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"ALLOW J.S HIGH TO send a brotherhood member as our second representative. Because if you don't, we really might end up burning that damn church," Cj voices out. "You should know what happens when things don't go our way. You understand what I mean, don't you, President Rothman?" He then asks, making Ian Rothman take a step forward, decreasing the space between his and the leader's face
Hans got ready to go in between them before things got heated, but when he felt Ian's almost suffocating presence, he took a step back.
Ian continues to stand firm and stare back at the leader. Cj does the same, but after a few more seconds, Cj ends up breaking eye contact, making him curse.
"Did you really just try to threaten me, Count?" Ian finally asks, and the leader laughs in response, a chill almost running down his spine as Ian shows him his overwhelming presence. As much as Cj happily admits things with no problem, he finds it really troublesome that Ian is one of the very few white uniforms who can still intimidate him like that.
"How unpleasant," Cj mumbled before rolling his eyes in annoyance and stepping back to stand beside Krist and the others.
Ian takes a deep breath and adjusts the Roman numeral one (I) brooch on his collar before looking back at the brotherhoods with full command and confidence to the point where no one even dared interrupt him. "You might have surrendered yourselves to Mr. Sinclaire, but you must not forget that I am the current president of J.S High, not him. It is my decisions that will affect the overall standing of our house. It is my decision that you all will follow. And it is because of my decisions that we have not fallen apart yet after what happened to the previous rulers, so your blatant disrespect is starting to irk me, black uniforms," Ian said with such authority that the others ended up gulping in terror.
They've been rooting for Max to become the president that they have forgotten the very person Max is aiming to become. Ian didn't just become a president and started leading J.S High for the sake of it. After Grey's death and after the damages Paradox left to the students and their house, Ian was the one who was left to fix and carry all the burden.
Despite its flaws, Ian did his best to keep J.S High together, and that effort was something that even Max recognized and greatly respected, which is why he has high regard for the Elites' president.
"Like how the meeting ended yesterday, I will give further notice on the king's proposition to send a brotherhood to St. George Academy. As some of you have witnessed, the representing leaders from House Bishops, Knights, and Rooks all voiced their disapproval. Making hasty decisions isn't the best course of action," Ian explains further, and no one says anything about it anymore.
"I will conduct another meeting with the house representatives and council members. If I still cannot persuade them to change their minds about this, then there is nothing much I can do. I hope this is clear to all of you now," Ian then says, and the brotherhoods finally admitted defeat and nodded their heads in reply.
It really is surprising to see how Ian has control over the brotherhoods. If other students from the lower houses saw this, they would definitely be surprised.
"Seriously, you are all too eager to assist your tamer. Even a member of my council is hoping to get sent there now, thanks to that video," Ian says with a sigh, making Gavriil look away because he is certain that he's the council member that Ian was referring to. "You're all hopeless. And he hasn't even been gone for a week"
Ian looks at the brotherhood and sighs again. He might not have been there during the time Paradox ruled, but he sees these men as his little brothers that their parents entrusted to him, with Grey being the father. He knows that sometimes they rebel against him, but he is also confident that all of them respect him enough to follow him to this day. After all, if the brotherhoods didn't approve of him, they would have easily protested to get him removed. The fact that Ian has been the council president for three consecutive years is proof of that.
But then again, if Ian is like their big brother, Max is definitely like their little brother, so the Elites' President fully understands why they're so protective of him.
"Sorry for calling you an ass. It was just the spur of the moment," Cj suddenly says, and the serious expression on Ian's face finally changes back to his usual calm and friendly smile.
Yup, they're definitely like his little brothers.
"Alright, I'll update you if we have made a final decision about this matter. But if it will help, I'll call St. George Academy and give them a warning for the physical abuse they have inflicted on our representative."
"Thank you, President Ian," Marcus then answers.
"And if it will ease your worries...House of Bishops' representative will be arriving next week. Why won't you give him a warm welcome on our behalf?" Ian then reveals—a smirk almost escaping his face if he didn't turn around and walk away on time.
As soon as Ian and the rest of the Elites left, Hans turned to Cj and flicked his forehead. "Are you fucking crazy? You're lucky President Ian didn't suspend you again. How could you just threaten him like that?" Hans asks while Cj angrily pushes his hand away.
"What? We were all thinking it," Cj defends. "As much as I hate to agree to that bastard, Viktor was right. Max is still just a white uniform. He's gonna have a hard time looking for evidence about the injustice that happened to Joon. We need to send a brotherhood member there who can access more than what Max can and has more knowledge about how things work there."
"But that's the problem. Do you think the other houses would just agree?" Red of BND then asks. "It was already a challenge when Ian persuaded the association to make us send two representatives. What more if we send a black uniform?"
"But if they do send one, they better send me," Cj says next, instantly making the other brotherhoods shake their head in disapproval.
"No way. You're just gonna make a bunch of deals with the students there and fuck them over. You'd give Max more problems than actually help him," Master Joker complains, making the two leaders start arguing.
"But if we're on the subject of helping Max, I think I'm the most capable in that aspect," Siren then says while gripping her infamous cane slash sword. "I can get secrets, secrets that others won't even be able to fathom. Those secrets will be very helpful for Max."
"Wait, that's actually a good idea," Arjun—Hans's right-hand man—then says with his eyes wide open in realization. "If Ian won't be able to persuade the other houses, we can just bring River. In a sense, he's a white uniform too, right? They think we're just sending a white uniform, but actually, we're sending the Master of Secrets."
"We're sending the Master of Secrets to the house where they have the Master of Information. You think Uchdryd won't have a hunch on who River really is?" Anthony (Cigarettes) then retaliates.
"Then who are we sending? Who could possibly be responsible and capable enough to help Max and Joon but, at the same time, is influential and powerful enough to make those bitches see the difference in our houses?" Brave then asks, making everyone turn to look at each other, checking if anyone among them fits the criteria.
After looking around, everyone had this dreadful look on their faces, almost like they collectively knew who the perfect representative would be. And as much as they hate to admit it, it wasn't any of them.
"Busters," all of them answered in unison, looking annoyed and disgusted at the same time. If it's capability and influence, it's definitely the kings. Not only are they feared among the five houses, but they're also the very face of J.S High. Apart from Max, no other brotherhood member would be the perfect representative.
"There is no way the Elites would send a king to a different house. There's just no way," Marcus says with certainty.
"Ah, whatever. We shouldn't even be worrying about this now. We have other things we need to focus on. We just gotta trust President Ian on this. I'm sure he can work things out," Master Joker says before reaching out to touch the brooch on his collar.
"After all, he's the president...that Grey personally chose."
...
"How dare that king suggest such a thing," Uchdryd says with an angry expression painted on his face while walking down the hallway of a brotherhood base, two other members of Checkmates walking behind him.
"But if the House of Kings actually sends a brotherhood member here for the exchange program, things might be beneficial for us," Miguel Pascual, the second strongest member in Checkmate, says before pulling the cigarette out from his mouth.
While the smoke glides down from his lips, Uchdryd suddenly turns to him with an annoyed expression before saying, "Miguel, we are the strongest brotherhood here. If they bring even a member of Jokers, what does that make us look? It's almost like Viktor is challenging our power."
"You're being too paranoid," Ronnie Holloway, another member of Checkmate, says before snatching the cigarette from Miguel and putting it inside his mouth as well. "Besides, Viktor probably only said that because he wants someone to stand as a guard dog for Joon. You know how protective he is when it comes to his bitch," Ronnie then says before inhaling the smoke from the cigarette and slowly exhaling it out.
"Believe me, Viktor knows that Joon doesn't need anyone to guard him. That ice prince is as crazy as he is, maybe even crazier," Uchdryd answers.
"Well, the other houses didn't agree to it too, right? They think it's unfair," Miguel says. "But then again, at the end of the day, it's your answer that matters the most. After all, it's our house they're sending a brotherhood to, not theirs."
"But what is even going on with St. George Academy now?" Ronnie wonders. "There's Sinclaire making a ruckus with the Divisions, an unknown assassin who tried killing Vesper Cinna, and now a brotherhood from the House of Kings might be sent here for an entire month? That cryptic message was right. A storm really is coming."
"But there's always a rainbow after a storm, right?" Miguel then says, making Ronnie exhale the smoke directly on his face.
"That's fucking corny, man," he honestly says, and Miguel grabs him by the collar in annoyance.
Uchdryd sighs and pushes the two away from each other, instantly stopping them from arguing. "I'll have to talk to Levi about this matter and see what he thinks. I also have to talk to him about speaking with Max," Uchdryd then says as he starts walking down the hallway again, making his members follow behind him.
"Why talk to Vice Levi about it? Shouldn't you be talking to Justice instead since he's the president?" Miguel then asks, snatching the cigarette back from Ronnie's mouth to finish it himself.
"Levi is more practical, but Justice...I already know what his answer will be. He's like Max Sinclaire, very optimistic and hopeful. He overestimates himself, and he thinks everything will just magically fall into place. I don't know why Levi chose that kid to be his president. He's troublesome," Uchdryd complains, making Ronnie and Miguel look at each other before letting a chuckle escape.
The two Checkmates might argue all the time, but they do agree that Uchdryd sees Justice as his adopted kid with Levi. They're like Justice's overprotective parents, yet they're not aware of it.
"You and Levi gotta let Justice make his own decisions. We're graduating soon, and Justice will be the face and the very foundation of St. George Academy. If you're going to keep holding him in a chokehold, he's gonna fall before he can even stand," Ronnie explains, making Miguel nod his head in agreement.
"Don't lecture me on how to handle him," Uchdryd retaliates, and Ronnie and Miguel look at each other again.
"Yup, he's definitely acting like his parent," Ronnie and Miguel thought to themselves before looking back at their leader.
The three of them eventually arrived at their destination after that long walk. Miguel throws the cigarette bud inside a trash bin and looks up at the banner on top of the metal door in front of them. It was the banner of the Rank 9 brotherhood, Red Tigers.
Uchdryd takes a deep breath and enters the room first, his brothers following behind him. As soon as they got inside, they were instantly welcomed by the ten Lords of Wrath, who looked more like gangsters than an actual brotherhood.
"Took you long enough," Elijah Memphis Valor, the leader of Red Tigers, says as he walks towards Uchdryd. Uchdryd stares at him, and then he laughs when he notices the blood stains on the leader's face and knuckles.
Uchdryd whistles as he looks over Elijah's shoulder and sees a blood-covered white uniform dangling from the ceiling, chains holding onto his wrists while his feet are only inches away from the ground.
"Damn, Memphis, you seriously have anger issues," Uchdryd jokes, making Memphis grit his teeth in annoyance.
"Now now, you're asking me a favor, remember? So stop glaring at me like that. It's giving me the creeps," Uchdryd says before pushing Memphis out of the way so he could walk towards the chained white uniform.
The members of Red Tigers were about to approach him after pushing their leader like that, but Miguel and Ronnie immediately pulled their guns out of their pockets and pointed them in their direction, instantly making the others pull out their guns too. One wrong move and bullets would start raining.
When Elijah saw this, he sighed and waved his hand, automatically making his brotherhood put their guns down. Thankfully, Miguel and Ronnie did the same.
"So this is the bastard who targeted Cinna? I'm impressed. I can't believe you caught him," Uchdryd asks, staring at the white uniform who was now unconscious. "Did you ask him who he's working with?" He asks next.
"You think he'd be unconscious if I didn't already?" Elijah asks back before grabbing the damp cloth a member gave him so he can wipe the blood off his face and hands. "I asked him all the possible questions, yet he kept his mouth shut. I also looked at his records, and it appears that he's not even a real student here."
"Interesting," Uchdryd comments before leaning close to examine his face. "Have you checked his body?" The leader then asks, making Elijah furrow his brows in confusion.
"We did. He didn't carry anything else. And he isn't wired either," Elijah answered, walking beside Uchdryd to look at the white uniform as well.
"No, I meant his skin."
"And why on earth would I look at his skin?"
"I don't know. Just a hunch."
Elijah stared at Uchdryd confusingly, but after considering it, he looked back at his members and nodded his head. Without any question, they started stripping the fake white uniform. As soon as the clothes were removed, Elijah's eyes widened in shock when he saw a mark on the man's left thigh.
It was almost familiar, but not quite.
"It's an inverted fleur de lis," Elijah says as he walks towards the unconscious man. "And it was branded with hot iron too. What is the meaning of this? What the fuck is going on?"
Elijah looked at Uchdryd, hoping to get answers from him. Thankfully, the leader was no longer in a playful mood. He turned to look at Elijah seriously and told him, "This is already a cold case, but nine years ago, a former member of Crème de la Crème was shot in Milan. He survived, and the news said it was because of a company feud. But when I dug further, the culprit had this mark. I knew it was more than just an internal disagreement."
"Nine years ago? This has been going on for that long?"
"I believe it went on longer than nine," Uchdryd answers before turning to look at Ronnie and Miguel. Ronnie walked towards Elijah and pulled something out of his pocket to hand it to the leader of the Red Tigers.
It was actually a sealed letter.
"I haven't told anyone about this information, so you better make this worthwhile," Uchdryd says, and then Elijah looks back at one of his members too, who handed Uchdryd something in return. This time, it was the poisoned dart that was almost used against Vesper yesterday. The dart was also inside a sealed plastic bag.
"Vesper mentioned it to me the other day. You need Max Sinclaire's DNA sample, correct? Well, he touched that last night, so you might find it useful," Elijah says, instantly putting a smile on Uchdryd's face. Looks like this was enough payment.
"I'm gonna scold Cinna for not being able to do this task himself, but it's a good excuse for him to continue working under me," Uchdryd says with a grin before handing the DNA sample to Miguel.
"Uchdryd Rease...when are you gonna let Cinna leave this house? He's had enough bullshit happening in his life already. Just let him go," Elijah then asks as Uchdryd and the rest of his brotherhood are now walking towards the exit.
"You're acting like I got him chained on a leash," Uchdryd says, turning back around and glancing at the chained white uniform before looking at Elijah again. "He told me he'll do everything if I find any information about his fiancé. I did my part, and he's doing his. It's a fair trade."
"His fiancé? The one that went missing three years ago?" Elijah asks in shock since Vesper never told him the reason why he's following Uchdryd around like a dog.
"Don't get me wrong, I really do pity Vesper Cinna. Imagine getting your company bankrupt, your father getting blacklisted, and your fiancé getting killed. If I were him, I would have just given up," Uchdryd revealed, instantly making Elijah drop his jaw in complete shock and disbelief.
"S-she was...killed? She didn't run away?"
"And all that happened...because he left Crème de la Crème. And people are jealous of our way of life, not knowing that these things ensue when we disobey. But I guess it's only right. Power comes with a price. Don't you agree, Memphis Valor?" Uchdryd asks with a chuckle before finally walking out of the room with Miguel and Ronnie.
As soon as the door closed, Elijah clenched his fist and tried to calm down. Others might think that being chosen for Crème de la Crème is a dream, but the truth is, it's a complete nightmare. If you're a member, you'll get killed. If you revoke you're title, your life will be ruined. No one wins.
How did things even end this way?
Was the price for influence and power always this hefty?
"Boss?" A member suddenly calls out, snapping Elijah back to his senses.
Elijah unclenches his fist and looks at the letter that was given to him instead. He glances back at his members for one last time, and afterward, he finally opens the letter. The room was quiet for a while as Elijah read the words with a blank expression. But as soon as he finished reading, the face he made was enough for everyone in the room to know that whatever he found out wasn't good at all.
"Fuck!" Elijah suddenly shouted, crumpling the letter and angrily throwing it on the ground.
"Boss, what's wrong? What was written in the letter?" A member asked.
"I was right. I was fucking right. I can't believe Uchdryd had been keeping this information to himself. That bastard..." Elijah says before looking back at the unconscious white uniform. He wondered how a fake student could just sneak inside their house without getting caught. He also found it strange how the Brotherhood Association never got involved with them. This information finally made him understand everything.
"Those old fuckers," Elijah says as he turns to the members of the Red Tigers. "They sold it."
"What are you talking about?"
"St. George Academy...they sold it."
- END -