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

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

was Mark

at all of the people that had gathered in the

heard what she said. Make sure you don't disappoint during the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from

everyone in the room

also followed their example and nodded my

were saying. My mind

specifically, regarding

with him in

I had the book with 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 at

filled with endless amounts of jibberish that I couldn't care less

of his shower and washed his body with the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the

of pages it had was

was filled with useless stuff like that. This was

had its perks. Within a minute I had

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, blah,

managed to get Kevin to spill

immature due to his young age, after a bit of

concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that

much confirmed that my worries weren't

was indeed planning something

to make matters worse, that thing was going to

was because from what I had gathered from Kevin, they were

good enough

about what they were planning, this was a good

work with. It was enough time for me to figure something

thank you all for coming.

I was preoccupied with my thoughts,

room stood up. I too subconsciously

up with a rough

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

Not long after, Mark and Perry

"Ren, come here"

when I was also about to also leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair in the corner

do

replied without moving

talk to you about your

as far away from

I shook my head.

Melissa, I wanted nothing more than

am I

with her hand,

replied. "...yes

make sure that she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

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

tongue, Melissa was starting to

Melissa was enlisted as a contestant for the

Ebonie had stated before,

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

to me because she was part of the technical team. In all likelihood, she wanted to talk to

coming

I'll stop joking. What do

back down, I gave

"Here"

Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

in order to

gives you the confidence that this is

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

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

Melissa was

minute and

"Indeed."

her

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

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of my neck,

there was a possibility of me beating this

arrogant

won, it was always best

if you can't do it or can do

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

always. Do think about my previous advice about drinking

let her go

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on

then how about you try the new potion that

that comes with the

made a meaningful

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

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