♜

"ST. GEORGE ACADEMY IS now eliminated. The 19th winner of Mr. Brains and Brawn is...J.S High!" The female voice announces, and the entire auditorium in J.S High was dead silent.

    The students of J.S High stare at the screen with shock on their faces. No one said a thing because not a single person expected the outcome. Well, except for one brave soul named Aristotle Faulkner.

     "J.S High won! Beat that you preppy motherfuckers!" Ari suddenly shouts while standing on top of his seat. And as soon as he said that, the crowd finally cheers, and Felix and Ervin join their crazy friend.

     The students stand from their seats as well and throw their peak cap in the air like it was their graduation, while some jumped up and down because of complete excitement. BND on the other hand hugged each other while Jokers and Crazy 8 congratulated them for successfully training Max for an entire month.

     While everyone was cheering for their victory, the royals were sitting silently in their seats while Viktor continues to watch the screen as Max emerged out of the school building that he literally just blew up.

     "What a terrifying boy," Viktor whispers underneath his breath before draping his arm around the shoulders of the man sitting beside him, Kim Hee-joon. "Don't you agree, my prince?" He then asks.

     "I usually wouldn't care about such useless events, but that kid...rose the flag of our great house; something that a white uniform has never done before. As a brotherhood member, I am thankful," Hee-joon explains, making Viktor chuckle.

     "So, do you approve of him now?" Viktor continues to asks.

     Hee-joon doesn't answer that questions, so Viktor just lets it go. He then turns his head on the right and looks straight at vice president Gavriil who's sitting just across the aisle where the white uniforms are.

     As their eyes meet, Viktor sadistically smirks and says, "Make no mistakes my dear vice president. If you keep running away, you'll end up right where you left off."

     Gavriil doesn't show any reaction on his face, but he angrily grips on the armrest of his seat before quickly standing up. "If you may excuse me, my king," he says instead before bowing at Viktor and walking away.

     Viktor chuckles at Gavriil's reaction and looks back at Max on the screen. The grin on his face slowly fades, and with a serious expression, Viktor touches the crown brooch on his collar and says, "You gotta climb faster Sinclaire, or you'll end up sitting on an occupied throne."

...

Max walks out of the battlegrounds with Asahi walking beside him. Earlier, there weren't any people waiting for them there, but as soon as they stepped out of the building, the press suddenly welcomed them, almost blinding Max because of the camera flashes.

     "Max! Congratulations!" One of the reporters shouted.

     "Maximilian! How do you feel at the moment?"

     "Did you expect to win? Or was it all out of luck?"

     Question after questions were asked as Max tries to avoid the crowd. Thankfully, the men who gave them their equipment earlier arrived and aggressively pushed them away from the heir.

     "A press conference will be held at the Athena Theater, as well as the official coronation. We request that you ask your questions there," one of the men in suit announces.

     Asahi, who was safely standing behind Max, move close to him and whispers, "Looks like you're going to be all over the news tomorrow."

     Max chuckles but doesn't say anything as he and Asahi were escorted back to their bus where the other contestants and even the medics were.

     As soon as Max got inside the bus, almost all of the contestants - except for Kingston - start clapping their hands to congratulate the winner. Even Asahi was being congratulated for being the 1st runner-up.

    "Congratulation Sinclaire," the contestant from Rose Valley High says, making Max smile at him.

     While walking back to their seats, the contestants continue to congratulate him. Even Magnus and Gengxin congratulated him despite everything that happened earlier. But as Max walked past Kingston's seat, he suddenly stops and looks at him.

    Kingston looks back at him with a bitter expression. He crosses his arms and looks out of the window to avoid Max like a kid, but Max smiles and reaches out his hand for Kingston. "You did great. Westberg Academy is definitely proud of you, Kingston Creed," he sincerely tells him, making every contestant in the bus quiet.

     They wait for Kingston's reaction while Kingston continued to act stubbornly. But as Max was about to put his hand down, Kingston finally looks back at him and says, "I still hate you and your school to death," he tells Max.

     Max almost laughed, but Kingston surprisingly shakes Max's hand and adds, "But congratulations for being the new Mr. Brains & Brawn. Your victory was well deserved."

     Everyone was surprised by the sudden sportsmanship, but Max smiles and congratulates Kington back on placing 2nd runner-up because, at the end of the day, they all did their best. They enjoyed the competition, and they're proud to have represented their schools.

     "There will still be more chances for us to prove ourselves, so don't be so complacent Sinclaire," Kingston then says before finally pulling his hand away from Max.

     Max nods his head and walks back to their seats where the other white uniforms were. While Asahi was now being treated by a medic, Nox and Nicolás practically tackle Max as they run to his side to hug him.

     "That's what I'm talking about! You actually won!" Nox excitedly says.

     "Honestly it didn't really matter who won at the end since both you and Asahi are from Brotherhood Houses, but I'm glad the House of Kings took the final victory. It's kinda symbolic in a way," Nicolás then says.

      Max lets the two hug him as he thanks them again for helping him achieve his victory.

     Eventually, the driver arrived and drove the contestants back to the auditorium where the coronation will be held.

     While medics continued to attend to those who were injured, the contestants start sharing their own experiences back at the battlefield. They shared what happened to them, and how they lost.

     Apparently, when Kingston said that Asahi shot Nox with no hesitation, it was actually Nox who told Asahi to just shoot him so his cover won't be blown. It honestly surprised Max because even at that moment, they still showcased their brotherhood.

     Gengxin then became vocal about how Kingston betrayed him, but everyone just laughed it off.

     Even the contestant from Highlands High couldn't help but share how he stupidly slipped thanks to the slippery trap that Max and Nox did during the time they were there to steal his map.

     For the first time, Max felt relieved. After a month of intense training, it was finally over. It was a miracle that he won, but it was an even more amazing miracle that he was able to meet Nox, Nicolás, Asahi, and even the other contestants because Max is well aware that if it were a different set of people, things could have ended differently.

     "You seem happy," Asahi - the boy sitting beside Max - suddenly asks while Nox and the other contestants continue to laugh and talk with each other.

     "I just won Mr. Brains and Brawn. Why wouldn't I be?" Max asks back, making Asahi chuckle.

     "You have a point," he tells him. "But as the new winner, allow me to give you a little present."

     Max looks back at Asahi with his brows furrowed out of confusion. "Present? What do you mean by that?"

     Asahi looks around to make sure that no one was listening to them. When the coast was clear, Asahi moves to Max's ear and whispers, "A huge storm is about to fall upon our great houses."

     Max's eyes widen from shock, and before he could even ask Asahi about what he meant, Asahi moves away from him and says, "You told me earlier that your house will surely pay this debt. I hope when the time comes...you won't forget about that promise."

     Max wanted to know more, but then the bus stops, revealing that they are now back at the Athena Theater where the Beauty portion was held earlier.

     The press was surprisingly already there, even fans of the pageant and the contestants who just wanted to get a closer look were there as well with their phones held high. As the bus parks in front of the theater, everyone instantly swarms around it like flies, hoping that they'd get a good shot of the contestants.

     "Alright, it's showtime," Nox says as he immediately stands from his seat, his injury now better after getting treated by the medics.

      All the contestants then stood up as well, and one by one, they step out of the bus to greet the cameras with bright smiles.

     Gengxin, Kingston, Asahi, and Max were held back while the others got out. Afterward, Gengxin and Kingston went out and then followed by Asahi, until finally, it was Max's turn.

    Max takes a step out of the bus as cameras welcome him again, some even just inches away from his face. People were screaming and asking questions that Max couldn't even understand a single word anymore.

     Thankfully, guards were there to escort them, and the contestants safely arrive inside where the sponsors - who also watched the pageant live - were cheering for them.

    "The third runner-up, Lincoln High School, Li Gengxin!" A voice announces as Gengxin makes his way inside the auditorium, his face still cold like he didn't just place third runner-up for one of the most anticipated pageants in the country.

     "The second runner-up, Westberg Academy, Kingston Creed!" The voice announces next as the cheers grow louder. And even though he did not like how things ended, Kingston showed off his signature smile as he waved to the crowd like the winner that he is.

     "Now for the first runner-up, let us welcome St. George Academy, Asahi Tsukumo."

     Unlike Gengxin, Asahi was now smiling at the crowd despite the cold demeanor that he showed earlier during the beauty portion of the pageant. He was glad to have been the representative of the House of Bishops, and he was glad to have been placed as the first runner-up.

     The other contestants sat back down at the front, while the three runner-ups proceeded to the stage where the head organizer of the pageant is.

     As Asahi takes his place beside Kingston, almost everyone inside the auditorium stood up from their seats to get a better view of the winner. Even Nox and the other white uniforms couldn't help but smile in excitement.

     "Now let us all give a big round of applause to the 19th winner of Mr. Brains & Brawn, the representative of J.S High...Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire!"

    Everyone starts clapping and cheering as Max finally makes his entrance. He waves at the crowd and gives out a warm smile. This moment was something that he has been hoping for since the day Krist told him that BND chose him as the representative for this very competition.

     "Congrats Max!" some of the contestants shout as Max heads towards the stage where he was welcomed by Asahi and the others.

    The crowd settles down, and the head organizer of Mr. Brains & Brawn walks towards the podium for his closing remarks.

     "Good afternoon everyone," he first greets. "My name is Jonathan O'Brien, but everyone just calls me Mr. J. I have been the head organizer of this pageant for the past 19 years, and I have been amazed by these wonderful contestants every single time. I am thankful to have held this pageant again, and I am thankful to everyone who made it possible, especially the contestants, so please, give them a big round of applause," Mr. J says, automatically making everyone clap their hands.

     When the clapping sound died down, he continued, "Thank you, everyone, for making this pageant a success. Now, I present to you this year's winners of Mr. Brains and Brawn!"

     The crowd cheers one more time, and then two men in tuxedos suddenly stand from their seats.

     "Let us welcome Mr. Trương Ngọc Tình, the 18th winner of Mr. Brains & Brawn from Westberg Academy, and Mr. Kongnat Choeisuwan, the 1st runner-up from Westminster College, for the crowing of the new winners," a voice announces as two men head to the stage while waving at the crowd.

    The two past winners were then accompanied by two organizers who were holding a glass case with four different badges, and another with four different sashes.

     Mr. J, who is still standing in front of the podium, welcomes the winners one by one.

     "Now once again, the third runner-up, Li Gengxin from Lincoln High School."

     Gengxin moves forward as last year's 1st runner-up approaches him to help him wear the sash around his neck. And then a badge was pinned on his chest. This was followed by Kingston and Asahi respectively.

     "Congratulations. And finally, I once again present to you the champion for this year's Mr. Brains & Brawn, from J.S High...Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire!"

    The last year's champion approaches Max as the crowd cheers for the final victor. It was Mr. Trương Ngọc Tình's turn to approach Max as he walks his way towards him so Max could wear the sash.

     "Congratulations," he tells Max, making Max smile. He then pins him his badge, indicating that he really did win this pageant.

     "Give it up for the winners!"

     The coronation was over before it even began, and like what they said earlier, the four winners were asked to sit at a long table for the much-awaited press conference that was still broadcasted live for the public to see.

     Questions after questions were thrown at the contestants. Questions like how did Kingston feel after failing to bring home another win for his school, or how Gengxin felt when he was betrayed. But as the press conference went on, some of the questions made Max realize how different the outside world views J.S High and the other brotherhood houses in general.

     "This is the first time that two schools from the brotherhood houses placed in this pageant. How do you guys feel about this? Let's have Mr. Tsukumo first, and then Mr. Sinclaire," one of the reporters asks.

     Asahi leans close to the microphone in front of him. He clears his throat first and says, "As we all know, our Houses only managed to participate in this pageant five years ago. Of course, I am honored to have won alongside Mr. Sinclaire, but we have to keep in mind that we aren't like the other schools who have been participating in this pageant for 19 years now."

    Asahi then pauses and gestures at Max so he could answer the question as well.

    "Like what Asahi said, we are glad to have represented our houses, and this is only the beginning so expect more from us in the future."

     As soon as Max finished his answers, reporters immediately raised their hands to ask the next question. Max takes a deep breath and points at a man sitting at the far back.

    The man immediately stands and asks the next question, "You are well aware of the controversy that happened when D & F High school, also known as the House of Knights, won the pageant four years ago. Are you two ready when such situations become an issue again?"

     The question surprised both of them, but before Asahi could even answer the question, Max immediately moves close to his microphone and asks back, "And why would there be any issues?"

     The reporter was flustered by the question being thrown back at him, so another reporter bravely answers, "Because everyone, even the public, is well aware of the brotherhoods inside your schools. It is recognized by the public, and even by the government, but a lot believes that your participation in the pageant is unfair for the other contestants. You might not be members of brotherhoods yourselves, but you were trained by them, which is a disadvantage to others."

     Max and Asahi immediately look at each other, and Kingston couldn't help but snicker; not because he's making fun of the two white uniforms, but because he couldn't believe that someone was actually idiotic enough to ask such a stupid question to Max.

     The auditorium becomes silent as they wait for an answer. Everyone was staring at Max, while some were hoping that he'd mess up somehow.

    Sadly, they've underestimated him. Just because he's from J.S High, people ended up forgetting what kind of heir he actually is.

     And Max...is definitely a terrifying heir.

     "If that is the case then they are threatened by us, is that not correct?" Max finally asks back as an answer.

    The question flustered the reporter even more, but he immediately composes himself as he says, "Of course they are threatened by you because like what I said, your school houses brotherhoods and—"

     "And how sure are you that the other schools do not house them as well? Just because we started this concept does not mean they did not follow it."

     "I—"

     "But if that weren't the case then aren't they trained by professionals as well, which is a lot better than being trained by mere students? And why are we even putting these brotherhoods on a pedestal? Why is everyone so scared of them? Why do we not allow brotherhoods to join such events like Mr. Brain & Brawn?" Max continues to ask.

     But before any of the reposters can even answer him, Max immediately continues, "Because these brotherhoods are the students who are considered the best students in the world. They are fearsome, respected, smart, clever, and brave. They are all those traits because our school was able to harness such skills. J.S High and the rest of the brotherhood houses are equipped to create such amazing students. Now, if that is an issue for other people then that is not our fault. Blame their schools for not being able to create students like the ones in our houses."

     As soon as Max finished his answer, the entire auditorium was completely silent.

     The reporters nor the audience couldn't say a single word, but then Gengxin suddenly starts clapping his hands, followed by Kingston and the rest of the contestants.

     Eventually, everyone ended up clapping, and the reporters were left speechless.

     "Make no mistakes everyone. J.S High is an amazing school filled with amazing students. This is only the beginning of our reign, and everyone will know the name of our great houses. I'll make sure of it. Mark my word."

- END -