The city of Mondstadt.
It was already deep into the night when Jean stepped out of her office at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
She brought her hands to the back of her head, expertly tightening the loose ponytail. Beneath her golden hair, which held a slight natural wave, was a handsome face etched with fatigue.
These were truly troubled times.
The creature known as Stormterror had begun to harass the areas surrounding Mondstadt with increasing frequency, and as a result, the monsters outside the city had become exceptionally active.
The requests and reports she received each day piled up on her desk like a small mountain.
The other knights had already gone to rest. Only Jean herself planned to pull another all-nighter to handle the remaining matters.
She had stepped out alone now simply to catch a breath of fresh air, to rest for a moment before continuing her work.
Without realizing it, she had wandered to the northern streets of the city.
During the day, many shops would be open here, but at this hour, they were naturally all closed.
However,
at the very end of the street, Jean noticed a peculiar storefront, its lights still on.
"Mobile Game Experience Hall?"
Jean read the words on the sign aloud, a seed of doubt sprouting in her mind.
Mobile game?
What is that?
She had no memory of this shop whatsoever. Was it newly opened…?
Driven by curiosity, Jean stepped inside.
"Welcome."
As soon as she entered, a clear male voice reached her ears.
Jean looked toward the shop's owner and saw a handsome young man with a simple and clean style of dress.
She then surveyed the shop's interior. The space wasn't particularly large, but the atmosphere was remarkably fresh and elegant. It felt somewhat similar to a Mondstadt tavern, but the air wasn't filled with the pungent smell of alcohol. Instead, a faint, clean fragrance permeated the space.
It seemed to have a refreshing, mind-clearing effect, and the turmoil in her heart calmed ever so slightly.
Even if this shop had nothing else to offer, its serene atmosphere alone made it a suitable place to rest.
The interior was partitioned into several small, semi-private booths, each furnished with comfortable seating.
"What is it that you do here?" Jean couldn't help but ask.
"Experience mobile games, of course," Lin Yu replied with a smile, pointing to a sign standing on the counter where he stood.
"The First Mobile Game Experience Hall in all of Mondstadt!"
"Usage Fee: 10,000 Mora per hour."
Ten thousand Mora for one hour?
A look of surprise crossed Jean's face.
Clearly,
this price was a bit exorbitant.
On the continent of Teyvat, ten thousand Mora was a significant sum.
And for a mere hour at that.
Even Angel's Share, the largest tavern in Mondstadt, wouldn't dare charge such rates.
This shopkeeper looked so harmless, yet he had set such an outrageous price.
Lin Yu noticed the change in Jean's expression and naturally knew what she was thinking.
He smiled faintly and said, "The price may indeed seem a bit steep, but trust me, the experience you're about to have will absolutely be worth every Mora."
Jean shook her head slightly.
In her view, this was just another type of place for relaxation and leisure. The so-called "mobile game" was perhaps some special kind of massage technique, but she didn't feel the need to waste her time here.
She had only come out for a walk to clear her head. Her fatigue was less physical and more a weariness of the soul.
Although… as the Acting Grand Master, ten thousand Mora was not a particularly large sum for her.
"Esteemed guest, as this is our grand opening, I'd like to offer you a complimentary two-hour trial experience. If you're not satisfied, you may leave at any time," Lin Yu said in a calm, unhurried tone.
He knew plenty of ways to attract customers.
Once they had their first taste, a second and third visit would surely follow.
After all,
Lin Yu was extremely confident in the content of his "mobile game."
It was guaranteed to become a sensation in Mondstadt!
And for his very first customer to be the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—Master Jean herself—Lin Yu couldn't help but put in a little extra effort.
Hearing this, Jean's initial resistance began to waver.
So it really is a new shop.
A free two-hour trial…
If that was the case, perhaps giving it a try wouldn't hurt?
---o---
Seated on an elegant bench, Jean stretched her neck slightly.
She then undid her shawl, placing it on the table to the side.
The movement revealed the smooth skin of her neck and her delicate collarbones.
She closed her eyes gently.
Awaiting the upcoming "mobile game."
In Mondstadt, the people were simple and honest.
Services like massages were all perfectly respectable.
Therefore, Jean didn't even consider the possibility that Lin Yu might try to take advantage of the situation. She simply relaxed her mind and body, waiting for the next step.
However,
after waiting for a long while without feeling any sensation of a massage, Jean grew puzzled and opened her eyes.
Before her,
was a handsome face,
looking down at her with a complex expression.
Because Jean had sat up slightly, the two were now extremely close.
Another inch, and their lips would have met.
Jean was a young, unmarried woman who had never been in such close proximity to a man before.
Her face flushed instantly.
"Wh-what are you doing…!"
"I was about to ask you the same thing. I've already started the mobile game for you, so what are you doing?"
Lin Yu was just as confused.
He had just placed the device on the table and had even thoughtfully logged into an account for her.
All she had to do was tap the screen to begin her gaming experience.
But instead, Jean had laid back on the bench, looking as if she were waiting for something.
And,
she had even taken off her shawl beforehand.
Revealing her fair skin.
Could it be…
No way…
That's impossible…
My Grand Master Jean wouldn't be like this!