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 be

are the ones that carry the whole school up. The first and second years need to hold their

was Mark who

at all of the people that had

started exuding

in the

also followed their example and nodded

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

regarding the Monolith

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

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 me at

filled with endless amounts of jibberish that

with the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience

size, the number of pages

that. This was why I just chose to directly ask him about

under the same roof had its perks. Within

his room 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

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

was no concrete evidence, it was enough to

talk pretty much confirmed that my worries

indeed planning something

make matters worse, that thing was going to without a

what I had gathered from Kevin, they were planning

good enough

about what they were

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

all for coming. You

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice

I too

of the meeting, and after coming up with a rough plan, Ebonie satisfyingly stood up and dismissed everyone from the

in the individual matches, we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the technical staff brief some individuals on their upcoming games.

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

"Ren, come here"

Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair

do you

without moving from my

talk to you about your game that is

as far

I shook my head.

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

my, am

her mouth with her hand,

replied.

didn't misunderstand, I

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

was

for the tournament, she wasn't

Ebonie had stated before, there

team's role was to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors

the technical team. In all likelihood, she wanted to talk to me

you coming

stop joking.

when to push and when to back down, I gave in and

"Here"

me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

time that you need to beat in order to secure first place in the dummy

confidence that this is

I solemnly looked at the information displayed on it. By the

Taking into account the worst-case scenario, I've shaven off ten seconds off of her estimated overall score and as a result, come up with this value

at the time Melissa was referring to,

and

"Indeed."

nodded her

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

I felt Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With a soft voice, she asked. "Can

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of my neck, I

was a possibility of me beating

in beating the score, I wasn't arrogant to the point that I would think that

won, it was always best to remain

can't do it or

in her pocket and left. From

always. Do think about my previous advice about drinking

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

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile appeared

about you try the new potion that I've

comes with the

made a

it wasn't even made from her. Just something she got off

my love into. Trust me. You're going