Chapter 61 — Mafia’s True Face II

"Even the city police deliberately let the underworld handle their own business among themselves.

They don’t interfere because it’s too dangerous, too complicated. What chance do we have?"

And it wasn’t only Zavier feeling this way. Many others present were also clearly experiencing deep anxiety, their faces pale and uncertain.

They were just students, after all, most of them only fifteen years old.

For their entire lives up until now, they’d never even seriously thought about getting into violent confrontations with actual hardened criminals who killed for a living.

This was completely outside their experience or comfort zone.

Damian looked at all of them carefully, reading their fears and doubts written plainly across their faces.

Then he stood up and walked closer to the assembled group, his presence somehow becoming even more commanding.

"We will absolutely be able to provide genuine protection to our clients. I guarantee it."

His voice was cold, certain, utterly confident.

"We just need to go out there into the city, find the gangs currently harassing our future clients, and then... kill them if they refuse to listen to reason and back off."

Complete silence.

Deathly, suffocating silence spread instantly among the students present as many faces turned even paler, the blood draining from their features.

They’d never imagined they would be casually discussing killing people today, talking about taking human lives as if it were a normal business decision.

Even Edrin, Lysa, and Ronan became noticeably pale, their earlier confidence shaken.

Damian’s expression didn’t change at all. His voice remained perfectly calm and matter-of-fact.

"What do you all think we’re actually doing here at this Academy? Why do you think the Federation invests so much money and resources into training awakeners?"

He let the question hang in the air for a moment.

"I’ll give you the direct, honest answer since nobody else will. We are being systematically trained and conditioned to become efficient killing machines to be deployed on battlefields.

All of us will eventually be thrown into combat against the Monsters that come through the portals. That’s our purpose. That’s our destiny."

His crimson eyes swept across every face.

"Do you genuinely think your enemies will care even slightly if you’re inexperienced? Or young? Or innocent? Do you think Monsters will hesitate to tear you apart because you’re scared?"

Several students swallowed hard, unable to meet his gaze.

"Actually, you know what? Forget all that motivational speech nonsense. I don’t have time or interest in trying to inspire or convince any of you."

Damian’s voice turned harsh, cutting.

"But realize one thing with absolute clarity: My Mafia will be involved in every type of dealing that exists in the underworld. Every single one. We will start with simple protection money from normal businesses, yes.

Then we will expand to nightclubs, entertainment venues, larger companies, powerful organizations, and eventually whoever needs our protection and can afford to pay for it."

He crossed his arms.

"Our operational principle is brutally simple: Take the money, get the job done perfectly. And the money we take will not be exploitative extortion like common thugs.

Just a fair share of profit, scaled appropriately. Doesn’t matter if the business is big or small. If the owner is poor or wealthy. We protect everyone equally who pays."

His expression hardened further.

"And I absolutely do not need or want anyone who is too scared to get their hands dirty in my organization.

You’re all far too sheltered and immature to realize that the real world outside these safe Academy walls is not remotely as simple or kind as you imagine."

Damian began pacing slowly, his words picking up intensity.

"Why do you think gangs and the criminal underworld exist in the first place? Why does the supposedly righteous police force do essentially nothing to stop them?

Why is the entire Federation system so systematically biased against commoners in every possible way?"

He stopped and turned to face them directly.

"Why aren’t we even given the basic permission to awaken our abilities without entering an officially sanctioned Academy?

Think about that. Why even have such a restrictive rule? What possible justification exists for it?"

Several students frowned, clearly never having questioned this before.

"The answer is devastatingly simple once you open your eyes to see it: There is no real justice in this Federation. None.

All the people who reach positions of real power only care about protecting and advancing their own benefits and the benefits of their families and factions. Nobles deliberately create and maintain social constructs specifically designed for their exclusive benefit."

His voice grew colder, more cutting.

"If you want to acquire something meaningful in this world, you have to seize it with Power. Raw, undeniable power.

Nothing worthwhile is ever given freely, and absolutely nobody will show mercy to you or your loved ones when their interests conflict with yours."

Damian’s eyes blazed with conviction.

"Everything I’m saying sounds extreme, right? Sounds like paranoid exaggeration?

Well, this information was provided to me directly by Officer Brian of the SFD himself during our therapy sessions.

A good man, an honest man, who personally watched helplessly as his closest friends were systematically robbed of their wives, their sisters, their dignity, their self-respect, their freedom. Everything that made their lives worth living."

Shocked gasps rippled through the crowd.

"And if even an official officer of the SFD, a trained professional who dedicated his life to justice, a commoner just like all of you, is completely helpless against the system..."

Damian let that sink in before delivering the killing blow.

"Do you honestly think you’re somehow special? That you’ll be different? That your talent or hard work will protect you?"

He shook his head slowly.

"At the end of the day, you have to survive in a society fundamentally ruled by power and power alone.

You cannot escape this matrix no matter how hard you try. The system is designed to keep you trapped, weak, dependent."

His voice dropped to an intense whisper that somehow carried to every ear.

"And when you decide today not to step out of your comfortable delusions, when you choose to run away from this opportunity because you’re scared of getting your hands dirty..."

His crimson eyes seemed to glow.

"Don’t you dare regret it later. Don’t come crying when that inevitable day arrives where all you can think about is:

I wish I had more power. I wish I had been braver. I wish I had joined Damian that day instead of refusing like a delusional, pathetic coward."

Silence.

Absolute, crushing, deathly silence spread across the entire shooting range.

Not a single person moved or breathed loudly.

Everyone’s faces reflected various shades of fear, uncertainty, and dawning realization by the time Damian finished speaking.

Some looked terrified.

Others looked angry.

But most looked conflicted, their worldviews cracking under the weight of his words.

Damian stood there calmly, waiting to see if his weeks of hard work with this group was a success or not.

Will they run?

Or will they stay.