Hunter X Hunter : The Boundary

Chapter 23: The Boy Leaving the Classroom

The classroom's old ceiling fan whirred, a creaking reminder that the seasons had changed. Outside, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a hazy halo on the podium. This was the third quarter final exams, and it would be the last time Ryan sat in this classroom.

He had submitted his paper early. From his seat in the back, he silently watched his teacher, Ms. Thorne, pace at the front of the room. The other students were still writing furiously, some with furrowed brows, some biting their pens.

They would move on to high school, to college, to a life path laid out for them by society— but from this day forward, Ryan would no longer be playing by those rules.

"Ryan, can you come here for a moment?" Ms. Thorne asked after the final bell rang, her tone as gentle as ever.

The classroom erupted in the usual post-exam clamor, but for Ryan, everything had already gone quiet. He walked to the front of the podium. "Teacher," he said.

"I heard you're not planning to continue your education?" she asked, her directness a familiar trait.

"Yes," Ryan nodded, his tone as steady and factual as if he were answering a math problem.

"Do you know you're in the top ten of the entire school?" she pressed, her voice lowering. "Your scores are good enough for any high school in the city. You could even get a scholarship. Why would you give that up?"

"I'm not giving it up," Ryan exhaled softly, his gaze calm and resolute. "I'm just choosing a different exam."

"The Hunter Exam?" Ms. Thorne's eyes narrowed. She had watched this quiet, steady boy grow into a young man of restrained sharpness and unnerving wisdom. She'd thought he would become a scientist or an engineer— but this... this was a path she couldn't comprehend.

"Do you know what that exam is? The elimination rate? The mortality rate? That's not something a boy your age should even be thinking about!"

"It's because I know what it is that I have to go," Ryan said, meeting her gaze without flinching.

The murmurs in the classroom gradually subsided as the other students began to listen. "Is he crazy?" "People die in that exam." "I heard he got into a fight once..."

Ryan ignored them, his focus entirely on the teacher who had taught him for so many years. Ms. Thorne's lips parted, but no more words of dissuasion came. She saw a light in his eyes she recognized—the unwavering fire of someone who knew exactly what they wanted and was willing to bet everything to get it.

"I respect your decision," she said finally, her voice heavy. "But I hope you understand— this world doesn't revolve around being a Hunter. If you change your mind... the doors of this school will always be open for you."

Ryan bowed once more, then turned and walked away, his long shadow stretching across the empty classroom, a final farewell to the life he was leaving behind.

The dinner table was exceptionally quiet.

"The school called," his mother finally said, her voice unnaturally calm. "Ms. Thorne said you plan to take... the Hunter Exam?"

Ryan put down his bowl. "Yes."

"You're insane," his mother's voice cracked, shattering the silence. "You're only twelve! Do you know what kind of place that is? Have you thought about the fact that you might die?"

His father said nothing, simply averting his gaze. He was a realist. He knew he had no right to stop a child who had been preparing for this single-mindedly for half his life.

"Mom, I know you're worried," Ryan said, his voice low but steady as iron. "However, this isn't a sudden decision. You know I've been training, studying... and preparing for this ever since."

Her anger dissolved, but her eyes were wet. "You're not even a teenager," she whispered, as if to the air. "Other kids are doing homework, eating snacks, playing video games... and you're going to an exam where people die."

"I'm sorry," Ryan said slowly. "this is my path."

His father finally spoke. "When are you leaving?"

"In three weeks. The registration window is still open."

"What about gear? Money? A place to stay?" His father's questions were pragmatic, a test to see if this was a decision out of impulse.

"I have everything," Ryan said. He retrieved a small bag. Inside was a spare knife, camping rope, dry rations, a simple stove, two train tickets, and maps he'd bought at a flea market. He had planned everything.

His father let out a bitter laugh. "You're more prepared than I was for my own wedding."

His mother finally broke down, wiping at her eyes, stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall completely. "Your dad almost fell off that building," she murmured, "and I didn't even cry this much..."

Later, his father took him to the rooftop. "You fell down the stairs once when you were little," his father began, the wind whipping their hair. "Bled from your head, but you didn't cry. I knew then you weren't going to grow up like other kids."

"Dad..."

"Your mom's afraid you'll get hurt," his father sighed. "I'm afraid you'll do all this for nothing. We're afraid you'll regret it."

"I won't," Ryan said, his voice absolute.

His father looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Go. But remember—being able to endure doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. And being able to win doesn't mean you won't lose something in exchange.

When you're out there alone, never show off, and don't trust easily. Staying alive is more important than anything."

"I will."

They shook hands. It was an unspoken trust between men— a trust between father and son.

From the rooftop, the lights of Heavens Arena flickered in the distance, a sword piercing the sky. It was the first mountain he had to conquer.

And it was only the beginning.