"Me? I'd say… A-level."
Silva paused before responding.
"Kaizen, you haven't fully developed your aura yet, but your strength, fundamentals, and instincts are solid."
He leaned back slightly.
"And with how well you've integrated Nen into our Zoldyck assassination techniques, you're not far from D-rank already."
Silva gave a small nod. "Once you unlock the full potential of your aura, D-rank will be within reach."
Kaizen returned the nod. "Got it. Thanks, Uncle Silva."
"You're welcome."
Silva checked the time, standing up. "Let's have dinner together tonight. If you have any more questions, we can go over them then. Oh, by the way—did you visit the butler training grounds earlier?"
Kaizen gave a brief nod.
"Your grandfather Zeno just brought in ten new trainee butlers. What's your impression of them?"
Kaizen hesitated for a moment before answering.
"One stood out to me."
"Which one?"
"A boy with… dead fish eyes."
The boy in question had immediately reminded Kaizen of Nobunaga, his blank gaze carrying the same heavy stillness.
Silva gave a small smile. "All of them are candidates to become your personal butler. If that one passes the tests, you can assign him as your exclusive butler. When you're away, he'll manage your affairs here."
Traditionally, the butlers of the Zoldyck family didn't accompany family members on their missions. Their roles were limited to the estate itself, given the nature of the Zoldyck lifestyle.
Tasks outside the manor were dangerous, and taking along a butler—no matter how skilled—was often more of a liability than a help. Even the most talented butler couldn't match the strength of a Zoldyck family member. However, when stationed at the manor, a personal butler could still provide valuable assistance.
From intelligence gathering online to managing day-to-day affairs, the butler's role was essential for maintaining order when family members were away.
The two entered the dining hall.
Silva glanced around. "Where's Zeno?"
"Not here yet."
Silva nodded and addressed a maid. "Start preparing dinner."
"Yes, Master Silva."
As the maids began setting the table, Kaizen caught them sneaking curious glances at him. He kept his expression neutral, ignoring the attention.
Before long, two figures entered from the main hall: Kikyo and Kalluto.
Kikyo's sharp eyes landed on Kaizen, and for a moment, her expression flickered with surprise. Then she smiled warmly.
"Good evening, Kaizen."
"Good evening, Aunt Kikyo," Kaizen replied, rising from his seat out of politeness.
Kikyo gestured to the child beside her. "Kalluto, this is Kaizen, your cousin."
Kalluto gave Kaizen a curious look before bowing politely. "Hello, Kaizen."
Kikyo beamed and introduced her son further. "Kalluto is three years old. I hope you two get along."
Kaizen smiled gently. "Good evening, Kalluto."
They took their seats at the table. Several maids stood silently by the doors, ready to assist.
"Let's eat," Silva said, lifting his chopsticks and motioning for Kaizen to join him.
Kaizen noticed the absence of a few family members: Zeno, Illumi, Milluki, Killua, and Alluka were nowhere to be seen. The dining hall felt oddly quiet, and Kaizen couldn't shake the strange atmosphere in the room.
He scanned the room and quickly pinpointed the source—Kikyo. Something about her presence felt off, unsettling in a way he couldn't immediately place.
Kaizen recalled what he knew of Kikyo from the family history and his observations.
A woman from Meteor Street—one of the few to truly succeed after leaving that lawless place. Unlike most who escaped the streets only to become servants, Kikyo had become Silva's wife and the mistress of the Zoldyck estate, bearing several of his children.
Among the survivors of Meteor Street, Kikyo was a rare success story. But she was also… eccentric.
Kaizen remembered how, in the original plot, Kikyo hadn't shown anger when Killua slashed her. Instead, she'd been relieved, almost proud. And then there was her strange insistence on dressing Kalluto—undeniably a boy—in feminine clothing.
Even now, Kalluto's appearance was indistinguishable from that of a girl.
"Uncle Silva, Aunt Kikyo, I've finished eating."
"Wait for me in the yard," Silva said. "There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Alright."
Kaizen stepped outside, feeling the cool night air against his skin. A few moments later, Silva joined him in the courtyard.
"Kaizen," Silva began, his tone serious. "You've grown up under the guidance of your great-grandfather, Maha. In many ways, I can't compare to him. But there are still things I can teach you."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "When it comes to Nen, your aura is crucial, but it's not everything. Mastering the basics is just as important."
He paced slightly as he spoke. "And when developing your abilities, don't get too hung up on rigid rules. You need to tailor your techniques to suit your own strengths, even if that means borrowing ideas from other Nen categories."
Silva gave him a sharp look. "Even if you're an Enhancer, you can still use aura to reinforce your body. And it's not just about strength—your mind and willpower are equally important."
He folded his arms. "When you're refining your abilities, consider integrating aspects from other categories if they feel right. Nen is all about possibility. If you restrict yourself too much, you'll limit your potential."
Silva's gaze softened, just slightly. "The greater the possibilities you see, the more powerful you can become."
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