Enhancement-type Nen users typically cause the water in the cup to overflow—a sign of raw power amplifying physical strength and durability.
Transformation-type users, on the other hand, alter the taste of the water. The flavor varies from person to person, and rumor has it that one individual's water tasted like vintage, high-end red wine. That person apparently became rich overnight—presumably by bottling and selling the miraculous wine-flavored Nen water.
Conjuration-type abilities will cause the water to crystallize, forming delicate structures as if magic itself had turned water to ice.
Emission-types change the color of the water. There's even a tale of a rare Emission user whose water turned into a full spectrum rainbow. That individual later collaborated with the wine-flavor Transformation user to create a dazzling, rainbow-colored wine. It's said to now sell at a price higher than most fine treasures.
Manipulation-type users don't alter the water itself but influence the leaf floating atop it. The leaf might spin, shift, or jitter unpredictably. It's a subtle but clear marker of the user's ability to control external objects.
Lastly, when none of these effects occur—and something strange happens instead—that typically signals a Specialist. Neferpitou's test made the leaf wither, and Kurapika, when activating his Scarlet Eyes, becomes a Specialist despite normally being a Conjuror.
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After giving this succinct overview of the six major Nen categories, Wilhelm sent Jon home. It was already dusk, and Wilhelm wasn't the type to hold a kid hostage for an evening lecture.
Jon didn't mind one bit. In fact, he was relieved. He'd just barely grasped the basics of Nen, and frankly, he was ready to pass out.
But just as he returned to the solitude of his room, something stirred in his mind.
"New system update detected... Integrating Nen into system... Please wait."
Jon blinked in confusion. He hadn't heard from the system in days. Now it decided to boot up the moment he stepped into the realm of Nen?
"Update complete. Rewards granted: 1 Stand Card, 2 Universal Cards."
Jon nearly choked.
He didn't let the grin reach his face—not with Wilhelm's lingering presence and constant probing aura just moments ago. The man might have been laughing and puffing cigars, but Jon could tell he was sharp underneath it all. Better not to make any suspicious moves.
Still, Wilhelm had noticed the excitement in Jon's eyes. He simply shrugged it off as natural enthusiasm. From his perspective, Jon was just a new Nen user thrilled by his first taste of power.
Jon held back until Wilhelm finally waved him off for the night. He practically sprinted to his apartment, locked the door, and flung open the windows to let out the lingering cigar smoke.
Wilhelm's smoke was the real deal, too. It clung to the air like a vengeful spirit. Even after ten minutes, Jon's eyes were still tearing up.
In his past life, Jon had never smoked. And now, as a twelve-year-old in this world, he had the lungs of a child and the tolerance of a newborn kitten. If he tried buying smokes at a store, they'd laugh him out the door. The smell was awful, and his throat felt like he'd swallowed sandpaper.
Maybe Ripple can purify secondhand smoke, he mused, half-seriously.
With the air finally cleared and Wilhelm far away, Jon eagerly opened the system interface.
The screen shimmered into view. His heartbeat quickened.
He hadn't expected much. After all, while he'd learned Nen, he wasn't exactly a prodigy. Gon and Killua had picked it up instantly. Jon had taken a full eight minutes just to stabilize Ten.
And yet, the system had rewarded him like he was something special.
Perhaps the analysis of Nen had cracked open new pathways in the system's logic.
Jon hopped on a computer and scrolled online about heavens arena to rewatch his fight.
There was even video footage of his battle with Sadaso. That meant Jon's basic abilities—Stone Free's attack range and strength—were now public knowledge to someone who knows Nen. Future opponents wouldn't be as overconfident.
That made him more determined than ever not to reveal King Crimson. If he exposed the time-erasure ability on live TV, someone like Chrollo Lucilfer would come sniffing around in no time.
Better to keep King Crimson hidden as a trump card.
Jon steadied his breath and selected the first reward: the Substitute Stand card.
A dazzling seven-colored glow burst forth, and an image formed inside the card.
Stand Name: [Man in the Mirror]
Destructive Power: C
Speed: C
Range: B (Mirror World range: a few miles)
Precision: C
Growth Potential: E
Skill: Can drag approved individuals into the Mirror World. Beings outside cannot affect those inside. Only Man in the Mirror can move or manipulate mirror-world objects. Changes in the real world affect the mirror world accordingly.
Jon raised an eyebrow.
Man in the Mirror was hardly a powerhouse. In terms of raw stats, it was barely above support-level Stands like Pearl Jam. But the ability? It was absurdly broken.
In the original timeline, Illuso used this power to terrifying effect in part 5. Even viruses couldn't pass through into the Mirror World. And Jon had something Illuso didn't—King Crimson.
The thought alone made him smirk. Man in the Mirror + King Crimson? That was untouchable. Even someone like Meruem, the Ant King, couldn't kill Jon if he just erased time and then hid in the mirror world.
Damn it... I'm invincible again.
To celebrate, Jon tossed a couple of scoops of Ice cream into a bowl, added a touch of Pearl Jam, and dug in.
And instantly regretted it.
His eyes stung. His body spasmed. Tears poured like waterfalls. Even his pants—wait.
Jon looked down at his soaked pants.
"…Seriously?"
Pearl Jam is terrifying.
Once the tears (and trauma) faded, he moved on to the Universal Cards.
He didn't expect much. His usual luck was just above "tragic clown."
Still, a familiar seven-colored glow shimmered again. His heart skipped.
Stand Name: [Emperor]
Destructive Power: B
Speed: B
Range: B
Persistence: C
Precision: E
Growth Potential: E
Ability: A revolver Stand with homing bullets. Infinite ammo. The trajectory of the bullets can be altered mid-flight.
Jon narrowed his eyes.
The Emperor.
Hol Horse's Stand. A decent gun-type ability, no doubt—but it overlapped with too many other attack Stands. Compared to something like Sex Pistols or Aerosmith, it felt redundant.
In short: it wasn't bad, but it was disappointing.
"Guess I got cocky," Jon muttered, shaking his head. "Can't expect every pull to be broken-tier…"
Then came the final card.
White light this time. An item card.
Jon sighed. Probably just another food boost or some boring equipment.
But then his eyes scanned the description.
[Pillar Man Bloodline]: Transforms the user's physiology into that of a Pillar Man. Grants superhuman vitality, strength, and immortality. Weakness: vulnerable to sunlight and Ripple energy unless you become the ultimate lifeform.
Jon stared.
"(☆_☆)..."
He was stunned.