[For a bit, he's quiet. It doesn't seem like he's trying to continue to pretend pouting so much as he's just... thoughtful. Slowly, his head rolls back; he isn't facing Shirasu, but looking forward.]

Not necessarily. Applicants can do what they need to do in order to survive or pass save for killing proctors. So many are maimed or die taking the Hunter Exam. [He smiles faintly, mostly to himself.] There is a man who has purposefully failed thirty-five times. His only goal is to get rid of rookies who fall for his tricks.