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 about

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

was Mark who started

the people that had

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 worst team

response to Mark's glare, everyone in

also followed their example and

saying. My mind was preoccupied with other

specifically, regarding the

up with him in his

to just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy

filled with endless amounts

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

pages it had was scary. It probably numbered in

of it was filled with useless stuff like that. This was why I just chose to directly ask him about what he

had its perks. Within a minute I had

started spouting nonstop bullshit about how I had this

I managed to get Kevin to

he was still immature due to his young age, after a bit of thought Kevin told me everything that he knew regarding the

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

much confirmed that my worries

Monolith was indeed planning

to make matters worse, that thing was going to without a doubt implicate

were planning on doing something big during the

good enough for

yet sure about what they were planning, this

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

thank you all for coming. You

thoughts,

up. I too subconsciously followed the other's

meeting, and after coming up with a rough plan, Ebonie satisfyingly stood up

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

Ebonie left the waiting room. Not long after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind them were their usual rows

"Ren, come here"

also leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair in the corner of

What do

moving from

talk to

I'd rather stay as far away from you

I shook my head.

more than to be

my, am

mouth with her hand, Melissa

replied.

she didn't

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

was starting

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

before, there was

was to analyze the student's performances as well as the competitors and come up with a good

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

coming or

joking.

to back down,

"Here"

pointed towards a

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

to beat in order to

confidence that this

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

I've made a rough estimate of her final score. Taking into account the worst-case scenario,

at the time Melissa was referring to,

and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

nodded her head

for when entering the finals. If you can beat this score, there is a high

With a soft voice, she asked. "Can

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

side of my neck,

then there was a possibility

wasn't arrogant

was always best to remain

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

her pocket

think about my previous advice

wasn't going to let her go

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

sweet smile

try the new potion that

with the label from

a

for me it wasn't even made from her.

poured all of my