Morning.
Amber had woken early.
Or rather, she hadn't really slept at all. Every time she shut her eyes, that explosion replayed in her mind.
Terrifying—she'd nearly been blown apart.
And she hadn't even finished reading Volume 2 of Mr. Xia's novel yet!
She must've dozed off for a short while, but the moment birdsong came through the window, she snapped awake again.
Sitting up against her headboard, she stared at the wall, looking weary.
"Magical girl… magical girl…"
Yawning, she muttered under her breath, then dragged herself out of bed to bathe.
After a hot wash, her energy finally returned a little.
She dressed, smiled at herself in the mirror with as much pep as she could muster, and headed out, running toward the Favonius Cathedral.
It was still early, and when she arrived, the only one out on the training grounds was Yaoyao, practicing her spearwork.
Amber greeted her, then plopped down on a nearby rock, zoning out.
Before long, her lips began moving unconsciously again. "Magical girl… magical girl…"
She was so lost in thought, she didn't even hear Noelle's footsteps approaching.
Noelle had been about to call out a greeting, but curiosity made her pause. She crept closer, only catching Amber's muttering when she was right behind her.
Magical girl?
Noelle's expression grew strange.
Miss Amber, you too?
I should warn you—it may be free, but it's a serious grind, and a money sink besides.
"Miss Amber."
"Hm? Ah! Noelle, good morning."
"Good morning."
Noticing the dark circles under Amber's eyes, Noelle asked gently, "Did you stay up late last night?"
"Just didn't sleep well," Amber admitted, yawning again.
"Are you still going on patrol today, in that condition?"
"No. I'll ask Captain Jean for leave later."
"Good. If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself."
With her greatsword in hand, Noelle walked off toward Yaoyao.
Amber watched her go, struck by how different she seemed lately.
More confident.
Yes—that was it.
Noelle had always been diligent, reliable, excellent with housework and anything like a maid's duties. But when it came to real knightly matters, she grew tense and uncertain.
Probably because she'd failed the annual selection every single year.
Captain Jean had only wanted to protect her, but those repeated rejections had crushed her confidence.
And a knight without confidence couldn't protect what they wished to protect.
Now, though… watching her spar with Yaoyao, Amber could see a change.
Even as an archer who avoided close combat, she could tell—if either of those two closed the distance on her, she wouldn't stand a chance.
Their raw strength was terrifying. One blow, and the ground cracked into a pit.
Scary stuff.
"Amber."
She turned, seeing Collei walking toward her.
The girl also had faint dark circles under her eyes.
Amber asked, "Collei, did you not sleep well either?"
Collei flushed, embarrassed. "I was reading."
Amber understood at once. She remembered when she'd first picked up that book herself—she'd stayed up far too late.
With good reason. The plot was so thrilling you just couldn't stop.
"How far did you get?" Amber asked.
"Over twenty pages!"
"…"
Twenty-something pages? That was barely past the first hype moment.
She hadn't even reached the good parts yet.
And she'd already lost a whole night's sleep?
When she got further in, she'd…
Amber glanced at Collei's excited face and could only smile. "Keep at it. Finishing twenty pages in a night is impressive."
"Mm!"
---
Since Kirara was leaving today, they weren't going out for breakfast.
Xia Zhi was making noodles inside the Serenitea Pot.
Xiao had just finished his own meal that morning, but as promised, he stopped by.
The moment he entered, he caught the delicious aroma wafting through the air.
"Did Lord Xiao eat breakfast yet?" Xia Zhi asked.
Xiao paused a second, then replied, "Not yet."
(Well… technically, what he'd eaten earlier had been last night's midnight snack.)
"Then you can eat here later."
"Alright."
Xiao nodded, taking a seat at the table to wait in silence.
He pulled out his phone to check the time.
There, he saw a message from the Dragon King:
Xia Ci just released a new game install package. Download it quick so we can play together.
Xiao tapped the link.
A few minutes later, the game finished installing.
Teyvat Tactics.
He opened it, registered an account, and named himself [Vigilant Yaksha].
Looking over the rules, he noticed there was even a chess piece modeled after him. A four-cost unit.
Soon, he played his first match with the group.
And to his surprise—it was actually pretty fun.
As expected of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the embodiment of wisdom.
---
After breakfast, Xia Zhi handed over the things meant for Kirara and Xiao. Xia Zhen also passed some items to Kirara.
Cloud Retainer stopped Xiao, handing him a small bottle. "Since you're passing through Chenyu Vale, go see Fujin. Give her this, and tell her not to let it go to waste."
Inside the bottle was the [Essence of Sun and Moon] Xia Zhi had given her. If it could even restore the divine power of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, then naturally it could restore Fujin's adeptal energy as well.
Xiao accepted the bottle and tucked it away. "Alright."
Cloud Retainer added, "Bring her a phone, too. She's been alone at the bottom of that lake for so many years—she must have been lonely long ago."
Xiao gave a brief nod. "Understood."
Then he walked over to Kirara's side. "Miss Kirara, shall we be off?"
"Yep! Let's go, Great Sage!"
A gust of wind rose, and both figures vanished.
Xia Zhi pulled out his phone and sent Furina a message:
[Xia Zhi]: The delivery's been sent—remember to check your mail.
[Cream Puff]: !
[Cream Puff]: Enough talk, get in here and play that game!
[Xia Zhi]: Aren't you supposed to be presiding at the Opera Epiclese right now?
[Cream Puff]: Multitasking. Court by day, game by hand.
[Xia Zhi]: …Impressive.
---
Noelle and Amber headed back together toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
On the way, Amber seemed a bit distracted.
Watching her, Noelle felt like she was looking at her past self from just a few days ago.
"Miss Amber, what are you thinking about?"
Amber snapped out of it and smiled. "Nothing, really. Just didn't sleep well—my mind's all over the place."
Noelle studied her, then asked, "Do you want to become a magical girl?"
Amber blinked in surprise. "Noelle—you know about magical girls too?"
Noelle nodded. "Yes. In fact… I am a magical girl."
"???"
Amber's surprise deepened.
Wait. You too?
Am I surrounded by magical girls?
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"So at night, you transform and go out as the Darknight Hero?"
"…"
Noelle fell silent.
Amber frowned. "You… don't?"
Noelle shook her head. "I want to. But for now, I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because my transformation device hasn't fully recharged yet."
"Recharge?"
Amber clearly had no idea.
So Noelle explained everything she knew about magical girls.
The more Amber listened, the more shocked she became. "Mr. Xia… is close friends with Lord Barbatos? And that bard was Lord Barbatos himself?!"
By the time Amber finished processing, Noelle asked again, "So… do you still want to become a magical girl?"
Amber nodded firmly. "I was hesitant before, but now I've decided. I'll ask Captain Jean for leave, then go straight to Mr. Xia. I'm going to become a magical girl too—and guard Mondstadt from the shadows!"
So this is what the conviction of a true knight looks like…
Noelle thought quietly to herself.