The Tailor for Emperors
“Is that the guy's ability?”
Watching Jinwoo Bivalt spar with the Ranger Club from outside the arena, I confirmed the skill he'd shown matched exactly what was written in my
Character Compendium
—proving it was all real.
“Even with buffs, to take down a second-year all by himself...”
His skills surpassed my expectations—they were the real deal. An eerie flexibility, movements so swift even I might miss them if I let my guard down, and masterful dagger work to boot.
But what impressed me most was his ability.
“He must have inherited a bloodline power too.”
He'd casually mentioned he could handle wind a bit at first, so I'd brushed it off. But the way he used it was strikingly similar to his father, Antonio Bivalt.
The power to seize control of the surrounding winds and wield them freely. He couldn't generate wind from nothing, but if the conditions were right, it was an ability no one could ignore.
In the game, there was even a story about Antonio Bivalt single-handedly wiping out an entire organization on a stormy day.
“What a commendable guy.”
I'd been shocked when he suddenly announced in the group chat that he was off to fight the Ranger Club.
“Ah, Boss! You're here?!”
The moment he stepped out of the arena and spotted me, he waved enthusiastically, grinning like an idiot. Judging by that beaming smile, the damage he'd taken inside wasn't too bad.
“I told you, didn't I? I don't go getting beat up.”
Thrilled to have beaten a second-year, he puffed out his chest proudly.
“That arrow deflection was impressive, I'll give you that. But if it were me, I'd have ended it in one shot.”
“That's 'cause you're a monster, Boss! Me? I... I trained a bit to at least knock away your bullets.”
So that's why his deflections looked so practiced—he'd been training lately. He must have been pretty pissed after getting taken down in seconds last time.
If he'd seen me mowing down those Triad thugs at the docks, he wouldn't even dream of it.
Imagining his reaction almost made me chuckle.
“Good work. Looks like you handled what I asked too.”
I said that while eyeing the Recipe Development Club members charging toward us, each clutching something in their hands.
“Oh, senior ladies! Did you see? This body's uuuwgh?!”
The moment they reached Jinwoo, they scooped food from their bowls and shoved it straight into his mouth.
“This is mugwort porridge—great for recovery.”
“Dolsan strawberry soup. Builds your blood right up.”
“Freshly baked black garlic cookies. A bit burnt, but they'll work.”
“Ughghghmmph!!”
Since the spar was to protect them, they'd clearly been worried sick. Force-fed the power foods, Jinwoo's tense expression gradually relaxed—until his face changed color and he collapsed in a heap.
“J-Jinwoo?!”
“Did we mix something incompatible?”
“Quick, get the black lemon juice for when he's out cold!”
Sea-a watched from behind.
“That guy's... grinning like an idiot even passed out. Creepy.”
I had to agree.
Meanwhile, I spotted Youngje smiling at us from afar, surrounded by what looked like Ranger Club members. He seemed to be carrying out his mission perfectly.
“Let's head back for now. That guy's... well, even unconscious, he's still mumbling away, so he'll wake up soon.”
No way he could walk alone, so I slung him over my shoulder. I felt his jaw moving against my back.
“Drool on my back, and you're dead.”
His movements slowed right away.
...He really passed out, right? His energy felt genuine enough.
Back at the club room, the second I tossed him on the sofa...
“This body resurrects.”
Jinwoo popped up like a ghost.
“Jinwoo, you were really out, right?”
Sea-a narrowed her eyes at his perfect timing.
“Hey, didn't you see the arrows sticking out of me? As soon as the tension let up after the fight, I blacked out for real!”
Jinwoo protested indignantly, but Sea-a wasn't buying it.
“Anyway, good job. After that display, they won't mess with the Recipe Club lightly for a while.”
A first-year taking down a Ranger Club member who seemed like the vice-leader's right-hand man? They'd lay low for sure.
“Right? Right? Haha! See, even Boss says I did great.”
“More importantly, what comes next. Now they know the Recipe Club's allied with us, so they'll try something else.”
The ideal would be them giving up on the Golden Walnut Pie recipe... but from the looks on their faces during the spar, no chance.
“It's getting late anyway. Let's call it here for today.”
Today was the day to pick up the suit from Maestro. And just earlier, I'd gotten a message from Parnello confirming my promotion to executive via the review.
I needed to grab the prepared outfit before the celebration for my promotion kicked off, so it was time to move.
“I'll give you my number, Senior Lee Se-ri. If anything happens outside the academy, call me.”
I quickly entered it into her phone. Jinwoo shot up and added his too.
“Don't forget mine either, milady. I'll rush over like the wind anytime.”
...Can't do a thing with this guy.
His Italian dad, or just born that way?
After parting with the club members, I left the academy and slid into the sedan where Han Seojun waited.
“To Maestro's.”
“Yes, Young Master. Oh, I heard you were promoted to Calione executive. Congratulations.”
“Just the title since I don't have a district yet... Hey, did you tell Maestro?”
It was 5 p.m. now. Fresh out, so I'd need to contact him.
But Han Seojun shook his head.
“The Don's reserved Maestro's shop for the whole day. He's probably having tea with him there now.”
“Dad? Wasn't there an executive review today?”
“To keep it fair since you were the subject, he stayed out. If the Don had been there, it'd be unanimous no matter what.”
“Fair point.”
No one would dare oppose and risk his ire.
Details later from Parnello.
The sedan cruised the boulevard into the bustling district. Amid flashy buildings, a two-story relic stood out.
“This is Maestro's tailor shop, per l’Imperatore.”
Per l’Imperatore—'for the emperor.' A perfect name for Maestro's place.
“The homeless guy out front, the loiterers nearby—all our guys.”
“...You noticed?”
“If normal people walked like that, most Seoul citizens would be elite hitmen.”
With the Calione boss and me in one spot outside? Security made sense. But an entire block? Chilling.
“This way.”
Han Seojun parked in the back lot and opened the rear door smoothly. Valets, other cars—packed with our people. Dad's influence was beyond imagination.
*Ding.*
Stepping inside, a sweet, heavy scent tickled my nose. Staff bowed deeply.
“Welcome. We honor Eugene Han Calione's visit.”
I'd thought the classic exterior stood out; the interior was even more so. Far from modern—like stepping into an industrial-era luxury tailor.
A light nod to their greetings, then I followed them to Maestro's reception room where Dad waited.
“Maestro. The Young Master is here.”
A deep voice from within after the knock.
[Come in.]
The old door opened smoothly. Beyond it, two middle-aged men sat across a round table.
My father, Don Vito Calione, in a black suit with a cigar. And Maestro, crisp in a simple brown suit.
“Haha! So this is the son you boasted about, Don.”
“Indeed. My pride and joy. Eugene, you know him already? Roberto Haverlanda, president of Imperatore Foundation and one of the world's few maestros.”
Roberto rose, hand to chest, bowing politely.
“Such grand words... but I'm just an old man who makes clothes. An honor to meet Eugene Han Calione, the rising star of Calione.”
“The honor's mine, meeting the living legend Maestro.”
“Hahaha! Grateful for the words. Now that you're here, Young Master, Don—shall we take measurements?”
“Please do.”
Roberto approached. He snapped his fingers, and a blue measuring tape formed around his index finger.
“Young Master, if you could remove your coat?”
“...Unusual tape.”
“One of this old man's trivial tricks. Measures precisely and reveals the subject's nature and traits. Now, arms up, please?”
A tape that reads nature and traits? Do all maestros have something like this?
I raised my arms. The tape wrapped my chest.
“Chest 102.3... Hm?”
Roberto tilted his head curiously. Then...
“Well... this is tricky.”
Maestro Roberto sighed and bowed his head.
What was with him all of a sudden?