I forgot to mention it last time, but if you remember, Max started studying in J.S High on August 21, 2023, which was just four days ago in real-time. So, if you read the book from the very beginning, starting now, you'll be following the original dates. It's just strange how I wrote this two years ago with the dates set in the future, but now it's the present time. How crazy is that? We're now living in Max's present!

♰

MAX RAN TOWARDS THE white uniforms at full speed like a kid playing tag, instantly making everyone run away from him, afraid to get red paint on their uniforms as well. Keigo and Xander were both dumbfounded to see their friend do such a stunt. But when they turned to look at each other, they instantly started laughing.

     "He's fucking crazy," Xander says, wiping the tears in his eyes because of how funny he thought the entire situation was.

     Keigo nods his head in agreement, and then he turns to the other serfs and asks them, "What are you guys waiting for? Let's paint the town red!"

     As soon as they heard what Keigo had to say, the serfs instantly looked at each other. Most of them were hesitating, but after a while, one of them smiled and ran to the other students, finally making the rest of them follow.

      If you didn't know that this was red paint, you'd think that an actual war happened in the battle grounds of the atrium. The serfs were grabbing and hugging the other students, causing their uniforms to get stained as well, which was instant karma. Most of them were too shocked to even fight back. But as the white uniforms were running around the atrium like a bunch of zombies were chasing after them, they didn't even notice that St. George's student council, the Saints, along with the rest of the top ten-highest ranking students of their school, finally arrived at the scene.

     "W-What the hell is going on?" One of the council members asks in shock.

     The council's president, Justice Thorndyke, tried to decipher what was going on. But when he realizes that it's only paint stains, he instantly starts laughing at the unexpected situation.

     The rest of the council looked at their president, expecting him to stop them or at least do something, but Justice didn't even move a muscle. Fortunately, a much more intimidating white uniform stepped in. It was none other than the student who had power over all the white uniforms, the vice president.

     The vice president doesn't say a single thing as he walks toward the students, that was now covered in red paint. He continued to keep his mouth shut, but when one of the white uniforms noticed him, he immediately called out for everyone's attention. And just like that, without even lifting a finger, the entire atrium became completely silent.

     "Shit," Keigo whispers under his breath when he realizes why everyone stopped.

     The white uniforms looked at the vice president, who was staring at them with a blank expression. When he was certain that everyone was now looking in his direction, he adjusted his glasses and asked them, "Who started this?"

     Of course, instead of blaming it on the gaffers who poured the red paint on the poor serfs, the dwellers, and the other gaffers immediately pointed at the man standing in the middle of the crowd. And yes, it was none other than Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire.

     The vice president took a step forward, and everyone on the grounds immediately moved aside to make a path for him.

     The atrium was dead silent as the vice stopped right in front of Max.

     "Where is your stole?" The officer asks first.

     "I have not received one yet," Max answers. He expected the vice president to ask him why, but surprisingly enough, he didn't.

     "State your student number, division, and year," the vice says instead, somehow making Max nervous because of how overwhelming his presence was. But despite the intimidation and despite being covered in red paint, Max quickly fixes his posture to properly give the information that was being asked of him. "My student number is 0023248. I'm in the Serf Division and a 2nd-year."

     The vice president continues to stare at Max with a blank expression. For a second, Max thought he would suddenly throw a punch at him, but instead, he snapped his fingers, immediately making the Saints' secretary run to his side while holding a tablet.

     "Student number 0023248. Serf Division. 2nd-year. Search his profile," the vice president flawlessly repeats, and the secretary immediately nods his head to do what he was told.

     It took a few seconds and a couple more tries, but when the screen on his tablet said the words 'no match' for the third time, the secretary finally looked back at the vice and said, "Apologies, sir, but it seems like he's not on the master list."

     All the white uniforms immediately started talking amongst each other, curious about Max's real identity.

     The vice president didn't look troubled, though. He continued his calm and neutral expression as he walked closer to Max. He stared at him so he could better identify his face, but something instantly caught his eye. 

     It was the brooches that Max was wearing on his collar.

     The vice president stares at it for a while, making Max notice what he's been so interested in looking at. But before Max could even open his mouth to say anything about it, the intimidating council officer pulled out his handkerchief from his pocket. And to everyone's surprise, the vice president wipes the paint off of Max's face, leaving all of them speechless.

     Max was also surprised, but he didn't say or do anything as the vice president continued to wipe the paint off for him. But when Max's face was finally revealed, the students around them gasped in shock. Even the other members of the Saints were surprised.

     Looks like only President Justice Thorndyke knew that he arrived today.

     "That's Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire."

     "No way. He's here?"

     "So the student who confronted us was him? That makes sense now. No serf would have the guts to do such a thing if not him."

     Everyone started talking amongst each other, dumbfounded to find Max in their house out of all places. But as they try to make sense of the situation, the vice president lifts his hand, instantly making everyone in the atrium shut their mouths.

     The vice then looks back at Max again and asks him, "What is your original rank in your house?"

     Max was obviously the new rank 5, but for now, he'll just have to lie about it to keep the information a secret from everyone. "I am ranked 10, gaffer."

     As soon as Max said his rank, everyone started talking to each other again. Max was only a second-year student, and he had only been in J.S High for a couple of months. If they found out his real rank, which is much higher than that, they might not even believe him anymore.

     "If there is a fitting punishment for my childish behavior, I take full responsibility and will accept the punishment that will be bestowed on me," Max then says, making the vice president adjust his glasses again.

     Everyone waited for the punishment that the vice would declare, but to their surprise, the officer said, "There is no need for a punishment. All of you, get back to your divisions and line up."

     "But vice! That's not fair! Look at what he did!" A gaffer complained, pointing at the red stains on his uniform.

     The vice president stares at the gaffer for a while, and then he turns to look at Max again. "I am looking at it," he says while directly staring at Max. "As the vice president, I assess the situation based on the outcome, and I see no harm in this matter. Unless you want me to push this case, then I will have to ask the Omega Society for the CCTV footage to see who started this chaos, and then I'll give my proper judgment. Is that what you all want?"

     As soon as the vice president threatened to check the camera footage, everyone automatically let the matter go.

     All the gaffers are aware that their school system favors them more since all the council members are part of the gaffers division too. And thanks to the Division Program that their previous president made, when one of them gets punished, their entire division will suffer with him, which is why the Saints, or the council, would usually turn a blind eye whenever the gaffers did anything.

     But if ever a council member decides to turn against them, they don't really have a choice. But fortunately for them, the Saints haven't betrayed them yet.

     For now.

     "Then that is settled. As I mentioned, everyone head back to your places and properly line up," the vice says, glancing at Max for one last time before finally joining the Saints at the front.

     The other students glared at Max but didn't say anything to him anymore as they all went back to their positions like what the vice president instructed. 

     When everyone was back in their lines, Keigo and Xander immediately turned to their roommate. "I can't believe you just got away from that," Keigo says in a soft voice, trying his best not to laugh.

     Max can only sigh in relief as he continues to stare at the vice president, who is walking towards the stage at the front with the rest of the council members.

     "Who on earth was that?" Max asks.

     "He's someone you might actually know," Keigo answers, instantly making Max look back at his friend with furrowed brows.

     "What are you talking about?"

     "I was shocked too when I got here, but to answer your question, that man over there, the terrifying vice president of the Saints, is none other than Leviathan Dubois, the younger brother of Vixen's Lilith Dubois, who is also known as the ice queen. Apparently, both of them have the same vibe. I'm more surprised by the fact that I wasn't able to guess it."

     "W-Wait...Leviathan Dubois?" Max asks in shock. "Keigo, we talked about him before, didn't we? He's J.S High's—"

     "Previous vice president. And the first white uniform to have been invited to PHD's banquet. Yes, I know," Keigo reveals, making Max cover his mouth in shock. "When I got transferred and found out about him, I immediately asked Blade. Apparently, when he failed to do PHD's tasks, he got demoted and transferred here. The guy has skills, though, because despite being demoted to a serf again, he climbed to the top and once again became the vice president," Keigo explains, leaving Max completely dumbfounded.

     He couldn't believe how everything just connected to each other like this.

     "Then has PHD spoken to him yet? He's probably mad that he got demoted because of them, right?" Max then asks, but the look on Keigo's face makes Max certain that he doesn't know about that yet.

     "I'm not sure if they've spoken. I'm not the type to just ask these things to PHD after all, even if I'm their underling," Keigo answers, and all Max can do is sigh.

     Max looks back on stage again to watch the Saints before turning to the vice president for one last time. He couldn't help but be impressed by his accomplishments. Imagine being a brother of a queen while being the vice president in the House of Kings. He was then demoted, but he once again climbed back and became the vice in the House of Bishops, which is just insane. If that were someone else, they would have definitely given up. But not him. Not Leviathan Dubois.

    "So you were Grey's vice president?" Max whispers under his breath.

     Levi might be the only student here who personally knows Grey better. Max doesn't know how he'll do it, but he has to speak with him no matter what and ask him everything he knows about his childhood friend.

     While Max was trying to think of ways on how he'd be able to speak with the vice, the church bell started ringing again, instantly making everyone stand straight. They then turned to the entrance on the left, and like what happened during the assembly in J.S High, students wearing black uniforms started entering the atrium.

     The first brotherhood was their newest lords, THE CLAN, who was led by their leader, Myro. Myro steps inside with the rest of his eight members following behind him. Everyone in the atrium touched their chests as The Clan's banner appeared from the ceiling, showing respect to the rookie brotherhood.

     "They look well," Max whispers and Keigo nods his head to agree to it.

     "Even though they're the lowest rank here, no one really says anything to them. After all, they're considered Busters' protégées," Keigo explains.

     After The Clan got to their places, the brotherhood Max had been waiting for finally made their appearance. It was none other than J.S High's former princes, PRETTY, HOT & DANGEROUS.

     The members of Dangerous Five enter the atrium first, followed by the Pretty Duo, Adachi Ren and Akihiko Sakuraii. Soon after, the left and right-hand man made their appearance. The Hot wingmen, Killshot and Blade. As usual, both of them stared at the crowd with little to no expression, but Max still couldn't help but smile.

     "I don't know why, but I'm really glad to see them," Max honestly says while waiting for their leader to arrive. But when PHD went to their positions, their banner dropped from the ceiling, and the next brotherhood started entering the atrium.

     "W-Wait...where's Hee-joon?" Max asks as the brotherhood, the GALLANTS, makes their entrance.

     While the four members of Rank 11, Gallants, who were promoted from the House of Knights after the reranking, entered the atrium with poise and elegance, Max turned to Keigo and Xander with confusion present on his face.

     "Kim Hee-joon has not shown himself ever since they got here," Xander explains. "The other white uniforms are spreading rumors that he was too ashamed to even show himself to his new house because of how he lost. That's why they've been laughing at him ever since."

     "Laughing at him? At Kim Hee-joon?" Max asks in shock. Never in a million years did he expect to hear anyone make fun of the great leader of PHD who was dubbed as the ice prince.

     "Then he's just been staying in their dorms?"

     "He goes to his classes with the rest of the brotherhoods, but apart from that, he stays hidden in their dorm. No white uniform has seen him yet. Apart from me and the Saints, of course," Keigo explains, making Max furrow his brows in confusion.

     Max is certain that the leader isn't hiding because he's ashamed of the loss they experienced during the brotherhood reranking. Joon probably doesn't even know what shame feels like. But what Max is sure about is that Joon has his reason for doing this. He just doesn't know what.

     It's a shame that Max couldn't even see Hee-joon, but he's still glad to see the rest of PHD.

     "Now we have four of our original brotherhoods coming up," Xander says as six students in black enter the atrium with serious expressions on their faces. 

     If we're talking about accuracy, we have PHD who is said to never miss their target. But another brotherhood that seems to have perfect accuracy is also staying in St. George Academy. And that brotherhood is none other than Rank 10, ARCHERS.

     "It is said that brotherhoods avoid battling with the Archers because they use traditional bows and arrows. Because despite the outdated weapon, it is the weapon that hurts the most," Xander explains as he watches the Archers glare at the members of PHD before standing in their position.

     As soon as the Archers got to their spot, a 10-membered brotherhood entered the atrium next. The atmosphere instantly changed when these students arrived. Despite only being the third strongest brotherhood in St. George Academy, Max can't deny the overwhelming presence that this brotherhood has.

     "It's them," Max says as the group joins the rest of the brotherhoods standing in front.

     RED TIGERS's banner drops from the ceiling as everyone touches their chest to greet them, some trying their best to avoid eye contact.

     Max couldn't help but compare their vibe to Busters because they seemed more like a gang than a brotherhood. But the person who really caught Max's interest was none other than their leader, Elijah Memphis Valor. The son of chairman Salvatore Valor, who sold the illegal bullet to Siren.

     Elijah isn't close to his father since their parents aren't living together anymore. It was also mentioned that Elijah is a member of Crème de la Crème and is speculated to have been present during the Stepanov bombing incident. This was the person that Max had to talk to, no matter what. He might know something about what happened during that night.

     "Out of everyone here, Red Tigers is the most ruthless, so I suggest you be careful with them," Xander mentions, already assuming that Max will try to talk to them eventually.

     Next is the five-membered brotherhood, SCARLET LETTER, which is led by the ever-so-beautiful Ruby Rose.

     Compared to Red Tigers, they're the much more elegant brotherhood. You might even think that they copied Crazy 8 and BND's style, but the truth is, Scarlet Letter is one of the original brotherhoods in the House of Kings and has been around for almost seven years. It's amazing that they've survived this long.

     "Can you tell me about Ruby Rose?" Max asks since Ruby Rose is someone that he isn't very familiar with. The only thing he knows about her is that she was already a member of Scarlet Letter when Buster and PHD ruled J.S High, but wasn't when Paradox were the kings.

     "Lord Ruby is fierce in battle but calm on every other occasion. There's not much to learn about her, to be honest. She and her brotherhood aren't very flashy," Xander truthfully explains, and all Max can do is nod in understanding.

     "But this is a brotherhood that is the complete opposite of that, "Xander then says as the last brotherhood in the House of Kings enters the atrium.

     It was none other than the strongest of them all, CHECKMATE.

     Checkmate walks inside the atrium like they owned the place. Max could almost see Cigarettes in them and maybe add a little of Jokers. They looked playful yet fearsome. This was definitely not the type of brotherhood that Max imagined when he first learned about them. He thought they'd be more serious.

     Checkmate, like Scarlet Letter, was also a brotherhood in J.S High a few years back. In fact, they were the princes during the time Paradox were kings. Max also knew about them because, during PHD's tasks, he and Keigo found out that Checkmate was the one who started the illegal auctions in J.S High before and would bully white uniforms to acquire their points. Krist also had a terrible relationship with this brotherhood, but the master joker also explained that the new leader was very different from the old one. And that leader was someone Max was very familiar with...

     Uchdryd Rease.

     Uchdryd helped Max in a lot of instances despite not knowing much about him. He was the one who told Max about Crazy 8, as well as assisted him in his tasks with PHD. Uchdryd also informed him about the member of Crème de la Crème who's studying in their house, who was apparently Elijah Valor of Red Tigers.

     "What the fuck happened here?" Uchdryd asked, staring at the white uniforms that were covered in red paint.

     While his members joined the other brotherhoods, Uchdryd walked towards the students, making some of them look away because of how scared they were of him. Looks like his influence here is almost like the influence that Viktor has in J.S High.

     "You dare face your lords looking like that?!" Uchdryd then shouts, and the atmosphere in the atrium instantly shifts. Max has only seen the playful side of this leader, so he wasn't used to seeing this side of him at all.

    "Who started this mess? And why the fuck did the Saints do nothing about it? Proper uniform is in the student handbook. Does this look proper to you?" Uchdryd then asks before turning to the Saints, who are standing on stage with nervous expressions on their faces. The other council members looked scared, but the vice president, Levi Dubois, bravely took a step forward to explain his judgment.

     "They already looked like that when we arrived. I weighed down the situation and declared that I would rather have them covered in red paint than miss the morning assembly, which is deemed more important. They can change after," Levi calmly explains, making Uchdryd sigh and massage his temple.

     "Alright then, vice president. I always trust your judgment, so I'll let this slide for today. But please give me the pleasure to punish the person who started this mess," Uchdryd then says, and everyone instantly turns to Max, some even smirking at him.

     Max wasn't nervous at all, but the Saints thought that their vice president would let Max off the hook again. So before Levi could brush the request off, the secretary stepped forward and said, "The perpetrator is the new white uniform who transferred to our house—Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire."

     Uchdryd doesn't show any reaction as soon as Max's name is mentioned. The serfs were surprisingly trying to block him, especially Keigo and Xander, but then a gaffer suddenly approaches Max and forcefully pulls him towards the lord.

     Max faces Uchdryd and immediately touches his chest as a sign of respect. He also didn't say a single word, assuming that he wasn't allowed to speak at all since Uchdryd didn't ask him to explain himself.

     "So it's you. Why am I not even surprised? " Uchdryd says, staring directly into Max's paint-covered face. "Are you not even gonna explain yourself or beg for mercy, outsider?"

     "There is nothing for me to explain because no explanation will sway anyone's judgment against us serfs. And there is nothing for me to beg. Someone who is truly merciful does not need to be begged in order to show mercy," Max bravely says, leaving the other white uniforms, even the Saints, speechless. No one has ever talked back to a brotherhood before.

     Uchdryd looks at Max seriously after hearing what the serf has to say. But afterward, he started laughing. His laughter echoed inside the atrium like a villain watching the hero fail.

     "You really are a student of J.S High," Uchdryd says as he adjusts his leather gloves. "Well then, if you're not going to beg—" he then paused as he took a step closer to Max. He grabbed Max by the shoulder and pulled him towards him. No one knew what the lord was about to do, but when his fist suddenly came swinging towards Max's stomach, everyone just became completely silent.

     "Let me just welcome you to St. George Academy instead, outsider," Uchdryd says with a sadistic grin as Max falls to the ground, trying to catch his breath after getting punched in the gut.

    "Faith is strength, right? Then you better start praying, Sinclaire, because your days of living in the castle are over. You're in hell now. Anyone who disobeys will be punished. And our punishments here...will definitely make you start begging."

- END -