This chapter and the next will be a bit shorter, but that's because most of Phase 3 will be posted together, and it's rather long. But we do finally start getting some answers about who Ryn and Adella really are.

The man before them was certainly not what they had been expecting from the rather large drop he had taken from the airship above them.

Indeed, with how he had landed, dirt and rock flying every which way, it seemed as though the old man should be dead, or at least have some broken bones.

But Chairman Netero was no ordinary man.

"It's come to my attention that you've chosen to fail all this year's applicants. Well, most of them at least."

Menchi looks rather sheepish but maintains her eye contact with the man in charge. "I'm sorry, sir, but I snapped when a candidate insulted Gourmet Hunters. And I am afraid I made the exam harder than necessary."

Netero chuckles as Menchi asks to allow the applicants to retake the phase, clearly repentant for her loss of cool earlier. He agrees, but only if she will also complete the task.

"I have just the thing. Chairman, since I see you brought your airship, would you mind taking us all to Split Mountain?"

Netero acquiesces, but before they can board, Adella makes her way to the front of the group. "I mean no disrespect, sir, but some of us have already passed. Will we also be required to retake the phase?"

Netero turns, brows rising in shock as he sees the woman who dared question his judgement. Chuckling, he shakes his head. "I suppose I can let the two applicants who managed to make Menchi pleased while in a mood remain passed. You will not be taking part."

He winks at her, something that is not lost on Killua, who has been keeping an eye on the brunette since her comment about hearts. 'Something is up, and I will figure it out.'

The rest of the applicants grumble, clearly still sore about not passing the first time.

"Well, shall we?"

The second phase restarts, the applicants having to make boiled eggs of the Spider Eagle variety. The trick is to jump into the split in the mountain, wait for the perfect time to let go of the web, and retrieve an egg as you fall, catching the periodic wind currents back to the top.

"Yeah, I'll stick to making pork dishes." Adella jokes as the rest of the applicants who are willing to risk the jump hang by the thin threads of the Spider Eagle's web. The three examiners, as Satotz had rejoined them, and the chairman chuckle.

Ryn looks over at her friend, already so comfortable around these experts, and is reminded of why Adella had been permitted to come along. The woman was tougher than she seemed.

At the end of the second phase, 42 of the 405 initial applicants remain, all of which are herded back into the airship, which will take them to the third phase.

"Oof, that was rough." Ryn throws herself onto a bed in one of the many rooms of the airship, Adella not far behind.

"It's only day one and we've lost so many. This really is no joke." Adella follows Ryn's example, laying on the opposite side of the bed. "I wonder what the other three phases will be."

Ryn sits up, turning on her stomach to look at Adella. "How do you know there will be three more phases?"

Adella shrugs. "Typically, there are five. Four to weed out the chaff, and the final phase to impress Netero. It's rather common knowledge if you listen and pay attention."

Ryn grabs one of the pillows, throwing it at her friend, who barely manages to catch it before it hits her in the face. "Hey!"

"Don't be so…"

"Ah, I was wondering where they kept the beautiful women on this ship."

The door opens, revealing the pink-haired magician as their guest. Hisoka closes the door quickly, eager for some time alone with the two promising applicants.

"Hello, you two."

Adella rolls her eyes, throwing the pillow to Hisoka, who catches it much more gracefully. "Hope you don't mind me barging in like this. I have some questions."

Ryn and Adella share a quick look before Adella rises. "I assume I should leave? Chrollo wants to know how everything is going with her, yes?"

Hisoka nods, patting Adella on the head. "Smart girl. Now be good and go check on our friend. He's rather tired, you see."

"I'm not checking on Gittarackur."

"Oh, very well. I suppose he can get over it. We can only hope he won't die of a broken heart from such neglect."

Adella punches Hisoka's arm, the hit only landing because he allowed it. "Shut up. He doesn't care about me that much. He's just here to get a license for a job."

The magician shrugs, neither confirming nor denying, just smiling fondly at her.

Bidding her friends a goodnight, Adella wanders through the airship, headed towards the wall of windows at the front. Settling down, she lets herself lean back on one of the benches, knowing this will be good enough for a night of rest.

Tired from the day of (mostly) running, she falls asleep quickly, not seeing the shadows watching from the halls.

She wakes in the morning to the sun streaming onto her face. Grunting, Adella pulls the blanket over her head.

Wait.

Blanket?

She sits up, looking down to find that she is indeed covered with a blanket. The culprit is obvious, though due to the nature of their missions, he couldn't be over-zealous in his approach with her.

Even if he hadn't been completely subtle last night.

Still, the third exam loomed on the horizon, and something told Adella this one wouldn't be as simple as following a leader or cooking a meal.