Chapter 2

He really didn't expect it to actually be Lumine of all people. Still, it wasn't that surprising. The only concern he had left was where did she bring everyone in Mondstadt to.

"Ha-ha. It seems that we meet yet again, Lumine. How're you doing?"

Aether asked in the friendliest voice he could muster. Of course, it was just an act. He would rather not fight his sister here. He was confident that he could take on Lumine and her subordinates, but it was his sister and he didn't want to hurt her.

After hearing Aether's greetings, Lumine scowled. Her glare was so terrifying, Aether had to avert his eyes from looking at hers. He was always weak from her glares.

"I'm not here to chit-chat, Aether. My plans are already set in motion, and you're the only wall left that might hinder my pace. Therefore, I'm afraid I have to erase your memories." She looked at him, her eyes cold. "However, since you're my brother, I promise I will be gentle."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Lumine. Where did you take everyone?"

"It doesn't concern you. Just stay out of this."

Aether sighed. She was always like this– if she had put her mind to doing something, nothing could stop her from getting what she wanted.

"Besides, if you don't do as I say, I'm afraid your companion might get in danger, brother."

'Shit, Diluc! I totally forgot about him!' Aether cursed. He was so focused on his sister that he forgot Diluc was also with him.

Behind him, Diluc was being surrounded by 4 Stonehide Hilichurls. There were also some Abyss Mages laughing crazily. He was cornered.

"Now, what will you do, brother? If you be obedient and let me erase your memory, I give you my words that I will let both of you go." Lumine said impatiently. "Also, I don't have all day, so make it quick."

Aether couldn't decide what to do. However, he quickly devised a plan.

"Alright. Delete my memories. But before you do that, you must free Diluc first."

Lumine smiled. "I know you would make the right choice, brother. You guys, release him."

The Stonehide Hilichurls and Abyss Mages immediately retreated, albeit reluctantly. Aether signaled to Diluc, and he nodded. Diluc quickly ran away.

"Now it is time."

Lumine walked closer to Aether to touch his head. However, before she could do so, Aether reached out to grab her hand, and he teleported.

"So, this is how you escaped from my grasp so easily last time. Where did you learn to do this, Aether? And where is this place?" Lumine questioned him. Her eyes were glowing as if they inspecting him.

'Speaking of inspection… I haven't checked her stats, have I?'

He secretly used the skill on her. His eyes also started shining, although quite dim.

[The target's level is higher than the host's. Many information has been hidden]

Target: Lumine
Level: 114
HP: [Hidden]
Mana: [Hidden]
Stamina: [Hidden]
Weapon: [Unknown] Blade
Elements: Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, Electro, Geo, Anemo, Dendro
Titles: Princess of the Abyss
Stat: [Hidden]
Skills: [Hidden]
Unique Skills: [Hidden]
Unique Titles: [Hidden]

In the end, the only useful thing he could see was her level. Since she came here way sooner than him, he wasn't too surprised to see it. She had hundred of years to hone her skills.

It looked like there was still a long road before him. The gap between them was so big that it would be impossible for him to land a hit on her right now, not to mention defeating her. He still had one major advantage over Lumine, however.

Unallocated stat points. Since (probably) no one in Teyvat could see their stat board, they couldn't access their full potential. Every time someone levels up, all of their stat automatically increases by at least 3~5 points. Leveling up also gave you 10 unallocated stat points. Because they didn't know this was a thing, there was no way they could put stat points into areas they want to grow in, thus dampening their growth. In fact, when Aether first checked his stat board, he had so much of those that he didn't even know what to do with them.

The "system" Paimon also give him quests with rewards and achievements, which also give rewards based on how big the achievement is. Which also include unallocated stat points.

Finally, Aether concluded that, since Lumine probably didn't know of Paimon's existence, there was a high chance that her stats was only based on the automatically allocated points.

"Aether, are you not gonna say anything? You brought me here, and now you're just standing there like a statue?"

Lumine simply couldn't wait any longer. She had to erase Aether's memories, and find a way out of this place. Her plans were already happening, and she needed to be there to witness its success.

The place that Aether teleported them to was right under the Tenshukaku. He figured that the Raiden Shogun, or more specifically, Ei, might hear them fight and would come to his aid. She did promise him a favor before, so he wasn't worried that he would have to face her wrath.

"This cave is right under the Tenshukaku, Lumine. If we're gonna fight, this place should be big enough."

"Then, perhaps you are stalling for time until the Electro Archon come to your rescue?"

She perfectly hit the nail on the head. Aether shuddered. Sometimes she was just too smart for her own good.

"I guess it's no use to hide it anymore. Yes, I am indeed waiting for Ei to come."

"Then I will have to finish this matter quickly."

Lumine brandished her sword. It was emitting a red blood-like glow.

"I'm afraid I can't go easy on you this time, brother."

'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.'

Aether was breathing heavily. He thought that this would end easily due to his superior stat. Reality proved him wrong, sadly. Lumine's strikes were so fierce it left his arm numbed.

'Where the heck is Ei when I need her!?'

It was strange. Ei still hasn't come out yet. She was probably gone. If that was the case, the situation is really bad.

Lumine's [Explosion] earlier left him feeling terribly dizzy and a part of his clothes was burnt.

"Aether, come out already. You can't run forever. I know you're tired."

The stone pillar he was hiding behind exploded. Every time she used her elemental skills, the cave trembled as if it was about to collapse.

"Found you. [Stone Cage]!"

A cage made of stone rised from the ground, trapping him inside. Aether immediately teleported out.

"That frustrating skill of yours is driving me crazy! Stop teleporting already. You know this is futile. Your friend will not come."

While Aether was out of breath, Lumine was still in peak condition. She never even took this seriously. What was unexpected was that Aether held out this long. He must have his limits. Lumine was sure of it.

Aether's mana was running low, and he had used all of his potions and food. He was afraid that if he abuses his mana too much, he will have the [Mana Depletion] status applied to him. He had experienced it once, and he wasn't going to try it again.

[A quest appeared!]

Quest: Defeat Lumine without using Mana.
Difficulty: SS-Rank
Description: Your mana is running low, but your sister, Lumine, is still going on with her relentless parade of bombardment. Defeat her without using Mana.
Rewards:
- x1 [Skill Book].
- x1 [XXL Experience Potion].
-x1 [Unique Skill Book].

'Unique skill book!'

It was a rare catch. All of his unique skills were sealed off by the Unknown God, and he simply couldn't find any unique skill book. It was the chance for him to finally get one.

Aether was determined to win this battle. Before, he was thinking of surrendering, but now his eyes burned with determination.

He could do this. But he needed a decent plan. The quest prohibited the use of Mana, which meant that he couldn't use any more elemental skills. He could still teleport and use his storage space, so he must exploit that to best he could.

'Wait, I have never tried this, but maybe I can use my storage space as a sink hole to trap her and then knock her out? I might also use it to store her attacks.'

It was worth a try, and Aether immediately put the plan into action.

He had been running around and teleporting all over the place, but now he would have to face her directly.

"Finally decided to become a man, Aether? [Fireball]!"

The fireball was as large as his torso, and it was heading towards him with tremendous speed. However, before it could hit him, he activated his [Storage] skill and successfully stored the attack inside.

It was a success. Now Aether needed to stop her from moving so he could put her to sleep.

"What was that skill just now? You're more persistent than I thought, brother. But, too bad for you, your opponent is me. The battle ends now, Aether! [Vine Trap]!"

Vines rose from the ground and binded themselves to Aether's feet. He tried to teleport away, but somehow, he couldn't.

His own plan is being used against him. Was she a mind reader of some sort?

"[Water Clap]!"

2 giant walls of water were approaching fast from both sides. She was planning to drown him and knock him out.

'As if I will let you!'

He used his sword to cut down the vines, and ran straight for Lumine.

"How foolish of you, brother! You think you can beat me at swordsmanship?"

Before she could say anything more, Lumine felt her feet sinking. She looked down, only to realize that she was slowly being engulfed by Aether's storage space. She didn't even have the time to register what was happening when she heard Aether's voice behind her.

"Sleep well, Lumine."

And she blacked out.

[Quest completed!]
The host has received the following rewards:
- x1 [Skill Book].
- x1 [XXL Experience Potion].
- x1 [Unique Skill Book].
Bonus reward:
- 10 unallocated stat points.

Aether got his rewards, and even got a bonus he didn't expect. But now was not the time to be happy. He had to bring his sister back to Mondstadt and find out where everyone went. The skill books could wait until later.

Aether carefully hugged Lumine to his body and teleported.

Meanwhile, at the Narukami Shrine…

Ei and Yae Miko was enjoying some Dango Milk. They were giggling over a light novel.

"Hmm, did something just explode?" Ei asked.

"I didn't hear anything. Maybe it's the sound of your heart beating~"

Ei blushed furiously. "Stop it, Miko! The romance story isn't that good!"

"Eh~ I thought you were imagining yourself and the handsome Traveler?"

While the two were busy bickering, the mentioned Traveler was still busy trying to find the way to access the Abyss.

'Achoo. Did someone just talk about me?'