The Author's POV

It was early in the morning, and following what was sent in the email yesterday, I made my way towards the Lock private area.

As I entered the room, the first thing I noticed was three individuals sitting at a round table.

I could instantly feel a deep and oppressive aura emanating from their body.

'Ebonie Wills, Mark Mendez, Perry Crossley...', I muttered underneath my breath as I looked at the three individuals sitting on the round table.

The three strongest students in the academy, and the heads of the three major factions in the Lock.

Calmly walking forward, I joined the small crowd of students that had gathered around them.

None of them dared to sit down with them as they just stood and watched them.

At the moment, a solemn atmosphere shrouded the room.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tapping on the table, a burly individual with short brown hair and green eyes spoke up, disrupting the silence. His voice contained hints of annoyance.

"Let's get this over with. I don't have much time to spare for the likes of this childish gathering."

"Shut up you brute. It's because of people like you that we have to hold these kinds of discussions"

Sitting opposite to him was an elegant youth with bright blue eyes and brown hair.

A look of disgust appeared on his face as he looked at the burly man opposite to him.

"Mark, Perry, can you guys shut up for five minutes?"

Standing up was a beautiful girl with tanned skin, black eyes, and dirt blonde hair.

Glaring at Mark, who was the elegant youth, and Perry who was the burly individual, the tanned girl, Ebonie Wills, walked towards one of the TVs and picked up the remote.

'”Clink!

Turning on the TV, Ebonie pressed a couple of buttons before a large data table appeared on the TV screen.

「Rankings」 - 「Points」

Lock Academy - 986

Theodora Academy - 904

Lutwik Academy - 888

Vellon Academy - 867

SilverWing Academy - 803

Kukz Academy - 745

DeathSigil Academy – 711

Dusk of Dawn Academy - 657

Everlight Academy - 656

PridedHorses Academy - 640

Looking at the TV screen I thought, 'Those numbers seem similar to the ones I wrote in the novel...'

Though I couldn't remember the exact numbers that I wrote in the novel, I remembered that on the first day the Lock did not surpass 1,000 points.

This was a very important piece of information to take note of since it suggested that as of right now the tournament arc was progressing just as it did in the novel.

Not sure how long this would last, but for now I could more or less be able to infer a little bit of what was to come in the future.

"Let's talk about serious matters."

Putting the TV remote down, Ebonie pointed at the scoreboard projected on the TV screen.

"As you can see, as of right now we are overall in the first place."

"Indeed. But I don't think we need to hold a meeting to point this out, no?"

Perry, the burly individual, spoke up as he crossed his large arms. Ebonie nodded her head in response.

"True, but there is a problem"

"What problem?"

"...According to the data, we're slightly behind last year's first-day record."

Ebonie gravely said as she looked at everyone in the room.

last year's

his eyes

quite apparent that

to secure 1033 points on

In response, Mark's brows knit

saying that we are 47 points behind

pointed at the TV screen, "Furthermore, Theodora academy's score is a whole 80 points higher than their last

only

Perry as his voice couldn't help but

continue to be first. Simple as that. I don't see why we need to

spoke, his

he was extremely irritated about the fact that he had

and listen

a deep breath, Ebonie

believe that we shouldn't overlook this. If there is any chance that we might lose, we have to crush it

end, you wasted our time for this

Perry abruptly stood up.

domineering pressure exuded from his body as the students next to him backed up a couple

by his pressure. Even then, I

reminded me of the

"This is not nons'”"

thought that this was something important. You're just wasting my time with

neck slightly, he made his way

everyone stepped to the side to make a path for

"Wait lis'”"

have to agree with

Mark similarly stood up.

of the room. Behind him, a row of students followed him out

meeting left, leaving behind Ebonie and what seemed to be her followers which included the likes of

to me later

individuals leaving the room,

arrogant pricks. Why can't they listen

cursed as her fists curled

'...As expected'

from afar, I secretly shook

exactly because of this reason that the

for Kevin's intervention, the overall winners

way I saw things, the situation was progressing exactly as it

no longer in control of the plot, the chances of the Lock losing were even

talented, could not work with each

only trusted their decisions and their decisions only. It was because

"What do you think?"

"Hm?"

my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Kevin standing next to

did he

as I looked at

What do you

from the way I see

a bit, I shared my

"You think so too?"

"...yeah"

third years was quite

bad last year, this year it became even more apparent. Portraying this was the scene that had just

a game to be

I

better get

shoulder lightly, Kevin waved and left

least I managed to escape an

that was good about the meeting it was

I didn't have to worry about joining the conflicts

***

now Monday. During the past week,

'”Click!

a room illuminated by bright lights,

dummies fell on the ground

"Huuu..."

deep breath, I subtly touched the

"This feels weird."

up after a few hours of sleep as my body didn't move as fast as I wanted it

of this factor, I almost missed a couple of dummies that

the whole time

'”Beep!

a beeping sound resounded across the room, and my score was displayed on

Ren Dover; Time ➤ 2:

Smirk.

a smirk