Chapter 76: Phantom Bullet

Lorenzo already possessed B+ proficiency in shooting, and with his new [Hitman] trait, his proficiency with firearms would increase significantly.

’Maybe I could raise my shooting proficiency from B+ to A- as well.’

’I should focus on improving that instead.’

He considered the idea for a moment.

Unfortunately, the academy’s weapon arts weren’t limited to conventional weapons. Some of the higher-ranked techniques could enhance firearms with mana, allowing bullets to penetrate defenses that ordinary ammunition couldn’t overcome.

That was something worth investigating.

But first, he needed to find out which professors taught firearm-related weapon arts.

Lorenzo scrolled through the directory.

Then his eyes stopped on a particular entry.

\[Weapon Art: Phantom Bullet\]

Rank: S

Specialization: Firearms

Description: A weapon art that allows the user to infuse bullets with mana, greatly enhancing their speed, penetration, and destructive power. At higher mastery levels, it can kill targets from extremely long distances. The farther a bullet travels, the more powerful it becomes.

Lorenzo stared at the description.

A slow smile spread across his face.

Combined with the \[Hitman\] trait, which increased his proficiency with firearms, this weapon art could become a formidable addition to his arsenal.

Lorenzo opened the professor’s profile.

Instructor: Leo Vane

Specialization: Firearms and Ranged Weapon Arts

Rank: S

Office: Weapon Arts Department, Third Floor

Lorenzo memorized the location and closed the directory.

’All right. I’ll meet with the professor.’

Lorenzo glanced to his side, where he found Lucas examining the weapon arts available on his smartwatch.

...And since Lucas had ranked last, there was hardly anything worthwhile left for him to choose.

"Fuck! It’s because of those fucking losers that I’m in last place right now. Maybe I should challenge someone to improve my ranking and then choose a weapon art."

’This guy is annoying, but I could put him to good use.’

Not to mention, Lucas was already part of the Mafia, since his family worked under the Riina family.

"Lucas."

Lucas looked at him as soon as he heard Lorenzo call his name. For a brief moment, greed flickered in his eyes.

His irritation vanished, replaced by an expression of pure avarice.

"What’s up, my best money— I mean, my best buddy!"

Lorenzo’s left eye twitched at his brazenness.

"I’m going to create a organisation, think of as club at least in the academy, and I want you to join me."

"A club? But doesn’t that mean I have to work extra hard? My motto is to work to lose money!"

At this point, Lorenzo seriously wanted to beat some sense into him.

"How about this, then? We’ll spar, and if I lose, I’ll give you the ten million credits you wanted. You’ll also become the president of the club."

Lucas’s eyes briefly shone with greed before he quickly composed himself.

"Ahem! Ahem! Still... I can’t fight my best buddy over some money."

Look at this bastard.

Lorenzo was about to put a bullet in his forehead right then and there, but he held himself back.

’No, I can’t just kill a potential member of my organization.’

...And so, Lucas lived to see another day.

"Then how about this? In the academy, club presidents receive a basic salary of ten million credits per month as an activity fee."

"Ten million c-credits?"

"Yeah. Not to mention, if you beat me, I’ll give you another ten million credits out of my own pocket. That means you’ll get twenty million credits!"

"Twenty million c-credits?"

Gulp!

Lucas swallowed hard, his expression filled with astonishment.

"Okay, sure! I’m in!"

The moment he heard about the additional money, Lucas eagerly accepted the proposal. He patted Lorenzo on the back a few times and smiled brightly.

"Hey, don’t worry. Do you think I’d beat someone who’s joining my club to death? I’ll hit you just enough that it won’t hurt too much."

...What kind of confidence is this?

"Just keep in mind that if you lose, you’ll become my subordinate."

"Why are you already worried about that? You can’t win! I’m looking forward to it! Haha! You don’t know my hidden power!"

With that, Lucas laughed and returned to his seat, playing with his smartphone.

’Alright, the bait is properly hooked.’

At that moment, a girl sitting in front of Lorenzo suddenly turned around.

"Are you really okay with this? Do you know who that guy is?"

She whispered as though she were revealing a secret, covering her mouth with one hand.

"Who are you?"

Lorenzo asked instead.

Realization dawned on her face, and she quickly introduced herself.

"My name is Lena Voss."

Lorenzo gave her a quick nod, but the next moment, her expression turned deadly serious.

"You should stay away from that guy. Everyone knows he’s a troublemaker."

"Hmm? Is he famous?"

"Yes! He’s a member of the Riina organization, and there’s a rumor that even crying children stop crying when they hear his name."

’Crying children stop crying when they hear the name of a member of the Riina organization? Where did they hear such a baseless rumor...? Well, I don’t need to mention that I’m the successor to that organization.’

"Lucas Capone has been famous for taking down notable villains since his days at the military academy. He may look like a bully, but he’s not an easy opponent."

As she whispered, Lena glanced at Lucas.

Soon, their eyes met.

She gasped and quickly turned around again.

’If he’s taken down notable villains, he must have some basic combat sense.’

Lorenzo leaned back in his seat, considering the information.

He had initially seen Lucas as little more than a greedy troublemaker who could be manipulated with money. However, Lena’s warning suggested that there might be more to him than met the eye.

If Lucas had genuinely defeated dangerous opponents, his greed and foolish behavior might simply be the weaknesses that Lorenzo could exploit.

And if he possessed enough combat ability to back up his reputation, he might prove useful to the organization.

’I guess I should properly evaluate him.’

Lorenzo’s lips curled into a faint smile as he watched Lucas play with his smartphone, seemingly oblivious to the trouble he had just gotten himself into.

’Let’s see if you’re good enough to become my subordinate.’