Gwen extended his hand, two sizes smaller than You Lan Dai Er's, and bumped fists with her, smiling as he nodded.
After soothing You Lan Dai Er's emotions, Gwen brought the conversation back to the main topic and said seriously,
"I understand your concerns...
"But there's no need to worry. Since I made this request, it naturally means I've reached the point where I can do this."
"Mm...
"Since you're ready to begin basic combat training, Gwen, prepare yourself.
"Barring any surprises, I should have time tomorrow afternoon to give you some basic instruction."
Now that she understood Gwen was not in the situation she had imagined, Anna breathed a sigh of relief and directly answered his question. Still, she earnestly reminded him,
"However, physical growth cannot be completed overnight. Don't push yourself too hard."
Since Gwen was not aiming too high and merely wanted to undergo basic combat training, Anna naturally had no reason to stop him.
Of course, although she had approved Gwen's request, Anna still had reservations about his physical condition.
"Mm..."
Having received a positive answer, Gwen smiled and nodded.
However, Gwen could also hear Anna's lack of confidence in him from her words, and an idea struck him.
"Anna, do you have my examination report there?"
"Examination report?"
Anna blinked in confusion. Then, a flush suddenly rose on her pretty face as she forced herself to remain calm.
"Wait a moment, I'll check..."
"Anna, Anna, how could you forget to follow up on Gwen's condition just because of a mission?
"Even if there wasn't time during the mission, you should have checked after coming back..."
Under the gazes of the other three, Anna silently berated herself as she opened her terminal and searched for the examination report Gwen had mentioned.
However, the report she had expected to find—the one she had neglected because of her mission—did not exist.
After repeatedly confirming that she had received no such report, Anna raised her head. Her pink eyes were filled with immense bewilderment as she met Gwen's inquisitive gaze.
"There isn't one."
Her emotions having risen and fallen so sharply, the girl was still blaming herself as she stared blankly with wide eyes, looking adorably dazed. Gwen only found her even more lovable.
"Then it looks like the system didn't send it to you..."
Fixing this scene in his mind, Gwen took out his own terminal, found the latest examination report, and handed it to Anna.
"Perhaps my subjective feelings are inaccurate, but there can't be anything wrong with Headquarters' examination report..."
The blush on Anna's pretty face had already quietly faded as she sat opposite You Lan Dai Er and Rita. She accepted Gwen's terminal with an expectant smile.
"Then let me see how much you've improved, Gwen..."
As she spoke, Anna turned her gaze to the terminal screen.
Then, her smile slowly froze...
Confidential Matters
Looking at the data, which differed as greatly from what she remembered as heaven and earth, Anna's smile slowly froze. Her thoughts ground to a halt under the impact of this exaggerated information. Only her slender fingers continued stiffly swiping, allowing her to see more data showing Gwen's astounding progress.
Although Gwen's physical examination reports from the past half month had not been sent to Anna, she still had the report from before he began training.
That was precisely why, upon seeing the data displayed in the report on Gwen's terminal, Anna could understand just how terrifying Gwen's progress had been in this short half month.
Seeing Anna's expression, You Lan Dai Er and Rita, seated side by side across from her, immediately realized that the report Gwen had provided likely contained some shocking information.
However, the terminal was still in Anna's hands. Unable to see it, the two could only speculate about what news had made their classmate and junior show such an expression.
Her fingers mechanically swiped the report to the bottom. After reading the final conclusion, Anna finally came back to herself.
Anna's pretty face was filled with disbelief, and she no longer had the presence of mind to care about her image. As if her neck had rusted, she slowly turned her head and parted her lips, which had somehow become dry.
"Gwen, this report is real, right?"
Although she had already seen the bright red seal at the end of the report, Anna still found it hard to believe and instinctively asked.
"I can guarantee the authenticity of this report."
Meeting Anna's disbelieving gaze, Gwen slowly nodded and answered in a deep voice.
"Anna, what exactly is in the report?"
You Lan Dai Er had already been itching with curiosity. Seeing that Anna had finished reading the report only to wear such an expression, she grew even more anxious and asked.
"Whew...
"See for yourself..."
Hearing You Lan Dai Er's question, Anna let out a long breath and handed the terminal to her across the table.
After handing the terminal to You Lan Dai Er, Anna collapsed weakly against the sofa as though all strength had been drained from her body. The slowly scrolling data continued replaying in her mind.
Seeing Anna like this, You Lan Dai Er and Rita became even more concerned and quickly leaned together to examine the report displayed on the terminal.
After seeing the data in the report, an extraordinarily vivid expression appeared on You Lan Dai Er's face as well—
When she had worked with Anna to create Gwen's training plan, You Lan Dai Er had seen Gwen's physical examination report. Thus, like Anna, she knew exactly how exaggerated Gwen's progress over the past half month had been.
Although Rita, seated beside You Lan Dai Er, had not seen Gwen's detailed examination report, she had a general understanding of his previous physical condition.
Combined with Anna's expression across from her and You Lan Dai Er's expression beside her, Rita also gained a rough understanding of Gwen's progress.
However, Rita was more mature than Anna and You Lan Dai Er after all. Though her lips parted slightly in equal shock, she quickly regained control of her expression.
While You Lan Dai Er was still carefully verifying the report's authenticity, Rita had already turned to Gwen with a smiling expression.
"It seems Lord You Lan Dai Er has rescued a true genius this time..."
"Gwen, is this really your examination report after half a month of training?"
Hearing Rita's words beside her, You Lan Dai Er raised her head as well. Her eyes fixed tightly on Gwen, seeking a definite answer.
Her golden high ponytail swayed gently behind her, revealing her inner unrest.
"Mm, I can guarantee it."
Under the gazes of the three women, Gwen smiled, nodded, and confirmed it once more.
As he spoke, Gwen turned his gaze toward Anna, who was still leaning against the sofa to his left, and asked with a smile,
"Seeing your first student make such huge progress, isn't Instructor Anna happy?"
"No..."
Hearing Gwen's teasing words, Anna shook her head, sat up straight, and rubbed her smooth cheeks. Finally snapping out of it, she stared at Gwen with shining eyes.
"Of course I'm happy that you've improved so much, Gwen.
"It's just that your progress is too great—so great it's practically destroying my worldview!"
As she spoke, Anna seemed to feel her words were not direct enough, so she raised both hands and spread them wide to show just how enormous Gwen's progress had been.
"Indeed, Gwen, your rate of improvement over this half month is unprecedented in the entire history of Schicksal."
You Lan Dai Er closed the terminal and handed it back to Gwen. Though surprise still lingered on her face, she praised him seriously.
"Heh...
"You all deserve credit for this too—
"If Anna and You Lan Dai Er hadn't helped me devise a plan, and Rita hadn't helped me sort things out at home so I could devote myself fully to training, I couldn't have improved so much in half a month."
Gwen smiled and did not attribute all the credit to his own efforts, giving everyone their share.
"Besides, I soaked in some nutrient solution during this half month. That should have also greatly improved my physique."
"Nutrient solution?"
Before the curious Anna and You Lan Dai Er could ask, Rita, whose smile had deepened at Gwen's previous words, suddenly spoke up and drew everyone's attention.
"Anna, do you have records of that?"
As though she had suddenly thought of something, Rita looked at Anna with a serious expression and asked.
Seeing Rita like this, the previously relaxed atmosphere abruptly stalled and became solemn.
"No."
Having just checked her terminal, Anna decisively shook her head. Seeing Rita's serious expression, a solemn look also appeared on Anna's pretty face.
"..."
Hearing Anna's answer, Rita nodded lightly. Under the gazes of the other three, she lowered her head to think for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Since even Anna, as Gwen's instructor, did not receive the information regarding his physical adjustments and these reports... it would be best if we did not publicize this...
"After all, we know it was to make up for Gwen's physical deficiencies, but if word spreads, it could become something else.
"If certain... rumors arise, Gwen's situation going forward may become rather difficult."
Though she spoke seriously about this somewhat heavy topic, Rita was thinking about far more than that.
However, considering that the other three in the room had yet to encounter that darkness, Rita could only choose a more straightforward way to make them accept it.
"I understand. I'll keep it secret."
Anna was startled by Gwen's words and nodded solemnly in promise.
"We'll treat it as confidential."
You Lan Dai Er also realized that Rita's words made sense. She nodded and spoke seriously.
"Understood. I've only mentioned this here and have never discussed it with outsiders."
Meeting Rita's concerned gaze, Gwen immediately responded solemnly.
"Then, what we need to do next is create an introductory training plan for you, Gwen..."
Hearing this, Rita quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The tense expression on her pretty face relaxed, and she spoke with a smile.
Rita: People Cannot Be Judged by the Same Standard
For the two B-rank and one A-rank active Valkyries, designing a basic combat course for a rookie like Gwen was child's play.
Of course, considering Gwen's previously demonstrated learning ability and his superhuman rate of improvement over the past half month, the three did not stick rigidly to the usual routine and instead moderately increased the difficulty for him.
Then, as expected, even this enhanced course failed to stump Gwen.
Three days later, in the afternoon, inside the training room, Anna rested her cheeks in her hands and watched Gwen and You Lan Dai Er conducting basic training together, her thoughts wandering.
"Anna... Anna?"
Only when a gentle voice sounded beside her did Anna suddenly snap back to herself and look up at its owner—
"Rita?"
"Mm. What are you thinking about?"
Rita smiled and nodded, sitting beside Anna as she asked softly.
"Nothing..."
Anna shook her head, a trace of emotion appearing on her pretty face.
Before you continue