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.

so, she didn't seem to

third years are the ones that carry the whole school up.

it was Mark who

at all of the people that had gathered in the

A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in history as the worst team to have ever

glare, everyone in the room sheepishly nodded their

their example and nodded

were saying. My mind was preoccupied with other matters

regarding

to meet up with him

book with me, I honestly preferred to just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it

book was filled

with the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now why

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

was why

roof had its perks. Within a

entered his room and started spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this vision that I couldn't quite make out

I managed to get Kevin

was still immature due to his young age, after a bit of thought Kevin told me everything that

to convince me that

confirmed that my worries weren't

Monolith was indeed

that thing was going to without a

I had gathered from Kevin, they were planning on doing something big

information is good

they were planning, this was a good starting

I had some time to work with. It was enough

you all for

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's

the room stood up. I too

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

bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the technical staff brief some individuals

left the waiting room. Not long after, Mark and

"Ren, come here"

called out for me as she sat on a chair in the corner of the

do

without moving from

talk to you about your game that is

as far away from you as

I shook my head.

my previous experiences with Melissa, I wanted nothing more

my, am

her mouth with

I replied. "...yes you

sure that she didn't misunderstand,

for god's sake. I'm not doing

was starting to

was enlisted as a contestant for the tournament, she

before, there was

to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors and come up with a good plan

she was part of the technical team. In

coming or

I'll stop joking. What do you

and when to back down, I gave in and moved

"Here"

handing me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain section

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

is the time that you need to beat in order

gives you the confidence that

I solemnly looked at the information displayed on it. By the side, Melissa started

score. Taking into account the worst-case scenario, I've shaven off ten seconds off of her estimated

Melissa was referring

and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

her

data from each game, this should be the target score that you should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is a high possibility of you

felt Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of my neck,

a possibility of me beating

score, I wasn't arrogant to the point that

won, it was always

if you can't do it or can do it. I'm just

pocket and left. From the looks of it, she didn't want to stay

about my previous

going to let her go like that. I

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile appeared

about you try the new

that comes with the label from

a

made from her. Just something she got off the market as a

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