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.

so, she didn't seem to be

third years are the ones that carry the whole

time it was Mark

at all of the people that had gathered in

A threatening aura started exuding from his body.

to Mark's glare, everyone in

also followed their example and nodded

they were saying. My mind was preoccupied with other matters

specifically, regarding

calling Kevin last night, I decided to meet up with him

just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that,

filled with endless

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

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

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

perks. Within

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

short, I managed to get Kevin to spill

his young age, after a bit of

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

that my

was indeed

was going to

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

information is good

I wasn't yet sure about what they

I had some time to work with.

all for coming. You

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's

room stood up. I too subconsciously followed

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

on the battle royale. I hope everyone tries their best till then. I

tablet, Ebonie left the waiting room. Not long after, Mark and Perry also

"Ren, come here"

for me as

do you

without moving from

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

I'd rather stay as far away from you

I shook my head.

wanted nothing more than to be as far away from her

am I

with her hand, Melissa

replied.

she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

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

her tongue, Melissa was starting

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

had stated before,

technical team's role was to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors and

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

coming or

stop joking. What do you

back down, I gave in

"Here"

tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

you need to beat in order to secure first place in

what gives you the confidence that this

information displayed

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

the time Melissa was

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her

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

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of

all out, then there was a possibility of me beating

arrogant

won, it was always best to remain a

don't care if you can't do it or can do it. I'm just doing my

pocket and left. From

Do think about my previous advice

of course wasn't going to let her go like that. I needed

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

a sweet smile appeared

try the new potion that

one that comes with

made a meaningful

made a potion for me it wasn't even made from

one that I personally poured all of my love into. Trust