Mr. Beans hesitated slightly before finally giving his conclusion:
"These are all stable and positive developments. He has made outstanding contributions to the world. He is on the justice side."
"It was this applicant on the front line who personally took action and defeated all the other applicants…"
"Oh, it was him."
Chairman Netero looked slightly enlightened, as if recalling the name.
"If it's him, then it's no wonder."
Chairman Netero smiled knowingly. "I remember he had some contact with Ging Freecss before."
"To be able to get close to someone like Ging means he's a strange one himself."
Netero voiced the opinion shared by all professional hunters, a view both stereotypical and genuine, about Ging Freecss.
"People with such eccentric personalities always do things that are hard to understand."
But Chairman Netero didn't mind. "Besides, he merely knocked down the applicants. None were injured, let alone killed. That shows he acts by a certain code."
"Compared to those who take pleasure in killing, he's already leagues better."
Mr. Beans: "..."
If you put it that way, then yes, it sounds rather good.
But a psychopath applying to take the hunter exam sounds a bit wrong.
Even though there's no rule explicitly forbidding it, it still sounds unpleasant when spoken aloud.
Especially to people like Bushidora Ambitious, who aim to reform the Hunter Association's internal systems and regulations.
They already have objections to such people taking part in the exam.
Fortunately, judging from applicant No. 404's behavior, he doesn't seem like one of those people.
At most, some of his methods are debatable.
But the key issue now is…
"So, how should we handle this incident, chairman?"
Mr. Beans once again sought Netero's opinion, just as before.
"Simple. Didn't he want to clear the hunter exam quickly and obtain his hunter license?"
Netero smiled. "And since he actually has the strength to do so, in that case."
"Our Hunter Association welcomes those who are positive-minded and highly capable."
Those words had practically confirmed Luke's successful passing of the hunter exam.
Just like how, later, when Killua knocked out all the other applicants, Netero personally appeared and granted him qualification on the spot.
As for the others lying on the ground… they were already out of the exam!
"But if we do that..."
Mr. Beans also felt it wasn't wrong, but due to his nature as a secretary, he still asked, "Won't others have objections?"
"Objections? What objections? Who would object?"
This time, Chairman Netero picked up his teacup again.
"Bushidora Ambitious, perhaps? He's in charge of the second round, right? Then was Luke's conduct within the scope of his test rules?"
"Uh… Yes, that's right."
Mr. Beans nodded.
Luke's cleverness lay exactly in that.
He didn't simply knock down the other applicants; he did it within Bushidora Ambitious's rules.
Defeating other applicants, destroying the test materials, ensuring they couldn't pass, and leaving himself as the only remaining one.
It was a clean and thorough move, cutting the grass at its roots.
"Then that settles it, doesn't it?"
Chairman Netero sipped his tea. "Since he acted according to the exam rules."
"And already fulfilled the requirements to pass this round, his success is entirely reasonable."
"As for the later rounds, even if Luke continues to take part, with his strength, they would just be formalities. He already qualifies to be a professional hunter."
"And for the remaining round' examiners, since I've personally confirmed Luke's qualification before their rounds even begin, there's no need for them to proceed."
"As for those applicants who took the hunter exam with Luke..."
Netero set down his teacup. "Weren't they all already defeated by Luke?"
"That means they've already lost qualification and been eliminated. Since they were eliminated, and by Luke's own hand, they are the least qualified people to complain."
"If they are weaker, then instead of whining, they should train harder and come back next year stronger."
Chairman Netero spoke righteously, with a tone full of justification and reason.
But in reality… how could the gap between ordinary people and Nen users be bridged so easily?!
He was simply taking advantage of the fact that these applicants didn't understand that disparity.
Even if they did know about Nen, they would only become more aware of their inferiority and have no objections at all.
Yes, this was an unsolvable problem.
"Understood."
Since Chairman Netero had said so, Mr. Beans didn't argue further.
In fact, the moment he gave that response, he was already drafting in his mind the formal certification document for this year's hunter exam.
Yes, the wording, phrasing, and tone were already clear to him.
That was the strong skill he had developed by serving under such an unpredictable leader as Chairman Netero.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Just as Mr. Beans was about to leave to handle the paperwork, Chairman Netero stopped him again. "Even if he's the only one who passed this year..."
He smiled. "Don't forget to go through the proper procedures."
"I understand, chairman."
Mr. Beans nodded.
The proper procedures referred to the post-exam process, where applicants who passed undergo mandatory orientation from the Hunter Association, learning about the duties of professional hunters, how to use their licenses, their privileges, and important precautions.
Normally, if only one person passed, especially someone already familiar with the association, this process could be shortened or even skipped.
But since Chairman Netero had said so, the procedures had to be followed properly.
So, Mr. Beans went down to make the arrangements.
In the vast desert, far away from the Hunter Association…
"He passed, didn't he?"
Receiving Mr. Bean's call, Bushidora Ambitious looked rather complicated.
"That's right. Later, the airship from the Hunter Association will arrive at your location to escort you all to the designated site."
Mr. Beans said over the phone: "You've worked hard during this period."
"I understand."
Bushidora Ambitious exhaled a long breath. "I'll pass the message on to him."
Click.
After the call ended, Bushidora Ambitious couldn't help but once again look at the young man called Luke, who had already set up a small chair and was calmly waiting.
Next to Luke sat Tonpa, who was also waiting for the final result, seated directly on the desert floor.
Beside the two was a heap of torn-up paper scraps.
Yes, Luke hadn't gone back on his word.
He truly had Tonpa dig out every single question sheet and tear them all to pieces, destroying fifty-nine in total, no more, no less.
Only one was left, as proof of Luke's qualification.
Even Tonpa didn't get to keep one for himself.
Tonpa didn't really mind.
At this point, he more or less understood that his journey in this year's hunter exam had reached its end.
He hadn't come here to pass, anyway.
Now that everyone else had fallen, and Luke was about to be declared the winner, his trip might as well end here.
As Tonpa thought about this, he noticed Bushidora Ambitious's gaze fall upon him.
He instinctively sat upright, waiting for the final verdict.
"Is it time?"
Luke also looked up with a faint smile as Bushidora Ambitious approached.
"Looks like the Hunter Association has finally made their decision about me!"
Facing Luke and Tonpa's expectant eyes, Bushidora Ambitious's heart grew even more conflicted.
Yet no matter what emotions churned inside him, be it countless thoughts or his own adherence to the Hunter Association's principles, he ultimately cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
He stepped up to the two, raised a fist to his mouth, and coughed lightly twice.
Then…
"According to the notice from the Hunter Association examination committee."
Bushidora Ambitious clasped his hands behind his back and announced solemnly, "I will now read the official ruling regarding the special incident in the 274th hunter exam."
"In the second round of the hunter exam, all applicants except for applicant No. 404 have failed."
"After a review by the Hunter Association's highest authority, Chairman Isaac Netero himself."
"It has been determined that applicant No. 404 possesses the full capability required of a professional hunter."
"Therefore, by special approval, applicant No. 404 is hereby certified as having passed the hunter exam. This year's hunter exam is officially concluded."
After reading it all in one breath, Bushidora Ambitious finally exhaled in relief, especially when he saw that Luke's expression hadn't changed in the slightest, as if he'd expected this all along.
That eased Bushidora Ambitious's tone considerably.
"Later, a transport airship from the Hunter Association will arrive to collect the remaining applicants and escort the successful applicant to the association, where the procedures and details of becoming a professional hunter will be explained."
After speaking, he looked at the two of them again. "Do any of the on-site participants have further opinions?"
He sounded almost democratic, but given that most of the applicants were unconscious on the ground, no one could possibly respond.
Tonpa shook his head rapidly like a rattling drum. "Nope."
Luke chuckled softly. "No objections here."
He was, of course, the one least likely to have any objections.
"..."
Bushidora Ambitious nodded slightly and continued in an official tone, "Then, please wait here a little longer. The association's airship will arrive shortly."
With that, the hunter exam was officially and completely over.
Only the second round had been completed, and the passing applicant had already been decided, signaling the end.
When the news reached the professional hunters assigned as examiners for the later rounds…
"It's over already? This year ended so fast?"
The two examiners responsible for the fourth and fifth rounds were surprised and puzzled.
"That doesn't make sense. Normally, even if the applicants were weak, they would at least last until round four."
"Was the quality really that poor this year?"
"Or maybe..."
They did wonder if perhaps the earlier examiners had made the round impossibly difficult on purpose.
But since this was an official decision from the Hunter Association and since Mr. Beans himself had personally called to inform them, it meant the result was fully certified by the association.
At the very least, Chairman Netero had approved it.
"Then that means it wasn't a problem with the examiners or the round content."
"And from what I heard, the examiner in charge of the second round was Bushidora Ambitious. He's a very measured man."
"Well, whatever. The hunter exam is over now; it's none of our concern."
"Yeah, since the association stepped in, it's out of our hands."
"Come on, I just found a new ruin site. Want to go explore it together?"
"Of course!"
And so, the two examiners for the fourth and fifth rounds left together, chatting excitedly about ruins.
As for the examiner who had been assigned to the third round…
"Eh? It's over already?!"
Biscuit froze, having already prepared all kinds of ways to lecture and challenge the applicants.
She had been eager, itching for a good fight with them.
And now, out of nowhere, she was told this year's hunter exam had ended after just the second round?!
That was far too unexpected.
And like the others, Biscuit couldn't help but share their disbelief.
With the Hunter Association and that old man, Chairman Netero, personally stepping in to make a judgment and decision like this, it was clear that the abrupt end of this year's hunter exam wasn't due to the test itself or the examiners.
In other words…
"Was there someone truly powerful among this year's applicants?"
Biscuit quickly and precisely arrived at the answer.
When she grew curious and asked Beans about it…
"That's right.."
Mr. Beans wasn't surprised that Biscuit could make that judgment.
For a professional hunter of her caliber, it would be strange if she couldn't figure out something so simple.
"So which applicant was so strong that I didn't even get to enjoy playing as an examiner before they were declared to have passed?"
Biscuit sounded slightly interested.
After all, for the Hunter Association to deem someone a direct pass meant both the association and Chairman Netero believed that the applicant could easily clear all subsequent rounds, including the third round that she herself was in charge of.
That made Biscuit genuinely curious.
She wouldn't comment on the later examiners or rounds, but for her own round…
Was that old man really so confident that someone could breeze through her round without difficulty?
Wasn't that underestimating her a bit too much?!
Her competitive spirit began to stir, and Beans kindly provided the details of that applicant.
"The applicant is number 404..."
Beans thought for a moment before honestly saying, "His name is Luke."
Since the list of those who passed would be announced soon anyway, there was no harm in telling her early.
However…
"Luke?!"
Upon hearing the name, Biscuit froze slightly.
It was the second time she had heard that name.
The first time had left quite a deep impression on her.
"Did he call himself an inventor?"
Worried that she might have misheard or that it was a coincidence, Biscuit quickly asked.