Chapter 108: Manhunt Madness
Mr. Blade stood on the stage, swaying his body along with the thumping music, his gaze sweeping over the students as they gathered around their respective team colors. A festive, almost chaotic energy crackled in air.
"Now that everyone’s getting along," he boomed, a wide grin stretching across his face, "shall we start this party now?"
A roar of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd, the volume surprising Eirin. It was a sound so different from the polite murmurs earlier, a raw, unbridled excitement.
"For our first game," Mr. Blade announced, his voice soaring above the noise, "you all are aware of it, of course, Manhunt!"
Eirin’s eyes widened at the loud screams that followed, a wave of frenzied enthusiasm from the students.
"To explain this game," Mr. Blade continued, his voice adopting a more serious, yet still playful tone, "we will be choosing one representative per team. This representative shall survive until the time’s over—and by survive, I mean..." He paused for dramatic effect, then dipped his hand into a vibrant can of red paint, revealing a sticky, crimson glove. "If the representative’s shirt is free of paint, then the remaining members of their team will move to the next game."
Everyone familiar with the game cheered, understanding the simple, brutal premise. "To make this more fun and interesting," Mr. Blade’s smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eye, "everyone should attack everyone, isn’t that right?" Another wave of cheers. "Anyone that gets paint on their shirt is immediately eliminated. Our bots here will remove you from the game, no questions asked." He gestured to a series of mechanical figures hovering silently at the edges of the field, their optical sensors glowing faintly.
Mr. Blade waved his hand, and another set of small, glowing balls appeared in the air, shimmering with the colors of the different teams. "These balls will choose each team’s representative," he announced. He swayed his hand, and the balls immediately rushed towards the students, unerringly finding their targets.
As the magical orbs darted through the crowd, choosing each team’s representative, Eirin wondered who would be picked for their white team. Her eyes soon met Mr. Blade’s, and the young professor smiled, as one of the white balls descended and landed gently in Eirin’s outstretched hand.
"Oh no," Link muttered, his voice low, a worried crease forming between his brows as he stared at the ball in Eirin’s palm.