Let The Hunt Begin!

The Grand Imperial Institute- the largest academic organisation of the Empire: It covered a vast span of lands- stretching across tens of kilometres. This behemoth of an Organization could support a thousand students for four whole years.

It was already more than more than five months into the year; a few days remained until it became six. The already lively campus became livelier; it was approaching: 'The Hunt' was knocking at the door.

"Professor Rodney, how is the preparation going?" A middle aged woman who was wearing an orange dress asked.

"Lecturer Feather, everything's perfect on my side. What about you?" An old man in his sixties with white hair was sitting at a round table. He was wearing an orange coat.

"I don't know." She sat opposite him and sighed. "Academy's last year's batch is dangerous: A tier 5 along with seven tier 4s; not to mention that tier 3 who won the first year tournament."

"I know. But what's the problem? Fortune is on our side. No matter how talented they are, they are only second years. They can't do anything to the seven level 4 students we will be sending in this year. This year, there can be only one result possible- absolute domination." He smirked.

"I know. Most of the time, both of the sides maintain a stalemate. Seldom did anyone actually 'win' the event. This year, it's definitely our turn. It's just that…" She sighed.

"What?" He frowned.

"We discovered a variable- Adrian Darkheart."

"The witch's son?"

"Yes- him. Our spies sent information that he 'might' surpass his mother?"

"Surpass the witch?" He shook his head. "Ask yourself, there is only one person in the entire Empire who can face the witch head on in her age range. Do you think she is easy to surpass? This is just the Academy's trick to gather confidence, nothing more."

"I hope you are right. But I can't afford to take the risk and let such a variable survive. Thankfully, he is going to participate this Hunt." She smirked.

"I know what you are thinking- hunters always need a prey."

******

"Here!" The principal brought out a huge pile of papers, which was at least twice the size of the previous stack, and *Bam* she slammed it on the desk.

Adrian skimmed through the details of each and every one of the two hundred participants in half an hour.

"Great. Now give me the details of our own participants." He reached out one of his hands.

His statement almost punctured her heart- rendering her forget to breath.

"I am joking." He took back his hand.

She gasped for breath and held her chest before shouting, "Sayings that almost kill someone aren't jokes!"

"Really? I am quite sure that was a killer joke."

She facepalmed herself. "Just stop."

"Fine. I need a few 'items'." He put an evil smile on his face.

******

A week later, at a location few kilometres southwest of the royal capital of Nemphis, lied 'The Western Ruins'. It was ancient- so old that none knew which era it belonged to. But people liked to call it 'The Gate'- the gate that led to the fleeting lands.

The site was jointly protected by the Academy and the Royal Guards. Just outside the ruins, a camp consisting of dozens of large tents were set.

In one of the large tents, stayed the best of the best of the second year Griffin class. Adrian was lying against one of the pillars with his eyes closed. He permitted Isabella to stay with her friend- Cornelia De Recruz. They were chatting about who-knows- what at one corner and giggling often.

The two boys- Sirius Blue and Dolf Ironcross were practicing combat- not together, but at two opposite sides of the camp.

Suddenly, the curtains of the camp entrance opened as a fourth-year stout male barged in.

"Hey kids. Get out!"

But all he got in response was five death glares directed right to his eyes.

"Ahem…" He cleared his throat. "The instructors are calling everyone outside. If you would please follow protocols."

The girls passed by him as they got out, not giving him a second glance. The two boys followed. Finally, it was Adrian's turn.

He slightly pressed on the newcomers shoulder and smiled. The fourth year felt his whole body paralysing in fear; sweat poured out profusely. But Adrian decided to stop toying as he softly patted the newcomer's shoulder before leaving.

Once Adrian was out of his sight, he finally dared to breath out a sigh of relief.

"Are they really just second years? I am a member of the Griffin class too. And what's with that last one?" He muttered as he wiped off the sweat from his forehead.

The sun was really close to the horizon, but it had yet to set down. Two hundred young men and ladies gathered in an opened field- most of them were wearing the uniform of the Royal Academy of Nemphis. There were only five with blue linings;the rest were either red or purple.

The ground was cleared of snow. At one side of the field- there was a small hill upon which stood a few adults. Once again, most of them were wearing the instructor uniforms of the Royal Academy of Nemphis.

There were some principals among them, but the highest ranked was undoubtedly the dean of combat department of 'The Academy', Dean Braveheart.

The long haired 'beautiful' man looked at the students below, then at his fellow instructors before finally looking at Instructor Northfields and giving him a nod.

The middle aged silver embroidered instructor bowed before stepping forward.

"Greetings, students- of my own institution and other's." He was using his <Sound > property. "I am instructor Michael Northfields and I will be the one briefing you of 'The Hunt'.

"This event will take place in 'the fleeting lands', mystical lands which appear only once every four years. The only way to enter that place is through this ruins. Inside, lies an ancient teleportation circle that has the ability to transport 201 personnel at once. The circle only activates during the lunar eclipse that happens every four years. And this phenomenon will happen again, tonight."

Adrian did not care about the speech; he was looking around. Suddenly, his eyes contacted with the silver eyes of one of the most charming girls on the field. She was wearing a uniform that was not of the Academy. Both of them smiled at each other.

Many of those who noticed were intrigued but those who were already aware of the relation between the two did not find this surprising at all.

The instructor continued with his speech. "Though you will be teleported from here together, you will teleport to a random spot on the site. But fret not, I believe all of you have already gotten a map. Find the nearest landmark, and navigate your way to the teleportation circle on that side. But beware, you should aim for the green teleportation- the Confederation one, not the red one of the empire. I don't have to explain the consequences, do I?

Many of the students brought out the map from their pockets and burned the location of the green and red legends marked on it in their brains.

"There will be three types of enemies there. Firstly, the nature- though the least dangerous, there are deaths every two or three years due to poisoning or hunger. If you can find rare herbs, you can exchange it for magic crystals once you return. Secondly, beasts- especially the magical ones. The habitats of level 6 and above beasts are marked on the map. If you don't venture into those areas, you should be safe. Again, certain beast parts can be exchanged for magic crystals."

Some students brought out the leaflets distributed to them. One of them listed the pictures and names of rare herbs along with the price. The other had details about different beasts- their habitats, weakness and exchangeable parts.

"Finally, we have the students of the Institute. I will say only one thing- Kill, run or die."

Most of the students gulped.

"But their nameplates can be exchanged for high grade magic crystals."

Almost all the students' eyes betrayed greed- especially for the commoners.

"My only advice for you is to group together if possible, regardless of the institution you are in. Of the thirty seven of Confederation students who died four years ago, thirty five of them were reported to be alone. That's enough. You can go and rest. Good luck everyone."

Everyone began to leave, heading for their tents. Adrian nodded at the silver eyed girl one last time before leaving. She nodded back and went on her own way.

It was almost midnight. Two hundred students along with an elite level 7 Academy instructor gathered on top of a huge circle engraved on the stoned ground. There were archaic broken walls surrounding the circle. There was no ceilings, only the open sky.

A full moon lit up the dark atmosphere; but everyone knew that would not be the case for long.

Their conjectures were right. Soon, a shadow fell on the earth as a blob of darkness started to consume the moon. It slowly devoured the whole moon, darkening the world every second.

In no time, only a little of the moon could be seen- as if there was a white smile on the dark sky, just like the smile on the face a certain young man. Half of his face was invaded by the shadow.

He caressed the claw gauntlets through his bag and whispered, "Let the Hunt begin!"