I Become a Mafia in the Academy 226
"No monsters in sight around here. Looks like they all ran off after seeing Fen."
The path back out of the dungeon was remarkably peaceful. Just having Fen lead the way was enough to send most of the monsters scampering in fright.
"Calione Junior. As far as I know, dungeons usually collapse once the boss is defeated. What happened in this case?"
"Fen absorbed the boss while eating it, so it must've inherited the boss's authority. Probably collapses naturally once Fen leaves."
I glanced sidelong at Fen up ahead as I said that. The majestic giant body from moments ago was gone, replaced by the form of a mid-sized dog. It strode forward proudly, full of dignified poise.
"Fen. Any enemies around?"
-None. The tasty ones are long gone. Just the unappetizing trash fleeing like mad.
A spirit with olfactory detection and insane synergy against fire attributes. If only I had spirit affinity, I'd tame it myself.
Come to think of it...
"Fen."
-What is it, human?
"You eat metal too?"
-If it's there, yeah.
Sure enough. Myths blending together let it devour not just fire, but metal too. The more I looked, the more I wanted it. This thing would be a game-changer for dungeon raids...
"Elena."
"Yes?"
"Wanna come to Etna Volcano?"
"For real?!"
She whipped around with a beaming smile, probably thrilled at the sudden opportunity. Michaela eyed me worriedly from the side.
"Calione Junior. Isn't that too dangerous?"
"It's fine. You can protect Elena."
"Pardon?"
"Honestly, I don't need bodyguards at Etna Volcano. But I'm not going solo either."
"Someone of Calione Junior's caliber... true. As long as we prepare for emergencies, protecting my sister more carefully should be feasible."
"Right?"
So no big issue bringing Elena along.
"Then Elena comes too. Ah, there's the exit."
We stepped fully out of the dungeon, and right away, a crackling sound echoed from the entrance behind us.
"...As expected, it collapses the moment Fen exits. Calione Junior was right."
"Yeah. Tomorrow's the final pre-raid gathering for the Venezia Guild folks. Guess Elena needs to prep for that too."
"Huh? W-where?"
Elena jumped at the sudden mention of her name.
"Where else? The party. Big guilds with names and money always rent a hall for a pre-raid bash. This time, they're using the ballroom at my hotel."
"D-do I have to go?"
"Probably mandatory if you're raiding."
"Th-that's... a problem. I've never been to one..."
"Ah."
I could guess why she hesitated. It was still early afternoon.
"How about shopping then?"
"Shopping?!"
She blinked in surprise at the abrupt suggestion.
"Got byproducts from today's dungeon haul. Sell 'em, and we can shop in style."
I pulled out the fire lizard parts and other monster drops. Her worried face lit up with a grin.
"Let's go."
The least I could do for my future subordinate.
* * *
We headed straight to Palermo's massive central shopping mall.
"Whoa... I've never been to a department store like this."
Elena gawked around the grand entrance in wonder.
"Clothes are this way. Follow me."
The clothing section was packed with famous luxury brands, as befitting an Italian department store.
"Stuff I've seen online or on TV! But... is it always this empty? No other customers except us..."
She looked puzzled at the deserted surroundings—us aside, not a soul in sight.
"I rented out the whole place."
"You rented it?!"
Not shocked, just baffled.
"Too crowded otherwise. Got this section till closing. Take your time—no one's gonna complain."
Latte had arranged it back on the mainland. Apparently a perk of my card.
"So... how much can we spend? We made some from today, right?"
"That? Way more than you think. Pick freely. Ask staff if you need help—they'll cater to VIPs like us."
"Whoa... Got it!"
She dashed excitedly into the nearest store. Then Michaela's voice from beside me.
"Calione Junior. Why lie to Sister Elena?"
"Huh? About what?"
"Today's earnings wouldn't cover one item here."
She was right—our haul was modest. Maybe enough for a bag, barely.
But.
"It's lobbying."
"Lobbying?"
"Elena with Fen isn't some average spirit user anymore. At least national ranker level, right? Buy her favor now, and today's spend is a bargain."
Plus, she needed proper attire for tomorrow's party as my plus-one.
"...I see. In that case, Calione Junior."
She tugged my sleeve.
"Why no lobbying for me?"
"...Pardon?"
Out of nowhere.
"What do you mean? You don't wear stuff like that. Vatican affiliate and all."
"But favors look good on anyone, no?"
"...Well."
"I like wine. Hit a wine shop after."
She declared it outright, and I couldn't help a dry chuckle.
"Fine, whatever."
We might cross paths again someday. I stepped into the store to check Elena's picks.
"Hey, Eugene. How's this?"
She emerged from the fitting room in a flashy black frill dress—far from her usual plain clothes. It suited her long blonde hair and pale skin perfectly.
"Ooh. Sister, you look stunning."
Michaela beat me to it.
"Really? Even to you, Sister? What about Eugene?"
"Looks good. Try others."
I set aside her current outfit and grabbed more options. Might sound biased, but years of fashion doll grinding honed my eye to top-tier. I was confident picking clothes.
Can't play games without the glam!
"This coat, turtleneck, shoes, belt, bracelet too."
I piled up everything that caught my eye like a shopping god descended.
Elena's smile faded into concern...
"E-Eugene? This is way beyond today's earnings, right?"
"Yeah. Beyond my earnings today."
"Huh?"
"Ring this up. All of it."
I handed the clerk my black card.
"Card approved. Payment—"
"Lump sum."
"Processed lump sum. Total: 123 million won. Items now or...?"
"Ship them. Elena, marked your mom's stuff separately—deliver that too. Write your address here."
"Huh? Uh... wha?"
Still processing.
"I know Sister's address."
Michaela stepped up and wrote it.
"Uh... th-that..."
"Sister. Look after Elena. Time for wine."
"Understood. Come, Sister. Who knows when Calione Junior changes his mind."
"Uwaaaah..."
Today's shopping wrapped at the wine shop. Elena, changed into new clothes and clutching her old ones; Michaela, beaming with paper bags full of wine. Seeing them, my shoulders lifted in satisfaction.
"Th-thanks so much for today... and sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for. She's the one who should apologize."
I nodded at Michaela and her wines.
"Your clothes cost less than those two bottles. No need."
Who knew she'd pick bottles in the tens of millions each? Italians pride themselves on Italian wines, I thought.
"Aren't those French?"
"Calione Junior. Wine knows no borders."
...Not for her.
"Don't feel too ripped off, Calione Junior. You know better than anyone—power like mine can't be bought."
"True... but you're shameless, Sister."
"My best trait."
Others might call it a flaw.
"Oh right, Elena. That thing I mentioned last time."
"Huh? What?"
I tossed "it" to her casually. She caught it on reflex.
"This is...?"
"What I mentioned. Aventador."
And there it sat, right in front of us.
"Wait, joke, right?"
"Dead serious. Hit the ignition."
VROOOOM────!!
A ferocious roar erupted from the red Aventador before us.
"Whoa..."
Her blank awe dwarfed even the clothes reaction.
"Take us home."
I smiled at her, wrapping up today's lobbying.
All that remained: tomorrow's Venezia mind games.
"Hope it goes smoothly."
My gut screamed it wouldn't.
* * *
Moonlight hidden behind black clouds, Michaela in white stepped onto the suite balcony.
She knelt prayer-like, folding something diligently into a bird shape. She launched it toward its usual direction.
The paper bird glided straight—
Snatch!
—until a rat on the ground snatched it mid-flight, dragging it down.
"Good job, Ratatouille."
-Squeak──!
Daily report retrieval now routine. Hands in pockets, she took the report from the rat and scanned it.
"Ho ho?"
Intrigued, she pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Hello?"
"Young Master. It's Latte! Got some tricky info in today's report. What now?"
Brief pause.
"Filter like always. Mix in the useless stuff."
"Got it! Wow, but Sister's reports are slipping more each day?"
"Yeah? Got a fun idea then..."
And that day, the Vatican's intel division turned upside down.