I Become a Mafia in the Academy 35
……What the hell was this girl saying?
She wanted me to punish the Ranger Club that's been harassing her own club?
"I'm not quite following…… Could you start by explaining exactly what they've done to you and how you want them punished?"
"Ah……! I skipped the details! S-Sorry!"
Lee Se-ri realized her mistake and bowed her head in apology. After taking a deep breath, she slowly began explaining the relationship between her club and their rivals.
Clubs at the academy often had close ties. Just like how you'd need the International Trade Club's help to import foreign goods, they formed alliances based on mutual needs and took on commissions for each other.
"Our Recipe Development Club isn't a combat-oriented group. We use alchemy, crafting studies, and herbology to create beneficial food recipes—that's our main purpose."
But the Ranger Club was different. They operated under the name "Ranger," a title that carried immense pride in dungeons, where rangers were essential for exploration.
"The Ranger Club is made up of students skilled in hunting, scouting, or ranged weapons. So, we've commissioned them to gather ingredients whenever they head out for training or exploration."
And that's where the trouble started.
"But at some point, their demands started piling up. At first, it was 'ingredient costs have risen, so give us buffed food along with the commission fee.' Then they began throwing their weight around with all sorts of ridiculous excuses."
At the beginning, the Recipe Development Club accommodated them. But the demands escalated—more buffs, more dishes—until they refused to cook anymore, at which point the Rangers stopped delivering ingredients.
On top of that, they kept dropping by to intimidate them, blocking requests to other clubs.
The infiltration had begun. Once they tasted the temporary physical boosts from the food and realized it wasn't ordinary.
"And eventually, they crossed the line. They stole the recipe for our Golden Walnut Pie."
Golden Walnut Pie. The pinnacle of the Recipe Development Club's efforts after months of trials and experiments—their ultimate pie.
"That recipe was for our second-year performance exam. I poured my abilities, skills, and everything I had into it. I was confident it was my masterpiece…… But we didn't leave it out carelessly in the club room."
As usual, Ranger Club members visited the club room to pick up supplies. Amid the exhausted kids collapsed from endless research, they read the recipe's effects and copied it down.
"Permanent physical ability enhancement. That's what my [Skill: Creative Cooking] revealed as the Golden Walnut Pie's effect."
The other kids' eyes widened at Lee Se-ri's story.
Permanent physical enhancement—an effect you'd only see in miracle elixirs.
"S-So, you're saying the Recipe Development Club president made a recipe as good as an elixir?"
Sea-a stammered in shock. Lee Se-ri nodded.
"Yes, but I'm not that stupid! I always omit a couple of ingredients from the written recipe. And only I know what they are."
That's why the Rangers started pressuring them. Even after shelling out for the pricey golden walnuts and following the recipe, they kept failing—and they wanted answers from her. To uncover the final missing ingredient and claim the elixir-level Golden Walnut Pie recipe.
"Those bastards are total thugs, huh?"
Jinwoo grumbled excitedly after hearing it all. Lee Se-ri nodded vigorously in agreement.
"R-Right?! They spout nonsense like 'we need to get stronger to bring you better ingredients'…… As if guys who 'care' about us would threaten all-out war or force us to cook!"
Her frustration boiled over as she continued, face flushed with anger.
"The Golden Walnut Pie is my life's work. And they threaten me like that?"
The key ingredient, golden walnut, was an ultra-rare dungeon material she'd begged Inomiya Haru for—just enough for one batch.
"Even now, they're pulling all sorts of dirty tricks……! Stealing our cooking ingredients or sneaking in to sabotage club room stuff."
Her voice grew hoarse.
"We just wanted to cook happily…… I don't get why we have to suffer just for making great food…… Please…… Help our club."
Tears welled up in Lee Se-ri's eyes. She grabbed my hand, sniffling through a stuffy nose.
"Our club can only turn to a bronze club like Familia……! We'll reward you as best we can, please……!"
She clung to my left hand, trembling, eyes full of desperation. I naturally covered her hand with my right.
"We accept."
"R-Really……?"
She looked up at my straightforward answer, tears beading in her eyes.
A crybaby like this becomes the [Cooking Master] in the future? It was mind-boggling no matter how I thought about it.
[Cooking Master]—a name every City of Seoul player knew.
Five masters who earned the title through crafting alone, despite combat not being their focus: [Alchemist Master], [Blacksmith Master], [Farming Master], [Enchant Master], and finally, [Cooking Master].
The unique being who could cook with any ingredient in the world and create permanent buff foods. In mid-to-late game CS playthroughs, you'd always end up claiming that spot.
Having such talent beg me like this? Pure luck.
"Have they resorted to physical violence against members?"
"……No, not yet."
She nodded as she finished recounting events.
"Your biggest worry is probably them declaring all-out war. But club vs. club full-scale battles usually don't pass student council review, right?"
"……Those guys would send freshmen to pressure us anyway. If it's just freshmen participating, the council would approve."
In other words, we'd have no choice but to step in.
"I get the situation. Let's set the deadline for resolution by the end of this week."
"Huh……? That quick?"
It would be. If I handled it solo, I could have them on their knees in five hours, easy.
But this was club activity. If I kept doing everything myself, the club would lose purpose, and the kids wouldn't grow.
So, one week minimum. Enough time to train them to beat the Rangers.
"Of course. Leave it to us."
I smiled and offered my hand. She took it, grinning with relief.
"See? The boss has a plan!"
Jinwoo beamed, oblivious that he was the plan…… Well, good things are good.
Everything was lining up perfectly.
* * *
After sending Lee Se-ri off and wrapping up our strategy meeting in the president's office, the kids looked resolute.
"Boss, those punks need a real beatdown."
"Agreed. Guys acting like they own the world only learn when they get hit."
"Same here. Elixir-making talent? Recipe club's growth potential is off the charts."
……Maybe too resolute. But a good sign nonetheless.
"I agree. So, for this commission, I'm assigning missions. First, Youngje."
"Yeah."
He nodded when called.
"Starting tomorrow, join the Ranger Club's info session and trial. As a rare quadruple-element mage, they'll welcome you."
"What if they spot my Familia ties?"
"We haven't started activities yet, so they won't know you."
"Piece of cake, then."
I nodded to Youngje and turned to Jinwoo next.
"Jinwoo."
"Yessir!"
"Until this is sorted, visit the Recipe Development Club often and guard them. If trouble hits, just buy time."
"Boss, what do you take me for? If it weren't for you, I'd be untouchable anywhere."
Confident, at least.
"Good. Strike first if needed for the commission…… And Sea-a."
"Yes!"
"Investigate the Ranger Club's external image and rumors. Also, from 3 p.m. when club time ends at 5, train with me and Jinwoo."
Jinwoo shuddered as I finished.
"W-Wait, boss. Training during club hours?"
"We'll have more gigs like this. Better get strong early."
And that's why I recruited you growth prospects.
Of course, I wasn't just dumping tasks.
"Finish this well, and performance bonus: 2 million credits each. Motivated now?"
Their complicated expressions flipped instantly.
"Yujin! Leave it to me!"
"T-Two million…… I wanted to train anyway!"
……Too easy.
"Alright, off you go."