Chapter 245: Defective Marbles—Morel’s Trial

Time passes in the comfortable examiner's lounge, the Hunter Association airship a top-of-the-line cruiser featuring a lot of amenities, making Auren’s more functional airship look like a second-class vessel in comparison.However, while its amenities are great, the massive size of the airship makes it consume a lot of fuel, as well as drastically lowering its speed, making for comfortable, but also painfully slow travel.

Now acting as a spectator, the only real interest left in this year’s exam for Auren is Neffi’s and Shalnark’s results.

The second exam is actually conducted by Morel, who, using his experience as a Sea Hunter, has come up with something quite daring.

The airship lands on a small island to the west of Yorknew, and Morel himself steps out of the airship, accompanied by most of the Hunters who also aided Auren.

The candidates are forced to draw lots and are randomly grouped into teams of five, being told that it will be very difficult to pass the exam with fewer members and that they should consider each other allies.

They all receive no supplies at all and have to survive for five days on the island. However, as Morel explains: “A good Hunter is always prepared... I want to know how well prepared you are! Hehe, those who brought supplies are at an advantage. You think that’s unfair? Tough luck! I guess you’ll at least find fresh water on the island, so you won’t die of thirst. If you can’t take it anymore, the airship is close by on the tiny island over there. If you want to give up, wait at the beach, and once a day, a small boat will pick up anyone who wants to resign.”

Much to everyone’s surprise, Morel once again forbids violence, stressing that they’ll be supervised. “I heard some cheaters got exposed by my cute little young colleague... trust me, I’m far more vigilant and observant. Pull that shit with me, and I’ll leave you behind on the island, not only with broken legs, but with a broken spirit. Let it be known that Auren is considered to be part of the faction of Hunters that wants a more lenient and ‘safe’ Hunter exam.”

After hearing these words, a few of the candidates look visibly shocked, not willing to find out whether his threat is actually meant seriously.

“This can’t be?!”

“This exam is crazy...”

The exam itself is a survival mission, with Morel giving them certain tasks they have to fulfill every single day.

The island is quite large, but extremely barren, with only a few trees and plants scattered across it. As Morel promised, it contains several small rivers and lakes, allowing for easy access to water without needing to depend on rain. The scarcity of vegetation also makes it safe to drink, even unboiled.

However, what initially appears to be a cozy island trip quickly turns into a harsh trial due to the cold and unforgiving January weather, forcing the candidates not only to stay warm but also to protect themselves from the rain.

Spending time with Netero, mostly training and sparring, Auren still dedicates a few hours every day to observing the candidates, as well as listening to the radio used by the Hunters to monitor them.

Each day, more candidates drop out, and various incidents and small conflicts take place as well. Still, Auren is not worried about Neffi, as not only is she strong, she also carries a fair amount of supplies, at least enough to avoid starving for a week.

Suddenly, on the third day, Morel announces: “Rule change: Fighting with other groups is allowed to take place in a 5-meter circle around every tree with a height above 1 meter.”

Auren, who is comfortably inside the airship, of course, immediately understands what this is about.

Over the last few days, a couple of candidates had to be evacuated and are now resting inside as well, with some nurses and doctors providing them treatment around the clock.

Things will get more intense....

Sitting together with Biscuit, Cutie, Knov, and Netero, he says, “Gotta admit... it’s a cool exam. He’s giving them an important hint about the final task. Those too stupid, too lazy, or too arrogant to pick it up will pay the price.”

“It couldn’t be more obvious,” Knov says, adjusting his glasses in frustration. “Way too simple. There are barely any trees on that island, so wood is a scarce resource. Of course, anyone with an IQ above 100 should, by now, know that their eventual task is to build a boat.”

“You know... 100 is supposed to be the average. So, in fact, that means only people smarter than average will get it,” Auren points out.

“Exactly,” Knov confirms. “Anyone below average doesn’t deserve to be a Hunter....”

I think strong people would say the same thing about weaker-than-average Hunters... much like yourself, Knov. Your body is quite frail... whatever.

“And then they have to row to us on this small, cute island... as if desperately reaching their lover. How romantic, how cute! Just like you, glasses boy,” Cutie adds, blinking at Knov, who returns a gaze filled with hostility and disgust.

Much like Morel predicted, small skirmishes and conflicts break out, a few candidates even end up killing each other, and others break the rules and get disqualified. However, the Hunters are not intervening at all, even when killing takes place, if the examinees are not breaking any rules.

To Auren’s absolute shock, he learns that three members of Neffi’s group drop out after arrogantly hunting for wood and getting injured in the process.

Finally, when midnight strikes on the fifth day, the remaining candidates are informed about their task. They need to reach the island where the airship is located. Morel warns them about vicious sharks and other dangerous creatures in the water, as they are actively hunting for prey in the surrounding reef. In fact, he reveals that the small island is connected to the large one, albeit not visibly, and that the stretch between the two islands is among the most dangerous waters in the world.

“Swimming is impossible! Forget sharks, the poisonous fish inside this stretch of reef are legendary. In fact, they are studied by the world-famous poison Hunter, Gel. Even I wouldn’t want to risk it. A boat is your only viable choice!” He cautions them.

The rule about attacking others is still limited to areas around trees, with the added exception that fighting within one’s own group is now perfectly allowed, confusing everyone still remaining.

“How cruel,” Cutie notes. “These poor, cute examinees already got a hint... at the terrible fate awaiting them! Only for them to be deceived, as attacking each other is the last thing they should be doing. They’ll end up paying a terrible, really uncute price.”

“I like it,” Biscuit says, smiling. “Their frail relationship breaking apart... for no reason. Just because of a small change in rules.”

While some groups maintain their cooperation and focus on constructing a boat with whatever materials they managed to gather, others immediately turn on each other, suspecting something, their paranoia too strong to ignore. Most of the groups have already been reduced in size and are now cutting off the excess.

Finally, with every group, regardless of size, having constructed a boat, Morel himself meets them at the beach closest to the smaller island. He presents them with a special tarp that causes most sea life to flee when they catch its scent, making their boats safer if it’s attached under it, for which he also offers some tools.

However, much to everyone’s shock, he adds a condition: “If you want that tarp... you have to decide on one of you to stay behind. That person will fail! Decide among yourselves what you do... the rules about attacking other teams are still in place.”

The announcement leads to many more people getting knocked out, wounded, or even killed, as skirmishes and one-sided beatings break out.

Auren, in the airship, asks Knuckle, who is standing nearby, using the radio, to tell him about Neffi.

Apparently, only a single member of her group, an elderly Hunter, actually participated in building a boat. The man looks incredibly tough and has an impressive physique. Still, Neffi ignored her group for the entire duration. The man, angered by her attitude, immediately challenges her to a fight after learning about the tarp, only to be knocked out with a single punch.

When Morel moves to hand the tarp to Neffi, she surprises him by rejecting it.

With the tarps handed out, Morel yells, “You have four hours to reach the island! Time starts now!” Knuckle suddenly perks up, clearly excited, while Morel enters his boat.

“Auren! That girl... she’s somehow flying...?! She just jumped into the air—and her clothes?! She has wings underneath them!” Knuckle speaks to Auren through the comms.

In fact, even before Morel can return to the island with his speedboat, Neffi is already on the smaller island, waiting for him, becoming the first examinee to pass the second exam.

In the end, of the 228 candidates Auren left behind, only 82 pass, which is still more than Auren expected. Shalnark also passes without any issue. Apparently, his teamwork, smart decisions, and his cold willingness to abandon a single isolated member of his group cause even the examiners, including Morel, to view him with suspicion.

“That young man... he gives me the creeps. He’s just too competent,” Morel complains.

“Indeed... he is already at a level close to us,” Knov says. “I can also feel it... his Aura is terrifyingly strong.”

“I like that cute girl! You know her, Auren, right?” Cutie asks him.

“Yes,” Auren responds, not explaining a thing.

“She is a gem...” Biscuit admits before her face begins to twist into one of pure pettiness. “I kinda want her... you stole the Faerie’s Tear from me... perhaps I should steal that girl from you?”

“Give it a try,” Auren replies, not bothering about her petty schemes for revenge.

Looking at the 82 examinees who passed, Auren can say without a doubt that every single one of them deserved it, having gone through quite the challenge.

Some of the people who dropped out, while appearing competent during Auren’s exam, revealed unexpected weaknesses. Laziness, a lack of foresight, poor character, and a dangerous lack of awareness.

Perhaps... I was in a rush, wanting to invite them. With those flaws... they’d be liabilities. They are strong in some regards, so they would probably expect to end up in a high position, yet with their flaws, such a position is simply undeserved and unsuitable for them. Didn’t think I’d actually learn something. Netero was right.

Though my point is still true... I just need to pay more attention. It turns out some of the marbles have sharp edges and are not suitable to be used, regardless of their almost round form. However, I need to find the ones that don’t.

It was worth participating in this exam.