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

I don't think so. It isn't right if the third years are the ones

time it was Mark who

the

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

followed their example and nodded

about what they were saying. My mind was preoccupied with other matters at the

specifically, regarding

decided to meet up with him in his room to discuss more

Kevin. It wasn't because I was too

that happened to Kevin, the book was filled with endless amounts of jibberish that I couldn't care less

body with the new soap that he

the book somehow remained the same size, the number of pages it had was scary. It probably

useless stuff like that. This was why I just chose

under the same roof had its perks. Within

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, blah,

managed to get Kevin to

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

there was no concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that something was definitely going to

much confirmed that my worries

indeed planning something

make matters worse, that thing was going to without a doubt implicate

from what I had gathered from Kevin, they were planning on doing something big during the battle royale event

information is good enough for

I wasn't yet sure about what they were planning, this was a

knew that I had some time to work with. It was enough time for me to

you all for coming. You

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly

up. I too

and after coming up with a rough plan, Ebonie satisfyingly stood up and dismissed everyone

to win to get enough points in the individual matches, we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the technical staff brief some individuals

Not long after, Mark and Perry

"Ren, come here"

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

What do

replied without moving

here, I need to talk to you

I'd rather stay as far

I shook my head.

I wanted nothing more than to be as far

am I

her mouth with

I replied. "...yes you

didn't misunderstand,

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

tongue, Melissa was starting to

a contestant for the tournament, she wasn't actually participating

stated before, there was a technical

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

the technical team. In

you coming or

I'll stop joking.

and when to back down, I gave in and moved to where

"Here"

handing me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

is the time that you need to beat in

the confidence that this

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

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

Melissa was referring

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her head and

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

felt Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of my neck,

then there was a possibility of me beating this score,

arrogant to the point that I would think that

always best

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

the tablet off of my hand, Melissa put her hands in her pocket and left. From the looks of it, she didn't

Do think about my previous advice about drinking

her go like that. I needed to have the

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile appeared on her

how about you try the new potion

that comes with the

a

made a potion for me it wasn't even made from her. Just something she

all of my love