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.

seem to be completely confident

it? I don't think so. It isn't right if the third years are the ones that carry the whole school up. The first and second years need

time it was Mark who

Mark looked at all of the people

lot! You've heard what she said. Make sure you don't disappoint during the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in history as the worst team

to Mark's glare, everyone in the room sheepishly nodded their

followed their example and nodded my

they were saying. My mind was

specifically, regarding the Monolith

up with him in his room to discuss more on

me, I 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 me

everything that happened to Kevin, the book was filled with endless amounts of jibberish

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

remained the same size, the number of pages

with useless stuff like that. This was why I just chose to directly

perks. Within a minute

this vision that I couldn't quite make

I managed to get Kevin to

just because he was still immature due to his young age, after a bit of

was enough to convince me

confirmed that my

was indeed planning

to make matters worse, that thing was going to

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

is good enough

about what they were planning, this was a good starting

work

you all for coming.

was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly resounded across the

up. I too subconsciously

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

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

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

"Ren, come here"

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

do you

moving from my

talk to you about your game that is coming up

far

I shook my head.

my previous experiences with Melissa, I wanted nothing more than

my, am I

with her hand, Melissa

I replied.

that she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

sake. I'm not doing this

tongue, Melissa was starting to

was enlisted as a contestant for the tournament, she wasn't actually

had stated before, there was a technical

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

was part of the technical team. In all likelihood,

you coming

stop joking. What

when to back down, I

"Here"

tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

is the time that you need to beat in order to secure

what gives you the confidence that this

solemnly looked at the information displayed on it. By the

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

was referring

minute and

"Indeed."

nodded her head

game, this should be the target score that you should be aiming for

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of

was a possibility of me beating this score, but I wasn't

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

always best to remain a little

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

put her hands in her pocket and left. From the looks of

always. Do think about my previous advice about

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

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

sweet smile appeared

you try the new potion

with the

a

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

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