Kuondo and Pirro both stared in awe at the huge train before them.

"Wow, it's so big! Do Hunters ride for free in these all the time?" Pirro exclaimed.

"Pirro, your eyes."

"Sorry!"

"Well, it looks like this is where we say goodbye." Kurapika said, kneeling to the boys' level and placing his hands on their shoulders. "Do your best, and remember that we'll all be proud of you, pass or not."

"You won't have to worry about that!" Kuondo replied, his eyes filled with a familiar, determined gleam. "We'll pass this year, without a doubt!"

Kuapika smiled a bit. "And make some friends, okay?"

"Dad, this isn't summer camp." Pirro teased, hugging his father.

The goodbyes were cut short by the shrill whistle of the train, heralding the approaching time for departure.

Kuondo and Pirro hurried onto the train, turning to give a final wave before disappearing.

The train was packed with people of all shapes and sizes. There were no empty seats in sight.

Pirro gave a nonchalant shrug. "Guess we're late."

"Hey, slowpokes!" A familiar voice called from down the aisle. It was Pietro, waving at them, with a bored-looking Illuko sitting next to him. "There's room over here!"

"You're a lifesaver, Pietro!" Kuondo called back, hurrying over to the seat across from him.

Pirro leaned out the window, calling out more goodbyes and waving entusiastically as the train began to move.

Only a few minutes passed, but it was enough for the excited boys to get antsy.

"Ugh, we've been in here forever!" Kuondo eclaimed, slouching in his seat. "How much longer?"

Illuko checked his phone. "Dunno. It's been almost an hour." he paused. "There's someone coming anyway."

Moments later, the doors to the train car swung open and a formally-dressed man stepped in, followed by a few people pushing carts topped with glasses full of a mysterious liquid.

As the others began to serve the drinks, the man cleared his throat. "Your attention, please. Welcome to the 310th Hunter Exam. We will be arriving at the First Phase in two hours. Until then, enjoy the preliminary phase. You will each be served two drinks. It is up to you to decide which is poisoned,"

A perplexed whisper fell over the room.

"Do not be alarmed. The poison is not deadly. It's a sedative, meaning it will knock you out for several hours, so you will have no hopes of waking up in time for the first phase. In addition, you must drink at least one before the train stops, or you shall be disqualified." And with that, the man and the employees left the room as quickly as they had come.

"Now what do we do?" Kuondo wondered aloud as he glanced nervously at the glasses. "You think we can tell without tasting it?"

"Not likely." Pirro replied. "Anyone smart would use a drug that was clear and had no taste or scent."

"Know-it-all." Pietro muttered.

Pirro made a face at him before continuing. "So no, we wouldn't be able to tell until it's too late."

"But that's stupid!" Pietro exclaimed in exasperation. "This isn't testing our abilities! It's a game of pure chance!"

"I don't get what you're so worried about." Illuko said, leaning back in his seat. "Isn't it obvious what they're doing here?"

"Huh?" Kuondo and Pietro asked as Pirro brought his hand to his chin in deep thought.

Suddenly, Pirro's eyes lit up in realization. "I see!"

"Pirro, your ey-"

"Yeah, yeah, shut up a moment. This isn't a game of chance at all, because both drinks are poisoned!" Pirro explained in a hushed voice.

"What?!" Pietro exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table. "That makes even less sense!"

Pirro kicked him under the table. "You're so loud! We just have to build up an immunity to it by consuming little amounts at a time."

"That's right!" Kuondo said, finally catching on. "Like with the bad plants on Whale Island!"

"Well, at least I won't have to go to the trouble." Illuko added with an almost bored expression. "I'm immune to poison."

Kuondo rolled his eyes. "Alright, then, let's do it!"