Chapter 309: Loans and Doors—Strength and Technique

After speaking just a few sentences, shocking everyone else in the room, Maha Zoldyck’s face returns to one of complete stillness, obviously not going to speak another word.

His son?

Zeno’s father?

Is he somewhere out there? In the Dark Continent? I guess... that’s interesting, alright. Vanessa will probably learn more about that. It looks like she truly impressed him, somehow....

With the heavy topic surrounding the missing member of the family finally over, Auren, Neffi, and Vanessa continue their meal as respected guests of the Zoldycks.

As everyone finishes eating, the butlers begin clearing the table.

“How many rooms do you require, Auren dear?” Kikyo asks. “Is the one we gave you enough? The bed should be large enough for you and your lovely women, or do you need additional rooms for sleeping?”

“One room is enough, but we’ll be sleeping back on the airship. I have a friend, my private cook, and my pilot on board, and I’ll keep them some company. If we need to rest and I stress rest, then that room will suffice,” Auren replies.

“There is no need to be embarrassed, dear,” Kikyo says. “But if you’re that frugal, I’ll reluctantly accept it.”

“...”

“...”

“Once again, thank you for the invitation to dinner, but there is no need to do this so often. We’re here to learn, train, and study,” Auren reminds her.

“Of course, of course,” Kikyo says. “Kill is lucky that you’re taking his training so seriously. If you require anything, just yell at the closest butler, and even if you don’t see anyone, just raise your voice. If nobody hears you, I’ll personally administer punishment later. You are our honored guest, after all.”

“Understood, ma’am,” Auren replies politely. “I’ve told Killua that he should visit you regularly, but I’ll be taking him with me tonight; there is still something I want to teach him today. It concerns his sleep rhythm and is connected to the meditation and breathing technique. He’ll be back soon enough.”

“Is that really necessary?” Kikyo asks, a hint of doubt on her face as her visor lights up in a red tone.

“I’m afraid so. He’ll remain on the property, so he’ll still be staying home; it doesn’t make much of a difference, does it?” Auren replies, not asking for her reply as he turns around.

“Let’s go,” Auren says, causing Neffi, Vanessa, and Killua to follow him, being the first ones to leave the dining room, which is now occupied only by Zoldycks and butlers.

Leaving the mansion and walking outside towards the caretaker’s shack where the others are staying, Killua sighs in relief. “Thank you, Auren. I can’t believe you’re handling her this easily; that’s seriously impressive. I could barely remain silent.”

As the soft rain from the suspicious cloud above them brushes over their scalps, the group moves through the dark, the surrounding forest almost pitch-black, with only the moon giving them some light.

Auren shrugs. “I guess I’ve grown soft. Until recently I always used threats and force to get my way. I guess this is helping me a lot, maybe too much. Perhaps I’m relying on it a little too much.”

“What are you talking about?” Killua wonders curiously.

Auren then takes off his Faerie’s Tear and throws it to Killua, who catches it in surprise.

“I expect it back soon. If you lose it, I’ll permanently lock you inside this mansion,” Auren tells him, without a trace of anger in his voice.

“I... isn’t this one of your Regalias?! Why give it to me?” Killua wonders, even Neffi and Vanessa looking shocked.

“I figured you could use it for a few days, until you’re done thinking,” Auren replies. “It might give you some clarity.”

“I, thank you,” Killua says, carefully putting it around his neck, the green gemstone shining.

Immediately, Killua’s expression changes and softens a little, as though a stubborn headache is finally fading away.

“That’s a little unfair...” Vanessa points out. “I want some too.”

“Are you a child? He just explained why he gave it to him,” Neffi says. “You just want it for pure enjoyment and to play around.”

“I’m expecting to train hard in the next few days; I don’t need my Regalias right now,” Auren says, taking off both of his bracers and gauntlets, leaving only his boots on. “As much as I love them, it’s borrowed strength. My training will be more effective without them.”

He then throws the gauntlets to Vanessa and the bracers to Neffi, who catch them in surprise.

“Get a feel for them; you might use them for real one day,” Auren says. “Using these kinds of Nen objects, or Regalias as I like to call them, is a certain kind of Nen training on its own. They’re easy to use, as their benefits are obvious from the first second you’re wearing them. But there is another level, one that requires patience and skill to truly make use of them. Just give it a try.”

As they put them on, they immediately wrap themselves around Neffi’s forearms and Vanessa’s hands, almost magically adjusting to fit their bodies perfectly, the Aura surrounding them moving fluidly.

“That’s crazy,” Killua says, his eyes twitching as the items literally morph in shape, looking like they’ve been crafted specifically for the girls. “No wonder you rarely let them go.”

“I’ll let them go for a while, because I trust each of you. Killua, the one I gave you, the Faerie’s Tear, is extremely useful and can tremendously help to steady your mental state and calm you down. But you can’t rely on it. It’s even somewhat addictive, which is why I’m breaking my own obsession and lending it to you. Be aware of that and don’t depend on it too much. Use it as guidance.”

“I see. I’ll be careful,” Killua replies. “Seeing how it worked immediately, I can understand. It’s so powerful. I’ve never felt this calm and serene before... like all my problems are distant worries.”

“Auren usually doesn’t take them off, not even while sleeping,” Neffi explains, softly touching her bracers, curiously studying the grooves and ridges, playing around with them by adding a little more Aura, causing them to darken and sharpen. “Usually...”

“These things are sharp,” Killua notes, his eyes glued to the bracers. “Punching against something like that must hurt.”

“Even Netero’s fists were bloody after he hit them, hehe,” Auren chuckles as he remembers his spar with him.

Reaching the inner gate, Killua approaches Canary, his steps a little slow, but still filled with determination.

Good...

“We’ll move on for now... take your time,” Auren says, walking ahead with Vanessa and Neffi.

“Where are we going anyway?” Vanessa asks. “It’s already so late, and walking next to you is kinda annoying when it’s constantly raining!”

“I wanted to try the gates for myself,” Auren declares.

“Weren’t you interested as well?” he asks Vanessa.

“Yes!” Vanessa replies. “It’s a challenge, then! I’m gonna win.”

“Why...” Neffi asks, sounding reluctant. “It’s just pure strength... so stupid...”

“You trained some Enhancement yourself, Neffi, right? Don’t you want to see your results?” Auren asks her.

“Not really, I already know them, and I’m enhancing my clothes, not my physical strength,” Neffi replies calmly. “It’s not even the same principle.”

“That sounds like excuses, little Neffi,” Vanessa points out, Auren unable to fully disagree.

Though she is right, pure strength is rarely a deciding factor, but it can be, if your Hatsus can create the right openings.

Walking through the rain, the three arrive at the famous testing gate.

To their surprise, they see that Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio are also there, pushing against it together.

“Training this late? Didn’t I tell you to meditate, study the breathing technique, and then rest?” Auren asks.

“... I’m afraid that’s indeed what we should have done,” Kurapika says, shaking his head. “I’ve let myself get influenced a little too much by the recent events.”

“I wanted to give it one more try. Killua opened three doors, and even together we can’t open one. That can’t be right!” Gon reasons, not convinced, unable to accept the discrepancy.

“It’s dedicated strength training. You probably never felt the need to train like this; Killua is the exception. Also, simply raising your ability to push hard isn’t necessarily useful in combat. So specifically training for this task is pointless. You need to raise your overall body strength, not just your pushing power,” Auren reasons.

“Yeah, yeah, enough talk, I want to try! Step aside, small fries,” Vanessa says, stepping forward, the three rookies moving aside despite her arrogant attitude.

“Hmmm, I’ll give it a real try! Let’s see if all the time in your gym and the one on my floor in Heaven’s Arena paid off! I trained desperately for at least three or four hours... every single day! For the last two years!”

“You certainly know how to raise expectations and stir up some drama,” Neffi says with a grin. “You’re setting yourself up for a huge embarrassment. Just do it; this isn’t some grand performance with an audience.”

Vanessa uses Ren, letting her Aura explode outward with as much strength as she can.

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” She yells, pushing herself to the limit as her Aura pushes away rocks and dirt, causing the rookies to step back further subconsciously.

Instead of instantly trying to push the door open, she keeps going, trying to draw out even more Aura.

“HAAAAAA! Hehe, I’m gonna show you how it’s done!” she proclaims confidently.

“Don’t neglect your technique,” Auren warns her.

“I know, I know!” she says, Auren using Gyo to closely analyze not only her movements, but also her use of Aura.

She has her Aura concentrated on her feet and hands, but she has also left quite a bit for her upper body and a little for her legs. Overall... that’s correct, I’d say. A complex and logical distribution. For her... that’s as good as it’s gonna get. 

Not bad... she really loves Nen training; I can see her effort and progress.

“That’s looking surprisingly good,” Neffi confirms, “I hate to say it, but I can’t do it any better.”

“She hasn’t done a thing yet; what are you talking about?” Leorio wonders. “That’s silly! As if you can open more than three sets of doors. You are a woman.”

“You still think that’s going to matter after feeling the pressure personally, Leorio? Your body must be numb,” Kurapika argues.

“I’m not seeing anything either; I just feel that immense sense of power in her,” Gon says. “It’s incredible. She’s strong, I just know it.”

Finally, after raising her Aura to the maximum and gathering her strength, Vanessa pushes.

Auren briefly sees all seven doors move, but in the end, only six sets of doors open, the last one, the seventh one, remaining closed after moving for a tiny bit.

Still, Vanessa pushes with all of her might, fully opening the remaining six doors in record speed as they’re swung wide open, creating a loud clanking sound.

“That’s... that’s insane!” Leorio yells at the now wide-open Testing Gates, the huge gap in front of him leaving him stunned.

Auren senses movement from behind, and then sees Killua approach, just as Vanessa steps back and the doors loudly slam shut again, creating a thundering boom.

“Six sets of doors,” Killua whispers. “That’s something unheard of, on her first try too.”

“128 tons...” Kurapika mutters, unable to believe what happened.

“She’s... incredible! So strong!” Gon cheers, clapping loudly. “I knew it.”

“Damnit! I failed!” Vanessa yells, breathing heavily and kicking the ground. “I briefly had it... I need to exert more explosive strength. I was too reluctant. After the seventh door fell back, it wasn’t even that difficult... I can do this.”

“You were close,” Auren confirms. “That’s quite impressive.”

“Might as well get it behind me...” Neffi suddenly says, stepping forward.

Let’s see her try then.