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CHEERS AND LOUD MUSIC could be heard as Max and his friends walk their way to the Great Hall, not just to eat their lunch, but to witness the Monthly Reranking Announcement. They were going to be there the entire afternoon only for that event.

     Students are excited and nervous at the same time, especially when their ranks will be announced to everyone present, even to the brotherhoods. Brotherhoods also have to take a close look at the ranks as they can use this to help recruit new underlings or someone they can watch over in general.

     "It's like a festival," Max comments as they arrive at the Great Hall.

     Students were everywhere, and surprisingly enough, the teachers were also there. They usually eat their lunch at a private teacher's dining hall, but today they decided to eat at the Great Hall to check their students' new ranks.

    There were also screens attached on almost every corner so everyone can see their ranks when it starts flashing later, and there was even a stage in the middle where the Monarchs are performing.

    "Still can't believe Heaven's rank 6. I would have at least expected it to be their vocalist," Max then adds as they walk their way to their seats, avoiding the crowd who were hyping up the band.

     When they got to their table, a smile instantly appears on Max's face. It's been a while since he went to eat lunch like normal, so seeing the members of both Jokers and BND together made Max feel warm and happy inside.

     "Looks like everyone's here," Max says, also referring to the other brotherhoods who were already at their balconies.

     "Little Toy!" Master Joker shouts with joy as soon as he sees Max.

     Max, Ari, Felix, and Ervin approach their table and take their usual seat as Hans says, "Look who finally arrived. It's Crème de la crème's rank 1. Congratulations on getting your inheritance back Max."

NOTE: For reference, this is their usual seat in the Great Hall. Their table can only accommodate ten students so they had to take another table when BND decided to join them too instead of eating at the balcony with the other brotherhoods. The ones written in red are those who no longer change seats (it's their permanent seat), while those in black tend to switch around.

     Max sits beside Krist and thanks BND's leader for the greeting. Krist then drapes his hand around Max and tells him, "All of us watched the news at the rooftop. We were all rooting for you just like when you competed in that pageant. I'm so proud I could kiss you right now."

     "I'm touched," Max says with a chuckle, but then Marcus suddenly leans towards them and pushes Krist away from him.

     "Not a chance jester," he says before looking back at his brother. "But why'd you come to school today? You should have stayed at home to rest."

     "There's no way I'm missing out on this one. I already missed the announcement last time," Max explains.

     "Well you didn't really miss out on anything last time," Brave says, and Khian, who's sitting beside Marcus, nods his head in agreement and adds, "That's right, nothing serious happened. But thankfully you decided to join in now because there have been rumors that a lot of the ranks changed. It's going to be an actual mess later on."

     "Lucky for you guys then. Brotherhoods don't have to go through this every month," Ari complains, making Krist scoff at him.

     "This announcement is child's play. Brotherhoods on the other hand have an Annual Brotherhood Reranking. That's more terrifying than this," Krist explains, and Ari doesn't say anything anymore because he was right. Annual Brotherhood Reranking is like regular brotherhood battles, but instead of just battling one on one, all the brotherhoods on all the Houses will be battling against each other. This is also the battle that will determine if the royals will change or not.

     "That battle is on the second term, right? Around the end of February. I heard about it during my Brotherhood History Class," Max explains.

     "That's right. We still have three months to train for that, but we can't be too complacent. That battle will determine what will happen to each House. As much as I don't like Viktor, it would be a mess if Busters get demoted. Or worse, change houses," Hans then says, making Arjun turn to hit him on the head.

     "Don't jinx it!"

     "Why'd you have to hit me though?!"

     While the two started arguing all of a sudden, the Monarchs were finally done performing. The crowd relaxes after basically partying with them, and then the white uniforms eventually head back to their tables as the waiters arrive to hand over everyone's lunch.

     "The rankings will be flashed on the screens shortly. We encourage everyone to listen attentively to see your updated rank and merit points," a voice suddenly announces, instantly making the white uniforms start cheering.

     "Damn, I'm nervous," Ervin suddenly says.

     Max, who was calmly taking a sip of his chicken soup, looks at Ervin and tells him, "Don't worry, you'll rank high. Don't get Ari's negativity get the best of you."

     As everyone was getting ready, the screens finally turns off, making the students cheer even louder.

     J.S High's logo was flashed first and then their House logo followed. Finally, a picture of a student was shown and the number 599 was written below it.

     "Rank 599, first-year student of class D, Justin Peters, with a total of 220 merit points...serf," the voice announces, and just a couple of seconds after that, a student was suddenly lifted up in the air as the people around him starts cheering.

     "There goes the first blood," Felix says as he continues with his lunch. "All of the first-year students are anxious about ranking at the very last so they start cheering like that when someone other than their name finally gets announced."

     "I can't really complain. I was ranked 556 when I first got here after all," Max says, making Krist laugh, but he eventually stops when he sees Marcus glaring at him.

     "Well, you guys can relax for the time being. There are still a few names to be called before you guys start hearing yours," Red then assures them, so the four friends continue their lunch in peace while names were called one by one.

     As time passes, some white uniforms started cheering, while some got mad and even ran out of the Great Hall. And as the ranks got higher and higher, the atmosphere was getting a lot tenser, especially for the upperclassmen. Unlike the first years who are still carefree about their ranks, second-years up to the fourth years are a lot more serious, so none of them cheered.

     "Shit, we're in rank 415 now," Felix says, immediately dropping his spoon to look at the screen.

     "Oh yeah, you were ranked 408 before right?" Max asks, and Felix nods his head without removing his eyes from the screen. Despite not having any strong desire to rank up, Felix felt a bit bad for being the only serf in his class. He also felt like if he wants to stay beside someone like Max, he definitely has to rank higher than what he is now.

     So Max and the rest of their friends - even Jokers and BND - stopped eating for a moment to look at the screen as well to check if Felix got promoted or demoted. But when rank 408 was finally announced and it wasn't Felix who was on the screen, everyone at their table practically jumps out of their seats, making the students around them give them strange looks.

    "Holy shit, you got promoted!" Ari excitedly says with disbelief, but Felix was still focused on the screen despite everyone congratulating him. If he was no longer 408, then what's his new rank now?.

     Rank 407 was eventually announced right after that. And then rank 406...

     405

     404

     403

     402

     401

     "No...fucking...way..." Ari slowly stands from his seat in shock. And when rank 400 was finally announced, everyone at their tables starts cheering like their favorite football team just scored a goal.

     "Rank 400, second-year student of class A, Felix Campbell, with a total of 2220 merit points...dweller," the voice announces, and Felix finally stands from his seat and starts jumping up and down with Ari who eventually grabbed him for a hug.

     Max takes a sip of his tea and smiles at their friend proudly for finally advancing to a dweller. Ervin on the other hand gives them a couple of seconds to celebrate before finally clearing his throat and saying, "Okay lovebirds, get back to your seats."

     Ari immediately lets go of Felix and embarrassingly sits down while Krist and the others laugh at him.

     "It was because I got excited," Ari defends, but no one bought it so he and Felix settled down as the rest of the ranks were announced.

     "One down, three more to go," Brave says, referring to Max, Ervin, and Ari.

     Ari was the highest-ranked white uniform amongst them, while Max followed. Max was supposed to be lower than Ervin and Felix, but thanks to all the points he acquired from Jokers and BND, Max eventually got pulled up at an insane speed.

     "What was your rank?" Krist asks while he was slicing his steak.

     Ervin sat properly and faced Krist before answering, "I was rank 337, Master Joker."

     Krist nods his head in understanding and glances back at the screen. Unlike Felix, Ervin was Krist's underling. Jokers are Max's protectors, but at the same time, they're like the fathers of their Jacks. After changing ways, Krist encouraged his underlings to do well so that they wouldn't be looked down upon by the other underlings who are usually ranked higher than them. That's why Krist became more strict when it comes to their studies and their ranks.

     "You'll definitely get promoted Ervin," Felix encourages, now feeling all better since he was able to rank up even though it wasn't really high.

     Ervin smiles and grabs his glass of water so he could swallow the lump in his throat. And when it was already in rank 345, everyone at their table stopped eating again to look at the screen to check Ervin's new rank.

     Ervin nervously waits as the rank got higher and higher. And when it finally reached rank 337 - Ervin's previous rank - their table once again cheered when Ervin's picture wasn't shown on screen. 

     "Another one got promoted! Looks like hanging with us helped you guys. See, we're not bad influence at all!" Rome - who's on the other table - suddenly says, making the others laugh.

     Everyone then looks back at the screen to check how high Ervin's rank was. But when it reached 320, and Ervin was still not called, Felix, Max, and Ari couldn't help but be shocked.

     "No way! You're higher than rank 320 now! You already passed sir Barron's requirements for staying in Class II-A!" Ari says, while Felix pouts and stuffs his mouth with salad before saying, "I'm so jealous!"

     Ervin couldn't help but smile in relief knowing that he was able to get promoted so much. Max saw his reaction, so he looks at him and suddenly pats his head like how he usually does to Felix.

     Ervin acts annoyed and pushes Max's hand away, but deep down he was thankful. Ervin would admit that this is all thanks to Max with no hesitation. If Max didn't conquer Jokers, and if he didn't take him and made him join his group of friends, Ervin would have lost his motivation and would eventually become a serf.

     Max doesn't know it, but he helped influence a lot of students in J.S High.

     "Rank 318, second-year student of class A, Ervin Walker, with a total of 2700 merit points...dweller," the voice finally announces, and this time, Jokers stood up from their seats and congratulated Ervin.

     "That's our Jack!" Toni proudly says while messing Ervin's hair.

     Ervin was acting shy at first, but he eventually starts laughing because of pure joy. Krist then looks at him too and tells him, "You did a good job. Congratulations."

     Ervin respectfully sat up straight again and bowed his head as the members of Jokers went back to their seats. Even though he doesn't show it, Master Jokers' congratulations meant a lot to him too.

     "Told you you'll do well," Max tells him.

     Ervin smiles and then answers, "Thank you...Max."

     Max was confused about why he was suddenly thanked by Ervin. He was supposed to ask what it was for, but then Hans looks at him and says, "Looks like it's Max's turn. When you won Mr. Brains and Brawn we announced that you're in rank 308 with 3350 points."

     "Yeah, it felt like it was only yesterday when we were training you," Red suddenly says, and Max looks at him and was about to open his mouth when Red immediately adds, "Please don't thank me again for the bombing incident."

     "I'd honestly thank you too but I'm pretty sure you'll hit me again," Marcus comments, making Hans and the others chuckle.

     Since Ervin and Max's ranks were close together, their table eventually settles down to look back at the screen to wait for Max's new rank.

     "You're literally eight ranks away from becoming a gaffer like Ari. Honestly, I'm not even going to be shocked if you surpass him," Ervin says, and Max finishes his tea first before finally looking at the screen.

     Max wasn't really nervous, but that doesn't mean he was confident either. He was prepared for the outcome no matter what it was, especially when he knows his own capabilities.

     "Alright, we're in rank 310..." Marcus says as he and everyone at their table stare at the screen intensely.

     They were all getting ready to check rank 308, but to their surprise, when it was still rank 310, Max's picture shows up on the screen, almost making everyone - not just those in their table but the rest of the white uniforms as well - to gasp from shock.

     "N-No...wait...that can't be," Felix says with disbelief.

     No one wanted to remove their eyes on the screen until the voice finally announces, "Rank 310, second-year student of class A, Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire, with a total of 3850 merit points...dweller."

     Ari and the others finally look back at Max. They were getting ready to comfort the heir, but to their surprise, Max was eating again as if nothing happened.

     When they saw Max's indifferent reaction, Krist clears his throat and says, "Uhm...little toy, your rank was just announced."

     Max finishes chewing his food first before cleaning his mouth with a napkin. He then looks back at his friends and says, "Don't worry, I know."

      "Aren't you...disappointed? You just got demoted," Ari then says, but Max shakes his head to disprove it.

    "I somehow already expected that my rank would get lower. I've been busy with my inheritance after all so I haven't done anything in J.S High recently. The only points I acquired after the pageant was the points that I got from Omega Society," Max explains, making everyone realize it too.

     "But you shouldn't be so complacent though. The first term is about to end. You have to rank higher if you're aiming to be part of the Elites. You're not even a gaffer yet, what more if you want to enter the top 100, especially the top 10" Khian scolds, and Max sincerely nods his head in understanding.

     "Don't worry, I'm not going to slack off anymore," Max says before looking up at the balcony where Cigarettes and Crazy 8 were. "I know where I'll get my points," he then adds.

     "Well, if you're not worried then there's no reason for us to be worried too. This is Max we're talking about after all. We need to trust him. And besides, there's nothing wrong with being a dweller. As long as you're not a serf anymore, right?" Ari says.

     "Why do I feel like you're boasting because you're still the only gaffer among us?" Max teases, making Ari start laughing awkwardly before shoving cream puffs in his mouth.

     Hans, who's sitting beside Ari, suddenly drapes his arm around Ari's shoulder before saying, "If you're so confident then let's see where you rank. If you get demoted even just by one rank, you can kiss your underling brooch goodbye."

     Ari gulps the food in his mouth and nervously looks at the screen. "I knew it you were going to say that..."

     "Ari's checked his rank last week and he's rank was 292. You might miss it," Felix then adds, enjoying his friend's torment.

     Everyone then looks back at the screen again when it was already ranked 300. Lucky for Ari, even if he gets demoted now, he's still going to be a gaffer since he's already in rank 300 and higher.

     The ranks went higher and higher until it was finally ranked 293. It was the last rank that will determine if Ari really did get demoted, but when the picture of who ranks 293 was shown, Hans sighs and pulls his arm away from Ari.

     "Yes! I didn't get demoted!" Ari happily cheers. But when he saw his friends' reaction, he angrily crosses his arms and says, "Why do you guys look disappointed?! Shouldn't you be happy for me?"

     Max laughs at everyone's uninterested reaction and says instead, "Congratulations Ari."

     "See, only Max cares about me," Ari complains, but then BND finally stopped acting as Hansol reaches out for Ari to mess his hair up like what Jokers did to Ervin.

     "As expected by our Rose," Hansol tells him, making Ari smile proudly at himself again.

     "Can you at least act humble for once?" Felix suddenly says, making everyone laugh.

     Eventually, Ari's rank was announced. And as expected by their ever so genius class rep, Ari was promoted.

     "Rank 289, second-year student of class A, Aristotle Faulkner, with a total of 4100 merit points...gaffer," the voice finally announces, but Ari's friends continue to tease them as they clap their hands for him instead of cheering like they did to Felix and Ervin.

     "Oh come on!" Ari complains like a kid, and everyone laughs and finally enjoys their lunch.

     Despite the unexpected outcomes, everyone still enjoyed themselves. This was a rare moment for them to just sit down and enjoy each other's company. This was a moment where Max and the others could feel that they're still just regular high school students.

     Like them, everyone finally relaxed as the ranks got higher and higher. Most of them were also finished with their lunch, so waiters arrived to hand them desserts and beverages next since they have been here for hours now.

     The other students aren't really required to stay, but most of them did because of one reason and one reason only...

     "The lower ranks have now been announced. May we now welcome...the top 10 highest ranked students of J.S High."

- END -