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

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

time it was

all of the people that had

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

everyone in the room

followed their example and nodded my

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

specifically, regarding the Monolith

with him in his

I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that the book was far too long for me

book was filled with endless amounts of jibberish that

body with the new soap that he

number of pages it had was scary.

was why I

perks. Within

this vision that I couldn't quite

managed to get Kevin to spill

because he was still immature due to his young age,

evidence, it was enough to convince

pretty much confirmed that my

Monolith was indeed

thing was going to without

they were planning on doing

information is good enough

sure about what they

I had some time to work with. It was

for coming. You are all

was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly

stood up. I too

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

to get enough points in the individual matches, we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then.

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

"Ren, come here"

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

What do

moving from my

I need to talk to you about your game that

as far

I shook my head.

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

am

with her

I replied. "...yes you

didn't

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

tongue, Melissa was starting to get

as a contestant for the tournament,

stated before, there

as well as the competitors and come up with

this case, Melissa was talking to me because she was part of the technical team. In all likelihood, she wanted to talk to me about my

coming

joking. What do you

down, I gave in

"Here"

Melissa pointed towards a certain section of the

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

in order to secure first place in the dummy massacre

what gives you the confidence that this

the information displayed on it.

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

was referring to, I

and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her

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

Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of

there was a possibility

wasn't arrogant to

always best to remain a little

it or can do

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

always. Do think about my previous advice about drinking hot

going to let her go

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on

about you try the

that comes with the

made a

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

the one that I personally poured all of my love into. Trust