The Gate. Midnight.

All of the teachers from the participating institutions were anxious as they surrounded the huge magic circle, waiting for their students.

“They should be here by any minute.” Instructor Northfields clenched his fists.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted on the magic circle, prompting everyone to cover their sights.

*Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.*

A barrage of people falling could be heard as the extremely bright light slowly dissipated.

A smile formed on the instructor’s faces as they uncovered their eyes. The numbers- were great.

The ones who accompanied the students to the Hunt were not newbies; they had been doing the same work for years. And they could surmise just from the number of students trying to get up on their feet that this year was successful for the Confederation.

Adrian and Sirius were two of the very few students who were able to land stably on the ground. Alas, the two friends- Isabella and Cornelia did not share the same fate. Both of them fell on their butts. Isabella was nonchalant about it as she tried to get up on her feet. But Cornelia.

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!” A blood curdling scream echoed through the atmosphere.

A carriage rattled through the snow plains of Nemphis.

The carriage was relatively large; it was able to accommodate six fully grown person. Inside, sat the students of the second year Griffin class.

Cornelia had her thighs clenched together. Her legs were shaking. Beside her sat Isabella who was almost cuddling up to her young master on the other side, giggling at random intervals.

Adrian’s eyes were on Sirius, who sat just before him. During the trip until now, Sirius could only look down on the matted floor of the carriage, not daring to make an eye contact with Adrian. Those abyssal eyes ignited fear even in ‘him’.

Dolf, who was beside Sirius and right in front of him was sleeping with his mouth wide open, completely forgetting about the noble code of conduct.

And beside him, right before the ‘timid’ princess Cornelia sat instructor Abegail Bell. Though she was not part of the delegation from the Academy to the Hunt, she still cared about her students. Or, that was what everyone knew- her reason for going there.

Even though she cared about her students, the main reason she went there was because her mother ordered her to- to ‘serve’ Adrian. But fortunately for her, he did not ‘need’ her; apparently, he found a new ‘toy’.

She looked at the girl sitting right in front of her with pity- and sympathy.

Soon, everyone closed their eyes- Adrian included. Why would he miss sleep?

The next morning. Adrian opened his eyes. The moment he did, he felt a push on his chest as Abegail jumped out from the bed- buck naked.

She grasped her clothes before hastily wearing them.

“Why the rush? You don’t have classes today.” Adrian also got up. Of course, he was naked as well.

“Why? It’s morning already. What would everyone think if a female instructor leaves a male dorm in the morning after staying all night?” She gave him a glare.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He shrugged. “She threatened her student with low grades and had him fuck her.”

“You!” Her eyes turned red as they almost popped out from her sockets.

“Whatever. Come tonight as well. I had been playing with the same toy over and over again for the past few days. Some changes need to be made.”

She could only sigh in response. What else could she do? Retort? Against this maniac?

“Mother said to notify you that the High King and the Southwestern Tower Master want to meet you this afternoon.” She said before she left.

“Isabella.” He called.

No sooner he called than his maid arrived; as if she were lurking behind the wall, waiting for his call.

He just opened his arms without saying anything. A serious look surfaced on her face as she began her maid duty for the day.

The huge gate opened as Adrian stepped in wearing his white blue-lined uniform. Unlike the previous time, her came in alone.

Inside, sat the blond bearded High King and the brown eyed tower master. Their positions were the same as before. They sat on the high ground, facing Adrian and a small tea table separated the chairs they were sitting on.

Rastia was also at the scene, standing below the high place. But she remained quiet.

“We meet again.” The green eyed high king was the first to speak.

“You look quite healthy and energetic, young man.” The tower master said. “Looks like the Hunt was too easy for you.”

Adrian did not bother to bow, nor did he even bother to greet.

“Indeed. It was.” These casual words were his only response.

But this time, nobody was surprised. Despite their high positions in the society and nobility, they were strange accustomed to the ‘etiquette’ of the young man in front of them. It was as if he were there equals.

The tower master spoke, “We counted our deaths and tallied the nameplates harvested. We did really well this year. But how much of it was because of you? What was your contribution?”

“Hmm.” Adrian rubbed his chin. “Twenty eight deaths, of which only seven belongs to the Academy. And twenty three collected Imperial nameplates. Right?”

“Yes. And you and Isabella are the only ones who have yet to submit their collections. I wonder how much you got?” The tower master squinted.

“None.” Adrian’s answer was as casual as always.

“What?!” This time, everyone was surprised.

“Hehe. I know you are joking, young man.” The high king laughed. “Don’t have us old men waiting. Besides, I prepared a stock of four thousand high grade magic crystals for you. Just give the nameplates and take them. We will be calculating according to the deal of course.”

“Of course, I am not joking. Why would I?” Adrian gently shook his head. “And besides…” He looked up at the two of them. “Four thousand magic crystals are far from enough.”

His contradictory statements made the other three present squint their eyes. ‘What could he mean?’

“Did you get the casualty report from the Institute?” Adrian asked a question before any one of the ‘higher-ups’ could.

“No. But it will be here in moments. After all, the distance between our two institutions is massive.” The tower master squinted even further. “Why?”

Adrian looked back at the huge door which had automagically closed after he entered before turning back to the duo and giving them a smile. “Do you remember that condition of mine? Any deaths of the Institute students with unknown causes will be tallied to my account?”

Both of them widened their eyes. Yes, there was such a condition. But they did not mind because the students dying due to unknown reasons could be counted in one hand at every hunting seasons.

But before they could open their mouths to say something, they suddenly looked at the door. The huge door again opened.

Instructor Michael Northfields rushed in with a paper in his trembling hands. Not only his hands, his whole body was shaking.

“What happened?” The tower master scowled. Though he was free with his subordinate, this ‘breach of conduct’ in front of his friend and the High King of the kingdom did not please him.

“The report… it came.” Instructor Northfields, the wind caster with <Sound> property, stuttered.

“The casualty report? What happened at the Institute? Why are you in that condition?” The tower master arched his back forward in curiosity. What could have happened. The other two had the same shook on their face- that of curiosity. Only Adrian remained calm with a smile on his face.

“The students… none… none of them teleported back!” Even the messenger could not hide the disbelief on his face.

“WHAT?!” Both the high king and the tower master stood up from their seats.

“What do you mean they did not teleport back? Are you sure? What if it’s a trick by the Empire?” The high king threw a barrage of questions at the silver embroidered instructor.

“We are very sure. Two of our operatives were at that very scene.” The instructor replied as swear wetted his forehead.

The two friends looked at each other, and then at the smiling young man who was unfazed by the shocking news. They looked at each other again and took a deep breath before letting it go.

“Leave.” The tower master waved his hand.

The instructor was still curious. “What could have-“

“I said leave!” The tower master released a bit of his aura, scaring the poor middle aged man.

He bowed before running away with the precious but useless and numberless paper in his hand.

Both of them again sat down and looked at the young man.

The high king asked. “Did you do it?” His face was now serious, unlike his previous carefree countenance.

“The reasons of their death are ‘unknown’ after all.” His eyes calmly met those of the high king.

“How did you do it?” The tower master asked.

“Does it matter?” He turned his eyes to those brown eyes. “You ‘hired’ me to teach the Institute a lesson, I gave them a lesson they will never forget in their lives.” He closed his eyes and pulled up his chin, taking a narcissistic pose. “Guess I was overqualified for the job.”

The others did not know how to react to his statements.

The high king sighed and looked at Rastia. “They had seven level 4s. None of their names were among the collected nameplates. There were seventy eight level 3s; six of their names were among the nameplates. And out of the one hundred and fifteen level 2s, seventeen of their deaths were tallied to others’ accounts.”

She was the principal of the greatest institution of the Confederation for a reason, barring her ‘apprentice’ of course.

“So, according to the deal, Adrian Darkheart is to get forty four thousand high grade magic crystals.”

“I believe there’s a mistake.” Adrian interfered.

“What?” Everyone squinted. Was he trying to warp the calculations?

“You forgot to add another seven hundred. After all, the supervisor did not return either.”

“WHAT?!” Everyone was surprised yet again. They soon realised that he was right. None returned after all. And his reason of death was ‘unknown’

The high king sighed. But he did not regret making the deal. It was just unexpected. “Young man, I don’t have that much crystals with me right now. Will a promissory note be enough for now? You can receive it from the treasury.”

“Sure.” Contrary to expectations, Adrian easily agreed. “You are the high king of this nation. How can you even think of turning back to your words? But I need it right now.”

“Of course.” The high king took a paper, scribbled something on it. And sealed it with his royal seal.

Adrian gladly took the note. “If there’s no more ‘work’ I will leave.”

“Ok. Go on.” The tower master waved his hand.

Adrian left without a bow.

The atmosphere was silent after his departure. None talked; they were lost in their own thoughts.

*Knock. Knock.*

The door again opened. An average looking young lady wearing second year uniform entered with a brown leather bag.

“Why are you here, child?” The tower master asked.

Isabella turned her bag over. Dozens, if not a hundred, of nameplates fell and piled on the ground.

“I am here to exchange them for my promised rewards.”