Take Wing, for example.
In the manga, he was the master assigned to Gon and Killua after they passed the Hunter Exam. Like how Menchi got assigned to someone, Wing was responsible for teaching them the fundamentals of Nen. And what did this guy do? He taught them the basic techniques and then basically left them alone. He didn't even touch on developing actual Hatsu abilities.
Wing had his reasons, sure. For Gon, an Enhancer, there was no need to pursue overly complex abilities. And for Killua? He is not a hunter and The Hunter Association had no business interfering with how the Zoldyck family handled ability development.
But compared to Izunavi—the master who guided Kurapika in the manga—it was impossible not to feel that Wing was kind of half-assing it.
Kurapika trained with Izunavi for six months. Not only did he learn Nen, he mastered advanced application techniques like In. He developed his chain abilities to the point where he could solo kill Phantom Troupe member Uvogin and kidnap their leader.
There were gaps between mentors, clearly.
Naturally, Wing had no idea Liam was mentally roasting him. As they approached, he smiled and said, "I got my ninth win too."
Liam gestured toward the reception desk.
Wing walked with him to the front counter, both of them picking up new match application forms.
Under the excited gaze of the female staff member, they quickly filled out their forms and handed them back. The young woman looked at both submissions, her excitement barely contained. She kept smiling as she said, "Wonderful! On May 15th, we'll arrange your match. Please prepare fully over the next five days."
Liam versus Wing!
Both at nine wins, zero losses! Whoever won would achieve a perfect ten-win record and earn the right to challenge a Floor Master!
This was incredible!
Shizuku watched the excited staff member with mild curiosity as the woman coughed and turned to her. "Fighter Shizuku, your ninety-day preparation period has expired. You already have a record of zero wins, one loss. If you accumulate four losses before winning ten matches, you'll be disqualified from competition."
"Oh." Shizuku gave a small bow. "Thank you."
Is this something you thank someone for?
Watching the four of them leave and enter the elevator, the receptionist stood there in confusion. She genuinely couldn't figure out Shizuku's thought process.
"That's right! The fight between Liam and Wing is more important anyway!" The staff member excitedly pulled out her phone and quietly dialed her friend's number. A series of excited squeals and beeps followed. "It's definitely going to be packed! I'm taking half the day off on the 15th to watch!"
What do you mean taking the day off?
You can work any other day. If you miss a match this interesting, you'll never get another chance!
After parting ways with Wing on the 200th floor, Liam and the others continued taking the elevator down. Through the transparent glass walls, they could see fierce battles happening across different arenas at various heights throughout Heavens Arena.
One notable feature: the closer you got to ground level, the more rings were packed into each fighting venue.
"By the way, Kurapika, have you finished all your Nen abilities?" Liam asked, turning around.
"Almost," Kurapika said.
"What's left?"
"I still need to supplement some frontal combat methods. You reminded me it's best to train in a well-rounded way. The books I chose to conjure lack direct combat effectiveness, so I've also incorporated some Transmutation-based techniques."
Kurapika raised his right hand.
Both Liam and Shizuku watched as the aura wrapped around his hand gradually changed shape, condensing into... a skeletal palm?
The skeleton's hand was massive. As the aura extended, it could expand forward and outward, increasing his attack range significantly.
"I knew you were smart and talented," Liam commented. "But I didn't expect you to be this smart and talented. Just developing six books with such complicated mechanisms would be difficult enough. You've managed to develop your Transmutation abilities this far too?"
Kurapika smiled faintly. The skeletal palm released its aura form and transformed into a materialized black book.
On the cover, a flaming number "2" was emblazoned.
"Volume Two," Shizuku murmured when she saw it.
Forgot the name already? Liam flicked her forehead lightly. If I remember correctly, the second volume is called "Hell Fire."
Kurapika opened to the first page of Hell Fire, which functioned as the title page.
On that page was an illustration of a massive skeleton covered in bone spurs. Terrifying and tragic.
"I call it 'Skeleton Knight,'" Kurapika said quietly, his eyes lowered. "With this book's power, I can develop the technique faster."
"Don't tell me that whatever you draw in it becomes real," Liam said, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe," Kurapika said. "But even the 'Skeleton Knight' isn't completely finished yet."
In truth, although he could use Hell Fire's effects to accelerate his Transmutation development, it all depended on activating the book's maximum potential.
In other words, to develop Transmutation abilities with the second book's help, he had to keep the book manifested and maintain Scarlet Eyes mode the entire time.
Every minute his Scarlet Eyes' ability "Absolute Time" remained active consumed one hour of his lifespan.
"Anyway, when your ability is complete, we'll talk about the Phantom Troupe," Liam said.
"I'm not an official member yet. I know." Kurapika closed his eyes, brooding silently for a moment. Then he asked suddenly, "Are you confident you can beat Wing?"
"Why are you so obsessed with winning? It's just a match. Winning or losing doesn't really matter," Liam said sincerely. "It's not a life-or-death duel. What's important is having fun."
He really does whatever he wants, Kurapika thought, his eyes going dead again.
After he left, Liam looked at Shizuku and said, "What was that, some kind of Susanoo?"
"Huh?" Shizuku looked confused.
"I mean, I forgot to handle something."
"Forgot what?" Shizuku asked curiously.
"His ring! I haven't added the code name to Ring C yet."
"What code name will you give him?"
"Well, heaven's secrets must not be revealed."
"You haven't thought of one yet, have you?"
"Exactly."
The two chatted as they walked along the street toward their apartment. High above, Jaku stood on a crow's back, gliding through the air. The bird opened its mouth in a very human-like yawn.
Time finally arrived: May 15th.
The 200th floor of Heavens Arena was absolutely packed. Countless fighting enthusiasts and spectators poured in. Tickets for today's match were impossible to find. Scalpers were charging astronomical prices.
In his room, Wing sat meditating with his eyes closed, adjusting his mental state.
The aura surrounding his body was like a calm sphere of water, wrapping smoothly around him.
It was clearly aura—light as air—but it had the solid, heavy presence of stone. As if even tremendous force couldn't shake it.
At 1:30 PM, Wing opened his eyes.
Time to go.
Wing stood calmly, pushed open the door, and walked out.