"I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself to the forty-three candidates here."
"I am Netero, the head representative of the review committee for this Hunter Exam."
"Normally, I only attend the final test, but some unexpected circumstances brought me here today."
"Since I'm here, I've decided to accompany you all until the exam ends."
After boarding the airship, Netero gathered all the candidates who had passed the Second Phase in the hall.
Besides announcing the results, he hoped to observe this year's candidates more closely.
Netero paid little attention to experts like Hisoka and Illumi, who had already mastered their nen abilities. Instead, he took a particular interest in Kaya and his companions.
A beautiful piece of jade whose fame had already spread offered a sculptor no further challenge.
But polishing high-quality rough jade to flawless perfection would give him an endless sense of accomplishment.
"Thank you all for your efforts today, and congratulations on making it to the Third Phase."
"We expect to arrive at our next destination at eight tomorrow morning."
"Until we contact you, you're free to relax and get some rest."
"You're welcome to use the airship's restaurant and recreational facilities."
After Beans, the secretary standing beside Netero, explained the schedule for the next phase, he dismissed everyone.
"How many more days is this exam going to take?"
Kurapika looked a little weary as he left the hall.
"It varies from year to year."
A voice suddenly drifted over. Kurapika and Leorio turned to see none other than the great Tonpa.
"Based on my experience, there are usually five or six tests."
"So that means another three or four?" Leorio counted on his fingers.
"Then let's get some proper rest. Today's been exhausting enough." Kurapika stretched.
The exam was about the only time anyone could see Kurapika this relaxed.
"I'd advise you not to let your guard down."
Tonpa's voice suddenly rose an octave as he assumed the air of a veteran instructing his juniors. "The man in charge only said when we'd reach our destination. What if they hold a test on the airship?"
"So I doubt they'll announce the test at eight. They'll probably spring it on us while we're resting. If you get careless, you'll miss it."
Tonpa's plan was to leave them physically and mentally exhausted, unable to take the test.
"Uncle Tonpa, what crap are you spewing now? It stinks so much I could smell it from way over there."
Kaya walked up to Tonpa with his hands tucked away and looked up at him.
Tonpa looked a little embarrassed, but he still tried to argue.
Kaya gave him no chance, however, and said:
"The examiner for each phase announces the start of the test in front of all the candidates. That's how both the first and second rounds worked."
"The man in charge didn't say we'd only be tested after reaching our destination, but he didn't say he was the Third Phase examiner either."
"This is my first attempt, and even I know that. What's wrong with you, a veteran of thirty-five years? Or do you just think we're easy to fool, so you can keep everyone from resting properly?"
With his little trick thoroughly exposed by Kaya, Tonpa mumbled a couple of replies and fled.
Kaya turned and waved to Kurapika and Leorio. "Go get some rest. It'll be fine."
"I can go several days without sleeping anyway. If there really is a test, I'll come wake you up, so don't worry." Killua nodded too.
Kurapika smiled and patted Killua on the head. "I knew Tonpa was trying to fool me too, but thanks anyway, Killua."
The gesture made Killua blush a little.
Leorio stared at them, speechless. "How did all of you know? I was about to stay up!"
The gap between people really was enormous.
Kurapika was about to invite Kaya and the others to rest with him when he noticed Gon and Killua discussing an expedition around the airship.
"Are you coming?" Gon nudged Kaya with his elbow.
Kaya shook his head.
"Come on. It's more fun with three," Killua urged.
"I still have something to take care of. Wait for me here once you two finish exploring."
Kaya sidestepped the question and pointed to a sofa beside the Airship Corridor.
Gon and Killua exchanged a glance, then nodded excitedly.
Watching the energetic pair leave with such high spirits, Kurapika and Leorio silently lamented that they were already past their prime.
"Kaya, what do you need to do? Do you need any help?" Kurapika turned to ask.
"Nope. You lovebirds go get some rest." Kaya waved them off.
Thump, thump.
Leorio and Kurapika walked into the resting room.
Kaya crouched on the floor, clutching his head and crying out that it hurt.
Sunset streamed through the corridor's floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing him in a golden glow.
"Menchi, a candidate is here to see you," a staff member said quietly, pushing open the door to the Examiner Lounge.
Menchi, Buhara, and Satotz were resting on the sofas.
"Who is it? I'm resting right now. I'm not seeing anyone!" Menchi sounded impatient.
The staff member hesitated before answering, "A brown-haired boy. His number is 406."
Realizing it was Kaya, Menchi immediately changed her attitude and sat up straight.
"Oh? Him? Then just send him in."
The staff member looked concerned. "But this is the Examiner Lounge. Isn't it inappropriate to let a candidate inside? What if the others complain?"
Menchi waved a hand and said firmly, "Just do as I say. Stop arguing."
Left with no choice, the staff member brought Kaya, who had been waiting outside, into the lounge.
The lounge was lavishly furnished. The examiners sat on sofas, and the coffee table was covered in exquisite food that made Kaya's mouth water.
"Did you need something?" Menchi asked as soon as she saw him.
All of Kaya's attention was on the food on the coffee table. He nearly forgot why he had come.
"Kid? What do you want?" Menchi raised her voice.
Only then did Kaya collect his thoughts. "I wanted to ask if I can send a package from the airship."
Menchi gave him a puzzled look. "Why are you asking?"
Kaya took two Grape Spider Vulture Eggs from his backpack and carefully placed them on the table.
"What are you doing?" Menchi paused, then asked.
"I picked two extra eggs earlier to mail back to Grandma and my aunt, but I've never mailed anything before, so I wanted to ask you."
Kaya's gaze wandered before finally settling on the desserts on the coffee table.
"Why do you want to send them these?" Menchi looked at the Grape Spider Vulture Eggs on the table.
"We don't have much variety in ingredients back home. Aunt Mito and Grandma definitely haven't tasted eggs this precious, so I wanted them to try some. I'll write a letter too, to let them know I'm safe."
Buhara, Satotz, and Menchi were all surprised by his answer.
To them, being a Hunter often meant solitude and loneliness, with relatively little contact with family.
They hadn't expected the boy before them to keep his family in mind at every turn. It left them rather moved.
"All right, leave them here. I'll arrange it for you later."
After saying that, Menchi pulled Kaya over to the sofa and handed him a slice of cake.
"Eat up. Once you're done, go write your letter, and I'll send it to your aunt with the eggs."
Kaya had been craving that cake for ages. He thanked her and immediately took it.
"Examiner Menchi, what exactly does a Botanical Hunter do?"
"You don't know what a Botanical Hunter does? Then why do you want to become one?" Menchi looked speechless.
"I'm just interested in plants. But I really do want to learn more about what Botanical Hunters actually do."
Before Menchi could answer, Satotz spoke. "Botanical Hunters are Hunters who devote themselves to finding and collecting rare plants."
"They seek out rare plants and introduce them to new locations. This not only helps the plants spread, but also plays an important role in their survival and preservation."
"Some Botanical Hunters focus more on trading or plundering, but others work to protect biodiversity and conserve species."
"So what kind of Hunter do you want to be?"
Kaya set down his plate and licked the cream from the corner of his mouth.
"I haven't even passed yet, so I can't answer that. How about you give me a Hunter License now? Then I can answer you right away."
"You little brat, don't push your luck!" Menchi scolded with a laugh. "You say you're interested in plants. Have you done any research on them?"
Talent and enthusiasm alone weren't enough. Menchi wanted to see whether he had dedication and passion for the profession.
Kaya immediately pulled a thick notebook from his backpack and handed it to Menchi.
It contained his detailed records of plants from nearly five years, including some rare plants that weren't even listed in the Herbal Encyclopedia.
Menchi and Satotz began reading through it carefully, while Kaya sat at a nearby table and started writing his letter.
"This is incredibly detailed," Menchi marveled as she flipped through the notebook. "Even a Botanical Hunter might not have notes this thorough."
The notebook comprehensively recorded everything from the plants' appearance, growth cycles, habitats, distribution, and methods of propagation to their medicinal properties, edibility, and even toxicity.
Satotz couldn't help praising him. "It's hard to imagine a twelve-year-old putting all this together."
Even Buhara set down his food and leaned over curiously. "Come to think of it, our Hunter Association really doesn't have many Botanical Hunters."
Menchi added, "The only one I know of is Cluck of the Zodiacs."
Satotz continued, "Actually, there's another very mysterious figure among the Botanical Hunters."
"Who?" the other two asked curiously in unison.
Although Menchi and Buhara were exceptionally talented, they hadn't been with the Hunter Association for long, so there was much of its history they didn't know.
Satotz shook his head. "I don't really know either. According to the rumors, he discovered a mysterious seed somewhere and became completely absorbed in studying it. He had the Hunter Association seal all his records and vanished from sight."
"I also heard that he once held a very high position in the Hunter Association. He began his career around the same time as the chairman, was about the same age, and was very close to him in strength."
"Someone like that actually exists? That's unbelievable!" Menchi exclaimed.
Netero was apparently over a hundred years old, and his aura reserves were unfathomable. The existence of someone who could rival him was truly astonishing.
"What sort of seed could fascinate him so much? Could it be something delicious?" Buhara's concerns always revolved around food.
After finishing his letter, Kaya handed it to Menchi and reminded her, "Make sure you send it quickly. If the eggs spoil, you'll never hear the end of it from me."
Kaya had heard all their praise earlier, and now he was getting a little too bold.
At his words, Menchi feigned anger. "You little brat! Keep talking like that, and I really will chop you up! But your plant journal is excellent. A lot of the edible plants in it would be useful to me. Could you lend it to me so I can make a copy? I'll return it tomorrow."
"Sure, but you have to pay. I'll give you a friends' discount..."
Smack!
Before Kaya could finish, Menchi slapped him flying.
Before you continue