For Renjiro (Aether), the battle unfolding before him didn't bring much pressure.
Even facing two Lv.6 first-tier adventurers who had stepped into the Hero Domain years ago, he was confident. With the help of "Divine Arrival"[1], he could handle the fight without issue.
However…
Aether.
Lumine's voice came through their mental link. Since he had been focused entirely on learning close-combat techniques from the Emperor, Renjiro hadn't paid much attention to the situation here.
"For this fight, don't rely on the powerl."
"Huh?"
Renjiro's mind flickered at her message. Why?
He wasn't the type to overthink or get tangled in petty philosophical debates. The idea that "that's not your true power" sounded absurd to him. Power is power.
Like in John Wick: Chapter Rapid Pursuit, if the man can take down enemies with a gun, no one questions the weapon, even if bare fists could achieve martial prowess in another story.
Using one's tools efficiently, fully controlled, and at maximum potential… that is an achievement.
Discovery, innovation, integration… it's how humans escaped the food chain and thrived.
If the best weapon is in your hands, why not use it?
This was Renjiro's honest thought.
Yet…
"This isn't a fight to the death."
Lumine continued via mental link.
"I don't think you should ever bind yourself unnecessarily in combat. But right now… I feel that personally taking action might yield some unexpected gains during this process."
Lumine had once felt that something vital was missing in her existence. She thought it stemmed from the process of her birth.
After all, each of her conscious counterparts was a replication of Renjiro himself, a second chance at life of sorts.
But this "new life" had different names: Lumine, Fischl, Diona, Xiao…
Regarding my reincarnation as the Genshin Traveler+ Living N Lives Through Multiple Crossovers
Under this larger framework, each counterpart and the original Renjiro formed a hive-like consciousness with him as the absolute priority.
This was the origin of the mental link.
Through it, Renjiro could converse normally with his counterparts, instantly communicate, share senses… even memories.
When "affinity" maxed out, the original consciousness would manifest, one consciousness dormant while the other acted externally, like a Regulator from Honkai: Star Rail.
A typical "I'll handle this, other me" scenario.
Yet in this case… only Lumine lacked the original consciousness.
Strictly speaking, she was still Renjiro's counterpart, but she appeared through the Airborne Firefly transformation magic, outside the scope of Divine Arrival summoning.
Thus…
"If you insist, I'll just treat this as 'entering the abyss with a debuff.'"
Renjiro did not argue further. Though he hadn't shared memories with her, some things didn't require questioning.
She felt this approach would bring greater rewards, so he let her act freely.
After all, as Lumine said, this wasn't a fight to the death.
But Renjiro's decision wasn't purely considerate.
There was some playfulness mixed in.
And perhaps that very trait was what left Lumine missing a piece of something important.
Nearby…
"So that's what a 'Traveler' is?"
Hedin and Hogni had coordination slightly less synchronized than the Gulliver Brothers, but still sufficient to act in unison without explicit strategy.
Earlier, this instinctive teamwork had already shown.
Now…
"That ability to instantly escape Hogni's attack range… teleport magic?"
Hedin pushed up his glasses, narrowing his crimson eyes.
"That newly tattooed boy will be extremely troublesome."
He raised his alertness considerably.
Hogni, now firmly back on the ground, mirrored this vigilance.
Then…
"Humm~"
Without revealing their conversation, the Twin Stars and the tattooed boy exchanged a glance. A subtle nod later, and the boy vanished completely.
Immediately after…
"Sorry for the wait."
Lumine and Renjiro stepped forward. This time, Lumine, who had stayed out of the first round, held the Dawn Divine Sword firmly. She bent her knees slightly, assuming a combat stance.
She offered no explanation for her previous choice, she simply focused.
"Second round, begin!"
"Swoosh~"
"Swoosh~"
Almost simultaneously, Renjiro and Hogni, as if pre-arranged, dashed from their positions.
In Renjiro's hands appeared a new red-and-black blade.
Then…
"Pseudo–Wind King Barrier (Invisible_Air),"
Inspired by Ais Ariel, Renjiro's first self-developed ability activated. The crystals on his body transformed to jade-green as his power surged.
His combat strength skyrocketed, rivaling Lv.6 Hogni.
Hogni, Dainsleif, had witnessed countless battles.
"This is the Sword Princess's…"
"BANG~"
The two launched a swift duel. As blades clashed, Hogni felt tremendous force, forcing him back a step.
Renjiro's explosive flurry continued.
"Hogni is being pressured?"
From behind, Hedin instantly assessed the situation but did not intervene.
He glanced at Lumine, standing further off…
"Heh~"
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Or perhaps, after Xiao disengaged, Hedin's gaze toward her had subtly changed.
Recognition.
And…
"Finally, I can have a bit of expectation."
Hedin thought to himself.
"Will you… undergo transformation?"