Finally, the time had come. Childe had dressed up festively and wore a gala uniform. Together with the other Harbingers, he made his way to Zapolyarny Palace. He was incredibly excited. He had barely slept the night before, but he felt still fit thankfully. This time he didn't have to sneak in, but was an official guest of the Tsaritsa.

Arriving at the palace, everything was as festive as ever. On the way, he had talked with the others about this and that, but now he was silent in view of the amazement that always came over him when he entered this place. It was magical. In the throne room, the Tsaritsa, with other nobles and high-ranking military officials, was waiting for the Fatui harbingers. Now he strode forward with the group. In a few he would be able to see the Tsaritsa up close... this was his moment...

At first, he perceived only a bright glitter and sparkle. It was the thousands of brilliants, on the dress of the Tsaritsa, which glittered like snow. In it was a petite woman, but she had a royal charisma. Her fair hair flowed in waves over the sweeping fur around her shoulders. On her head sat a filigree crown. But the most impressive thing about her was her look, cool, proudly intelligent, yet friendly.

"Good evening, my guests. I have the honor of handing out an award today, correct, Pedrelino?" she said, pointing to the small box at her side.

"Your Majesty... yes, that's right. This is our youngest. We have chosen him to be a Fatui Harbinger. He will be given the name Tartaglia and the new demonic vision. We are very honored," Pedrelino said, bowing before stepping away.

"The honor is all mine. I thank you for your work for Snezhnaya. Then please - Tartaglia - step forward," she said.

Childe blinked. He had known from Pulcinella that he would receive a special title once he became a Fatui Harbinger. But the others had kept it from him until now. For a moment he was a little annoyed, but then he figured that now was not the time to think further about it. So he stepped forward and approached the Tsaritsa. That special woman who captivated him for a moment with her radiant looks and cool gaze...

"Thank you. I go also by Childe, your majesty," he couldn't help but wink at her before bowing to her. She looked questioning at first, but then laughed.

"Well, you're one to talk. Don't you like your new title?" she asked with a laugh.

"I haven't quite gotten used to it yet," Childe replied, smiling at her. The Tsaritsa, however, opened the box and took another step toward him.

"On behalf of my position, I nominate you to the Eleventh of the Fatui. Tartaglia, you hereby receive the demonic vision," she said seriously and solemnly. Then she came a little closer. For a moment, Childe's breath caught. She was so close to him... yet she was the Tsaritsa... and he was... but before he could organize his thoughts, the moment was over. Pedrelino took the badge and pinned it to the lapel of Childes' uniform. The crowd applauded.

Childe then joined the other Harbingers in swearing the Fatui oath of allegiance.

"Now you are one of us," Pedrelino said with a laugh, patting him on the shoulder. Childe smiled and nodded. Now he was on the same level with them, and he couldn't really believe it yet... Besides, he wasn't sure yet what to expect from now on. But for now, a festive celebration at the palace.

During the celebration, Childe couldn't help but keep glancing at the Tsaritsa, who was ostensibly watching the festivities from her throne. He ignored the sayings and blasphemies of his colleagues. It had been clear to him that not all of the harbingers liked to see him as an equal colleague. Still, he wasn't about to let that spoil his evening. He had, after all, entered the service of the wonderful Tsaritsa and was no longer under the boot of those idiots. And if that wasn't progress, he didn't know what was. Even if he had yet to get used to the title Tartaglia...

#

Childe was just heading to the training area, having not yet received any tasks for the day. But then the fifth of Fatui harbingers approached him.

"Tartaglia. I want to see you on the field right away," Pulcinella said tersely to him the next morning, before going on.

"Wait! Why?" asked Childe, running after him.

"Training," Pulcinella replied curtly. Childe sighed. He knew the other didn't like the fact that he had now become a Harbinger. But did he always have to show him like this?

"Training? For the recruits or what?" asked Childe, overwhelmed.

"No. For you. You need to learn how to use the demonic vision," Pulcinella explained. Childe ran his hand over his arm. He had forgotten all about that.

"Yes. Of course. I'll be right there," he promised. Then he went back to get the new vision first, and then to hurry to the square.

On the way there, he looked at the vision. It shimmered violet. Then he put it back in his pocket and walked on with quick steps.

Waiting for him at the field there were Pulcinella and ... unfortunately ... a not particularly tall Fatui, with a grim look and an oversized hat, Scaramouche.

"Hey, here I am. And I've got my demonic vision with me," Childe said with a laugh.

"Good, the vision's element is electro. That's why I can't lead the training, Scaramouche here will do that," Pulcinella announced, "But before you start, I need to say a few words to you about this, Childe..."

Childe raised his eyebrow in surprise. First, he was supposed to be training with this gremlin here now, and now suddenly Pulcinella was being nice to him again? He just didn't understand this man...

"Don't give me that look. First, I want to point out to you that it is necessary to separate both elemental powers especially. If you use both of them at the same time, then they could trigger an elemental reaction, and you could... well, die. So please be careful. Both elements in combination would only work if you perform some transformation, you should be able to do that with your new vision... but Scaramouche will explain it all to you again," Pulcinella said, smiling slightly. Childe looked at him a bit stunned. Once again, the other Fatui Harbinger had not told him a word about being given such a dangerous elemental combination in his position. Or informed him about anything in advance in general. Sucks. And now he was also supposed to apply everything directly. Unbelievable.

"All right. Thanks for the info. Training's waiting," he said nevertheless fake friendly to Pulcinella. Before turning to Scaramouche, however, he made a rude gesture.

"I saw that," was all Scaramouche said, grinning dangerously.

"I don't care," Childe hissed, glaring at the midget kiddo. How the hell had something like that actually become Harbinger?

"After all, I was told not to irritate Tartaglia under any circumstances. But you want something from me here, after all. I can't teach you how to use the demonic eye properly either. Then when you blow yourself up at the next opportunity, I'll laugh, I think," Scaramouche said menacingly. Childe's face changed immediately.

"Yeah... haha... it's alright. Let's just start training..." he said sheepishly, smiling apologetically. This should be fun...