"I, Vaen Corith, have reached this moment—slaying the Hilichurls to ash, all through my own hard work!"
Vaen sighed, rubbing his hands together as he said with mock solemnity, "System, sign in."
[Congratulations, Host. Reward: Mastery of Spearmanship.]
As the ethereal voice echoed in his mind, Vaen suddenly felt his muscles tighten with unfamiliar precision. His body seemed to awaken a new rhythm—as if it had learned years of training in an instant.
Memories flooded his mind—techniques, stances, breathing patterns—ten years of spear experience compressed into a heartbeat.
He found a crude wooden polearm left behind among the ruins of the Hilichurl encampment he had just cleared. Holding it in his hands, Vaen began to move as instinct dictated.
Each swing, thrust, and parry felt natural—too natural. His hands knew what his mind didn't.
After practicing until sweat soaked through his shirt, Vaen stopped, panting beneath the crimson dusk.
So this is what the system calls "mastery." It's really just basic spear techniques—well-refined, sure, but nothing special.
He grinned faintly. Still, if I keep refining this and combine it with elemental power, maybe I can shape it into my own style someday.
Yes… a style of my own.
"I'm a genius," Vaen muttered, half-joking, half-believing it.
He sat under the shade of a tree, wiped his forehead, and began writing into the floating diary that only he could see.
[Guess what I just got from signing in?]
Across Teyvat, the owners of identical mysterious diaries suddenly paused.
What does he mean?
Did Vaen Corith realize we're reading his diary?
Before anyone could dwell on it, new words appeared across their pages:
[Basic spearmanship! Hahaha—basic spearmanship! Hahahahaha!]
Many diary owners blinked, then collectively thought the same thing:
Is this man insane? Who writes in a diary like this?
But after thinking about it, most found themselves sympathizing.
An ordinary man, stranded in the perilous world of Teyvat—hoping for a divine gift—and receiving only "basic spearmanship"? Anyone might lose their mind a little.
Those who knew of another world's visitor, Alice, began murmuring among themselves. Vaen's experience shattered their long-held impression that "outsiders" were always powerful or blessed.
Vaen seemed exactly as he wrote: an ordinary, unlucky man who stumbled into Teyvat by accident.
[Anyway, what's done is done. I should find somewhere safe to rest first.]
[I wonder where the Traveler is now. If they're still wandering near Mondstadt, maybe I'll find them. With the Traveler's kindness… they'd definitely protect me until I reach the city.]
Traveler?
The diary owners traded confused glances through their unseen connection. None of them recognized the person Vaen spoke of.
***
"Huh?" Lumine frowned slightly. For some reason, she felt as though the words referred to her. But that last sentence—the tone—carried a strange, almost teasing sarcasm.
"What's wrong, Lumine?" Paimon floated beside her, curious.
"It's nothing," Lumine replied softly.
"Are you thinking about your brother again? Don't worry! You'll find him soon!" Paimon chirped, trying to cheer her up.
Lumine only nodded faintly, offering no explanation. She had tried before—she couldn't see this so-called "diary" anyway.
"Hey, look!" Paimon pointed ahead. "There's a Sunsettia tree! The fruits look so big and sweet! I'll go pick some!"
"You mean you'll eat them," Lumine muttered, already familiar with her companion's habits as she followed behind.
***
Liyue — The Jade Chamber
High above the clouds, Ningguang sat in quiet contemplation, teacup in hand.
Traveler? Hilichurls attacking Mondstadt?
Her crimson eyes narrowed. Perhaps this visitor from another world knows more than he realizes—perhaps even something about Teyvat's future.
Though the Dragon Crisis still plagued Mondstadt and the Anemo Archon had yet to appear publicly, Ningguang was confident it would soon be resolved. Each of the Seven Nations carried secrets unseen to outsiders.
What intrigued her most was how Vaen Corith spoke of Mondstadt—as "the place where his dreams began." As if… he had been here before.
And his phrase: "The game's content can only be used as a reference."
Ningguang's eyes gleamed. A realization began forming in her mind.
Visitors from another world… Genshin Impact… a game?
Her mind raced through the implications.
So in his world, Teyvat exists as a game. And Vaen—before arriving here—played it. He knew of our lands, our Archons, our stories… even of the Traveler.
That explains his confidence—and why he trusts the Traveler's kindness so deeply.
Then, does that mean he knows me as well?
She set down her teacup, thoughts spiraling like drifting pieces in the ocean breeze.
***
Across Teyvat, other diary holders came to the same uneasy conclusion.
If Vaen Corith truly held knowledge of future events, then the diary was far more than a curiosity—it was a potential weapon.
***
Nightfall in the Wilds
The sun sank into the horizon, staining the clouds in amber and crimson hues.
For Vaen Corith, the scene was breathtaking—almost unreal. Lying on a smooth boulder, he felt the wind brush against his face and thought idly about dinner.
Then it hit him. Wait… what can I even eat here?
Wild boars, birds, fish, fruits—sure. But without seasoning, or even basic cooking tools, that wasn't much of a meal.
"Grass…" he muttered, standing abruptly. "I'm doomed."
The forest darkened fast. Although Vaen could faintly sense traces of Pyro energy around him—just enough to produce light—his long nights spent before screens in another world had left him mildly nearsighted.
He sighed. "Forget it. I'll head back to the Hilichurl camp and rest there. Dinner… maybe the system can help."
System Mall
Sitting inside the crude wooden hut, Vaen whispered, "Open system mall."
A blue translucent screen appeared before his eyes, filled with countless shimmering icons.
In the lower-right corner, glowing digits displayed: 999 points.
"Accurate to the last number. Cute," Vaen muttered, smirking.
Ignoring it, he tapped the search bar and typed: 'boxed lunch.'
Instantly, rows of steaming meals appeared—rice boxes, sandwiches, noodles. The prices ranged from ten to a hundred points.
"Feels just like ordering takeout," Vaen sighed.
After selecting one, he watched a neat lunch materialize on the table. The aroma hit him instantly—warm, savory, perfect.
As he finished eating, a notification chimed in his mind:
[Congratulations, Host. Physical fitness +1.]
Vaen blinked. "Wait… eating boxed lunches makes me stronger?"
He chuckled. "I knew it! The system's products were never ordinary."
"Alright then—open Host Panel."
He didn't need instructions for that. Every "system" he'd read about in novels had one.
Still, a sliver of worry crossed his mind.
He stared at the floating panel, half-expecting disappointment.
***
We're off to a great start imo 😋