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"ADACHI REN," MAX SAYS in shock as Ren, a member of PHD under the unit Pretty Duo, stares at Max with amusement. Max isn't really close to any of the members of PHD, but he sure is glad to see one of them here.

     "I-I mean...my prince," Max immediately corrects, touching his chest and bowing to him. 

     Unfortunately, Ren was not pleased with the greeting.

     "Don't embarrass me. We are no longer the princes," Ren seriously tells Max as the white uniform looks back at him. "That's why it's lord now, not prince. You better not make the same mistakes again. I will not tolerate such disrespect."

     "I apologize. It's just that it's hard to accept your title after the obvious foul play that happened during the rerankings. But you're right. Purposely calling you by your old title is like bathing alcohol on a fresh wound. It won't happen again...my lord," Max then tells him, and this time, Ren smirks in response.

     "Follow me. I'd like to speak with you," Ren says. And without waiting for Max's response, he immediately turns around and walks away, making Max run after him.

     The two of them got out of Hell Sanctum and walked to the park-like area in the middle of the five dormitories which everyone calls the Garden of Eden. Max continues to follow Ren, who still hasn't said a single thing. But when Ren stops in front of a water fountain with an angel spitting water on top, he finally turns to Max to tell him what's on his mind.

     "St. George Academy isn't what you expected, didn't you?" Ren finally asks, and the question is something that Max wasn't expecting him to open up. "Based on how you just lashed out at those poor serfs at the cafeteria, it's pretty obvious that you've been fooled into thinking this school is great."

     "I just had high expectations, J.S High has its own flaws, but it's not—"

     "J.S High is labeled as the Kings' Castle for a reason. It houses the best of the best, and the system—though flawed, as you stated—is better than those lower than us. Your visit here has a lot of purpose, but one of the reasons is this," Ren explains with an expression that is different from the usual playful and seductive expression he always has on.

     "What do you mean?"

     "This experience will give you a clear perspective at how great the Elites are and how much work they have given to make J.S High the school that serfs, dwellers, gaffers, and brotherhoods alike can be proud of," Ren says, and the way he said such words suddenly left a shiver down his spine. Max never expected a brotherhood, let alone a former prince, to praise the Elites like that.

     "Not a lot of students know this, but you're the new Elites Representative, right? Looking at the state of the House of Bishops and comparing it to our house, do you think you can actually be of help to the Elites and offer something new to make J.S High better? Do you have anything to offer? Does joining them make an actual difference? Or will you end up being like St. George's prestige council they call Saints?" Ren then asks.

     "I've been working hard since the very beginning. Do you think I'm here to fail after all that?" Max replies with a stern expression, making Ren chuckle this time.

      "Did my question offend you, Mr. Sinclaire?" Ren then asks, his playful grin returning as he takes a step closer to the young heir. "I wasn't trying to upset you."

     "I wasn't upset. I just wanted to clarify that the brooches I'm wearing aren't props. These are symbols of the achievements I have acquired throughout my days in J.S High, and I have gathered these brooches not to boast but to succeed as a future Elites President. So regarding your question, yes, I have a lot to offer," Max confidently answers.

     "So you think the Saints have failed?" Ren asks next, making him furrow his brows in confusion.

     "Well, their system wouldn't be like this if they didn't, right? They know the state of the white uniforms. They're the very face and representatives of the student body, and they have the most power to do something about it, yet they do nothing. They have failed. And they have failed greatly," Max answers, and the way Ren chuckled instantly made Max realize that this wasn't the answer that the clever lord was hoping for

     "You really do have so much to learn here," Ren says as he starts circling around the fountain.

     "Do you know why President Ian decided to hide your real rank?" Ren asks while Max follows behind him. When Max didn't say anything, Ren answered his own question instead. "It's so you can fully experience St. George Academy in its rawest form. If you were treated as a special guest, you would have learned nothing, and this exchange program would have been useless. That's what President Ian decided on even before you ranked up."

     "Look like President Ian knows what he's doing."

     "He wouldn't be president if he didn't. And we wouldn't have been following him if he wasn't capable."

     "Well, it hasn't even been a day, and I already learned so much," Max truthfully says. "The living conditions of the serfs here...it's just terrible. It's different from the bullying of serfs in J.S High. Of course, I'm not saying bullying is okay either, but...I don't even know how to describe it," Max explains, now staring at the fountain as well.

     Ren turns his head and looks at Max for a couple of seconds before telling him, "Did you know that the previous Elites President, President Matthew Grey Cullen, was the one who proposed the White Uniform Protection Code?"

     "Yes, I've learned about it."

     As a refresher, former Elites President, Grey Cullen, proposed two codes that are now part of the official rules and regulations of J.S High. These rules are the White Uniform Protection Code, which protects all white uniforms from getting targeted, bullied, or even harmed by the brotherhoods without a valid reason, thus the creation of brotherhood customs. And the other code is the Brotherhood Protection Code, which protects the brotherhoods from each other. This is why they cannot fight outside official battles.

     But other than those definitions, these codes each have five more clauses under them, which President Grey deliberately wrote down. And one of those clauses is that the Elites' interest must always be aligned with the well-being of both the black and white uniforms. This means that if the Elites are caught purposely making the lives of the students difficult, they are subjected to deliberation and expulsion.

     This was something that Max learned about when he became part of the top 10 white uniforms.

     "That WUP code became the very reason why white uniforms have better 'living' conditions in J.S High. As for St. George Academy, they apparently don't have it," Ren reveals, surprising Max.

     "Wait, I thought all the brotherhood houses follow this code," Max assumes, and Ren sighs and shakes his head in reply.

     "I'm only saying this because you helped us during the Brotherhood Reranking by finding out about that rigged bullet. And this information might actually give you a heads start," Ren suddenly says, surprising Max because he wasn't expecting such a present from the lord.

     "Regarding the WUP Code, only the House of Knights and Rooks followed it. At the same time, the House of Pawns followed the BP Code. St. George Academy's previous Saints proposed something else, and that's the Division Program," Ren answers, making Max mentally write down everything that Ren is saying.

     "The Division Program greatly separated the serfs, dwellers, and gaffers. It became the reason why gaffers have a lot of perks and advantages, while serfs have none. This is also where the Tax Collectors came from. Every week, divisions are required to produce a certain amount of merit points, and these points will be checked by the Tax Collectors. Its purpose is to encourage competition and make the students work harder, but that's not the case at all," Ren explains.

     "Based on how you're explaining this, I can only assume that this was only effective to gaffers or students who are high achievers. But students whose skills might not be conventionally amazing kept dropping until they fell and got stuck to the serf division."

     "The easier explanation is actually much more humorous than that. It was like separating the popular kids and the losers. And like those teen movies, the principal always favors the popular kids more. It's just how it goes," Ren says, looking at the angel on the fountain for one last time before turning to Max.

     "Anyway, try looking for that old president and check his history. You might find something interesting," Ren finishes and Max looks at him and touches his chest as a sign of respect, making Ren chuckle because Max did the St. George version and not J.S High's version of a bow.

     "Thank you," Max says, and Ren just brushes it off.

     "Well, I have nothing else to say. I only wanted to take a peek at your horrendous dorm because Keigo told us you were arriving today. But thank you for that wonderful display at the cafeteria. Joon will be very amused to hear about what you said to those serfs earlier," Ren says as he starts walking away from Max.

      While Max watches him leave, Max decides to ask him one last question before they officially part ways.

     "How's PHD doing? You're not being abused by the other brotherhoods, are you?" Max genuinely asks.

     Ren doesn't turn to look back at Max anymore, but there is definitely a grin on his face when he hears the heir's questions. "It's too early for you to worry about us...brotherhood tamer."

     "S-Sorry."

     "It was nice seeing you again, Sinclaire. And...good luck making those serfs produce 50,000 merit points in a week," Ren then says while waving goodbye to Max before finally disappearing.

     As soon as Ren left, Max immediately pulled his phone out and started noting things down so that he wouldn't be able to forget anything before he officially starts his days as a student at St. George Academy.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) Help serfs produce 50,000 merit points for next week's tax collection.

(2) Find clues on who's working with Payton Wolfe.

(3) Prove there was foul play to get PHD back in J.S High.

(4) Ask about the previous president who proposed the Divisions Program.

- Serfs mistreatment(?)...why are serfs treated like this?

- House of Bishops' involvement with PARADOX (?)

* Do all this in 1 MONTH: April 22, deadline.

     While Max stared at his notes, he saw the time on his phone and immediately hid the device back inside his phone. "Shit, I should get back," he whispers under his breath before running back to the dorms.

     Max didn't really want to head back to the cafeteria because he knew he was only going to be ambushed again. He knew it was wrong of him to decide for them, but he had to do something. And if Max has to act as the nosy person who's forcing himself to get into their business, so be it.

     There's no way he's staying here for a month and just letting things be.

     There's just no way.

...

"I'm really sorry for what I said, Xander. I didn't mean to blame you all for still being serfs. I was out of the line. And I should have known better," Max says while helping Keigo with his uniform.

     Xander didn't say anything. He was facing the other direction while tying his shoelace, so Max couldn't really tell what he was feeling. But after putting both of his shoes on, Xander takes a deep breath and finally says something.

     "Max, to be honest, I wasn't mad at you. What you said...it made me mad at myself and at all the serfs in that cafeteria," Xander answers, making Max let go of Keigo's stole so he can look at him.

     Max wanted to talk more about the incident at the cafeteria, but as soon as Max faced Xander, his jaw instantly dropped. 

     "Alexander McLurkin?" Max calls out in confusion.

     "Y-yes?" 

     Max practically gasps. Xander was no longer wearing his glasses, retainers, and pimple patches. His hair was tied neatly. And the uniform, paired with his perfect posture, made him look like a totally different person.

      Looks like those makeover movies weren't exaggerating at all.

     "X-Xander...you look...you look great. I mean, you looked great earlier too, but now...now you're...you're like a different person," Max says in shock, making Xander's ear turn red because of the sudden compliment. 

     But while Max continued to look at Xander, Max suddenly heard a noise coming from outside their room. He opened the door to check, and to his surprise, the hoard of zombie students he had seen earlier was now a group of elegant-looking serfs who walked with their chins held high.

     Max couldn't help but be surprised. He judged them too quickly just based on his first impression of them. Since this is how they were treated, and this is how their dorms looked like, Max thought that the serfs would act or present themselves differently too. But these white uniforms...

     "These aren't students who gave up. I was wrong," Max suddenly admits, making Keigo and Xander look at each other with their eyebrows furrowed.

     "Guys! I was completely wrong!" Max excitedly says, confusing his roommates even more.

     "Max, you're the only one I know who looks that happy to be wrong," Keigo comments, and Max shuts the door and runs to him before grabbing his shoulders and looking straight into Keigo's eyes like he has officially lost it.

     "Keigo, do you know what this means?" Max asks, and Keigo gulps before slowly shaking his head.

     "This changes everything. I have to apologize to everyone and tell them I'm wrong about them. We can actually achieve that 50,000 merit points. There's still hope. But before that..." Max says as he runs to his locker to grab his brooches.

     Max stands in front of a mirror filled with stickers and starts pinning his brooches on his collar one by one while Keigo and Xander watch behind him.

     "I don't know why you're acting all excited all of a sudden, but are you sure you want to wear those brooches here?" Xander then asks while staring at the crowns with awe mixed with anxiety.

     "I actually want you guys to run me down with these brotherhoods. I only know how serfs are treated. But I also want to know how the brotherhoods are treated here," Max says, and Keigo and Xander turn to each other again before looking back at Max.

     "Well then, you're in luck. We're heading to the atrium for the Monday Assembly. You're definitely going to see everything and everyone there. Don't worry, I'll run things down with you so you won't get confused," Xander explains, and Max pins the last brooch on his collar before running to his desk to check the school map.

     "Atrium? That's like our stadium, right?"

     After checking the map for one last time, Max turns to his roommates with a hopeful and bright smile compared to earlier.

     "I'm starting to get worried," Xander says.

     "Well, you better prepare yourself, Alexander McLurkin. This is only the beginning. I'm telling you, your life is going to make a complete 180-degree turn starting today," Keigo warns, and all Xander can do is gulp in terror.

     "Alright then. Let's go."

     The three of them went out of the Hell Sanctum dormitory. And compared to the silent and somber atmosphere that welcomed Max earlier this morning, the grounds of St. George Academy were now filled with students who were laughing and playing around.

     While they walked to the atrium, Max asked Keigo and Xander where their class would be lined, but the two explained to him that when there are assemblies or even brotherhood battles, everyone is sectioned by their divisions and not class. They only really get to be with their classmates when there are actual classes.

     "Serfs! Proceed to entrance 3!" A white uniform shouted, who Max can only assume is a member of the Alpha Society.

     Nothing serious has happened yet, but Max can already feel the discrimination from the other two divisions. Whenever they passed by them, the dwellers and the gaffers would start throwing petty insults. Some even dared to spit in their direction, which gave Max major flashbacks from when he was also bullied.

     Max was trying to observe everything. But what he wasn't able to observe was the fact that people were starting to notice who he was.

     "No fucking way. Isn't that Sinclaire?" One of the students asked.

     "He's the new Elites representative?"

     "I don't think so. Look, he's with the serfs. If he were a council member, he wouldn't have been demoted to the lowest rank."

     "No way! We're so lucky! I can't wait to mess with him!"

     Xander and Keigo were starting to get worried by the threatening stares, but Max didn't pay it any mind. After his experiences in J.S High, this was nothing. Actions speak louder than words. Max knows his capabilities and his standing.

     And He doesn't have to engage with anyone to prove that.

     "W-Wait...look at his brooches."

     "That can't be. He has four brotherhood brooches? And those are crowns! Only Brotherhood leaders have them."

     "Those are fake, right? There's just no way."

     "This was probably you during your first day in J.S High. I bet Ari and Felix were as anxious as I am now," Keigo mentions, making Max chuckle.

     When they finally arrived at the Atrium, Max was about to enter with everyone else, but then a white uniform pushed him away, almost making him stumble.

     "Serfs are to enter last," the white uniform says, surprising Max.

     Max wanted to say something, but Xander and Keigo stopped him to avoid any further drama. So the three of them just waited for everyone to get in with the rest of the serfs. When it looked like everyone else was already inside, the doors were finally opened for them, making all the serfs make their entrance.

     Max immediately looked around the atrium to check the interior. Compared to J.S High's stadium, the atrium had a large space in the middle, probably for the battles, and then the roof was made of glass. There were also balconies on the side that stood as bleachers.

     During brotherhood battles, the gaffers are stationed at the middle balcony. The dwellers are on the left, while the serfs are on the right. But for now, since it's the assembly, everyone is standing on the grounds by division like they're soldiers lining up for an actual battle.

     Since Max and the rest of the serfs were forced to enter last, everyone was watching them like animals in a zoo while they walked toward their spot. Max wanted to get there faster because he got tired of students whistling at them and throwing bottles in their direction. But when he thought they were finally going to arrive at their spot in peace, they walked past the gaffers' section. And before Max could even make sense of what was happening because of the noise, a bunch of gaffers from the balcony suddenly dumped buckets of red paint in their direction, staining their clean white uniforms.

     The students around the atrium laughed as the serfs looked at the paint in shock. About a dozen of serfs got caught with the red paint and one of them...

     Was none other than Max.

     "Oh my god," Keigo says in shock as he stares at Max, who is covered in red paint from head to toe. "Oh my fucking god. They're dead. They're fucking dead."

     "Shit, Max, are you okay?" Xander asks, immediately pulling his handkerchief out to wipe the paint off Max's face.

     Max tries his best not to get the paint in his eyes. He then looks down at his uniform, which is now completely red instead of white. Max wasn't supposed to care about such a prank because this almost reminded him of Jokers. But when he looked at his collar and saw that his brooches were now covered in red paint too, Max knew that this was something he couldn't ignore anymore.

     "M-Max...we can just go back to our room. We'll get you changed, okay?" Keigo tries to suggest, but Max ignores him as he starts walking toward the middle of the atrium to face the two divisions.

     The laughter slowly started dying down when everyone saw him. Most of them didn't know who he was because his face was covered in paint, but Max didn't care. He took care of these brooches because these are symbols of the trust these brotherhoods have given to him. For them to dirty it like this...

     "Shit."

     Keigo could only curse as he watched his friend take everyone's attention. When the atrium is finally silent, Max looks up at the gaffers sitting at the bleachers.

     Everyone was dead silent for a while, but then, out of nowhere, Max touched his chest and bowed, surprising everyone. Afterward, he smiled in their direction. His smile looked completely eerie because he was covered in red paint, and only his teeth were clean and visible. Max kept that smile for a few more seconds. And afterward, he brushed his hair back with his fingers and looked at everyone with a much more serious face before saying, "How pathetic."

     "What the fuck did that bitch just say?"

     "Red paint? I know a brotherhood who can make pranks like this in their sleep. If you're going to cause a scene, you should have at least used pig's blood instead. Other than the stain, it would have smelled bad too. How boring. Or was this supposed to be your welcoming party for me? If so, my bad," Max says with a chuckle before turning to look at the serfs, who were all wiping the red paint themselves as well.

     Others were obviously embarrassed because of what happened, but when they watched as Max stood in front of everyone with no shame or fear while looking like that, they slowly stood straight and bravely looked back at the other white uniforms with serious expressions on their faces. They were still mad at what Max did earlier regarding their tax collection, but like Xander, there was something about his speech at the cafeteria that made them realize their situation.

     When Max saw that the serfs were starting to stand up for themselves, Max smiled excitedly. He then looked back at the gaffers and the dwellers before adding, "Looks like red looks fucking good on our uniforms too. Don't you all agree? House of Bishops?" 

     "Who the fuck are you even? You think we care about your opinion?" A gaffer asks with an annoyed tone, making Max chuckle this time.

     "Me? I'm not really important," he answers. He then touched the paint on his skin and uniform. When he noticed that it was still wet, a grin instantly appeared on his face that made the students in front of him furrow their brows in confusion.

     "By the way...you missed a spot," Max says. And before anyone could even say anything else, Max ran towards them like there was no tomorrow. And like a bowling ball rolling towards the pins, everyone in the atrium instantly scattered.

- END -