"First, let us welcome the House of Pawns, the Eight Soldiers!"

A banner unfurled from the ceiling to the left of the stage. The main doors swung open, and eight students marched in, clad in black Brotherhood uniforms with caps resembling those of the White Uniforms.

The House of Pawns (Thomas L. High School) is considered the lowest of the five Houses. Unlike J.S. High and the other schools, they don't have White Uniforms. Every student belongs to a Brotherhood, which makes them the toughest, regardless of their house standing. 

Among the five houses, thirty brotherhoods are officially recognized, while twenty-two are given official titles. Thomas L. High School has around 28 brotherhoods inside their house alone, but only their top eight are recognized, giving them the name Eight Soldiers.

Those eight brotherhoods might be seen as the lowest-ranked brotherhoods,  but within Thomas L. High School, leading one of the Eight Soldiers is an honor because it means standing at the very top of their House.

The eight leaders entered proudly and took their seats at the far back of the reserved rows in the stadium.

Max's pen scratched furiously across the notebook he decided to bring with him. He didn't want to miss a detail. Good thing Felix and Ari whispered explanations as the program unfolded.

"Next up, the House of Rooks!" Coleman shouted as another banner dropped beside the Pawns'.

The House of Rooks (Roland's School for Boys) sits one step higher than the Pawns. With about four hundred students, they do have White Uniforms, though far fewer than J.S. High. What makes them stand out is their Brotherhoods because only five exist, known as the Captains. Ranked from twenty-two to eighteen, they carry more weight than the Pawns but still stand far from the top.

"Put your hands together for the Captains, ranks twenty-two through eighteen!" Coleman cheered.

The five leaders entered, waving calmly to the crowd. Though their numbers were small, their aura of authority was unmistakable.

"Now, let us proceed to the ever noble Four Horsemen, the House of Knights!"

Another banner dropped on the opposite side of the stadium. Four leaders strode in, each with a sword strapped to their hip.

"I'm guessing those aren't props," Max muttered, eyeing the gleaming hilts.

The House of Knights (D & F High School) is admired for its discipline and composure. Both its White Uniforms and Brotherhoods embody the ideals of nobility, holding themselves with an air of refinement. Their four brotherhoods, known as the Four Horsemen, are ranked seventeenth through fourteenth.

Each sword is more than a weapon. It is a symbol of tradition and duty. It was also said that the Rank Fourteen brotherhood could surpass higher-ranked ones, but they chose to remain Knights, valuing loyalty to their House above climbing the ladder.

The four bowed to the crowd before taking their seats. Even other leaders shifted uneasily under their presence.

"And now," Coleman continued, "make way for the House of Bishops!"

A new banner unfurled, and seven new faces entered. Their uniforms were starkly different. They had long cassock-like coats over black leather pants, blending ritual with menace.

The House of Bishops (St. George Academy) is the second strongest House, feared as much as it is respected. Their seven Brotherhoods, ranked from thirteen through seven, are infamously called the Seven Deadly Sins. The title isn't just symbolic. Each Brotherhood is notorious for its arrogance, chaos, and overwhelming strength.

Four of the top ten Brotherhoods in the entire system belong to them, giving the Bishops power that rivals even the House above.

When they entered, the stadium's mood shifted. The Knights and Pawns immediately bowed. It wasn't courtesy, it was law. The Brotherhood code demanded respect for rank, and no one dared defy it.

Max's eyes narrowed. They didn't wave, didn't even acknowledge the students. To him, it felt less like dignity and more like arrogance.

The crowd roared louder than ever, and Max could sense why...

Only one House remained.

"Before we proceed," Coleman shouted over the noise, "let us once again welcome our wonderful president, Ian Rothman!"

The cheers peaked as Ian jogged back onstage, waving brightly. But when he turned to face the Brotherhood leaders, his smile hardened. The noise fell into silence. Coleman handed him the microphone and stepped aside. Ian waited until the stillness was absolute before speaking.

"As the Elites' president, I warmly welcome you all to our castle. Please, give our guests a round of applause."

White Uniforms clapped on cue. Some Brotherhood leaders gave the barest nods. Then Ian stepped closer to the edge of the stage, his voice steady, commanding. "Last year brought many trials. Some transferred. Some were expelled. Some graduated and left their legacies behind. But today marks the start of a new year. And one thing is certain..."

He thrust the microphone toward the crowd.

"We shall conquer!" the White Uniforms roared back in unison.

Ian smiled, sharp and unyielding. "Without further ado, let us welcome...the House of Kings!"