"Alright, then pay closer attention to my movements too."
You Lan Dai Er did not dwell on it, simply nodding in agreement.
As her golden ponytail swayed, two figures of differing heights, both bathed in golden light, began their morning training beneath the dawn...
Half an hour later, You Lan Dai Er helped Gwen, who had slowed down for a while, onto a bench. Seeing no major abnormalities in the physical data displayed on Gwen's wristwatch, she nodded with considerable satisfaction.
"Very good, Gwen. You've perfectly completed today's morning training plan."
Though it had only been a half-hour morning workout, Gwen's frail body had still received a thorough workout under You Lan Dai Er's carefully prepared plan.
"...Mm..."
Still panting heavily after walking slowly for a while, Gwen could only give a vague response. The air scraping across his throat like a dull blade left him without even the strength to raise his head and give You Lan Dai Er a smile.
At that moment, Gwen, soaked through with sweat, once again recalled the painful memories of his previous life. The feeling was no different from, or perhaps even more exhausting than, finishing a thousand-meter run during a fitness test in his previous life. It made Gwen feel more vividly than ever that he was still alive.
And as his body fell into utter exhaustion, Gwen could not help but feel a little slackness creeping into his heart.
However, before Gwen could drive away those thoughts—which were absolutely unacceptable for him right now—the coolness in his palm drew his attention elsewhere.
"Although drinking water right after exercising isn't ideal, given your condition, you should still have a little sports drink. It'll make your body feel much better."
After buying two drinks from a nearby vending machine, You Lan Dai Er casually set her own bottle on the seat. Then she vaulted over the bench, moved behind Gwen, and placed her hands on his sweat-soaked sportswear.
"I learned a few techniques from Rita for helping people relieve fatigue. Maybe they can help you a little..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gwen was about to thank her when an irresistible force pressed into his body through those small hands. He instinctively straightened up, and a breath of stale air was forced from his chest.
Five minutes later, You Lan Dai Er, with a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, stopped her movements. Bending down and tilting her head, she looked at Gwen and asked,
"Do you feel any better?"
"Yeah, I really do feel much more comfortable than when I first sat down..."
Gwen, who indeed felt much more alert, maintained his current posture as he replied softly.
"I'm glad I could help..."
Hearing that, You Lan Dai Er, who had just been carefully controlling her strength while seriously helping Gwen stretch his muscles and relax his body, finally let out a sigh of relief. She swung herself over the bench and sat beside him, raised her drink, and took a gulp. Her throat shifted slightly as she swallowed, and a clear droplet slid from the corner of her mouth down her fair skin, now tinged with a faint blush from exercise, leaving a distinct trail of water.
Seeing You Lan Dai Er, who had looked so effortless just moments ago, in such a state, the slight feeling of slackness that had just arisen in Gwen instantly vanished--
Others were putting so much effort into his affairs. Gwen could find no reason to slack off.
His arms, having recovered a little strength, exerted themselves slightly as he twisted open the bottle cap. Taking small sips of the sports drink that seemed to moisten his body like parched earth, Gwen silently sensed the fatigue rising from every corner of his body, along with his body's quiet recovery.
Only Gwen, whose mental attribute was exceptional, could so easily perceive his physical state to this extent after casting aside his fatigue and slackness and calming down.
Beside Gwen, You Lan Dai Er held her drink as she turned her head slightly to examine him.
Though she had made a scientific plan that basically ensured Gwen's body would not suffer any harm, the morning training You Lan Dai Er had arranged for him was by no means easy.
Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it training...
You Lan Dai Er's Considerations and Reflections
Of course, as an outstanding Valkyrie determined to shoulder this world, You Lan Dai Er would not make such a basic mistake.
Therefore, this "morning training" that had left Gwen utterly exhausted had actually been intentional on You Lan Dai Er's part--
Although You Lan Dai Er had chosen to respect Gwen's decision to become a combatant, she still held onto her unfavorable view of it--
Since she visited Gwen at the hospital every day, You Lan Dai Er knew his physical condition very well. With his constitution, choosing this path would almost certainly mean twice the effort for half the result, with hardships all the way.
There was more than one path to fighting Honkai. Those standing on the battlefield against Honkai were not the only heroes.
Gwen had paths better suited to him. There was no need for him to stubbornly walk a road that was unfriendly to him, like that senior from the assault squad.
Therefore, before Gwen truly set foot on this path and lost his chance to turn back, You Lan Dai Er still hoped that he could recognize the difficulties involved before making his final choice.
Of course, that was all You Lan Dai Er intended to do. She did not intend to force Gwen off this path with her own will.
Thus, You Lan Dai Er merely gave Gwen a sufficiently grueling but reasonable amount of training. She did not use words to provoke him afterward, instead leaving him time to think for himself.
While You Lan Dai Er wanted to help Gwen recognize the perils ahead and make his final choice, Gwen, with his head lowered, had quietly opened his personal panel--
"Gwen--lv1 Strength--I0→I3 Endurance--I0→I5 Dexterity--I0→I1 Mind--EX Energy--D500 Energy System: None"
Seeing his ability values, bleak as they were yet still improved, Gwen could not help but curl his lips into a slight smile.
Though it was rather frustrating that he had been exhausted for such little attribute growth, Gwen was not discouraged in the slightest--
Being able to reap visible rewards for his efforts was enough positive feedback to keep Gwen going.
Moreover, this was only his first morning workout. Gwen believed that once his body developed and he kept training, his ability values would grow even faster.
Beside Gwen, You Lan Dai Er saw no trace of dejection about him. Instead, he seemed even more energized. She quietly sighed, ashamed that she had previously underestimated him.
Silently withdrawing her gaze, You Lan Dai Er felt gratified that she might gain such a steadfast comrade in the future. At the same time, she began to reflect on whether her desire to make Gwen see the difficulties ahead before making a final choice had been somewhat arrogant--
You Lan Dai Er knew that her former personality had been somewhat willful. After making her resolve in the World Bubble to shoulder everyone's fate, she often reflected on her shortcomings as she was doing now.
Just as Gwen and You Lan Dai Er sat side by side on the bench, one quietly recovering his strength and the other reflecting upon herself, a sudden voice broke the brief silence--
"You Lan Dai Er?"
"Mm?"
You Lan Dai Er, who had been examining herself, raised her head at the sound. Her azure eyes, still carrying traces of contemplation, met a pair of surprised pink eyes.
"Anna?"
Blinking, You Lan Dai Er clearly saw the visitor's appearance and quickly recognized her.
"Anna?"
Repeating the name in his heart, Gwen raised his head as well and looked at the young girl before him. She wore a white T-shirt on top and a sky-blue skirt below. Her slender legs beneath the skirt were wrapped in pristine white stockings, while white sneakers covered her feet.
Unlike You Lan Dai Er and Rita, the girl named Anna possessed a youthful vitality different from You Lan Dai Er's. She had less heroic bearing and more of a gentle, girl-next-door softness.
However, Gwen had no mind to admire the girl's beauty--
After hearing the name You Lan Dai Er called out, Gwen politely observed Anna's hair and eye colors, comparing them with the information in his memories about the Herrscher of Ice...
It seemed like it really was her...
"It really is you..."
Seeing that she had not mistaken the person, Anna's pretty face revealed a delighted smile. She moved her slender legs, made somewhat delicate by their white stockings, and sat down beside You Lan Dai Er. Yet her gaze fell upon Gwen, who was also looking at her, as she smiled and asked,
"And this is..."
"This is Gwen, a survivor I rescued during a mission. He's doing morning training with me."
Seeing Anna notice Gwen, You Lan Dai Er immediately gave a brief introduction. Afterward, she turned her gaze toward Gwen.
"Gwen, this is Anna, my classmate and comrade. She's a young B-rank Valkyrie."
"Hello, Gwen. It's nice to meet you."
Hearing that he was a Honkai survivor, Anna's gaze toward Gwen immediately gained a touch more sympathy. She quickly rose and came before him, extending her small hand.
Looking at the pale little hand before him, Gwen braced himself on his knees and stood up. He gently took those fair, warm fingers, gave them a slight shake, and smiled as well.
"Hello, Miss Anna. It's nice to meet you too."
He's a strong child...
Having met quite a few survivors before, Anna held Gwen's gaze for a moment. When she saw none of the familiar expressions on his face, she gave him that assessment in her heart.
After briefly getting acquainted, the two sat back down. Worried that discussing Gwen's identity as a survivor might stir up unpleasant memories, Anna changed the subject.
"Bianca, are you two doing morning training?"
"Mm. Gwen's body is a little weak, so he needs someone to guide his training."
You Lan Dai Er nodded and replied with a smile.
Although You Lan Dai Er had become a Valkyrie later than Anna, who had received preliminary training from a young age, the two had attended classes and trained together before, so they could be considered classmates.
Around her classmate Anna, You Lan Dai Er was able to relax.
"For a beginner, it really is best to have professional guidance..."
Anna nodded in strong agreement, then asked with a smile,
"Would you like me to help give you some suggestions?
After all, two heads are better than one..."
"Mm... Alright..."
You Lan Dai Er nodded as well, then turned to Gwen.
"Gwen, bring out the training plan and let Anna take a look. She ranked first in our class back then, so she'll definitely have some good suggestions."
"Alright..."
Gwen nodded and pulled out the few sheets of the training plan from his clothing pocket--
Thanks to the special design of his sportswear, the papers in his pocket remained dry. They had not been soaked through, and the writing was still clear, allowing Anna to understand the contents without any difficulty.
"Mm... For a beginner, the training volume should be reduced a little more. It'll be easier to adapt, especially since this is only morning training..."
Having noticed Gwen's sweat-soaked sportswear earlier, Anna sought the opinions of both the plan's original author and the person involved while taking a pen from her small bag, preparing to revise the plan...
Senior Anna
"I made some adjustments to You Lan Dai Er's original plan. For the time being, follow the revised plan first. Your body should find it easier to adapt, Gwen.
Once your physical fitness improves, it won't be too late to switch back to the original plan."
In less than ten minutes, Anna had finished revising You Lan Dai Er's original plan. She put away her pen, then looked at Gwen with a smile.
As she spoke, Anna handed the revised plan to You Lan Dai Er, signaling for her to check it once more.
"Mm. Based on today's situation, this may indeed suit you better..."
After briefly reviewing the new training plan and finding that its figures were not far from her own estimates, You Lan Dai Er handed it to Gwen and spoke in a serious tone.
"Thank you, Miss Anna."
Gwen accepted the training plan and carefully examined the additions and removals to its items. Feeling that it should still achieve a training effect without leaving him as exhausted as today, Gwen carefully put the plan away. He smiled happily and thanked Anna.
"You're welcome. I only made a few minor adjustments to You Lan Dai Er's plan; the main framework hasn't changed.
Even without me, You Lan Dai Er probably would have made corresponding changes to the plan herself."
Anna waved her hand at his thanks, an approving smile appearing on her small face.
"Also, don't call me Miss Anna. Just call me Anna. This isn't some formal occasion."
The smile on the girl's lovely face bloomed beneath the bright sunlight like a quietly opening flower, delicate and enchanting.
As she spoke, Anna caught sight of the time on her wristwatch from the corner of her eye. Remembering her business, she jumped up from the bench, the smile on her pretty face fading as she turned serious.
"Ah... You Lan Dai Er, Gwen, I have a mission to handle later, so I'll be leaving first..."
"If you have a mission, Anna, then hurry and get ready. We've rested enough too, so it's about time we headed back."
Hearing that Anna still had a mission, You Lan Dai Er nodded understandingly and indicated that Anna could leave first.
"Have a safe trip, Anna."
Gwen, who had indeed rested enough, nodded and offered his blessing as well.
Before you continue