They entered Mondstadt together.
The streets were noticeably emptier than the day before.
Amber briefed Lumine on the city's state, speaking with clear respect for Acting Grand Master Jean.
"I promised you a welcome gift— come on, let's get to a high place."
The word "gift" made Paimon's eyes sparkle. "D-does Paimon get one too?"
"Well… I don't think you have much use for this one."
Before she pouted, Amber added, "But I can treat you all to Mondstadt's Sticky Honey Roast."
"Wow! Yay!"
At the word "food," Paimon's true nature exploded into full bloom, looping the air around Lumine.
Ruola seized the break in conversation. "Lumine, once Amber's done, I've got a gift for you too. And yes— Paimon gets one as well."
Paimon zipped to Ruola's shoulder, rubbing tiny hands. "Ruola, you're the best! Can you tell Paimon what it is first?"
Ruola was helpless against such weaponized cuteness. With Paimon so close, she couldn't resist a gentle hug.
Paimon froze, a little shy—but didn't pull away.
Ruola let go quickly and put a finger to her lips. "It won't be a surprise if I tell you now. But I promise—you'll both love it."
"Thank you, Ruola," Lumine said quietly. Mondstadt had been kinder than she'd expected—Ruola, Noelle, Amber, all of them.
Well-behaved Noelle, seeing gift talk from both Ruola and Amber, wanted to give something too, but worried she had nothing worthy. Anxiety crept in.
Ruola noticed at once and guessed her thoughts. She tapped her own forehead— it was exactly the kind of worry Noelle would have— then smoothly steered the topic away to spare her.
Up ahead, Amber had taken Lumine up high and produced a pair of Wings of Companionship. Paimon, Ruola, and Noelle watched from the side.
"So it's a glider that rides the wind. No wonder Amber said Paimon doesn't need it—Paimon can fly on her own!"
Paimon puffed out her chest. jpg
"Paimon's the best!"
Being praised made her bashful again.
Ruola laughed. "Once Lumine masters the wings, we're heading to Good Hunter for a feast."
"Yes yes— food!"
Noelle stood quietly; Ruola rested a hand on her shoulder and nodded. Noelle answered with a warm smile.
Lumine started her test flight.
A bit wobbly at first, she steadied quickly. In no time she was flying like a natural—no surprise there.
As she landed, the sky over Mondstadt darkened in an instant. Wind howled.
A sudden whirlwind seized Lumine and shot her skyward.
"Traveler!"
Paimon panicked and chased after her— only to be swallowed by the gale as well.
Below, Amber and the others burned with worry. Only Ruola stayed relatively calm— this was Lumine's heroic moment. They shouldn't intrude.
Besides, someone in green would be watching. The traveler would be fine.
High above, Lumine flared her wings— and felt a gentle wind cradle her. Her body stabilized.
Dodging the dragon's strike at the last second, even Paimon sounded puzzled.
"Huh? Can gliders float this long?"
A breeze a thousand years old bears you. You will not fall…
Thanks to the goodwill fostered by Ruola and friends, Guo and her audience found their affection for Mondstadt climbing by the minute.
"Amber gave us wings—what do you think Ruola's gift will be?"
[Probably some in-game tool, like the wings.]
[Just came from another stream— they're ahead. Little spoiler: Ruola is loaded.]
[Whoa— a rich girl! No, a rich loli! No— a rich maiden!]
[Now I'm hyped for her gift…]
"Ahhh, I'm getting yeeted into the sky!"
Skydancing with a dragon in glorious fidelity had Guo bolt upright, heart racing.
High graphics weren't all upside— even a 3D-proof streamer felt woozy.
"I have to fight it? For real?!"
"That was the Anemo Archon talking, right? It had to be!"
"Dang, I'm so cool."
Chat: …
Teyvat.
Lumine drove off Stormterror and glided to a safe landing.
Ruola and the others rushed her.
Amber: "Are you hurt?"
Ruola: "Any injuries?"
After Noelle confirmed both were fine, a crisp clap sounded from the shadows.
Kaeya emerged. "Power enough to cross blades with a dragon… Are you a guest— or a new storm?"
"Kaeya!" Ruola waved.
Amber hurried to report. "Stormterror attacked inside the city! Captain Kaeya, we—"
"Patience, Amber. We have friends here who deserve an introduction."
Only then did Amber remember to make the rounds and recap.
Kaeya welcomed Lumine to Mondstadt, apologized for the ordeal, and invited her to the Knights' headquarters.
"Kaeya, can I come too?" Ruola asked.
She wanted more screen time. If she left now, she'd miss what came next— and she still needed to collect emotions from NPCs and players to unlock more of the system's functions, including a way to glimpse the player-side chatter.
"Of course."
Thinking her brother might be fretting by now, Kaeya felt a prankish urge— letting Ruola get home late would be amusing.
Noelle, eager to help citizens, excused herself and hurried off when she heard Ruola would go to HQ.
They entered the headquarters and met Jean and Lisa.
Jean looked mildly surprised to see Ruola— and sent a sidelong glance at Kaeya, who promptly looked away.
"Lisa, Jean— let me help, too!"
"My, if it isn't little Ruola." Lisa's lazy purr had its usual charm. "But leave this to the adults."
"Lisaaa— I've told you a million times I'm not a kid."
She was only a year younger than Amber!
Even Klee was the famous Spark Knight.
Puffed-up and pouting, Ruola looked more adorable than imposing.
Kaeya sighed and briefed Jean and Lisa on the situation.
Tasks were assigned all around. Since Ruola was present, she and Kaeya were paired together.
They headed for an abandoned ruin, completed their mission smoothly— but never crossed paths with the traveler. So much for stealing a scene.
With the day's events being what they were, Ruola decided to check in with her brother to ease his mind.
At this hour, if nothing special was happening, he'd be at Angel's Share.
Bidding Kaeya farewell, she set off for the tavern.
-------
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