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

are the ones that carry the whole school up. The first and second years need to hold

time it was Mark who started

looked at all of the people

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

everyone in

followed their example and nodded

that I actually cared about what they were saying. My mind

regarding the

up with him in his room to discuss more on

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

was filled with

soap that he had bought yesterday at the convenience store...''”Now

somehow remained the same size, the number of pages

This was why I just chose to directly

its perks. Within

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

short, I managed to get Kevin to spill

a lot, or just because he was still immature due to his young age,

it was enough to convince me that something

talk pretty much confirmed that

indeed

that thing was going to without a doubt

Kevin, they were

good

about what they were planning,

had some time to work with. It was enough time for me to figure something

you all for coming. You are

preoccupied with my thoughts,

room stood up. I too subconsciously

after coming up with a rough plan,

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

after, Mark and Perry also left. Behind them

"Ren, come here"

was also about to also leave, Melissa called out for me as she sat on a chair in

do

without moving from my

to talk to you about

rather stay as far away

I shook my head.

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

am I that

with her hand, Melissa

I replied. "...yes

make sure that she didn't misunderstand, I repeated

sake. I'm not doing this because I

was starting to

was enlisted as a contestant for the tournament, she

before,

analyze the student's performances as well as the

the technical team.

you coming

joking.

to push and when to back down, I gave in and moved to where

"Here"

pointed

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

beat in order to secure

confidence that this is the

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

analyzing Aerin's game for the past six matches 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 estimated overall

at the time Melissa was referring

minute and twenty-eight

"Indeed."

her

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

Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With a soft voice, she asked.

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

of my neck,

was a possibility of me beating this score, but

I wasn't arrogant to the point that I would think

always best

it or can do it. I'm just doing

pocket and left. From the looks of it, she didn't

my previous advice about drinking hot

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

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on her

you try the new

comes with the label

a meaningful

last time Melissa made a potion for me it wasn't even made from her.

personally poured all of my love into. Trust