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.

she didn't seem to be completely confident

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

was

the people

the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in

to Mark's glare, everyone in

their example

cared about what they were saying.

specifically, regarding

to meet up with him in his room to discuss

wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that the book was far too long for me at the

happened to Kevin, the book was filled with

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

pages it had was scary.

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

same roof had its perks. Within

spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this vision that I couldn't quite make

I managed to

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

to convince me that something was definitely

that my worries

Monolith was indeed

make matters worse, that thing was going to without a

they were planning

good

what they were

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

you all for

I was preoccupied with my thoughts,

up. I too subconsciously followed the

and after coming up with a rough

royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the

Not long after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind

"Ren, come here"

leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair in the corner of

What do you

moving from my

said come here, I need to talk to you about your game that

rather stay as far away from

I shook my head.

more than to

am

with her hand,

replied. "...yes you

didn't misunderstand,

sake. I'm not doing

was

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

had stated before, there was a

student's performances as well as the competitors and come up

she was part of the technical team. In all likelihood,

you coming or

joking. What

down, I gave in and moved to

"Here"

pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

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

the confidence that

the information displayed on it. By the side, Melissa

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

the time Melissa was referring to,

and

"Indeed."

her head and

cross-reference the data from each game, this should be the target score that you should be aiming for

my direction. With a soft voice,

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of

a possibility of me

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

won, it was always best to remain a little

don't care if you can't do it or can do it.

in her pocket and left. From the looks of it, she didn't want to stay any

about my

go like

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

a sweet smile appeared on her

try the new potion that I've

comes with the label from W.V.

made a meaningful

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

poured all of my love into. Trust