Standing in front of him was a bald soldier from Prince Benjamin's private army—Butch looked more like a monk than a soldier.
"Although he's an eyesore, it's too difficult to outright remove Benjamin and the supervisors sent by the previous queen. We'll have to find another way to deal with him."
Tserriednich's eyes lingered on the soldier for a moment, then drifted away.
In the bald soldier Butch's earpiece, the voice of Babimyna crackled in—he had lost partial contact with the Fourteenth Prince's area.
"This is Babimyna, on mission. Over~"
...
Room 1004
"Put your hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other. Imagine a sphere floating between them."
Theta explained his Nen training method to the Fourth Prince, Tserriednich.
He had been deeply reluctant to teach Nen to someone as twisted as the prince. But after witnessing the disturbing scene of that grotesque horse with a human face and high heels, Theta felt too shaken to lie or resist.
He caved under pressure and told Tserriednich the basics of aura perception.
Even so, Theta hadn't forgotten Salkov's advice: if they had to teach the prince, they should at least try to lead him astray.
As a precaution, he gave a "kind" warning, telling the prince that even someone with exceptional talent would need at least half a year to get started.
He wasn't lying. A monster like Gon or Killua—one in a million—couldn't even be measured by a six-month timeline.
The "exceptional talent" Theta referred to was the kind you'd only find once in ten thousand people.
But he had underestimated something critical: Tserriednich wasn't just a pervert—he had an unshakable ego.
"Half a year? Hahaha~"
Tserriednich laughed off the warning, his tone full of scorn.
He didn't lose interest like the other princes had upon hearing how long it would take. Instead, the idea of a challenge lit a fire in him.
"Only trash and mediocrity would need that long."
Those words stung Theta and Salkov, both of whom had taken half a year just to learn the basics.
Still, as much as Theta hated to admit it, Tserriednich wasn't just arrogant—his talent in Nen truly backed up his bold words.
"Start with one session of ten minutes. Do three sessions a day. Keep it up for ten days. If you're fast, you'll feel something in five to seven days."
That was the plan—based on Theta's own experience.
...
"I feel it."
True genius can't be stopped.
Tserriednich had closed his eyes briefly, and just like that, he achieved in seconds what had taken Theta a full week.
"I feel the aura. Let's move to the next step~"
Theta was stunned. "Your Highness, even if you're eager, there's no way it could happen that quickly."
"No, really. If you don't believe me, take a look."
Tserriednich beamed with pride. The moment he sensed his own aura, he eagerly demonstrated.
"Look... the ball's in my left hand. Now it's in my right."
He hadn't learned Ten or Ren yet, but he could already feel the energy in his body responding to his will—directing it toward specific parts.
It was like he'd found a new toy. He was already having fun.
"The ball is now... stuck in my index finger."
He curled his finger at Theta, grinning. "Is that right?"
Theta stared in disbelief.
Using Gyo, Theta could see everything clearly. Tserriednich's aura was moving exactly as described.
Even though Theta desperately didn't want him to master Nen, he couldn't deny it:
This perverted, punchable Fourth Prince... was a genuine prodigy.
After a moment of silent shock, Theta took a deep breath.
Perversity and madness often go hand in hand—and there's a fine line between madness and genius.
Tserriednich's overwhelming talent, though horrifying, made a strange kind of sense.
...
Staring at the prince's smug expression, Theta felt a pit open in his stomach.
It was the kind of gut-level dread that comes from knowing things are slipping out of your control.
Can a genius this twisted really be led astray?
Theta wasn't sure anymore.
...
Room 1003
Maor finally snapped out of his daze after Kurapika's questioning and fell silent, deep in thought.
"I don't really care. Just say what you want~"
He chuckled lazily, acting as though the two foreign guards beside him didn't matter at all.
"The First Prince and Fifth Prince have contacted you too, haven't they? Still holding back?"
Kurapika nodded. "Yes. Even if it's not ideal, it's the truth..."
"That's enough~"
Just as Kurapika began to explain further.
"Let's talk about this later, when there's time. You're short on manpower, right? One outside recruit seriously injured, another imprisoned?"
"And those seven guards from the royal family—hahaha—you've noticed the problem by now, haven't you?"
"Besides the servants, you can only mobilize maybe three or four people at best."
Maor glanced casually at the guards flanking him and offered a fox-like grin.
"So, as a gesture of concern for my newborn sister, I'll send over two of my own soldiers. Don't worry—they're reliable. I think you'll come to appreciate their help."
Kurapika's expression tightened. He knew this wasn't a favor—Maor rarely did anything without a reason.
But right now, refusal wasn't an option.
And with Ronnel's Nen ability, Little Eye, able to observe and control people...
Kurapika gave a small nod.
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
Nearby, Islaka—the secondary guard assigned to monitor the flag—listened quietly and sank into thought.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)