CHAPTER 12 — The True First Phase (Age 12)
Arriving at Exam Site A, hundreds of applicants gathered.
Killua and Gon stretched.
Leorio panicked.
Kurapika analyzed the crowd.
Kael stood alone, eyes half-lidded in disinterest.
When the examiner began the marathon-run test, Kael moved at a walking pace — yet remained ahead of the entire pack.
Gon whispered to Killua,
"He's not going fast… but he's in front!"
Killua clicked his tongue.
"He's controlling his aura to support his steps. Efficient. Annoying."
Leorio huffed behind them.
"Why does that brat look so calm!?"
Kael didn't sweat.
Didn't pant.
Didn't blink.
But something more terrifying happened:
Every applicant within five meters of him collapsed one by one, overwhelmed by invisible pressure.
"W-What was that!?" Kurapika gasped.
Gon felt sweat drip down his back.
Kael wasn't targeting anyone.
His aura simply rejected weakness.