Watching Lin Feng devour the soup, Tinalari's face softened into a smile.
"You know, I've felt this odd closeness to you from the start. Maybe you haven't noticed, but the elements around you stay unusually active. Do you hold a Vision?"
Tinalari felt the Dendro in his veins stir as he asked.
"No, I don't." Lin Feng shook his head.
"I've always been able to sense them, but I've never figured out how to control any—not a single one."
Regret flickered across his face.
"Sense elements? All kinds? That's incredible!"
Tinalari's eyes lit up. His ears twitched without thinking.
"Most ordinary folk know elements exist but can't perceive them at all. Even many Vision holders only sense their own type. No Vision, yet full Elemental Sight across everything? First I've ever heard of."
He made no effort to hide his fascination.
Only then did Lin Feng realize his blind spot. In the game, playing as the Traveler made middle-mouse Elemental Sight feel routine.
But lore scattered through stories made clear: true, comprehensive elemental vision was rare even among Vision owners.
"Folks like me are that unusual?" Lin Feng asked, intrigued.
"Absolutely! Never met one myself. Heard Liyue adepti favor that constitution, but that's just rumors."
Tinalari's researcher spark burned bright.
Lin Feng swallowed under that intense gaze. Good thing this wasn't medieval Europe with Tinalari as the priest—might need to rethink tonight's sleeping position.
"So, any plans after this? Once you leave, I mean."
Tinalari tabled his curiosity, shifting to Lin Feng's future.
"Honestly? None. No home left, no real destination." Truth slipped out.
"Trips have starts and ends. This? Just drifting."
His young face carried melancholy beyond his years.
"Want to stay on as an apprentice ranger?"
Tinalari had clearly thought it through.
"First saw that lost, worn look on you. Can't let a kid this young wander Teyvat alone."
Thirteen or fourteen at most, Tinalari thought of the orphanage kids from his scholar days.
"I'll teach you to read, give you living wages. Spare time, we can study your constitution. Sound good?"
His tail swished behind him, hopeful.
Lin Feng could understand speech but eyed Teyvat's alien script and admitted: illiterate as they came.
"Upfront: I'll leave eventually." Tinalari's eagerness overwhelmed him.
"Dream's touring all Seven Nations, finding why I'm here."
First time voicing it to anyone but Xiaobai.
"So... soonish. Really okay?"
Tinalari's enthusiasm held steady. Lin Feng wavered.
"Sure. Apprentice posts start as temp gigs for passing travelers."
Tinalari nodded.
"When you're ready to solo the road, I'll send you off proper."
"High-sky stars can't be caged, right?" He smiled.
Emotion tightened Lin Feng's throat. Why invest so much in a shady stranger?
He figured Teyvat's charm turned brutal in reality. Tinalari proved him wrong—selfless, earnest to the core.
"Yeah. How could I say no?"
Complex feelings swirled as he met those expectant eyes.
"But give me real work. You've done enough. Want to help folks here."
Eyes locked earnest.
"Naturally. Starts with reading—can't assign tasks otherwise."
Tinalari eyed him steadily, outlining next steps.
"Rest tonight. Hut's yours permanent—spare place anyway." Efficiency kicked in post-agreement.
"Take this Teyvat Primer—my childhood reader. All illustrations. Preview it."
Left hand extended a thick book from his pack.
Planned all along. Lin Feng silently accepted the kindness.
"Won't disturb more. Introduce you tomorrow. Rangers are friendly—they'll welcome you."
Tinalari rose, waving off Lin Feng's move to see him out.
"Head back. See you tomorrow, Apprentice Ranger Lin Feng."
Watching him go, Lin Feng clutched the primer and returned to his first real home in this world.
After previewing lessons, he leaned back, grooming Xiaobai's fluff.
"Ranger life, huh? Wonder where Collei is now."
Plot kicked off one year from now: Cyno brought her from Mondstadt to Tinalari. No green-haired girl yet—time not too pressed.
Future calamities loomed in his mind. Worry creased his brow as he held Xiaobai close, drifting into his own dreams.