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 about

if the third years are the ones that carry the

it was Mark

of the people that had

games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in history as the worst team to have ever

everyone in the room sheepishly

followed their example and

saying. My mind was preoccupied with other

specifically, regarding

last night, I decided to meet up with him

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

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

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

of pages it had was scary. It probably

was why I just chose to directly ask him about what he

had its perks. Within a minute I had

this vision that

to get Kevin

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

concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that

much confirmed that my

Monolith was indeed planning

worse, that thing was going

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

good

about what they were planning, this was

that I had some time to work with. It

you all for coming. You are

thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly

room stood up. I too subconsciously

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

we will bet everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then.

Mark and Perry also left. Behind them were their usual rows of

"Ren, come here"

also about to also leave, Melissa called out for me

do you

moving from

talk to you about your game that is coming up

rather stay as far away from you as

I shook my head.

with Melissa, I wanted nothing more

my, am I

mouth with her hand,

replied. "...yes

she didn't misunderstand,

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

Melissa was

enlisted as a contestant for the tournament,

before,

was to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors and come

to me because she was part of the technical team. In

you coming or

stop joking.

when to back down, I gave in

"Here"

handing me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

is the time that you need to beat in

what gives you the confidence that this is

solemnly looked at the information displayed on it. By the side, Melissa started

Taking into account the worst-case scenario, I've

at the time Melissa was

minute and

"Indeed."

nodded her head

the target score that you should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of my neck,

possibility of me

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

it was always

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

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

my previous advice about drinking

let her go like that. I needed to have the last

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on

try the new

comes with

made a meaningful

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

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