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"SO TODAY'S THE DAY, huh? The most awaited Exchange Program," Justice says while looking at the other members of the Saints who are eating their breakfast.

      President Justice Thorndyke, Vice President Leviathan Dubois, Secretary Perseus Odair, and Treasurer Adam Hall were at the dining room of their dormitory, having one final meeting before their school representative departed for the exchange program. This program has never been done before, so the councils from all the houses have been busy.

     "Thomas L. High School (House of Pawns) is sending the Generals' representative to the House of Rooks. House of Knights is sending their Nobles' representative to the House of Pawns. And Roland's School for Boys (House of Rooks) is sending their Stewards' representative to the House of Knights," Adam Hall explains to everyone.

     Justice takes a sip of his orange juice before adding, "And the Saints will exchange representatives with the House of Kings. I wasn't sure who we should exchange with, but I couldn't decline it when Ian said he'd exchange with us."

    "They always get their way, and it pisses me off," Perseus then complains while cutting his sausage with a knife. "Just because J.S High is the strongest house, they shouldn't have special treatment. They sent two representatives here, none of whom are the Elites' School Representative. I hate how they can simply change the rules as they see fit."

     "Well, that was decided by President Ian Rothman, the King–Viktor Stepanov, and the Association. Maybe you should have complained when they were still planning it out then," Justice tells him, and Perseus angrily stabs his sausage with a fork before taking a bite of it. He doesn't say anything about what the president said because he knows he wouldn't have done anything to intervene with such a decision.

     As a recap, the brotherhood leaders agreed upon the Exchange Program so that the representatives could observe and inspect each house's respective council after a cryptic message about a storm falling was sent to them.

     The message could have meant anything, but Viktor and Tanis believed it might be connected to the bombing incident that occurred during the preparation for Mr. Brains & Brawn, which directly involved BND's Red Monsour and Max Sinclaire. The brotherhoods were the main suspects in that incident, and the leaders feared it might also happen to the other houses. For precautions, they agreed upon the program so that each house representative could observe the council and the school's suspicious activities that might be connected to the cryptic message and report it back to their own council.

     With the Exchange Program approved, the five council presidents had a quick meeting on whose house would exchange with whom, and President Ian and President Justice agreed to trade with each other.

     The Elites had no problem sending their school representative to any house, but that was before PHD lost and got transferred to the House of Bishops. Now, J.S High has a different purpose: to get their princes back.

     Thanks to Kim Hee-Joon's help, Max became the representative. There wouldn't be a problem sending him there, but then the brotherhoods requested that they hide Max's title so he could transfer as a regular white uniform and not get any special treatment. Ian wasn't sure if they could make that happen, but when he suggested that Max would go back to zero and would be sent earlier than the actual representative for the purpose of inspecting the house first, the association agreed.

     Now, J.S High still needs to send the real school representative. In this case, it would have been the fake Rank 5, Heaven J. Carter. But just days before the Exchange Program, Viktor called for an emergency meeting and proposed that J.S High would send a brotherhood as a representative instead.

     Obviously, the brotherhood leaders were against it as they had already agreed only to send a council member. But the final call was with Uchdryd Rease, the leader of Brotherhood Checkmate and the highest-ranking black uniform in the House of Bishops.

     Uchdryd wasn't a fan of the idea either since sending a brotherhood to their territory is like challenging their authority, considering how anyone in J.S High is higher in rank. But when it was revealed that the brotherhood would be a white uniform, Uchdryd finally agreed. No one knows who J.S High will send yet, but the new representative, along with Maximilian Sinclaire, will definitely wreak havoc in their house whether they like it or not.

     "The House of Kings will always have special treatment because they're the kings, and President Janus himself is overlooking them. The strongest heirs also study in that school. We can't really complain," Justice explains while looking at his secretary, who was obviously annoyed.

     "But you lot shouldn't even complain at all," Vice President Levi says while sipping his tea. "We're gaffers and even members of the Saints. If it's special treatment, we should already be used to it. While we're eating this feast, serfs are probably eating food that wouldn't even be enough for an infant," Levi explains, making the council members look at all the delicious food on their table.

     Everyone was quiet after hearing what Levi had to say, but then Perseus grabbed the table napkin and wiped his mouth with it before slamming it back on the table. "Great, you just spoiled my appetite," he retorted.

     Justice was about to say something, but the vice president stopped him, telling him he could handle it himself.

     "Secretary Odair, if you haven't noticed, we are privileged. The least we can do is acknowledge it. There is no use pretending we are treated like the rest when it is clear that we are not," Levi tells him earnestly.

    "But we worked hard to be where we are. They didn't. It's not our fault they're treated like that," Adam Hall then says, and Justice hysterically laughs in an instant. He couldn't help but find it funny because he realized how right Uchdryd was when he first met him. He once said that the gaffers would never understand the unfairness and mistreatment in their house because they had never experienced it. He was definitely right about that.

     "Oh, your ignorance is killing me."

     "Excuse me?" Adam asks back, obviously offended.

     Justice wipes his eyes after laughing so much. Just in time, another council member walks inside the dining room, making everyone else turn their heads to look at him.

     "Jesus," Justice says in shock when he sees the Saints' School Representative, Martin Osborn, wearing J.S High's infamous white uniform. "I thought someone from the House of Kings just appeared. I literally had goosebumps."

    "I never knew their uniform would be this heavy," Martin whines before adjusting his peak cap. "And isn't this hat an overkill? It looks like I'm ready to command troops."

     "It's a peak cap," Levi corrects.

     "Oh yeah, Levi was from J.S High too," Adam realizes. "Our cassock uniform fits you so much because you literally look like a saint, so I can't imagine you wearing that."

     "I bet Uchdryd has a picture," Justice casually comments, making Levi kick his leg under the table.

     School Rep. Martin Osborn then takes a seat beside Adam so he can grab a bite before heading to the House of Kings. Martin was obviously nervous, but at the same time, he was excited. It's rare for someone to step on the grounds of the Kings' Castle. He sees this as a great opportunity to learn, as well as an opportunity to brag about it with the others. This experience is definitely going to level up his status.

    "Damn, I'm so jealous of you. You don't have to stay in a dorm for a month and just live a normal life after classes end. I should have gotten demoted," Justice says, and Levi and the others couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

     "Anyway, Martin, you'll stay in J.S High for a month, but it's not for vacation. You'll work with them as a council member and observe everything you see so you can report it back to us," President Justice explains while Martin puts food on his plate.

     "Make sure you show those bastards what a student of the House of Bishop is about," Perseus cockily says, and Martin immediately grins and nods in agreement.

     "I'm planning to. Just because they're the kings doesn't mean they're the best," Martin answers and Justice and Levi immediately glance at each other before looking back at the others.

     "Martin, the system in J.S High is a bit different," Levi explains. "They don't have Divisions, so opportunities are given equally. The brotherhood also has higher authority, especially since they have brotherhood customs. You must also remember that they follow the White Uniform Protection Code, which means as a temporary member of the Elites, your most important interest is the well-being of the white uniforms," Levi explains, making Justice chuckle this time.

     "I bet you'll have a hard time doing that," he comments, and Levi glares at him, making Justice shut up and continue eating his breakfast.

     "Since you're considered the 5th highest white uniform, others are expected to respect your rank as you also have authority over them, but do not abuse that power. Other than that, there's one last thing you have to remember. As a former student of that house, I can only give you one advice," Levi then says, making Martin and the other council members look at him.

    "Never cross paths with the Kings."

     As soon as Levi said those words, Martin instantly swallowed the lump in his throat. The image of Viktor alone terrified him. For some reason, it never crossed his mind that the kings would be in the house of kings.

     "The only student who is equal in power is the Elites' President. If you end up on the Kings' bad side, there is nothing we can do, so I suggest you avoid them at any cause," Levi seriously advises, and Martin slowly nods his head, his little excitement now turning into complete fear.

    "Levi, you forgot one more thing," Justice says before wiping his mouth with the table napkin. He then turns to their school rep., and tells him, "Whatever happens in the castle..."

     "S-Stays in the castle?" Martin nervously answers, making Justice grin.

     "Exactly."

     "Wait, can we still change representatives?" Martin then asks, suddenly standing from his seat, making Justice laugh again.

     "Then I'll go. I'm not afraid of going there. I'm still Rank 4," Secretary Perseus Odair confidently suggests, making Levi sigh and massage his temple.

    "That's not going to happen. And you, sit down," Levi instructs, and Perseus clicks his tongue while Martin sits back down. "If you do your job well, they won't touch you. The students of J.S High have more dignity than the students here. And the brotherhoods follow the rules more than anyone. There is no reason for them to harm you."

     "Well, unless Max Sinclaire didn't tell them about everything that happened to him here," Justice suddenly blurts out, making everyone else look back at him with their eyes wide in shock. Even Levi forgot about Max's influence on the brotherhoods in that house, which is why he ended up cursing under his breath when he remembered. 

     "The red paint, getting bullied by white uniforms on the first day, his class adviser beating him up with a stick until his hands bled, the terrible food...the list is just endless! The brotherhoods under his protection will definitely fuck you up when you get there," Justice reminds them.

     "But like...Sinclaire won't tell them about that, right? He's not that kind of person, right?" Martin nervously asks, and Levi can't help but be worried now, too. As a previous student of J.S High, he knew those brotherhoods well. If you touch what's theirs, war will definitely fall upon them. He stupidly overlooked that fact.

     "Wait, I agree with what you said. I believe Sinclaire isn't the type to list down such things and dictate them to others. But—" Before Levi can even finish his sentence, Treasurer Adam Hall cuts him off and says, "Has Sinclaire arrived yet? We can ask him directly. We're still the Saints. We can make him talk."

     "Are you stupid?" Perseus fires back.

     "I think he hasn't arrived yet. He'll probably get here during lunch break. But then again, I don't blame him if he decides never to return. The system here probably scared him," Justice then comments, making Levi chuckle this time.

     "Scared him? I don't think anything here will scare that young heir," the vice answers.

     "Then what do we do? Forfeit?" Justice sarcastically asks with a smug look on his face. But before anyone could answer him, they suddenly heard someone calling out to them.

     "Saints! Saints!" A voice calls out, confusing everyone. The door to their dining room then opened, revealing a white uniform who was still wearing his pajamas.

     "What on earth is going on? You're shouting this early in the morning," Justice says while the student catches his breath.

     "H-He's here...the president..."

     "President? What are you talking about?" Perseus confusingly asks.

     "President Ian Rothman of the Elites. He's waiting outside."

     As soon as the white uniform revealed what he was so nervous about, everyone at the table immediately got up from their seats and ran outside without any second thought. At first, they thought he was bluffing, but as soon as they got out, they instantly saw an intimidating man standing right in front of their dorm, smiling from ear to ear while his hands were on his back.

     "Ian!" Justice shouts in shock. But he immediately clears his throat and corrects himself, "I-I mean...President Rothman. What are you doing here?"

     Justice and Levi quickly touched their chest and bowed their heads to show their respect to the Elites' president, making the other council members bow their heads to him as well, which was something they weren't used to doing.

     "Wait, are you—"

     "I'm not the representative from J.S High if that's what you're worried about. After all, it would be troublesome if I left them for a month," Ian answers before Perseus asks the question.

     "Then what are you doing here?" Levi asks, making Ian look at him. 

     Ian gives a warm smile in Levi's direction, making Levi nod his head to acknowledge him. Ian and Levi only got to talk to each other once. Others thought they'd have bad blood, mainly because everyone expected Levi to be the president of J.S High, but then Ian came in and somehow replaced him. Despite never talking about it, the two seem to have this unspoken understanding and respect for each other.

     "I apologize if I came unannounced. But I'm here to bring Martin Osborn to our house personally," Ian revealed, confusing everyone.

     "Do you think we'll chicken out and not go?" Secretary Perseus suddenly asks, as if Ian's good intentions insulted him. Thankfully, Ian only laughed at the comment.

     "Of course not. I'm actually here as a chaperone. In fact, the Elites even went out of their way to make sure he is safe in our care," Ian explains, which only confused the Saints even more.

     "Safe in your care?" Justice asks this time. "You're starting to offend me, President Rothman."

     "Offend you? We are making sure your representative is safe, yet you think it is offensive? To be honest with you, Saints, I should be the one offended by how you've treated the first student we sent here," Ian revealed, finally making the other council members calm down.

     "What are you talking about?" Levi then asks.

     Ian smiles, and then he answers, "A video played in our house. It's a video of Sinclaire's hand bleeding while his uniform is completely stained in red. It's actually quite an interesting display, but at the same time, it is extremely humiliating on our part."

     Levi opens his mouth but immediately closes it in embarrassment. There is no excuse for what Max had experienced here. They should have known J.S High would have found out about it sooner than later.

     "But no worries, I am not here to condemn you. We asked you to treat Sinclaire as your own, and that you did perfectly," Ian continues with such an unnerving smile that it made Perseus and the others gulp. "Fortunately, we're not as barbaric. As I explained, the Elites will do everything in our power to ensure Osborn is safe for his one-month stay in our house," Ian explains. But then, the smile on his face changes into something more serious as he adds, "But you must remember, we will protect him. But the brotherhoods will also do everything in their power to take him."

     Martin Osborn gulped in terror as the rest of the Saints were left completely speechless.

     "We will show you both kindness and fear, St. George Academy. Exodus chapter 21, verses 23 to 27. 'A man who injures his countryman–as he has done, so it shall be done to him.' Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, right?" Ian finishes before turning around and walking towards the car that has been waiting for him.

     "Come along now, Martin Osborn. Let's not keep the others waiting," Ian then says before heading back inside the car.

     Martin turns to the council in a panic. "W-what am I going to do? They're going to kill me! They're going to fucking kill me! Switch places with me, President. Please. Perseus, you wanted to go too, right?"

    Perseus avoided his eyes while Adam panicked with him. But before Ian could go out and call out to him again, Justice smirked and said, "Well...Luke chapter 23, verse 43."

    "W-What?" Martin confusingly asks, making Justice sigh.

    "You're hopeless. Look it up," Justice answers before turning around and walking back to the dormitory, leaving the rest of the Saints standing outside. The council members never really listened to him, so he'll happily give them a taste of their own medicine. 

     "Good riddance."

...

"Your handbook, student card, and armband will be given to you during the Morning Assembly. We will also give you your class and class schedule, but council members aren't required to attend, so you can stay at our office if you wish. I'll also introduce you to the rest of the members. They're excited to meet you."

     "I see," Martin says while fidgeting with his fingers and looking out of the window to distract himself from the fact that the 1st ranking student of the House of Kings is sitting right in front of him in the car.

    "Osborn, you seem nervous. Are you okay?" Ian asks while his eyes are still glued to his book, and Martin finally looks at him before giving out a fake smile.

    "Well, I haven't been to J.S High before. I was unfortunate not to get chosen for the Elites Convention."

    "Is that so? Well, you'll love it there. The campus is quite different from St. George Academy, but it's still very breathtaking," Ian explains, and Martin nods in reply, still smiling with his teeth.

    Ian, who was sitting with his legs crossed, puts down the novel he was reading to look straight back at Martin's eyes. The president still had that famous smile he always had on when he was facing people, and it only made Martin even more nervous.

     "I-Is something the matter, sir?" Martin asks because Ian can't stop staring at him.

     Ian doesn't say anything to him and continues to stare at him, almost making Martin have a cold sweat. But just before the Saint could say anything else, the car stopped, revealing that they had finally arrived at the gates of J.S High.

    "Looks like we're here," Ian says, finally looking away from Martin and making Martin sigh in relief.

    The large gate opens, and the car drives inside the campus, bringing them to the Keep, which is the school's main building. Ian adjusts his necktie and steps out of the car first. On the other hand, Martin took another deep breath before following behind the president. He adjusts his cap, and a large building welcomes him, almost making Martin's jaw drop. He always knew that J.S High's campus was grand, but he never expected it to look like this.

     "Welcome to J.S High," Ian says. "The others are probably waiting inside. Follow me."

     Martin nods his head as he walks behind President Ian. Ian walks towards the main entrance as two guards open the door for them. But as soon as the door was opened, Ian stopped walking, making Martin stop walking as well.

    Martin was confused as to why the Elites' president would make a sudden halt, but when he looked in front of him, his eyes widened in shock, and a sudden chill suddenly ran down his spine.

     A black and red box was sitting on the floor just right in front of them. Soon after, a familiar tune starts echoing down the hall, making Martin's heart beat even faster. Then, a jack pops out of the box, making Martin Osborn flinch.

    "T-That's a jack-in-a-box, right? Why is it there? W-what's going on?

    Ian Rothman had a blank expression as he walked towards the box. The jack inside was holding onto a paper, so he bent over to grab it. On the paper were the words: Fuck you, Elites. You can't protect that saint forever. He's in hell now.

    Ian closed his eyes and massaged his temple in frustration. "Ah, shit. How troublesome," he then whispers, surprising Martin because he never expected the president of the Elites to say such a thing like that.

    Ian crumples the paper and takes a step away from Martin before telling him, "I suggest you move."

    The Saints' school representative was too confused to even comprehend what the president had just said. But before he could even ask, Martin heard something click right above him. He looks up, and right at that moment, a bucket fell, instantly covering him with red and foul blood.

- END -