At the academy.
Zhongli held a cup of tea as he stood on the corridor balcony, gazing up at the moon.
A sudden breeze stirred, and in the next moment, a figure silently appeared behind him.
The Vigilant Yaksha.
"Lord Morax…" Xiao's voice was reverent.
Zhongli turned, his expression calm, unsurprised by his presence. "Mm. You've returned."
Xiao bowed his head. "There were obstacles along the way, but the task is complete."
"Did you find the answer to the question weighing on your heart?" Zhongli asked.
Xiao's tone dropped lower. "I've learned the final fate of Bosacius…"
For a moment, the air grew heavy.
Then Zhongli studied him more closely. His expression shifted oddly. "You… seem taller?"
Xiao blinked, then nodded. "Yes. I have indeed grown a bit taller."
"Raise your head. Stand straight," Zhongli instructed.
Xiao obeyed.
"…"
Now nearly eye-level with him, Xiao seemed strangely unfamiliar—and yet, at this height, he looked more fitting than ever.
Zhongli pondered for a moment. "There's something else you've yet to hear."
"What does Lord Morax mean?" Xiao asked.
"The Dragon King Azhdaha has already emerged from the depths."
Xiao's eyes widened. "What?"
Zhongli took a sip of tea. "No need for alarm. Mr. Xia was the one who released him."
At once Xiao recalled Mr. Xia purging his karmic debt. "Then… has Mr. Xia restored the Dragon King's mind?"
Zhongli nodded. "Indeed. You've guessed correctly."
Even Xiao, usually stoic, couldn't help but let a trace of joy cross his face at the news.
"But," Zhongli went on, "unfortunately, Azhdaha, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver left for Mondstadt a few days ago. If you'd like to see him now, you'll have to travel there."
"…That won't be necessary," Xiao murmured.
Zhongli looked at him. "The Windblume Festival is underway. The city is lively, and though you won't admit it, I know you enjoy such liveliness. Why not go? Visit the festivities, share a meal with Mr. Xia, and perhaps ease your heart. Go."
Xiao hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Yes, Lord Morax."
And his figure vanished instantly.
Zhongli turned back toward the moon, leaning once more against the railing.
Not so much because he wanted the Dragon King startled by Xiao's new height—no. More because Xiao's mood had grown heavy over Bosacius' fate. He hoped the boy could find some relief.
In his room, Xia Zhi sat at his desk, opened the [Shop], and purchased a [Transformation Pill].
Then he switched to the [Evolution] page, placed the pill inside, and began working.
After two successful Evolutions, he obtained a new pill.
[Transformation Pill]
Quality: Diamond.
Type: Consumable.
Traits: Shapeshifting, Blessing, Metamorphosis.
Effect: Upon ingestion, monster-type beings can directly enter the transformation stage; randomly grants one extraordinary talent; metamorphoses into a new form according to the highest compatible law.
Hidden Effect: No discomfort during transformation or metamorphosis.
Recyclable: 10,000 points.
Xia Zhi uncorked the bottle and poured out a pill.
Compared to the one he'd given to Durin, this diamond-tier pill had gained an extra trait—[Metamorphosis]—allowing the user to transform into a new form aligned with their strongest affinity.
He studied it for a while before putting it back into the bottle for safekeeping.
That night, the little girl came over again, clinging to him with practiced sweetness.
She had gotten very good at acting spoiled.
Xia Zhi stroked her hair and promised with a smile to sleep beside her.
But then she suddenly caught his hand, lifted it to her nose, and sniffed carefully, puzzlement in her eyes.
"Papa…"
"What is it?"
"Your hand smells… familiar."
"Oh?"
"It's kind of like that pill you gave me before—the one that let me turn into a person. But the scent is a little different."
Her nose was sharp indeed.
No wonder she always caught the lingering trace of Dvalin on him.
Xia Zhi chuckled. "That's right, you guessed it."
"Then who's it for?"
"Why don't you guess?"
"Guoba?"
"No."
"Oz?"
"Still no."
"Then who?"
She tugged on his arm, pouting.
"…Dvalin."
"?!"
The little girl froze, struck as if by lightning.
Xia Zhi lowered his gaze. "Didn't you used to admire that dragon so much? You thought it was beautiful, wanted to play with Dvalin. But Dvalin's dragon form is far too large—you couldn't play together properly. Once Dvalin takes this pill, it be able to turn into a human. Then you two can have fun together."
She still sat stunned. "…"
"You've been having nightmares, haven't you?" Xia Zhi's voice softened. "That means deep down, you're still afraid of Dvalin. The one who tied the knot must untie it. I'll bring Dvalin to you. If you can become good friends, you won't fear anymore—and the nightmares will stop."
The girl lowered her head, her voice muffled. "…Okay."
"Good. Now sleep."
Xia Zhi closed his eyes and entered the dream world.
But she lay wide awake.
Eyes open, the [Eye of Truth] let her see clearly even in the dark.
She quietly studied Xia Zhi's face, cheeks puffing slowly, before letting out the faintest little sound.
"Mmh…"
---
The next morning.
Noelle arrived early again at the open space.
When Yaoyao appeared, the two greeted each other before beginning another day of sparring.
Later, Amber came bounding over.
She'd been away on a mission the last two days, but today she had time off—so she came to join in.
"Today there's going to be a dance competition!" Amber announced happily. "Anyone want to enter?"
"I do!" Xia Ci immediately raised her hand.
Amber tilted her head. "You can dance?"
Xia Ci nodded. "I had a friend once who was amazing at dancing. I picked up a little from her."
Xia Zhen glanced at her, knowing that the "friend" she meant was none other than the Goddess of Flowers.
She herself had once met the Goddess long ago—a woman of indescribable beauty, a charm beyond words.
And her dance… unmatched in all the world.
"Really? I have a friend who's great at dancing too!" Amber said brightly.
"Oh?" Xia Ci showed interest.
"Her name's Eula Lawrence—captain of the Reconnaissance Company of the Knights of Favonius. Maybe you don't know the name, but you must have heard of the Spindrift Knight?"
Charlotte's eyes lit up. "The Spindrift Knight—on par with the Dandelion Knight?"
Amber nodded. "That's her! I knew her even before she joined the Knights. She was my grandfather's student. We used to go shopping together all the time. But once she became a knight, she was constantly away hunting monsters and fighting the Abyss Order. And I had my own missions. So our shopping trips grew fewer and fewer…"
With a personality like Amber's, it was only natural she had many friends.
Listening to her, Xia Zhi suddenly remembered the old records he had read in the Favonius Library.
"Eula Lawrence… Lawrence… That was the name of the old aristocracy that once shackled Mondstadt in darkness, wasn't it? Since then, that family has never been well-regarded. And yet someone from it joined the Knights of Favonius… interesting."