Genshin Impact World.
After finishing the damage test, the Traveler and the others prepared to return to find Kachina.
When they located her within the crowd, they noticed two unfamiliar figures standing beside her, a boy and a girl.
"You must be the Traveler Kachina mentioned, right?" the wheat-skinned, white-haired girl greeted warmly. "I'm Mualani from the People of the Springs. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kinich from the Scions of the Canopy," the black-haired boy said calmly.
After a brief introduction, the Traveler became acquainted with Natlan's key figures. Their conversation soon shifted to the Damage Tester.
"That guy Caelus keeps saying he's busy all day long. So this is what he's been busy with?" Mualani frowned slightly as she looked at the long line of warriors waiting before the Damage Tester, her tone carrying faint resentment.
"Is Caelus a craftsman from Natlan?" Paimon asked curiously, then smiled. "To make something that even the Traveler cannot destroy, that craftsman must be incredibly skilled."
"..."
After Paimon finished speaking, the three Natlan youths froze awkwardly.
"Eh? Why are you all making that face?" Paimon shrank back nervously. "Did I say something wrong again?"
"Actually... Caelus is the name of the Lord Pyro Archon," Kinich finally explained.
"Ah?!" Paimon cried out in shock.
From Mualani's tone earlier, she had assumed Caelus was just an ordinary person. She never expected him to be the current Pyro Archon.
"I called him a craftsman behind his back. He won't think I'm insulting him, right?" Paimon asked anxiously.
Would flaming arrows suddenly descend from the sky and skewer her on the spot?
"Little Paimon, there's nothing to worry about," Mualani reassured her with a smile. "You'll be fine."
"Is your Pyro Archon's temper really that good?" Paimon asked hopefully.
"No." Mualani clenched her fists with determination. "If Caelus dares bully you, I'll teach him a lesson!"
"So you're planning to fight an Archon?" Paimon exclaimed.
Watching their exchange, the Traveler could not help but smile slightly.
She stepped closer to Kachina and asked softly, "Is Mualani very close with the Pyro Archon?"
"Yes," Kachina nodded. "Mualani and the Lord Pyro Archon grew up together in the People of the Springs. When she saw him qualify to ascend, she was so happy she kept picking me up and spinning me around."
"But after he became a god, he never met Mualani again. That might be why she feels a little resentful, even though she is usually cheerful."
"He's about the same age as Mualani?" the Traveler asked in mild surprise.
Back in the Children of Echoes, she had heard that this generation's Pyro Archon was very young.
At the time, she did not think much of it. After all, she had already met the youthful Dendro Archon in Sumeru. A young Archon was not unheard of.
But remembering that Natlan's Pyro Archon was a position inherited among humans, the realization felt different.
A teenage Pyro Archon... that really was young. He would probably be denied entry at a tavern if he tried to order a drink.
"Sorry to interrupt," Kinich said, drawing everyone's attention. "While everyone is focused on the Damage Tester, we should register first."
"Right!"
Mualani said excitedly, "It's been so long. The Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame is finally happening again. I have to make sure I fight beautifully this time."
"Mualani seems really excited about the Pilgrimage," Paimon observed.
"It's not just her," Kinich explained. "For most warriors, participating in the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame is the highest honor. Even though this isn't the official ceremony, many people are still eager to sign up."
"It's just a shame the Night Warden Wars aren't being held. Otherwise, we could directly confront the Abyssal monsters."
A small yellow pixelated dragon floated beside Kinich and spoke in an extremely arrogant tone.
"Then we could watch that idiot Kinich get beaten until his teeth scatter across the ground."
"A talking dragon?" Paimon's eyes widened.
Even though others saw her as little more than a floating companion, that did not stop her from being surprised.
"I forgot to introduce him. His name is Ajaw," Kinich said. "He talks nonsense all the time. Just ignore him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kinich turned toward Ajaw and raised his arm. Verdant flames flickered in his palm.
"I thought you finally learned your lesson. Do you want to be burned again?"
"Bastard Kinich!" Ajaw roared. "Just because you can wield a little Pyro power, you dare challenge the great Sacred Dragon?"
"That guy Caelus must be blind to grant someone like you a Vision. If you have the courage, throw away your Vision and fight me fairly!"
"Ow! Stop burning me! I was wrong! I was wrong!"
"Kinich, just wait! I'll be back!"
Before Ajaw could continue provoking him, Kinich calmly ignited the dragon's tail. Ajaw shrieked as he flew off in search of water.
"The Lord Pyro Archon granted me this Vision for a reason," Kinich said coolly. "It isn't for you to question. And since I have received this power, I intend to use it properly."
Unfortunately, Ajaw was already too far away to hear.
After Ajaw fled, Kachina sighed softly.
"Ajaw never changes, no matter how many times he's taught a lesson."
"Have they always been like this?" Paimon asked.
"Yes," Kachina nodded. "Though things have changed a little."
"Kinich used to swat Ajaw away with his hand. After receiving his Vision from the Lord Pyro Archon, he switched to burning him instead."
"Your Vision is one of those imitation Visions?" the Traveler asked, noticing the subtle differences in its design.
"Yes," Kinich confirmed. "It was crafted personally by the Lord Pyro Archon. When he gave it to me, he even made a joke."
"What joke?" Mualani leaned closer. "I haven't heard Caelus tell one in ages."
"If you want to hear it, I can repeat it," Kinich replied. "Though I can't promise you'll find it funny."
"He said that by color, Kachina from the Children of Echoes received Geo, and Mualani from the People of the Springs received Hydro."
"Then I, from the Scions of the Canopy, should logically have received Dendro."
"But instead, he gave me Pyro first and broke the pattern."
"...Do you think that's funny?"
A heavy silence followed.
Everyone shifted awkwardly, glancing at one another in confusion.
"I don't get it," Paimon admitted.
"Maybe Cyno from Sumeru would appreciate it," the Traveler suggested.
"Haha, even after becoming the Pyro Archon, Caelus still tells terrible jokes!" Mualani laughed sincerely.
The people of Teyvat did not find it particularly amusing.
But the players were extremely excited.
[So Kinich changed from Dendro to Pyro because of the Pyro Archon?]
[Lord Pyro Archon, please give Teacher Albedo a Vision too. Maybe Pyro Albedo can still be saved.]
[Why not change Cyno to Pyro instead? He's the one who really needs saving.]
[Forget it. With Cyno's mechanics, even Pyro wouldn't save him. He might get worse.]
[Then let's save Teacher Albedo instead.]
...
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