Chapter XVII: Best Hunter

"Who do you think will hold the title of being the Best Hunter?" Headmaster is as excited and intrigued as the students.


There was a smile on his lips as he spoke, the opposite of the expression shown by the Elites behind him. They were equally serious as I looked around, but my attention was fixed on the lone male sitting in the middle. Caden looks so perfect with his firm arms crossed to his body. Next to him is Amalia with her hand on his arm.


Something tick in my head—wishing that I should be the one beside him. But I immediately brush away that thought.


I noticed his slight adjustment from his seat. I guess, he felt that someone was watching him and truth to be told, he automatically looked at my direction. My breathing hitched for a moment when our eyes met. Even we are meters away, I could still feel the intensity of his eyes. My heartbeat has doubled because of that.


I averted my gaze and decided to just looked at Mathilda.


“Are you okay? You are blushing…” she said when she saw me looking at her.


I touched my burning cheeks.


“Y-yes.” I gave her a nervous smile and she just gave me a weirded look.


"Maybe I’m just a little tired…” I added before looking away, exactly that the headmaster needed our attention once again.



"Since the Elites didn't participate, who do you think got the title?"



Oh, they didn’t join? I looked at Mathilda once again to gather some information, and she instantly understand me.


“I have no idea as well. But the King was the Best Hunter for four consecutive years.”



I gape in awe. Really?!


I admire him even more. No doubt, he's really that powerful. I could feel that even though I was just looking at him.


"How many points did he get?" I asked curiously.


“As I remembered, he got eight thousand and five hundred points. Elites' opponents are often in the S ranks. Tainted creatures could feel someone’s aura, so when they feel you are strong, expect S ranks coming in your way. But it seems that only Marcus and Drake met the SS+ ranks then,” she explained.



They are great, huh! No doubt, they deserve their title.


“How about you, Mathilda? How many points did you get?”


"I got a perfect one hundred score." She laughed as she showed me the device attached to her arm.


“I'm really thankful that I only fought A-D ranks. I will really faint if any S or SS+ ranks get lost in my way as well,” she added shrugging her shoulders.


I clapped my hands. “I’m proud of you, Mathilda. You did a great job!” I kissed her cheek and saw her blushed.


“How about you? May I see." I was about to show her my device when the headmaster's deafening yell echoed the whole arena.


“There I got your attention. Please do accept my apology.” The headmaster cutely giggled as if he did nothing.


“I'll just look at it later, Amaris. This headmaster of ours is really crazy!” She frowned.


Even I was shocked as well. I could still feel his voice ringing inside my head.


“The Elites were looking for students who could join their missions, and the Hunter's Game was the method they used to find out who could join. They will take the three students with the highest scores.” One second ago, he is being playful, second later he is dead serious.


Maybe Mathilda is right? He is crazy…


"Now, let's find out who got the third place."


After that, the large monitor hanging above opened. It immediately caught the attention of all of us.


Everyone applauded when the face of a beautiful woman with black hair was shown there. At the bottom shows how many points she got and what rank of creatures she killed.


“She killed two hundred and fifty A-D ranked creatures, and three S ranks. She got a total of two hundred and sixty-five points. Congratulations, Ms. Carmel!” I joined in the applause of everyone.



Wow, she's great!


“May I ask for your presence here on stage, Ms. Carmel?” The smile on his lips got back.


A woman stood from the first row of chairs. She was wearing a black long sleeves top and denim shorts that were only up to half her thighs. She has two katana on her back. Her long black hair was ponytailed so it gave emphasis to her fierce look. She walked with so much confidence while swaying her hips.


“Carmel is also good. Their family indeed raised good fighters!”



“Amalia is stronger than her!”



“You are just jealous! You don't have to compare the two.”



I heard various comments from the students of Laurent as we watched the woman walk.


“Congratulations, Ms. Carmel!”


The woman smiled at the headmaster and also shook hands with him before standing aside.


"That's Amalia's cousin," Mathilda whispered to me.


Oh, I get it.


"Now let's see who got the second place…”


After that, a man's face appeared on the big monitor. He smiled as he raised two fingers near his cheek. His points flashed on the screen as well—500.


“Oh! It's Mr. Jasper Muller!” The headmaster greeted the man walking on stage with a smile.


Both his hands were tucked in his pockets. He was wearing a black leather jacket. He is a werewolf as well.


“If he wasn’t the Best Hunter. I wonder who?" Mathilda said to me in astonishment.


“Why? Who is he?"


“That’s Jasper. He is one of the strong students here in Laurent, but he’s not a royal so he is not a member of Elites. I thought he will be our Best Hunter this year, since the King didn’t participate.” The sudden change of situation kind of intrigued her.



"Hi fans," the man said while waving to everyone.


The students applauded him.


“You killed fifty S ranks, two hundred and fifty A-D ranks. Wow! That's amazing, Mr. Muller!” The headmaster grinned at him.



The man bowed slightly to pay his respects before moving beside Carmel.


“We already know who is in the third and second rank. So… who will be our Best Hunter?” Curiosity is also evident in his voice. “I’m excited and nervous. How many points did the new Best Hunter get, hmm?”


There is a sudden silence all over the place, seems like they are all waiting for the next creature that will get flash on the screen. I bit my lips for I felt it trembling. My hand suddenly got sweaty. I feel like I don’t gonna like what will happen next.



“Are you excited, my dear students? Let's see who will appear on the monitor!”


The students scream at the top of their lungs, but my heart is beating louder than them inside.


We all heard a loud drum rolls. It took few minutes before the monitor lit up again. I was so focused on it until a familiar face appeared. And for a momen, I heard nothing from them but their loud gasps.


The woman is wearing a long-sleeves black dress with high slit on its either side of the knees. Her deep amethyst eyes were directly looking at the camera and her lips were curved into a sweet smile. That photo took before the Hunter’s Game begin.


“Oh, f*cking sh-t! T-that's you Amaris!” Mathilda unbelievably looked at me.


Yeah. The woman on the screen is none other than me, and I just wish that it wasn't me.


"How did that happen?" There is still a trace of confusion in her voice.


The students near our seat looked around at our direction. I just want to cover my face.


“Woah! That's Ms. Amaris Atkinsons, the Goddess of Laurent!” There was a melody of fun in the headmaster's voice. “Can we invite you here on stage, Ms. Amaris?”


I was left no choice but to follow his demand. I stood up and kissed Mathilda on her cheek before walking to where they are.


I could feel everyone’s gaze as I walked towards the center stage. My knees were shaking but I forced myself to calm down. My chest was pounding so hard.


“F*ck! She's undoubtedly beautiful! A goddess indeed!”



"She's a masterpiece herself."



"Every time I see her, I feel like I need to kneel and bow down to her."



I could hear the students' murmur while I am passing by them, that just adds to my embarrassment. I don’t think I will get used to it.


I was about to go up the stage when two hands reached out to me, and when I looked up, it was from the headmaster and the man who got the second rank.


"T-thank you very much." I could feel the warmness and coldness of their hands.


"My pleasure," Jasper said.


I smiled and saw him got stunned, until the headmaster guided me to the center leaving him behind.


The whole Elites were looking at me with so much intensity. I also glanced at the twins who’s looking at me with admiration and at the same time confusion on their beautiful faces.


“Congratulations, Ms. Atkinsons. I never thought you would be the Best Hunter!” Headmaster Laurent shook my hand and I shyly smiled at him.


Neither I. I even thought I got the lowest score.


“How many points did he get, Headmaster? Why you didn’t show it?” Amalia suddenly butts in.


I was about to look at her, but instead my gaze automatically went to the man next to her, who was now looking at me seriously as well.


“Oh, I forgot! I was so excited for Ms. Amaris!” Our attention was caught when the headmaster laughed hysterically.


I closed my eyes, preparing myself for their possible reactions. I tightened my grip on the hem of my dress, while waiting for the result. We waited for a couple of minutes, until the four-digit numbers appeared on the monitor. I sighed in relief.


“Ms. Amaris Atkinsons got a total of two thousand points…” The headmaster announced but he was also immediately stunned when the next one came out.


"F*ck!" I heard someone said from the back.


“Damn. Is that f*cking real?!”


"She killed two thousand tainted creatures?!" Amalia’s voice dominate the whole arena.


Is that beyond possible?