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 about

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

was Mark who

the people that

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

Mark's glare, everyone in

their example and nodded my

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

specifically, regarding

decided to meet up with

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

happened to Kevin, the book was filled with endless

the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now why would I want

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

with useless stuff like that. This was

its perks. Within a minute

spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this vision that I couldn't quite make out about the Monolith and blah, blah,

short, I managed to get Kevin to spill

immature due to his young

concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that something was

pretty much confirmed that my worries weren't for

was indeed planning

was going to without a

gathered from Kevin, they were planning on doing something big during the

information is good enough for

they were planning, this was a good

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

for coming. You are all

with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice

room stood up. I too subconsciously followed the

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

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

room. Not long after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind them were

"Ren, come here"

was also about to also leave, Melissa called out for

What do

replied without moving from

talk to you

I'd rather stay as far away from you

I shook my head.

Melissa, I wanted nothing more than to be as far away from

my, am

with

I replied.

make sure that she didn't misunderstand,

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

was

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

Ebonie had stated before, there was a

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

of the technical team. In all

you coming

joking. What do

when to back down, I gave

"Here"

handing me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

in order to secure first

the confidence that this

looked at the information displayed on

six matches she had, I've made a rough estimate of her final score. Taking into account the

time Melissa was referring to, I

minute and

"Indeed."

her head

data from each game, this should be the target score that you should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is a high possibility of

With

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of my

was a possibility of me beating this score,

I had some confidence in beating the score, I wasn't arrogant

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

if you can't do it or

in her pocket and

my previous advice about drinking hot

let her go like that. I needed to

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared

try the

one that comes with the

a meaningful

even made from her. Just something she got off the

that I personally poured all of my love into.