I'm Really Not A Nen Exorcist (HxH Fanfic)

After leaving the airport, with Ging leading the way, the group arrived at an ancient city, which showed visible signs of wear and age.

Moses, Shizuku, and Menchi were all content to follow Ging's lead, leaving all decisions up to him.

And so-

After winding through the complex alleyways of the ancient city for about half an hour, Ging finally led the trio to a tavern hidden deep within the alleys.

Outside the tavern stood two stone statues of small children, about half a meter tall each.

Oddly, each stone statue had a tiny tree growing atop its head.

What's even more peculiar is that the door of the tavern is made of stone, and there are many unclear pictures carved on it.

It looked as if the stone door had been taken from somewhere else and directly installed here.

Just from the appearance of the entrance, Moses had a feeling that this was precisely the type of place Ging would frequent.

Ging approached the stone door and pulled a bell hanging beside it.

With the crisp sound of the bell ringing, the stone door rumbled as it slowly slid sideways to the right.

As the stone door slowly opened, Moses's gaze passed over Ging's body and looked at the furnishings inside the tavern.

Contrary to expectations of a rustic, ruin-like decor, the inside was surprisingly clean and simple.

There were no unnecessary decorations, just warm-toned tables and chairs, along with a semi-circular bar.

If it weren't for the sign hanging by the door that read 'Yellowstone Tavern', one might have mistaken it for a tea house.

Perhaps the tavern's isolated location kept patrons away, as there wasn't a single customer inside.

"Welcome."

Behind the bar stood a thin, elderly man, casually draped in a white robe. Despite the deep wrinkles on his face, his appearance was surprisingly well-kept.

If he were to stand next to the scruffy Ging, the contrast would be stark.

"Isaac, how's the wine I ordered last time?"

Before the stone door had even fully opened, Ging squeezed through the gap and walked towards a table near a pillar with ease.

The elderly man whom Ging called Isaac slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of cloudy white eyes. In a calm voice, he said: "It's in stock, but the price has gone up by twenty percent."

"No problem."

Ging responded heartily, not hesitating in the slightest.

After all, he wasn't the one paying.

The old man didn't say anything more and turned to head to the wine cellar. Though his eyes seemed to have lost their function, there was nothing unusual about the way he walked towards the wine cellar.

"Isaac?"

Moses followed Ging into the tavern and looked at the old man's back with surprise.

Even without focusing Nen in his eyes, he could see the solid Ten surrounding the old man.

However, what surprised Moses was not the old man's solid foundation in Nen Techniques, but the way Ging addressed the old man.

Isaac...

This is Netero's first name, and also the surname of Moses's predecessor.

'So this old man...'

'Is Isaac his surname or his first name?'

Generally speaking, close acquaintances would call each other by their first names, but there were exceptions.

Take Netero, for instance. His real name was Isaac, but he went by his surname, Netero, to the point where everyone referred to him as Chairman Netero.

Suppressing his curiosity, Moses followed Ging to a table near a pillar.

Menchi and Shizuku briefly glanced around at the rather plain décor before sitting quietly on both side of Moses.

Unlike Moses, who felt at ease with Ging, Menchi and Shizuku seemed to have a vague sense of restraint in front of Jin.

Ging could sense the restraint that Menchi and Shizuku felt, but he didn't care much.

His focus is mostly on Moses.

His decision to teach Moses the Divine Script a few days ago wasn't due to some overabundance of kindness, but because he believed that Moses had certain qualities that were worth his time and effort.

It cannot be said to be an 'investment', as that word would be too utilitarian.

It's true, though-

When Pro Hunters see a good seedling, they often saw fit to invest in them, hoping to reap rewards later on.

People like Wright, Pyon, Cheadle, and even Biscuit and Netero...

Their initial attitudes toward Moses were also shaped by the impression Moses created with his own abilities and excellence.

Among those who lacked this sense of personal gain, only Cheadle and Lisha had treated Moses as family from the very beginning.

As for Ging, he was also drawn to the 'light' radiating from Moses.

But the reason why he wanted to teach Moses the Divine Script...

He is not like Wright who needs a Single Star apprentice to earn the Double Star title, nor does he have the idea of ​​forming cliques and factions like Pyon to strengthen the reform efforts.

He simply wanted to witness firsthand the potential that Moses possessed.

"Moses, I bet you're curious about the name 'Isaac', aren't you?"

Ging asked with a smile, clasping his hands together and resting them on his chin.

Moses nodded slightly.

Ging glanced toward the entrance to the wine cellar.

"Actually, just like you, Isaac is the old man's surname. As for his first name... well, he's never shared it, probably because he prefers people to call him by his surname."

"How strange."

Shizuku commented at just the right moment.

Next to her, Menchi opened her mouth to say something similar but swallowed her words.

Moses, on the other hand, immediately thought of Netero.

Ging seemed to see right through Moses's thoughts and smiled: "There are plenty of people in this world with the same name or surname, but... this old man does have some connection to Chairman Netero."

As he said that, Ging flipped over the ceramic cups placed upside down on the dark gray plates, then carefully set them in front of Moses, Shizuku, and Menchi.

"But don't overthink it."

After placing the cups, Ging looked at Moses, whose face showed a hint of curiosity, and said seriously: "I brought you to this place for one simple reason... this tavern serves the most expensive wine I know."

"I didn't expect you to be so straightforward, Teacher Ging."

Moses said, lowering his eyelids.

Ging nodded in agreement with Moses's observation.

But in truth, there was something Ging didn't mention.

That is-

As long as Moses gets to know the owner of this tavern, Ging will have less psychological burden when he wants to run away in the future.

Because this tavern's owner also was also well-versed in the Divine Script, so he can at least guide Moses in his studies, saving him from taking too many detours.

Before he even started teaching Moses the Divine Script, he was already preparing for a way out...

If Moses knew what Ging was thinking, he would probably not know what to say except sighing.

"That wine will take some time to prepare, so why not start the class right away during this break?"

It seemed as though Ging suddenly didn't want to waste a single moment, as before the owner brought the wine, he began his teaching journey as a teacher.

There is a high possibility that he will run away in the future...

But while he was teaching, he'd put his full effort into it.

Without waiting for Moses to react, and unconcerned about Shizuku and Menchi being present, Ging continued:

"Divine Script, as the name suggests, is the use of written characters to invoke extraordinary powers. The more complex the characters, the stronger the power it can produce."

"In theory, any ability you can imagine can be accomplished with the help of Divine Script's power."

"The premise is that you must navigate countless twists and turns to find the precise and flawless character needed."

"Of course, there's the benefit of learning pre-existing, complete characters, and copying is always easier than creating."

"But what I need to tell you is that the real challenge isn't copying, but how to draw stable the Divine Script's characters. This process will consume a lot of your time and energy."

Ging spoke at length, ending with a repeated emphasis on the difficulty of mastering the Divine Script.

However, to Moses, whose eyes were shining with excitement...

Time?

Even if it took years, it wouldn't matter.

He almost wished he could lock Ging in a small dark room, and have him do nothing but teach, teach, and teach some more. Well, except for eating, drinking, defecating and urinating!