The Author's POV

"Ah! Here he is, the contestant that got first place in his group. Ren Dover"

"Hm?"

A reporter suddenly approached me. With a tablet in his hand, the reporter shoved a microphone to my face.

"If you would spare us a minute, would you mind telling us what you were feeling during the match, and how will you continue moving forward?"

"W-well, I'm naturally happy about my result..."

Caught off guard by the reporter, I became slightly flustered.

Though I had expected such a situation to happen, I was still recovering from my previous stunt.

Before I could even calm down, I was thrown into another troublesome situation.

"Is that so, then what are your predictions for the games? Do you think you will make it to the top fifty, or is that a bit too high at the moment?"

"Top fifty?"

My brow raised. My nervousness instantly vanished. What did he just say?

"Yes, although hard, given your qualifications, it should be possible. Given some of the other contestant's scores, although your score is quite high, enough to get you first in the group, there are over a hundred other scores that are higher than yours. Do you think you can beat them?"

"Ha."

The edges of my lips pulled upwards, and a small chuckle escaped from my lips.

'To think that I am being looked down upon this much...'

They probably assumed that my timing was the best I could achieve. That I went all out.

"I might regret saying this, but..."

"Excuse me, is there something fu'”"

"Win"

A soft yet audible voice escaped from my mouth.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm going to win, no'”", I shook my head. This didn't sound right, "let me rephrase my words..."

Lifting my head, I looked straight into the cameras pointing at me.

"...I will win the dummy massacre games and crush every competitor that stands in my way"

Without waiting for the reporters to ask any more questions, I turned around and left. Behind me, the sound of intense scribbling rang out.

Although it was mainly my fault. I was tired of people looking down on me.

Now that I no longer needed to hide as much as before, it was about time I showed the world a little bit of what I could do.

This was my statement.

***

[...I will win the dummy massacre games and crush every competitor that stands in my way]

Inside a waiting room, a male's voice echoed from the speakers of a TV screen. On the opposite side of the TV screen was a large black sofa where a platinum-haired youth sat.

'”Click!

Raising his hand, the platinumed hair youth turned off the TV. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Who would've thought he was like that?"

Turning his head to the right, a beautiful platinum hair girl appeared by his side. A solemn expression appeared on her face.

be able to notice the striking resemblance the male and female students had. Had it not been for their different gender, they

do you think your chances of beating him

"I'm not sure"

girl, Aerin,

her game, and this was what she had come back to when

hand on his chin, Nicholas, Aerin's brother, crossed his legs and fell

Especially since we need to get first place here...", musing for a bit,

game? It's

and

his watch, Nicholas opened the scoreboard and checked the

one second, that's a lot

sure he didn't go

eyes away

believe that Ren had gone all out. She too didn't go all out in

it didn't really matter right now since the difficulty increased which

was not the best representation of the final

I share the same sentiment as

"Well, we are twins..."

slight smile on her

born at almost the exact same time, and have spent most

you know that he didn't go all out. Then

"Yes, no problem"

stood up and looked at the TV screen in front of her. Her

confidence in her voice couldn't be masked as she touched the grip of her

"That's my sister"

stood up and lightly ruffled

that you will

can count on

blossoming smile appeared on Aerin's face. Now, more than ever, she swore to

***

At the same time.

"What a peculiar child..."

behind a large wooden desk. An expensive nameplate was placed on top of the

words [Douglas R. Barker] were

least for an office space. On the opposite side of the wooden desk was a white leather sofa

indeed very

been standing in front of the elderly man, gave a reply

look of reminiscence appeared on the headmaster's

the Keiki style. Ah, the last time I saw it was around five decades ago when Grandmaster Keiki fought against one of the top executives of the Monolith. Those days were much darker as order had still

years to establish

common sight, and skirmishes amongst fellow

was already built, it

The security measures weren't as advanced

that stood out

in. If not for them, humanity would've taken a lot longer to properly

was

from reaching his level back then, everything just sort of felt

headmaster paused. Leaning back on

of hundreds of demons and villains without even moving. To this day,

words. To her, Douglas

something that she would deeply engrave into

how long

proceeded to raise his hands in front of him. If only looked closely, they'd be able to

around, Douglas looked at Donna. "I should still be able to hold on for another day. I'm currently inside of a safe location so I don't have to worry about overexerting myself. I should be able to be here for today's

meantime, I'd like for you to tell me more about the students that you have been speaking so highly of, especially the youth on the screen over

"As you wish"

headmaster. She talked about Kevin, Ren, Amanda and everyone that she thought were good

she omitted a few things from her statement. Like what art

for the person before her, she had promised not to share

such, unless she got their explicit permission, she wouldn't reveal

***

[Lock private waiting area]

11 A.M.

rang out