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.

seem to be

It isn't right if the third years are the ones that carry

it was

the

games..." A threatening aura started exuding from his body. "I hope we don't go down

in the

followed their example and nodded

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

specifically, regarding the

calling Kevin last night, I decided to meet up with

because I was too lazy or anything like that, it was just that

that happened to Kevin, the book was filled with endless amounts of jibberish that I couldn't care less

on the valve of his shower and washed his body with the new soap that he had

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

roof had its perks. Within a minute I had already arrived at

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

managed to get Kevin to

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

no concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me

pretty much confirmed that my

Monolith 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 enough for

sure about what they were planning,

time to work

all for coming. You are

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's

stood up. I too subconsciously followed

coming up with a rough plan, Ebonie

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

the waiting room. Not long after, Mark

"Ren, come here"

also leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat

What do

moving

to you about your game that is coming up

rather stay as far away from you

I shook my head.

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

my, am

with her hand, Melissa

replied.

that she didn't misunderstand,

a pair for god's sake. I'm

was starting

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

stated before,

as well as the competitors and

this case, Melissa was talking to me because she was part of the technical team. In all likelihood, she wanted to talk to me

you coming or

joking. What do you

and when to back down, I gave in and

"Here"

her tablet, Melissa pointed

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

to beat in order to secure

what gives you the confidence that this is

solemnly looked at the information displayed

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

at the time Melissa was referring to, I

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her

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

With a soft voice, she

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of

possibility of me

wasn't arrogant to the point

always

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

her hands in her pocket and left.

as always. Do think about my previous advice

her go like that. I

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

sweet smile appeared

you try the new potion

one that comes with the label from W.V.

made a

potion for me it wasn't even made

I personally poured all of my love into. Trust me. You're