Max: The Rise Of House Chron

NEW LIFE AWAITS.

CHAPTER 8: NEW LIFE AWAITS.

MAX'S POV.

I sat on the chair in Quin's and Chloe's shared apartment, placing ice on my slightly swollen face. The front door electronically beeped open, and the girls walked in, engaged in an exuberant chit-chat, laughing. 

They walked in, each carrying grocery bags. It had been over three hours since they left the house.

"Max, you won't believe the obnoxious thing Quin was imagi- The hell!" Chloe exclaimed, furrowing her brow. 

"What happened?" Quin asked as they quickly set the grocery bags down and walked toward me. Chloe took off the ice bag and looked at my face.

"Who did this?" she asked.

"The Morton brothers," I replied, sighing. 

"Those assholes! I swear to God, I'll-" 

"It's okay, Quin. I took care of it. There's no need for the violence," I interrupted, trying not to let things get out of hand, knowing how hot-tempered Quin was, especially when it came to people she cared about.

"They came to get their cut from the heist we pulled," I added.

"Their cut? How outrageous," Chloe scoffed. 

"When you said you took care of it, you meant you gave them from yours, didn't you?" Quin inquired, looking intently at me.

"What I've got left is still substantially enough for me."

"Those bastards!" Quin fumed, standing to her feet, clenching her fists. The bulbs in the house flickered.

"Come on, Max. You sent half of what you got to that ungrateful bitch, Julia. Good riddance to her. No pun intended," Chloe began.

"None taken," I responded.

"And now you've given them probably half of what was left, so what do you have left? How are you going to be able to take care of yourself while we're away at the Founders Academy?" Chloe asked. She was genuinely concerned. 

"I'll be fine. I'm glad I took care of it. They won't bother us," I replied. 

"Oh, they aren't gonna, alright," Quin replied, still fuming. Well, I couldn't tell them that some random girl I had never met rescued my weak ass from the triplets. I couldn't be the one projecting how weak I was to my friends, even though they knew I was. 

"Um, speaking of the Founders Academy, there's something I failed to let you girls in on," I said, calling Quin's and Chloe's attention. 

I picked up the acceptance letter under the pillow beside me and handed it to Chloe, as she sat closer to me. 

Both girls furrowed their brows as they opened and read through it. Shortly after, their eyes widened in surprise. 

"No way!" Chloe gasped, then she looked at me. "How?" 

"Beats me," I shrugged. "A Sovereign official personally delivered it to me when I got home last night."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Chloe was surprised.

"I wish I were," I chuckled. "It is what led to the argument that made me leave home yesterday and met Ju-" 

I halted. I didn't want to recall last night's incident. 

"They all don't deserve you. Except your mother, of course," Quin responded. I chuckled softly, staring blankly at the floor.

"This means we're all going to be at the academy, together as always. Group hug!" Chloe screamed in excitement, and they both gave me a hug. 

Life at the academy was my opportunity for a fresh start. At the academy, I was hopeful that my gifts would be refined, giving me full control of them, and I wouldn't be weak anymore, and a burden to anyone again, not even my friends. 

"You know what? Since tonight is our last night a normal folks, before our mandatory one year of training by the Sovereignty, I think it is needful we celebrate. I'll make us a buffet of different varieties, and let's eat, drink, and celebrate!" 

"Sounds like a plan," Quin agreed. 

"Alrighty. Let's get to it," Chloe said, and they headed to the kitchen, carrying the grocery bags with them. 

"What can I do?" I asked. 

"You just sit right there and recuperate. We've got everything covered," Quin said, restraining me from doing anything. I sighed and relaxed my back into the chair, then I turned on the television. 

As I scrolled through the channels, I stumbled upon a breaking news story that caught my attention. 

"Attack At The Betrothal Ceremony." 

I went ahead to listen to what the reporter divulged. 

"An unidentified group of terrorist were apprehended, having launched an attack at the Betrothal Ceremony of the Daughter-heir of His Sovereign, Lady Raika, and Percy of House Alakkan. Two guests were killed, while a few others sustained injuries." 

"His Sovereign, the Empress, and the Daughter-heir are all safe. Things would have taken a different turn had it not been for the observant eyes of Lady Raika, who identified the assailants before they made their vicious move," the reporter said. 

As she spoke, I saw a live video of Lady Raika. She was indeed a sight to behold. She was as beautiful as the morning blossom. 

I furrowed my brow as I looked at her. Maybe I was just being paranoid, but there was something about how Lady Raika looked that was similar to the look the stranger who came to my rescue gave me. 

I may be many things, but I credit myself with having a photographic memory and being very observant. But there was no way the Daughter-heir would be found roaming the lawless streets of the Creeks, and alone. So, I shoved aside my thoughts. 

I was just elated, and looking forward to the new life I was going to be ushered into the next day. 

________________

Standing in the array, over two thousand students from across the globe stood under the scorching sun. We had all arrived early, earlier that day, I especially, in adherence to the instruction of the Sovereign official who personally delivered my acceptance letter.

We had been standing in the open field of a stadium for close to thirty minutes. I couldn't find Chloe and Quin after we arrived. We all got separated. Enforcers stood round about us with their guns in hand. No one else was in sight.

"To hell with this. This isn't what I signed up for," someone said up ahead and broke rank, stepping outside the red circle we were all instructed to stand in, facing forward. 

I looked to see who chose to be rebellious. My heart was instantly filled with rage when I saw that it was Zack. Clenching my fists, I seriously considered stepping out of the circle to go punch his arrogant face, which I loathed. 

A couple of the trainees also stepped out, emboldened by Zack's defiance. Just as I was about to give in to my rage, all the trainees who were out of their circle were electrocuted from their feet, causing them to fall to the ground.

We were startled, as it took us all by surprise. The Enforcers made their way and dragged the electrocuted trainees away. Then, a platform emerged from underground. Lo and behold, there stood the same man who delivered my acceptance letter to me, with his hand folded behind him. 

He had that stern look he had when he met me. 

"I am Marcus Savvy, the Chancellor of the Founders Academy," he said in a calm but deep voice. "Strict adherence to instructions is one of the qualities of a great leader. All those who have begun falling short from the on-set are not going to find it easy while they are here." 

As he spoke, everywhere was as silent as could be. 

"You all were successful in the selection process out of the thousands of applications we received. Know that you have all been bestowed a great privilege by His Sovereign to be part of a thriving economy," he continued.

"I assure you, you will be pushed to your limits, but to the intent that the best in you be brought out. This is the first day of the rest of your lives. And once again, welcome to the Founders Academy." 

I smiled mildly, happy that things were about to change in my life for good.