Thanks for the Invite, I'm in Honkai, Grinding Stats to Level Up

Gwen extended his hand, two sizes smaller than You Lan Dai Er's, and bumped it against hers, smiling and nodding.

After calming You Lan Dai Er, Gwen shifted the topic back to the main point, saying seriously:

"I understand your concerns...

But there's no need to worry. The reason I'm making this request is naturally because I've reached this point."

"Mmm...

Since Gwen, you're ready to start basic combat training, then prepare yourself.

If nothing unexpected happens, I should have time tomorrow afternoon to give you some basic instruction."

Now that she understood Gwen wasn't in the situation she'd imagined, Anna, relieved, responded directly to Gwen's question, but still reminded him earnestly:

"However, physical growth ultimately isn't something that can be achieved overnight. Don't push yourself too hard."

Since Gwen wasn't aiming too high and merely wanted to undergo basic combat training, Anna naturally had no reason to stop him.

Of course, although she agreed to Gwen's request, Anna still held reservations about Gwen's physical condition.

"Mmm..."

Receiving an affirmative reply, Gwen smiled and nodded.

However, Gwen could also sense Anna's lack of reassurance from her words, and a thought struck him:

"Anna, do you have my check-up report?"

"Check-up report?"

Anna blinked in confusion, then a blush suddenly spread across her pretty face. She forced herself to stay calm and said, "Wait a moment, let me check..."

"Anna, Anna, how could you forget to follow up on Gwen's situation because of a mission?

Even if you didn't have time during the mission, you should have checked after returning..."

Under the gaze of the three, Anna, who was mentally chiding herself, opened her terminal and searched for the check-up report Gwen mentioned.

However, the report Anna expected to have overlooked due to her mission didn't exist.

After confirming multiple times that she hadn't received any report, Anna looked up. Her pink eyes revealed a great deal of confusion as she met Gwen's inquiring gaze:

"There isn't one."

Still blaming herself due to the emotional rollercoaster, the girl opened her eyes wide in confusion, appearing endearingly naive. Gwen found the girl in front of him even cuter.

"Then it seems the system didn't send it to you..."

Committing this scene to memory, Gwen flipped open his own terminal, found the latest check-up report, and handed it to Anna.

"My subjective feelings might be inaccurate, but the headquarters' check-up report should be reliable..."

Anna, sitting opposite You Lan Dai Er and Rita, found the blush on her face had quietly faded. She took Gwen's terminal, a hopeful smile appearing:

"Then let me see Gwen's progress..."

As she spoke, Anna's gaze fell upon the terminal's screen.

Then, her smile slowly froze...

Chapter 29: Confidential Matter

Looking at the data, which was vastly different from her memory, Anna's smile slowly froze. Her mind went blank under the impact of the exaggerated information. Only her slender fingers continued to slide stiffly, allowing Anna to see more data showing Gwen's astonishing progress.

Although Gwen's physical check-up reports from the past half-month had not been sent to Anna, she did have the report from before Gwen began his training.

Because of this, looking at the data displayed in the report on Gwen's terminal, Anna could understand the terrifying progress Gwen had made in just this short half-month.

Seeing Anna's expression, You Lan Dai Er and Rita, sitting beside her, immediately realized that the report Gwen had provided might contain some shocking news.

However, since the terminal was still in Anna's hands, the two couldn't see it and could only guess in their hearts what kind of news had caused their classmate/junior to wear such an expression.

Her fingers numbly sliding the report to the bottom, Anna finally came to her senses after reading the final conclusion.

Her pretty face now filled with disbelief, Anna no longer cared about her image. As if her neck had rusted, she slowly turned her head, her lips parting, inexplicably dry:

"Gwen, this report is real, right?"

Even though she had already seen the final red seal on the report, Anna still found it hard to believe and instinctively asked.

"I can confirm the authenticity of this report."

Meeting Anna's disbelieving gaze, Gwen slowly nodded and answered in a deep voice.

"Anna, what's in the report?"

You Lan Dai Er, already itching with curiosity, saw that Anna had finished reading the report but looked even more astonished, making her more anxious. She asked:

"Hoo...

You can look for yourself..."

Hearing You Lan Dai Er's question, Anna let out a long sigh and handed the terminal to You Lan Dai Er opposite her.

After handing the terminal to You Lan Dai Er, Anna slumped onto the sofa as if all her strength had been drained, the data she had just been slowly scrolling through replaying in her mind.

Seeing Anna's state, You Lan Dai Er and Rita became even more worried. They quickly gathered to examine the inspection report displayed on the terminal.

Upon seeing the data on the report, You Lan Dai Er's face displayed an incredibly remarkable expression—

Previously, when formulating a training plan for Gwen with Anna, You Lan Dai Er had seen Gwen's physical examination report. Therefore, You Lan Dai Er, just like Anna, was well aware of how exaggerated Gwen's progress had been over the past half month.

Rita, beside You Lan Dai Er, hadn't seen Gwen's detailed inspection report, but she had a general understanding of Gwen's previous physical condition.

Combining the expressions of Anna opposite her and You Lan Dai Er beside her, Rita also gained a general understanding of Gwen's progress.

However, Rita was, after all, more mature than Anna and You Lan Dai Er. Although her jaw also dropped in shock, she quickly managed her expression.

While You Lan Dai Er was still meticulously verifying the report's authenticity, Rita was already smiling at Gwen:

"It seems that Lord You Lan Dai Er has rescued a true genius this time..."

"Gwen, is this really the inspection report after you've trained for half a month?"

Hearing Rita's words beside her, You Lan Dai Er also looked up, her eyes fixed on Gwen, wanting to get a definitive answer.

Her golden high ponytail swayed gently behind her, revealing her inner turmoil.

"Yes, I can confirm it."

Under the gaze of the three, Gwen smiled and nodded, confirming again.

As he spoke, Gwen's gaze shifted to Anna, who was still leaning on the sofa to his left, and he asked with a smile:

"Seeing your first student make such great progress, aren't you happy, Instructor Anna?"

"No..."

Hearing Gwen's teasing words, Anna shook her head, sat up straight, and rubbed her smooth cheeks. She finally snapped back to reality, her eyes shining as she stared at Gwen.

"Of course, I'm happy that you've made such great progress, Gwen.

It's just that your progress is too immense, so immense it's almost shattering my worldview!"

As she spoke, Anna seemed to feel that her words weren't direct enough. She raised her hands and spread them open, indicating to Gwen just how significant his progress was.

"Indeed, Gwen, your rate of improvement over the past half month is unprecedented in the entire history of Destiny."

Closing the terminal and handing it back to Gwen, You Lan Dai Er, though still showing lingering surprise, praised him earnestly.

"Heh...

This is also thanks to you all—

If Anna and You Lan Dai Er hadn't helped me create a good plan, and if Rita hadn't helped me sort out my household situation, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on training, I wouldn't have been able to make such significant progress in this half month."

Gwen smiled, not attributing all the credit to his own efforts, but sharing it with everyone present.

"Moreover, during this past half month, I also soaked in some nutrient solutions, which should have played a considerable role in improving my physique."

"Nutrient solutions?"

Upon hearing this, before Anna and You Lan Dai Er, who were already curious, could ask, Rita, whose smile had widened even further from Gwen's previous sentence, suddenly interjected, drawing everyone's attention.

"Anna, do you have any records of these?"

As if suddenly thinking of something, Rita looked at Anna with a serious expression and asked.

Seeing Rita's demeanor, the previously relaxed atmosphere immediately became tense and somber.

"No, I don't."

Anna, who had just checked her own terminal, shook her head decisively. Seeing Rita's serious expression, Anna's pretty face also showed a look of seriousness.

"..."

Hearing Anna's answer, Rita nodded gently. Under the gaze of the three, she lowered her head in thought for a moment before slowly saying, "Since Anna, as the instructor, hasn't received any records regarding Gwen's physical adjustments or these reports, then... it's best we don't publicize this...

After all, we know this is to supplement Gwen's body, but if it spreads, it could turn into something else.

If some... rumors were to arise, it might make Gwen's future situation a bit difficult."

While speaking about the serious topic with a solemn expression, Rita was actually thinking much more than this.

However, considering that the other three in the room had not yet encountered those darker aspects, Rita could only choose to let them accept it in a more simplified manner.

"I understand. I will keep it a secret."

Anna's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Gwen's words, and she nodded solemnly, promising.

"Let's treat this as a confidential matter."

You Lan Dai Er also realized that Rita's words were not without reason, and she nodded seriously.

"Understood. I've only mentioned this here and have never spoken of it to outsiders."

Meeting Rita's worried gaze, Gwen responded solemnly.

"Then, the next step is to formulate an introductory training plan for you, Gwen..."

Upon hearing this, Rita, who had secretly breathed a sigh of relief, relaxed the tension on her pretty face and said with a smile.

For the three active Valkyries, Gwen, Anna, and You Lan Dai Er, devising a basic combat curriculum for the rookie Gwen was a piece of cake.

Of course, considering Gwen's previously demonstrated learning ability and his superhuman progress over half a month, the trio didn't stick to convention but moderately increased the difficulty for him.

And, as expected, this enhanced curriculum still couldn't stump Gwen.

Three days later, in the afternoon training room, watching Gwen, who could now participate in basic training alongside You Lan Dai Er, Anna rested her chin on her hands, her pink eyes gazing at the two figures ahead, lost in thought.

"Anna… Anna?"

It wasn't until a gentle voice sounded by her ear that Anna suddenly snapped back to attention, looking up at the source of the voice—

"Rita?"

"Mhm, what are you thinking about?"

Rita smiled and nodded, sitting down beside Anna and softly asking.

"Nothing…"

Anna shook her head, a hint of emotion showing on her pretty face.