"Thank you."
Lin Yan inclined his head slightly, his even tone betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure.
He turned toward the airship with steady strides, his robes snapping in the sea breeze.
Lippo watched Lin Yan's straight-backed figure until the cabin door slowly closed, then withdrew his gaze.
He adjusted the glasses on his nose. The teasing look he wore around ordinary candidates had vanished, replaced by professional gravity.
"He's no ordinary candidate..."
Lippo murmured to himself, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the roster.
That deranged magician had lost his badge, yet instead of killing anyone, he had looked as though he were admiring a priceless treasure.
This spoke not only to strength, but also to some extremely dangerous contest between them.
As a prison warden, Lippo could smell a storm brewing.
"I have to report this to the chairman immediately."
Inside the airship, the hall buzzed with voices.
The candidates who had escaped with their lives gathered in small groups, some celebrating, others exchanging information.
Lin Yan led the trio away from the crowd and found a quiet corner.
Leorio slumped against the wall, his face still as pale as paper.
Gon and Kurapika stayed beside him, their expressions anxious.
"Lin Yan, are you really all right?"
Gon couldn't help asking, his gaze scanning Lin Yan from head to toe.
During their frantic sprint, Lin Yan had not only maintained a shield of true qi around the entire team, but also forcibly drawn out Leorio's latent potential. To Gon, that kind of expenditure was simply unimaginable.
Lin Yan shook his head, looking as composed as ever. "I'm fine. My true qi merely circulated a little faster than usual. Leorio exhausted himself and depleted his vitality. He needs a little help restoring its flow."
As he spoke, he