Under the night sky, two children stood facing Vester.
Vester slowly introduced:
"Nen's 'Ability' can be divided into six major categories. They are Enhancement, Transmutation, Manipulation, Emission, Conjuration, and Specialization."
"Enhancement can use Nen to strengthen one's body or weapons. Among the six major categories, it is a well-balanced type in both offense and defense."
"The abilities of Transmutation can change the nature and shape of 'aura.'"
"The 'aura' of Emission can leave the body and still maintain considerable power outside the body."
"Manipulation-type Nen users can inject their Nen into other people or into objects, and then control their actions."
When Kisho heard this, his pupils suddenly shrank.
Sensing his abnormality, Amos asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
Kisho silently pressed down the blood-colored memories surging up from his mind, then shook his head.
"Nothing, I just remembered some unpleasant things."
Amos was silent for a moment, then said, "Care to elaborate?"
Kisho frowned.
"You really don't know how to be tactful."
But he didn't hide it.
"I was once controlled by a Manipulation-type Nen user and made to do things I really hated."
"...Ah." Amos thought for a moment, then said calmly, "It's fine. In the future, just beat them back hard."
Kisho froze, not knowing how to respond to that. He let out a sigh and smiled bitterly.
"Sure, imagining doing that does feel satisfying, but it's just... probably a tiny bit hard."
Amos said seriously and earnestly,
"What are you afraid of? As long as you can take revenge before you die, it still counts as revenge."
Kisho fell into thought.
...
On the other side, Vester quietly waited until the two finished talking before continuing:
"The fifth category is Conjuration. It can change the form of one's aura into something one wants. Specifically, it materializes 'aura,' turning it into something that truly exists."
"The sixth, and also the last. Anything that does not belong to the above five categories is classified as Specialization. However, the abilities of 'Specialization' are generally extremely mysterious and difficult to explain concretely."
"If Enhancement has extremely strong combat ability, then although 'Specialization' is not good at combat, its ability types are bizarre and unpredictable. Often, it can create trouble for enemies through means outside of direct combat."
"In addition, there's one more point. A person can use abilities from multiple categories, but their Nen will only belong to one category." Vester said. "Therefore, developing as much as possible in the direction of one's own category is the most beneficial for improving personal strength."
"That concludes all explanations about Nen."
At this point, Vester spread his hands, made a concluding remark, and said:
"I only know this much."
After listening to Vester's explanation, Kisho quietly pondered in his heart the people he had encountered so far, and which category each belonged to.
Kleri's Nen was unclear; he had never seen it from beginning to end. Either Enhancement, or he hadn't developed his Nen ability yet.
Solzt—his "Nen" could turn into poisoned wine and had physical form. That was probably... Conjuration?
Then there was the red-haired man named "Vincent" who died by his hand today. His Nen created illusions and didn't seem to fit into the first five categories... probably Specialization.
Hmm... the members of the Troupe.
Taking a blind guess, Chrollo and Pakunoda were both Specialization; that annoying guy "Shalnark" who controlled himself with antennas was definitely Manipulation.
Machi, who could produce needles and threads anytime, anywhere... seemed a bit like Conjuration and a bit like Transmutation—hard to tell for now.
Kisho categorized the few people he had seen, then turned to look at Amos.
Amos was also digesting what Vester had said in his mind. Then he looked up at Vester and asked:
"Then how do you determine what category you belong to?"
"You can use a method that people outside call the 'Water Divination Nen Test.'"
Vester was clearly prepared and explained without pause:
"Fill a glass container with water, place a leaf on top—or anything that can float. Use 'Hatsu' on the container. Based on the changes in the water and the floating object, you can determine which category the ability user's Nen belongs to."
"If the water rises and overflows, it's Enhancement; if the color of the water changes, it's Emission; if the floating object moves, then it's Manipulation."
"Impurities appearing in the water indicate Conjuration; if the taste of the water changes, it's Transmutation."
He paused briefly, then said slowly:
"If a change different from those five appears, it's classified as Specialization."
Amos nodded lightly, then looked at Kisho and asked:
"I'm good here. Do you have anything else you want to ask him?"
Kisho gave a soft "Mm," looked at Vester, and asked:
"There should be some more advanced techniques regarding the application of Nen, right?"
"There are, but I don't know them." Vester smiled bitterly.
"I just said it earlier. People in Meteor City are almost all self-taught. What I know is just the basics. I've already told you everything I've learned over the years."
Kisho said "Oh," then replied:
"Alright then. I'm done. Thanks."
When he heard the word "thanks," Vester showed a choked expression.
"..."
Amos shot Kisho a sideways glance, then said to Vester:
"Then we're leaving. Don't worry. What I promised you will remain valid as long as I'm not dead."
Vester stared at Amos. After a long moment, he replied:
"Okay."
...
Kisho and Amos returned to their trash nest.
The two kids had no intention of sleeping tonight.
While it was still early, Amos wandered around the mountain, found a used glass IV bottle, forcibly snapped off the bottle mouth, and brought it back to the trash nest.
"Quick, quick, quick."
Kisho excitedly threw a small piece of plastic foam into the IV bottle, then held the bottle and poured water into it.
After nearly ten minutes, the glass bottle was filled with water, and the plastic foam floated up.
"You go first or me first?"
Amos looked at Kisho, eagerness flickering in his eyes.
Kisho made a "please go first" gesture. Amos curled his lips, placed both hands on the outside of the glass bottle, and slowly released his Nen.
After a long while, seeing no change at all, Kisho asked in confusion:
"Are you actually using Nen?"
"...Nonsense."
Amos's face darkened.
"—Why is there no change!"
Kisho was silent for a moment, then said softly:
"...Maybe, I mean maybe, is there a possibility that you're Specialization?"
Amos said something Kisho didn't understand, but he could roughly guess it was a curse.
He slammed the glass bottle heavily onto the ground.
"Forget it. Your turn."
Then he retreated to the side in a huff.
It was Kisho's turn to sit in front of the glass bottle. He also placed both hands on the outside of the bottle and released Nen.
After a long while, still nothing happened.
"...Is this method inaccurate or something?"
Kisho said angrily, doubting his existence.
Amos was also silent for a moment, then said:
"Is there a possibility—I'm saying possibility—that you're also Specialization?"
Kisho: "..."
Amos: "..."
...
Under the night sky, a glass bottle—with the foam inside—was mercilessly thrown out from a hole on the garbage mountain, rolling and tumbling down.
Inside the trash nest, two children sat with their eyes closed, racing against time to train and improve themselves.
Even if the category they tested turned out to be Specialization—the one Vester described as "not good at combat"—it was still theirs, an ability that could allow them to survive in this cruel world.
...
I recommend checking out my new Pokémon fanfic, "Pokémon System: Me, the Strongest Champion of the League"! It features a system that isn't overpowered, keeping the story balanced and engaging. The main character isn't Ash, but an original, cool MC, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. I'd love to hear your feedback!