The next morning, golden sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting Brandon's sprawling bedroom in warm hues.
The gentle chirping of exotic birds from the manicured gardens below provided a stark contrast to the previous night's debauchery.
The tranquil morning was abruptly shattered as Bailey burst into the room, her silver hair flying behind her like a comet's tail.
With the energy of a caffeinated squirrel, she launched herself onto the bed, landing squarely on Brandon's groin.
"Wake up! Wake up! Sleepyhead!" she shouted, shaking Brandon vigorously.
"Ughhh…"
Brandon groaned, pulling the covers over his head.
"Five more minutes," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the blanket.
Brandon's mom, Annie, appeared in the doorway, her perfectly coiffed hair and impeccable silk robe spoke of a woman who never truly stopped being a star
"Bailey, honestly! You're eighteen! Get off your brother this instant."
Bailey glanced down, only to find Brandon staring up at her with wide eyes, his gaze traveling from her face downward.
She froze for a moment, then let out an ear-piercing scream.
"Ahhh~!"
*SLAP!*
Her hand connected with Brandon's cheek in a resounding slap before she scrambled off the bed and rushed past their mother, face burning with embarrassment.
Brandon sat up, rubbing his stinging cheek.
He turned to his mother, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Annie chuckled, moving to sit beside him on the bed. She ran her fingers through his tousled hair, a gesture full of motherly affection.
"Mom, I'm not a kid anymore," Brandon protested halfheartedly.
She pinched his cheek gently.
"You'll always be my little boy, no matter how old you get."
She reached into her pocket and produced an envelope, sealed with an ornate wax emblem. She handed it to Brandon, who examined it curiously.
"What's this?" he asked, turning the envelope over in his hands.
Annie smiled, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "I signed you up for the NOA music course. This is your pre-course notice."
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[Noblesse Oblige Academy]
Integrated Music and Media Management
Congratulations and Welcome!
Dear Esteemed Student,
Congratulations on your acceptance into the prestigious Noblesse Oblige Academy! We are thrilled to welcome you to the Integrated Music and Media Management program, where you will embark on a journey of excellence and innovation in both music and media.
As you prepare to start this exciting chapter, please be advised of the following important requirements:
Music Label Requirement: To ensure your readiness for the upcoming semester, you are required to either acquire an existing music label or register one independently before classes commence. This crucial step is integral to your participation in the program and will be essential for your coursework and projects.
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in immediate expulsion from the academy.
Opening Night Gala Competition: To kick off the semester, we will be hosting an Opening Night Gala featuring a thrilling competition among the newly established music labels. This event will serve as both entertainment and a showcase of your creative and strategic prowess.
Competition Format: The competition will feature a 1v1 face-off between randomly paired record labels in the first round. The top three labels that emerge victorious will proceed to the final round.
Final Round: The finalists will compete for a unique opportunity to send one act to any of the hottest music-related TV shows of your choice.
Participation: You are encouraged to either send artists signed to your label or compete yourself, showcasing your label's talent and vision.
The Opening Night Gala promises to be an exhilarating and invaluable experience, setting the stage for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Prepare your label, assemble your team, and get ready to make a mark in the world of music and media.
We look forward to seeing you shine and wish you the best of luck as you embark on this extraordinary journey at Noblesse Oblige Academy.
Sincerely,
The Noblesse Oblige Academy Administration
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Brandon's eyes widened as he absorbed the contents of the letter, without thinking much of it, he handed the letter to Annie, who quickly scanned its contents.
"Well, what do you think?"
Annie asked, turning to Brandon with a smile.
Brandon furrowed his brow, "It sounds interesting. What exactly is NOA? Is buying a company to start school a little excessive?"
Annie leaned back, her posture relaxed yet elegant.
"NOA, my dear," Annie began, her voice taking on a tone of reverence, "is more than just a school. It's the crucible where the future rulers of our world are forged. Every student admitted is the crème de la crème of their generation, carefully selected from the most powerful families."
Brandon frowned, a challenge forming in his mind.
"But Mom, doesn't that seem a bit... unfair? I mean, just because someone comes from a wealthy family doesn't necessarily mean they're the most capable or deserving."
Annie's smile didn't falter. Instead, it took on a patient, almost indulgent quality.
"Oh, my baby boy. There's a big difference between mere wealth and true legacy. Anyone can earn a few hundred million, even billions with a little luck. They then can try to give their children the best education money can buy, but they'll most likely still fall short. Do you know why?"
Brandon shook his head, intrigued.
"Legacy and heritage, Brandon, is nature's most brutal and effective experiment," Annie explained, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and something darker.
"It's no accident that your father, you, and your sisters are all exceptional in your own rights— it's the result of centuries of careful selection."
She leaned forward, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"Take our families, the Blackstones and Montclairs for example. We've been at the pinnacle of society for more than half a millennium. Being at the apex of every era means having the option to select and breed with the best - from intelligence to physicality, and in recent times, even genome compatibility."
Brandon's eyes widened as he processed this information.
Annie continued, "You see, in our world, especially for male heirs like yourself, it's not uncommon to have tens of partners, even hundreds of illegitimate children. But the matriarch and the heirs who bear the family name? They're carefully and purposefully selected."
Brandon leaned forward, his interest piqued by his mother's words.
Annie's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and wisdom as she continued her explanation.
"I'm sure you've heard of nature versus nurture?" she asked.
"Well, this is how we stay on top. Our biggest asset is our family tree, generations upon generations of the best nature has to offer, each generation nurtured with resources that money alone cannot buy."
Brandon nodded slowly. His mother's words painted a picture of a world far more complex than he had imagined.
"This is why a lot among us look down on 'new-money' people," Annie continued, her lips curving into a slight smirk.
"The currencies they live by are but tools we use to control the masses. Some of them may be privileged enough to take a gander into the system that truly runs civilization, but can they really compete with those who designed it?"
Brandon's brow furrowed, his silver-grey eyes narrowing as the world world he thought he knew was crumbling, revealing a labyrinth of power, influence.
The Blackstone name he had transmigrated into made him a living weapon in a war he was only beginning to understand and here he was aspiring to become a …
Superstar?