The Author's POV

'”Bang!

The blaring sound of a table being pounded resounded across the room. Following this, an enraged roar echoed across the room.

"This is bullshit!"

Perry stood up.

"I shouldn't be responsible for our school's lackluster performances!"

"That's not the point"

Sitting next to Perry, Ebonie shouted back. Her voice contained all of the frustration she held back for the past week.

"I've repeatedly warned you about this at the beginning of the week yet none of you listened to me!"

Turning around, Ebonie pointed at the TV screen where the rankings were shown and once again raised her voice.

"Now, look! We're only fifty points ahead of Theodora academy who should've been two hundred points behind according to the initial forecast. Whose fault is it other than yours for this?"

「Rankings」 - 「Points」

Lock Academy - 11,089

Theodora Academy - 11,039

Lutwik Academy - 10,785

Vellon Academy - 10,467

SilverWing Academy - 9,803

Kukz Academy - 9,732

DeathSigil Academy – 9,311

Dusk of Dawn Academy - 8,953

Everlight Academy -8,824

PridedHorses Academy - 8,645

"What the fuc'”"

"Rather than voicing out your complaints, let's talk about the possible solutions to this problem."

Cutting Perry off before he could swear, was Mark. Compared to the first meeting, his face looked a lot more serious. He was no longer treating this as a joke.

He knew just how serious their current predicament was.

"...Right"

Finally, calming down a bit, Ebonie stood up. Biting her lower lip, she looked at everyone that had gathered in the room.

"From what I've gathered, in order for us to win, all we need is four first-years to win their respective games, followed by two by the second years."

Pausing, Ebonie took out a tablet. Tapping on the screen on the tablet, the TV screen behind her changed.

"If they somehow can achieve this, we should be able to widen the gap with Theodora Academy. If we can't achieve that then we have no choice but to..."

Ebonie paused.

"No choice but to...?"

Perry asked as he too seemed to have also calmed down from the previous outburst.

"Win one of the battle royale games..."

"..."

At her words, the room instantly became quiet.

If there was one game that no one could guarantee first place spot, it would be the battle royale game.

The reason was simple.

There was no rule that stated that the other academies couldn't form alliances with one another.

As a result of this rule, every year the Lock and the other larger academies would end up fighting at a numerical disadvantage. Making it much harder for them to win first place.

It was also because of this that the points awarded to the academies upon winning the game were much higher than singular games.

If two academies were neck and neck with each other in terms of points, they'd need to be able to win the battle royale in order to widen the gap.

"That shouldn't be a problem."

The first to speak up was Perry. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Since we're already guaranteed first place in our battle royale, we don't really have to worry too much about it."

"That's easier said than done..."

Ebonie replied as she put her tablet down. From the way that she didn't deny Perry's statement, it seemed as though she agreed with him about the fact that the third year will win their battle royale.

didn't seem to be completely confident

the third years are the ones that carry the whole school

time it was

Mark looked at all of the people that

lot! You've heard what she said. Make sure you don't disappoint during the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding

glare, everyone in the room sheepishly nodded their

example and

I actually cared about what they were saying. My mind was preoccupied with other matters at

specifically, regarding

Kevin last night, I decided to meet up with him in his room to

just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it

Kevin, the book was filled with endless amounts of jibberish that I

the valve of his shower and washed his body with the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now

somehow remained the same size, the number of pages it had was scary. It probably numbered in the thousands

filled with useless stuff like that. This was why

living under the same roof had its perks. Within a minute I had already arrived

entered his room and started spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this vision that

managed to

to his young age, after a bit of thought Kevin told me everything that he

concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that something was definitely going

that my

Monolith was indeed planning something

worse, that thing was going

they were planning on doing something big

is good

sure about what they were planning, this

knew that I had some time to work with. It was

thank you all for coming. You are all

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly

I too

beginning of the meeting, and after coming up with a rough plan, Ebonie

individual matches, we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the technical

the waiting room. Not long after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind them were their usual rows

"Ren, come here"

to also leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a

What do you

without moving

here, I need to talk to you

far away

I shook my head.

experiences with Melissa, I wanted nothing more than to be as far away from her

my, am I

mouth with her

I replied.

sure that she didn't misunderstand, I repeated this

pair for god's sake. I'm not doing this

tongue, Melissa was starting to

contestant for the tournament, she

before, there was a

was to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors and come

the technical team. In all likelihood, she

you coming

stop joking. What do you

push and when to back down, I gave in

"Here"

Melissa pointed

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

need to beat in order to secure first place

gives you the confidence that this

at the information displayed on it. By the side, Melissa

six matches she had, I've made a rough estimate of her final score. Taking into account the worst-case scenario, I've shaven off ten seconds off of

time Melissa was referring to, I

and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

her

be the target score that you should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is

direction. With a soft voice, she asked. "Can you do

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of

all out, then there was a possibility of me beating this score, but

arrogant to the point that I would

it was always

care if you can't do it or can do

in her pocket and

think about my previous advice about drinking

course wasn't going to let her go like that. I needed to

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

a sweet smile appeared

try the new potion that I've

with the label from W.V.

made a

last time Melissa made a potion for me it wasn't even made from her. Just something she got off the market as a

that I personally poured all of my love into. Trust me. You're going to