chapter 40: The Blood Hunt Begins

Chapter 40: The Blood Hunt Begins

The Grand Hall was silent, except for the flickering of chandeliers above. Rin stood at the center of the vast chamber, surrounded by nobles who looked down at him like he was an insect.

At the head of the hall, the Headmaster sat on his towering chair. His piercing gray eyes never left Rin as he spoke.

"You have been chosen."

Rin crossed his arms. "Chosen for what?"

The Headmaster's lips curled into a small smile.

"The Blood Hunt."

Murmurs spread through the hall.

Selena, standing beside Rin, tensed. "Blood Hunt?"

Elsa Balotelli smirked from her seat among the Royal Class, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh? They threw you into that already?"

Edmund Crowley, his arms crossed, let out a quiet chuckle. "Figures. You caused too much noise."

Rin ignored them. His focus was on the Headmaster. "Explain."

The Headmaster leaned forward. "Since its founding, Hamilton Royal Academy has upheld a single rule—strength above all. Those who fall behind, those who show weakness, are hunted."

His voice was calm, yet there was a cruel amusement behind it.

"The Blood Hunt is an ancient trial. Those who bear its mark must either eliminate the other hunted… or survive until the time limit ends."

A large screen behind him lit up, revealing a list of names.

Squad 7 was at the top.

Rin clenched his fists. "So this is a death game."

"Not quite," the Headmaster corrected. "You're free to fight, hide, or form alliances. The only rule is that once the hunt begins, no one outside of the game may interfere."

Selena's grip tightened on her dagger. "This is why no one reacted to that scream last night."

The Headmaster smiled.

"The hunt has always existed."

A chill ran down Rin's spine. This wasn't just a test—this was a system built into the academy itself.

The students watched, some with amusement, others with pity.

Charlotte, sitting among the Knight Class, looked furious. She whispered to Ezra, who simply watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.

Rin's gaze shifted to Elsa. She still had that smirk.

She's enjoying this.

The Headmaster rose from his seat.

"Your hunt begins at midnight."

He gestured toward the grand doors.

"You may leave."

The Hollow Dorm was silent when they returned.

Ezra was the first to speak. "They're sending you to die."

Charlotte slammed her hands onto the table. "We should refuse this! It's insane!"

Rin leaned back against the wall. "Not an option."

Selena paced. "We need to assume that the other hunted students will be after us too."

Ezra crossed her arms. "The academy expects you to either kill or be killed."

Ray, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke.

"Then we just don't die."

He said it so simply, like it was obvious.

Charlotte groaned. "That's not a plan, Ray."

Rin exhaled. "We'll make one."

He walked to the center of the room. "First, we gather information. Second, we prepare weapons. Third, we set the battlefield to our advantage."

Charlotte hesitated. "You're planning to fight?"

Rin smirked. "Of course."

Ezra studied him for a moment. Then, she sighed. "Fine. I'll help."

She turned toward Ray. "You're good at gathering supplies. Get us anything useful."

Ray grinned. "On it."

Selena sheathed her dagger. "I'll get information on the other hunted."

Charlotte still looked unsure, but she nodded. "I'll try to find out who set this up."

Rin's smirk faded. Whoever chose us for this… they wanted us gone.

And he would find out why.

Midnight came faster than expected.

A loud bell rang through the academy grounds, signaling the start of the hunt.

The moment it tolled, a barrier of dark energy erupted around the academy, cutting them off from outside interference.

The game had begun.

Rin stood on the edge of the Hollow Dorm's roof, scanning the darkened academy. Lanterns flickered along the stone paths, casting eerie shadows.

Somewhere in the distance, a gunshot rang out.

Someone had already started.

Selena landed beside him, crouching. "Five groups have already made their first move."

Below, a group of students moved silently through the darkness, weapons drawn.

Rin narrowed his eyes. "How many are we up against?"

Selena's expression was grim. "Ten squads. All stronger than us."

Ray leaned against the railing. "So, when do we start?"

Rin pulled his hood up.

"Now."

The first squad they encountered was stationed near the West Wing. They were setting up a trap, waiting for prey.

They never saw Rin coming.

He dropped from the rooftop, landing in the middle of them. Before they could react, his knife was already at one of their throats.

Blood splattered onto the stone.

The others scrambled to react.

Selena blurred into motion, cutting down the second before they could draw their weapon.

Ray cracked his knuckles. The last two opponents charged at him, but he met them with a brutal right hook, knocking one unconscious instantly.

The last opponent stumbled back, terrified.

Rin grabbed him by the collar. "Who's organizing this hunt?"

The student shook, struggling to breathe. "T-The Royal Class…"

Rin's grip tightened. "Who gave the order?"

The student's lips trembled.

Then—his eyes rolled back.

A dagger was buried in his back.

Rin dropped him instantly, spinning.

Standing in the shadows was a masked figure. The same one from the night before.

Selena hissed. "You again."

The figure tilted their head. "Still alive, I see."

Their thorn-covered whips slithered across the ground, moving unnaturally.

One of the metal whips suddenly shot forward, aiming for Rin's blind spot.

He barely dodged in time, feeling the sharp thorns graze his cheek.

Selena threw a dagger. The masked figure flicked a hidden whip from Rin's own shadow, knocking the blade away.

Ray cursed. "They can control the shadows too?"

The figure chuckled. "Not quite. But shadows make the perfect hiding place."

The whips lashed out again.

Selena blocked one, but the other curved at an impossible angle—hitting her side.

She gritted her teeth, blood staining her uniform.

Rin stepped forward. "You're in our way."

The figure smirked. "And you're in mine."

The battle had only just begun.