Due to the severity of his injuries, Ashu was taken for medical treatment by Gatoh.
As for why Ashu ended up in this condition, Noah only learned about it later. After surpassing both Ashu and Hoft, Ashu suddenly launched a fierce attack, using all his strength to kill Hoft within seconds. Then, despite his severe injuries, he managed to reach the finish line before the others caught up.
"Although you have passed the test, you are still considered unqualified as apprentice butlers of the Zoldyck Family. You have one month to prove yourselves. After that month, the two of you will face the remaining five individuals. Either you kill them or they kill you."
At this moment, Noah had returned to the wooden house where they started. He lay in bed, replaying Gatoh's words in his mind.
Facing the other five individuals? It seemed that being a butler for the Zoldyck Family was no easy task, and this was just an apprenticeship.
Noah rested his hands behind his head, gazing at the ceiling with his sky-blue eyes, deep in thought.
But he couldn't give up. Besides, even if he could leave the Zoldyck Family now, where would he go? Just find any place and live like that?
Thinking this, Noah suddenly sat up from the bed, got out, and approached the window, staring at the moon, unlike any on Earth.
My Master once said that the path to becoming stronger always involves moving forward. To step back is an insult to oneself.
Although the rules of the Zoldyck Family were cruel, they were the most fitting path for survival. Moreover, here, there was an opportunity to learn Nen's abilities.
Thinking of the unique Nen abilities in the Hunter world, Noah clenched his fist, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
I wonder if Nen's abilities are related to what I've learned.
Standing by the window, bathed in moonlight, a faint mist seemed to rise from Noah's body.
The next day, Noah woke up promptly at 7 a.m. and began his training.
Although Gatoh had only given him a month and had provided no specific instructions apart from living in this wooden house, Noah understood the purpose. Everything in this house, including the doors, windows, chairs, teacups, and kettle, was "heavy-duty," weighing ten times more than ordinary household items.
In addition, the warehouse contained heavier vests, boots, and wristguards.
In other words, living here meant constant strength training throughout the day. After finishing his breakfast in the fridge, Noah patted the black heavy vest he was wearing, making a dull sound.
But looking at it another way, I'm really lucky. The basic qualities of this body are almost perfect, and it's a young physique with unlimited potential. With this foundation, I wonder what kind of progress I can make with Nen.
With these thoughts in mind, Noah walked out of the room and started jogging around the wooden house.
Although the strengths of the eight individuals participating in the butler assessment varied, they wouldn't be too far apart. To face multiple opponents at once, they needed to improve their own strength.
For an ordinary person in Noah's position, it would be quite difficult to raise their strength to the level where they could face five opponents of similar strength within a month, without a reasonable and systematic method.
Jogging, weightlifting, chopping wood, and balance training…
The night gradually descended.
Noah walked out of the bathroom, shirtless, and returned to his room.
After a day of intense training, the muscles of this body were groaning, and every part of him was urging Noah to rest.
Ignoring the signals his body sent to his brain, Noah sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly closing his eyes.
A long, rhythmic breath escaped from Noah's nostrils.
Ten seconds later, Noah's breathing gradually became steady and rhythmic. At the same time, a faint mist emerged from Noah's mouth and nose with each breath. Each breath produced a wisp of mist that lingered around his head, resembling clouds.
Furthermore, Noah's skin pores also began to emit the same white vapor, shrouding Noah completely, and making his figure gradually blurry.
One month later, Noah was confident that he could pass the final test. His confidence stemmed from what he was doing at this moment.
This was Noah's secret weapon, a Breathing method known as "Qi Refinement."
Intense training would put the body in a state of overload, and at that moment, a characteristic called "Aura Perception" within the body would awaken. Using this characteristic, impurities, and fatigue in the body would be expelled outward in a boiling manner. This was what Noah had mastered— "Qi Refinement."
After each session of "Qi Refinement," his physical strength, coordination, reflexes, and muscle control abilities would significantly improve.
The morning light streamed through the window onto Noah's body, and by now, the white mist surrounding him had disappeared.
Noah slowly opened his eyes, and there seemed to be a lightning bolt flashing in his blue pupils. Although he hadn't slept, his current condition was even better than after a good night's rest.
After a night of "Qi Refinement," the fatigue in his body had completely vanished, replaced by strength coursing through his entire being.
Noah clenched his fists, keenly feeling the changes in his body, and couldn't help but smile with excitement.
I can do it! Moreover, the foundational qualities of this body exceed my expectations. If I continue like this, reaching the level of my master's is not an impossible feat.
He put on the weighted vest placed at the bedside once again, and Noah stepped out of the wooden house, starting his second day of running training.
On second thought, if I remember correctly, Nen's abilities in the Hunter world also seem to manifest in the form of aura. Is there any similarity to what I've learned?
As he ran, Noah recalled some information about Nen's abilities and a thought crossed his mind.
Is there any similarity between Nen's abilities and what I've learned? To find out, I must learn Nen's abilities, and becoming an apprentice butler of the Zoldyck Family is undoubtedly the most convenient path right now.
I must pass the test in a month and become an apprentice butler of the Zoldyck Family!
With this determination, Noah's enthusiasm for training soared even higher.