Mr. Beans hesitated slightly before finally giving his conclusion:
"These are all stable and positive developments. He has made outstanding contributions to the world. He is on the justice side."
"It was this applicant on the front line who personally took action and defeated all the other applicants…"
"Oh, it was him."
Chairman Netero looked slightly enlightened, as if recalling the name.
"If it's him, then it's no wonder."
Chairman Netero smiled knowingly. "I remember he had some contact with Ging Freecss before."
"To be able to get close to someone like Ging means he's a strange one himself."
Netero voiced the opinion shared by all professional hunters, a view both stereotypical and genuine, about Ging Freecss.
"People with such eccentric personalities always do things that are hard to understand."
But Chairman Netero didn't mind. "Besides, he merely knocked down the applicants. None were injured, let alone killed. That shows he acts by a certain code."
"Compared to those who take pleasure in killing, he's already leagues better."
Mr. Beans: "..."
If you put it that way, then yes, it sounds rather good.
But a psychopath applying to take the hunter exam sounds a bit wrong.
Even though there's no rule explicitly forbidding it, it still sounds unpleasant when spoken aloud.
Especially to people like Bushidora Ambitious, who aim to reform the Hunter Association's internal systems and regulations.
They already have objections to such people taking part in the exam.
Fortunately, judging from applicant No. 404's behavior, he doesn't seem like one of those people.
At most, some of his methods are debatable.
But the key issue now is…
"So, how should we handle this incident, chairman?"
Mr. Beans once again sought Netero's opinion, just as before.
"Simple. Didn't he want to clear the hunter exam quickly and obtain his hunter license?"
Netero smiled. "And since he actually has the strength to do so, in that case."
"Our Hunter Association welcomes those who are positive-minded and highly capable."
Those words had practically confirmed Luke's successful passing of the hunter exam.
Just like how, later, when Killua knocked out all the other applicants, Netero personally appeared and granted him qualification on the spot.
As for the others lying on the ground… they were already out of the exam!
"But if we do that..."
Mr. Beans also felt it wasn't wrong, but due to his nature as a secretary, he still asked, "Won't others have objections?"
"Objections? What objections? Who would object?"
This time, Chairman Netero picked up his teacup again.
"Bushidora Ambitious, perhaps? He's in charge of the second round, right? Then was Luke's conduct within the scope of his test rules?"
"Uh… Yes, that's right."
Mr. Beans nodded.
Luke's cleverness lay exactly in that.
He didn't simply knock down the other applicants; he did it within Bushidora Ambitious's rules.
Defeating other applicants, destroying the test materials, ensuring they couldn't pass, and leaving himself as the only remaining one.
It was a clean and thorough move, cutting the grass at its roots.
"Then that settles it, doesn't it?"
Chairman Netero sipped his tea. "Since he acted according to the exam rules."
"And already fulfilled the requirements to pass this round, his success is entirely reasonable."
"As for the later rounds, even if Luke continues to take part, with his strength, they would just be formalities. He already qualifies to be a professional hunter."
"And for the remaining round' examiners, since I've personally confirmed Luke's qualification before their rounds even begin, there's no need for them to proceed."
"As for those applicants who took the hunter exam with Luke..."
Netero set down his teacup. "Weren't they all already defeated by Luke?"
"That means they've already lost qualification and been eliminated. Since they were eliminated, and by Luke's own hand, they are the least qualified people to complain."
"If they are weaker, then instead of whining, they should train harder and come back next year stronger."
Chairman Netero spoke righteously, with a tone full of justification and reason.
But in reality… how could the gap between ordinary people and Nen users be bridged so easily?!
He was simply taking advantage of the fact that these applicants didn't understand that disparity.
Even if they did know about Nen, they would only become more aware of their inferiority and have no objections at all.
Yes, this was an unsolvable problem.
"Understood."
Since Chairman Netero had said so, Mr. Beans didn't argue further.
In fact, the moment he gave that response, he was already drafting in his mind the formal certification document for this year's hunter exam.
Yes, the wording, phrasing, and tone were already clear to him.
That was the strong skill he had developed by serving under such an unpredictable leader as Chairman Netero.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Just as Mr. Beans was about to leave to handle the paperwork, Chairman Netero stopped him again. "Even if he's the only one who passed this year..."
He smiled. "Don't forget to go through the proper procedures."
"I understand, chairman."
Mr. Beans nodded.
The proper procedures referred to the post-exam process, where applicants who passed undergo mandatory orientation from the Hunter Association, learning about the duties of professional hunters, how to use their licenses, their privileges, and important precautions.
Normally, if only one person passed, especially someone already familiar with the association, this process could be shortened or even skipped.
But since Chairman Netero had said so, the procedures had to be followed properly.
So, Mr. Beans went down to make the arrangements.
In the vast desert, far away from the Hunter Association…
"He passed, didn't he?"
Receiving Mr. Bean's call, Bushidora Ambitious looked rather complicated.
"That's right. Later, the airship from the Hunter Association will arrive at your location to escort you all to the designated site."
Mr. Beans said over the phone: "You've worked hard during this period."
"I understand."
Bushidora Ambitious exhaled a long breath. "I'll pass the message on to him."
Click.
After the call ended, Bushidora Ambitious couldn't help but once again look at the young man called Luke, who had already set up a small chair and was calmly waiting.
Next to Luke sat Tonpa, who was also waiting for the final result, seated directly on the desert floor.
Beside the two was a heap of torn-up paper scraps.
Yes, Luke hadn't gone back on his word.
He truly had Tonpa dig out every single question sheet and tear them all to pieces, destroying fifty-nine in total, no more, no less.
Only one was left, as proof of Luke's qualification.