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

Gwen simply smiled in response, playing along with their words. He wasn't arrogant about his progress, nor did he belittle himself.

His current rapid improvement was a result of both his hard work and external assistance. Gwen neither ignored the former to demean himself nor overlooked the latter to inflate his ego, maintaining a balanced mindset.

Another night spent in the nutrient tank for hours. After cleaning himself and changing, Gwen was about to leave when he saw someone quite unexpected.

"Bishop Otto?"

Seeing the blonde man casually seated by the table, engrossed in a stack of reports, Gwen's guard immediately went up.

Gwen was just a lowly Level 2. Facing a major boss like Otto, not being cautious would lead to significant trouble.

Of course, despite his inner vigilance, Gwen put on a surprised expression, looking at Otto with genuine unexpectedness.

Even though his mind was still vastly inferior to Otto's five-hundred-year-old cunning, Gwen wasn't worried about his expressions giving him away, thanks to the Spirit Awakening Scripture.

Hearing Gwen's surprised voice, Otto put down the reports and looked at him with a smile.

"What, are you surprised to see me?"

"Not really..."

Facing Otto's smile, which felt as warm as a spring breeze, Gwen shook his head. His gaze swept across the special laboratory, and he said softly, "If anything, I'm surprised you're only showing up now, Bishop."

Gwen knew his performance at headquarters didn't align with the traditional Caslana image. Therefore, he didn't play the role of a hot-blooded idiot, but maintained his usual persona: gentle and clear-headed.

"As expected, you're a smart child..."

Upon hearing this, Otto's handsome face broke into an even wider smile. He gestured with his hand.

"Sit down and let's chat. It's just the two of us here, no need to be so formal."

"..."

Seeing this, Gwen offered no further thanks and sat directly opposite Otto. He wondered why Otto had come to see him at this particular time.

If it was to activate him as a pawn, it seemed too early.

He hadn't even undergone the C-rank assessment yet.

The possibility was low.

Therefore, the greater likelihood was motivational speeches, grand promises, fostering camaraderie, or the Feather of Dust package?

While pondering Otto's reason for visiting, Gwen's mind was already on high alert, ready to deal with any threat from the Feather of Dust.

Gwen was confident that with his cultivation of the Spirit Awakening Scripture, he wouldn't be easily controlled by the Feather of Dust. However, he now needed to consider how to appear more normal and less abnormal.

Yet, as Gwen remained fully on guard, Otto simply smiled, looking at the composed Gwen, and said with a gentle smile, "Since you've already guessed, I suppose there's no need for me to explain some things..."

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to hear your explanation directly to avoid misunderstandings stemming from my own incorrect assumptions, and the greater errors that might follow."

Hearing this, Gwen shook his head, stating he would rather listen to the Bishop's guidance ().

"Ha..."

Otto looked at Gwen with surprise, then his smile became even more gentle.

"Very well. It seems the books I prepared for you have been put to good use...

Often, the biggest cost for humans in achieving something is the cost of communication."

Looking at Gwen, who was calm and whose words and actions were measured, Otto couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. He then compared Gwen to his granddaughter in the Far East and felt even more pleased with Gwen.

Theresa often failed to grasp this point, always letting her prodigious intellect run wild...

At this moment, Otto selectively forgot the fact that "even when Theresa asked, he wouldn't always tell her the truth."

Then, Otto explained to Gwen why he had arranged such an exceptional training for him.

Simply put, with the defection of the former Caslana family head, Siegfried Caslana, only the Schariac family remained of the original three pillars that formed the foundation of Destiny, struggling to maintain their position.

Although with technological advancements, humanity's combat power against Honkai no longer relied as heavily on the strength derived from the bloodlines of the three great families as in ancient times, Otto, as the Grand Bishop of Destiny, did not wish to see the three families, who had made countless sacrifices and achieved great feats for Destiny and humanity, fall into decline.

To revitalize a family, an outstanding patriarch was naturally the primary and essential requirement.

However, due to the high casualty rate among past patriarchs and talented individuals, most of the surviving Caslana family members were incompetent.

Therefore, Otto chose to cultivate Gwen, who came from the common folk, in the hope of grooming an excellent patriarch for the Caslana family.

"..."

Listening to Otto's explanation, which was full of questionable points, Gwen didn't know where to begin his rebuttal.

Chapter 44: A Lion in His Eyes? Who Are You Calling a Loser?

The explanation that since most current Caslana members were incapable of handling important tasks, he chose to cultivate an exiled bloodline could be considered somewhat reasonable. Even if they weren't necessarily stronger than the existing members, they could at least serve as a catalyst.

However, given Gwen's condition, which was far worse than that of an ordinary person when he was discharged from the hospital, he was clearly not a suitable candidate for this role.

After all, Otto had no idea that Gwen was an anomaly.

However, Gwen was not a subordinate meant to dissuade Otto from such an unwise course of action, nor was this the place to discuss the logical coherence of Otto's reasoning.

Moreover...

Sensing the subtle mental fluctuations affecting him, Gwen, who wasn't one to argue, quickly suppressed his urge to retort. After a moment of silence, he followed the mental wave, overlooking the oddities in Otto's words and feeling a surge of passion rise within him.

However, as a light ignited in his eyes, Gwen still managed to "maintain" a degree of rationality.

"But why me?"

Meeting Otto's emerald gaze, Gwen voiced his confusion.

"Investing so many resources in me before I even showed my current talent—isn't the risk too great?"

"Heh..."

Faced with Gwen, who, despite his emotions being stirred, still maintained his composure, Otto couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. Then, under Gwen's gaze, he spoke.

"Everything in this world carries risk.

And generally, the greater the risk, the greater the reward..."

Otto habitually began to offer some platitudes, but seeing Gwen's calm expression—"You talk, I'm listening"—he smiled slightly, abandoning his lengthy speech and getting straight to the point.

"As you said, choosing you carries a great risk.

And at the same time, this means the reward for choosing you is equally great.

As for the reason...

Do you remember our conversation the day you were discharged from the hospital?"

"Of course."

Gwen nodded, curious about how Otto planned to sway him.

"I was also hesitant, after all, as you said, your foundation is too poor."

Otto spoke, his smile slowly fading, replaced by a solemnity and gravity unlike his usual demeanor.

"But when you gave your answer that day, I saw what I was looking for in your eyes—

Beneath the doubt and hesitation, your eyes hid something sharper—

Like a lion, hidden in the grass, waiting for the moment to bare its claws...

Your eyes hold a lion, and all you lack is the power to unleash it.

Coincidentally, Destiny has that ability.

And you haven't disappointed me. Your effort, unmatched by almost anyone in Destiny's history, proves that this investment of mine is destined to be incredibly profitable."

Otto said, revealing his warm smile once more, making Gwen feel as if bathed in spring breeze. Gwen's face showed a look of sudden realization, and he slowly nodded along with the mental influence, looking down at his ruddy palm. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"Then... Lord Bishop, what do you need me to do?"

Although he really wanted to ask "Who are you calling unlucky?" upon hearing Otto's words, the man wasn't an internet stranger. Gwen instantly banished the absurd thought and showed his compliance.

The experience of the last person who didn't comply, Siegfried, was still fresh in his mind. Otto had found a somewhat reasonable excuse to hit Siegfried with who-knew-how-many Honkai fission bombs. Gwen had no intention of trying to withstand such an attack.

"You don't need to do anything..."

Seeing this, Otto sighed inwardly, but his smile became more benevolent. He gently patted Gwen's shoulder.

"This is a task I've unilaterally given you, after all. You shouldn't have to pay too great a price for it.

You just need to continue working hard as before, shine your light, and prove you are that gold.

As for everything else, leave it to me.

Just like five hundred years ago, the warriors of the Caslana only needed to face the enemies on the battlefield. Everything beyond the battlefield was my concern..."

"Yes, Gwen will certainly not let down the Bishop's efforts and trust."

His mind suddenly recalled the plot where Otto, like an old father, schemed against the sparsely populated Caslana family. Gwen's emotions were stable, his voice filled with determination and resolve.

"Then... it's a deal.

I look forward to the day you become the new S-rank, carrying humanity's banner against the Honkai."

Having achieved his goal, Otto nodded with a smile, speaking with a rare, genuine warmth.

A moment later, Otto, having finally successfully fed the first piece of pie into Gwen's mouth, watched Gwen leave, his smile lingering.

At this, the five-star critic Void Archives · Douglas couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure you're not overdoing it, and this kid will end up sacrificing himself someday?"

Having a very clear understanding of the Caslana's personality, Void Archives expressed his deep concern.

"You are correct."

Otto nodded, not denying this.

"Therefore, before honing his claws and teeth, the lion cannot go out hunting."

"..."

Hearing Otto's utterly straightforward answer, Void Archives fell silent.

Truly, he had no shame.

However, after a moment of speechlessness, Void Archives changed the subject—

"Can't go out hunting, but I can pick up the lionesses in the pride, preparing to become the lion king, right?

The discussions on the community forums about him and those few young girls have never stopped..."

"Being loyal and righteous is a good thing, but singular emotions can easily lead people to extremes when problems arise.

Therefore, weaving a network of emotions using multiple emotions is the best way to prevent him from making the wrong choice..."

Otto ignored the Void Archives' mockery and responded calmly, while in his mind, he was planning how to construct a more perfect net—

Know that this net, while restricting the prey, can also be used to restrict the owner of the threads.

Killing two birds with one stone had become Otto's instinct over his five hundred years of life...

Meanwhile, on the other side, Gwen, who had returned home, was analyzing Otto's true intentions and plans based on the information revealed by Otto—

"Just to annoy Siegfried, the former family head?

Doesn't seem like something Otto would do, the value is too low, unless he's preparing to reclaim the Flame Chaser that was taken, and Siegfried might not fall for it while taking care of Kiana..."

Trapped at Destiny headquarters, under constant surveillance, Gwen, unable to actively obtain more intelligence, could only analyze the meager information revealed in the plot, ultimately gaining nothing.

Although somewhat disappointed, Gwen did not become discouraged—

Even though he was just a pawn now, Gwen believed that one day he would be able to kick over Otto's chessboard.

Chapter 45: The Great Chess Master? Anna: My Heart Aches

Although he had some informational advantage over Otto, Gwen, being right under Otto's nose, did not believe he could surpass Otto, the greatest schemer in the Honkai world, in terms of wisdom or conspiracy.