I'll be trying to get these chapters out as soon as I write them! With that being said, here's #3 :) i hope you're ready for some diluc because I'm ready for some diluc ;)

It was a beautiful day today, not a cloud in the sky. Alas, that also meant that the sun was shining as strong as ever. Shielding my eyes and ducking under shade when available, I went on my own tour of campus. Rather than unpacking my belongings and getting cozy in the dorm, I wanted a closer look at some of the places Kaeya had glossed over.

I actually noticed there was a lush greenhouse, hidden behind the giant dome that was the apothecary. There were also separate, smaller sparring circles in addition to the main fighting ring for Physical Combat.

Was Kaeya slacking off during orientation?

Probably. If I recall correctly, he did mention that it was the student president who was supposed to be leading the first-years around.

Throughout the bright afternoon, I'd tried the doors of several unmarked buildings on campus, but they all appeared to be locked. That makes sense since the school year has yet to be in session. While I hadn't intended to stop by the library, I noticed the library's main door was slightly left ajar.

Curious, I checked it out anyway. After pushing past the large, wooden doors that magically did not creak obnoxiously, I was immediately sheltered from the beaming rays of sunlight. My eyes adjusted to the ambient glow made from lit sconces that lined the walls.

One end of the library contained rows of bookshelves nearly three times my own height. Though, the embellished ceiling could make room for a few more of those shelves with how high it is. The other end had shorter shelves and cabinets that surrounded a section of wooden tables and velvet chairs. Muted light from the tall windows cast shadows along a set of stairs in the back, leading to a second floor with even more bookshelves.

Nobody else appeared to be in here, as classes have yet to begin, but I couldn't help but respect the atmosphere.

Aether would have loved this.

Though I remembered us to be equal in both strength and brains, Aether was always more eager to dedicate extra time to old books and strategy manuals. I could list off multiple accounts where he'd be late to lessons after getting lost in a world made from paper and ink. The pull to a place like this is understandable. After selecting a random hardcover from the shelves, I'd nearly forgotten where I was if it weren't for a small rustling sound coming from the tables.

I flinched back into reality and set the book back. Was someone else here?

Tiptoeing to the main floor where the tables sat, I peeked around a bookshelf to see who the newcomer could be.

A man with scarlet hair and dark clothes sat alone at a table with his back facing me. Though, he had no books with him. I watched as he pulled out a slab of wood from a nearby cabinet and recognized it to be a chessboard.

Who was he playing chess with? My eyes darted around the room, but only he and I were its occupants.

He continued to set up the chessboard, aligning each piece to where it belonged. And then, he began a match. Alone.

How...odd.

Wait, why was I hiding?

I could just walk out there and act like I wasn't just spying on this man. But then, I realized I'd waited too long to reveal myself, distracted by each move made as himself and the opponent. If I went to leave now, it would be too obvious. There's also the possibility of waiting him out. Then again, who knows how long that could take. Though, he is just playing by himself. I'm sure the match will be over in no time.

The match was not, in fact, over in no time. This man went at a leisurely pace, thinking out each move with care and placing the pieces with precision. And I was beginning to grow hungry.

Ah, a thought occurred. Perhaps there was a back door.

"You can come out now." A smooth voice interrupted my thoughts.

I froze. Was he talking to me?

"I was wondering if you were going to say something," he sighed with his back still towards me. "But it appears that you are content on spying."

"I wasn't! I wasn't spying. I was, um," I blindly swiped a book from the closest shelf and held it to my chest. "Reading a book."

"Really?" he finally turned and assessed me with striking eyes the same shade as his hair. "You've been reading a book? While standing in the darkest section of the library for nearly fifteen minutes, even though there are perfectly good seats and lighting over here?"

"It's a quite fascinating novel," I asserted and moved to face him since my cover had been blown.

"Oh?" his expression was unreadable. "Tell me, what do you find so fascinating about slime reproduction?"

Was that what the book I randomly chose was about? I glanced over the cover, of course, it was. I cringed. "Lots."

He shot me a blank stare.

"Why do you play by yourself?" I gestured to the chessboard, desperate to change the subject.

He didn't respond for a moment, and I was beginning to worry he'd labeled me as a creep who liked to spy on unsuspecting students while reading about slime anatomy.

"There's no one here on my level."

I let out a relieved sigh before his words fully registered. "Are you sure? Aren't students here the brightest minds in Teyvat? There has to be someone you can play."

"Trust me," he turned back to the chessboard and had a dark knight capture the light king. "There is no one."

"Well, maybe you haven't challenged everyone yet."

"I know of everyone's capabilities." He cleared the board of its remaining pieces and began to set it up again. "But I do not recognize you. First-year?"

"I am."

"Hmph."

What's that supposed to mean? I watched as he continued on without a word. "May I join you for a game?"

His hand hesitated before placing the final pawn.

"Who knows, maybe you'll finally have met your match," I suggested.

"Doubtful," he scoffed lightly before gesturing to the empty seat across from him. "Please, show me what you can do."

"Checkmate."

I slumped back down into my chair as he captures my king. This was our fourth game and my fourth loss of the day.

"Do not look so forlorn," he smiled. "I did tell you there are none who can match me. Still, it's been a while since someone tested me this much. Thank you."

The beginnings of my dampened mood were washed away as his smile transformed nearly every feature of his face. His previously solemn eyes had shifted to carry a brightness to them that surprised me.

"What's your name?" I blurted, having just noticed I still had no idea who my partner was.

"Of course, where are my manners?" He held out a gloved hand. "Diluc Ragnvindr."

"Lumine," my smile mirrored his own. I reciprocated with my own hand, engulfed by his large one in a strong but gentle handshake. "I really thought I had that last one."

"What a beautiful name." He pulled back with a start as if he hadn't intended on speaking that aloud. "Who have you played chess with before? It takes a skilled partner to be able to master some of the strategies you pulled."

"It's been a while for me, actually."

Aether had gotten into chess first before nagging me to play against him. I caved eventually, of course. Thinking back on it, I suppose we had gotten a bit too invested in our chess games at the age we were.

"So, I'm hearing that with a little more practice, you might stand a chance against me." Diluc began loading the chess pieces into their container. "I cannot stay for any longer, but if you wish to play in the future…" he trailed off and his expression grew hesitant.

"I'd love to play another game with you, Diluc," I answered his unasked question.

His smile returned. "Wonderful. Shall we head out, then? Or do you wish to continue your research on slime—"

"I wasn't actually reading that, you know," I mumbled and swiped the book in question off the table and placed it back on the shelf.

"Of course, I know," he chuckled and opened the door for me to exit.

Only, there was someone else on the other side.

"Diluc," Kaeya's eye widened a fraction before his expression melted into the same easygoing nature I'd seen earlier. "Wasn't expecting to see you so soon. How was the vacation?"

I watched as Diluc's chuckle died and his brows turned down into a scowl.

"Please, move out of the way." Diluc ignored the question and crossed his arms. "I have somewhere to be."

"But of course." Kaeya stepped aside and Diluc brushed past him.

"Thank you again for the match, Lumine." He nodded towards me. "I'll be off."

He walked off almost in haste, despite his leisurely pace from just a moment before.

I turned to Kaeya. "What happened between you two?"

"Oh, just a bit of family drama." He smirked with no real answer. "Never mind him, how about you and I go for a meal?"

"A meal?" I blinked in surprise.

"Dinner is about to start in the dining hall. I figured you might have missed lunch after going off on your own."

I frowned. "How did you know where I was?"

"I didn't. It's my temporary job to be in charge of the first-years. I couldn't help but notice there was one unaccounted for in the dorms. Luckily, it only took half an hour to find you."

"I wanted to explore on my own. Didn't know there was some rule against that."

"Of course not," Kaeya grinned. "On the contrary, I prefer that you do. Those who are more informed become the least ignorant."

I didn't know what to say to that, but I didn't have to. My stomach let out an embarrassing growl. "Ah, yes," I blushed. "You said there was dinner?"

Thankfully, Kaeya didn't acknowledge my audible hunger. "Lead the way."

ok writing diluc isn't the easiest, but I pulled some voicelines from the game!