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 completely confident

third years are the ones that carry

was Mark who

at all of the people

you 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

everyone in the room

also followed their example and nodded

they were saying. My mind was preoccupied with other

regarding the Monolith

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

was too lazy

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

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

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

it was filled with useless stuff like that. This was why I just chose to directly ask him about what

under the same roof had its perks. Within

this vision that I couldn't quite make out about the

short, I managed to get

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

was no concrete evidence, it was enough to

much confirmed that my worries weren't for

Monolith was indeed planning

that thing was going to without a

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

good enough for

yet sure about what they were planning, this

some time to work with. It was enough time for me to

thank you all for coming. You

my thoughts,

stood up. I too subconsciously followed the

after coming up

we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not

Mark and Perry also

"Ren, come here"

out for me

What do

moving

to you about your

stay as far away from

I shook my head.

with Melissa, I wanted nothing more than to

am I

mouth with her

replied. "...yes

sure that she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

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

was starting to get

contestant for the tournament, she wasn't

had stated before, there

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

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

coming or

I'll stop joking. What

push and when to back down, I

"Here"

me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain section of the

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

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

you the confidence that this is the

the tablet, I solemnly looked at the information displayed

six matches 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 of her estimated overall score and

at the time Melissa was referring

minute and

"Indeed."

her head

should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is a high possibility of you

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of

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

the score, I wasn't arrogant to the point

actually won, it was always best to remain a little bit

if you can't do it or can do it. I'm just doing my

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

always. Do think about my previous

her go

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile appeared

you try the new potion

comes with the label from W.V.

a meaningful

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

all of my love into. Trust me. You're going