Becoming the Temple Master, the Third Company Captain and the Chief Librarian

Ambition

Magnus's gaze finally settled on Hathor Mhat, and with a scholarly, curious smile, just as he had when he stepped onto Prospero's podium, he began to speak.

"Hathor has discovered something interesting about the Squats; let's hear his findings now."

"Welcome Hathor Mhat of the 'Pavoni' to bring us his discovery," said Amon, Primarch's Attendants and Company Commander of the Ninth Fellowship.

The Telepathist looked at the Primarch. Unlike Perturabo and the Primarch who did not show emotions, his father displayed obvious curiosity, his one eye sparkling with bright curiosity in its violet color today.

Amon remained hidden from view. Even though the Primarch had placed the Sothmes Sigil to shield Psionic Energy, he did not reveal his body. One could only determine his location in the direction of Azek Ahriman's "Corvidae Cult" by listening to the faint sounds coming from it.

Ahriman's gaze lingered on him, a mixture of scrutiny and wariness.

[Is he warning me to surpass his position and gain greater power within the "Thousand Sons"?]

The "Telepathist" rapidly surveyed its surroundings, simultaneously feeling a sensation of dissolving within its body.

Finally, his gaze returned to the Primarch, whose perfectly sculpted face, crafted by the "Pavoni," radiated a captivating smile.

In order to fulfill Lord Nimrod's orders and elevate his own status within him, Hathor decided to directly reveal information that few others knew.

"The Squats should actually be called the Leagues of Votann, or the Squats."

"Votann is also known as the Ancestor Core, from which all Squats, whether Hearthkyn or Ironkin, originate from the genetic templates stored within."

"I think Father must have already discovered that they not only have strong resistance to mind magic, but also to other Psionic Energy spells."

Magnus nodded slightly. "Indeed, their bodies are exceptionally resilient."

"Please allow me to demonstrate." Hathor took the Data Slate from his waist after the Primarch nodded.

He tapped his finger, bringing up the Mystery the Leagues of Votann that Lord Nimrod had given him.

Although he believed that Lord Nimrod, whom he served, was wiser and more powerful than the Primarch, he had no doubt about his father's insight and believed that one must have something substantial to gain his father's attention.

Although the "Telepathist" was unable to discern Lord Nimrod's explicit thoughts, he believed that the Clone Tapestry Technology was not Mystery that should absolutely not be revealed.

Furthermore, this part of the Data Slate mostly contains gene template data from Grimnyr Magos. The Primarch would have no interest in creating Squats without Psionic Energy talents; he was simply curious about knowledge.

Text and images flashed before the eyes of the many Thousand Sons. Even though their Psionic Energy were blocked, the Thousand Sons still possessed Astartes' superhuman vision and could see the contents of these images.

However, they did not have access to the writing system of the Squats, and with their Psionic Energy blocked, they could not quickly Analysis using only their brains.

With furrowed brows, they began to decipher the Squats' script, combining Hathor's "Analysis" with the Gothic text.

Magnus's violet eyes sparkled, and images and words flowed through his mind like a river.

A moment later, Magnus's Purple eyes flashed, "Clone Tapestry Technology, weaving genes..."

"The technology of the Leagues of Votann is indeed unique."

"Any other discoveries?"

Hathor paused for a moment. Compared to pure knowledge like the Clone Tapestry Technology, Lord Nimrod had also given him a rune.

This rune is one of the runes in the Warp Circuit used by the Grimnyr Magos, which serves to gather Psionic Energy.

Lord Nimrod told him that he should decide whether to show it to his Primarch depending on the circumstances.

The "Telepathist" cannot be precisely measured, nor can the display of runes significantly enhance his standing in Magnus's eyes.

In an instant, Hathor made a decision: he would give it a try.

He now believes this is the only chance he can win Ahriman's place in Magnus's eyes.

Before the "Thousand Sons" reunited with the Primarch, Ahriman was the de facto commander of the Legion, leading it through that dark age.

Ahriman's secondment has not yet been finalized, so he still has a chance.

Once Ahriman completes his secondment, his chances of filling the vacant Chief Librarian position are much slimmer than Ahriman's.

Becoming the Chief Librarian grants more power, and more knowledge and secrets will pass through his sight.

He would then be able to offer even more to Lord Nimrod.

Hathor made a decision after thinking about this. He raised his arm and quickly sketched a pentagon nested within a circle as a rune.

Because the Sothmes Sigil isolates the Warp, the rune had no effect whatsoever.

But Magnus keenly sensed the difference in this rune. "This is a rune capable of causing Psionic Energy shifts; it doesn't belong to the realm we know of."

"A good discovery. Anything else?"

"That's all. This rune is my greatest discovery." Hathor knew that Lord Nimrod had captured several Mind Servitor and might have mastered the complete Warp Circuit, but he was clearly unwilling to give it to the Primarch.

Magnus nodded with a hint of regret. He could sense that the rune was incomplete and seemed to be part of some kind of Psionic Energy array.

This situation had occurred twice before after "Thousand Sons" left Prospero, where they found more than a dozen incomplete runes in the ruins of two different civilizations, all of which once belonged to lost civilizations.

However, the runes obtained in the past are far less effective than those from the Leagues of Votann this time.

[It would be great if we could get the complete version.]

After a moment of disappointment, Magnus addressed the crowd.

"My fellow members of the Council of Masters, Hathor, following my brother Nimrod, has completed a perfect journey in the 'Shadow of Order'."

"He also contributed to the Legion's knowledge of the Leagues of Votann during the battle against the League of Votann, and discovered a rune containing strange power."

"Given his achievements, his prestige within the 'Thousand Sons,' his knowledge and abilities, and his understanding of the Bright Feather Technique, he should rightfully assume the Temple Master of the 'Pavoni Cult' and serve as the Company Commander of the Third Fellowship."

Hathor's eyes flashed with disappointment upon hearing this.

Although he became the second company commander after Amon, who did not need to be seconded, and became the Temple Master, one of the Five Cults, his performance still fell short of his expectations.

From the moment he was seconded, he was destined to become a company commander.

Within the "Pavoni," no one, whether Prospero or Terran-born, possessed Psionic Energy comparable to his.

Even Hasta and Ihoden, the founders of the "Pavoni," had long surpassed him in skill, and the Temple Master was nothing more than a piece of cake for them.

What he wants is the vacant position of Chief Librarian.

The "Telepathist" glanced around at the crowd congratulating him and saw a serious look in Ahriman's eyes as he looked at him.

The "Telepathist" looked again at the Primarch and saw his one eye sweeping between himself and Ahriman.

Could it be that the Primarch will choose between me and Ahriman to serve as the Legion's Librarian?

My contribution was not useless; rather, it earned me this opportunity.

Hathor suddenly felt as if stars were exploding within him.

He thought to himself, "I've become a true 'Telepathist'!"