In the end, I decided not to rush things.
And I didn't bother informing my mentor either.
Reevaluating my understanding of Nen, I tried shifting my mindset — from an outside observer to someone who truly uses it, someone for whom this power would shape his future.
Nen is practically omnipotent and endlessly flexible thanks to vows and restrictions.
Not to mention the potential price to pay in exchange for power.
Even without exceptional talent, with a well-constructed system of techniques supported by proper vows and limitations, a third-rate user could become an expert — or even a narrowly specialized master like Nen Exorcist.
And hey, maybe I've been overlooking something this whole time — but I am a transmigrator, after all.
Or… would "isekai'd" fit better? Feels more accurate, honestly.
Anyway, that's not the point.
The main thing is — there might be even more perks waiting for me.
I still don't know this body's past.
Who knows what kind of background it has, or what kind of trouble it might've caused before I arrived…
Though, thinking about it, that sounds less like a bonus and more like a massive pile of problems...
I just hope it's not some kind of equivalent exchange deal…
If it is, I don't even want to imagine what "price" destiny will demand for granting me this ability.
Enough thinking about the bad stuff — the important thing now is to focus and study the Nen inside me carefully.
Maybe I'll discover some special trait… or another pleasant surprise.
And so, the first day of the Second Stage came to an end.
Sniff-sniff… what is this divine aroma?
The first thing that hit me was the smell.
Slightly sharp, spicy, yet calm and gentle — with a hint of savory saltiness.
Without realizing it, I stood up, and as I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the soft glow of the monitors.
Only after a few seconds — when a drop of drool reached my chin — did I finally come to my senses.
Apparently, I'd fallen asleep right on the meditation mat, and that familiar scent was coming from my mentor's plastic cup.
"Oh? Did my noodles wake you up? Sorry, but breakfast won't be available for another couple hours. Still, I've got plenty more instant noodles in my cabinet — want some?"
I didn't refuse.
I quietly ate two cups, watching some entertainment show with the examiner on a separate monitor.
When he finally slurped up the last of his broth, I told him I'd finished his assignment — the aura-sensing exercise within my body.
"What?! Already?!"
That reaction alone was enough to feed my ego for the day.
When he regained composure, he saw me grinning stupidly, rubbing under my nose with an index finger.
"Ahem… not bad, but now comes the hardest and most exhausting part. Don't celebrate too soon — with that attitude, you won't last long."
And he was right.
I spent the next week working on opening my Nen nodes — but encountered a strange phenomenon.
No matter how much I tried focusing on different parts of my body, magically all my efforts somehow got redirected to my brain.
When I asked for advice, all I got was a vague, "Your case is… special."
I didn't press further — it was pointless anyway — so I decided to concentrate on opening up my brain's flow first, hoping I could move on to the rest of my body faster afterward.
***
Ten days passed, and the Second Stage of the exam finally ended.
Out of 108 participants, only 36 made it through.
That's 35 people, excluding me.
Among them were Bodoro, Ponzu, Hisoka, Pokkle, the youngest Amori brother, and at least five other familiar faces.
Can't remember everyone, but at least they were recognizable.
"Thank you for everything!"
I bowed before leaving, and in response got a thumbs-up of encouragement.
Once alone, he couldn't help but fall back into his old habit of talking to himself.
"Haah… what a monstrous kid. Still, teaching someone that bright and kind was a real pleasure."
"Oh, right — I almost forgot! I should write to Biscuit.
Whether he becomes a Professional Hunter in this selection or not, you can't just toss a precious gem into a raging ocean. It must be polished!"
"But to keep things fair, I should also send a note to Teradein… once the exam's over. Unlike Biscuit, he's more of a theorist, like me."
"As for that man… brrr. Better if they never meet. He'd bring out the boy's potential better than anyone — and yet ruin him with his influence."
"I'll pray it never comes to that. Anyone but him!"
***
Groups of the 35 remaining participants began emerging from the mountain's tunnels.
They scanned each other, silently reassessing their rivals based on the difficulty of their own trials.
"Guys! Ponzu! Bodoro! I'm so glad you're okay!"
I ran toward them — only to be met with puzzled looks that threw me off balance for a moment.
Then again, their reaction wasn't strange.
They all looked beaten, exhausted, still tense and ready to fight — while I, fresh-faced and glowing, ran toward them with a bright smile.
"Uh… guys, how's it going?"
I approached awkwardly, scratching behind my ear.
They looked me up and down, exchanged glances, then sighed in unison — eyes full of pity.
"Hey-hey! What's with that look?!"
When did they even get this close?!
"Mister Mousse, you see…"
Bodoro started, but Ponzu cut him off.
"We heard some intel from a guy in our group — the one in the cap. He's taken the exam several times before with his brothers."
"He said there's always at least one phase involving duels, group battles, or hunting other participants."
"That's why we sighed — you don't really look like the fighting type."
"H-hey! You could've left out that last part!"
If Bodoro — from a respected martial arts school — had said that, fine, I could take it.
But hearing it straight to my face from the girl I used to have a childhood crush on (and still kinda do!) — that hurt.
Bodoro just facepalmed and shook his head, watching my sulky, almost tearful expression through his fingers.
All I can do is wish you good luck on this path, Mister Mousse…
Tan-Tan-Tan!
All the participants turned toward the forest, where a loud metallic clang echoed.
"Hey-hey-hey, candidates! Over here! I'm the examiner for the Third Phase! You've got ten minutes to assemble!"
At those words, nearly everyone moved at once toward the voice.
My team and I immediately shifted to a serious mood, holding a quick discussion.
After nodding to each other, we dashed into the forest in a triangular formation — me at the front, with Ponzu and Bodoro matching my pace.
As we advanced, a bad feeling crept over me.
Damn it… something's off, but I can't tell what.
Meanwhile, back near the cliff, a lone figure was watching one specific participant disappear into the trees — before slowly licking their upper lip from left to right.