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.

to be completely confident

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

it was Mark who started

Mark looked at all of the

don't disappoint during the battle royale games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down in history as the

in the room sheepishly nodded their

followed their example and

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

regarding

with him in his room to discuss more on

with me, I honestly preferred to just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that the book was far too long for me

Kevin, the book was filled with

on the valve of his shower and washed his body with the new soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now why would I want to

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

like that. This was why I just chose to

roof had its perks. Within a minute I

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

I managed to

to his young age, after a bit of thought Kevin told me everything that he knew

evidence, it was enough to convince me that something was definitely going to

that my

was indeed planning something

make matters worse, that thing was going

had gathered from Kevin, they were planning on

information is good enough

yet sure about what they

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

thank you all for coming.

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

room stood up. I too subconsciously followed

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

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

after, Mark and Perry also

"Ren, come here"

called out for me as she sat on a chair in the corner of

do you

moving from

here, I need to talk to you about

stay as far away from you as

I shook my head.

more than to be

am

mouth with her

replied.

didn't misunderstand,

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

Melissa was

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

had stated before, there was a

the student's performances as well as

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

you coming or

joking. What do

when to back down, I gave in and moved to

"Here"

me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

that you need to beat in order to

confidence that

solemnly looked at the information displayed

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 up

time Melissa was referring to, I softly

and

"Indeed."

nodded her head

this should be the target score that you should be aiming for when entering the finals.

direction. With a

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of

out, then there was a possibility of me beating this score, but I wasn't

I wasn't arrogant to the point that

was always best to remain a little bit

it or can

my hand, Melissa put her hands in her pocket and left.

about my previous advice

going to let her go like that. I needed

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

around, a sweet smile appeared on

then how about you try the new

with the label from W.V.

a

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

poured all of my love into. Trust me. You're going to enjoy