When Kikyo said she wanted to teach me "Nen," her tone was as casual as if she were telling me to change into new clothes.
It took me a second to process the meaning of her words. Disbelieving, I couldn't help but pinch my thigh to confirm I wasn't dreaming.
According to Kikyo, the original plan was to complete the basic Nen curriculum before my new brother was born.
She hadn't informed me in advance because she wanted to train my patience.
As usual, Illumi was naturally included in the plan.
"..." I could already smell the intense competition. Damn it, that Illumi kid is truly an eyesore.
"The power of 'Nen' is too destructive. If one's mind is unstable, it can easily lead to severe consequences," Kikyo said. "Actually, I hoped you would learn it a bit later. With Illumi handling household tasks, you could have stayed by your mother's side..."
"..." Should I feel touched by this?
Can Kikyo guarantee that after Illumi learns Nen first, she won't stick a needle in my head? I doubt it. Even Killua, who is showered with the love of the entire Zoldyck family, wasn't spared. My chances are even slimmer!
With Illumi as my opponent, I can't afford to lose at the starting line!
What should I do?
Should I try to please Kikyo, express my gratitude by agreeing with her?
No, perhaps Kikyo will use this as an excuse to genuinely postpone my Nen lessons!
The Zoldycks always say I'm impatient, and Kikyo mentioned "unstable mind." I must remain calm. While expressing my desire to learn Nen, I must not appear too eager.
Kikyo watches me more closely than Illumi or Kalluto. One of the reasons I have to carry my phone with me every time I go out is that it has a tracking device, allowing her to monitor my location. I suspect it also contains listening devices, but I don't understand mechanics or electronics well enough to verify. I think she doesn't want me to learn Nen early because she doesn't want me to become too capable and escape her control—according to the original story's setting, Manipulators tend to have such controlling tendencies.
In any case, the Zoldycks already have an excellent eldest son, Illumi. It doesn't matter much if the mute eldest daughter is a bit lacking. The Zoldycks aren't short of money to buy dress-up dolls.
"Mom, since 'Nen' is so powerful, it should be difficult to learn, right?" I feigned extreme nervousness and lack of confidence, mouthing the words, "Even if I start learning today, I don't know how long it will take to learn. I'm very slow."
Eighty percent of this is genuine, one hundred percent is the truth. Will it work? Will it move Kikyo?
If not, I'll have to shamelessly seek out Silva or Zeno, or take advantage of Kikyo being busy with Killua's birth and sneak away to participate in the Hunter Exam, letting the Hunter Association teach me Nen?
No, the Hunter Exam is on January 7th every year. According to the original story's setting, Killua was born on July 7th. Can I successfully run away from home for more than half a year?
Probably not.
"..." Stay calm, don't be anxious. I theoretically have more than one chance to learn Nen. I can do this!
"Don't say that, Mill. You are my child, how can you be slow!" Kikyo chided gently, patting my head. "Don't worry about not learning it, take your time, Mother will teach you carefully."
"..." Suc-successful?!
Kikyo's thoughts are not easy to fathom. I dare not be complacent and offer no further response, meekly letting her embrace me and stroke my hair.
Silky, shiny, slightly curly silver long hair, who wouldn't want to touch it?
When I want to pet Silva, touching my own similarly colored hair is about the same. Plus, I think the condition of my well-maintained hair is better than Silva's, which is exposed to wind and sun without much care. It feels softer and smoother, like silk.
I've fallen in love with myself!
Expressing obedience is something I am very skilled at, whether in the "real world" or this world. Although my "real world" mother didn't require me to carry a tracking device like Kikyo, she was also extremely meticulous, providing all-encompassing care and concern. The flip side of this is making all decisions for me.
They stuff me with everything they believe is good, containing both honey and poison, bringing me sweetness and pain.
There's a famous saying: "Forced kindness is malice." I understand it deeply.
Kindness is more troublesome than malice. It's hard for me to refuse, otherwise, it would hurt the few people who care about me, and I would lose that care.
Control can also be seen as a form of overprotection. Hmm, it feels a bit like Stockholm Syndrome, doesn't it?
Stockholm Syndrome is a tactic used by criminals to control prisoners for their own benefit. However, Mother truly loves me and wants me to improve. She is willing to make countless sacrifices for me. This is not Stockholm Syndrome; it's a debt I can never repay, an original sin I've carried since birth.
That's why I like Kikyo's slightly selfish little thoughts, her suspicion towards me, her tests, her wariness. As long as her love has flaws, my sin becomes less heavy.
I gently bury my face in the crook of her neck, my nose brushing against her slender, warm throat. Under her skin are her veins. She is "my" mother. "I" share half her blood. "I" am a piece of flesh that fell from her body.
The hand stroking my hair moves further down, patting my back like comforting a cat, and she murmurs in a lullaby-like tone, "Mill, my dear Mill."
Obedient children tend to awaken her maternal instincts. Even if her love for me isn't pure, she is, after all, a mother. She has raised three children and is expecting her fourth.
During pregnancy, a woman's estrogen levels peak. Natural law subtly compels every woman to accept motherhood and procreate for her species.
Coincidentally, this might also soften Kikyo's attitude and firm her decision to teach me Nen.
Learning Nen, like practicing Qigong in the "real world," is something mystical that cannot be seen or touched, only sensed.
Or perhaps "Nen" is simply another form of setting for Qigong, both related to the body's energy, the regulation of breath, the adjustment of consciousness, meridians, acupoints, and so on.
I think the basic cultivation of "Nen" in the original story is similar to practicing breathing exercises and meditation in Qigong.
Human culture is truly magical. Different countries, different times, converging at a single point in various forms—isn't it because we are the same species?
Qigong is primarily used for self-cultivation, strengthening the body, and improving health. "Nen," however, as a powerful weapon, requires more imagination, in other words, it's "chuunibyou" (chuckle).
Before mastering the technique of visually perceiving "Nen," I can only imagine the existence of "aura" based on my senses.
However, compared to the "aura" of human life energy, after concentrating, I find it easier to feel my breath and heartbeat. Transitioning from a medical to a metaphysical perspective is truly difficult.
According to the original story's setting, talented individuals need three months to feel their "aura," while geniuses take about a week.
It took me three years to even reach the doorstep, lingering outside, never pushing the door open.
In Kikyo's lessons, I wasn't particularly focused, fearing that if I accidentally pushed that door open too early, I'd be labeled a genius or something, which would be bad. Pushing the door open cannot be concealed. The experienced Nen users of the Zoldyck family can discern many things from a person's "aura," such as the traces of their training or their psychological state.
After dawdling for over two months, seeing that the time was about right, I finally crossed the line I had been afraid to touch.
Carefully observing Kikyo's reaction, she seemed pleased but not overly surprised—good.
The second stage is learning "Ten," the technique of concentrating and maintaining all overflowing "aura" on the surface of the body.
With no prior preview of this lesson, there's no need to hold back; naturally, I'll put my all into learning it.
"Ten" is a technique that can even be maintained while sleeping. In fact, it should be learned and maintained. I studied it so intensely that I lost my appetite and felt drowsy. Whenever I had the chance, I would use electrotherapy to stay awake, much like my high school days in the "real world."
Strive on! Heaven rewards the diligent! Abundant fruits always belong to those who bravely persevere and strive for self-improvement! Once you get into university, you'll have it easy! You can play as much as you want!
...As if.
Most ordinary university students have no glorious future. Coupled with poverty, playing is not fun at all. Instead, confusion and anxiety grow daily. After entering society, they witness the real cruelty, suffer from cervical and lumbar problems, and spend their days struggling for survival, gradually erasing their dreams and hopes. The worst outcome is becoming like me.
Known in the martial world as a "Loser," huh.
One must strive early, especially those without money. More and more people understand this principle and compete to strive, even those who are not poor, because they need to consolidate their social class. Thus, "involution" is formed, like a never-ending meat grinder—survival of the fittest.
My ability to learn Nen, a casualty of this process, is merely because "Nen," in theory, is something anyone can learn.
"Nen" is like a musical instrument. Through continuous practice and accumulated proficiency, one can increase their level. In terms of simply increasing ability stats, it's easier than improving exam scores. Exam scores fluctuate and can decrease, but "Nen" ability stats do not. Until the upper limit is reached, "Nen" ability stats will continue to increase, just like experience points in a game, providing continuous positive feedback that is captivating.
The joy of single-player games lies in personal satisfaction. The joy of online games lies in the joy of cooperation (competition) (pain) (suffering).
I couldn't help but glance at Illumi. As expected, I found that his "Ten" was learned very well. My specific feelings can be referenced by the scene in the original story where Gon witnesses the protagonist's talent. That's why I dislike online games.
The protagonist can balance work and rest and even have the leisure to educate his younger brother, while supporting characters toil and strive relentlessly, both openly and secretly. The best-case scenario is merely being able to catch up and take the Nen aptitude test alongside the protagonist.
Damn it, supporting characters' fates are so frustrating.
The older generation of Zoldycks has close ties with the Chairman of the Hunter Association. It's expected that the method for testing Nen aptitude is the same as the Hunter Association's.
Water Divination, those who have read the original or fanfiction know what it is. Place a leaf on a cup filled with water, bring your hands close to the cup, use "Nen," and based on the phenomenon produced, determine your Nen category.
Doing this in the "real world" would produce no phenomenon, but it can in this world.
...I'm a little excited.
Except for Maha and MIlluki, the entire Zoldyck family is present. Kikyo wants me to try first. I'm very nervous and push the opportunity to perform first onto Illumi.
Illumi faces the situation calmly and composedly. In a short while, the leaf on the water surface begins to move—undoubtedly a manifestation of the Manipulator category, consistent with the original story's setting.
"..." It's my turn.
It feels like lining up for vaccinations in elementary school. I, who am afraid of pain, always end up at the back of the line. After everyone in front of me has received their shots, I still have to face the inevitable needle.
"..." According to common speculation in fanfiction circles, silver-haired Zoldycks are generally Enhancers, while those with black hair are uniformly Manipulators.
I have silver hair, so if nothing unexpected happens, I should be an Enhancer, the same Nen category as Killua. This means I can directly copy Killua's future ultimate moves, turning "aura" into electricity, achieving twice the results with half the effort.
The entire Zoldyck family is watching me. My heart races, and my face feels hot.
Concentrate, focus, otherwise, I won't be able to use "Nen."
If I'm an Enhancer, the phenomenon is a change in the water's taste; visually, there's no apparent change. I must remain calm and not get discouraged.
"?!" A change has occurred.
No, Enhancers only change the taste of water; there's no visual change!
The leaf floating on the water's surface sank, much like my current mood.
Down! Down! Down!
Feeling deflated, I couldn't maintain "Ten." The leaf stopped sinking and floated back to the surface.
"..." I wiped away nonexistent sweat from my face. The heat on my face hadn't subsided; it was so hot.
The leaf moved, so am I a Manipulator?
My apologies to the Zoldyck silver-haired faction for disgracing them!
So, should I copy the assignment from the representative Manipulator, Illumi, and stab each other, embarking on the path of an old TCM doctor?
"Also a Manipulator?" Illumi asks, with a hint of surprise.
Because my leaf moved downwards while his moved left and right, the directions are different, hence his question.
"What do you think, Father?" Silva throws the question to Zeno, the most experienced person present.
Zeno, who can discern Kuroro's Nen ability restrictions at a glance, is highly likely to be correct. Asking him is definitely the most reliable approach.
"Hmm..." Zeno says with a profound smile, suggesting, "There is more than one reference point. Don't just look at the leaf; also observe any changes in the water."
Visually, the water shows no change. So, Silva, Illumi, and I dip our index fingers into the water and taste it.
"..." x3
As expected of Zeno, an old Nen user, he's amazing!
"It's slightly bitter," Illumi says.
"..." Nen abilities can reflect a person's inner self. This probably means my heart is bitter.
"The properties of Manipulation and Enhancement are completely contradictory, aren't they?" Silva murmurs. "It's not very logical."
Yes, according to the original story's setting, on the six-category Nen chart, the further apart the categories, the harder they are to master. Manipulation and Enhancement are diagonally opposite, the furthest apart. Although there's an example like Kurapika, a Special category user who can use all six categories, mastering two mutually incompatible categories individually is quite extraordinary.
"To explain, I believe the leaf didn't actually move; it was the change in the water that affected the leaf," Zeno says. "Think about it, why was the leaf floating on the water in the first place?"
"Buoyancy," Illumi, the star student of the Zoldyck private school, quickly answers this physics question, then suddenly realizes, "Ah, the water's density changed."
"There is a type of water where the water is too weak to support a boat, hence its name, 'Weak Water'," Zeno nods. "'Weak Water' three thousand miles away cannot hold a feather, birds cannot fly over it, and all life perishes there. It can be called a land of death.
In the original story, there was a character similar to me named Neon. She had no knowledge of 'Nen' but possessed a Special category Nen ability, using it to tell fortunes for others and predict the future.
As a result of concentrating more intensely on using 'Nen,' I saw a prompt box appear next to the water cup:
[Pick Up]
Uh oh, I'm doomed.
Is the only benefit of activating 'Nen' the removal of the game backpack's restrictions, allowing me to collect ordinary items besides the shiny game props?
Select [Pick Up]
[Cup of Water for Water Divination x1]
The water cup on the table disappeared and reappeared in my game backpack.
Except for Silva, who already knew about my game backpack, everyone else showed some degree of surprise—should I be touched by Silva's excellent character in keeping his word?
Ah, whatever.
A mere game backpack can't kill anyone.
The cold, icy rain slapped wildly against my face.jpg
【Don't always try to imitate others' abilities; recognizing your own potential is most important.】
【There are no useless Nen abilities, only useless Nen users.】
【There are no useless Nen abilities, only useless Nen users.】
【There are no useless Nen abilities, only useless Nen users.】
I must believe, I also can...
By the way, do the Zoldycks need to expand their logistics and smuggling business?