After hearing Biscuit's evaluation of him, Law felt mentally exhausted, 'It turned out that I was this close to being marked with a red X.'
"Only when people are pushed to their limits do they realize their shortcomings. But by then, it's often too late to make changes. You've already fought Atomu, so you should have a clear understanding of your shortcomings."
Biscuit walked ahead, leading the way.
"My body has become a burden to my Nen instead." Law murmured softly.
"More specifically, you have too many shortcomings."
"Many…?" Law had only been aware about the lack of his physical strength.
"Your lack of physical strength is the biggest issue. You always allocate part of your Aura to reinforce your limbs, which weakens your offensive power."
"As you said yourself, your body has become a burden to your Nen. The consequence of this imbalance is that you're constantly wasting Aura unnecessarily."
"Another key issue is your instantaneous battle cognition!" Biscuit looked back at Law.
"Instantaneous battle cognition? What is that?" Law asked puzzledly.
"It's an essential combat skill when facing various types of enemies. During a fight, you must come up with several countermeasures in an instant, then pick the most effective one and execute it within a fraction of a second."
"Atomu's instantaneous battle cognition is outstanding. That is the result honed through countless battles. If your instantaneous battle cognition cannot keep up with Atomu's, even if you're physically stronger than him, you will not be able to gain an advantage in close combat."
"Your combat experience is too weak. That's why your instantaneous cognition is a fatal flaw. However, this can be improved through combat. First, by shortening your decision-making time, and then you can develop reflexive actions. That's something for the third training phase."
Hearing Biscuit pointed out several of his shortcomings, some of which could even be said to be fatal flaws, Law felt unsettled.
If Biscuit hadn't pointed them out to him, it is unknown how many years it would have taken him to realize these issues himself.
The saying 'those who come before pave the way for those who follow' wasn't without merit. Having a mentor meant being able to start on the right path from the beginning.
"Although you have many shortcomings, you also have some outstanding qualities."
Biscuit thought back to Law's fight with Atomu. It was a classic underdog versus powerhouse situation. From every perspective, Law had been at a clear disadvantage, yet he had performed admirably.
"Your basic Nen Techniques are solid, your Aura Control is precise, and your combat assessment skills are quite decent. These are your current advantages."
"Combat assessment skills?" If Biscuit hadn't mentioned it, Law wouldn't have realized how many layers of combat strategy there were. He hadn't encountered many battles, and usually, he would just counter each move or crush his opponents directly.
"It's your ability to observe and analyze an enemy while simultaneously devising attack strategies." Biscuit raised her index finger and said calmly: "Your first training phase is all about strengthening your body, and everything else comes later."
Law's training roadmap had three phases, assuming nothing changed.
"Got it." Law nodded. He believed that a master like Biscuit should have special body-building methods that can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
'Having Biscuit as a mentor was an incredible stroke of luck… joining the Hunter Exam had indeed been the right call.'
…
As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.
Law led Biscuit back to the lakeside cabin, and Black Cat threw the crab claw meat in the house inside the cabin before eagerly transforming back into its Level 1 form. It stares at Law with impatient eyes, urging him to get moving.
Law ignored it for the time being and first took Biscuit to greet Sanbica.
"She is your master?" Sanbica was stunned by Law's introduction.
From her perspective, it made sense that someone as skilled as Law at such a young age would have a Master. However... The current Biscuit looked like she was only a year or two older than him at most.
Seeing the confusion on Sanbica's face, Law quickly explained, "I just became her disciple today."
However, this explanation only made Sanbica's thoughts wander further astray. She recalled the time Law hitched a ride and flirted with a beautiful woman. Staring at him quietly, she asked, "Is this your latest pick-up technique?"
It was a term she had learned from the internet and she found it fitting for the situation.
"No!"
Law's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly waved his hands in denial. After all, Biscuit wasn't someone he could just 'pick up'.
Sanbica said nothing, but her eyes clearly showed disbelief.
Seeing Sanbica's growing suspicion, Law quickly tried to explain: "Don't be fooled by how she looks. Her actual age— ah!"
Before he could finish his words, Biscuit smacked him right on his injured back, causing him to cry out in pain. After being warned by Biscuit, Law wisely shut his mouth.
"Let me reintroduce myself: Single-Star Stone Hunter, Biscuit."
Biscuit slapped Law aside, looked at Sanbica in front of her, and showed her Hunter License during her second introduction.
A Single-Star Hunter License is different from an ordinary Hunter License and can be distinguished at a glance, and showing the Hunter License is more convincing than any other statement.
"Single-Star...!" Sanbica's expression changed upon seeing Hunter License. She had not been a member of the Hunter Association for a long time, but she understood the significance of a Single-Star title.
Biscuit just smiled at the surprised Sanbica. A woman's age is a secret, and if she could keep it hidden, she would.
Law clutched his injured back, and stayed silent in the corner.
Before returning to the cabin, Law had already given Biscuit a brief introduction of Sanbica, so Biscuit was not surprised at all when she saw Sanbica.
With the introductions out of the way, Sanbica pressed for details, and Law recounted everything that had happened inside the tomb, including the explanation of Black Cat's true nature.
After listening to Law's narration, Sanbica hesitated as if she wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. She was simply relieved that Law had made it out safely.
At the same time, she couldn't help but think that if she had been there, perhaps things wouldn't have been so dangerous.
On the other hand, Law was glad that he did not let Sanbica go with him at that time, otherwise, with Sanbica's combat abilities, it would be difficult to ensure her safety.
Afterwards, Sanbica treated Law and was able to shorten the recovery time from two weeks to about three days.
Biscuit noticed Sanbica's Nen Ability and her eyes suddenly lit up. She rubbed her chin and began to think about how to use Sanbica's Nen Ability to push Law's training to its limits.
With Sanbica's Nen Ability to quicken healing time and her Nen Ability to eliminate fatigue, they could likely squeeze an extra third of training time into a year.
After receiving the treatment, Law turned his attention to the crab claw meat Black Cat had brought back.
"We agreed on steamed crab with vermicelli and garlic sauce." Black Cat stared at Law who was observing the crab claw meat. If it weren't for Biscuit's intimidating presence, it would have spoken up already. Instead, it resorted to frequent glances, which Law deliberately ignored.
Without acknowledging Black Cat, Law placed his hand on the crab claw meat.
'It's actually an A-level ingredients…'
Law was secretly surprised by the introduction from white smoke font.