♛

EVERYONE IN THE AUDITORIUM was completely silent as Max moved away from the podium. While walking to the center of the stage, Max adjusts his collar and looks back at the audience with a smile.

     The students, as well as the Elites, were expecting Max to start bragging about his achievements so he could intimidate them. They were preparing to roll their eyes and think of clever punch lines just to embarrass him, but unfortunately for them, Max had different plans.

     As they all expected, Max wanted to rub to their faces everything he had achieved and gone through in J.S High, just like his speech back at the House of Queens, but he changed his mind as soon as he stepped foot on stage.

     These were students from other schools. Other than the fact that his achievements in J.S High won't impress them as much as the white uniforms in other houses, they also went through their own hardships that they consider impressive. They were chosen to represent their schools because they bring pride to their names, so bragging to them would be like talking against a perfectly painted wall.

     That's why Max decided to use a different approach...

     "My name is Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire, a second-year student in class A," Max begins while everyone's eyes stare in his direction.

     "Today marks your first day in J.S High, and since I was given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I hope you can give me the chance to brag," Max says, and a bunch of students instantly started chuckling like they predicted this from the start.

     "About our great House," Max suddenly adds, surprising the students, as well as the professors. Sir Barron was surprised too, while the Elites, especially Gavriil and Ian, couldn't help but start smiling like proud parents. They didn't predict that Max would use this chance to brag about their school, so they couldn't help but be impressed.

     Max walks around the stage and looks at everyone one by one.

     "J.S High values the growth of the students more than anything. I know that most of you here call us savages and uneducated. Still, behind the battles and the ranks and the titles, the students of the House of Kings are unmatched," Max explains with a serious look on his face, showing everyone that he wasn't saying this as some sort of joke or mockery.

     "We are a school that specializes in business studies, but anyone who is considered remarkable will be eligible to enroll. One reason is that J.S High is filled with professors who are equipped to teach you the subjects that will help you in your future endeavors outside the campus," Max says while looking at the professors.

     "Second reason is that we have clubs that are dedicated to honing the students' skills to their highest potential. We have the broadcasting club, literature club, history, math, arts, science; you name it! J.S High offers clubs that are sure to pique the interest of the students."

     Max pauses and chuckles to himself before adding, "I myself am part of a club called the Omega Society. In the beginning, I thought nothing of it, but now I value the work and dedication of my peers, which helped me understand the true meaning of team and collaborative work."

     The guests were still silent, and some were even dumbfounded by the direction this speech was going. But as the students were trying to decide if Max was being serious or not, a student from Westminster College suddenly raised their hands, making everyone look back at her.

     Max was surprised too, and for a second, he thought that the girl was going to mock him, but when Max pointed at the guests, the female student shyly stood from her seat and asked, "W-what's...the omega society?"

     Max's eyes widened, but then he immediately smiled and answered her, "I have so much to say about that, but let's begin with the two other major brotherhood societies first."

     And so, Max talked about clubs, the brotherhood week, the freshmen ball, and even the field trip. He shared with them everything that goes on in their school, as well as the titles that keep their system going. Max wasn't entirely sure if they would listen, but as time went on, the students became interested to learn more. Students started giving out questions and were even asking if they could try it out too. It was an outcome that no one expected.

     "How about the brotherhoods?" Someone then asks right after Max talks about the significance of their armbands.

     "Brotherhoods? Well, brotherhoods are considered the pillars of our house. They are the very image of J.S High," Max answers.

     "So they're like the gods, and you're just mere followers?" Another student suddenly asks, making everyone quiet.

     Max looked at the far back and saw a student raising his hand. At first glance, Max thought that he was smoking, but when the student stood up, Max realized that it was just a lollipop. The student fixed his uniform and looked directly at Max. When they saw who the owner of the voice was, Max instantly smirked.

    It was Jontell Rosario.

     "It always made me question it because if you say that you guys are so great, then why are you separated by black and white? Why do you idolize those students so much? Is it because they battle? Is that it? You speak as if you are all equal when in fact, you're all just scared of them. Is that the pillars that you're talking about?" Jontell asks, and the guests start nodding their heads to agree with his claims.

    "That bastard is seriously annoying," Nicolás Vega from House of Knights suddenly whispers, making Asahi nudge him on the side so Jontell wouldn't accidentally hear him.

     The rest of the students started whispering at each other as well while Max walked to the edge of the stage. He didn't say anything for a while, and the others thought that he didn't know how to answer it. For a brief moment, Gavriil almost joined him on stage to assist him, but Ian grabbed his arm to stop him, reminding their vice president that Max could handle it.

    "Before I answer your question, let me personally welcome you first," Max finally says, making everyone stop talking.

     "As the student council president of René Descartes International, I welcome you to our school, Mr. Jontell Rosario," Max then greets, bowing his head and shocking everyone in the auditorium because they didn't expect that Max would know such a trivial thing about Crème de la Crème's rank 4.

    Jontell was surprised too, but he chuckled as a response. He wasn't expecting such a reaction at all. It really shows that Max is a son of the Lemieux family because it's clear that he does not fear him.

     "Now let me address your concerns one by one. For your first point, let me just say that our uniforms do not separate us in the way that you might expect. Like a black and red pen, regardless of the ink, it is still a pen. It may have a different purpose, but it writes like any other pen. Our uniforms are like that. We have different titles and roles, but we are still students of one school. Besides, you're not being forced to wear a white uniform if you don't want to," Max explains, making Asahi and the rest of the white uniforms from the other houses smile.

     "And about the idolization. Well, you're right. We do idolize the brotherhoods. But you forget, there are also the members of the Elites and even those who have the title of gaffer. Like the brotherhoods, we look up to them too, because we admire those who strive to rise to the top. We want to be like them, and that's why we cheer and bow," Max explains next, turning his head to look at the Elites who were giving Max a thumbs up.

     "And lastly, it's true that we fear the brotherhoods. But our fear is not born solely out of spite. Fear is subjective, and students who fear the brotherhoods know that there is fear because they have done something wrong. Brotherhoods have always thought of the well-being and improvements of the white uniforms, and they do what they do because they have a reason. Believe me, I know," Max answers, pointing at the brooches on his collar this time.

     "Do you have any other concerns, Mr. Rosario?"

     Jontell looks at Max and smirks before shaking his head. "Your answers were flavourful," he says before finally taking a seat.

    "Well, are there any other questions?" Max asks, but none of the guests raise their hands anymore.

     Max nods his head and takes a deep breath before walking back to the podium. He adjusts the microphone and then his peak cap before giving his final words to the guests.

     "This Elite School Convention is not being held because we want you to think we're better than you. I highly believe that the achievement you have earned in your school is as impressive as any other. We hope you enjoy your stay here and learn as much as you can. And we hope that your time here will give you a better perspective on what J.S High is truly about," Max explains, and the students nodded their heads like Max was some kind of well-respected spokesperson.

     "Now, to end this, let me once again give you my humble introduction," Max says with a bright smile that is almost contagious. "As part of the top ten highest ranking students of J.S High, the conquerer of the barons, counts, marquis, and dukes, the fastest white uniform to earn their gold armband, the winner of Brains & Brawn 2023, and the club leader of Omega Society...I once again welcome you to J.S High."

     Max moves away from the podium again and deeply bows at the guests, leaving them all dumbfounded. The Elites, on the other hand, couldn't help but chuckle because Max ended up bragging about himself after all.

     But I guess that was the best way to wrap things up because to Max's surprise, Asahi, Nox, and Nicolás stood from their seats and started clapping their hands. Magnus and Gengxin followed, and eventually, Kingston did the same. Soon after, everyone stood and clapped their hands as well. Even Jontell was on his feet.

     As much as Max wanted to prove everyone wrong, he mentioned before that he would change everyone's perspective of their school. This isn't only just about him anymore. He swore that he would make everyone respect J.S High, and that's what he's going to do.

     When Max is able to finish his unexpected welcome speech, Ian joins him on stage and wraps everything up while Max runs backstage where Gavriil is waiting for him.

     "Did I do good?" He asks as soon as he stops in front of the vice president.

     "Better than I expected. I guess it was also a good decision to have you speak to them because Jontell didn't end up causing any trouble," Gavriil says, reaching out to carefully tuck Max's hair behind his ear, almost making Max grab his hand so he could touch him.

     "Gavriil, we should go," Richard suddenly calls out as the guests start leaving the auditorium.

     "Give me a second," Gavriil answers before looking back at Max. "The Elites still have a meeting before the guests start joining the classes tomorrow, so I'll have to go first."

     "Alright. I'll just head to the great hall. I think Ari and the others are already waiting for me there," Max replies.

     "Then I'll see you when I see you, okay?"

     "Okay."

     Without saying anything else, Gavriil quickly runs to where Ian and the others are before walking out from the backstage exit.

     Everyone else walks out of the auditorium, leaving Max alone backstage. Right after removing his peak cap, he takes a deep breath and massages his shoulders. Being asked to make a speech out of the blue was a request that Max did not expect to receive, but at the same time, he felt like it was some sort of test that president Ian and sir Barron made for him. This was definitely not only because of Jontell.

     Now the question is, what was the test for?

     "I should just head to the great hall and worry about this after the convention," Max whispers to himself before walking out of the auditorium. But as Max was about to reach the exit, he suddenly noticed a figure leaning on the wall with his arm crossed. He didn't know who it would be, but as he got a better view of him, Max immediately put his cap back on.

     "Mr. Rosario," Max calls out.

     Jontell pulls out the lollipop from his mouth and puts one hand inside his pocket before walking towards Max with a grin on his face. "You did a great speech earlier. You've improved," Jontell says, but Max doesn't say anything, which only makes Jontell chuckle.

    "How have you been...Leigh? Still pretending like we don't know each other?" Jontell asks, walking closer to Max until they are inches away from each other. "Ever since you enrolled here, you stopped talking to me. I've been very lonely."

    "Stop it. I have cut ties with you ever since you—"

    "Since when? I don't remember agreeing to that," Jontell quickly defends, making Max clench his fist in irritation. He didn't want to entertain him any further, so without even giving a reply, Max tried to walk away.

     "Come on now, Leigh. When you stopped being friends with Gav and Cindy, who do you think stayed beside you? I was the only one there, but you threw me away. We understood each other. I thought we were on the same page," Jontell suddenly tells him, making Max stop walking so he could turn to face him again.

     "I didn't stop being friends with them," Max quickly clarifies.

     "Oh, that's right, you didn't. You just forgot because your sadistic mother tried to kill you," Jontell fires back, angering Max even more.

     "Enough! Do not include my mother in this conversation."

     Jontell paused and stared at Max for a couple of seconds before grinning from ear to ear. "Based on your reaction, it looks like you already know the truth. What, do you remember everything now? Did your old man finally have the guts to tell you? Or did someone else tell you?" Jontell asked, and Max just looked away and said nothing.

     "If you remember, then does that mean you're in love with Gav again?" Jontell continues to ask. "Back then, you always mentioned that something was missing. Did you realize that it was him? Did you realize that I wasn't enough to fill that void?"

     "Don't speak as if there really was something between us. We were kids, and I had no one. Don't mistake anything. We both needed something from each other, and that's all that was," Max quickly defends, only to make Jontell laugh even more.

     "All the riches in the world, and you're the only gem I can't seem to own," Jontell states, reaching out to touch Max's cheek, but Max immediately pushes his hand away.

     "And this is why I cut ties with you. You treat people like objects you have to possess, like they're some kind of trophy."

     "Cut that bullshit, Leigh. You were the same!"

     "I have changed since then," Max quickly replied. "But it seems like you haven't."

     Jontell doesn't say anything anymore, so Max takes a deep breath and tells him, "This conversation is going nowhere. If you want to enjoy your stay here, then I suggest that you stop speaking to me like this again. Goodbye."

     Max looks at Jontell for one last time, but before he reaches the door, Jontell reveals his final trump card, making Max stop for the second time. "How's Viktor doing?" He finally asks, and Max's eyes widen in complete shock.

     "He's alive, isn't he? At the battle earlier, I knew it was him. I can never forget those grey eyes. When we were kids, he always had this look that showed me how much he hated me. I guess he was always the protective type," Jontell says, and Max slowly turns around to face him.

     "Is that the reason why you're here?"

     "Not really," Jontell answers as he puts his lollipop back inside his mouth. "I've always known he was alive. I'm not an idiot like the others. And when your uncle denied my enrolment here, I was certain that it was because of him. Like everyone says, you can't put a Stepanov and a Rosario together."

Jontell bites the candy in his mouth and slowly pulls the stick out before adding, "After all, everyone thinks that we killed them. Don't you think that's unfair, Leigh?

- END -