♰
"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, surprising the young heir. Max knew, based on Uchdryd's posture, that he was going to get punched. But as he prepared for the impact, Uchdryd quickly leaned towards him and whispered something in his ear.
"I'm gonna punch you. Clench your stomach and drop to the floor," Uchdryd suddenly warns.
Max's eyes widened in shock, but he immediately did what he was told. The leader of Checkmate punches him in the gut with no hesitation. Despite preparing for the impact, the punch still hurt, but it was not painful enough for him to drop to the floor if Uchdryd hadn't told him to.
"Let me just welcome you to St. George Academy instead, outsider," Uchdryd says with a sadistic grin as Max falls to the ground, pretending to catch his breath to make it believable.
"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," Uchdryd says for one last time before finally turning around and joining his brotherhood.
Keigo immediately ran to Max to help him stand. After draping Max's arm around his shoulder to support him, Keigo looks back at Uchdryd to yell at him for doing such a thing to his dear friend, but Max immediately looks at him and shakes his head, encouraging him not to do anything.
Keigo could only grit his teeth as he and Max finally walked back in line.
The rest of the white uniforms looked at the outsider with smug looks on their faces. They all thought that Max deserved the said punishment, not knowing that Uchdryd wasn't even trying to hurt him in the first place. He was probably showing the others that Max wasn't an exception to their rules, even if he was just a temporary student.
Showing any kind of favoritism would have been terrible on his part.
"Max, are you alright?" Xander asked when Keigo and Max had gotten back to their positions.
"I'm fine," Max answers. He obviously doesn't want to lie to his roommates, but it's best to hide what happened for the time being, especially when he doesn't know what the leader of Checkmate is planning yet.
"I'm definitely fine," Max whispers under his breath this time before looking at Uchdryd, who is now talking with the other members of his brotherhood. He then turns to the vice president, who still has a blank expression on his face. Max couldn't help but wonder about those two. He doesn't want to sound boastful or anything, but Levi and Uchdryd definitely tried protecting him.
The question is, why?
Max couldn't help but be confused about everything that's been happening so far. But before he can get consumed by his thoughts, the church bell rings again. And this time, even the brotherhoods stopped talking and stood properly.
Eventually, the Tax Collectors enter the atrium, followed by two nuns and two priests. Walking right behind them was a man wearing a black cassock with red buttons and a waistband. His name is Father Lucas Ivory, a Catholic Bishop and the school president of St. George Academy.
Max saw him during the crowning ceremony after the brotherhood reranking, and the best way to describe his face is kind. But the problem now is that Max is skeptical of the said kindness. Would a kind president let all this happen to his own school?
Well, to be fair, Janus Sinclaire has his own shortcomings. But at least he doesn't deny the fact that he fucked things up a couple of times.
"Good afternoon, Father Lucas," everyone says in unison while holding onto their chests.
The bishop and his entourage went on stage while the rest of the Saints moved aside to give them space. Max didn't really know what they were supposed to do. He had a lot of ideas in mind, but what he didn't expect at all was that St. George Academy's way of morning assembly was actually praying the rosary.
Max wanted to respect the solemnity of the prayer, but he couldn't help but find it all ironic. How can the very people who bullied them just minutes ago now start praying so peacefully as if they can't even hurt a fly? People really are good at pretending to be kind so that they wouldn't get persecuted by people they think hold more power.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen," the bishop says as everyone did the sign of the cross. "Our morning assembly has ended. You may now head back to your respective classrooms. As for the Saints and the Brotherhoods, please stay behind."
"Wait, that's it?" Max asks in shock as the white uniforms start heading out of the atrium.
"You should be glad that that's it, so let's just go," Keigo replies, pulling Max out of the atrium with the rest of the divisions.
When all the white uniforms now left, all the brotherhoods and the members of the Saints immediately went down on one knee to properly face the reverend father, whose kind face now turned into something more serious.
"Why are the students covered in red paint when they all know we're going to have our morning assembly?" Father Lucas asks first. Obviously, the vice president steps in since he's responsible for what happened to the white uniforms.
"It seems to have been an accident," Vice President Levi answers.
"An accident?"
"But everything has been dealt with," Uchdryd quickly adds, helping out the vice president so he won't get scolded. "We already found out who started the mess, and I have given him his proper punishment. You may ask the other students for confirmation."
"Is that so?" Father Lucas asks, now staring at the strongest leader in the atrium. "Then that's good. Anyone who disobeys must be persecuted in front of everyone so they can be an example. You made a good judgment as always, Uchdryd. I am pleased."
"Thank you, Father," Uchdryd replies while bowing his head.
"But how about giving that student to us so we can bring him to the convent? We can make sure that he doesn't make trouble again," Matthias, the leader of the Tax Collectors and the student who faced Max at the cafeteria earlier, suddenly suggests with a grin.
"I don't think that's necessary," Ruby Rose, the second lord, replies, and Matthias sighs before turning to the bishop again.
Lucas Ivory got ready to dismiss everyone, but then he noticed something that made him look at Blade and Killshot. "Where is your leader? The reranking has already ended a week ago. How long does he need to recover?" Father Lucas then asks.
Killshot, who's still kneeling like the others, stared at the ground and answered their school president. "My great apologies, Father Lucas. Our leader's eyes have not recovered since the battle. We request for a little more time before he can finally join us."
"He only lost one eyesight, right? He should be thanking the Lord that both eyes were not taken from him. And his blindness isn't even permanent," the bishop preached. "But alright, I will give him one more week. After that, he must join everyone again. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Father Lucas," the members of PHD answered in unison.
"Alright, that will be all. You're all dismissed," Lucas Ivory then says as he leaves the atrium first, followed by the Tax Collectors and the rest of his entourage. The Saints also started leaving the atrium, but their president, Justice Thorndyke, decided to stay behind to speak with the brotherhoods.
"Head to the office. I'll follow right after," Justice says, and Levi and the rest of the council nod their heads before walking out.
The brotherhoods started standing from the floor after kneeling all this time. Justice walked towards them, but the members of PHD began to walk away, immediately making the third-year president grab Killshot's arm to stop them.
"You guys might be new here, and I might not be as terrifying as Ian, but I hope you give me a few more minutes of your time," Justice says, and Killshot aggressively pulls his arm away from Justice's hand before going back to their positions.
When everyone was now looking at him, Justice took a deep breath and gave out a smile. "If you still have not noticed, Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire has arrived at our house for the exchange program. He is considered a transferee, but his real purpose is to observe our house, which is the main purpose of this exchange. Our school representative, Martin Osborn, will also transfer to the House of Rooks next week."
"So you want us to behave?" One of the members of Checkmate asks, making the rest of his members laugh.
"Not really. There wouldn't be much to observe if we pretended to act differently. Of course, I'm certain that the other council members would tell me to instruct you all to do just that, but we'll still do it my way," Justice says, a smile still present on his face.
"And why would we even care about this program?" Elijah Valor, the leader of Red Tigers, then asks with an annoyed expression. "That outsider is only here for a month. Are we supposed to care because he's a Sinclaire? Or is it because he wears those brotherhood brooches? Does he expect us to give him ours too?" He then asks, making Justice chuckle.
"I believe he's not even slightly interested in your brooches except for one," Justice answers, quickly glancing at the members of PHD before looking back at Elijah. "And besides, I'm only telling you this because I'm responsible for your stupid asses. Sinclaire might be here for a month, but one of the main purposes of this program is for him to report everything he learned about us to his council. The House of Bishops isn't exactly as holy as it seems. And our reputation might drop if Sinclaire exposes us to the Elites. Remember, the Elites are the highest council. They have the most power over all of us."
"Then we shouldn't be the one you're supposed to be giving this talk to," Ruby Rose, the leader of Scarlet Letter, says.
(NOTE: To those who were confused with Ruby Rose, Ruby is transgender, so she identifies as a woman. She started her transition during the time she was a student at J.S High and fully transitioned as a woman when she transferred to St. George Academy. Hope this helped!)
"The biggest problem in our house is the white uniforms. The divisions are a total mess. The Tax Collectors think they have the highest authority because they're the bitches of Father Lucas, and the Saints are viciously biased. The brotherhoods should be the least of your concerns," Ruby explains further.
"But if you want Sinclaire to give a good report to the Elites, shouldn't you be doing something about it now?" One of the members of Gallants then points out, making Justice sigh this time.
"I've only been your council president for a couple of months. The members of the Saints don't particularly like me, and my influence isn't as great as the other presidents. I am aware that at any minute, my position might be taken away from me. That's why I'm trying to finalize my proposition before that happens," Justice says, making the brotherhoods look at each other.
"And what proposition are we talking about here?" Chandler Heptinstall, leader of Rank 11 Gallants, asks with his right eyebrows raised.
Justice Thorndyke looks at the brotherhoods one by one. Right after, he took a deep breath and finally revealed, "I'm going to propose the full implementation of the White Uniform Protection Code in St. George Academy."
Everyone in the atrium instantly looked at the council president in full shock after hearing what he had to say. But those who were especially surprised were the leaders of Checkmate and Scarlet Letter, as well as the members of PHD. They couldn't believe what Justice just said because this code was created by the previous Elites' president, Matthew Grey Cullen.
"The White Uniform Protection Code?" Elijah asks, also surprised to hear such a thing.
"Apart from the House of Pawns, St. George Academy is the only house that has not applied that code yet. If this gets implemented, we can instantly solve all problems with the serfs. I'll also be able to integrate this with the Division Program and improve it," Justice explains with such determination that the other brotherhoods couldn't help but be sucked in.
"But there is a problem, isn't there, President Thorndyke?" Killshot then asks, instantly making everyone turn to him. "When the president proposes something, all the members of the council must approve and sign it. You must also collect 75% of the students' votes before getting it sent to the Brotherhood Association for approval. Even Matthew Grey Cullen had a hard time with that," Killshot explains, and the look on Justice's face made everyone know that Justice was very much aware of that condition.
"We're lucky because, in the House of Knights, everyone was on board. But looking at St. George Academy? You're lucky if twenty students voted for it," Chandler (Gallant's leader) comments.
"But have you told Vice President Levi about it?" Uchdryd then asks. "If you don't know yet. Levi...helped President Grey write that code, along with the Brotherhood Protection Code. If you want support, I'm sure he'll gladly help you with that."
"I haven't told him yet," Justice says. "But Levi won't be enough. We need someone with greater influence. These gaffers and the other members of the Saints will never approve of this. But there might be someone who will be able to sway them. Someone who has already done it before in his house. Someone who is actually willing to help us."
The brotherhoods looked at each other before looking back at the president.
"And who could that be?"
...
"Max!" Keigo shouted as a group of dwellers slammed his body against the lockers. "Let go of him! Let go of him now!" Keigo continued to shout, but none of the white uniforms covered in red paint listened.
"You think you can just do whatever you want and get away with it? Do you think the punishment lord Uchdryd did is enough to satisfy us?! Don't kid yourself! You're in our house now, bastard!" One of the dwellers shouted, punching Max again, making the side of Max's mouth start bleeding.
Max catches his breath and drops to the floor. Keigo and Xander were about to help him, but two other dwellers grabbed their arms to stop them.
"Max! Please fight back!" Keigo shouted as he tried to push the dweller away from him, but the white uniform wouldn't budge at all.
"P-Please show mercy," Xander begged this time as he helplessly stared at the white uniforms who were now kicking Max.
Max tried to protect himself as best as he could, covering his face with his arms while the others continued kicking him like a sack. Max almost lost his breath, but the bullies finally stopped, slowly making Max look at the dwellers who were laughing at him.
"Not so tough now, huh?" The white uniform who punched him asked. "What are you gonna do, Sinclaire? Your protectors aren't here. Without them, you are nothi—" Before the white uniform could kick him again, Max finally grabbed his feet, surprising them.
"I w-will have my time with you, but not now. Definitely n-not now..." Max struggles to say, gripping the dweller's feet with all his strength.
"H-Hey...let go!" The dweller then shouted, trying to pull Max's hand away from him, but the young heir was surprisingly strong. They must have forgotten that Max is the winner of Mr. Brains & Brawn. He was personally trained by BND, who are currently the princes.
The dweller continued to shout, so Max finally let his feet go, instantly making him stumble back. His friends had to run to him to make sure he didn't fall, but that only angered the shameless dweller.
"You think I will waste my time with a bunch of cowards who can only gang up on someone to feel superior?" Max asks before spitting the blood out of his mouth and wiping his bleeding lips with the back of his hand. "Don't make me laugh. You five are only dwellers. No one in this school knows who the fuck you guys are anyway. So if you think people are gonna talk about how you beat up Maximilian Sinclaire, you're only embarrassing yourself."
"Why, you little—"
"When it's obvious that you've been defeated, you should just walk away," an unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupts, instantly making the dweller stop kicking Max again.
Everyone turned around and saw a white uniform wearing a black stole, indicating that he was a serf. The group of dwellers was about to answer him for interrupting them, but when they actually saw who it was, the five of them shamelessly ran off, surprising Max.
"Thank god," Max whispered to himself before looking at the white uniform walking towards him. "Thank you for stepping in. You saved me back there."
"Saved you? It looked like you didn't need saving," the serf says as Max slowly stands from the ground.
"Oh, that? I was just bluffing. My entire body is actually aching right now, so you came at the perfect time," Max says, cleaning his hands before looking back at the white uniform, which had a ton of piercings on his face. He had a bunch of them in his ears, one in his eyebrows, and one on his lower lip. This man does not look like a serf at all.
"By the way. My name is Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire," Max says, showing his hand to the serf, who could only stare at it with his right eyebrow raised.
"M-Max..." Keigo then calls out.
Max slowly puts his hand down. He then turns to his two roommates and finds them hugging each other with terrified looks on their faces, making Max furrow his brows in confusion.
"What's going on?"
"T-That's him," Keigo answers. "That's our r-roommate. The fourth one," he finally explains, making Max's eyes widen in shock.
Max takes a deep breath and slowly turns to the serf standing in front of him. He tried to prepare himself, but when he finally looked back at the serf, his skin instantly stood up when he saw a menacing grin on the man's face.
"My name is Vesper Cinna. Nice to meet you...Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire."
- END -