The arrival of Bam completely changed the atmosphere — the hallway, once burning hot with chaos, turned ice-cold. Within seconds, the noise died into pin-drop silence.
The badge on his blazer gleamed under the bright corridor lights, the golden crest of Indus High's Council shining like a warning. Students froze — not out of fear, but anticipation. The Vice President himself had arrived.
Bam's sharp eyes swept across the hall — bruised students standing with torn shirts, others lying on the ground clutching broken bones. One wasn't even moving, breathing faintly at best.
Yet, Bam's expression didn't flicker. Not a trace of concern crossed his face. His gaze was calm, unreadable — like someone who'd seen this a thousand times.
Then, his eyes met Max's group.
In that single moment, every one of them felt an unfamiliar chill crawl up their spine.
Before anyone could speak, a voice broke through the silence.
"So, the Council finally arrives after the issue's already solved."
It was the muscular guy, his tone thick with mockery.
Bam turned toward him, silent and expressionless. The crowd held its breath — were they about to fight?
But what happened next made everyone's eyes widen.
Bam simply walked past him — completely ignoring his presence — and continued straight toward Max's group.
The muscular guy froze, humiliation flashing in his eyes.
Twice in a single day.
Just as his jaw tightened, a soft voice reached him.
"It's enough," said the girl beside him, gripping his arm firmly.
He looked at her, teeth clenched, then exhaled through his nose and turned away. Together, they walked off — the defeated king and his queen.
---
Bam stopped in front of Max's group. Their hearts thumped louder with every step he took.
Except for Sam.
"Woah, senior!" Sam said, grinning. "You're from the Council too, huh? You kinda missed your chance to be the hero."
Ashi looked down, barely suppressing his laughter.
Max just stared blankly.
Moco hid her face behind her hands.
Tom muttered, "What the hell is he saying…"
But Sam wasn't done. "Senior, do you know the Vice President? Of course you would! Does he give a salary along with the job?" He even winked.
Soft laughter rippled through the hallway.
Bam, completely unbothered, replied in a calm tone, "Do you want a job?"
Sam blinked. "Oh, I'd be happy to. I usually get bored anyway — as long as I get paid or something in return."
Tom whispered, "Somebody please stop this fool before we all die."
Ignoring the chatter, Bam turned to the rest of them.
"I'm taking him with me. Any problem?"
Max immediately spoke up. "Can I come along?"
Bam gave a slight nod.
Tom and Ashi exchanged looks but stayed silent. If Max was going, they knew both brothers would be fine. From what they'd heard, the Vice President wasn't cruel — just too powerful, like someone who could crush anyone if he wished.
As Moco, Tom, and Ashi headed the other way, Bam, Max, and Sam walked down the hall together.
Bam took out his phone mid-stride. "Clear the scene on the first floor," he said before hanging up.
Max glanced at his brother but didn't say it — didn't tell him that the "senior" beside them was none other than the Vice President himself.
---
After a few steps of silence, Bam asked, "What's your name?"
"Sam," he said casually.
Bam nodded. "So you're the one who beat up my classmates on the first day."
Sam blinked. "Oh… them. They were smoking inside the campus and tried to take my money. When I refused, they tried to force me."
Bam raised an eyebrow. "They weren't from the Council. Just new students who didn't know the rules."
Sam shrugged. "Then what about that 10A captain? His guys came for me too — but ran off when Tom and Ashi appeared."
Bam tilted his head slightly. "How are you guys related?"
Sam grinned. "Oh, I'm Max's younger brother," he said, pointing beside him.
"Ah," Bam replied. "That explains a lot."
Then, after a pause, he asked, "Can you tell me what happened in the hallway earlier?"
Sam looked at him suspiciously. "I get it. You want to report to the Vice President and make yourself look good by telling your version of the story, huh?"
Bam didn't respond. His face didn't move an inch.
"Fine," Sam said finally, smirking. "I'll tell you… if you treat us sometime."
Bam simply nodded. "Fine by me."
Max sighed internally. Is my brother actually better at talking than me?
---
Sam: "So, Senior—wait, can I call you that? Or do you prefer 'Boss'?"
Bam: "Bam is fine."
Sam: "Ohh, short and cool. Must've been born to be popular, huh?"
Max whispered under his breath, "He's really trying to die early…"
Bam didn't react. His steps echoed calmly through the marble hallway.
Sam, as usual, didn't read the tension.
"So… what kind of job are we talking about? Something cool like secret missions? Or maybe guarding the school from criminals? Don't tell me I'll have to clean toilets."
Bam's side glance was sharp enough to cut steel. "Depends on how useful you are."
Sam: "Ah, so it is a job interview! Alright, what are the benefits?"
Max facepalmed. "Bro, just stop talking."
Sam grinned. "What? I'm just networking. That's how successful people rise in life."
Bam halted, turning his head slightly toward him.
"Successful people usually don't punch five students in their first week."
Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, self-defense is the best offense."
Bam: "That line doesn't even make sense."
Sam: "Neither did their life choices."
For the first time, Bam's lips twitched — maybe a ghost of a smile.
Max blinked in disbelief. He actually made him smile. Impossible.
---
They reached the Council Office, the emblem of Indus High etched into the glass door. Two council members stood guard like statues.
As Bam approached, they straightened instantly.
"Vice President."
Sam blinked. "Wait, Vice—"
But before he could finish, Bam walked past, and Sam followed, eyes widening as realization hit.
"Wait wait wait, you're the Vice President?! No wonder you walk like a final boss!"
Bam ignored him completely.
Inside, the office was spotless — long black table, polished floors, neat shelves of files.
Sam immediately dropped onto the sofa, spinning in place like a kid in a theme park.
"Wow, fancy. You guys get AC and leather chairs too? No wonder you skip class."
A council member frowned at him.
Bam said calmly, "Ignore him."
From the side, a tall girl with silver hair and sharp eyes spoke.
"Vice President, who are these two?"
"New recruits," Bam said simply.
Sam leaned forward with a grin. "Oh, you must be the department head or something. You look serious — have you tried smiling lately?"
Max covered his face. We're doomed.
The girl's brow twitched, her silver eyes narrowing. Before she could reply, Bam cut in —
"He talks too much. But he'll be useful."
Sam smirked. "See? Even the boss gets it."
Bam turned to Max.
"You're his brother. That means you're responsible for him now. If he causes trouble, you deal with it."
Max sighed. "He's been causing trouble since birth, but fine."
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Then Bam spoke again, "Welcome to the Council's temporary force. You'll be informed of your duties soon. Until then, stay ready."
Sam raised a hand. "So it is a secret mission?"
Bam: "No."
Sam: "Then… toilets?"
Bam: "If you keep talking, yes."
Max burst out laughing despite himself. For a moment, even the cold air inside the Council room seemed to thaw.
Bam reached into the drawer and tossed something toward Sam — a badge.
Sam caught it and looked — the letters 9A Captain engraved on it.
"Woah, I got a kingdom for myself."
Bam: "Keep your kind safe, and you'll be rewarded."
He then tossed another badge toward Max — 10A Captain.
Max caught it midair, frowning. "But… doesn't 10A already have a captain?"
Bam: "The previous one's been stripped of his position. Too many complaints — including one from your brother. He couldn't handle the responsibility. That's also why the Council didn't punish you for that rooftop incident. They deserved it. Even if you'd spared them, we'd have handled it soon enough."
Max stared at the badge in silence.
Bam noticed. "Is something wrong?"
Max exhaled. "I'll keep my class quiet and out of trouble, but I don't want to be part of the Council — not until I understand it completely. And by completely, you know what I mean."
Bam studied him for a moment, then spoke.
"Wearing that badge gives you control — authority. You've already seen what kind of students you're dealing with. You'll also have the Council's backing when needed."
Max smiled faintly. "I'll handle it myself. You don't have to worry."
He handed the badge back.
Sam tossed his badge too.
"I'll do the same as my brother… but can I still get the payment?"
Bam stared at him blankly.
And just like that, the brothers left the room together, leaving Bam standing there with both badges in hand.
The silver-haired girl approached him.
"Quite arrogant," she said.
Bam's lips curved into a small, amused smile.
"Yeah… but they've got guts. Get their admission details. I want to know more about them."
The girl nodded, tapping her tablet as the door closed — and the Council's quiet hum filled the air once again.
---