mind."
"Gotcha."
And with that, a long-absent system window popped up.
"Nice."
Normally, it'd grant Persuader for boosted convincing power, but with my existing Orator, it upgraded instead.
1. People feel immense charm and persuasion in your words.
2. Those around you are captivated by your speech.
3. Eloquence scales with your charisma.
A trait that synergized perfectly with charisma buffs like mine. Smiling, I approved the upgrade.
With Reformed Delinquents over, Academy life normalized.
Kids lamented post-exam classes resuming, but what could you do? Midterms end, finals loom—universal school law.
"Classes after so long are exhausting. Can't wait to hit the club room for Recipe Development Club grub~"
"True, we've skipped club stuff lately. Boss, we meeting today?"
Sea-a looked drained; Youngje still chill. Clearly missed Famiglia action.
"Gotta. Stuff to handle."
"Stuff?"
Jinwoo blinked at "stuff."
"Just me and Choi Yeon. You guys train or take walk-ins as usual."
With her, it'd wrap quick, per my memory.
Classes done, we headed to the Famiglia club room.
Door ajar. Inside, Choi Yeon—already in a tank top—worked training gear like she'd waited forever, laser-focused.
After a couple sets, she spotted us, raised a hand.
"Hey."
"Yeah, first club room meetup in ages. Warming up?"
"Yeah. Without Famiglia, just hill runs or sword swings. Stuffy."
Missed modern gym tech, apparently.
"Bummer, though. Got work for us today."
"Work?"
She tilted her head at "work."
"What're we doing?"
"Won't take long. Cool?"
Her face fell as she slipped on her top.
"Sure. Can train later..."
Droopy puppy vibes killed her persuasion... She's a full gym rat now, for real.
Her eyes lingered on the gear leaving the training room.
"...Upper body day today."
"Be quick, promise."
Anyone'd think I was banning workouts. Grabbing her sleeve like a treat-begging pup with wistful eyes, we headed out.
Destination: The "Next-Gen Mana Stone Research Circle"—occupying an empty C-Building lab on the sly, no official room.
"Anyone home?"
Supposed to be here, but lights off inside.
No answer to knocks. Out?
Slipped aura in; fuzzy mental image formed.
"Someone's there?"
A figure hunched at a table, fiddling.
Ignoring us, then. Tried the knob—locked.
"Choi Yeon."
"Yeah?"
"Slice the internal lock."
"...Can I?"
"We'll buy a new one."
"Okay. Slicing."
Aura on her index finger; swung at the gap. Clang! Lock sheared.
"Cut."
"In we go?"
Opened wide: Blue mana stone glow on the table; man crouched, staring.
"Huh? Why's it doing this? Reacting then just...?"
Fading light panicked him. Spotted us—eyes bulged.
"Y-Y-YOU BASTARD!!"
Charged, grabbed my collar.
"You psycho! Locked it to block external stimuli! How the hell did you get in?! AAAAARGH!!"
Screamed like his world ended.
"Buddy."
His hands shook on my collar.
Sigh, came to talk, and...
"Wanna die?"
Collar-grab on first sight? Big mistake.