Chapter 1: The Only Way

Back at Max's dorm room, Avery sat on her bed, her arms crossed as they rested upon her knees, while she kept her head down, just staring at the pristine red bedsheet with a stoic expression on her face, suddenly she remembered the kiss she planted on Max's cheek and her faced glowed bright red with embarrassment remembering so.

Avery

Why can't I just forget it, I HAVE A MISSION FOR GODSAKE!! What would the Reverend Mother think of me, what would the band think of me; GOSH!! THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!!! I must find a cure for this.

 Just then Avery remembered the new doctor in the infirmary, she put on her robe and headed to the infirmary at once to meet the new doctor; to her surprise, it was the same man that she saw with Max, she heard someone via the open door and so, hid behind it to eavesdrop.

Max (proudly): You see that, that is the result of my hard work.

Vernon; Yeah, Yeah, no need to brag, you still need permission of the principal.

Max: Hmph you're just jealous that I'm gonna meet the empress herself

This piqued Avery's interest, she began to creep closer to listen but as she did, she suddenly lost her balance, tumbling down right in front of Max who was just about to leave, Max chuckled at the sight and offered her his hand to get up, Avery simply stared at his face, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she slowly extended her hand towards his and Max pulled her up, he then walked passed her, but not before whispering something in Avery's ear which made her blush ferociously.

Vernon: Yes, what is the matter, uh…hello…HEY!!

The sound of Vernon's voice snapped Avery back to reality, she took a seat in front of his desk and he asked his question once again.

Vernon: What's wrong, child?

Avery: W-well, m-my friend has a problem.

Vernon (smiles): And what problem does this…friend have?

Avery: She sees a certain someone everywhere, even if he's not there, she can't help b-but blush every time he's in front of her, it's like…

Vernon (smiles): Like, your heart skips a beat every time you see him, you can't help but wonder where he is all the time.

Avery: Y-yes, that's what my friend described though.

Vernon: Well…your friend…has a critical case of love.

Avery (shocked): W-what's that?

Vernon: It slowly takes control over the whole body rendering the patient.

This scares Avery to the point where she jolts from her chair and comically wails, she begs Vernon for a solution to which he simply laughs and tells her to calm down first.

Vernon: Take this, tell your "friend" to mix half the bottle with wine, and give the other half to the significant other.

Avery takes the small bottle from Vernon and leaves; she then hides the bottle in her robe and goes to attend the rest of her classes; as night falls, she gets ready, she wears the dress that was kept on her bed and a wig.

Max

I wore a suit, a simple yet elegant black three-piece suit with a red pocket square and gloves, matching the black color of my coat, I checked myself in the mirror "Not bad, Maximus" I said with a smile on my face as I straightened my tie, as I fixed my hair, I caught Avery's reflection via the corner of my eye, she was standing at the door, shyly peaking, as I turned my gaze to her, she jolted but then remained still as I walked up to her.

Avery

I clasped the small bottle in my hands to hide it, Max's gaze was fixed on my face, his expression stoic yet his gaze tried to hide a hint of joy, as Max got close, he suddenly brought his hand close to my face, I closed my eyes in embarrassment thinking he was about to lean in for a kiss but instead he dusted off the collar of my coat.

Max

I could say that I have incredible taste in fashion, but that'd only be half true, the black coat was a perfect contrast with the red dress, and so was the wig, I couldn't say what looked better, the dress or the girl… I guess the girl.

Max (smiles): You look ravishing.

Avery is taken aback by the sudden revelation; not knowing how to respond she returns Max's compliment with her own.

Avery: Y-you look…good too

Max returns her compliment with a smile, he then guides her to a carriage right outside the school, the carriage leads them to a large caste on top of a nearby mountain, Max helps Avery down and they both walk hand in hand towards the large icy doors of the castle; beside each side of the door stood two giants, covered in blue armour from head to toe, one of the held a large battle axe where he rested his hands, the other held a giant spear in one hand, in the middle stood a small man dressed in a blue butler's attire and had a rapier at his waist, he politely asked for an invitation to which Max flashed his invitation, the butler took a bow and stepped aside, letting them pass through the gates

Max (smiles at Avery): You know what to do, right?

Avery nods in response, Max extends a black masquerade mask to Avery and wears on to himself, as soon as they enter the grand ballroom Avery is awestruck by the lavishly decorated area, they then try to blend in by talking to some nobles

Max: Ah, Baron Edward, I see you are enjoying yourself.

Max walks up to a middle-aged man, he had a short stubble on his chin and shoulder-length brown hair, Max observes that his eyes have a hint of green as the man tries to remember Max's face.

Edward: Have we met before?

Max (smiles): I'm sure a busy man such as yourself would not remember someone like me, but let's just say, I am a huge fan of your work.

The baron thought Max to be a lowly commoner but looking at the way he was dressed he thought Max to be one of the fallen nobilities, the Baron looked at Max in awe at the mention of his work.

Edward: You've read my work.

Max (smiles): Of course, your work on ways to increase the efficiency of potions is simply remarkable.

Edward (smiles in excitement): Yes, let me tell y-…

The baron is suddenly patted from behind, he turns to see a stout, fat man with wavy blonde hair; he was dressed like a prince and was adorned in expensive jewelry.

???: Eddy! I knew I'd find you here.

The baron's smile faded immediately, his expression dulled before finally turning stoic, he took a bow.

???: Who is this, filth?

Edward: This is an acquaintance of mine.

The man looks at Max who smiles at him.

Max: It is an honor that you grace us with your presence, Marquis James.

James: Oho!! The commoner sure knows his stuff.

He looks at Max gleamingly, the Marquis then looks behind him to see an elf dressed in red, he is immediately struck by her beauty, and a mischievous smile slowly gets carved on his face. He walks up to the girl, passing by Max.

James: You there, the one in red, what's your name?

Avery: A-Avery.

James: Hah, surely you must be his slave. You, commoner, how much for the girl.

Max (smiles): I'm afraid she is not for sale.

James's smile disappears, and his expression becomes one of exasperation on hearing Max's bold statement against him.

James: I don't take no for an answer, boy.

Max steps in front of the Marquis, separating him from Avery as she hides behind Max before James begins to say something, he is cut off by a voice emitted from behind him.

Edward: My lord!!

James: WHAT!!

James, already exasperated, turns furiously only to bow down in regret and cower in fear.

Lily: So, this is how you treat my friends, Marquis?

James: N-no, Yo-your majesty, I wouldn't even dream.

Lily: And yet you talk down on my friends and belittle them in my party; I think I need to report this to Father.

James: Please, your majesty, please forgive me.

James gets down on his knees and begs for forgiveness, Lily is immediately disgusted by his nature.

Lily: Get out of my sight.

James obeys and immediately leaves, the crowd applauds Lily for her bold bravado, and Lily secretly winks at Max who returns it with a smile. As the party progressed some began to dance with their partners while some elegantly stuffed their faces with food and wine, Max interacted with many nobles while Avery took a seat close to him, as the dance began to grow more, a noble approached Avery for the dance, Avery politely rejected his advances but the man pestered her to the limit where she finally gave in, at first the man gently taught her the dance but then he began touching her inappropriately, she wished for Max to come to save her; her prayers were answered but her rescuer wasn't Max.

???: Relax.

The man bore a striking resemblance to Max, the only visible difference being a small protruding fang on the left side of his face, he had long, wavy black hair of a similar color to Max's; the man spoke in a deep, seductive tone, as soon as he saved Avery, he smiled and retreated into the dance.

Avery

Just who was that guy, as soon as he touched me I felt a hint of relief, one could almost mistake him for Max if he didn't have his long hair and that protruding fang; I let go of the thought and rushed to find Max, as soon as I started walking I felt a strange thirst for blood, barely being able to suppress it, I made my towards the empty balcony just as Max had instructed, there I found Max but nothing changed, my thirst for blood was getting even stronger; not being able to suppress it any longer I let go and lost consciousness.

Max

As expected, Avery's thirst for blood got the better of her, it was a wise choice to isolate her; without hesitation, she dashed towards me and pushed me towards the edge of the balcony, I stared at her eyes, her focus was my neck.

Her fangs pierced my neck, and she began to drink my blood, the sensation was ironically addictive, it was like I didn't want her to let go, blood slowly leaving my body as she drank, I felt a smirk appear on my face; but alas, all good things come to an end and even this did, Avery had her fill and fainted due to exhaustion, I myself felt the lack of blood but handled it rather well, I carried her and jumped of the balcony, as I looked at her face once again, she was already up.

This girl never fails to surprise me.

Avery looks down only to find that Max is levitating.

Avery: M-MAXX!!

Avery clings to Max, Max smiles and speaks with a mischievous tone.

Max: Someone's afraid of heights.

Avery's grip gets even tighter, Max soothes her with his gentle voice, encouraging her to open her eyes, Avery follows Max's instructions and finally conquers her fear of heights, her eyes brighten with joy, seeing the world in a different view for the first time, her expression, one of joy mixed with wonder.

 Max's expression softens at the sight of Avery's expression, he finally drops her into his room, before leaving, the two exchange glances, lost in each other eyes, both of them share a passionate kiss under the moonlight; Max's expression suddenly turned stoic on the contrary to Avery, who covers her face with embarrassment and ran back to her bed.

Max took one last look at Avery and smiled softly; he then retreated into the forest where he found Amy comically pouting, beside her stood Vernon, arms crossed and a playful smirk on his face.

Amy: You sure took your own sweet time.

Max: Ha, got a little sidetracked.

Vernon (smiles): Oh, so that's what you wanna call it.

Max: It's rude to spy on people, ya know.

Amy (smirks): Not if you're out in the open.

Max (sighs): Let's just get on with the plan, shall we?

Amy (smirks): Whatever you say, lover boy.

The trio head into their secret base¸ under a hill where they find Louis, he stood there, arms crossed and staring angrily at the three of them.

Louis: WHERE WERE YOU GUYS!!

Amy: One of us got a little…sidetracked

Max: That's not gonna go off easily, isn't it?

Amy (smiles): You bet!!

Max: Louis, are you ready?

Louis (takes in a deep breath): Yes.

Max then takes his position with Vernon and Amy, far from Louis; he could see Louis's legs shaking with fear.

Max (smiles): It's okay to be nervous, just wait and watch; you won't feel a thing.

Louis smiles and signals for a go; the trio then concentrate their mana into a singular beam which first transforms into a huge sphere of bright white light before finally piercing right through Louis's heart, his screams echo through the rocky walls of the base, the amount of mana dispersion caused a minor quake before the whole hill finally collapsed.

After a few minutes, Max got out of the rubble pulling Amy and Vernon before coughing up some dust and then finally getting Louis out.

Vernon: Everyone alright.

Max: I think I broke my back…and a tooth, oh wait, that's a pebble.

Amy (groans in pain): I think need a glass of wine…scratch that, a bottle.

Max: Is Louis…

Vernon: Dead, no, alive, barely.

Max: Good.

Just as they were about to leave, they sensed a familiar presence, it was the principle, watch from the top of a tree, he jumped down and walked towards Max.

Principal: You've got a lot of explaining to do, young man.