Both Serik and Illumi went to their respective butlers for treatment. Serik especially needed immediate help, as he was losing blood by the second.
Illumi removed the clothing from his upper body with one hand. His chest was a deep purple, and his arm was mangled so badly that he could spin it like a helicopter blade if he wanted to. Tsubone wasted no time. She pulled a cream from her jacket and smeared it over his chest and arm. Then she grabbed Illumi's arm, straightened it, and secured it with a piece of wood and cloth to stabilize it. After she was done, she handed him a drink—the same one Serik always drank. Illumi consumed it immediately. He went through all of that without a single twitch on his face.
"What is this? It tastes nothing like anything I ever drank at home," Illumi asked.
"This is a special concoction from Jons. It will help with healing and prevent any lasting damage. Your arm was broken at the elbow—fixing that without permanent damage would be difficult without this drink," she replied.
Illumi nodded and turned his attention to Serik's treatment.
Serik's injuries were easier to manage, as most of them were puncture wounds and shallow cuts. Jons began by stopping the bleeding using pressure points. He then smeared the same cream Tsubone had used, borrowed from her, over the wounds and applied sterile gauze to each of them. Finally, as always, he gave Serik the special drink.
Serik noticed Illumi's gaze but did not look back until he had finished drinking.
"Bleh, it still tastes the same. I'll never get used to this." He then turned his head toward Illumi. "You've been staring for some time now. What do you want?"
Both butlers stepped back, observing the scene as though they were anticipating the spectacle about to unfold.
"I underestimated you," Illumi said, his face blank.
"Hahahaha, of course you did. I am full of surprises," Serik replied with a wide smile.
"Not for long. Soon you will be asking me to spare your life." A flicker of killing intent filled the air as his Nen flared.
The smile on Serik's face slowly faded. In its place came an eerie calmness, which soon hardened into coldness. Serik's own killing intent rose in response. It was not as overwhelming as Illumi's—he had not killed nearly as many people—but it carried its own sharp intensity.
Tsubone was surprised. She had thought Serik was merely a greenhouse flower, carefully raised by Jons without ever experiencing any storm.
Why do they resemble each other more and more? Genetics are scary, Jons thought as he observed Serik's reaction to Illumi's death threat.
"Hm. So you still want to kill me," Serik said coldly. "It seems your butler has given you some confidence. You believe you can complete your contract now." As he spoke, he walked toward Illumi. With every step, the killing intent grew heavier. "I thought we were bonding since you had given up. I was hoping we could have been friends—or at least acquaintances who knew each other well."
He stopped directly in front of Illumi and slowly raised his hand, making a grabbing gesture.
Danger.
Alarm bells rang in Illumi's head. He immediately backed away, creating as much distance as possible. Serik, still calm, left his hand in the air and stared Illumi straight in the eyes.
"Fine. If you wish to claim my head, be prepared to offer yours." Serik made a cutting motion across his neck with his raised hand, staring at Illumi, every word spoken with such coldness that even the indifferent Illumi felt a chill down his spine.
"Young master, that isn't necessary," Jons said, stepping forward and bowing slightly said. "Instead, why not make a bet? The one who is defeated must fulfill a request from the other, within reasonable bounds, of course."
Serik considered this for a moment. The coldness vanished from his expression.
"That's a great idea, Jons. Hahaha. I didn't really want to kill him anyway." He scratched his head sheepishly.
That is not what your killing intent just said, both Illumi and Tsubone thought.
Illumi looked at Serik with apprehension for the first time. Tsubone, on the other hand, regarded him with wonder and interest.
This kid is more interesting than I thought. What other surprises will you bring out? I can't wait, she thought, smiling, completely unconcerned about whether Serik might actually kill Illumi.
"Hmmm, what should I ask for?" Serik pondered. Several options surfaced in his mind. Illumi acting as his stallion whenever he wished. Illumi permanently changing his appearance to look like a clown. Even Illumi dressed in a maid outfit flashed through his thoughts.
He shuddered and shook his head to dispel the image. That would be too weird. He glanced at Illumi again.…But it would be immensely funny.
Seeing Serik's strange stare, Illumi stated his own condition. "When I win, I will cut off your right arm. That way, the next time I get a request to kill you, it will be simpler."
Serik did not respond aloud. He merely thought, Maid outfit it is.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
He burst into laughter, drawing confused stares from everyone except Jons.
While Serik was laughing like a fool, imagining Illumi dressed in a French maid outfit, Jons went back into the house to grab something. A minute later, he returned with two wine glasses in his hands. He placed them on the garden table and asked both Serik and Illumi to come toward him. Tsubone followed Illumi, interested in the outcome, since she knew what was going to happen.
"As you know, young master, everybody has a Nen category they are inclined toward. Now that you both have had a taste of Nen combat, let's go a step further and see what your categories are, to give your training more direction."
Jons bent down to pick up two leaves and placed one on top of each glass, floating in the middle of the water. "Now I want you to place both hands next to the glass and use Ren for a few seconds. Do you remember which reactions correspond to which category, young master?"
"Yes, I do. If the water overflows, you are an Enhancer. If it changes taste, you are a Transmuter. If the leaf moves, you are a Manipulator. If crystals form, you are a Conjurer. If it changes color, you are an Emitter. And if something happens outside of that, you are a Specialist," Serik answered, stealing a glance at Illumi as if to show off his knowledge. Illumi noticed the glance but did not even deign to acknowledge it.
"That's right, young master. Those are the basics."
"Now, who wishes to start?"
Illumi raised his hand. "I will."
As soon as Jons finished speaking, Illumi stepped forward, placed his hands around the glass, and used Ren. Serik's breath caught in his throat; he was so excited that he did not notice his clenched hands. Everyone held their breath, and then—
Manipulator.
The leaf moved in a circle.
After getting confirmation, Illumi stopped and took a step back, looking at Jons for more information.
It suits you, Serik thought as he looked at the moving leaf.
Jons immediately picked up on it and began explaining. "Manipulators are Nen users who specialize in control. Rather than overwhelming opponents with brute force or raw aura, they impose their will on the world—on objects, environments, and even living beings. A Manipulator's strength lies in their ability to direct actions and behavior. By infusing Nen into a target and fulfilling specific conditions, a Manipulator can move objects remotely, command weapons, alter movement patterns, or completely seize control of another person's body. This control can be subtle, like influencing decisions or reactions, or absolute, turning the target into a puppet that obeys commands without resistance. This is a basic explanation of what a Manipulator can do. Tsubone will explain more to you later."
For now, Illumi was satisfied. He nodded at Jons to show that he understood. All eyes turned to Serik.
Jons looked at Serik, encouraging him with his eyes, but Serik did not notice immediately. After receiving the signal that it was his turn, he stepped toward the glass. Copying Illumi, he placed his hands around it and used Ren.
At first, nothing happened.
The water did not change color, nor did it react in any way.
Then, slowly, the leaf began to sink, as if the water itself were growing heavier.
Jons and Tsubone both raised their eyebrows, each having a different thought upon seeing the reaction. Only Illumi looked confused.
I knew it.
What are the chances?
Moments later, the water began to separate.
It slowly formed layers. The upper layer remained clear and light. The middle layer grew slightly cloudy, thickened, as if resisting movement. The bottom layer became almost completely still—dense, compact, unnaturally calm.
Within that lowest layer, tiny solid-like structures began to form. They looked like something between ice and stone.
When Serik stopped channeling Nen, the structures dissolved.The layers slowly merged back together.
The water returned to normal, but the leaf remained at the bottom of the glass.