Chapter 30: Special Training Concluded
The plain was swept by winds carrying dry dust.
Sunlight poured down unhindered, baking the ground until it was scorching hot.
Whoosh—
A dull, heart-stopping explosion erupted, the shockwave lifting all the dust within a ten-meter radius.
Leo crossed his arms in front of his chest, his entire body blasted backward by a terrifying force, his boot soles plowing two deep furrows into the ground.
He slid a full seven meters before barely managing to steady himself.
The dust slowly settled.
Leo lowered his trembling arms, wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his chest heaving violently.
He could feel the deep, bone-deep ache in his arm bones—a warning that the force had exceeded his limits.
"Master Biscuit," he gasped, forcing a bitter smile.
"Your strength after reverting to your true form... is too overwhelming. My arms almost gave out."
Standing opposite him was a figure over two meters tall.
Muscles bulged like cast iron, every line brimming with explosive power.
Golden hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back, the once petite princess dress long replaced by a form-fitting black training suit.
The face remained delicate, but the contours were sharper, the eyes as sharp as blades.
This was Biscuit Krueger's true form.
"Tch."
Biscuit curled her lip, her face filled with displeasure.
She flexed the right arm that had just delivered the punch, joints cracking with crisp sounds.
"If you keep saying things like that, I won't hold back anymore."
Her voice was much deeper now, carrying an undisguised threat.
"I hate my true form—too tall, too muscular, hideous. You think so too, don't you? Hmm?"
The last "hmm" was drawn out, her fist slowly clenching.
Leo swallowed hard. These five months of intense training had taught him one thing deeply.
In front of Biscuit, honesty was sometimes less important than survival.
"You're right," he said with a serious expression.
"Women are most adorable when they're petite and delicate. Master, your usual form is perfect, absolutely flawless."
Biscuit stared at him for two seconds, snorted, and the Nen around her began to flow.
Her tall, muscular frame slowly shrank like a deflating balloon, her muscle lines softened, her height decreased—within seconds, the golden-haired twin-tailed little girl stood once again on the plain.
She brushed off nonexistent dust from her clothes, her expression returning to its usual ease.
Leo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
These five months, every day had been about pushing past limits.
Mornings were for systematic training—accumulating aura for the Enhancement Type, transforming properties for the Transmutation Type, and remote release for the Emission Type.
Biscuit's teaching was strict to the point of harshness, every detail polished repeatedly until it became muscle memory.
Afternoons were for practical sparring.
At first, it was Biscuit in her little girl form, but as Leo grew rapidly, that level of pressure was no longer enough.
A month ago, Biscuit reverted to her true form for the first time.
In that battle, Leo lasted only thirty seconds.
The true strength of a Two-Star Hunter overwhelmed him like a collapsing mountain or a raging sea.
Power, speed, experience, Nen application—a complete and utter suppression.
But it was precisely this suppression that allowed Leo to glimpse the scenery at greater heights, and after every defeat, he found new directions to break through.
Evenings were for hunting.
Deep within the Moonlight Tundra dwelled various formidable creatures: the Spineback Mountain Boar with iron-hard fur, the lightning-swift Silverlight Leopard, acid-spitting swamp monitor lizard swarms... Every battle was a life-or-death struggle.
The tattoo on the back of his hand continued to radiate heat as Aura ceaselessly poured in.
[Level: 29→31→34→37→39→41]
Five months, twelve levels.
The physical enhancement brought by each level-up was distinctly palpable.
Muscle density increased, bones grew more resilient, neural reaction speeds improved, and the five senses became sharper.
Nourished by Nen, this body was evolving toward a superhuman realm.
But the price was equally heavy.
The high-intensity training kept his body perpetually on the brink of collapse.
Muscle tears, microfractures in bones, internal organ tremors...
If not for Biscuit performing deep massage and repairs each night using "Magical Esthetician Cookie," combined with Leo's own powerful recovery ability, he would never have endured this hellish special training.
Now, Biscuit walked up to Leo, looking up at him—even in her loli form, her eyes still carried the oppressive aura of a true powerhouse.
"Everything I could teach you, I've already imparted without reservation."
Her voice calmed, unusually tinged with a hint of softness.
"The rest depends on you to practice, comprehend, and break through on your own. I originally planned to stay only three months... I never imagined, in the blink of an eye, it's already year's end."
Leo remained silent for a few seconds, then bowed deeply.
The gesture was performed with utmost solemnity—his waist bent at a ninety-degree angle, holding the position for three seconds before straightening.
"Thank you very much for your guidance, Master Biscuit."
His voice was earnest.
"I will remember the teachings of these five months for a lifetime. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word, and I will do it."
This was not mere politeness.
Biscuit's wholehearted instruction over these five months had far exceeded the scope of an ordinary commission.
She taught not only Nen Ability but also combat wisdom, wilderness survival, and even some secret knowledge known only to Hunters.
This debt of gratitude, Leo kept in his heart.
Biscuit waved her hand dismissively, her face breaking back into that carefree smile.
"Mhm mhm, I've seen all your hard work. Alright, the special training ends here. We'll set off back first thing tomorrow morning."
She paused, as if suddenly remembering something.
"Oh, right, you're not a Hunter yet, are you? It's December now... I suggest you go take the Hunter Exam. Next January is the Hunter Exam."
Leo nodded.
"Right, I was planning to register in a few days."
"That's good."
Biscuit clasped her hands behind her back, pacing a couple of steps.
"Also, our school is called 'Shingen-ryu.' That old man Netero, the Chairman of the Hunter Association, is the founder of Shingen-ryu. You should..."
She turned her head, looking at Leo, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
"I hope one day, you can become stronger than that old geezer. I have high hopes for you."
Leo awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"I will."
The words were spoken softly, but Biscuit sensed their weight.
On their final night in the Moonlight Tundra, the two did not train.
Biscuit, for once, personally cooked, preparing a lavish dinner using ingredients gathered over this period.
The glowing moss served as natural illumination, casting the campsite in a dreamlike light.
There wasn't much conversation during the meal, but the atmosphere was relaxed.
After five months of living together day and night, a wordless tacit understanding had formed between master and disciple.
The next morning, the two packed their belongings and left the glowing forest they had called home for five months.
After half a day's trek, they arrived at the city nearest to the Moonlight Tundra—Yutop City.
This was the outpost before entering the tundra, and the streets were filled with well-equipped adventurers.
The airport was located on the eastern outskirts of the city.
Compared to the bustling metropolis where Heavens Arena stood, this airport was much smaller, with mostly short-range airships taking off and landing.
In the waiting lounge, Biscuit patted Leo's arm.
"Let's part ways here."
She withdrew her hand, pulled out a card, and handed it to Leo.
"This is my contact information. If you run into trouble you can't handle, you can reach out to me—but don't bother me with trivial matters, of course."
Leo took the card and carefully tucked it away.
"After you return to Heavens Arena, remember to check on Wing's training progress for me."
Biscuit's expression turned dangerous.
"If he's slacking off, being lazy, or neglecting his training... give him a good lesson for me! Don't hold back; if he gets hurt, it's his own fault."
Leo couldn't help but laugh.
"No problem, Master Biscuit, I will."
He paused, looking at the seemingly petite yet towering figure before him, and spoke earnestly once more.
"Thank you for your guidance and companionship during this time."
Biscuit waved her hand impatiently.
"Enough, enough, that's too sentimental! Hurry up and go, the airship is about to depart!"
Leo smiled and said no more.
He shouldered his pack and turned toward the boarding gate.
The small airship slowly ascended, tracing an arc over Yutop City before flying in the direction of Heavens Arena.
Biscuit stood at the edge of the tarmac, looking up at the shrinking airship until it became a tiny black dot on the horizon and finally vanished from sight.
She let out a soft sigh, a complex expression on her face.
There was satisfaction, anticipation, and a faint trace of worry.
"I hope my decision wasn't wrong..."
Biscuit murmured to herself, her words scattering in the wind.
"Old man Netero, it seems... I've unleashed quite the formidable beast from its cage."
She shook her head, brushing the thought aside, and turned to walk toward another gate.
...
In the airship cabin, Leo leaned against the window, watching the mountains and rivers speeding by below.
Seven months of intensive training had sharpened this rough stone into a blade.
And now, it was time to test the keenness of that edge.
The Hunter Exam... battles above the 200th floor of Heavens Arena... and the countless secrets of this vast world waiting to be explored.
Leo closed his eyes and began planning his next steps.
First, return to Heavens Arena to check on Sophia and Wing's training progress. Then, sign up for next year's Hunter Exam.