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.

to be completely confident about

It isn't right if the third years are the ones that carry the

was Mark who started

the people

royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his

to Mark's glare, everyone in the room sheepishly

followed their example and nodded my

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

regarding

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

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 me at

book was filled with endless

turned on the valve of his shower and washed his body with the new soap that

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

was why I just chose to directly ask him about what

perks. Within a

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

short, I managed to get Kevin to

still immature due to his young age, after

no concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me

that my worries

indeed planning

to make matters worse, that thing was going

Kevin, they were

is good

yet sure about what they were

that I had some time to work with. It was enough time for me to figure something

thank you all for coming.

thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly resounded across

stood up. I too subconsciously

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

royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the

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

"Ren, come here"

leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair in

What do

replied without moving from

to talk to you about your game

as far away from you

I shook my head.

I wanted nothing more than to be as far away from her

my, am

with her

replied. "...yes

she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

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

her tongue, Melissa was starting to

as a contestant for the

before, there was

well as the competitors and

was part of the technical team. In

you coming or

stop joking.

push and when to back down, I

"Here"

pointed towards a certain section of the

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

time that you need to beat in order to secure first

gives you the confidence

the tablet, I solemnly looked at the information displayed

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

the time Melissa was referring to, I softly

minute and

"Indeed."

nodded her head and

should be aiming for when entering the finals.

With a soft

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of

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

some confidence in beating the score, I wasn't arrogant to the point that I would think that my victory

actually won, it was always best to remain a little

do it or can do it. I'm just

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

about my previous advice

go

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

sweet smile appeared on

then how about you try the

one that comes with the label from

made a

last time Melissa made a potion for me it wasn't even made from her. Just

that I personally poured all of my love