"Wait… isn't Amber's weapon a bow?" Paimon asked, blinking in confusion.
Amber shot her a look. "If it's a standard-issue line, it comes in different weapon types. The requirements are the same."
Then she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"And for the record, I still don't have a Favonius Warbow."
"So this sword is super valuable?" Paimon's eyes sparkled even harder.
The pricier something was, the more she loved it. That was simply how Paimon worked.
"Of course it's valuable," Amber said, cheeks puffed. "It's not just quality—it's recognition. From the Knights and the Church."
She muttered under her breath, almost dreamily:
If I ever get a Favonius weapon… that means I'm finally a real knight…
Lumine glanced at the sword in her hand, then at Kaito. "Kaito… isn't this too much? It feels… too precious."
Kaito shook his head. "You're going to earn Mondstadt's approval sooner or later—the people, the Knights… even the Church."
He held her gaze. "I'm just giving it to you one step early."
His tone was warm—encouragement without pressure.
"Yes, yes!" Paimon immediately piled on. "Take it, take it! And if there's another one later, Paimon can—heh heh—keep it safe."
Lumine stared at her. "You said the quiet part out loud."
Amber groaned. "Is Paimon secretly related to a dragon or something? That greed is unreal."
"…Then I'll accept it," Lumine said softly, a small smile forming.
She tested the grip and balance.
The sword sat in her hand like it belonged there—almost too perfect.
She couldn't help getting attached to it.
"There's more in the chest," Kaito added. "Some basic artifacts. For a new adventurer, they're ideal."
"Artifacts?"
Lumine leaned in.
Five pieces glimmered faintly: a feather, a pocket watch, a goblet, a circlet, and a flower so lifelike it looked freshly picked.
Their faint aura seemed to "match," like parts clicking into place.
A full set.
"They're items that carry a strange kind of power," Kaito explained. "If you can use elemental energy, artifacts can boost your strength and help protect you."
"And if you wear a matching set, you can trigger extra effects."
He nodded at the pieces. "This one is the Adventurer set—one of the most popular sets among Teyvat's adventurers."
Lumine carefully packed four pieces away.
Then she pinned the flower beside her hair, near her temple.
"Thank you," she said, fingertips brushing it gently.
For a long time—ever since she fell into this world, lost her twin, and lost her power—there'd been a constant tightness in her chest.
Right now…
that tightness eased.
Amber watched with her lips pressed together.
"…I'm jealous," she admitted, half wry, half sincere. "The Adventurer set isn't cheap at the Adventurers' Guild. You need Mora and contribution."
She sighed. "And the Knights don't exactly have that kind of supply."
Kaito had just handed Lumine a full set.
Amber didn't believe there'd be another one waiting for her.
That earlier I'll give you one too…
It probably had been politeness.
"Why?" Lumine asked.
Amber put her hands on her hips, pride snapping back into place. "Because the Adventurers' Guild is basically a freelance network. The Knights of Favonius are a formal defense force."
"There's no way we'd join something like that."
Lumine nodded slowly. "Then the Knights don't have artifacts of their own?"
Amber's expression slipped. "Kaeya brings back a few scattered pieces sometimes—things that could help the Knights. But those won't be issued to someone like me."
Then, as if flipping a switch, she forced her energy back up.
"Anyway! Enough about that." Amber grinned. "Remember I said I had a gift for you?"
"It's not as expensive as what Kaito gave you, and it won't boost your combat power nearly as much… but in usefulness?" She tapped her chest. "I'm extremely confident."
"Oh?" Lumine's interest rose immediately.
Amber gifts were usually practical.
Paimon—who'd been sitting on the table munching an apple—shot into the air. "What is it, what is it?!"
"Go wait under the Statue of The Seven in the city," Amber said. "The one up high near the Cathedral."
"If you get lost, ask Boss Kaito." She waved. "I'm going to prepare it."
And then—
she vaulted straight out the window.
Clean. Smooth. No hesitation.
Kaito stared for a beat, speechless.
If any of her seniors saw that, she'd get scolded into next week.
"Kaito," Lumine asked, curious, "what is Amber giving me?"
Kaito spread his hands. "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise."
Then he added, "The Statue is up near the Cathedral. Stand by the fountain and look up—you'll spot it."
"Okay. I'll go."
Lumine started to move—then paused and looked back at him.
"Kaito… are you coming too?"
"I've got something else to handle," Kaito replied, shaking his head.
"Oh…"
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
She didn't jump out the window like Amber.
Instead, she and Paimon took the stairs like normal people.
As she reached the door, Kaito's voice drifted down from above.
"Watch the wind—and watch your footing."
Lumine blinked, not entirely sure why he phrased it that way.
But her lips curved faintly.
"Mm," she answered softly.
And her steps felt lighter as she left.
Kaito watched Lumine and Paimon cross the plaza, pausing to get their bearings toward the Cathedral.
Then he shut the loft window.
Closed the second-floor windows.
Locked everything with care.
He went downstairs and called to Sara.
"Sara. We're closing early today."
Sara looked startled. "This early, Boss?"
Business had been slow lately, sure—but not this early.
"Is there something you need me to do?" she asked quickly.
"No," Kaito said. "Just bring everything back inside."
Then, almost casually:
"Paid day off."
Sara froze.
"…Boss?"
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