Chapter 6: Begin to Practice

Morittonio and Abaki's relief was palpable as they watched Oboro stabilize his aura flow.

"So this is... Nen," Oboro breathed, rising slowly to his feet. He spread his hands, watching the aura flowing around them with genuine wonder. His quick mastery wasn't just luck, he'd studied countless examples of forced awakening in his previous life, particularly Gon and Killua's experiences with the Chimera Ants. Theory wasn't practice, but having seen others navigate these waters made his own journey easier.

Still, the ease of his success surprised even him. When his aura first erupted, even he had felt a moment of genuine fear.

"Congratulations," Morittonio's voice drew him back to the present. Though the leader's eyes were hidden behind his glasses, Oboro could sense their analytical gaze.

"Controlling your aura is only the first step," Morittonio continued. "Now we'll focus on the basic principles of Nen... Ten and Ren are just the beginning."

As the leader began explaining Nen fundamentals to both him and Hisoka, Oboro maintained an attentive facade while checking his system panel. The display had updated significantly.

His attribute values had increased, and his overall evaluation had changed from "ordinary person" to "apprentice Nen user." The training recommendations now incorporated dense text describing optimal Nen development paths.

Oboro's eyes narrowed as he studied the new information. The system had apparently combined Wing and Bisky's training methods for Gon and Killua with his own knowledge of Hunter × Hunter's power system, creating an optimized development path specifically for him.

"Hatsu represents the pinnacle of basic Nen training," Morittonio was explaining. "Nen abilities typically fall into six categories: Enhancement, Transmutation, Conjuration, Emission, Manipulation, and Specialization. Your natural category is intrinsically linked to your personality..."

"The Water Divination test is the standard method for determining your Nen type," he continued, producing two prepared water glasses. "Try it as I described."

Hisoka held his glass first. As he focused his aura, the water barely rippled, but when Morittonio tasted it, his eyebrows rose. "The taste has changed, you're a Transmuter."

"Oboro, your turn."

"He must be an Enhancer," Abaki said confidently, noting Oboro's muscular physique. Most Nen users developed abilities that complemented their natural strengths.

The water stirred under Oboro's aura, but instead of increasing in volume, crystalline structures began forming within. 

"Oh!" Abaki's prediction crumbled. "A Conjurer?"

"A Conjurer..." Oboro echoed, raising his eyebrows. He'd been hoping for Enhancement's raw power, or even Specialization's limitless potential. But thinking of powerful Conjurers like Kurapika and Kite, he felt more at peace with his type.

"Enhancement would've suited someone more... straightforward," he mused.

The lesson continued late into the night. As Hisoka and Oboro finally left, Morittonio watched their retreating forms. For a moment, he saw another figure superimposed over them, Ging Freecss.

As a veteran Nen user, Morittonio recognized truly exceptional potential when he saw it. Users like himself were common, but these boys... they had been touched by something greater.

Some people were simply born different, existing in the same world but operating on an entirely different level. No amount of effort could bridge that fundamental gap.

He glanced at Abaki with a twinge of sympathy. She hadn't yet realized that her path had just diverged irrevocably from her two peers.

"You couldn't see aura before your forced awakening, could you?" Hisoka's voice carried its usual playful tone as they walked back to their room.

Oboro kept his hands in his pockets, refusing to respond.

"And you seemed rather... uninterested in Morittonio's Nen basics," Hisoka continued, manipulating cards between his fingers. "Should I assume your knowledge surpasses his? That story about meeting another Nen user... that was a lie, wasn't it?"

"Tsk." Oboro halted, frowning. "Hisoka..."

"Yes?"

"You're becoming increasingly irritating."

Hisoka's laugh echoed through the corridor, muffled by the playing card pressed to his lips.

Time grew even more precious for Oboro after his awakening. Beyond his existing training regimen, he now had to incorporate Nen practice. Maintaining his physical conditioning while developing his martial arts and Nen abilities left him with virtually no rest in his daily schedule.

Nen was just the foundation, true power came from developing and applying specific abilities. Though Oboro's theoretical knowledge accelerated his progress far beyond normal rates, beside him stood an absolute monster. While Oboro worked himself to exhaustion, Hisoka mastered Ren in a single week with apparent ease.

The disparity was staggering. Abaki had needed over a year to reach that level... Hisoka achieved it in seven days.

Even Oboro, who had anticipated Hisoka's talent, was shaken by this display. With the Royal Glam show approaching, Morittonio had little time for instruction. Hisoka had essentially taught himself, guided by pure instinct.

It hammered home the gap in their potential. Even without proper training or guidance, Hisoka's growth was unstoppable.

Still, Oboro mastered Ren himself in just two weeks. After Hisoka's performance, the others had become somewhat desensitized to exceptional progress. But Oboro knew his achievement relied heavily on his systematic training and comprehensive Nen knowledge.

Unlike Hisoka's pure genius...

One windy afternoon found the three youngest troupe members on the venue's roof, enjoying the breeze.

"The leader has tried teaching Nen to other members before," Abaki revealed. "But I was the only one with potential. He... he originally wanted to be a Hunter."

"Hunter?" Hisoka's interest piqued.

"They're professionals who seek out treasures and explore mysteries... people who hunt 'something.'"

"The captain took the Hunter Exam, but only one person passed that year. After seeing that person's overwhelming talent during the already difficult exam..." she trailed off.

"I always thought his attempts to teach us Nen were about creating someone as qualified as that person. The dream of becoming a Hunter shouldn't be abandoned so easily..."

She gazed out over the city. "My dream is to help fulfill his. Eventually, I'll leave the troupe and take the Hunter Exam myself!"

"Oh? And what do you want to hunt?" Hisoka asked indulgently.

"What to hunt... I haven't decided..."

"Such an unclear purpose~" Hisoka teased.

"The...there are people who want to explore the world, become Ruins Hunters, or Gourmet Hunters who seek rare delicacies..." Abaki stammered defensively.

"Now, now, calm down... here, have some Bungee Gum."

Hisoka offered her a piece of candy, then extended one to the silent Oboro as well.

Oboro pocketed the gum and turned to leave.

"Leaving already?" Hisoka called lazily after him.

Oboro didn't respond.

"You really are... trying hard..."

...

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