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 about

are the ones that carry

was Mark who started

at all of the people that

royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in history as the

Mark's glare, everyone in

followed their example and nodded my

I actually cared about what they were saying. My mind

specifically, regarding the Monolith

I decided to meet up with him in his room to discuss more

honestly preferred to just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that the book was far too long for

Kevin, the book was filled with endless amounts of

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

number of pages it had was scary.

it was filled with useless stuff like that. This was why I just chose to directly ask him

had its perks. Within a minute I had already arrived

how I had this vision that I couldn't quite make out about the Monolith and blah,

short, I managed to get Kevin to

he was still immature due to his young age, after a

was no concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that

much confirmed that

was indeed

make matters worse, that thing was going to

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

is good enough

sure about what they were planning,

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

for coming. You

was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly

stood up. I

passed since the beginning of the meeting, and after coming up with

on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till

long after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind them were

"Ren, come here"

was also about to also leave, Melissa called out for me as she

What do

replied without moving from

talk to you about your game that is coming

rather stay as far away

I shook my head.

my previous experiences with Melissa, I wanted nothing more than to be as far

my, am I that

her mouth with her

I replied. "...yes you

she didn't misunderstand, I repeated this

god's sake. I'm not doing this

her tongue, Melissa was

for the tournament, she wasn't

before, there was a

well as the competitors and come up with a

the technical team. In

coming or

I'll stop joking.

push and when to back down, I gave in

"Here"

me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain section of the

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

need to beat in order

you the confidence that this is the

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

analyzing Aerin's game for the past 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 her estimated overall score and as a result,

Melissa was referring

minute and

"Indeed."

nodded her head and

be the target score that you should be aiming for when

direction. With a soft

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of my neck,

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

beating the score, I wasn't arrogant

won, it was always best to remain

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

my hand, Melissa put her hands in her pocket and left. From the looks of

always. Do think about my previous advice about drinking

to let her go like

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile

about you try the new

comes with the label from

made a meaningful

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

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