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

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

time it was Mark who

at all of the people that

up you lot! You've heard what she said. Make sure you 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 to have ever appeared in the

glare, everyone in the

example and nodded my

cared about what they were saying. My

specifically, regarding

I decided to meet up with him in his room to discuss more

with me, I honestly preferred to just ask Kevin. It wasn't because I was too lazy

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

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

somehow remained the same size, the number of pages it had was scary. It

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

had its perks. Within a

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

to

still immature due to his young age,

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

talk pretty much confirmed that

indeed planning

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

from what I had gathered from Kevin, they were planning on doing something big during the battle royale

is good

about what they were planning, this was a good

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

thank you all for coming. You are

preoccupied with my thoughts,

in the room stood up. I too

up

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

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

"Ren, come here"

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

do you

replied without moving

come here, I need to talk to you about

as far away

I shook my head.

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

am

with her hand, Melissa

I replied.

didn't misunderstand, I

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

Melissa was starting

the tournament, she

had stated before, there

student's performances as well as the competitors and come up with

technical team. In all likelihood, she wanted to talk

you coming or

joking. What

to back down, I gave in and moved to

"Here"

her tablet, Melissa pointed towards a certain section

"What is this?"

I curiously asked.

need to beat in order to secure first

confidence that this

I solemnly looked at the information

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 with this

time Melissa was referring to, I

and

"Indeed."

nodded her

target score that you should be aiming for when

I felt Melissa's stare directed in my direction. With a soft voice,

"...Hmmm, maybe?"

the side of

possibility of me beating this score,

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

it was always best to

care if you can't do it or can do it.

tablet off of my hand, Melissa put her hands in her pocket and left. From the looks of

as always. Do think about my previous advice about drinking hot

go like that. I needed

"What?"

Melissa's footsteps halted.

smile appeared on her

try the new potion that

comes with

made a meaningful

for me it wasn't even made from her. Just something

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