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"WHAT DO YOU KNOW about the Ministry?" Stefan asks while staring at the Tax Collector, Matthias, who is tied in a chair, his body covered in sweat because of how much he was struggling earlier.

      "You were personally chosen by the Ministry to become one of their dogs, so it's obvious that you know what they've been up to," Stefan continues despite Matthias completely ignoring him. "I'm certain that you know their connection with Klyde Vitus Von Hatzfeld as well."

    "If you think I'm going to tell you anything then you're delusional," Matthias answers as he slowly looks up at Stefan. "Who are you even? You're just a serf who was chosen as a leader by weak white uniforms who can't speak for themselves. This will be your only moment. Once the Ministry finds a solution, you're all dead," Matthias dared say, not even scared that he was alone in a dorm that was filled with students who despised him.

     One word and the serfs would definitely beat him with no hesitation, especially after all the hardships they've experienced because of their Tax System.

    "Who am I? Is that really what you're asking me right now?" Stefan asks, taking a step closer to the collector. "It's a shame. You ask who I am as an insult, not knowing that your lack of knowledge about the people around you is embarrassing in itself. You shouldn't talk big either. You would be nothing without the Ministry standing behind you, so if you think I will be threatened then you're mistaken," Stefan answers with no hint of fear in his eyes either, making Max—who was standing near the door—smile at him proudly.

     Stefan Kross might have started as another 'zombie' who basically didn't care about everything that happened to their house or their system, but he was the most outspoken out of all of them, which is why they chose him as their division's leader. Stefan wants to prove to everyone that they chose the right serf to represent them. And with everything that happened, he's doing a pretty good job. Out of all the divisions, the serfs have been the most coordinated thanks to his guidance.

     Like Xander who's starting to come out of his shell, and Vesper who's now considered the Serfs' official guard, Stefan is beginning to make a name for himself as well, so he won't let someone like Matthias disrespect him like that.

     "You're acting all tough now because I'm tied up. I'm sure you wouldn't even say anything if I wasn't," Matthias presses on with a smug look on his face.

     "Well, that's fortunate for me then," Stefan says, smiling now. "You won't be able to fight back, just like what you guys did to us serfs, tied us down and left us for dead. But now the tables have turned, which gives me more reason to do something like this.." Stefan clenched his fist and was about to throw a punch at Matthias's face, making the collector close his eyes in a panic.

     Matthias felt cold air brush his face, and when he opened his eyes back, he found Stefan's fist stopping just inches away from the tip of his nose. He then turns to Max who was holding his laughter, which pissed him off even more.

     "Now who's acting tough now?" Stefan asks, making Matthias grit his teeth in irritation.

     "Well, I warmed him up for you now, Max. The floor is yours," Stefan says as he looks at the heir who has been waiting for his turn. Max smiles and nods his head before taking a step forward so he can stand in front of the tax collector this time.

     "I'm not the type to interrogate people, but I do know how to get the answers that I need," Max says, carefully adjusting the brooches on his collar before looking back at Matthias. 

     "Who did the Ministry sell the school to?" Max finally asks.

     "I don't know shit," Matthias answers, which was something that Max and Stefan already expected to hear.

      Max takes a deep breath, and then he starts circling Matthias as a way to intimidate him. "You know, you have a particularly clever name. Matthias, Gift of God, similar to Matthew, who just so happened to be the apostle who was once a tax collector," Max says casually, which sounded like he was only sharing a fact, but somehow, it made the expression on Matthias's face change.

     "It's a clever name for the position you're in. Almost too clever to be a real one. Am I correct?" Max then adds, now looking at Matthias who was trying to look straight into his eyes but failed miserably.

     When Max saw his reaction, he grinned and continued, "You're not supposed to be a student here, aren't you...Matthias? The Ministry put you here themselves. Your purpose here is different."

     "Don't be fucking ridiculous."

     "You're like the Archbishop. Keigo and I thought he was pulling the strings because we couldn't even find the most basic information about him, but he was only a distraction. He's there as a frontman to confuse anyone who would try to dig deeper. He's like a plant, just like you."

     "I don't know what you're talking about," Matthias insisted.

     "How much are you getting here? How much percentage has the Ministry offered you?" Max persisted, and Matthias was so startled by the question that he wasn't even able to give an immediate answer, which made Max grin even more.

     He got him.

     Now he knows where to dig.

     "Are they giving you 20 percent in every tax collection? No, that's too high, right? Maybe around 7. After all, your job only requires you to keep the Divisions from getting creative ideas. You collect tax and give impossible demands to keep the serfs in line while the gaffers keep winning in your favor. Whatever you guys have going on here, I'll admit that it's quite impressive. You've worked on this for years. You made this school into a business venture that just keeps growing every time. I should honestly start learning from you guys," Max explains, making Matthias unable to say anything anymore.

     "Now there's only one thing I want to know. Out of all the houses, why did you choose St. George Academy? Is it because of Father Lucas Ivory? Why did he do all this? How did this all start?" Max asks as he leans forward to directly stare into the collector's face.

     Matthias is quiet for a second, but then he spits on Max and says in Italian, "Burn in hell."

     Stefan is about to intervene, but Max stops him. Max then leans close to Matthias's ear and uses his collar to wipe his own saliva off of Max's cheek. Afterward, Max whispers back, "I'll wait for you there."

     Matthias's eyes opened wide in shock soon after, not only because Max knew the language, but because when Max moved away from him, he realized that two serfs were actually standing behind him, holding a bat and a taser.

     "W-What's going–"

     "Because of you, I was sent to the rectory," one of the serfs says with anger present in his voice, making Matthias swallow the lump in his throat.

     "Don't worry, if you don't want to speak, we have other means to do that," Stefan then says before walking out of the room. Max also looks at him for one last time before patting his shoulder and finally heading out, leaving the Tax Collector in the hands of those who seek nothing but revenge.

     "You think he's gonna say anything?" Stefan asks when he and Max finally steps out of the room.

     "Matthias? No, he's never gonna say anything. I can already tell he's never gonna rat those bastards out even if we cut a limb. But there's also the fact that the Ministry wouldn't care what we'd do to him. I'm pretty sure they already know he's missing. They won't give the effort of getting him back, so he's practically useless," Max explains, which Stefan somehow agrees with.

     "Then why don't we just throw him out and give him to the brotherhoods or something?" Stefan asks while the two of them are walking back to their supposed headquarters.

     Max thinks about it for a while, and then he says, "You know, Viktor once told me that I was slow; that I don't use the resources I have and try to do things alone. My experiences here at St. George Academy have made me learn so much. Others might even argue that I'm only wasting my time here, but I don't see it as that. I genuinely want to help, but at the same time, I've learned how to be more certain about myself and others better."

     "I get that, but what does that have to do with Matthias?" Stefan then wonders, making Max chuckle.

     "Well, what I meant to say was he's like an asset...an extra resource, so to speak. He might not be particularly useful now, but he'll prove himself to us eventually...or maybe not. It's just good that we have backup. That's all," Max explains, making Stefan nod his head in understanding before realizing something else from what Max said.

     "Wait, are you and Viktor close that he gives you advice? I know you were part of Creme de la Creme before but I didn't know you were buddies," Stefan then asks, making Max laugh this time. He completely forgot that people are aware of their past relationships, just not on a deeper level.

     "It would be too much trouble to explain the whole thing so just know we're not friends. Probably...civil? We're just studying in the same house, that's all," Max answers, and Stefan doesn't push it anymore.

     When the two were getting closer to where Keigo and the others were waiting, Max suddenly heard a noise coming from the entrance. Max and Stefan looked at each other with furrowed brows, but when they heard someone shout, they immediately started running.

     "What the hell is going on?!" Stefan asks as they arrive at the lobby where a bunch of serfs are surrounding the main entrance. "Oh no, did a brotherhood get in?"

     Stefan pushes through the crowd while Max follows behind him. He was expecting a black uniform, but to his surprise, it was actually a white uniform from a higher house. Stefan can't help but let his jaw drop in shock.

     "W-What...what is he doing here?" Stefan says.

     "Who? What's going on?" Max then asks, standing in front of Stefan so he can see who it is as well. Max was honestly ready for a full-blown fight, but when a familiar gaze welcomed him, his entire body froze.

     "Gav?" Max asks in shock. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in a meeting with the Saints?"

     "Oh, it just...e-ended," Gavriil stutters, looking all awkward compared to his confident demeanor with Uchdryd earlier.

     "And the guys just let you in?" Max asks next.

     "We didn't really have a choice. Hedeon Stallion was the one who knocked," a serf answers, confusing Max even more. He wanted to ask Gavriil a bunch of questions, but instead of doing so, he sighed and said, "Let's talk in private. Follow me."

     Max whispered something to Stefan and started walking away without even waiting for Gav. Gav still stood there awkwardly while the serfs stared at him, but then he cleared his throat and finally followed the heir.

     Max was quiet the entire walk until he arrived at their dorm room. There was silence for a second, but then Max opened the door and entered first, Gavriil right behind him.

     Gavriil closes the door as Max turns the lights on, revealing a room that's filled with all sorts of things, which was mostly from Xander's tools and inventions, Keigo's flash drives and books, and Vesper's empty beer cans and snacks. This was definitely the room that Gavriil did not imagine Max would sleep in.

     "So, Leigh..." Gavriil says, unsure how to start a conversation even though it's only been ten days since they've last seen each other. I guess they're just a bit awkward since Max kissed him outside their hotel while Étienne stood by. It was the most public thing they've done with their relationship, and the two of them don't exactly know how to handle that yet.

     While Gavriil tries to think of the right words to say, Max turns around to face him. After avoiding him since he arrived, the vice president finally gets a better look at Max's face, and despite only being apart for ten days, Gavriil is left mesmerized all over again. He almost forgot how handsome and charming Max was in person.

     "Damn, I can't believe that's my boyfriend," Gavriil unconsciously says out loud, making Max's ears turn red in complete embarrassment.

     Before Gavriil could say anything else that would make Max feel flustered,  Max pulled him for a hug and buried his face in his chest, which surprised the vice president for only a second because he eventually wrapped his arms around Max's waist so he could hug him back.

     "I thought you were going to leave after your meeting so I didn't dare look at you. I didn't want to crave your presence when I know I wouldn't even be able to speak to you," Max says, his sweet words making Gavriil smile because he knows that only he can hear Max say such things out loud.

     "How are you?" Gavriil asks as Max finally breaks free from the hug so the two of them can look at each other. "I'm glad you're doing well, but when I saw the state of this school I got worried. I couldn't believe you've been living in such an environment."

     "It's okay. My division has been very supportive, and we have a plan to make everything better. I'm confident of that," Max says while Gavriil tucks his hair behind his ear. Looking at him now, Gavriil realized that Max's hair had actually grown longer too.

    It looks good on him. That's what he thought, but he didn't dare say it out loud anymore.

    "Hedeon brought me here and said Viktor had a gift for me. I didn't know it would be you," Gavriil shares, which surprised Max.

     "Viktor? The king? That Viktor?" Max asked in disbelief.

     "I'm sure he's just toying with us. That's what he does in his spare time–make people do his bidding. But Hedeon also gave me something, said I should open it when the two of us are together," Gavriil then explains, pulling a piece of paper out from his pocket and opening it so he and Max could read it together.

     Surprisingly enough, the paper had a note written on it. The note read: Letting the white uniform play with his toy for a bit so he can hurry up with getting Hee-Joon back. I'm expecting something in return after this. I'm not always so nice. xoxo

    "Is he fucking for real right now?" Gavriil asks in annoyance, crumpling the paper while Max laughs at the side. "That man is seriously a menace."

     "Why? I for one love this gift," Max says with a smile, shyly reaching out to touch the hem of Gavriil's white uniform that he had started to miss. He's not really sure what Viktor's real intention was for doing this, but he's glad that Viktor's not completely ignoring his existence anymore.

     "Anyway, I don't have much time. I need to head back before Hedeon ends up bombing this place," Gavriil then tells him, which was something that Max wasn't even mad about since he knew Hedeon would definitely do such a thing.

     Max nods his head, but then he hugs him for one last time before they can officially part ways. "Just refilling my energy," Max tells him, and Gavriil laughs, giving him a tight squeeze and then letting him go. If they continue with this, Gavriil won't be able to leave at all.

     "Looks like that's it. I really should go."

     "Wait," Max stops him.

     Gavriil was confused for a second, but then he felt his ears heating up. He thought Max was going to kiss him again like he did last time, but to his dismay, Max's expression changed into something more serious.

     "I don't know what the Saints told you, but in a few days, a huge change will be coming to this school that might affect the other houses, as well as the Brotherhood Association. I hope the Elites and the rest of J.S High would be ready for that change," Max explains. And even though Gavriil is itching to know more about the change he speaks of, he remains silent about the sudden warning.

     "Anything else?" Gavriil asks, now in his vice-president mode.

     "I need you to help me with something," Max says next, making Gavriil raise an eyebrow.

     "You're currently a serf in the House of Bishops. Why would I help you?" Gavriil asks, expecting Max to give him a witty answer. But to his surprise, Max didn't say anything at all. Instead, he leans towards him and kisses him on the lips, catching him off guard. But after a while, Gavriil kisses him back, tasting him until both of them can no longer breathe.

     When they parted from the kiss, Max reached out and wiped Gavriil's lips with his thumb. "Is that enough payment, or would you want more?" Max whispers, almost making the poor vice president smirk at how good Max has been with this.

    "Don't challenge me, sweetheart," Gavriil answers, stealing a kiss from Max this time before finally letting go of him.

     "Will you help me?" Max asks again, and Gavriil chuckles and nods his head, finding it funny that Max would even think that Gavriil wouldn't.

     "What do you need?"

     "I can't really contact anyone from here. Signal has been blocked since the Brotherhood Custom has been implemented, and I'm afraid that this request needs a more personal discussion with the other party," Max explains.

     "And who's the party that we're talking about here?"

     Max takes a deep breath and gives Gavriil time to prepare himself because he knows that the Elite won't like this request at all.

     "It's the Cigarettes' leader, the count, Charles Justin Mills. I'm hoping you can talk to him and tell him to look for dirt about the Secretary of Education, Laurence Chapman. Keigo and I have tried finding anything related to him, but there's nothing. We think CJ might know something since he has more connections with the underworld and the black market," Max explains, making Gavriil scratch his chin. He and CJ aren't really close, and asking him for something will be troublesome, even if it's from Max.

     "That man might end up striking a deal with me first before he can even entertain whatever it is I'm about to tell him," Gavriil explains.

     Max contemplates it for a while, but then he removes Cigarette's brooch from his collar before handing it over to Gavriil. "Then give this back to him," Max says. "Tell him that he can only return that to me once he gives me what I need. The faster he accomplishes my request, the faster he'll be able to get that back to me. I know Cj. He'll be annoyed that I gave this back to him again, but it will be the reason why he'll do this as quickly as possible."

     "Are you sure?"

     "Yes."

     "Alright. I'll make sure to give this to him as soon as I can."

     "Thank you."

     After their quick meeting, Max and Gavriil share one last kiss before parting ways. Max didn't even walk him out. He might ask Gavriil to stay if he did, and Max can't get distracted, especially now that they have a plan.

     "Get back home safely," Gavriil told him before he left, which gave Max the extra boost that he needed to get everything done.

     Max just has to endure a little longer. The faster he gets to solve St. George Academy's mystery, the faster he'll be able to come back to his home...figuratively, and literally.

...

"Here's some coffee," Max says as he places the mug on the desk where Keigo is sitting.

     "Thank you."

     Keigo and Max have been busy the entire day in their dorm room, still looking for clues about Klyde and Laurence Chapman, which to no avail, has been a complete failure. It got so late that Xander fell asleep while hugging another one of his inventions, while Vesper was lying in his bed, shirtless and unconscious while still holding a bag of chips. For someone like him, it's a surprise that he's the type to enjoy snacks.

     Now, it's morning again, and Max and Keigo still haven't found anything.

     "This is impossible. The only hope we have with this now is CJ, and I don't think he'll be able to send us his findings anytime soon," Keigo complains, the dark circles around his eyes becoming more evident. "They're really hiding every information about them that it's crazy. Whoever's working on their data is hella good with computers. And as much as I hate to admit this, they're undoubtedly better than I am."

     "Don't say that," Max states, yawning before sitting on the edge of his bed. "We'll find information about Laurence Chapman even if it kills me. But what I'm more worried about is Klyde Von Hatzfeld. Like, where did he disappear to? What happened after the news about him got spread?"

     "I bet you two would end up having a very meaningful conversation together if given the chance," Keigo points out since Max has the innate ability to make people open up to him for some reason.

     "You think so?"

     "Yeah, I do."

     "Well, I guess we'll only know once that actually happens. We should just try to do our best to find information about that secretary of education," Max explains, making Keigo heavily sigh again.

     "What are we even supposed to do when there's literally nothing to find?" Keigo then asks.

     "Duck," someone suddenly answers out of nowhere, making Max and Keigo furrow their brows in confusion.

     "Duck?" Keigo asks back, turning around to see Vesper now sitting up from his bed while looking out the window. "What are you yapping about Cinna? Can't you see we're—" Before Keigo can even finish his sentence, something suddenly comes flying towards them, causing their glass window to shatter into pieces, instantly making everyone's jaw drop in complete shock and horror.

     "What the hell was that?!"

- END -