Chapter 303: Trial—The Right to Be Taught

Hearing the surprising truth that they will be taught Nen regardless of Auren’s decision visibly lightens the mood of Leorio and Gon, with only Kurapika still looking doubtful.

“Relieved?” Auren asks Kurapika. “Keep it a secret, though, or else the chairman will bother me again... it’s supposed to be the so-called hidden Hunter Exam. Personally, I think it’s stupid though, so I told you directly. You are not children... well, in a sense, two of you are... but as Hunters, I won’t treat you like children. To pass that exam, you just need to learn the basics of Nen... and frankly, that is all you’ll be taught in the first place by those Association Nen users. The secrets, advanced techniques... training methods, forbidden techniques... you won’t be taught a word of them... usually. Though if you’re lucky and get assigned a master who doesn’t care too much about the usual rules, like me, you might be taught some additional tidbits.”

“You casually revealed it...” Killua says, smiling. “You really don’t care, huh?”

“I don’t, and I can get away with it,” Auren clarifies, raising a finger. “I also expect you to remain silent... if you get what I am saying.”

“We do... but you are in a special position because you are the chairman’s student?” Kurapika asks.

“No, simply because I’m strong enough and I have a clear vision of the entire Association, its factions, and I am not afraid of anyone within it. In fact... I have far better connection with the Vice-chairman, who does all the work and is in charge of these administrative ‘issues’. The chairman merely taught me for a month or so. I’m not really his student in the first place,” Auren clarifies. 

He then cautions them. “Don’t forget... while a Hunter will freely hunt for his dreams and ambitions... the Association is under the control of the V5. In essence... Hunters exist as part of a world government. If you spread Nen knowledge around... openly... you’ll be hunted down and disposed of, that much I promise you. Nen is the worst-kept secret of this world; everything that looks strange or even impossible to you is achieved through Nen, I guarantee it, yet if you cross that invisible wall and openly teach it... you’ll suffer a crude awakening.” 

“Despite being fairly well known... it can never be openly taught or acknowledged. That is why people watch the 200th class of Heaven’s Arena and Battle Olympia. Everyone knows their special techniques; some even call them by terms like Hatsu, but in the end, no specifics or instructions to learn said abilities will be revealed. They are walking a very fine line.”

Auren then gathers a little cold Aura in his mouth and blows it out, appearing as though he is breathing out liquid nitrogen, the temperature around them dropping immediately, the rookies shuddering.

Slowly, the frost vanishes before their eyes, and the four regain their composure.

“In the end... you’ll all be taught, so you don’t need to worry,” Auren mutters, briefly glancing at Kurapika. “Though I’m not sure... if an orthodox basic Nen course is what you need. Depending on your master... it may take you years just to graduate from the very basics.”

“I know very well what you speak of; the other examiners... they all knew Nen as well, right? Though supposed to be extremely talented in their respective fields...” Kurapika speaks calmly. “Yet they were... obviously so far inferior to the likes of Hisoka and Illumi that learning under them will never get me to my goal. In fact, the distance between my targets and myself... it will only grow wider if I am taught like that! Or can I still surpass them by learning just the basics?”

“Probably not... and you are wrong. The examiners are all talented and skilled... the average Hunter is not even close to their level,” Auren says, shocking Kurapika. “There is so much to know, so much to teach. Many of the examiners don’t know half of what I, or the Troupe, know while ordinary Hunters probably only know the basics themselves.” 

“Anyway, I refuse to simply teach you and then send you to your death,” Auren states, refusing his obvious request. “Not because I care about the Troupe or want to protect them... because I somewhat care about you, Kurapika... at least enough to spare you from your obvious fate. You’ll simply die, like a bug; you’ll simply be disposed of. It’s suicide to attempt what you’re thinking of doing, at least without careful and extensive training and preparation.”

“If you want to change my mind...” Auren says, looking at Leorio and Gon as well. “We’ll be heading to the Zoldycks’ home. To enter their famous estate... visitors will be tested. You can try to enter... and without a doubt, you’ll fail... meaning you wouldn’t even be qualified to enter. That’s the opportunity and your reward... a chance to quickly become stronger.”

“Killua... is that true?” Gon asks, shocked about not even being qualified to enter Killua’s home.

“I... am not quite sure, but Auren is probably right... you haven’t been trained, like I have. I believe you can eventually pass the test, but as you are now... it will be difficult,” Killua says, looking apologetic. “My training has been quite intense. Gon... as you are now, you are not ready to enter my world!”

“You are wrong!” Gon states. “I’ll prove it to you! I’ll quickly catch up, you see! Auren! Please let me try it!”

“That’s why I invited you in the first place. To learn Nen, ideally two conditions are met. Firstly, you need a base level of physical Strength; you’ll eventually learn why. Secondly, you’ll need to train your mind, spirit, and willpower as well. As for the trial, I’ll give you around a month. If you can impress me enough and pass the test with ease... I’ll give you a choice. The chance to be taught the truth, without conditions and restrictions. Some would consider this the greatest reward and secret there is; others would call it cursed and forbidden knowledge if it comes alone without strict warnings or aftercare.”

“In my case... I loathe traditional master-and-student relationships. Strictly speaking, Vanessa is my student, but in reality... we are now on equal terms, both continuing to improve and progress as we see fit, supporting each other as friends and comrades.”

“Heh, I’m not quite there yet... but I’ll go down my own path... where it leads... only time will tell,” Vanessa says, smiling.

“I disagree with that approach; I owe my Master so much... she raised me like a child, taught me like a teacher, and has sacrificed and invested so much in me. I believe a true Master is a lifelong mentor. Though considering your age... and the specific goals of you four, your approach might be a little more suitable, Auren,” Neffi adds, drawing the attention of the others onto her for the first time.

“You don’t have to tell me, but... you’re as skilled as Auren and Vanessa?” Killua asks Neffi, who just shrugs.

“You have to find out,” Auren replies. “Anyway, I’ve told Vanessa everything there is to know about Nen... knowledge that could have killed or crippled her or even worse, could have caused fatal accidents, possibly killing thousands of people. I don’t believe in treating the people I teach like children and slowly guiding them to a place I deem acceptable. I willingly offer my help and my opinion, but in the end, it’s up to whoever I teach how he or she uses that knowledge. I openly provide everything, absolutely everything there is to know... allowing you to achieve everything I can do, in theory, at least.”

“... What you end up doing with that knowledge... I don’t really care about, apart from a few basic courtesies, like not going on a rampage and targeting civilians... in case that happens, I’ll take responsibility and make sure that knowledge disappears again. I intend to make that quite clear from the start... you can take that as a threat... and a promise.”

“That’s... quite the tempting offer,” Leorio admits. “None of us would misuse that knowledge, I’m certain of that.”

“I am as well,” Auren replies, smiling. “That’s why I’m offering you the small chance to earn that opportunity in the first place.”

“I’ll never coddle the people I teach, or force them to follow me around for years... or even many months. What I am able to teach is the entirety of Nen knowledge, along with the best training methods, my personal experience, advice, suggestions, and a lot of hidden and secret information that only a handful of people know in the world.”

“Auren was promoted to Double-Star Hunter because he invented an advanced technique all by himself,” Vanessa says, appearing a little proud. “He’s a certified Nen genius. The best in the world.”

“Not even close,” Auren rebuffs her. “I just love Nen. Even in the absence of talent... Nen is as much about effort as it’s about your personal talent. If you integrate it into your daily life... make it the focal point of your life, you can achieve anything. I believe in terms of talent, I’m outclassed by quite a few people, but in terms of effort and willingness to train, I’m without a doubt near the top.”

“Nen is a personal journey. While it requires the master to teach his students to an extent... at a certain point, anyone truly capable and talented must walk his or her own path. In a sense, if you want, I’m giving you a chance to learn Nen, not step by step, but by being presented with the complete Nen system, with every single technique and nuance there is, explained in its entirety. It will take weeks just to learn the theory, but after that... you could... theoretically go down any path you’d like. There will be an almost endless amount of paths and choices ahead of you. That’s the greatest gift and curse I can offer you. Instead of guiding you down a certain path... instead I’ll open up so many of them that you might get lost. I might suggest a few paths or warn you about others, but in the end... it’s all up to you.”

“Feel free to not even take my challenge. A more standard approach might be wiser. I can still land and drop you off at a nearby airport. Eventually, you’ll be approached by someone and taught. It’s all your choice,” Auren says, shrugging.

“... I’m accepting your generous offer. I need to get stronger... at any price. The knowledge you are offering... taught by one of the strongest experts around, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I beg you, teach me!” Kurapika says, lowering his head and smacking it against the table. “This is the only chance for me!”

“I’ll agree as well... if Nen is that powerful... I want to use it for my dream! To help people... without charging them excessive fees and driving them into despair. Please... give me a chance as well,” Leorio says.

“I want to be worthy of being your friend, Killua,” Gon says. “I’ll enter your home as a friend... and an equal, and then tell your brother off. I also want to learn together with Killua!”

“Then a few weeks of grueling training await you five... it will be quite difficult,” Auren says. “Trust me, I only teach people who really want to learn. You’d better impress me.”

“Wait... I might have misheard you, but... why did you say five?” Leroute asks, gulping, a drop of sweat appearing on her forehead.

Seeing Auren’s and Vanessa’s smiles, she sighs awkwardly. “I guess I have no choice...”

“Heh, serves you right, you scheming deceiver,” Leorio says, earning him a cold glare from Leroute, Auren imagining various schemes involving revenge forming in her mind.

The airship, followed by a lone, suspicious dark raincloud, makes fast progress. After the first day, they cross the ocean and reach the northwestern continent, flying over the Mimbo Republic. On the second day of travel, they reach the Republic of Padokea, with Kukuroo Mountain not far from the border.

Auren also decides to let Menchi and Marsha add a few dishes containing the special rice to the daily meals, while privately providing him, Neffi, and Vanessa with various snacks, supplying Auren’s core group with all the rice they need, while still giving the rookies and Leroute a little extra advantage to speed up their recovery and fill their bodies with energy.

Flying slowly on purpose, Jolt’s airship arrives two days after setting off.

“Land down there... in front of that huge ornamental gate,” Auren says, standing next to Jolt in the cockpit.

“Got it, boss,” Jolt replies.

I’m interested... can they really do what I’ll ask of them? It will be interesting to find out. At worst, I’ll simply... leave them be.