[Main Story] Quest completed. Reward obtained: Manifestation Art, unlocked.
*Manifestation Art*: A combat technique that materializes power through the element (spirit) corridor, instantly constructing Real-World Weaponry.
Tip: It's not that I can't afford to make a Longinus, it's just that casually molding one is more cost-effective!
...Did something strange sneak in?
...Gabriela?
element... Corridor? 666, that pervert System even installed a local mod... "Gabriela?"
"Huh?"
The Angel stopped, looked up, and saw the two people who had turned their heads. The blonde Damselette's lips were slightly parted, and she was watching her meaningfully.
"...I'm listening! What happened next, what did you do?"
Was she really listening?
She wasn't.
But, fortunately, Gabriela wasn't part of the Skip Faction; she was familiar with most of the plot before she transmigrated.
Lumine sighed softly, but gently continued: "Later, I was also sealed by the god and lost my original power. We, who once traversed countless worlds, are now trapped here... How many years ago was that? I don't know, but I will find a way to figure it out. Since waking up, I've always been wandering alone, until two months ago, I met Paimon."
Regarding the god Lumine spoke of, Gabriela naturally knew who she was.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
The Sustainer of the Void—Asmoday.
She is perhaps the strongest being in the current world, second only to the Heavenly Principles, a god above the Seven Archons, and has long since become a crucial part of Teyvat.
But... Gabriela wasn't panicking at all!
There's nothing that one Heavenly Strike can't solve; if it can't, then go full power.
Besides, it doesn't necessarily have to be a fight to the death, right... What if... Gabriela gazed at Paimon, her Cross-Shaped Pupils flickering even brighter, like flowing, scorching magma.
Paimon: I feel like I'm being stared at by countless eyes.jpg
"I see... I'm sorry, Lumine, I truly don't know the god you mentioned, nor do I know the Anemo Archon," Gabriela replied dejectedly. "If only I could remember more, but—"
"It's alright, Gabriela! There's no need to apologize for these things..."
Yes, Gabriela, who internally called her "Scummy Sister," was not only too lazy to listen but also gave a highly perfunctory classic excuse—"I can't remember."
She wasn't even willing to think further, and the kind Traveler didn't refute her at all.
The System also spat indignantly, 'Ptooey! You are the 'Scum of the Earth'!'
'Then what do you want me to do! Why don't you just make me broadcast Before Sun and Moon at the village entrance?'
'I don't care! I want to see rivers of blood!!'
Ignoring the System's clamor, Gabriela retracted her right hand, making a loose fist and extending it toward Lumine.
"Lumine, here is a gift for you."
Gabriela's right hand slowly closed, and a pitch-black fluid substance suddenly emerged from her palm, coiling and flowing between her fingers like a living thing.
Lumine and Paimon both widened their eyes—the substance twisted and deformed in the air, gradually solidifying and outlining the shape of a sword blade.
"This is..." Lumine unconsciously took half a step forward.
With a crisp metallic clang, the black fluid instantly solidified.
Gabriela smiled and opened her palm. A longsword, entirely pitch-black with dark-gold patterns along its edge, quietly floated above her palm.
Lumine took the Black Sword from the Damselette's hand, placing her index and middle fingers together, and gently ran them over the blade.
A strange warmth spread through her fingers, and subtle energy ripples affectionately touched her fingertips; the sensation was like stroking a piece of living metal.
"This is a weapon forged with my ability, it should be better than... er," the Angel scratched her forehead sheepishly.
"Better than your original sword."
As for why it was "original," don't ask. If you must ask, the answer is: "You startled me, so I disarmed you!"
"Wow! Gabriela, c-can you make one for me too!?" Paimon excitedly clenched her tiny fists, her white cape trembling with the movement.
"Paimon..."
Lumine quickly glanced at Gabriela beside her, looking at Paimon with a hint of helplessness.
"Haha... It's fine, Lumine." The Damselette smiled gently, and her Ear Feathers seemed to sway unconsciously. Perhaps she was in a good mood?
Looking at those two tufts of soft, seemingly very touchable golden feathers, Lumine's hand that wasn't holding the sword suddenly felt restless.
...Hmm, the wings look very touchable too.
"Paimon, weapons forged with this ability are very heavy. If you carry one, you won't be able to fly~"
"...I-is that so? I think I'll... stick to flying, then."
After easily dealing with Paimon, Gabriela looked at Lumine again, signaling her to raise the sword in her hand.
"Lumine, want to try it out?"
"...Okay."
Lumine gripped the hilt with both hands. The pitch-black blade showed no sheen, even bathed in the warm sunlight.
She looked around, her gaze quickly locking onto a group of Slimes not far away—
These round, small creatures were gathered together, hopping around a Burning flower, looking completely high.
However, just as the Damselette was about to rush forward, her steps suddenly halted.
As if thinking of something, she slightly adjusted her stance, held the sword horizontally across her chest, and softly closed her eyes.
"...Vanish with the wind!"
Lumine immediately leaped into the air. After a reversal, Anemo Power burst forth.
The moment the longsword was swung, a six- or seven-meter-high Tornado instantly whipped up on the path in front of Lumine.
The howling storm swept all the Slimes in its path together. Whether due to the discrepancy between the game and reality, or the properties of the Manifestation Art creation, even Large Slimes were lifted into the air!
In just a few seconds, those cold Slimes turned into warm drops inside the backpack.
'Look at her, that's what you call efficiency!'
The Angel, who had been in a bright mood watching the Sweet Girl, instantly felt annoyed.
'Didn't she also use a Zero-Frame Startup and immediately Unleash Ultimate!? It's just that her commotion was slightly smaller than mine, hmph.'
Just then, the Damselette holding the sword ran back.
"Thank you, Gabriela, it's very effective!" Lumine seemed genuinely happy, and even the slight apprehension she had felt earlier was almost gone.
"Before, after using Elemental Burst, my body would feel uncomfortable for a while, but this time I barely felt anything..."
"Did it used to be very uncomfortable?"
Could it be... she ran out of energy and was waiting for the cooldown?
"Hmm~" The Damselette shook her head. "It wasn't exactly very uncomfortable, just a bit weak. Oh, Gabriela, does using this ability put a burden on you?"
Gabriela: She cares about me, I'm in her heart!
"No~ Using it is like using my own hands and feet. Of course... Wait a minute."
The Angel suddenly put a finger to her lips, signaling the two to be quiet.
A strange sound seemed to be approaching, sounding like... a very strong wind.
"...Traveler, are you that persistent this time?"
"I—"
Gabriela abruptly spread her Wings, completely blocking the raging storm in front of Lumine and Paimon. Her Cherry-Blossom-Colored Hair danced with a Rainbow Halo.
High above the sky, a high-pitched Dragon's Roar resounded leisurely.