I heard what I needed to hear about this university and how to survive, and I met the right person for that. For now, I will not ask about things related to Majara until I find the perfect time.
Nico motioned for us to get closer, and we did. "Do you want to hear something strange? King U is already famous for being peculiar. It's just that when I came here, I heard things had gotten worse. You see, our founders are close friends, but I heard something happened and they are now enemies."
"What happened?"
He opened his mouth, and we waited in anticipation. "I don't know."
Olivia slapped his shoulder while I stood straight and gave him a dirty look.
"Wait, I think I forgot to mention something; I just can't quite remember it."
The familiar sound of the speaker resonated in the area, and it was starting to give me the creeps. I feel like every time I hear that sound, it will be followed by something I won't like.
"Don't tell me there's another game again?" Olivia asked and groaned.
"I hope you're all having a good day, my lovely students." The man whose name is Carson greeted us, and the three of us shared a look. "Tomorrow is a special day because there's something big that's going to happen, and I know most of you are waiting for it."
"What is it?" I asked Nico, who paled.
"That is what I forgot to mention,” he muttered, his eyes filled with fear.
"Be prepared because it's hunting season!"
I covered my ears when the speaker made a clicking sound, and Carson's screaming on the mic did not help. I looked around and saw pawns who were as clueless as me. The scholars look visibly nervous, while the guards and ministers are cheering loudly.
"What is the hunting season?" I heard Olivia ask Nico, and I turned back to him. "Is it only for us again?"
Nico shook his head slowly. "It is for everyone, and anyone's not safe."
"The others are cheering; it can't be that bad, right?" I pointed out in an attempt to cheer myself up, and Nico sighed.
"Because it'll benefit them. And because they think it's an honor even if they get hurt." Nico looked at us. "Because in hunting season, the kings are involved.”
"Really? What do you mean by even if they get hurt? It can't be that bad. Surely their parents won't allow their children to be hurt, right?" I said, still flabbergasted by what Nico said.
I looked around again and surveyed my surroundings. I saw nothing but joy and excitement on most of the students' faces. Some are even jumping and clapping. And I even saw some girls already checking their appearances.
What was that about?
"And how are exactly the kings involved? What do you mean by that, Nico?" I heard Olivia ask, and my attention turned back to them.
Nico clicked his tongue and massaged his temple. "I can't believe you guys did not do your research. What would you do without me? Well, maybe it's a plus that I had a friend who went here." He blabbed before he pointed at the female students who were giggling. "Those skanks are hoping to catch any of the kings' attention because, come on, a favor from them can guarantee your future. Not only that, because there are rumors that both of the kings are handsome as f*ck and they probably want to share their beds like a typical concubine."
He then stared blankly at me. "Darling, our parents' sent us here despite King's University's reputation; do you think they'll really care if we get hurt? They care about nothing but reputation and opportunity."
I pursed my lips and did not say anything. After all, out of the three of us, I can testify to that.
"For the past years, hunting season has been the most anticipated event of the year. You can get the king's favor or get on their bad side. I heard men became their lackeys; some were beaten to death. Some women became part of the king's circle of women, and I also heard that some of the most famous people we have now were thanks to them spreading their legs for the kings. I think they are mostly Venom's women, though; I haven't heard of Alpha bedding women."
"That is horrible,” I blurted out, and Olivia nodded frantically in agreement.
"That's it. I am not going out until the sun comes out,” she declared while biting her thumb.
"Oh, I will. It'll be my hunting season experience, and I'll be damned if I skip it,” Nico announced, and we looked at him in shock. "What? Come on, out of all the students who will go out, they will not take them all. That's why it's called hunting season. Most of the time, they take those who are scared and unwilling to join."
The day rolled out, and I tried not to be bothered by the game. I observed and saw mostly excited students, while some are like me and are nervous and scared.
I was scribbling on my note when a female student, whose name I remember as Paula, excitedly went to her friend and shrieked. I winced at the offending sound.
"It's for the harem! I heard the ministers talking about it, Kim! Girl, we need to prepare!"
There was a resonating gasp around us, and my eyes widened when my classmates practically bounced on their chairs when they heard what Paula announced.
Harem? Do they think they are really kings or what? Maybe that Venom guy is nothing but a maniac or a pervert. And a handsome guy? Don't make me laugh. Why does he need his lackeys to kidnap girls for him, though? I bet he is hideous. I said it in my head with a scoff and shook my head.
"Why hunt when there are so many girls who are willing to jump in his bed? This place is nothing but a joke." I mumbled under my breath as they all celebrated and discussed what they needed to do.
I almost gagged when I heard them talking about waxing their private parts and bathing in roses to smell good. And I only watched in amusement when the two of them began to fight and even pulled at each other's hair.
Since I was young, I have always followed the rules. I was never one to disobey warnings, but maybe my newfound courage and bravery were out of place, especially when I found myself in my current predicament when I decided to go out.
The result? I was hunted and offered to their king, and I also proved that Nico was right. They will mostly take uninterested girls like me. Different ages and races. Because when I finally got over my shock to see what was in front of me, I saw ten girls who were equally shocked and scared by the sight they were witnessing. None of them looked like my classmates, who were ready to spread their legs.
My eyes went back to the throne and to the man sitting there with his eyes surveying and looking at each one of us like we were his food.
Red eyes? Surely he's just wearing contacts? There is no way in hell that a human can have a pair of red eyes! And why... why is he so pale? Is he anemic?
Our eyes connected once again, and I almost winced in fright. I can feel the weight of his stare, but I can't really read the emotion in his eyes. It's like his red eyes are just a pair of empty canvas looking at me—no, through me—but then in a split second, an emotion passes through his eyes, and his stare made me uncomfortable, and I shuddered at how he looks at me. It's like he wants to undress me!
What a maniac!
"These students are the ones we hunted for tonight, my king. Like usual, we will prepare them for a night with you until you pick your favorite and they will be the ones to be part of your harem."
I heard muffled gasps and whimpers around me when we heard what the man beside him said. The man doesn't look like he's a student or a professor. And like the King, who I assume is Venom, he looks like he needs some sunlight.
Prepare for what? And part of his harem? Like hell, I will agree to that! I did not get into this ridiculous university just to be a wannabe king's toy!
I took the chance that the man who took me was far away from me and stood up. Hah! Their mistake for not tying me up or sealing my mouth!
"I don't know what's going on, but I am not going to be part of this. Count me out, please. I'm going now."
With that, I did not wait for the fake king or anyone else to say anything before turning around to leave, only to be met with the men who kidnapped me with warning looks on their faces that made me halt.
"Where do you think you're going?" The one from my left asked coldly.
I did not back down, and I glared back at him. "Home. Last time I checked, I did not sign up for any of this, and I have my rights. And I am not interested in joining your games. I have no time for that."
"That is why it's called hunting season, princess. Who gives permission in a hunting game?" The one on my right said sarcastically, and none of them budged.
"This is ridiculous, and I don't want to play this game! Just find someone else, okay?" I tried to shove myself past them, but they held my arms and dragged me back. "Let me go! This isn't right! Come on, guys, are you really not going to do anything? Will you just sit there and be someone's plaything?"
Time seemed to slow as I looked from left to right, trying to connect with any of them who I knew were against this. I was taken aback when all of them avoided my gaze and remained sitting despite their slumped positions. Their reactions made me frown as I was forced back to my previous seat.
What the hell is happening?