Early in the morning, Victor Wang brought the Mora he'd withdrawn from the bank to the Adventurers' Guild to post another commission for Tales from the Box promotion. According to his plan, the campaign would run for five days—today was the third.
And what made today special... was the planned meeting with the Anemo Archon himself.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Victor Wang handed a pouch containing 60,000 Mora to Venti. Since Venti hadn't accepted the commission through the Guild, he chose to pay in one lump sum.
Of course, despite the amount being 60,000 Mora, it was only six Mora coins. After spending so many days in Teyvat, Victor Wang had become familiar with Mora denominations—1, 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The larger the denomination, the larger the coin, though only slightly so.
Inflation in Teyvat was... quite something.
Standing directly in front of the Anemo Archon statue, Venti strummed his lyre. A breeze lifted the fairy tale book and kept it suspended in midair before him.
Early risers looked on in awe, then turned their eyes to the pale aqua glass orb with the Anemo symbol hanging at Venti's waist—and instantly understood.
Another gust flipped open the page inscribed with "To Mondstadt's Greatest Bard", and with the gentle flow of music, Venti began to recite the tales within.
Sitting on a stone bench by the wall, Victor Wang couldn't help but sigh. No wonder he's a pro. He's a billion times better than an amateur like me.
Even those who had already heard the stories in the past two days found themselves drawn in again.
Between tales, Venti gave Victor Wang a meaningful glance.
"Wow! That performance was amazing!"
"No, no—it's really the story that's interesting."
"Where can we find this story?"
"It's Dust' new release, Tales from the Box, now available at major bookstores in Mondstadt."
Venti used the wind to float the book before the crowd.
But that "cutaway ad" trick was only used once before lunchtime. After all, the audience wasn't stupid.
"Venti, as a bard, you must be well-traveled and knowledgeable, right?"
"Naturally. I once made a wish to witness all the tales of mankind—one by one."
"Then you must know about Visions, right? They say, 'When someone's desire burns strongly enough, the gods cast their gaze and bestow a Vision.' Since the Anemo Archon values freedom so much, I wonder if he gives them out more freely than the others?"
"Ehehe."
"Ehehe?"
"I'm not too sure about that."
"A Vision can change someone's life... I really wish I had one too…"
Venti asked in return, "Then why don't the Seven grant everyone a Vision?"
You're a god, and you're asking me? Victor Wang was stunned.
"You mean Visions aren't controlled by the gods?"
"No." Venti looked Victor Wang straight in the eye.
Something inexplicable clicked inside Victor Wang. "You truly wish everyone could have a Vision?"
"What do you think?"
Victor Wang propped his left elbow on his right hand and rested his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… it's a question, alright. Only a few can receive Visions—it really does seem unfair. But if everyone had one, wouldn't the world fall into chaos?"
Venti gently strummed his lyre. "That too, is their freedom."
"This topic's a little heavy… I'm off to lunch. What about you?"
"I'm going to have a drink or two."
"Are you even of legal drinking age?"
"Ahem."
With that, Venti leapt over the plaza wall and flew off with his Wind Glider.
Three days passed quickly. The promotional period for Tales from the Box ended, but income remained steady.
Victor Wang stood before the commission board at the Adventurers' Guild, checking the latest intelligence—a habit he'd formed while posting commissions.
As the most fluid organization on the continent, the Guild's board was like a newspaper. From lost cats on rooftops to ley line disturbances, newly discovered ruins, or Stormterror sightings—if you could imagine it, you'd probably find it here. It updated daily, which was considered fast in this world.
More and more adventurers were reporting signs of Stormterror's activity. The latest sighting had even occurred near the Temple of the Falcon just outside Mondstadt.
In response, the Knights of Favonius issued a safety notice, advising citizens to limit their travel, especially into the wilderness. But in a nation that prized freedom, how effective such warnings would be remained unknown.
As Victor Wang was absorbed in the magical headlines, Amber and the future Golden Comet, Lumine, along with her companion Silver Companion Paimon, walked past him.
"Lumine, look at that guy's weird outfit," Paimon whispered.
Both Amber and Lumine turned their gaze toward Victor Wang.
"Paimon, it's rude to talk about people behind their backs. He might have his reasons," Amber chided.
Sensing someone looking at him, Victor Wang glanced to his right—his eyes met Lumine's.
She gave him a soft smile and nodded in greeting.
Amber recognized Victor Wang and explained to the others, "That's Dust. He's allergic to sunlight, so he needs to keep his skin covered. It's really tough on him."
"Oh, is that so? Nice to meet you! I'm Lumine."
"Hi there! I'm Paimon, Lumine's best partner!"
"Her emergency food."
"No, I'm not!" Paimon huffed and stomped her foot in mid-air.
"Ahem, I'm Dust." Hearing his fabricated excuse spread like wildfire made Victor Wang a little uneasy.
Why are you all believing this? Also, how did Paimon see through Alice's cloak? That's suspicious…
"Dust just passed his gliding test a few days ago. My gift for you is related to that. Ta-da—Wind Glider!"
The two girls and their floating companion gradually drifted away.
As expected of the Traveler. So cute!
But thinking of what was coming next, Victor Wang suddenly panicked. Is it too late to hide?
As Lumine advanced, the sky grew darker—like a filthy, soaked rag about to drip a torrential downpour at the slightest squeeze.
But there was no rain—only chaotic wind rushing in from all directions, colliding midair, some spiraling away, others merging into small tornadoes.
Then came the dragon, blue-green scales shimmering with an ethereal elemental glow on three pairs of wings. With purpose, it soared over Victor Wang's head, headed straight for the Anemo Archon Plaza.
If that thing crashes, it'll destroy the entire Cathedral. A primal human fear of colossal beings surged in Victor Wang's mind.
Even as Stormterror flew off, the blue-violet glow on its wings—like navigation lights—made its path visible to all in the darkened sky.
The winds grew fiercer. With Stormterror's roar at the Anemo statue, the true calamity began—massive tornadoes formed all across Mondstadt.
Victor Wang rushed toward the Fountain Plaza and saw Lumine standing there, staring blankly at the sky—before being swept into the air by a tornado. Only he and Amber were left on the ground, eyes locking in shock.
At that moment, Lumine unfurled her Wind Glider. Enhanced by a mysterious power, she soared high. Stormterror sensed a familiar presence and abandoned the city, hurtling toward her.
In less than three minutes, the tornadoes throughout the city had vanished. Only the gloom remained.
"Dust, you need to find shelter. I've got to get back to the Knights!"
Amber took out a small bottle, fiddled with it, and a tall updraft burst from the ground.
"Be careful!" Standing below, Victor Wang had two thoughts: Thank goodness there's no motion blur… and thank goodness Amber's not wearing a skirt.
But the calamity had already passed. There was nothing more to fear. Victor Wang sat quietly at the Good Hunter restaurant, watching Lumine chase Stormterror across the sky—biu biu biu—flying farther and farther away.
......
Windrise Plaza was the first place hit by the tornadoes. By now, the crowd had long since fled, leaving only Kaeya behind, leaning on the wall and scanning the city.
He watched the golden-haired girl who'd driven off Stormterror descend from the sky. Amber arrived at the plaza, panting.
"Are you alright?" Amber asked with concern as Lumine landed.
Kaeya sighed, a headache brewing. Mondstadt's getting more and more bizarre people lately.
"To possess power strong enough to battle a dragon… Are you our guest, or a new storm?"