The morning of Ludi Harpastum dawned bright and clear over Mondstadt. Henry descended the stairs of his café, already bracing himself for another busy day, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.
The café was packed. Every table was filled, customers stood near the counter waiting for takeaway orders, and the line stretched almost to the door. The hum of conversation was so loud it almost drowned out the clatter of cups and plates from the kitchen.
Henry blinked. "What... what happened?"
Anna grinned as she looked up from her register. "Word spread about the café, and since today is the start of Ludi Harpastum, people want to try the new snacks from other regions too."
A grin spread across Henry's face. Guess the festival is good for business.
He moved through the café, greeting his staff and checking on the kitchen. "Everything under control?" he asked Norma.
She glanced up. "We're managing. But we'll need more supplies if this keeps up."
"New supplies are arriving today, if I'm not mistaken." Henry reassured her. "You just keep doing what you're doing."
He made his way back through the café, weaving between customers, and caught Alina's eye near the counter. Even though she was the manager, due to the rush she had to help guide the crowd, asking them to wait outside.
"I'm stepping out for a bit," Henry told her. "I'm going out for some fresh air."
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Now? When the café is like this?"
"You have everything under control." Henry grinned. "I trust you."
She rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Fine."
Henry slipped out the door, leaving the chaos behind.
The streets of Mondstadt were even more decorated than he had seen yesterday. More colorful triangles in red, gold, and orange hung on long strings, stretching from building to building and creating a canopy of color above the streets. Flower garlands of Cecilias, dandelions, and other local blooms adorned doorways and railings, and the air was filled with the sound of laughter and music.
Henry walked through the festive streets, enjoying the lively spirit of the people. The warm sun and the cheerful atmosphere made the walk pleasant, and he found himself smiling despite the earlier chaos of the café.
It's nice. The city feels alive.
[It's the start of Ludi Harpastum. The biggest festival of the year.]
I know. I'm just saying it's nice.
Henry walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the city washing over him. Then a thought struck him—a question that had been lingering in the back of his mind for a while now.
Hey, Orianna.
[Yes?]
The Qi Devouring reward you gave me a while back. How exactly does it work?
[You're asking about it now?]
I've been busy. The café, the bikes, everything else. I never really got a proper explanation.
[It's a cultivation path. There are stages.]
What stages?
[The first stage is Qi Condensation — Basic Devouring. It allows you to absorb slime energy and grants a minor vitality boost. You've already completed that stage.]
Henry blinked. I have?
[Yes. Remember I already gave you the reward—the energy was directly infused into you. You felt warmth spread through your body, didn't you? That was the Qi Condensation stage taking effect.]
Henry paused, remembering the strange warmth that had washed over him after the reward notification. I did feel something.
[That was the qi settling into your body. Also, you cannot use this energy in combat. This energy can't be used to fight.]
WHAT! If I can't shoot energy out of my palms, then what is the use of this?
[This energy can only be used for improving lifespan and organs, strengthening the body. Didn't I mention this just now?]
So what's the next stage?
[Foundation Establishment. At that stage, you can absorb stronger curses. It also begins reinforcing your organs, making you more durable. Then comes Core Formation, where your body becomes highly resistant to corruption, allowing you to absorb Abyssal energy safely.]
Henry's eyes widened slightly. Abyssal energy? I thought only the Traveler had the power to absorb it.
[Later on, you will be able to, just like the Traveler.]
He considered this, turning it over in his mind. What else?
[Nacent Soul. Then Mahayana. There's one more stage. Immortal.]
Why aren't you telling me what those stages do?
[I can't tell you because I myself don't have information about those stages.]
How do I reach these stages?
[By absorbing more energy. Slime residue, curses, Abyssal contamination—anything with corruptive properties or energy. The more you absorb, the faster you advance.]
So I just... keep absorbing things?
[It's that simple.]
Henry didn't realize in his inner musings with Orianna that he had already arrived at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. The familiar stone facade loomed ahead, solid and imposing, and as he approached, the guards stationed at the entrance straightened and saluted.
"Mr. Henry," one of them called out. "Good to see you."
Henry nodded, returning the greeting. "Morning."
He passed through the doors and made his way toward the library. The corridors were quiet—most of the knights were on duty due to the festival—and his footsteps echoed against the stone floor as he walked.
He reached the library and pushed open the door. The familiar scent of old books and lavender washed over him, but the large library was empty. No Lisa. No sign of anyone.
I thought I would find her here. Where did she disappear to?
He turned and made his way toward Jean's office. The door was already open, and he could hear the murmur of voices from inside.
He stepped through the doorway to see Jean seated behind her desk, buried under a mountain of paperwork. Her blonde hair was pulled back in its usual style, and her expression was one of focused concentration. Beside her, sprawled across a chair with her feet dangling over the armrest, was Lisa.
They both looked up as he entered, and their eyes lit up.
"Henry!" Jean's face broke into a smile, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "What are you doing here?"
Lisa was faster. She rose from her chair in a single fluid motion, crossed the room in three quick strides, and grabbed Henry by the arm. "You're just in time. We need your help."
Henry blinked, caught off guard. "Help? With what?"
"Paperwork," Lisa said, dragging him toward the empty chair beside Jean's desk. "Jean and I have been buried in it for hours. Since you're clearly slacking off, you can help us."
"I wasn't slacking off," Henry protested. "I just came to visit."
"Even better." Lisa pushed him into the chair and dropped a stack of papers in front of him. "Now you're not visiting. You're working."
Henry looked down at the papers on the desk—they were promotional flyers for the Ludi Harpastum events, schedules for the upcoming festivities, and a list of vendors who still needed to confirm their stalls.
"These aren't administrative," Lisa clarified, sliding a pen toward him. "Just simple tasks—checking off confirmed vendors, sorting event timings, organizing the flyers by their locations."
Jean nodded. "The usual clerks are already overwhelmed with other tasks."
This is not what I expected when I came here.
[You should have stayed at the café.]
Probably. But this is more entertaining.
"Fine," Henry said, picking up a pen. "But I'm billing you for my time."
Lisa's grin widened. "Oh, you can bill me anytime, darling."
I can't tell if she is joking or not.
The hours passed in a blur of paperwork and conversation. Jean worked diligently at her desk, her focus unwavering, while Lisa alternated between filling out forms and making comments.
teasing comments about Henry's handwriting. Henry found himself falling into a rhythm, the stack of papers slowly shrinking as he worked.
"So," Lisa said, "how's the café?"
"Busy," Henry admitted. "But good. The staff is handling it well."
Jean's expression was warm as she looked at him. "I'm so glad it's working out. You've built something wonderful."
"Thanks." Henry smiled. "I couldn't have done it without everyone's help though."
"Stop being modest, Henry," Lisa purred. "Just accept the compliment."
By the time evening approached, the paperwork was finally finished. Henry stretched and rose from his chair. "I should get going. I have to go out."
Lisa's smile was sharp and knowing. "Well, don't let us keep you. Go get ready."
Henry bid them both goodbye and made his way out, his footsteps echoing in the corridor. He had enjoyed spending time with them—the lighthearted teasing, the comfortable silence, the warmth of their company. It was a nice reprieve from the chaos of the café.
Too bad I didn't get to spend more time alone with them.
[You sound disappointed.]
I was looking forward to spending time with two beauties.
[And you did.]
Not like that.
He stepped out into the evening air, the setting sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones, and hurried back toward the café. When he arrived, he made his way to the fridge and opened it, hoping for a quick snack before getting ready.
His hand reached for the dessert container he'd been saving—the one with the leftover cake from the café's opening day. He opened it to find it empty, the container left behind as evidence to taunt the owner.
Henry stared at the empty container, his expression shifting from confusion to disappointment to frustration. He closed the fridge with more force than necessary, his face settling into an annoyed scowl.
Of course. Of course it's empty.
[Someone must have eaten it.]
I know who. Alina
Henry shook his head, frowning, and moved to get ready. She's getting more brazen. Maybe I need to deduct her salary.
He pulled out the outfit he'd purchased recently from Gerda—a striking asymmetrical formal coat in deep crimson and midnight black, accented with delicate gold embroidery and celestial sun motifs. The design featured a high, structured collar, contrasting navy-blue cuffs with gold filigree, and a dramatic, split-back coattail that gave the piece a regal, commanding silhouette. It was cinched at the waist by a layered, brass-buckled belt, paired with sleek black trousers, matching leather gloves, and ornate pointed boots trimmed in gold.
Henry dressed quickly, the tailored lines of the ensemble fitting perfectly. The broad shoulders added width and presence, while the fitted waist and tapered trousers traced his athletic frame without overpowering it. He studied himself in the mirror, a smirk forming on his face.
Not bad. I look like I belong at a rich person's party.
___
I know many of you are quite invested in this story, and I genuinely appreciate that. However, I'm still struggling to get enough Power Stones, so from now on, the weekly goal will be 70 Power Stones for the next chapter to be released that week.
We're already on Chapter 76, and the Genshin story might start soon! Yet, my collection count is still very very very low, and compared to my Harry Potter fic, this story is doing so poorly that it sometimes makes me wonder whether people are really interested in reading it.
Honestly, I've even considered putting this fic on hiatus, as many authors do. One reader even mentioned that he hates my constant reminders to give Power Stones. I don't know him personally, but I believe many authors in my position would have simply abandoned the fic or put it on hiatus rather than continuing to write. However, I don't want to do that, especially when some of you are genuinely invested in Henry's journey. It wouldn't feel fair to those readers who have stuck with the story this far.
So, I'm asking you to please support the fic by dropping your Power Stones each week and helping us reach the goal of 70 stones. Your support would mean a lot to me and would help keep me motivated to continue updating the story regularly.
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