A few days later, in an enclosed training ground.
A row of special soldiers stood at attention.
Outside the field, several high-ranking officers of the military stood ready and waiting.
Today's weather was decent, but the morning brought a bit of a cold wind, occasionally kicking up dust across the grounds.
"Do you think… he can really do it?"
One military leader looked at his colleague, voicing doubt.
Clearly, he was referring to Xiang Nan.
Xiang Nan had indeed only recently beco a Nen user, but from his battle record—and from what Garo and others had disclosed—it seed Xiang Nan had long possessed a detailed understanding of the Nen-user world, particularly of battles between Nen users.
He had a talent far surpassing the average.
Yet being personally strong didn't necessarily an he also had a gift for nurturing others. Just because you're an academic genius doesn't an you can be a good teacher.
Initially, the Republic of Padokea had wanted to attempt an assembly-line approach to producing large numbers of Nen users, but eventually found such notions simply a fantasy.
Aptitude, inborn nature—these appeared to be the fundantal keys to becoming a Nen user.
Possibly there exist special thods to mass-produce Nen users, but at least the Republic of Padokea wasn't aware of any.
"Leaving aside Nen users, just look at what he's done in our military district—he indeed has made significant achievents, whether in the dical field or in combat. He's managed to train up so fairly outstanding personnel. Relying on him now is our 'shot in the dark' approach…"
Another officer let out a long breath, sounding helpless.
"Here they co!" soone spoke up.
Everyone turned their gaze forward, seeing a military car drive in and co to a stop. The door opened, and Xiang Nan—clad in his signature black windbreaker—stepped out, striding toward the field.
He didn't bother greeting those leaders, heading straight for the formation of Nen-user soldiers.
Of course, Xiang Nan's appearance drew the soldiers' attention as well.
They'd been summoned here today, presumably for so special operation.
Word was that the higher-ups had found them a "coach."
As for Xiang Nan's reputation, most of them had at least heard sothing… The man standing before them was, over the past year or so, the brightest star in Bartochia's military, enjoying trendous prestige. Rumor had it he'd made nurous contributions, benefiting the entire ard forces, and had broken many records.
He was only thirty years old—quite young for soone of his position.
"An assessnt, maybe?"
"Not sure…"
"So he's also a Nen user, like us? Did the military train him up as well? But… his aura seems pretty average…"
"Regardless of his personal strength, he's our superior officer. Don't be so casual—show so respect."
"I heard the higher-ups say whoever wins against him in this test might get a special comndation, an award of distinguished service…"
"Hah… there's so many of us—wouldn't that be a bit unfair to him?"
The soldiers all eyed Xiang Nan, murmuring softly among themselves—but outwardly maintaining a stern, soldierly facade.
anwhile, Xiang Nan himself only needed one quick glance over this neatly aligned group to form a judgnt.
From the start, as soldiers, they were indeed different from the typical Nen users out there—both in appearance and aura. They looked extrely disciplined, wearing uniford training gear, eyes sharp… exuding a certain killing edge.
But…
Xiang Nan shook his head, looking disappointed.
His reaction was obvious to see, and the leaders observing from the sidelines all caught it.
He made no effort to hide his disapproval.
"Hello, all. Our first eting… Let introduce myself. My na is Xiang Nan. Presumably you've heard of . Today, having you all called here, you can guess the reason, so no need for to explain in detail."
Xiang Nan stopped in front of the lineup and spoke calmly.
Just that shake of his head a mont ago caused about ten or so soldiers to fail at masking their displeasure, looking mildly annoyed.
"You there, step out."
Xiang Nan directed one man, ordering him forward.
The soldier in question, a typical white man with a bald head and muscular build, nearly two ters tall, stepped out as instructed. Yet the gaze he sent Xiang Nan brimd with defiance and scorn.
"How long have you been a Nen user?"
Xiang Nan asked.
"Four years," the bald man responded curtly.
"Four years, huh…"
Xiang Nan smiled faintly. "After becoming a Nen user… what've you been doing?"
Even before the soldier replied, Xiang Nan continued: "No need to say—I can guess. Guarding special officials, essentially an assigned bodyguard, correct? Or else performing certain private missions for the army—assassinations, captures, reconnaissance, etc.…?"
"…"
The big man said nothing.
"How many tis have you actually fought against other Nen users—those outside your own ranks? I don't an sparring with your fellow soldiers but real outsiders."
"Five."
"Five tis in four years, an average of once a year. Judging by your style of missions, none of them would have been especially dangerous. So presumably most of your ti is just wasted. Because you haven't had a 'special environnt' that drives positive growth. Not just you—all of you should be the sa."
Xiang Nan concluded confidently.
"Huh, well, as soldiers we just follow commands. Top brass arranges our missions. We don't feel we're wasting anything."
The bald man's tone had obviously turned cold.
"Indeed… your sense of duty is comndable."
Xiang Nan nodded in mild praise.
"Let ask one last thing: as the army's Nen-users, presumably you know about Heaven's Arena, and that it's crawling with hands-on Nen fighters. With your free ti, why not go over there to fight them? It'd be interesting, right? A direct way to hone your understanding of Nen and how to judge an opponent's strength—"
"Heaven's Arena?" soone in the group chuckled aloud, a mocking undertone.
"That place is stuffed with trash… what's the point?"
The big bald man, looming a head taller than Xiang Nan, retorted.
"I see."
Xiang Nan gave up on further questions.
They were soldiers, with strengths such as obedience, grit, a better-than-average baseline.
But they also had glaring flaws—prejudice and conceit.
Without any actual experience, they already looked down on so-called "wild" Nen users—like those from the underworld.
"Alright then—let's begin. I'm pressed for ti. Calling you here is for just one purpose. All thirteen of you, each having trained in Nen longer than , and apparently rather confident in your skills. If you want to earn credit… well, just beat ."
Xiang Nan said simply.
"But let warn you all: this trial is a death match… aning so of you might die here. So you'd best use everything you've got—don't hold back."
"A death match?"
The bald man's face remained stoic, though his eyes sharpened. "Sir, we don't care. But if sothing happens to you—soone so high up, wouldn't that be a big loss to the army?"
Xiang Nan laughed.
He gestured toward the few leaders on the sidelines.
"Don't worry—I've already cleared it with them. You can go all-out. If I die, that just ans my skill was lacking, and I have no complaints."
"Heh."
Hearing that, the bald soldier finally grinned, baring a row of white teeth.
He'd been waiting for Xiang Nan to say so, wanting a formal assurance.
He didn't want trouble from top brass afterward.
"Honestly, I get excited at the thought of thrashing a high-and-mighty officer like you."
the man said, cracking his knuckles.
"Mmm-hmm…"
Xiang Nan nodded affably, his face full of smiles.
"But let clarify: you're not just thrashing —you have to kill . If you can't… there'll be consequences, y'know~"
~~~
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