Yolandale's Lab Rat
Two months later—
Beep—
Authentication complete. Carrying lunch in his hand, Gwen entered Institute St. 1504, only to spot an unexpected figure—
"Yolandale?"
Looking at the blonde girl in the Immortal Blade captain's uniform, radiating heroic energy, Gwen waved in greeting.
"Your mission just ended. Why did you come here?"
"Oh, nothing much. There have been a lot of battles lately, so I brought my weapon in for maintenance."
Yolandale, who had grown familiar with Gwen over the past two months, casually pointed at the black lance resting on the weapon rack.
"While I trust Director Choukai's skills, regular weapon maintenance is still necessary."
Gwen and Yolandale had met in the training room—
Although Yolandale's constitution, where "hard work would be rewarded," was enough to make anyone jealous, no one could deny that Yolandale herself was exceptionally diligent—
Whenever there was a mission, Yolandale was usually the one charging on the front lines.
And when there was no mission, Yolandale was either training in the training room or on her way there.
Naturally, Yolandale, who considered herself a "hardworking" Valkyrie, had developed quite a favorable impression of Gwen, who also often showed up early at the training room.
After getting to know him and discovering that Gwen's physical capabilities were extraordinary, Yolandale had enthusiastically begun promoting her own training regimen—
The Valkyries naturally paid close attention to Yolandale, this rising star, and were equally interested in the secret to her growing strength.
Yolandale had not held anything back. She had shared her training plan and personally trained several Valkyries, only to nearly produce a few patients even Schicksal Headquarters could not cure—
The facts proved that Yolandale's training regimen was only suitable for Yolandale. Others simply could not handle it.
Yolandale had been greatly disappointed by this and had vaguely realized the nature of her own talent. She rarely called herself a hardworking Valkyrie around others after that, though she still led the Valkyries at Headquarters into an arms race through her own example.
Now that she had discovered Gwen, a person of exceptional talent, Yolandale was eager to give it another try.
However, after looking through Yolandale's plan, Gwen decisively declined. He said that he was different from Yolandale and had some specialized training of his own, so he could only adopt part of her program at most.
Though somewhat disappointed, Yolandale did not lose heart. She still enthusiastically helped Gwen however she could, eagerly guided his training, and even remembered to contact him remotely through her terminal while out on missions.
That was also why Gwen knew Yolandale had just returned from a mission today.
"Come to think of it, how is your preparation going, Gwen?"
After explaining why she was here, Yolandale suddenly remembered that Gwen seemed to have signed up for the A-rank assessment and asked,
"I remember your A-rank assessment is in a few days."
After spending two months at Schicksal Headquarters, Gwen had gained a considerable understanding of this world and Schicksal, and had submitted an application to join.
After receiving Otto's approval, Gwen had been allowed to directly register for an A-rank assessment suited to his strength—
Over these two months, Gwen's normal strength had gradually become clear through training and tests. It was roughly at the A-rank Valkyrie level.
Otto, who had watched the surveillance footage and knew that Gwen, as a Fusion Warrior, had the trump card of Artificial Collapse—transforming into that Silver Giant—naturally knew Gwen's limits were above A-rank. But since Gwen did not want to reveal it yet, Otto said nothing and merely arranged an A-rank assessment for him.
Of course, even if he had used connections, the necessary assessments still had to be completed. Besides the simulated combat test, Gwen also had to take a written exam—
Though the difficulty had been lowered in consideration of Gwen's situation, it was still there... probably enough to turn a white-haired little dumpling's eyes into spirals.
To avoid an awkward situation, Gwen had borrowed notes from a certain maid who moonlighted as an academic ace and crammed the material for the A-rank assessment with help from his immediate superior.
"With Rita's notes and Director Choukai's help, of course everything has gone smoothly."
Gwen smiled and nodded.
At that moment, a teasing voice cut into their conversation—
"It's really rare to hear you sincerely say something nice about me..."
Choukai, who had already begun operating the instruments to inspect Yolandale's weapon, Dawn Glory, walked over to them and casually took the lunch from Gwen's hand.
"Is it?"
Having become familiar with Choukai over the past two months, Gwen smiled.
"Don't I compliment you every day when I remind you to exercise and not waste that figure of yours? I'm saying you have a great figure, aren't I?"
As he spoke, Gwen glanced at Yolandale beside them.
"By universal reason, it can indeed be understood that way."
The straightforward girl blinked. Feeling that Gwen's words seemed reasonable, she nodded.
"Mm-hm, so you mean I should thank you?"
A subtle curve formed at Choukai's lips, and a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
"Of course not. I'm only telling the truth."
Not wanting Choukai to play a little prank on him, Gwen immediately gave in with a placating smile.
"Mm... then I won't disturb you two any longer. Rita is already waiting for me at home."
After chatting for a few moments and seeing that Gwen and Choukai got along quite well, Yolandale chose to take her leave—
It was noon, and Yolandale's stomach was already empty enough to start growling at any moment.
"Rita made lunch for you, so I won't keep you. See you tomorrow."
Hearing that, Gwen did not try to stop her and merely waved with a smile.
"Bye-bye. See you tomorrow."
Yolandale casually waved back, then decisively turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
After seeing Yolandale off, Gwen went straight to the director's office and had lunch with Choukai.
Although Otto had never said it outright, there were things all three of them tacitly understood—
For instance, as the person guiding Gwen through this world, Choukai was also responsible for monitoring and evaluating him. Whenever Gwen wanted to go out alone or take other personal actions, he also needed to report them to Choukai—
Though whenever Gwen got up early to train lately and told Choukai through the balcony and curtains, he had basically received no response from the still-sleeping Choukai.
Of course, aside from monitoring him, Choukai, who knew Gwen's identity as a "Fusion Warrior of the Previous Civilization," was also very interested in Gwen himself, especially after discovering the abnormalities within him.
So rather than coldly monitoring him, Choukai had become Gwen's first friend in this world.
The Pawn Was Me All Along? (Slightly Revised)
A few days later, outside Combat Simulation Room No. 1 at Schicksal Headquarters.
"Hi, Gwen!"
Yolandale, wearing a white tank top over a fitted black sports vest, wrist guards on her arms, and a white towel draped over her shoulders, waved when she saw Gwen step out of the elevator, then asked,
"How do you feel? Did you pass the written exam?"
Today was the day Gwen would take the A-rank assessment. As half a coach—an A-rank Valkyrie who had given herself the title and refused to reveal her name—and a friend, Yolandale naturally hoped Gwen would pass.
Yolandale paid considerable attention to Gwen, who could carry out part of her training regimen. During the past few days, when they trained together after she returned to Headquarters, she had kept a close eye on him.
Based on Yolandale's observations over the past few days, Gwen's basic physical abilities had already met the A-rank standard.
And through several simple sparring sessions, Yolandale had discovered that Gwen was not a battlefield novice either. He possessed a certain amount of combat experience.
Therefore, Yolandale remained confident that Gwen would pass the combat assessment.
Compared to that, Yolandale was helpless when it came to the academic assessment—
Though she herself could achieve excellent academic results through hard work, she was completely at a loss when it came to teaching others.
So, after learning that Gwen had borrowed notes from Rita, who was far more attentive than herself, and was also receiving Choukai's guidance—and since Gwen himself had said there was no problem—Yolandale did not try to lead him astray.
However, because she did not know how Gwen's studies were progressing, Yolandale could not help but worry—
Yolandale herself had learned things step by step according to the standard curriculum. She remained doubtful that one month of intensive study could complete the academic assessment.
Yolandale was worried that if Gwen passed the combat assessment but failed the A-rank assessment because of his academic score, it might affect his confidence and determination to head to the front lines against the Honkai.
"Of course."
Gwen waved back at Yolandale in greeting, but his gaze swept toward the maid quietly approaching from the side.
"With Miss Rita's notes, and after taking up so much of Director Choukai's time, wouldn't I be far too useless if I still couldn't pass?"
"Hehe, you flatter us, Mr. Gwen."
Rita, who had previously worked overtime alongside Yolandale and was likewise on leave now, still wore a maid uniform. Standing beside Yolandale, she truly looked like nothing more than a dutiful maid.
Hearing Gwen's words, Rita covered her red lips with a delicate hand wrapped in a black silk glove and smiled.
"Rita merely provided what little help she could. If you passed the assessment, it was because Mr. Gwen worked hard himself."
"The scores are already out?"
Only then did Yolandale belatedly ask after hearing Rita's words.
"Of course."
Gwen smiled and explained,
"After all, this is a special assessment with only me taking it, so the score came out quickly."
"Then how many points did you get, Gwen?"
Yolandale asked curiously.
"Ninety-six points."
Rita answered from Yolandale's side.
If it had been anyone else, Rita naturally would not have overstepped.
But with only Yolandale and Gwen, whom both of them considered a friend, present, Rita relaxed slightly. She wanted to see Yolandale's reaction.
"Ninety-six points?"
Upon hearing that, Yolandale showed the adorable expression Rita had hoped to see, before immediately revealing a look of praise.
"It seems you've really worked hard lately, Gwen."
Although Yolandale did not know Gwen's entire training schedule, she knew that besides his usual training in the training room every morning—the Yolandale-exclusive version—he also had plenty of training in the afternoons.
That left Gwen with only a period of time at night to study.
After cramming every night for more than a month, he had actually scored ninety-six on the A-rank academic assessment... or at least an academic assessment harder than the B-rank one. Yolandale could only imagine Gwen studying late into the night under a lamp.
"Mm, it was all right. Fortunately, they didn't include too many questions I wasn't familiar with when they set the test. I got through by luck, and I'll need to review more afterward."
Gwen could roughly guess what this Yolandale airhead was thinking, but he did not explain. He merely smiled and said,
"Still, that's all for later.
For now, we need to see whether I can pass the upcoming combat assessment."
"There shouldn't be any problem with that."
Now that she knew Gwen had easily scored ninety-six, Yolandale's spirits rose somewhat, and she nodded.
"I remember that you've defeated a Temple-class Honkai Beast in the combat simulation system.
Although the A-rank assessment won't involve just one Temple-class Honkai Beast, as long as you're careful and make proper use of what you've learned, you'll definitely pass."
"Then I'll take your good wishes."
Gwen smiled and nodded, chatting with the two of them as they sat down on the seats outside the combat simulation room.
As for the academic assessment, Gwen had not worked as desperately as Yolandale imagined.
Rather, it was precisely because he discovered that he seemed to possess an eidetic memory that he applied for the A-rank assessment one month later at the same time he submitted his application.
As for why he, who had been far from a peerless genius in his previous life and could only be considered a good student, had suddenly gained an eidetic memory, Gwen had some guesses—
After waking up, Gwen learned from Prometheus about the symptoms he had experienced while unconscious. He then obtained his examination report from Choukai and saw the note stating, "toxic substances similar to adrenaline found in the blood."
Combined with the many combat instincts that had inexplicably appeared in his mind, Gwen vaguely guessed the truth—
Gene Lock.
Although he had only read a little of Terror Infinity, Gwen remembered the Gene Lock setting quite clearly. This included, but was not limited to, the toxic substances similar to adrenaline in the blood when opening a Gene Lock, as well as the combat instincts and near-eidetic memory granted by the first stage Gene Lock.
Gwen had once seen in some fanfiction that only people from the world inside that box could apparently unlock Gene Locks because of "Ancient." It was like how the Desolate Heavenly Emperor had made arrangements in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, allowing everyone in Shrouding the Heavens to follow the Seed Path, while people from other worlds could not.
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