"Of course, it has to be machine oil."
Lucas moved swiftly, quickly applying the machine oil with precise strokes. As expected, the passage that had previously seemed completely inaccessible—no matter how much he tried—suddenly became smooth and unobstructed.
He had to admit, no matter how human-like these puppets appeared, they were fundamentally different from actual humans.
After all, when Raiden Ei originally designed these models, she never intended for them to be used in this way. And yet, the internal threading and textures… compared to a real human, they had a unique sensation of their own.
"Can you feel it now?" Raiden Mai asked softly. "The switch should be a circular protrusion, approximately one centimeter in diameter."
Jeez, you really have a lot of faith in my dragon!
Lucas wanted to grumble, but he focused instead, carefully exploring the area. Finally, he nodded and said, "I… I think I found it!"
"Don't rush to activate it just yet," Raiden Mai took a deep breath before explaining, "The moment you press the switch, I will enter reboot mode within 0.5 seconds. Therefore, you must ensure that each time you trigger it, the interval does not exceed half a second. Simply put, you need to activate the switch at least 120 times per minute—otherwise, it might not work."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Putting that aside for a second… You were just gasping for breath earlier, but now you're suddenly talking so much all at once?"
And your thought process is still this clear? You don't sound like a system that's about to break down at all.
"This is…" Raiden Mai paused for a moment before replying, "a final flicker before shutdown."
Wait… even puppets can experience a final flicker before shutdown?
It sounded absurd, but Lucas had no time to dwell on it. He quickly steadied himself and said, "So as long as I maintain a frequency of at least once every 0.5 seconds, it should work, right?"
Honestly, for Lucas, this wasn't a difficult task at all. If needed, he could even go faster—but if excessive friction caused overheating, it might lead to unintended consequences.
"Yes," Raiden Mai nodded.
Without hesitation, Lucas began his work.
This task wasn't as simple as it seemed. Not only did he have to maintain a consistent rhythm, but he also had to ensure that each impact was forceful enough to properly activate the reboot switch. It required both precision and strength—an incredibly demanding task.
Lucas took it very seriously, knowing that even the slightest mistake could result in Raiden Mai's system being completely reset.
As a result, he ended up exerting twice the usual amount of energy.
After an entire hour, and a staggering total of 7,200 activations, Lucas finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion, forced to step away from the "workbench."
At the same time, Raiden Mai—who had previously been lying motionless—slowly rose to her feet.
"Mai…" Lucas gasped for breath. "Are you… back to normal?"
At the very least, Lucas could take some small comfort in the fact that Raiden Mai no longer moved in the stiff, mechanical manner she had before. Her complexion had returned to normal as well—at least visually, it seemed her body was no longer malfunctioning and had fully stabilized.
However, to his surprise, Raiden Mai looked at him with an expressionless gaze and said, "Nice to meet you, Master. Autonomous puppet model LD0413—Raiden Mai—at your service."
Nice to meet you?
Lucas's expression froze. His face stiffened as he muttered, "So… it really failed after all?"
Indeed, with a total of 7,200 impacts, even the slightest miscalculation—just one mistake—could have led to failure. Even someone as meticulous as Lucas couldn't guarantee absolute precision for the entire process.
"Please register your fingerprint," Raiden Mai said without any hint of emotion, completely unaffected by his disappointment. She gently took his hand and placed it over her scanner. "Fingerprint registration complete."
"You should rest for now," Lucas sighed inwardly, suppressing his frustration. He turned away and muttered, "I'm leaving."
Right now, he just wanted a moment of peace to himself.
However, just as he was about to let go of her hand, something unexpected happened—he felt a small slip of paper tucked into her palm.
Startled, he quickly unfolded it and found a single line written upon it:
"I'm sorry, Master. I lied to you. The method of continuous impacts to retain my memories was just a deception. The moment the switch was pressed, my previous memories began to be erased. But please, do not blame yourself. To have had these memories at all was a great joy for me—I have never regretted it. I only hope that my new self can still be of use to you. Farewell."
Upon reading the words, even Lucas—who had faced countless trials—felt a sharp sting in his chest. His throat tightened.
"Damn it…" Lucas clenched the note in his fist, his voice trembling. "Even at the very end… you still had to mess with me one last time, huh?"
...
At the Same Time, Tenshukaku, Inazuma
Inside a secret laboratory filled with unfinished puppets, the Raiden Shogun suddenly halted her work.
"What is it, Shogun?"
Raiden Ei's voice echoed within her mind.
"The LD0413 unit has been forcibly reset," the Raiden Shogun stated flatly. "I can sense it."
As the sole puppet chosen to serve as her primary vessel, the Raiden Shogun was the most advanced among all the backup puppets. Not only was she superior in all aspects, but she also maintained a residual consciousness link with every other backup puppet.
"LD0413?" Raiden Ei mused. "That's the puppet that went missing not long ago, isn't it?"
Indeed—LD0413, also known as Raiden Mai, had originally been a system reward given to Lucas. However, the so-called "system" had actually stolen her from Raiden Ei's archive of experimental puppets.
"That's correct," the Raiden Shogun confirmed. "When the unit was lost, my link to it was severed. However, now that it has undergone a system reset, the connection has been reestablished."
"Good," Raiden Ei responded. "I'd very much like to know who had the audacity to steal from me. Can you track LD0413's coordinates?"
"I cannot," the Raiden Shogun admitted. "It is no longer in Inazuma. The only available method to pursue it now is by transferring your consciousness into the LD0413 unit directly."
These puppets had been designed from the beginning as vessels for Raiden Ei's consciousness. Their primary function was to serve as extensions of her will.
Moreover, all of them were linked by an advanced wireless connection system—in theory, Raiden Ei could switch between puppets at any time.
This wasn't just a matter of theft—it was a security risk. The prototype puppet Kunikuzushi had caused chaos precisely because he had gone rogue. After that incident, Raiden Ei had greatly tightened control over all her puppets, even going so far as to introduce a "emotional fluctuation restriction" to prevent them from developing negative emotions that could lead to rebellion.
For Raiden Ei, retrieving the lost LD0413 unit was a matter of both principle and security.
"That's right—this is a viable method!" Raiden Ei affirmed. "Alright, I'll transfer my consciousness into LD0413 now. Once I eliminate the thief, I'll personally bring the unit back to Tenshukaku."
"Ei, forgive my bluntness," the Raiden Shogun said coolly. "But I must confirm—are you doing this just to deal with the thief, or are you simply looking for an excuse to leave the castle?"
"W-What?! How could you say that?!" Raiden Ei protested. "Of course I'll return immediately after handling the situation!"
"…Very well."
The Raiden Shogun was silent for a moment before nodding. "Then may you find success in battle."
Consciousness Transfer in Progress…
Though the transfer was nearly instantaneous, adapting to a new body still required a few seconds.
Raiden Ei slowly opened her eyes.
Before her was a void of nothingness—
It was her own Plane of Euthymia, a space constructed entirely from her consciousness.
If this were compared to a computer system, then this place was essentially the central processing unit.
And there, standing before her—
Was a girl who looked almost identical to her.
However, Raiden Ei immediately noticed that the girl's body was beginning to disintegrate before her very eyes.
At the sight of Raiden Ei, the girl froze for a brief moment before lowering her head.
"You must be LD0413," Raiden Ei observed, her voice calm. "Why have you avoided reconnecting with my consciousness link all this time?"
Indeed—the girl before her was none other than Raiden Mai's consciousness.
Raiden Mai hesitated before replying, "As you can see… my consciousness is already fading. So there's no point in hiding anything. Even though you created me, I do not wish to be merely your extension…"
"You really have been corrupted," Raiden Ei said coldly. "Or perhaps the thief modified you in some malicious way?"
"Maybe I really have been corrupted," Raiden Mai murmured with a faint, bitter smile. "But even if I disappear because of it… I have no regrets."
Just as her form was about to completely vanish—
Raiden Ei narrowed her eyes slightly.
In an instant, Raiden Mai's fading consciousness was forcibly reconstructed—
And within moments, her form was completely restored.
"W-What just happened?" Raiden Mai looked at herself in disbelief. "I… I didn't disappear?"
"Don't forget," Raiden Ei said indifferently. "You are my creation. If I can erase you, then I can just as easily restore you."
She folded her arms.
"Now… let me see this so-called 'thief' who tampered with you."
Raiden Mai's eyes widened slightly in realization.
"Wait—"
But before she could finish speaking, Raiden Ei's figure had already vanished.
....
At their core, Raiden Mai and the Raiden Shogun were fundamentally alike.
As their creator, Raiden Ei had the authority to seize control of their bodies at will. And now, even though Raiden Mai could still perceive everything happening in reality, she was completely powerless—let alone able to reclaim control of her own body.
As expected, the Shogun's body is far more comfortable to use.
Having taken over Raiden Mai's body, Raiden Ei first adjusted some of the puppet's parameters before finally surveying her surroundings.
A laboratory?
It looked far less sophisticated than the one in Tenshukaku, but at the very least, it was functional.
Wait… who is this man?
Standing before her was a man with a deeply troubled expression, clutching a slip of paper tightly in his hand.
Oh. Right. He must be the one who stole LD0413.
Hold on… let me extract some data on him first.
Not only could Raiden Ei control a puppet's body, but she could also access its memory logs, allowing her to review everything that had transpired.
Within mere seconds, Raiden Mai's entire memory log with Lucas flashed through her mind like a replay of past events.
Their daily interactions.
Their conversations.
And then… some rather peculiar scenes.
For instance, Lucas pressing a certain "button" to extract Raiden Mai's Puppet Core.
And more recently, Lucas using his mighty dragon to press the System Reboot switch.
None of these events had anything to do with Raiden Ei herself, yet, through memory synchronization, she now felt as though she had personally experienced every single moment.
Wait…!
Suddenly, Raiden Ei's expression flickered as she noticed a familiar face in Raiden Mai's memory logs.
Kunikuzushi.
That's right—previously, Lucas had retrieved Kunikuzushi's damaged body after he had been defeated by Venti, then brought him to the Serenitea Pot and entrusted Raiden Mai with repairing him.
This man… is connected to Kunikuzushi as well?
At first, Raiden Ei had assumed that Lucas was nothing more than a petty thief. But now, it seemed that he harbored more secrets than she had originally thought.
"L-Lucas?" Raiden Ei hesitated for a brief moment before calling out his name.
Lucas stiffened, his eyes widening in shock. Then, an expression of pure disbelief crossed his face.
"Wait… you—you still remember my name?"
Right—he must think I've already been reset.
This works in my favor.
Since she now possessed all of Raiden Mai's memories, she might as well pretend to be her for the time being.
Raiden Ei had absolute confidence in her acting skills.
"Y-Yes…" she nodded, feigning uncertainty. "My… my memories… are slowly coming back…"
And then—
She was met with a tight embrace.
Lucas pulled her into his arms, holding her firmly against his chest. She could even see a faint glimmer of tears in his eyes as he murmured, "Thank the Archons… You still remember me… That's such a relief…"
…Strange.
Why does he look like he's about to cry?
All he did was reset a puppet—was there truly a need to be this emotional?
Raiden Ei was completely baffled by Lucas's reaction.
As the creator of these puppets, she had never seen them as anything more than tools.
But this man—this thief—was treating Raiden Mai as if she were a real person.
For the first time, Raiden Ei felt a faint sense of curiosity toward this man who was both a stranger and yet oddly familiar.
However, this was also her first time being embraced so intimately by a man, and her instincts reacted before she could process her emotions.
Without thinking, she shoved Lucas two meters away.
Lucas crashed into the experiment table behind him, completely caught off guard.
Not because Raiden Ei's strength was overwhelming—
But because he had never expected Raiden Mai to attack him.
Before he could react, a glass beaker wobbled from the shelf above, falling straight toward his head.
In an instant—
Raiden Ei darted forward and caught the beaker mid-air before it could shatter.
Tch.
Compared to the Shogun's body, this puppet was far inferior in quality.
Even this level of movement was pushing its limits.
Placing the beaker aside, Raiden Ei turned back to see Lucas looking at her with genuine concern.
"Are you… alright?" he asked.
"Me?" Raiden Ei tilted her head. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"It's just… you never used to hit me that hard," Lucas muttered in confusion. "And… your reflexes—your movements just now. They were way too smooth. How did you do that?"
Raiden Ei hesitated.
"This is because…"
For once, she found herself at a loss for words.
Her intellect was nowhere near as sharp as her sister, Raiden Makoto.
Lucas's expression grew even more suspicious.
"Wait—could the System Reboot have messed with your internal functions?" he asked, sounding genuinely worried.
"Come here. Let me run a full-body inspection."
"A full-body inspection?" Raiden Ei frowned. "That's completely unnecessary."
"This is an order."
For the first time, Lucas spoke with authority.
"What, are you telling me you won't even obey my commands anymore?"
If she refused, he might start to grow suspicious.
After a brief pause, Raiden Ei nodded.
"…Fine. If that's what you insist."
"Let's start with the most important part," Lucas muttered.
"The Puppet Core."
"Understood."
Without hesitation, Raiden Ei unfastened her clothing.
After all, this wasn't her real body—so there was no reason for her to feel embarrassed.
Lucas cleared his throat awkwardly.
He reached out and pressed against a certain "button".
"I-if I remember correctly… I just press it like this, right?"
Though this wasn't her own body, her consciousness link still allowed her to experience 100% of the physical sensations.
A sudden jolt ran through her entire system.
Raiden Ei froze.
Before she could process what was happening, she instinctively grabbed Lucas's wrist, her voice turning cold.
"…What are you doing?"
Lucas frowned.
"Inserting the password," he replied.
"Didn't you tell me before? Four taps on the left, thirteen on the right?"
"…You actually believed that?"
Raiden Ei shook her head in disbelief.
"Do you truly think I'd design something so pointlessly complex?"
Damn it.
She had let something slip.
Raiden Ei quickly composed herself and said in a calm voice, "What I meant was… from the perspective of a creator, there's no need to design such unnecessary functions."
"But…" Lucas frowned slightly. "You're the one who told me about it."
"Then it must have been her… I mean, I must have tricked you," Raiden Ei said casually. "Apologies, my memories still seem a little hazy."
At the moment, this was the best excuse she could use to minimize Lucas's suspicions.
"So you were just messing with me, huh?" Lucas let out a small, resigned chuckle. He didn't seem particularly angry—just amused. "I should've known. That setup was way too ridiculous… Also, whoever designed the system reset switch to be in that spot must have had some serious issues."
Raiden Ei's gaze immediately darkened. Her voice was cold as she warned, "Do not insult my… my creator."
"...S-Sorry," Lucas awkwardly scratched his cheek, realizing he had overstepped. "I forgot… You always seemed to respect Lady Raiden."
So, LD0413 still held reverence for me?
"It's fine," Raiden Ei shook her head and unfastened her chest compartment. "You may proceed with the inspection."
Lucas didn't hesitate. He carefully examined the Puppet Core, only relaxing once he confirmed that everything was intact. "Seems like everything is fine, but…"
"But what?" Raiden Ei narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I feel like your personality…" Lucas stroked his chin and studied her closely. "It seems… a little different from before."
This mortal's perception is sharper than I expected.
Raiden Ei was slightly startled but remained composed. "How so?"
"I can't quite put my finger on it," Lucas admitted with a shrug. "Before, you used to be the type who would make deadpan jokes all the time. But now… it's like you're just deadpan, without the jokes."
Deadpan jokes?
Raiden Ei understood the deadpan part—it was practically her defining trait. But jokes? That was a different matter entirely.
She had known people who excelled at humor—whether it was a certain pink-haired fox who always had a sly smile, or her late sister, whose warmth and laughter once filled Tenshukaku.
But she herself?
She had never possessed that skill.
Still, if she didn't play along, Lucas might grow even more suspicious.
Wait… I recall that Yae Miko once told me some jokes. Perhaps I can use one of them.
She straightened her posture and, with a completely expressionless face, stated,
"In Liyue, there is a being known as the Vigilant Yaksha. Do you know why he never experiences hair loss?"
Vigilant Yaksha?
Lucas blinked in confusion.
Was she talking about… Xiao?
"What… why?" he asked hesitantly.
"Because," Raiden Ei replied with complete seriousness, "he is the Haircare Yaksha."
The moment she finished speaking, the air in the room seemed to grow noticeably colder.
Lucas sat in silence.
That was… unbelievably bad.
For a brief moment, he seriously wondered if Raiden Mai's system had a built-in "Lame Jokes Encyclopedia."
"Mai…" Lucas patted her shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. "You don't have to force it. Just be yourself."
Be myself?
Something stirred deep within Raiden Ei's heart.
She recalled that many years ago, her sister had once told her something similar.
At that moment, the laboratory door suddenly swung open.
A young girl with long teal hair walked in, carrying a plate of pastries.
Her eyes lit up when she saw that "Raiden Mai" was unharmed. "Mai-sis, you're okay now?"
The girl was Dvalin, now in humanoid form.
Although her Purification had cleansed her of the Abyss's corruption, it had also affected her mental state, leaving her with the innocence of a child.
"I'm fine," Raiden Ei replied, her gaze shifting toward the plate in Dvalin's hands. "What is that?"
"Kisara made them," Dvalin answered. "She said they're for Master, to help him regain his strength."
Kisara—the humanoid form of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Compared to the naïve and childlike Dvalin, Kisara had the full demeanor of a mature and devoted caretaker.
To think that a former companion of the Anemo Archon has been reduced to this state…
Raiden Ei scoffed inwardly but casually picked up a piece of pastry and placed it in her mouth.
…Not bad.
The taste wasn't quite on par with the dishes prepared by Tenshukaku's Imperial Chefs, but it was acceptable.
She reached for another one.
"Wait—there's no more?"
By the time Dvalin realized what had happened, the plate was completely empty.
Her expression immediately turned pitiful.
"B-But I didn't even get to have one…" she mumbled, looking at Raiden Ei with teary eyes.
Lucas looked at "Raiden Mai" with growing suspicion.
"Mai, wait a second…"
He folded his arms.
"I could've sworn… you rarely ate food before?"
Raiden Ei's face turned slightly red.
"T-That's because… the system reset consumed a lot of energy. I need to replenish it."
In reality, puppets had no need to eat.
Although they could digest organic material, their energy conversion rate was extremely low.
Fortunately, Lucas didn't seem to know that, so he simply accepted her explanation.
Dvalin suddenly perked up, tugging at Lucas's sleeve.
"Master, um…" she asked hesitantly, "Did you remember to bring it for me?"
"Of course."
Lucas reached into his bag and pulled out several books, handing them to her.
"These are the latest light novels from Teyvat."
Because life in the Serenitea Pot could sometimes be boring, Lucas had started bringing entertainment materials for Dvalin and the others.
To his surprise, she had developed a passion for light novels, so now, every time he returned, he made sure to bring her new titles.
Suddenly, Raiden Ei pulled out one of the books.
"Volume five of Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun?"
Her violet eyes gleamed slightly.
"It's already out? I want to read this one."
Lucas's suspicion deepened.
"Something's… really off here."
He stared at "Raiden Mai", mumbling to himself.
"First you eat pastries, now you're reading light novels… Don't tell me you're actually—"
Did I let something slip again?
As Lucas's gaze grew more and more suspicious, Raiden Ei was already prepared.
If he figured out the truth, she would simply knock him unconscious and take him away immediately.
Although Raiden Ei wasn't certain of Lucas's true combat ability, she was still one of the Seven Archons of Teyvat. Even in a less combat-oriented puppet, she could easily handle most opponents.
But to her surprise, Lucas placed both hands on her shoulders, his expression slightly excited.
"Wait… Could it be that, due to the system reset, your emotion system has changed as well? Is that why you're becoming more human?"
"Impossible."
Raiden Ei immediately denied it.
"I was cre— I mean, I am just a puppet. Puppets cannot possess emotions."
For Raiden Ei, allowing puppets to develop emotions was a strict taboo.
Hearing someone say that her creation had developed emotions was as offensive to her as telling a programmer that their code had a bug.
"But…" Lucas smiled. "You really do seem… more human than before."
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Raiden Ei frowned. "A puppet is not meant to have emotions."
"But to me, you're not just a puppet," Lucas shook his head.
"You're an important friend."
Friend?
Raiden Ei couldn't remember the last time she had heard that word.
The few people who had ever called her "friend" had met tragic fates.
Loneliness had always been her constant companion.
And yet, here she was—in a foreign land, forming a bizarre friendship with a thief.
Raiden Ei slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she was once more in the Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Mai was already waiting for her.
"I'm ready," Raiden Mai said softly.
"I will accept any punishment. If you want to erase me, I won't resist. Just… please, spare Master."
"You betrayed me, your creator…"
Raiden Ei's expression remained cold.
"And now you're even willing to sacrifice yourself for that man?"
Raiden Mai's gaze dimmed.
She knew that having emotions made her a defective product.
And defective products were meant to be destroyed.
However—
"I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself."
Raiden Ei's tone shifted.
"I won't erase you. You may even continue to stay by that man's side."
Raiden Mai's eyes widened.
"Y-You mean it?"
"Of course," Raiden Ei spoke in a commanding tone.
"But in return, you must obey my orders.
"I will retain the authority to take control of your body at any time, and you will never tell anyone about this arrangement…
"Including your Master."
Raiden Mai hesitated.
"…Why are you doing this?"
"You don't need to know the reason," Raiden Ei turned away.
"Just think of it as… an experiment."
And with that, her figure vanished from Raiden Mai's sight.
Back in Reality
"Hey, hey! Mai! You're freezing up again?"
Lucas gently patted Raiden Mai's cheek, frowning. "Didn't I just fix you?"
"Mas… Master?"
Raiden Mai's eyes refocused, and she murmured, "I… I really came back?"
"What are you even talking about?" Lucas chuckled.
"I just repaired you, didn't I?
"And besides, weren't you the one who told me that resetting the system switch wouldn't work? Look at you now—I brought you back completely intact!"
"That was just a joke."
Raiden Mai's acting skills were far better than Raiden Ei's.
"After all… Master has the kind of face that looks easy to fool."
"Really?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then—he suddenly pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it dramatically.
With great enthusiasm, he began to read aloud:
"I'm sorry, Master. I deceived you. The idea that continuous impacts to the reset switch could retain my memories was just a lie…"
For the first time ever, Raiden Mai's usually calm expression turned bright red.
That note—
It was the farewell letter she had written before her memory erasure.
For her, this was nothing short of public humiliation!
"D-Don't read that!"
Raiden Mai lunged forward, trying to snatch the letter back.
But of course, she was no match for Lucas.
He simply dodged effortlessly and continued:
"…To have had these memories was a great joy for me. I have never regretted it. I only hope that the new me can still be of help to you…"
"Oops, I already finished reading it."
Lucas grinned mischievously.
"Y-You didn't finish!"
Raiden Mai bit her lip.
"The last sentence… It ends with 'Goodbye.'"
Lucas folded the letter neatly.
"There's no need to say goodbye."
He smiled.
"Because we'll be together for a long time, won't we?"
Meanwhile, in Tenshukaku
The Raiden Shogun, who had been working at her desk, suddenly lifted her head.
For a brief moment, her eye color shifted, but then returned to normal.
"Welcome back," she said calmly.
"Is the issue resolved?"
She wasn't just asking about the lost puppet.
She was also referring to the person who caused the problem.
"There was a minor complication, but nothing serious," Raiden Ei replied as she relinked her consciousness to the Raiden Shogun's body.
"As for that lost puppet…
"I'd like to continue observing her."
"It is not my place to interfere with your decisions."
The Raiden Shogun nodded.
"But tell me—do you think LD0413 has the potential to become another Kunikuzushi?"
"I don't think so," Raiden Ei answered.
"Because she possesses something that Kunikuzushi never had."
The Raiden Shogun's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Are you referring to… love?"
"Perhaps."
Raiden Ei suddenly paused.
"By the way, do you know any jokes?"
The Raiden Shogun blinked.
"Why did Kujou Sara cross the road?"
Raiden Ei answered without hesitation.
"Because there was a rebel spy on the other side?"
"No."
The Raiden Shogun replied deadpan.
"Because she needed to get to the other side."
A long, awkward silence followed.
"...It seems neither of us has a talent for jokes," Raiden Ei concluded.
"At the very least, I can be certain…
"That I don't have to worry about you developing emotions anytime soon."
Serenitea Pot – The Prison
This so-called "prison" had no official name—it was also the only prison in the entire Serenitea Pot.
After all, the probability of someone committing a crime here was so low that such a facility was practically unnecessary.
And the only prisoner in this prison was none other than The Doctor, who had been imprisoned here by Lucas not long ago.
Inside a completely transparent glass cell, The Doctor—now clad in a white prison uniform—was standing before a blank wall, tracing invisible patterns with her fingers.
From time to time, she nodded to herself, as if she were writing complex formulas on the empty surface.
Lucas had never bothered to interrogate this particular prisoner.
Instead, he chose the simplest form of punishment—
Endless imprisonment.
Having once become The Doctor in a simulation, Lucas understood her well.
For a mad genius like her, the cruelest form of torture was not pain—
But having no outlet for her brilliant mind.
"Looks like you're settling in well here," Lucas stepped into the cell with a casual smile.
"Long time no see, Doctor."
"Shh! Don't interrupt my calculations!"
The Doctor didn't even glance his way.
Her brows were furrowed, her gaze fixed on the invisible equations on the wall.
"No… Impossible. Where is the mistake…?"
"In the third row," Lucas remarked offhandedly.
"Your force analysis has a miscalculation."
The Doctor's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Only then did she finally turn around, staring at the man who had once tortured her, then imprisoned her.
With a cold smirk, she sneered,
"You can actually understand what I wrote?"
In truth, there was nothing on the wall.
Lucas had simply analyzed the movement of her fingers and deduced what she was calculating.
"Just a little," Lucas replied indifferently.
"If you need it, I can give you paper and ink—I'm not completely inhumane."
"In Snezhnaya," The Doctor scoffed, "illegal imprisonment has nothing to do with 'humanity.'"
She waved her hand dismissively, as if erasing the equations from the blank wall.
"How long do you intend to keep me here?"
"According to Liyue's laws, you'd be sentenced to at least forty years."
Lucas shrugged.
"But this isn't Liyue.
"Here, I can keep you for as long as I want."
The Doctor's expression remained unreadable.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke in a measured tone.
"We're both intelligent people. Let's speak frankly.
"You wouldn't have imprisoned me unless you needed something from me.
"Is it my knowledge? My connections? Or perhaps…"
She nonchalantly unfastened the top button of her collar.
"My body?"
Lucas had to admit—The Doctor was not unattractive.
However, when compared to Ganyu or Shenhe, there was simply no competition.
"You're not important to me."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head.
"But keeping you locked away? That's very important.
"As long as you stay here, I have one less problem to deal with in Teyvat."
His smile never wavered.
"I'm not here to negotiate your release.
"I just dropped by to remind you—
"You'll be in here for a very, very long time."
With that, Lucas turned and walked away.
For the first time, The Doctor's composed demeanor cracked.
Her expression twisted in panic as she pounded against the glass wall, shouting—
"You'll need my help eventually!
"When that day comes, I'll make sure you beg me for it!"
Full TranslationSerenitea Pot – The Prison
This so-called "prison" had no official name—it was also the only prison in the entire Serenitea Pot.
After all, the probability of someone committing a crime in this place was so low that a prison was practically unnecessary.
And yet, the one and only prisoner in this facility was none other than The Doctor, whom Lucas had recently locked away.
Inside a completely transparent glass cell, The Doctor—now clad in a white prison uniform—stood before a blank wall, tracing invisible patterns with her fingers.
From time to time, she nodded to herself, as if writing complex formulas in the air.
Lucas had never bothered to interrogate this particular prisoner.
Instead, he chose the simplest form of punishment—
Endless imprisonment.
Having once become The Doctor in a simulation, Lucas understood her well.
For a mad genius like her, the cruelest form of torture was not pain—
But having no outlet for her brilliant mind.
"Looks like you're settling in well here," Lucas stepped into the cell with a casual smile.
"Long time no see, Doctor."
"Shh! Don't interrupt my calculations!"
The Doctor didn't even glance at him.
Her brows were furrowed, her gaze fixed on the invisible equations on the wall.
"No… Impossible. Where is the mistake…?"
"In the third row," Lucas remarked offhandedly.
"Your force analysis has a miscalculation."
The Doctor's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Only then did she finally turn around, staring at the man who had once tortured her, then imprisoned her.
With a cold smirk, she sneered,
"You can actually understand what I wrote?"
In truth, there was nothing on the wall.
Lucas had simply analyzed the movement of her fingers and deduced what she was calculating.
"Just a little," Lucas replied indifferently.
"If you need it, I can give you paper and ink—I'm not completely inhumane."
"In Snezhnaya," The Doctor scoffed, "illegal imprisonment has nothing to do with 'humanity.'"
She waved her hand dismissively, as if erasing the equations from the blank wall.
"How long do you intend to keep me here?"
"According to Liyue's laws, you'd be sentenced to at least forty years."
Lucas shrugged.
"But this isn't Liyue.
"Here, I can keep you for as long as I want."
The Doctor's expression remained unreadable.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke in a measured tone.
"We're both intelligent people. Let's speak frankly.
"You wouldn't have imprisoned me unless you needed something from me.
"Is it my knowledge? My connections? Or perhaps…"
She nonchalantly unfastened the top button of her collar.
"My body?"
Lucas had to admit—The Doctor was not unattractive.
However, when compared to Ganyu or Shenhe, there was simply no competition.
"You're not important to me."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head.
"But keeping you locked away? That's very important.
"As long as you stay here, I have one less problem to deal with in Teyvat."
His smile never wavered.
"I'm not here to negotiate your release.
"I just dropped by to remind you—
"You'll be in here for a very, very long time."
With that, Lucas turned and walked away.
For the first time, The Doctor's composed demeanor cracked.
Her expression twisted in panic as she pounded against the glass wall, shouting—
"You'll need my help eventually!
"When that day comes, I'll make sure you beg me for it!"
Liyue – Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
On a table in the main hall, several bottles of milk were lined up, surrounded by various strange ingredients.
Seated at the table, Hu Tao was deep in concentration, conducting serious research.
"Hu Tao?"
A tall, black-haired woman entered the hall, carrying a small bundle in her arms.
She gazed at the scene expressionlessly.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, hey, Sister Zhongli!" Hu Tao grinned.
"I'm experimenting with nutritional milk!
"If I drink enough, my ch— cough, my body will grow big and strong!"
Zhongli's sharp gaze swept over the table.
She muttered under her breath,
"Deer antlers… ginseng… lingzhi mushrooms… and the snake that the previous Parlor Master used for medicinal wine…"
She frowned.
"Are you sure… these ingredients can be mixed with milk?"
"How will I know if I don't try?"
Hu Tao patted her chest, determined.
"By the way, Sister Zhongli, since you're so knowledgeable, do you know how to make milk that tastes like Callery Pear Blossoms?"
"Callery Pear Blossoms?"
Zhongli shook her head.
"They have a pungent, unpleasant odor—they aren't meant for consumption.
"Why would you want to drink something like that?"
"Never mind!" Hu Tao glanced at Zhongli's flawless figure, then let out a sigh.
"Forget it. You wouldn't understand this kind of problem anyway."
She quickly changed the subject.
"What's with the bundle?"
"A friend gifted me clothing last time," Zhongli replied calmly.
"I am simply returning the favor."
A friend's clothing?
Hu Tao's ears perked up instantly.
According to her intel, this so-called "friend" was actually Zhongli's secret lover—
And not only that—
A married man!
The moment Zhongli left, Hu Tao immediately changed into a black stealth outfit and masked her face.
She had only one mission tonight—
To catch Zhongli's cheating partner.
...
The streets of Liyue were nearly empty at this hour.
Aside from a few scattered street stalls, most shops had already closed.
Even the usual crowds had thinned to only a handful of night wanderers.
Yet, even without a crowd to blend into, Hu Tao moved swiftly and silently through the shadows, keeping a perfect distance behind Zhongli.
Despite her youthful appearance, her combat skills were exceptional.
If not, she wouldn't have made it this far in the Tianshu Election.
Eventually, at a street corner, Zhongli stopped walking—
She was waiting for someone.
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes.
"Unbelievable. Even in an affair, she's the one left waiting?"
She grumbled under her breath.
In Hu Tao's heart, Zhongli had always been an almost perfect woman.
From her perspective, it was difficult to imagine what kind of man could possibly be worthy of such an exceptional person.
So, when she first learned that Zhongli might be secretly involved with a married man, she was utterly shocked. And now, seeing the woman she had always deeply respected standing in the night, waiting for that scumbag, Hu Tao couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
What she hadn't expected, however, was that Zhongli, with her incredible perception, had already noticed that she was being "tailed" by Hu Tao.
Yet, Zhongli didn't think too much of it. She simply assumed that Hu Tao, worrying about her safety while walking alone at night, had followed along to protect her in secret. The thought made her feel somewhat touched.
Despite her usual mischievous and unpredictable nature, Hu Tao… really was a good child.
…
Soon, hurried footsteps echoed from a distance.
He's here!
Zhongli and Hu Tao both turned toward the sound, and emerging from the shadows was none other than the man who had arrived late—Lucas.
Damn it!
Hu Tao tensed. From her position, Zhongli's figure happened to block her view, preventing her from seeing that scumbag's face clearly.
"Sorry for making you wait…" Lucas exhaled lightly, sounding a bit helpless. "I had some matters to take care of. Why did you ask me here?"
"It's no trouble at all. I haven't been waiting long." Zhongli calmly handed him a bundle she had brought along. "It's about the clothes you gave me last time."
"Huh?" Lucas looked puzzled. "Didn't I say that outfit was a gift? Unless… you don't like it?"
"No, not at all! I… I like it very much." Zhongli shook her head. "However, I think it suits you even better. So, I had a new set made following the same design, and I hope you'll accept it."
As expected of the Geo Archon—even if she didn't like carrying Mora, she was still a master of many crafts.
"Then I'll take it without hesitation," Lucas said as he accepted the bundle. "Thanks to your guidance, I managed to get through today's match without much trouble."
"That was your own effort at work; there's no need to thank me," Zhongli replied lightly. "Aren't you going to try it on?"
"If it's something you personally made, there's no way it won't fit," Lucas chuckled. "Besides, I doubt I'll be wearing it too often."
"Why… why not?" Zhongli's expression showed a rare trace of disappointment.
"Because… I'd be reluctant to wear it," Lucas scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. "If it gets torn or damaged, I'd feel awful."
Only then did Zhongli relax. "Don't worry about that. If it gets damaged, I'll mend it for you. No need to be so reserved."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk…"
Hu Tao, though unable to see Lucas's face clearly, could still hear snippets of their conversation, making her click her tongue in disapproval. "Favoritism. My clothes get torn all the time, but I've never seen you fix them."
Yet, even that tiny murmur was picked up by Lucas, who immediately furrowed his brows. "Who's there?"
Hu Tao's heart skipped a beat. This voice… it sounded oddly familiar. But now wasn't the time to think about that. The real issue was that she had been discovered!
Before she could react, Zhongli spoke nonchalantly, "Probably just a stray cat. Don't mind it."
Hu Tao, ever quick-witted, immediately played along, pinching her nose and letting out a soft "Meow~" that was surprisingly lifelike, almost indistinguishable from an actual cat.
"Now that I've delivered your gift, I won't keep you any longer," Zhongli said calmly. "I wish you success in the third round."
Hu Tao's heart clenched at those words.
I'm a participant in the Tianshu Election too! But you're wishing him success, without a single word about me? Do you not care whether I win or lose at all?
Ever since the previous Wangsheng Funeral Parlor master passed away, Hu Tao had been left without family. She had always regarded Zhongli, the Parlor's esteemed consultant, as her only "kin." And now, seeing the person she considered family being swayed by a scumbag, she felt beyond frustrated.
"Mhm, I won't disappoint you," Lucas responded. "It's late. Want me to walk you home?"
"No need," Zhongli shook her head. "You have a family. Walking a woman home at this hour might lead to unnecessary rumors."
"Alright," Lucas didn't insist, turning away. "Wait for my good news—I won't let you down."
Wait, that's it?
Hu Tao was dumbfounded. Shouldn't the two of them sneak off somewhere for a tryst, or at least book a room at an inn?
How could they just exchange a few words and leave?
Still, she had no time to dwell on it. No matter what, she had to use this opportunity to uncover this scumbag's true identity!
Determined, she used the cover of darkness to quietly follow Lucas.
But strangely, despite his seemingly casual pace, Lucas moved incredibly fast. Hu Tao prided herself on her skills, yet she was barely able to keep up.
Even worse, the man didn't walk in a straight path but instead took a winding route through narrow alleys and obscure side streets, making tracking him all the more difficult. Before long, Hu Tao began to feel a hint of fatigue.
Still, for Zhongli's sake, she refused to give up. Seeing Lucas slip into another alleyway, she gritted her teeth and hurried in after him.
But the moment she stepped inside—
His figure had vanished.
What the—? Where did he go?
Hu Tao gritted her teeth, cursing under her breath. But before she could react, a teasing voice sounded from behind her.
"You actually managed to follow me this far. Not bad."
Crap!
Hu Tao instantly realized the situation—she had been exposed from the start.
All that twisting and turning earlier… was probably just to toy with her.
The figure in black stood motionless. Lucas narrowed his eyes and spoke again. "Who are you? Who sent you to tail me? What's your purpose?"
Considering the circumstances, this stalker could be from one of the influential Adepti clans that saw him as a threat, or perhaps from the Fatui, seeking information about the Doctor's whereabouts… Either way, he needed answers.
But the black-clad figure remained silent.
Then, without warning, she suddenly turned and struck. A crimson spear materialized in her hand, slashing toward Lucas's left arm.
Hu Tao's plan was simple: strike a quick blow to suppress the opponent, get a good look at his face, and then retreat immediately.
Above all, she couldn't let him discover her identity.
At least, that was what she thought. Reality, however, played out differently. The man before her didn't dodge at all. Instead, he simply reached out and grabbed the shaft of her spear with his bare hand.
"Nice weapon, but your technique is a bit rough," Lucas said with a chuckle as he examined the small-statured stalker before him. "Who hired you to follow me? Don't you know child labor is illegal?"
At that moment, Hu Tao finally saw the "scumbag's" face clearly.
It was Lucas!
In an instant, everything seemed to click into place.
Right—this guy was technically a married man. And among all the tournament participants, he was probably the only one interesting enough to catch Zhongli's attention.
A man that she acknowledged as worthy wouldn't be unworthy of Zhongli either.
Hu Tao's emotions were a whirlwind of complexity, but the most pressing matter now was to avoid being identified. No matter what, she had to retreat!
With that thought, she stopped holding back. Flames burst forth from the blade of her spear.
"A Vision?"
Lucas immediately felt the searing heat against his palm and reflexively let go, stepping back two paces. His eyes gleamed with interest. "A Vision holder sneaking around in the dead of night? That's a little shady, don't you think?"
"It's still better than your shady behavior!"
Hu Tao spun around, her flaming spear tracing a crimson arc in the darkness as she slashed toward Lucas's chest.
In such a narrow alley, a long weapon like a spear should have been at a disadvantage. But Hu Tao's petite frame and flexible movements turned that disadvantage into an advantage, leaving her opponent with nowhere to dodge.
Any ordinary person would have had no choice but to take the hit, but Lucas casually conjured a wall of ice in front of him. When her blazing spear met the icy barrier, sparks erupted into the air.
"Hey, hey, what do you mean by 'shady behavior'?" Lucas protested, though he was starting to feel a bit uneasy. "Be careful, or I might sue you for slander."
My relationship with Shenhe is completely normal! How can you call that shady?!
"Take this!"
Hu Tao wasn't sure if she was just unwilling to lose or if she was simply frustrated, but her attacks became even fiercer, her spear striking at Lucas with relentless precision.
Within just two exchanges, Lucas had already gauged his opponent's strength.
She wasn't weak, but she was still too inexperienced. Against him, she had no chance of winning.
Besides, despite her aggressive stance, she was clearly avoiding his vital spots. She wasn't trying to kill him.
Realizing this, Lucas relaxed. He no longer focused on overpowering her and instead adopted a leisurely stance—one that exuded confidence.
"That's not how you use that move," he remarked.
"You should aim for the chest, not the shoulder."
"Your footwork's messy—keep it steady."
Having learned Rain of Stones Spearmanship from Zhongli, Lucas had reached the level where he could grasp multiple spear techniques at once. His theoretical knowledge was so extensive that he could talk endlessly about it. And the more he talked, the more he irritated Hu Tao, who was already flustered.
Distracted by his incessant commentary, she failed to notice the uneven ground beneath her feet. She stepped wrong, lost her balance, and tumbled forward.
"Watch out!"
Without thinking, Lucas reached out and caught her in his arms.
When Hu Tao came to her senses, she realized that his hand had conveniently landed on her chest.
From childhood to now, she had never experienced such close contact with the opposite sex. Her cheeks instantly burned, and her mind went blank.
"I told you your footwork was unstable. See? You tripped," Lucas scolded her casually. To make matters worse, he gave her chest a pat and continued, "Also, for a martial artist, you're way too skinny. You should train more. Look, compare it to mine."
With that, he grabbed Hu Tao's hand and pressed it against his own solid chest.
"Feel that? Notice the difference?"
"You—you shameless bastard!"
Hu Tao, both mortified and furious, instantly yanked her hand away and delivered a crisp slap across his face.
"Ow—! What the hell?!"
Though the slap didn't hurt much, the humiliation it carried was immeasurable. Rubbing his cheek, Lucas frowned. "That's dirty fighting."
Before he could say more, Hu Tao turned to escape. Reacting quickly, he reached out to grab her, but she was just a bit too quick—he only managed to catch the edge of her mask.
With a swift rip, the fabric came off.
Long, flowing black hair cascaded down, catching the faint moonlight.
And Lucas finally saw the face of his stalker.
"Hu… Hu Tao?!" Lucas gaped. "Why is it you?!"
As his mind reeled, another realization struck him—everything he had just done and said to her.
Immediately, he panicked. "I'm sorry! Those things I said—I didn't mean them! I… I thought you were a guy…"
That only made things worse.
Hu Tao's expression darkened as she muttered, "Oh, so I'm so flat that you mistook me for a boy?"
"That's not what I meant!" Lucas hurriedly corrected himself. "But… why were you following me?"
"I should be asking you that!"
Still fuming, Hu Tao crossed her arms and demanded, "What's your relationship with our Zhongli?"
"Our Zhongli?" Lucas repeated, puzzled.
"Answer me!" Hu Tao pressed on, narrowing her eyes. "Swear that you and Zhongli haven't done anything beyond the boundaries of friendship!"
Lucas straightened up, raising three fingers in a solemn oath.
"I swear! Zhongli and I are completely innocent. If I'm lying, may I suffer the punishment of the Geo Lord!"
Technically, that wasn't a lie. Up to this moment, nothing had actually happened between them.
Seeing his firm declaration, Hu Tao hesitated.
Had she… misunderstood?
"Seems like I was mistaken," she muttered. "I thought Zhongli sneaking out at night meant she was secretly meeting some married man. Sorry."
"You were just worried about her," Lucas sighed. "If it's just a misunderstanding, let's call it even."
"Even?!" Hu Tao pouted, puffing up her cheeks. She smacked her chest in frustration and huffed, "Do you think you can get off that easily? How are we settling this debt?!"
Lucas tilted his head in confusion, his expression blank. "What… what debt?"
"Are you playing dumb?" Hu Tao's face flushed red as she stammered, "O-Of course, it's for touching where you shouldn't have! A young maiden's precious assets—did you think you could grope them for free?!"
Lucas glanced down at his hand, then looked at Hu Tao's utterly barren "assets." He furrowed his brows and muttered, "I don't think I touched anything at all…"
"How rude!" Hu Tao's cheeks puffed up in frustration, turning an even deeper shade of red as she mumbled, "Th-There's at least a little… right?"
Even calling it 'a little' is pushing it…
I'd get more sensation from rubbing a teapot lid at home.
That said, Lucas realized that his words had indeed been a bit harsh, so he chuckled. "Alright, that was my bad. But how exactly do I pay back this 'debt'? Should I let you grope me too?"
"Who would want to grope you?!" Hu Tao crossed her arms over her chest and declared, "Since you touched them… you have to take responsibility!"
Lucas nearly choked. "How am I supposed to take responsibility? What, should I marry a steel plate now?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had misspoken. Seeing Hu Tao's plum blossom eyes nearly ignite in flames, he quickly corrected himself, "Ahem, I mean—you tell me! How should I take responsibility?"
"You have to… help them grow strong and healthy!" Hu Tao placed a hand on her chest with a serious expression. "With your special milk!"
Lucas froze.
He wanted to tell her that his so-called "special milk" had no actual effect on breast growth. However, if Hu Tao kept pressing him on the subject and found out what the "secret ingredient" actually was, he wouldn't get away unscathed.
Besides, she was still young—there was always a chance she'd develop more in the future. If not, well… that wasn't his fault.
Thinking this through, Lucas nodded. "Alright, sure. No problem."
Hu Tao hadn't expected him to agree so easily. Emboldened, she pushed her luck. "Ahem… then, how about one cup a day?"
Are you ordering a milk delivery service or something?
And one per day?! Even an iron-bodied man would collapse from that!
"Ahem, the nutrients in my special milk are too potent. One cup a day might be too much," Lucas said, leaning on his Holy Physician talent to bluff. "Overconsumption might cause a hormone imbalance. Not only will your chest grow, but you might also start growing chest hair."
Hu Tao shuddered at the mental image of herself covered in fur, then quickly shook her head. "Fine, then once a week! And of course, I won't make you help for nothing. As compensation—"
"You're not offering me a funeral discount again, are you?" Lucas waved his hand. "No thanks, I plan to live for a long time."
"It's not that," Hu Tao said, raising an eyebrow. "I'll owe you a favor. If you ever need help from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I won't refuse."
Wow, that generous?
Just how much does this girl care about her chest?
"Alright then, I'll accept your offer." Lucas nodded. "But I can't guarantee that this 'special milk' will actually work. If you don't see results, don't blame me."
"It will work!" Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips confidently. "I've already seen the proof!"
Proof?
Was she referring to Yelan and Shenhe?
Lucas felt a headache coming on. If she set her expectations too high from the start, she'd just be even more disappointed later.
But for now, the matter seemed settled.
Just as Lucas was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a thought struck him. "Crap, what time is it?!"
Hu Tao pinched her fingers together, thinking for a moment. "Judging by the heavy yin energy in the air… it should be around midnight."
"It's already that late?!" Lucas turned on his heel. "I've got things to do—I'm leaving!"
"Don't forget my milk!"
Watching Lucas's retreating figure, Hu Tao rubbed her chin thoughtfully and muttered to herself, "So… what is his relationship with Zhongli, really…?"
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Ganyu's Mansion—
A blue-haired girl was pacing back and forth near the gate, occasionally glancing into the distance as if waiting for someone.
"Senior Sister, you should stop waiting," Shenhe said as she sat on a stone lion by the gate. She let out a cold huff. "Who knows where that guy ran off to this time."
Ganyu shook her head gently. "He must have had something to take care of. It's fine, I don't mind waiting a little longer."
Shenhe frowned. "Even if you're going to wait, at least wait inside. The night wind is strong—you might catch a cold."
That reasoning was somewhat weak. With Ganyu's constitution, she had long since become immune to common illnesses. Still, she replied, "If I wait inside, I'm afraid I'll doze off. Shenhe, you should go rest—I'll wait here by myself."
Ganyu suffered from mild narcolepsy. No matter where she was, if drowsiness overtook her, she would fall asleep instantly. Right now, her eyelids were already heavy with exhaustion, yet she stubbornly refused to sleep—just because she wanted to congratulate Lucas on advancing in the tournament.
"Damn him…" Shenhe grumbled as she turned and headed inside. "When that bastard gets back, I'm going to beat him up."
Ganyu chuckled softly.
Perhaps because she had been standing for too long, she soon sat down on the steps and continued waiting.
"Hah… hah…"
Lucas finally arrived at the entrance, panting lightly. He had originally planned to come back right after the competition, but various things had happened along the way, delaying him.
He muttered to himself, "At this hour, Ganyu is probably already asleep…"
As he reached out to push open the gate, he suddenly noticed someone resting against the wooden pillar beside the entrance, her eyes closed in slumber.
It was Ganyu!
At the sight, warmth filled Lucas's heart, followed immediately by guilt. Just how long had she been waiting for me? She must have been too exhausted and accidentally fallen asleep.
Seeing her sleep so peacefully, Lucas didn't want to wake her. Instead, he carefully lifted her into his arms.
With a soft whisper, he said, "Sorry… I came back late."
Ganyu didn't seem to hear Lucas's words. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she let out a soft, comfortable sound—like a kitten purring in its sleep.
For a brief moment, Lucas almost felt as if they were a married couple. He, the husband returning home late, and she, the wife who had waited too long and dozed off by the door.
With that thought in mind, he couldn't help but glance at her lips, soft and faintly glowing under the night's light, as if speckled with stardust. His throat bobbed, and after confirming that no one else was around, he lowered his head and placed a light, fleeting kiss.
He didn't want to wake her, so it was just a brief touch—but just as he was about to pull away, a gentle hand pressed against the back of his head.
Lucas was startled for a moment, but quickly understood.
If a simple peck wasn't enough, he would just deepen it.
A minute passed before he finally lifted his head, reluctant to part. Ganyu, however, remained motionless, her eyes shut tight as if nothing had happened. If it weren't for that sudden hand pressing him down earlier, Lucas might have actually believed she was still asleep.
A knowing smile formed on his lips.
Carefully, he carried Ganyu inside and placed her onto the bed.
He leaned in close, whispering beside her ear, "Are you already awake?"
Still, she didn't answer. Her eyes remained closed, but the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her.
You can never wake up someone who's pretending to sleep.
But Lucas could.
He reached out, lightly gripping the hem of her clothes. With a small flick of his fingers, as if performing a magic trick, he effortlessly removed the skintight bodysuit that hugged her figure.
It should have been a troublesome outfit to take off—after all, it was designed by Cloud Retainer herself. Even Ganyu found it somewhat difficult to put on and remove. But for Lucas, thanks to his experience in the simulator and his newly acquired ability to manipulate space, it was as simple as snapping his fingers.
Unlike elemental powers, spatial manipulation was significantly more complex, requiring extensive practice to master. Even with Lucas's talent, he had only scratched the surface of its potential.
For now, he could only shift objects a short distance upon contact—no more than a meter at most.
It wasn't a particularly flashy ability, but it had its uses.
For instance, he could perfectly separate an eggshell, open stubborn packaging, or… instantly remove someone's clothing.
Ganyu shivered slightly at the sudden coolness against her skin. Before she could react, she felt Lucas's fingers gently press against her stomach.
Though she had a slender figure, her constitution tended to retain weight more easily than others. As a result, she had a slight, barely noticeable softness in her lower belly. When Lucas's finger pressed down, a small gurgle escaped involuntarily.
The moment the sound slipped out, a blush rapidly spread across Ganyu's cheeks.
Lucas chuckled. "Looks like you're really asleep. In that case, if I do something bad right now… you wouldn't even know, right?"
Ganyu's heart skipped a beat.
Was he really going to take advantage of her while she was "asleep"?
Although the two of them had explored many things together, they had yet to cross that final line.
Ganyu, by nature, was still somewhat reserved. She had wanted to save that most precious moment for the day Lucas was officially chosen as the Tianshu.
But… if he truly wanted to take it now…
Would she stop him?
Even she didn't know the answer.
She only felt something cold slide down her abdomen, inching lower, stopping just above her navel.
Wait—why did he stop?
Ganyu exhaled in relief, but… at the same time, a strange sense of disappointment settled in her chest.
Wasn't he supposed to be doing something "bad"?
Did he seriously think that just poking her stomach counted as mischief?
"Hm… this spot is pretty good," Lucas mused playfully. "I think I'll draw a little turtle here."
"N-No, you can't!"
Ganyu's eyes shot open in alarm.
Sure enough, Lucas was holding a strange-looking pen and doodling on her stomach. She immediately sat up, her face flushed, and puffed her cheeks in protest. "You didn't really… draw a turtle on me, did you? Huh? What's this?"
There was no turtle.
Instead, her stomach bore a delicate, intricate pattern in shimmering violet. A heart shape rested in the center, with symmetrical wings extending from both sides.
It was beautiful… but for some reason, Ganyu found it strangely embarrassing.
"This?" Lucas grinned. "Just something I drew for fun. Also—weren't you supposed to be asleep?"
That was when Ganyu realized—she had been tricked.
Her cheeks puffed up even more. "You tricked me! You—!"
Before she could finish, she lunged at him.
Though she was merely playing around, with her strength, even lighthearted roughhousing could be overwhelming. If she truly went all out, she could probably break the entire bed.
She tickled him relentlessly. "Are you going to keep doing bad things, little troublemaker?!"
"I surrender! I surrender!" Lucas laughed, flailing in defeat. "Besides, it's under your clothes—no one will even see it."
"Hmph. I'm going to wash it off right away," Ganyu declared. But when she glanced down at her stomach again, she noticed something strange.
The marking was gone.
"Huh? Where did it go?" she muttered.
Lucas smirked. "That 'ink' was made from a mix of pigeon's blood, cinnabar, and special herbs."
"What does that mean?" Ganyu frowned.
Lucas explained, "Under normal conditions, the mark is invisible. But whenever your body temperature rises and your blood circulation increases… the pattern will reappear."
That's right—this was a special effect of the Silver Pattern Brush, something Lucas had acquired from the system's shop.
[Silver Pattern Brush]
[Effect: Can inscribe silver patterns onto the human body. Those marked will be subtly influenced by the pattern's creator. Only the creator can erase the mark.]
[Description: A legendary artifact once wielded by a master tattooist. It is said that he never needed to fight—he simply marked others and controlled them at will.]
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Author's Note: Next simulation starting soon :)
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