With the fight officially won, Nicolas let out a sigh of relief. The pain in his ribs still lingered as he walked toward Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika.
"Congratulations," Leorio said frankly. "You and Gon are a bit ahead, but I'll be next, just watch!"
Kurapika nodded. "That was a great fight. Are your injuries okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, the pain's already fading. I'm tough, I'll be fine in a few days, or less," Nicolas replied with a touch of humor.
Leorio shook his head. "Toughness has nothing to do with it. It's a mix of endorphins and adrenaline produced by your body that... Ugh, never mind!" he interrupted himself. "...You should go to the infirmary. Underestimating an injury after these intense days isn't a good idea."
A smile appeared on Nicolas's face. Despite his rough exterior, Leorio was a man who took care of his friends. "I'll follow the future doctor's advice. Good luck with the rest of the exam," Nicolas said as he headed for the infirmary.
"See you later," Killua said nonchalantly.
Nicolas replied with a wave of the hand. Inside, he was worried about what might happen between Killua and Illumi. But he knew that trying to get involved would only bring him trouble, he might even earn Illumi's hatred.
If he tried to side with Killua, he would likely have to use his Nen. He would be like a gazelle facing a tiger, or rather, two tigers, since Hisoka would probably be quite interested as well.
Nicolas reached the infirmary and had his wounds bandaged. After thanking the nurse, who happened to be the announcer from the island trial, he lay down on a bed next to Gon's and quickly fell asleep.
After a few hours of sleep, a strong presence jolted him awake. Nicolas got out of bed and scanned his surroundings.
'That killing intent… It's coming from the hallway. Could it be Killua?'
Uncertain, Nicolas focused on the sounds in the corridor. He heard no footsteps, even as the presence clearly grew closer, meaning it could only be Killua or Illumi. Both assassins moved silently.
Nicolas opened the infirmary door and saw Killua at the end of the hallway. His face was hidden by his hair, and a vague sadness emanated from him. His right arm was dripping with blood.
Nicolas shivered slightly at the sight of his new friend. "Killua..." he called.
The assassin raised his head just slightly, revealing his icy blue eyes, and stopped walking.
"I'm sorry, Nicolas..." he murmured. "I really wanted to stay with you and Gon..." he said, lowering his head again and continuing to walk without a sound.
Nicolas didn't stop him. He knew that in his current state, Killua probably wouldn't even hear him.
Soon, the only remaining trace of the assassin's passage were the fresh blood drops on the floor.
'With that, the exam should be over. Killua will go home, and soon Gon will go after him… As for me, I still don't know. Should I go with them, even with the danger? Or should I try to live quietly on my own?'
Nicolas still felt unsure about the future, but he knew one thing for certain, he didn't want to go back home. His father likely wouldn't let him go so easily, but Nicolas doubted he would be able to track him down.
He stood there for a few more minutes, staring at the spot where his new friend had disappeared, a complicated look in his eyes.
Suddenly, the infirmary door opened, revealing Gon's messy hair and a face still comically swollen from Hanzo's slaps a few hours earlier.
"Nicolas, you're here! Is the exam over? And why do I feel so heavy?" Gon asked cheerfully despite his swollen face.
"Haha, you're really something else, Gon," Nicolas laughed, brushing off his earlier gloom. "But yes, I guess the exam is over. You passed, and so did I. But I'm not sure about the others..."
He hesitated for a moment before adding, "...Actually, I think Killua is the one who failed. I just saw him a few minutes ago. I think he killed one of the other candidates earlier," Nicolas announced, with a calmness that surprised even himself.
Gon's eyes widened. "Killua failed? He killed someone..." The shock and confusion were clear on his face. "What happened while I was asleep?"
Nicolas shrugged. "I don't know either. After I won, I came to rest in the infirmary. When I woke up, I saw Killua. That's all."
"I see. In that case, let's ask the others," Gon said.
"I agree. Let's go."
Tap tap tap.
They quickly reached the arena. Most of the candidates were already gone. Only a few staff members remained, moving a stretcher covered by a sheet. Kurapika and Leorio stood nearby, watching with conflicted expressions.
"Leorio! Kurapika!" Gon called as he approached.
The two turned around. Leorio looked troubled, while Kurapika just sighed and patted the future doctor's shoulder.
"Are you both okay?" Gon asked. "Nicolas saw Killua. Apparently, he killed someone. What happened here?"
Keeping his usual composure, Kurapika began explaining what had occurred in the past few hours. Nicolas listened closely. Aside from a few minor changes, the outcome was just as it had been in the manga.
At the end of his explanation, Kurapika looked at both Gon and Nicolas before pointing to Leorio. "We're planning to challenge Killua's disqualification tomorrow during the Hunter License ceremony. He was probably under his brother's influence… We have to try."
Gon clenched his teeth. "Failing the exam isn't the issue," he said firmly. "I want his brother to apologize and give us back Killua!"
Nicolas observed the cold fury radiating from Gon. Though it would be more developed during the Chimera Ant arc, he could already sense that Gon's rationality wasn't entirely normal.
"Gon," he interrupted. "Do you plan to confront him?"
Gon turned to him and nodded firmly. "Yes. I hope he'll apologize to Killua and bring him back to us."
"That's completely useless," Nicolas replied immediately. "Killua is a Zoldyck, from a family world-renowned for assassination. You're no match for his older brother. The gap is the same as between you and Hisoka," he said seriously.
"Besides, from what I've gathered, his brother isn't someone you can reason with. The easiest thing would be to go and retrieve Killua directly. His family may be famous for assassination, but everyone knows where they live. Maybe you could get him back if you go."
Gon frowned. "I understand what you're saying… but even so, I can't forgive his brother."
Leorio nodded. "I agree with you, Gon. But I think Nicolas is right. We'll see him again tomorrow anyway. We can ask him then where Killua is."
Kurapika and Nicolas nodded in agreement with Leorio's words, eventually convincing Gon.
Satisfied, Nicolas stretched. "It's not that I'm bored or anything, but I'm going to get some sleep. See you all at the meeting tomorrow."
The other three nodded and said their goodbyes, heading to their assigned rooms.
The next day, Nicolas was the first to arrive at the room where the Hunter License ceremony was to take place. Soon, the other candidates began to trickle in.
When Illumi entered, Gon shot him a cold, furious look, but didn't confront him directly. Instead, he waited for the ceremony to end.
Nicolas nodded to himself, pleased with Gon's restraint.
Soon, the door opened and Netero walked in casually, positioning himself behind a podium.
"I hope you've all gotten some rest after everything. But rest assured, the exam is over. No traps, no bonus tests. You all passed!" declared the chairman cheerfully.
"Seriously?" asked Pokkle, a candidate wearing a turban-like hat. "I thought only one person passed every few years. Was this year's exam too easy?"
His question implied he doubted the chairman's claim that everyone passed. But Netero responded casually.
"That's a good question. But the truth is, some batches are stronger than others. I can assure you, everyone here is qualified to be a Hunter!"
Suddenly, Kurapika stood from his seat, drawing Netero's attention. "Mr. Chairman, I have a complaint regarding the disqualification of candidate number 99 during the final test."
"Oh? I'm listening, go ahead," Netero encouraged.
Just like in the manga, Kurapika accused Illumi of manipulating Killua. But Netero dismissed it—without proof, it was just one word against another. Besides, manipulating another candidate wasn't considered cheating.
With the matter settled, Kurapika sat down, looking disappointed. A bean-shaped man then entered, carrying a small tray.
He quickly moved from desk to desk, placing a card in front of each candidate. Nicolas examined his card, marked with two Xs. In this world, many would kill their own son for a card like this, his father being a perfect example.