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"SORRY ABOUT THE LEG," Max begins, lying on the clinic bed while River, Marcus, Hans, and the rest of the leaders and right-hand men surround him. "My strategy was mostly to hide and run, but you hit my stomach with a metal pipe so I got serious and ended up hitting you back, which I now realize was a pretty shitty move."

     "There's no reason for you to apologize. I'm not as good with battles since my twin was the one who would fight for us in the past, so I already expected that I wouldn't be as strong or as agile as Charles and the others," River explains to him. "Besides, I just sprained my ankle when I fell. No big deal. You, on the other hand..." River pauses and gestures at the patches found all over Max's body that are covering the purple bruises on his skin. 

     Max was chased, hit, and slammed against the rail of a metal ladder. It's a miracle that he's still awake after drinking all those painkillers the doctor gave him earlier.

     "But still–"

     "We're going to have a meeting during lunch break. We'll wait for you at the greenhouse when you're ready," Hans interrupts before Max apologizes to them again. "There's also something my brotherhoods would want to tell you regarding your proposal. I hope you can understand our concerns with an open mind."

    "Of course. Thank you for even considering it, Hans," Max says, still bowing his head to the prince despite the pain in his back.

     "We should give Max some time to rest now," Marcus then says, but Max shakes his head and sits up from the bed, Brave and Arjun immediately assisting him.

     "No, it's fine. I can still go to class," Max insisted. His protectors were about to protest, but then Max added, "It's been a while since I've seen my friends, so I want to go to class. I hope you understand my sentiments."

     "Max, we just want you to–"

      "You're not going to be able to stop him. You know that, right?" CJ then tells Krist while sitting on the edge of Max's bed.

     "Well, let us at least assist you to your classroom," Krist suggested, but Max was already standing from the bed by himself, ignoring everyone who was trying to help him.

     "A guard unit is already on my tail 24/7. I'd rather not be restricted like this while I'm in J.S High," Max explained, and all they could do was sigh at how stubborn Max was. They know Max enough to not pity him. They wouldn't have gone full out earlier if they thought Max was weak. But despite all that, everyone couldn't help but be worried.

     "I seriously think you should rest for a couple of hours," Hans said to him.

     "I told you, I'm fine," Max responds again. Master Joker was about to discourage him, but Brave swooped in and blocked their leader so he could no longer stop the young heir.

     "Ignore them, Max. They just miss you and want your attention, so go ahead and take your leave," Brave then revealed, making the leaders glare at him.

     "Don't want to admit this, but Brave is right. Just head to your class. You wouldn't want to be late on your first day back, right?" Marcus then agrees like the big brother that he is, and Max smiles, nodding his head as he finally walks to the exit, the rest of his protectors just watching him as he tries his best to walk a straight line.

     As soon as the door closed, everyone looked at Marcus with disbelief. They couldn't believe Marcus just let Max go like that when he needed to stay in bed for a couple more hours.

     "You're seriously too nice to your brother," Anthony tells him while chewing on gum.

     "I know, but let him have his way for the time being. That kid has been through so much in St. George Academy, so at least let him see his friends," Marcus tells everyone, and no one argues with him anymore. After all, they'd rather be a black uniform in the House of Pawns than and serf in the House of Bishops. They know how tough it was. Max did a pretty good job surviving that long and even saving the darn school in the process.

     "Wait, but isn't Ervin and–"

     "Anyway, we should head back to the greenhouse," Arjun interrupts, not even letting Krist finish his sentence. "We have a special guest waiting for us there. We wouldn't want to make him wait now, would we?"

...

It's been a while since Max walked down the long corridors in the Hall of Caelus. Of course, he'll never forget the people he met and the places he went to when he was in St George, but nothing will ever beat the nostalgia of walking down J.S High. Well, barely walking down J.S High because as stubborn as he was, Max couldn't even walk properly after exerting so much energy earlier. If he was being truthful, he'd rather lie in bed and just sleep for hours, but the Max in him doesn't want to waste the day sleeping.

     "Class II-A," Max says as he spots the sign. He smiles and reaches out to the doorknob, but then he stops when he senses a tall figure standing behind him.

     Max turns around, and to his surprise, their class adviser, Sir Kai Barron, welcomes him with his infamous cold stare. Max flinched because he wasn't even able to notice him earlier, but after a while, he smiled at the familiar face. 

     Anyone who doesn't know Sir Barron would think he's some kind of gangster with all the tattoos on his body. He's also a special class teacher, which means he's not supposed to be an adviser in any class, considering how he already handles the Elites. But thanks to Janus, the grumpy professor was forced to take the role, which wasn't much of a delight for Class II-A either.

     "Wow, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's great to see you again, sir Barron," Max blurts out.

     "Is that supposed to flatter me, Max Sinclaire?" Sir Barron asks back, but Max still smiles as the terrifying professor walks inside the classroom first, holding a holder and a thick textbook about leadership.

     When the door opened, Max could already hear the noise coming from the classroom, which instantly made his heart start pumping. He didn't even care about the pain he was feeling anymore. He just really wanted to see familiar faces again.

     "Alright everyone, settle down," Sir Barron says as he walks up to the desk in front of the room so he can put his things down. "And please, as you welcome your classmate back, remember that you're still an A class, which does not stand for animals. I'm going to kick out the person who will stand, shout, or make any annoying noises. My ears are already bleeding from your unbearable screaming at the stadium," he then adds.

    Everyone was confused as to what their adviser was even talking about, but when Max stepped inside the room, they finally understood what he meant. The class was about to start shouting as Sir Barron predicted, but they were able to contain themselves thanks to the advanced warning.

    "Welcome back, Max," Hazik Zahari bin Ahmad greeted, making Max smile and wave at him.

     "You were really cool during the battle earlier. Makes me proud we're in the same class," Demetricus Johnson then says, and the others couldn't help but agree.

     Max greets the rest of his classmates as he walks down the aisle to get to his seat. But as he was walking, he noticed that none of his friends were there. Max was used to Gavriil not being in class since Elites aren't required to attend it, but Ari, Felix, and Ervin rarely miss any.

    "What's going on? Where's Ari and the others?" Max asks the dweller sitting in front of him as he takes a seat.

     "Oh, those three haven't been going to class since you left for the exchange program," the dweller reveals, surprising Max. None of them mentioned anything about this when they sent him a message.

     "Alright, let me now take your attendance," Sir Barron says as he pulls his attendance sheet out. "Looks like Campbell, Faulkner, and Walker are once again excused for their classes, so I'll begin with–"

     "Sir Barron," Max interrupts, raising his hand to catch their adviser's attention. "I'm sorry but, where are they? Why are they excused?"

     "Shouldn't you know? Aren't they your friends?"

     "Well, we weren't allowed to use our phone in St. George Academy so I couldn't get in touch," Max explains, making the tired-looking adviser sigh.

    "If you must know, Mr. Felix Campbell is going to be competing next week in the US for the Annual World Scholar's Cup. Mr. Aristotle Faulkner is still in Finland presenting his research paper about ancient literature. While Mr. Ervin Walker is training for the World Championship so he can get a spot in the Olympic games in Paris which will begin in July. As you can see, Mr. Sinclaire, your friends have been very busy, and have been excelling in their own right. You are not the only one striving to the top here," Sir Barron reveals, which leaves Max completely speechless.

     Max couldn't help but be disappointed in himself because he never even knew about these things. His friends have always supported him in his endeavors, so he feels guilty for not being able to do the same for them. He doesn't want to use his situation as an excuse for not being aware of his friends' achievements.

     At the same time, behind the guilt, there is also great pride. Max couldn't help but feel happy that Ari, Felix, and Ervin were climbing the top as well, achieving greater things than Max could ever imagine. Now he wants to see them and just give them a big hug, but until then...

    "Is that so? Then thank you...Sir Barron."

     Sir Barron nods his head, and then he proceeds with the attendance. Right after, he went on to begin their homeroom class, which was mostly about the upcoming finals. Sir Barron reminded them again about the condition he has for those who want to stay in this class. He explained that anyone in Class II-A who is ranked lower than 320 at the end of the second term will automatically get transferred to Class B. It's not much of a problem since there's only a handful of them now, but Sir Barron still explained that now that they're nearing the end of the school year, the ranks will change drastically.

    Max's classmates called this phenomenon the Great Rank Shift. Since the students have been acquiring so many points in the past seven months, it's only natural that a lot of the ranks will change, which led to their class adviser's next announcement.

     "As you all know, if you scan your student cards, your rank will not appear. That's because the Elites, along with a certain White Uniform who is now in a different house, have been working on a system that will filter out everyone's illegal points. All the merit points that will enter your account can now be traced, which will greatly help us keep track of your raw points," Sir Barron explains, which automatically made Max smile because his dear friend Keigo was the person who helped create this.

     The issue with illegal points was always overlooked, but after Max completed PHD's tasks, the auction was exposed, and white uniforms from the top ten were removed. That's why this upcoming reranking is highly anticipated. Everyone is excited to know who the new top ten students are.

     "There is no official date yet, but your ranks will be announced inevitably. Please get ready for that," Sir Barron explains further. "Now, the next thing we're going to talk about is an event that was proposed by the association last 2021. Though it's only been celebrated for three years, the Spring Dance has been a tradition among the houses because this event is a collaboration with the sisterhood houses," Sir Barron reveals next, surprising Max. Marcus mentioned about this before, but he wasn't expecting it to be a collaborative event.

     As Sir Kai Barron explained, the Spring Dance was proposed by the association in hopes of giving the students at least a normal high school experience, just like how the field trip was proposed later on. The Spring Dance is similar to a prom because students can ask someone to be their partner, enjoy the night with friends, and then get chosen as Spring King & Queen. Each brotherhood house is then partnered with its equivalent sisterhood, which is why J.S High will team up with the House of Queens.

    "Last year the House of Queens hosted the dance, so now it's our turn. This will be after your exams."

     "Has the committees been posted, sir?" One of the white uniforms asks.

     "I was just getting to that," Sir Barron replies. "To those who might not know, Max specifically, another reason why we hold the Spring Dance is for the betterment of the students themselves. White Uniforms and Black Uniforms prepare for the event unlike the Ball we had last time. The students have to work on the venue, the music, the food, and the program, which promotes a sense of responsibility and teamwork."

     Sir Barron then pauses and walks to the whiteboard to write something down.

Props Committee

Food Committee

Beverages Committee

Invites Committee

Program Committee

Sponsors

     "These are the committees. You are required to join one so there's no excuse for you to lazy around. The committees will be posted during your lunch break just outside the Great Hall. Remember that each group has limited members so decide now and sign up before it closes. Any more questions?" Sir Barron asks, but no one else raises their hands.

     "Then that will be all for today's homeroom. Now quietly wait for the professor for your next class. I'll see you all tomorrow," Class II-A's adviser says as he picks up all of his things from the table. Everyone stands as their adviser walks to the door. But before leaving, he looks back at Max for one last time and says, "And welcome back, Sinclaire."

     Max was surprised at the sudden greeting, but before he could say anything, Sir Barron was already gone.

     "It's good to be back, sir."

     "I'm so excited for the dance! There's someone that I have a huge crush on in the House of Queens. I hope she accepts my proposal because last year I was too shy to ask," one of Max's classmates says, making Max turn to them so he can eavesdrop on their conversation.

     "I think I'm gonna go alone. You're not required to have a date, anyway."

     "Oh please, you're just scared to get rejected again because last year you asked BND's Red and he rejected you in front of everyone."

     "What's wrong with that?! It was worth the shot!"

     "Come on man, do you know how many students here and in the House of Queens propose to the members of BND every year? Hundreds! That's why they always go alone," one of the dwellers explained, making Max chuckle at how ridiculous that sounded, causing the others to notice him listening to them.

     "How about you, Max?" Hazik asks, turning to Max who flinched when everyone in class looked at him. Max was already smiling while he was listening to them because never in his life did he imagine the white uniforms to be talking about something so normal like a school dance. He's really glad that J.S High has moments like these where students can just be students.

     "What about me?" Max asks back.

     "I mean, are you going to ask someone out? You know it's tradition to properly propose to someone before the actual event when you want to dance with them," Theodore Crawford then explains.

     "Really now?" Max says, quickly glancing at Gavriil's empty seat before looking back at his classmates again. "Well, I don't know who to ask yet. I'll think about it first."

     "I bet it's Cindy Lin," another one of his classmates says this time. "Cindy Lin always comes by herself, but I'm sure she'll come with Max this year. Remember how she came with Max during the Welcome Ball?"

    "W-well, I don't know about that," Max tries to say since Marcus mentioned that he wants to ask Cindy out himself. Max would have asked her if it wasn't for Marcus since she's always the safest partner during events like this, but asking Gavriil wouldn't hurt. But then again, he couldn't help but overthink. Maybe Gavriil isn't the type to participate in these dances. And maybe it would be strange if everyone saw them together during that night. No one knows about their relationship yet besides the people he's close with.

     "But if we're being realistic here, I'm sure dozens of girls and guys would want to have a Maximilian Sinclaire as their date. You're one of the people here who won't even have to worry. I'm so jealous!" Another one of his classmates says, and Max could only fake a smile, hiding that this was, in fact, making him worry.

...

"It's so lonely walking down these halls alone," Max says while walking down Hall of Caelus, the white uniforms immediately greeting him as he walks past them.

     Morning classes were finally over and Max was heading to the greenhouse to meet up with the brotherhoods so they could finally discuss what underling Joon was going to be. Max still finds it strange to be back in school, attending classes like a normal student after everything he went through at St. George Academy. He's even worrying about the Spring Dance now, which is kinda a blessing in disguise since he doesn't have to keep remembering what happened to Klyde.

     "I was always alone in the past and that never bothered me, but now I'm aware of how empty it feels to be by myself after being surrounded by people I care about," Max continues to say before holding the top area of his waist that's still aching from the battle earlier. "Maybe I should head back to the clinic later. There's no point staying in class if Ari and the others aren't there."

     Max continued walking until he finally reached BND's brotherhood base. He was getting ready for their discussion in regards to Kim Hee-Joon, but as soon as he opened the door, Max was surprised to see Hans clenching on Joon's collar, their faces just inches away from each other, their expressions angry.

     "You've got some nerve to mention that here, Kim Hee-Joon!" Hans shouted right at Joon's face. "This is our base you're standing on, and if it's not clear yet, we are the princes now. Don't act like we're gonna give you some special treatment just because Max is helping you. That's not how it goes."

    "Prince? If I wasn't shot you wouldn't even be in that position. Enjoy it while it lasts, Hans. You know within yourself you just got lucky. You didn't deserve any of this glory."

     "Hey! Watch your tongue!" Khian defends.

     "Guys, what's going on?" Max asks as he walks inside the base, and everyone in the greenhouse turns around to look at him.

     Jokers, Cigarettes, as well as Siren, were standing on the side, not daring to interrupt Hans and Joon. But when Max walks up to them, BND's leader immediately lets go of the ice prince and moves away from him.

     "What's going on?" Max asks again but with a much more serious tone.

     Hans couldn't say anything. He couldn't even look at Max, so Marcus stepped forward and faced his brother instead. "We're sorry, Max. I tried to convince them but..." Marcus paused and turned to his brotherhood. This time, BND's right-hand man stepped forward.

    Arjun takes a deep breath and looks at Max with a serious expression. He didn't know how to begin, but he knew that he had to say this now or never. "Max, we are your protectors, and we will serve you until you reach your goal. That was our promise. But we apologize. Greatly apologize. As much as we want to help you with this...Boys Next Door will not take Kim Hee-Joon as our underling. We will assist you in anything else, but not this."

     "Arjun..." Max says, guilty that they even have to apologize like this when this was all his idea.

     "With that said," Siren then adds. "With respect for the princes, we will not take Kim Hee-joon as our underling as well. We apologize, Max," she then reveals, and this surprised Max even more.

     Now there are only two brotherhoods left, Jokers and Cigarettes. Janus gave Max a deadline, so if none of his protectors take him, he won't have any choice left. Kim Hee-Joon will be forced to return to St. George Academy, and Max will have to officially admit that he failed his task of bringing Joon back.

     "Please. There's no need for any of you to apologize. This was my idea. The last thing I want is for you all to feel burdened because of it," Max says, reaching out to Hans's shoulder and nodding his head, telling him that he fully understands his reasons. He then looks at Siren and gives her a reassuring smile too.

     "Now we're left with two," Max says, turning to Master Joker and CJ this time. Master Joker had his arms crossed, his expression almost unreadable, while CJ sat on a bench, finishing his cigarette stick. 

     "Will any of you take him?" Max then asks them, and the members of the two brotherhoods instantly turn to look at their leaders.

     But as they were waiting for a decision to be made, Joon, who hadn't said anything since Max arrived, looked at the young heir and said, "Sinclaire, we made an agreement. I will choose the brotherhood that I will be an underling of. Not the other way around."

     "You're in no position to choose," Hans quickly retaliates, but Joon ignores him as he continues to look at Max.

    Max wanted to say something, but then he remembered what Hans said to him during the battle: "You might be helping Joon now, you might pity him, maybe even want to be his friend, but he is the ice prince for a reason. He and Viktor are inseparable for a reason..."

     "Well? Tell them," Joon says to Max in a demanding tone, but after seeing how troubled everyone is, Max is no longer in the mood to bicker with him like kids. He didn't expect his protectors to be this conflicted with his request. He wasn't able to fully grasp how deep their wounds were with the Royals, and Max almost forgot that his protectors never had a good relationship with both PHD and Busters from the very beginning. He doesn't know the reason why yet, but with how things are, Max will stand beside his protectors before anyone else.

     "No," Max finally says, surprising the ice prince. "I've been too kind to you Kim Hee-Joon. I've been considerate because I pity you. Okay? I admit it. I fucking pity you. I wouldn't even be helping you if I didn't. But I forgot...Hans and the others tried reminding me...but you're a royal. What I feel about you now doesn't change the fact that you've bruised others to get to where you are now. So no, Kim Hee-Joon, you will not choose. You don't get that right anymore."

    Everyone was surprised, even Joon himself. He thought Max was just going with the flow until the end because he was kind, but it seemed like he was wrong. He has once again underestimated him, even when Viktor has warned him about the heir multiple times. Even Vesper told him not to use Max for his own benefit.

     "You're no longer a prince so you don't get to act like one. My protectors will decide if they will take you or not. If no one wants you...well...I'll help you pack your bags, and you're kissing this school goodbye. Because if you will continue to disregard the feelings of those who want to help you, then there is no reason for me to waste my time with you. There is no room for selfish rulers in J.S High, Kim Hee-joon. Engrave that in your fucking skull..."

- END -