Why is it only Level 4?
Liam looked at the Level 4 label next to his Manipulation on the panel. Really didn't please his eyes.
I'm a serious Manipulator. However, my training level in Specialization has reached full level, but my Manipulation has dropped a tier, only reaching Level 4?
He pondered.
There was no doubt the information that suddenly appeared on the Death Energy Panel reflected his own mind. After learning about the training levels of the six major Nen types from Bisky, the Death Energy Panel moved accordingly. What you'd call a patch. Version update!
Only those who'd reached 100% of a Nen type could have the so-called training level rating.
For example, he currently only had 84-96% "qualification" for Transmutation and Conjuration, so he wasn't even qualified to be evaluated.
It was conceivable that for other normal people who generally only had one 100% Nen type, they'd naturally only have one evaluation. Unlike himself, who had everyone except Level 1 entry. Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 were all gathered together.
Shizuku's training level in Conjuration was at Level 2, equivalent to his own training level in Enhancement.
Liam didn't think his talents in Enhancement were much higher than Shizuku's Conjuration. Just one month of practice was worth Shizuku's several years of experience. In fact, Shizuku probably hadn't even practiced Blinky correctly. After all, once she possessed this ability, it was enough to use it. Liam's Mystical Palm needed to be continuously improved. In this short month, it had indeed been tested repeatedly on hundreds of patients and injuries. Reasonable to make faster progress.
Bisky had nothing to hide. Liam explained these thoughts one by one. Bisky nodded. "That's why Enhancement is the most balanced in all aspects. Neutral and peaceful. You see, even if an Enhancer doesn't understand anything, if they practice on their own, they can still make great progress."
She looked at Shizuku. "It's different from Conjurer like hers. If you don't realize that the criterion of Conjuration lies in the degree of reality, and just practice blindly, it's very likely you'll become more and more crooked as you practice."
"What if the training is... crooked?" Shizuku tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Where does that road eventually lead?"
Bisky gave her a look of mild bewilderment. "It's not some grand catastrophe," she replied with a shrug. "It's just a dead-end—a completely hopeless path to mastery. You're essentially throwing your energy into a void. Honestly, as long as you can stomach the wasted potential, it's nothing to lose sleep over."
What's more, even if they were on the most correct path of training, how many people could really reach the highest level?
In fact, according to Bisky's many years of experience, the vast majority of Nen users in the world didn't even have the need to discuss whether the practice route was correct or not. If they could develop their Nen abilities seriously, they were already quite good. Too many people didn't even have solid foundations. Talking about the core and routes of training were just castles in the air.
Liam looked at Shizuku. "I heard Shizuku say her Blinky hasn't changed much since it was developed."
As for Shizuku, under his own suggestion, she'd improved the storage rules of Blinky and derived the use of the chainsaw. These had little to do with reality. This was like a scientist in a world where fundamental physics was locked. Although technology developed for hundreds of years and seemed to become extremely advanced and prosperous, basic science was still stagnant water. No progress. Nothing more than applying original basic science more maturely and tapping its potential more clearly.
Same with Shizuku. Her level of training in Conjuration was like basic science. The various uses of Blinky derived from it were equivalent to applied products based on basic science. Although the latter had tried its best to study it and was indeed very effective, when the former didn't move, that was actually the case.
Bisky said, "I didn't say you must start from Level 1. There are people in this world who can easily cross the threshold that's extremely difficult for most people to cross. After mastering Nen ability, they can directly advance to Level 2, Level 3, or even Level 4 training. This little girlfriend of yours seems to be one of those with better natural aptitudes."
Those who joined the Phantom Troupe after coming out of Meteor City all had very good qualifications. But someone like Shizuku—even in the original Phantom Troupe—must be at the bottom in terms of qualifications and strength. Liam nodded inwardly. What little girlfriend? Why is this old aunt so gossipy?
Bisky wasn't angry this time. Smiled mischievously. "Hmph, you can't fool me."
Liam said, "Actually, Shizuku is older than me, so I should be her little boyfriend. Right?"
Shizuku smiled unconsciously. "Yeah."
Bisky looked left and right as if she'd been knocked down.
As Liam walked, he pulled out the erected distance wooden signs one by one. Threw them into the grass and hid them. He looked at the Death Energy Panel. Saw his Emission was marked with Level 3. Couldn't help but ask, "You said the Emission core is indeed distance. So what level of training can 10 kilometers be considered?"
Bisky smiled. "I've said enough today."
"Based on my range—over two kilometers—I'm at least Level 3, right? So skip that. Tell me about Level 2," Liam pressed. "What's the benchmark for reaching the inner circle of Emission? And what about Level 1?"
Bisky offered a cryptic smile before finally relenting. "Being able to project your aura ten meters away while maintaining its full output? That's your entry level."
Liam nodded to himself. That tracked with the first stage of training she'd given Gon back on Greed Island. He wondered where the more advanced drills—like Stage 5's one-handed levitation—fell on this scale.
"And Transmutation?" Shizuku chimed in.
"That boy you're training with? The one who can cycle through aura numbers on his fingertips in five seconds?" Bisky shrugged. "That's the bare minimum. Barely entry level."
As they gathered the wooden distance markers, Liam took the lead, tracking the Star Mark he'd placed on Lumos. As they walked, he tried to crack the code on the core tenets of Transmutation, but Bisky remained a vault. When she wanted to teach, she'd practically pry your skull open to force the knowledge in; when she didn't, you couldn't squeeze a syllable out of her.
"It has to be property alteration, right?" Liam muttered to himself. "But not everyone goes for elements. Some people must just focus on changing the shape or honing it into a blade..."
Bisky glanced at him. "We're here."
Shizuku raised her head. This was a two-story detached building on the outskirts of the city. She couldn't sense the Star Mark and didn't release En. However, with Shizuku's strength and careful observation, she could still detect the beastly aura of Lumos. Noticed it was confined on the second floor.
Being a Two-Star Hunter has its perks—namely, that Bisky's new pet tiger sailed through the paperwork without a hitch. Bisky herself had actually beaten the cat to the punch; while she arrived a few days early, Lumos had to be escorted in by air, finally touching down just yesterday
The three of them entered the house and went to the second floor.
Lumos probably also noticed Liam's aura. The roar of a tiger could be faintly heard from the second floor.
Shizuku didn't have any emotional reaction. Neither did Liam. He was still thinking about Transmutation. "That's not right. A change in nature doesn't necessarily mean changing into fire type, thunder type, or something. Doesn't becoming sharper count as a transformation of nature?"
Thinking of Gon's Rock-Paper-Scissors in the manga, it was probably far sharper than ordinary blades. Otherwise... wouldn't it be better to just carry a sword with you and then use Shu to strengthen it? What kind of special move would you be practicing so hard. After struggling for a long time, if the power wasn't as good as going to the store to buy a fruit knife, could it still be called a finishing move?
Even the Nen chainsaw developed by Shizuku in Transmutation was actually not just a change in form. It also had a sharp nature. Once the chainsaw rotated and tore, its unstoppable cutting properties were definitely beyond ordinary Nen attacks.
In the world of Hunters, attribute-based attacks function almost like universal rules. They aren't just flashy—they're game-changers. There's no such thing as "my aura is bigger, so your tricks don't work." In this world, the best you get is: "My aura is bigger, so I'm going to kill you before you get the chance to use those tricks on me."
Killua's lightning isn't just flashy—it's a defense-breaker. Even the Chimera Ant Royal Guard, with their monstrous durability, would find themselves reeling after taking a direct shock. Shizuku's chainsaw operates on that same logic.
If a standard 100-point aura attack requires 100 points of defense to neutralize, Shizuku's chainsaw effectively ignores the curve—you'd probably need 1,000 points of aura just to walk away without a scratch. Killua's electricity is likely even more demanding. In this world, "brute forcing" a defense against specialized attributes is a fool's errand; the only real answer is to don't get hit.
No one would be stupid enough to resist the special move of the Enhancement system. An experienced Hunter like Morel was frightened when he saw Gon deliberately punching and preparing to attack. Transmutation was right next door to Enhancement. The finishing move developed with great effort wasn't something that could be picked up casually.
Even Hisoka, who didn't focus on frontal lethality, transmuted chewing gum-like aura. That couldn't be handled forcefully!
Being stuck by that thing—unless Liam and Shizuku had the right skills to remove the chewing gum—they'd be in big trouble. Even though Chrollo was such a pretentious person, he had to try his best to avoid being stuck by Hisoka.
Shizuku's Nen chainsaw hummed as it hung from her hand, its limitations clear: the swing trajectory was telegraphed and its reach was frustratingly short. In a real fight, dodging it would be infinitely easier than trying to tank the hit.
But that's exactly the point of Nen combat. It isn't just about raw power; it's about strategic trade-offs. Every ability has a "tell" or a weakness, forcing the user to create the perfect opening.
It turns the battle into a high-stakes chess match where positioning is everything. If this wasn't a qualitative change in aura, then nothing could be.
"Is it just about qualitative change? It doesn't seem that simple..." Liam pondered. Shizuku's chainsaw had already succeeded in qualitative change. How far could it go from being able to cut 100 to cutting 1,000? Why did this sound more and more like the standard of Enhancement?
"Stop thinking blindly. You're not a Transmuter. What are you thinking about?" Bisky put her hands on her hips. Said angrily, "Here, I brought you your kitten."
Hearing a tiger's roar, Liam looked up. Saw a huge black shadow rushing toward him.
"Oh, please be gentle..." Liam opened his arms to hug him. "Don't hurt yourself."
Lumos, which had long since lost weight and regained its majestic physique, hung on Liam. The latter stood motionless. Let the big round furry head rest on his chin. Rubbed the tiger's head happily.
After not seeing each other for a year, Liam played affectionately with this good brother Lumos for a while.
Suddenly, he remembered something. Said with a smile, "By the way, Lumos, how about I try Water Divination for you?"
Lumos didn't know why. The tiger's big head stared at him eagerly.
Liam excitedly went to the kitchen to fill water. Asked Shizuku to get a leaf. Shizuku always kept some leaves in Blinky, just for situations like this.
Bisky was going to the refrigerator to get a cup of yogurt. When she saw this, she walked over and followed. After understanding the situation, she wondered, "Do you want the tiger to also practice Nen?"
"Can't it?" Liam put the leaf on the water and pushed the water cup in front of Lumos.
"It's not that it's not possible, but I think it's unnecessary." Bisky scooped out the yogurt and gave Shizuku a cup. "What animals can do, Nen beasts can do as well. And it's more convenient and easier to use... Oh?"
She bit the small spoon and paused.
She saw that after Liam told the Misery Moon Tiger the steps of Water Divination, the Misery Moon Tiger in front of him immediately surged with a layer of aura. Raised its two big tiger paws. Moved them toward the sides of the water cup.
Bisky's eyes gathered aura. Her insight sharply increased. She suddenly discovered there were unusual fluctuations in the position of the five-pointed Star Mark under the belly of the Misery Moon Tiger. It seemed this boy's Nen ability was more than just full control. As well as conditional verbal control.
Manipulator can sense the mark from 50 kilometers away. The level of training is indeed very high!
Moreover, qualifications and training in Emission were definitely not low. Otherwise it would be impossible to sense such a long distance.
"What type is it?" Bisky and Shizuku both came closer to see the results.
At the top of the water cup, the water surface wasn't overflowing. The leaf wasn't moving at all. But in the clear water in the cup... were these hairs?
Looked very much like the fur of the Misery Moon Tiger.
"It's just like mine—Conjuration," Shizuku noted, watching the scene unfold.
Bisky looked on, her expression skeptical. "That's a category that truly tests the mind. Even with human levels of abstract thought, 'creating something from nothing' is a massive hurdle. For an animal? It's nearly impossible."
"We can take our time. If it doesn't work out, we haven't lost anything," Liam said with a grin, settling onto the floor. He watched a few stray tiger hairs drift into his water glass before giving Lumos's massive head a reassuring pat. "Lumos, buddy, any thoughts on your Conjuration ability? Don't be shy. If you've got a vision, tell me. I'm here to help you bridge the gap."
Lumos just blinked back, the picture of confusion.
"Nothing yet? Alright, let me walk you through my vision," Liam began, launching into an earnest lecture. "See, we do it like this, then like that..."
Nearby, Bisky was busy digging into her yogurt, her head shaking in a slow, rhythmic 'no.' He's got the looks, she thought, but he's definitely dreaming if he thinks it's that simple.
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