Seeing Netero mumble, deeply lost in his thoughts, Auren, Vanessa, and Neffi step away and slowly leave his office.
"Well... I guess congratulations to you as well, Auren. Of course, to you as well, Vanessa," Neffi says on the floor, looking a little disheartened. "I'll get there myself... give me a few more years!"
"Without Vanessa, I wouldn't even qualify, so I guess I have to thank you as well," Auren states.
"Did you see his behavior change?" Vanessa wonders. "Forget congratulations or promotions... he was genuinely excited. This seems to be a much bigger deal than we thought. Auren, you might have created something special."
"Now you are exaggerating..." Auren mutters, though still unable to explain Netero's behavior either as well.
Taking care of a few details, Auren, with Beans' help, makes a few special adjustments for the Task on Zevil Island. A few hours pass, and Auren and the others are ready to leave, with the small secretary seeing them off.
"I'm proud of you, Auren!" Beans says. "I really like your changes... when I first saw you and heard about you, I wouldn't have imagined that you would be such a positive influence and commendable young Hunter. The Association is honored to announce your promotion. Your license is currently created... the chairman is so excited and proud about your accomplishment."
"Uhm... okay," Auren replies, unsure how to act.
"I'll see you soon," Beans says, waving as the group leaves.
Under Neffi's urging, the group buys a few supplies in Swardani City before returning to their airship and aiming for the city of Zaban City.
During the flight, Auren does his best to teach Neffi and Vanessa how to disguise their Auras, mimicking those of people with no knowledge of Nen. Requiring a day or two to get closer to Auren, they train hard, constantly meditating.
Time passes, and when not training, the group enjoys the flight. With Neffi's skilled hands, she adjusts the armor for Auren, Vanessa, and herself, allowing them to go completely unrecognized, looking like three special ops soldiers.
Arriving in Zaban City a few days before the exam starts on the 7th of January, Auren goes shopping, buying two more katanas and wearing one of them on each side of his body, while Eternity is back inside his body, so as not to give away his identity.
Good... now that that's taken care of, nobody will recognize me.
"..."
With a few days left, Neffi loudly wonders, "What do we do now?"
"Train some more?" Vanessa asks.
"Let's explore the city and relax... though you should still work on that technique so as not to draw attention to yourselves," Auren suggests.
"I don't like hiding," Neffi states, Vanessa smiling, obviously agreeing with her.
"It might be useful in other situations as well. Anyway, this is a case, after all," Auren argues. "Make sure you can perform it... but I agree... using that technique is not something that helps you in most situations. Keeping up a basic Ten is more beneficial and offers way more protection. Remember, if you get hit while performing that technique, it's as if you're a non-Nen user. At worst, you can get taken out with just a single attack. Make sure to also train how to instantly switch to Ten, Ren, or even Ken. It's better to expose yourself than suffer a sneak attack."
"But if we do that, we'll be recognized as Nen users," Vanessa points out. "Wouldn't that be bad for the exam?"
"Screw that," Auren says. "If you get the feeling someone is going to attack you, go all out and destroy them. You both know how to switch to Ren instantly. Kill anyone who attacks you, I don't care."
"Are you sure?" Vanessa asks.
"I couldn't give a shit about the exam or getting yelled at by Netero. Don't provoke anyone, but if things get serious, go all out, protect your life at all costs, injuries... I can handle." Auren orders.
"Fine, fine... though fleeing would be more advisable... anyway," Neffi says. "Enough about training. We're always training and talking about Nen combat anyway. I feel like we're wasting a lot of time on that. Let's enjoy life a little."
"I guess so," Auren says. "I have to agree again... but trust me, while we are young, we can make the biggest improvements. Also remember... Netero is extremely old; just by being a Nen Master, he's almost doubled his lifespan. So you are not losing time in the long run, and you'll stay way younger. It's best to grow as much as we can, and when we enter a phase where we're stagnating, we can slow down a little and relax."
"True," Neffi says. "But with the rice..."
"I don't believe we can rely on that rice," Auren instantly replies. "It certainly helps... but it's nothing as mysterious and magical as the one described to us. However, together with training...."
"It's more effective," Vanessa finishes his sentence. "I feel a lot younger... I'm almost thirty, but I feel even younger than before I started learning Nen."
"You sure don't look like it... but you act a little more mature lately," Neffi blurts out.
Not just a little...
"Well, it's great you're noticing the effects, but honestly, this is merely something temporary... my goal is the actual Dark Continent. I won't rest until I eat the real thing," Auren declares. "Until then... view it as a little sample and get anything you can out of it. Once the farm expands, we can eat even more."
"It's more like that... I think if we eat that rice every day as we do now, we might be able to live for a few hundred years at least," Neffi says. "Isn't that enough?"
No. To explore the entire Dark Continent... even ten lifetimes probably won't be enough.
Auren shrugs. "It's not just about living that long... anyway, let's enjoy our time."
Despite keeping up their training, the group spends a few days in the relatively large Zaban City. The city, while partly modern, has a large historic center that offers some unique experiences for the group. Visiting museums, eating different foods, taking long walks, and visiting arcades. Everyone is fairly relaxed, turning the trip into a fun time for everyone.
Finally, the day arrives. Dressed in their combat suits, drawing attention from anyone who notices them, the group waits nearby, sitting in a cafe with a good view of the little restaurant, which is the goal and the place of entry to this year's exam.
"Why are we waiting here?" Neffi wonders. "I want to be there early and take a look at the supposedly genius candidates."
"I think Netero exaggerated," Vanessa says, shrugging. "How can he know if the candidates are promising? He's just guessing. That dirty old man can't be trusted."
"Never trust him. Well, I want to be the last one to enter... for a reason," Auren explains.
I don't want to change anything, so it's best if we arrive absolutely last. That way, not only do we have less time to draw attention to ourselves, but the distributed numbers will remain the same... though after the countless changes, it could be possible that everything has changed anyway. Then again... who knows....
According to my notes... the four are the last to arrive, meaning we'll have to wait until they show up before we can make our move.
"We'll end up getting disqualified," Vanessa says, smirking. "That would be humiliating. Failing in a rigged exam."
"Not happening!" Auren decalres. "I've talked with Beans... the little guy is handing out the tags himself, and I told him not to start the exam until we've arrived."
Seeing candidate after candidate arrive, all entering the small restaurant, the group relaxes, drinking their coffees, while everyone inside keeps staring at them.
"We look silly!" Neffi complains. "As much as I like my designed armor, this is so stupid. Especially you, Auren, you are still wearing your Regalia. You look like a mercenary in a post-apocalyptic world. I designed the armor so our lower faces are at least free, but it's so damn stuffy! Anyway, take them off already, will you?"
"Not taking them off," Auren instantly replies, taking a sip from his coffee. "Anyway, with your design, we can at least drink our coffee. A smart choice."
Not like I can absorb them into my body like Eternity. No way will I ever risk them getting stolen.
"Pariston mentioned your desire for power," Vanessa mutters. "Is it true?"
"Yes, of course. You need power. Without it, you'll be stuck on this little island like a helpless goldfish. The only way to make it out there and survive is with power. Any little advantage helps. You need to stack every little advantage you can get... only then do you have a realistic shot. Power by itself is already alluring, but the true reason you want it is to open even more paths. I want to see everything out there... power is the most important requirement."
"I see... I kinda agree," Vanessa replies, looking solemn, before her eyes turn sharp. "I'm coming with you!"
"... let's just focus on the exam, you two, okay?" Neffi asks, her head slumping down.
While the group waits, Auren sees a lot of examinees, but his vague memories are deceiving him, not allowing him to say for sure whether he should recognize the people who have just entered.
Though there are a few people he does recognize.
Tonpa... Killua... Hisoka... those three. There is also a guy with needles in his head. I believe that's Illumi... best I avoid him.
There is a bald guy as well... is he important?
Finally, Auren perks up. Seeing a blond teenager, around his height, wearing a traditional, tribal-looking outfit, appearing just a year older than himself. He is accompanied by a young boy with spiky black hair wearing a green outfit, seemingly suited to the outdoors, except for the short trousers, exposing his legs. Finally, he also spots a man, appearing like he's in his twenties, dressed like a businessman, even carrying a suitcase. Walking in front of them, Auren also notices another tribal-looking man, whom he doesn't quite recognize.
As he looks at the unknown man, he can't help but vaguely recognize his Aura. Though obviously unawakened with Nen, he feels a hint of familiarity in him.
"Reminds me of... the damn Gatekeeper," Auren says. "A Magical Beast... yes."
Yes... that must be their guide.
Suddenly standing up, Auren surprises the others.
"Huh?"
"Hm?"
The girls wonder while Auren steps outside.
Scurrying after him, they see the four people who have just arrived enter the Restaurant.
Once Auren, Vanessa, and Neffi arrive in the restaurant themselves, they stand in the entrance and see that three of the four are already gone, with only the man who led the others remaining.
Let's do this.
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