As the story continued to unfold,
Welt Joyce's life inside the research institute gradually became warmer.
Amid the busy work and research routines of Einstein and the others,
Welt Joyce slowly began to become part of the collective.
He got along well with both of them.
Dr. Einstein, usually taciturn yet occasionally sharp-witted.
Dr. Tesla, hot-tempered, fiery-haired, with twin ponytails and an explosive personality.
It was precisely through working and living alongside these two
that Joyce experienced—
for the first time—what it felt like to be treated as a human being, as a companion.
For the first time,
he felt the emotions that existed between friends.
A ray of sunlight finally shone into a past long shrouded in darkness.
Despite having endured three years of inhuman torment,
he still faced research with optimism and goodwill,
hoping that he could help humanity in some way.
Seeing this,
those watching the screen couldn't help but sincerely hope
that this young man—
who had suffered such a tragic past and been subjected to humanity's cruelty for three full years,
yet still retained a kind heart—
would finally be granted a kinder, brighter future.
However,
that peaceful life did not last long.
The research institute soon received a letter from Schrödinger.
Einstein, Tesla, Welt, and a Finnish expert in ancient languages set out for Montana.
The group received the Sea of Quanta Manuscript,
delivered by Ragna, Schicksal's First Valkyrie at the time,
acting on behalf of the Schicksal Overseer.
After deciphering clues along the way and racing toward their destination,
they discovered ruins buried deep underground.
The group split into two teams—
leaving the Finnish scholar and others behind to continue excavating the ruins.
Meanwhile,
Welt and the others unexpectedly obtained a one-month vacation.
At their vacation spot—
That night.
As Welt entered the men's bath,
the appearance of a certain figure made everyone watching the screen freeze in shock.
"Hi there. Have you been doing well lately, Welt?"
Inside the bath,
a man leaned elegantly against the pool wall.
Golden hair cascaded down freely,
and that faintly malicious smile only made his handsome features appear even more妖冶.
Otto Apocalypse?!
The Overseer of Schicksal?!
At this moment,
he had appeared in person before Welt Joyce!
Instantly,
every viewer sensed the stench of conspiracy.
Welt reacted immediately.
"You're the one who's been sending me letters…"
"Ah, that's right—Clown Alpha."
The golden-haired man smiled, speaking elegantly.
"However, now that we've finally met face to face,
I suppose I should introduce myself properly."
With a graceful smile, the man faced Welt more formally.
"My name is Otto Apocalypse."
"The current Overseer of Schicksal."
"O-Otto… Apocalypse?"
"Hahaha, that's right—real name, no fakes."
Otto laughed heartily,
showing no trace of this being their first meeting.
There was not the slightest sense of distance between them.
"Although within the organization, people don't really like to mention my name… hahaha."
Yet Welt was deeply puzzled.
In the records found within those ruins,
there were accounts of Otto Apocalypse dating back one or two hundred years.
But that was centuries ago!
Seemingly noticing Welt's confusion,
Otto spoke calmly.
"I imagine you've heard some rumors about me."
"Some of them are true. Others are nothing more than groundless speculation."
"But none of that matters. I'm not here today in my capacity as Overseer."
"Then… what do you intend to do?"
"Hahaha, don't be nervous, my friend."
Otto smiled—
and then casually dropped a bombshell.
"If I tell you my purpose outright, would that put you at ease?"
"I want you, Welt,
to become my successor."
"That is to say—
I will personally cultivate you,
so that when I step down…"
"You will become the next Overseer of Schicksal."
In that instant—
Welt stood frozen in place.
"W-What?!"
"Ah, being so direct really did scare you, didn't it?"
Otto rested his head elegantly on his hand,
his green eyes deep as an abyss.
"But you should know—
the Apocalypse family has never been bound by blood."
"So if you're willing, you could join the family today,
change your surname,
and become my brother."
"It's only natural for you to find this strange—
after all, this is our first meeting."
"But as the head of the Apocalypse family,
I've been observing you for a very long time."
"And so I believe that—
unlike me—
you would become a great leader."
As he spoke,
Otto's gaze was utterly serious.
There was not the slightest hint that he was joking.
And the words he spoke
instantly threw the chat group into chaos!
[Ningguang: Otto… wants Welt to inherit the position of Overseer of Schicksal?!]
[Keqing: Y-You're kidding, right??]
[March 7th: And can he maybe choose a less casual place for this conversation?!]
[Paimon: Paimon knows! This is called "discussing heroes in the bath"!]
[Tesla: This bastard… he definitely has an ulterior motive!]
[Einstein: Why… have I never heard Welt mention this…]
[Einstein: So after that day we parted, so much actually happened…]
[Theresa: Grandpa… what exactly are you planning?]
[Kiana: This is the succession of Schicksal—why does it feel way too casual?!]
[Silver Wolf: Still, this Welt guy does seem incredibly responsible… on a humanity-wide level.]
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