Chapter 12: Dreams × Registration × Complete Success
Twelve is an age filled with hope.
Because in this world, twelve means you can finally set off on the road to become a Hunter—the starting line that so many dream of.
On a steep cliff, a young boy was gathering herbs, a small basket on his back.
"Alistair! How much do you have left? Gonster's kids have already been born—let's go check them out once you're done." Gon's voice drifted down from above, his head poking over the cliff edge to look at Alistair halfway down.
Alistair stuffed the last of the herbs into his basket. "I'm good, just pull up the rope for me." With Gon's strength, he never had to worry about heavy lifting.
In three years, both boys had grown a lot, but Alistair was still a little shorter than Gon, which he found deeply unfair.
They headed to the forest together. The once-orphaned Gonster was now king of the woods, with a family of his own.
Gonster's mate, though, kept her distance from the boys, still a bit wary of them.
Gon stroked the little fox-bear in his arms and said gloomily, "Just one month left. Then we can register for the Hunter Exam."
Alistair made a face. "When are you going to tell Aunt Mito?"
Ever since Alistair stayed on Whale Island, Aunt Mito and Grandma had treated him like family. He'd come to see this place as his real home.
He'd tried bringing up the Hunter Exam before, but every time, Aunt Mito would turn serious and drop the topic. So both boys stopped mentioning it in front of her. Still, they'd trained in secret for three years, sneaking into the mountains every day to prepare, growing stronger together.
"You're too sneaky! Why don't you say something? Isn't Aunt Mito always softer on you?" Gon tried to throw the problem back at Alistair.
"How about we both tell her together?" Alistair suggested.
"Yeah! That's probably our only chance now." Gon nodded.
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After dinner, Alistair was busy in the little tavern as usual, Aunt Mito greeting customers nearby.
He caught Gon's eye; Gon nodded back. The two took a deep breath, summoned their courage, and said in unison, "Aunt Mito, we want to take the Hunter Exam. Can you help us sign up?"
As soon as the words left their mouths, the entire tavern went silent. Then, a wave of chatter broke out.
"How impressive."
"The kids are finally grown up."
"Mito, you'll let them, right?"
The guests were all local villagers. They knew the four of them well, and understood how strong the boys were.
But they also knew how much Aunt Mito cared for these two. After all, the whole world knew how dangerous the Hunter Exam was—how could she possibly let them run off on their own?
Everyone waited to see how she'd answer.
Aunt Mito set down her glass, avoided their eager gazes, and—steeling herself—said a firm "No." Then she turned and left the shop.
Grandma patted the two disappointed boys on the head. "Don't lose heart. Mito just can't bear to let you go. I'll talk to her."
Hope flickered in their eyes again. After all, Aunt Mito always listened to Grandma.
"Thanks, Grandma!" they cried, hugging her.
Even after closing time, Aunt Mito didn't come back downstairs. The boys ended up wrestling on the grass for a while, then lay side by side, gazing up at the endless stars.
Gon poked Alistair, eyes shining with excitement. "When we both pass the Hunter Exam, we can travel the world together! Alistair, what's your dream?"
"If I have to say… it's to find Kite, and beat him up." Alistair shot back. "And you? Just to find your dad?"
Gon nodded. "That was my only goal before I met you, but now I have another reason."
He sat up, suddenly serious. "Actually, ever since Kite left, I knew you'd want to take the Hunter Exam. I don't want to be separated from you. That's why I have to go too."
"And I want to help you find Kite—but I won't help you beat him up. I want to thank him."
Alistair asked, "Why thank him?"
Gon looked straight at him. "Because of him, I got to meet you."
Alistair kicked him away in mock disgust. "Get lost, that's so cheesy."
Under the stars, the two wild kids dreamed of their futures, full of hope for what lay ahead.
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It was late. The two of them crept back to their room through the window, trying not to wake Aunt Mito.
Gon climbed in first but froze at the window.
"Hurry up! What's wrong?" Alistair climbed in after him—then saw Aunt Mito standing inside.
"Uh…"
Alistair started to make an excuse, but Aunt Mito cut him off. "You two really want to take the Hunter Exam that badly?"
Gon answered without hesitation: "It's my dream."
Aunt Mito looked to Alistair. "And you?"
"I want to find Kite," Alistair said, voice unwavering.
Their determination made Aunt Mito finally relent. "Fine. But on one condition."
"What is it?" they asked together.
"Gon, you have to catch the Lord of the Swamp with a fishing rod to prove you're ready. Alistair, you have to tame the King of the Forest, and you both have seven days. Deal?"
Alistair nearly burst out laughing—wasn't the "King of the Forest" just Gonster? Bringing him to the village was easy!
"No problem!" Alistair was first to agree.
"I'm fine with it too," Gon replied.
By noon of the first day, Alistair was already riding Gonster through the village, making a show of it. For added effect, he even got Gonster to let out a deafening roar, amazing the villagers.
Gon, meanwhile, wasn't so lucky. Three days, and he still hadn't landed anything. On the fourth day, he finally hooked the Lord of the Swamp—but his homemade fishing rod snapped instantly.
Alistair lounged under a tree, twirling his weapon and chewing on a straw. "Why don't we just jump in and grab it together?"
Gon shook his head. "No, Aunt Mito said I have to catch it with a fishing rod."
Alistair rolled his eyes. "You're so stubborn. She never said you couldn't pull it out by hand."
But Gon was resolute. "No, I promised."
Alistair knew there was no use arguing. Gon was stubborn as a mule.
"Fine. If you insist, get a better rod and keep trying. I'll go gather some Thunder Grass—Grandma's rheumatism is acting up again."
In this world, each country guarded its advanced technology fiercely, so some regions were high-tech and others, like Whale Island, were almost medieval. Medicine was primitive, and the village's elders all suffered from rheumatism in the damp climate.
Thanks to Alistair's experiments—and the port doctor's advice—Thunder Grass had proved miraculous against rheumatism. He'd become something of a local celebrity for it.
Over three years, Alistair had cataloged all the island's fruits, herbs, and flowers—his notes meticulous.
Maybe I really do have a talent for Plant Hunting, Alistair thought proudly.
Before sunset, he brought home a sack of Thunder Grass and started grinding it on the balcony. Soon, he spotted Gon trudging home in low spirits.
"Another fail?" Alistair slapped him lightly on the back.
Gon looked miserable. "Yeah. Regular rods can't land it."
Just then, Aunt Mito came out and handed Gon a beautiful rod. "This was your father's. If you still can't catch it, you'll have to give up."
Gon's eyes lit up, and he forced a smile. "Thanks, Aunt Mito."
The next morning, Alistair was still sleeping when a commotion outside woke him. He glanced out the window and saw Gon, dragging a huge monster fish up to the house, yelling, "Aunt Mito, I did it! Will you sign our registration cards now?"
Aunt Mito smiled at last. In front of the watching villagers, she took the cards and signed her name.
"Alistair! Look!" Gon waved his card at the window, grinning from ear to ear.
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