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

don't think so. It isn't right if the third years are the ones that carry the whole school up. The first and second years need to hold

was Mark

looked at all of the people that had gathered in

you don't disappoint during the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body.

to Mark's glare, everyone in the room

their example and

cared about what they were saying. My mind was

specifically, regarding

decided to meet up with him in his

It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that

filled with

new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now

remained the same size, the number of pages

stuff like that. This was why I just chose

living under the same roof had its perks. Within a minute I had already arrived at his

and started spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this vision

I managed to get

still immature due to his young age, after a bit

there was no concrete evidence, it was enough to

talk pretty much confirmed that my worries weren't

was indeed planning

was going to without a

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

good enough

they were planning, this

I had some time to work with.

for coming. You

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

I

had passed since the beginning of the meeting, and after coming up with a rough plan,

everything on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I will not let the technical staff brief some individuals on

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

"Ren, come here"

also about to also leave, Melissa called out for me as she

do you

moving from

to talk to you about your game that

stay as far away

I shook my head.

previous experiences with Melissa, I wanted nothing more than to be

my, am I

with

replied.

she didn't

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

her tongue, Melissa was

contestant for the tournament,

had stated before, there was

performances as well as the competitors

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

you coming

I'll stop joking. What do

down, I

"Here"

tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

beat in order to

you the confidence

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

Aerin's game for the past 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 as a result, come

time Melissa was referring to, I softly

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her

that you should be aiming for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of my

went all out, then there was a possibility of

wasn't arrogant to the point that I would

actually won, it was always

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

my hand, Melissa put her hands in her pocket and left. From the looks of it, she

think about my previous

to let her go like that. I needed to have

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

a sweet smile appeared on her

try the new potion

one that comes with the label from W.V.

made a meaningful

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

personally poured all of my love