Relaxed, with the stress from the last few weeks slowly fading away, Auren sits on the luxurious bed in his hotel room, using Ten. For five days straight, he has done nothing but train, focusing on expanding his Aura capacity through Ren, while also inventing a few variations of basic Nen exercises, tailored to train different affinities. Aside from the monotonous Ren practice, he has invested most of his time into self-taught drills—though in truth, they are only partly his own creation. Many are minor adaptations of methods originally taught by Biscuit, one of the few people Auren remembers clearly.
Relying on Biscuit's ways can't be a wrong decision.
The first exercise involves creating small balls of Aura and freely manipulating them in the air—pushing them away, pulling them back, spinning them around his body. The exercise is reminiscent of the one Biscuit had once taught Gon for basic Emission practice. However, instead of merely throwing the Aura ball at a target, Auren actively maintains control of it. This change allows him to not only train his Emission, but also his Manipulation skills. Auren had to start with one ball, keeping it extremely close to his body and only moving it slowly. After just a few days, he is controlling three balls that are now moving quite fast.
I'm not sure this is the best exercise, but it should be useful enough. I'm already seeing small results. Since it's based on a method from Biscuit—probably one of the best Nen trainers alive—it should be solid. Even if the Manipulation aspect is rather simple, it's not without value. I am improving!
From time to time, Auren switches things up. Using Transmutation, he shapes his Aura into numbers. Then, separating the Aura from his body with Emission, he lets it float just above his hand. Once it's suspended, he resumes Transmutation practice, reshaping it into different numbers midair.
This training works! It may seem extremely simple—I'm just doing a basic Transmutation exercise, and the Aura is hovering right above my hand—but the way I achieve the change is completely different! Changing Aura, still connected to my body, is child's play. I'm an Enhancer, but I've got strange affinities for both Transmutation and Emission, so it's not surprising that I can do that without difficulty. However, once Manipulation is involved, it's a whole different story! It's like telling my brain to lift my hand, except now I need to issue a second command. I can't just change it at will. For every action, I have to convey my intent with absolute precision through Nen. It's far more demanding—and difficult, especially for someone like me, who isn't a natural Manipulator.
Despite relying on modified, self-taught exercises, the five days in his hotel have not been wasted. His steady improvement tells him the methods are working. He now has a greater appreciation for Manipulation and a whole new perspective on controlling his Aura.
Finally, on the sixth day of training, his phone buzzes with a message from Jolt, the private pilot he recently hired.
Auren reads it with a faint smile, easily sensing the man's excitement as he describes the airship.
Looks like Jolt is the first one to arrive.
Less than half an hour later, Auren finds himself standing in the middle of the airport.
Dock 7... he wrote.... When I last met him, I didn't really pay attention. He was in his fifties, I think. Maybe older? I really need to be more observant about these things.
The airport around him bustles with life. Airships fill the sky and line the docks, their shadows passing over streams of busy travelers. Thousands of people hurry past him, each lost in their own business, while flight announcements echo overhead. Amid the noise and movement, Auren walks with steady steps until he reaches Dock 7. After a quick glance around, he spots Jolt and three other people standing before a shiny, black-and-blue-colored airship.
Even if he can't remember the man's exact features, something in Jolt's stance, his presence, makes him recognizable, and he walks towards him.
Now, paying closer attention, Auren studies the man. Average height, average face, brown hair already streaked with gray—he looks like a typical man in his late fifties or early sixties. Despite his age, though, there's an undeniable energy about him.
No wonder I couldn't remember him clearly. He looks extremely forgettable... but I feel his passion. Looks like the airship purchase cheered him up. He also looks relieved. Guess I saved his ass... hopefully he'll appreciate what I've done.
Beside him stands his wife, a woman Auren finds remarkably fitting for Jolt. Her medium-length brown hair shows the same touch of gray, and her face—plain but kind—carries a softness that makes her seem approachable.
Finally, he notices two young women, both in their early twenties, standing close by. They look nervous and tense, their resemblance to their parents clear but not too overwhelming. They are both tall, even a head taller than Auren, and have clear and distinct features. Despite their differences in style, they also resemble each other—closely enough that Auren quickly realizes what they must be. One has long black hair draped over most of her face, paired with a dark skirt, a large metallic belt, a hoodie, and a leather jacket. The other has short, bleached-blonde hair and is dressed in a mini skirt and a trendy blouse.
Are they twins? A goth and a... party girl? Chrollo and Shizuku would probably appreciate the style of at least one of them. Not that it matters. I just need to make sure they're not going to be trouble for me.
What an ordinary family... aside from the way the daughters dress, of course. But ordinary is exactly what I want. I don't need drama or stress, so they look promising. I do wonder, though, how Jolt ended up as a pilot taking risky missions—and even crashing his airship. I need to make sure he doesn't drag me down. He knows I mean business, and he wouldn't dare deceive me, not after seeing me in Heaven's Arena. I left a strong enough impression there. Well, once we're at Hollow Blade, the contract will take care of everything anyway.
Before approaching them, Auren lets his gaze drift toward the shiny new airship parked at the dock. Just as he envisioned, it's medium-sized, leaning slightly on the larger side. A large front deck, a small back deck, three floors—it looks brand new.
That will do. Airships like this usually have at least ten rooms, maybe more, since this one is a bit larger. I'll need to check the actual specs before I can guess properly, but Jolt should know every detail. It should be more than enough for my needs. Hopefully, he managed to include my request about the gym.
Having observed long enough, Auren finally makes his way toward Jolt.
As soon as Jolt and his family spot him, the pilot rushes forward, seizing Auren's hand in an energetic shake.
"Auren! It's so nice to meet you! Just look at the beauty I managed to pick up," Jolt beams, gesturing proudly at the airship.
"It looks great," Auren replies evenly. "You can show me the specs and paperwork later."
He then turns toward Jolt's wife and daughters, who shift uncomfortably under his gaze. Offering a polite smile, Auren shakes their hands in turn.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Auren, a Hunter. I can see you're a little nervous... You've probably seen footage of me from Heaven's Arena. Don't believe everything you see. I fought a lot of bad people who committed terrible crimes. I'm mostly a law-abiding Hunter, and you don't need to be nervous around me."
The three women, still tense, nonetheless look visibly relieved at his words.
Jolt quickly steps up to make the introductions. "This is my wife, Marsha, and my twin daughters, Jean and Joanne. Joanne is the one with the... darker taste in clothing."
Even their names are painfully average. Aside from the man himself, of course.
"Thank you for employing my husband," Marsha says with genuine gratitude.
"Without you, we'd be dead by now," Jean adds. Joanne only stares at him silently.
"Why...?" Auren asks, with a puzzled expression. Then he turns sharply to Jolt. "Didn't I tell you to pay off your debts? I don't want anyone coming after us."
Jolt gulps, looking nervous. "I did, but then I bought the airship... and now some questionable people are after me. On top of that, the ones I paid off are suspicious about where the money came from. That's why I brought my family with me. You know, the United States of Saherta probably has the most laws, but also the most criminals. I'm afraid jealous people will resort to kidnapping."
I really didn't think this through. I put him in a bad position... Let's see what I can do to help.
"That sounds stressful," Auren says, glancing at the twins. "For now, you're safe. If I have time later, maybe I'll come up with a proper solution. But for now—you'll just have to stay close to your father."
"We are willing to do anything you require of us... even without pay," Marsha says.
"If you want to work, I have more than enough tasks that require attention, and I could use trustworthy people. Of course, I'll pay you. That offer is also for you," Auren replies, nodding at Marsha before turning his eyes to the twins.
"I'm in!" Jean says immediately.
"I'd also rather do something than sit around..." Joanne adds.
Now, the final trick to completely rope them in...
-------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
24+ Early chapters available
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones!