As a maid of the Knights of Favonius, Noelle always had endless tasks to handle.
She had already promised to attend a luncheon elsewhere, which meant she had to return first and ask for leave.
Xia Zhi was also planning to invite Lisa and Jean, so he accompanied Noelle back to the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
The two of them walked slowly down the road.
Noelle kept her head lowered, unusually quiet.
It was obvious to Xia Zhi that she had something on her mind. After a while, he finally asked, "Miss Noelle, are you still thinking about last night?"
Noelle looked up, startled. "Mm… but, how did Mr. Xia know?"
Xia Zhi smiled. "Qiqi is my disciple."
In truth, Qiqi hadn't told him anything—he had seen it himself through the vision of that snowfinch on her shoulder.
"Oh… I forgot."
"Your injuries should be healed by now, yes?"
"Yes…"
"What happened last night was just an accident. You don't need to dwell on it too much."
"I…"
Noelle hesitated, lips parting but unable to continue.
"Do you still have other worries?"
"N-no… nothing…"
"Miss Noelle, you're not very good at lying."
"…"
Noelle lowered her head, silent.
Through his glasses' vision, Xia Zhi couldn't see her face—but from a higher vantage, he could clearly see her biting her lip, her eyes restless and glistening with moisture.
She sniffled softly, then whispered, "Mr. Xia…"
His tone softened. "Yes?"
Her voice wavered, lost and uncertain. "I feel like… I've become bad…"
"No. I've always thought you're a very good and kind child."
Xia Zhi stopped walking, frowning slightly.
"Did Fischl say something to you?"
Noelle also stopped, shaking her head quickly. "No, this has nothing to do with Fischl."
Xia Zhi looked at her. "Then who said that?"
Biting her lip, she whispered, "No one… it was me. I said it myself."
"Why would Miss Noelle say that about herself?"
His voice turned serious.
Of course, he didn't believe her. With how diligent and earnest she was, how could such a girl possibly be "bad"? More likely, she was shaken by last night and overthinking it.
Noelle looked up at him, so serious before her, and suddenly felt timid.
She lowered her watery eyes and said in a small voice, "Last night… when I was hurt and collapsed on the ground… I thought… it's not fair… it's not worth it… I've worked so hard… yet I'm still so weak… I can't become a real knight… only a maid… I… I even…"
Xia Zhi asked gently, "Even what?"
Noelle closed her eyes, her voice full of despair. "I even thought… maybe it would be better if Mondstadt were just destroyed by the Abyss Order."
The moment she voiced such a wild thought, all the strength seemed to drain out of her.
She stood stiffly in place, barely breathing. Head bowed, face turned toward her shoes, like a criminal awaiting judgment.
Xia Zhi said nothing.
The air between them grew heavy with silence.
Seven or eight seconds felt like an eternity.
"Mr. Xia… do you think I've become bad?"
Noelle finally broke first.
Her delicate voice trembled with confusion and fear.
"I actually had such wicked thoughts…"
Her words were cut off by the warmth of a hand ruffling her hair.
Xia Zhi comforted her, "That's completely normal. How could one stray thought make you a bad person? At your age, it's perfectly natural to have all sorts of chaotic ideas."
"Normal?"
"Of course. Take Fischl, for example—she constantly has delusions far worse than that. She doesn't just imagine destroying Mondstadt, but multiple worlds at once."
"Th-that's different…"
"Not really. Those thoughts you had came more from the Abyss Mage's corrupting influence."
His voice was calm and steady.
"Even Dvalin can be tempted by whispers from the Abyss. How much more so a mortal like you? So don't trouble yourself over it."
That warm hand on her head was inexplicably reassuring.
Noelle blinked, then finally nodded softly. "Mm."
Xia Zhi withdrew his hand. "Let's go."
She felt a twinge of reluctance but answered, "Alright."
They walked on together.
With her heart a little lighter, Noelle's steps became more lively, and their conversation grew easier.
"By the way," Xia Zhi said, "Abyss Mages are formidable, sure—but you have a Vision. Even if you couldn't beat it, you shouldn't have been hurt so badly."
"I…"
"You don't seem too fond of your Vision? Don't worry, I'm just making conversation. If you'd rather not say, that's fine."
"…To be honest… I am a little disappointed."
"Disappointed?"
"I can't help wondering… This Vision proves the gods acknowledged me, but why wasn't it Anemo? Why Geo, the element furthest from it? For the Knights of Favonius, I've always thought Anemo was most fitting… like Acting Grand Master Jean…"
At Jean's name, admiration lit Noelle's eyes.
If it had been Jean, with her skill, the Abyss Mage would have stood no chance—though even then, it would take some effort.
But the image that filled Noelle's mind was of that dark arrow piercing the Abyss Mage in a single shot.
Just one arrow—Fischl had ended it with ease.
It was clear now that Fischl's strength had already surpassed Jean's.
That chuunibyou girl, once even weaker than Noelle, had now surpassed the very person she aspired to catch up to.
All because she had become… a magical girl.
What exactly was a magical girl?
Noelle clenched her fingers, a thought forming.
Fischl was a magical girl. Qiqi too.
She had asked them last night, but they hadn't given her a clear answer. But Mr. Xia was Qiqi's master—he must know how she became one.
As the headquarters drew near, Noelle hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. "Mr. Xia."
"Yes? What is it?"
Lowering her voice, she asked, "Do you know about magical girls?"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Magical girls? Of course."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Magical girls are born from contracts. A girl who signs a contract and uses a transformation item can become one, gaining the power to save the world."
"Save the world! Then—then how can I become a magical girl?"
"It's simple. Through a contract."
"With who?"
"Me."
"Huh?"
Noelle blinked.
Xia Zhi chuckled. "As long as you make a contract with me, you can become a magical girl."
"With… you?"
"That's right. Both Qiqi and Fischl signed contracts with me—that's why they are magical girls now. What's wrong? Do you want to become one too?"
"I… I can?"
Her expression was a mix of nervousness and hope.
"That depends."
"Eh?"
"I said just now—magical girls need a transformation item, and item require energy."
"Energy?"
"If you can't charge your item, you can't transform. And without transformation, you can't become a magical girl."
Xia Zhi lowered his head, thinking.
Only fanatical believers were unable to offer faith to other gods. Normal believers could, albeit imperfectly.
Noelle, as a follower of the Anemo Archon, could still provide him with Faith Power.
"How about this—come find me tomorrow night. I'll give you a transformation item to try."
"Alright!" Noelle nodded eagerly, then asked shyly, "…Mr. Xia, what are you, really?"
"Don't worry. I'm not a bad guy."
"That's not what I meant! I just mean—you're so powerful…"
"Haha. Once you become a magical girl, you'll understand."
"Oh…"
For the first time, Noelle began looking forward to tomorrow night.
When they reached the Knights' headquarters, Noelle went inside to request leave.
Xia Zhi, meanwhile, stopped outside an office and knocked softly.
"Come in," came Jean's voice.
He pushed the door open.
"Acting Grand Master."
"Mr. Xia!"
Jean looked genuinely pleased to see him.
"Please, sit! I'll make you some tea."
"No need for tea," Xia Zhi smiled, getting straight to the point. "I met an old friend today, and we're gathering again for lunch. Would you be free to join us?"
"Will you be cooking again?"
"Of course."
"Will you make that delicious soup you did last time?"
"You mean Gods' Temptation? Yes, I will."
Jean unconsciously swallowed. The memory of that indescribable flavor lingered on her tongue.
But then she glanced at her desk piled with paperwork, looking troubled. "I'd love to accept, but I'm swamped with work…"
Xia Zhi coughed lightly. "This time, I won't be sending Amber with a lunch box."
Jean straightened immediately. "Work never truly ends anyway. I've been busy for days—I should allow myself a little break."
"So then…?"
"Rest assured, Mr. Xia. I'll definitely be there for lunch!"
"Good. I'll leave you to your work, then—I still need to invite Miss Lisa."
Jean nodded.
As Xia Zhi turned to leave, he suddenly paused at the door, glancing back.
Jean had been watching him. Seeing him stop, she asked, "Is there something else?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted to say—you've really protected Noelle well."
"…Huh?"
"In an environment like the Knights, it's no wonder she grew into such a pure-hearted child."
With a smile, he left.
Jean sat at her desk, puzzled.
"What did he mean by that? Well… Noelle really is simple and pure-minded…"
She thought for a while but couldn't figure it out. She didn't know Noelle had been attacked by an Abyss Mage the night before.
Stretching her arms above her head and rolling her neck, she let out a soft, almost wistful sigh.
"The last time he invited me for lunch, he even gave me a massage. Why not this time…"