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.

didn't seem to be completely confident

the ones that carry the whole school up. The first and

time it was

of the people that

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

Mark's glare, everyone in the

also followed their example and nodded my

cared about what they were saying. My mind

specifically, regarding the

Kevin last night, I decided to meet up with

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

filled with endless amounts of jibberish

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

pages it had was scary.

like that. This was why I just chose to directly ask him about

perks. Within a minute I had already arrived at

bullshit about how I had this vision that I

I managed to get Kevin to

to his young

there was no concrete evidence, it was enough to convince me that something was definitely

much confirmed that my worries weren't for

was indeed planning something

make matters worse, that thing was going to

were planning on doing something big during the battle royale

information is good enough

yet sure about what they were planning,

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

you all for coming. You

preoccupied with my thoughts, Ebonie's voice suddenly resounded

stood up. I too subconsciously

passed since the beginning of the meeting, and after coming up

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 individuals on their upcoming games.

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

"Ren, come here"

I was also about to also leave, Melissa called out for

What do you

without moving from

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

far away from

I shook my head.

with Melissa, I wanted nothing more

my, am I

mouth with

replied. "...yes

she didn't misunderstand,

pair for god's sake. I'm not

was starting

for the tournament, she wasn't actually

Ebonie had stated before, there

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

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

coming

I'll stop joking. What do you

push and when to back down,

"Here"

me her tablet, Melissa pointed towards

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

is the time that you need to beat in order to secure first place in

you the confidence that this is the

the information

account the worst-case scenario,

the time Melissa was referring to,

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her

should be the target score that you should be aiming for when entering

stare directed in my direction. With a soft voice, she asked. "Can you do

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of my neck, I

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

wasn't arrogant to the

actually won, it was always best to

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

her pocket and left. From the looks of it, she

about my

let her go like that. I needed to have the last

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on her

about you try the

with the label from

a meaningful

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

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