"Do they only have chopsticks here?" Childe asked. He was a master of all sorts of different weapons, but chopsticks was something he could not wield.
"You will need to be adept with chopsticks if you are to truly appreciate Liyue's Gastronomy." Zhongli responded. "I would recommend buying a pair and practicing during your free time."
A soft chuckle. "I think I'll pass on that."
I doubt being able to wield chopsticks in a fight would prove to be useful.
Suddenly, a voice called out.
"Mr. Zhongli, we have Springvale Boar on the menu today - would you like to try it instead of salt and pepper sweet tofu?"
The girl who just spoke to Zhongli was young. Young, but Childe could tell that she was by no means defenseless.
"We'll have both," came Zhongli's response.
The restaurant was a lively place, filled with students and staff. It was a stark contrast to the uniform and orderly way food was eaten and served back in Snezhnaya. The Tsaritsa was strict when it came to that regard.
"I guess this isn't the land of the free for nothing," Childe muttered to himself quietly.
Zhongli, appearing to have caught onto some of the words Childe said, spoke up. "Hm, did you say something?"
"Ahaha," Childe laughed awkwardly. "It's nothing. Just wondering if the food here is spicy or not, because I cannot for the life of me eat spicy food."
"Rest assured, I have already taken into consideration the types of food the people of Snezhnaya prefer when ordering your food."
"Oh really?" Childe asked, surprised by his kind gesture and thoughtfulness. "How nice of you."
"Think nothing of it."
The food was delicious. Childe was not a picky eater nor did he really know the difference between good, bad and decent food. But this meal was just exquisite. He would describe it, but well, he lacked the culinary vocab to do so. It was simply amazing.
What wasn't as amazing was when the time to pay came.
"Did you enjoy the meal?" Xiangling asked.
"Yes," Zhongli replied. "It was most enjoyable."
Xiangling looked at Childe expectantly.
Huh, I'm supposed to answer too?
"Huh? Oh, it was great. Thanks for the meal."
Xiangling beamed happily. "Another satisfied customer!"
"That sounds great and all," a waitress said, carrying something in her hand - likely the bill. "But Xiangling, you have more cooking to do. Please, you can talk to your friends another time."
"Oh!" Xiangling said, as if remembering the countless orders waiting to be completed. "I'll be on my way now. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Transfer Student. Come back again soon!"
She disappeared back into the kitchen.
"That'll be 4000 mora," the waitress said, placing down the receipt. "Ms. Xiangling was kind enough to shoulder the fee for her newest dish."
"How generous. Please, offer her my sincerest thank yous."
"I'll make sure to do that after I've collected the payment."
"Of course."
Zhongli reached into his pocket and brought out nothing. He then reached out into his other pocket, his hands coming out empty once again. This action repeated four more times before he came to a realization.
"How unfortunate, it seems I left my wallet back in the dorms."
Childe looked at him incredulously. The waitress looked at him as if expecting this outcome.
"You have my most sincere apologies," Zhongli said. "This was an oversight on my part."
A sigh escaped Childe's lips. "Give it here, I'll pay."
"You have my gratitudes." Zhongli said in a sincere tone.
"And you have to pay me back when we get back." Childe shot back.
"Of course. It is a contract then."
His voice was serious, his demeanor changed. The off feeling that Childe had about Zhongli grew in strength.
"Nothing that serious. Just pay me back when you have the time."
And with that hiccup out of the way, Childe was now on his way to take a very boring history exam.
Kazuha faced Andrius. The feeling this battle had was much different from his previous duel with Razor. He was tense, his guard up while Andrius was smiling away at him, calm and casual.
Amber's words were at the forefront of his mind. Add to it the feeling Andrius gave off and it was no wonder Kazuha was wary. If it was up to him, he would not be making the first move.
Too bad Andrius didn't appear to want to either.
Fighting Andrius, Kazuha didn't have the choice of testing the waters and holding back like in his fight with Razor, lest he want the fight to end early. No, he'd have to start out strong from the get go.
Andrius gave Kazuha a taunting grin. "Don't tell me you're frozen in place, too afraid to fight me now. I know I'm an intimidating person, but I didn't expect you to get shaken that easily at the prospect of fighting me."
Kazuha ignored him. His ears picked up footsteps of four people coming into the arena, likely the next class. He tuned them out, focusing on the battle instead.
Andrius' personality seemed to completely change from before. Much more aggressive if his taunts were anything to go by.
"Now the next class is here. Do yourself a favor and try not to embarrass yourself too much in front of them. First impressions are important, especially concerning the opposite gender."
Kazuha didn't bother giving Andrius a response, instead reaching for the leaf he snagged from a tree earlier on his way here. It wasn't a maple leaf, but it'll have to do.
He let the leaf flutter away, using the wind to propel it up into the air. At a certain height, it fell slowly down to the ground, slowly swaying left and right. As the leaf gradually fell, Kazuha gathered anemo energy around him. A wall of green with the leaf he just threw decorating the wind wall.
He closed his eyes.
"Oh?" Andrius said, interest and intrigue in his voice. "Well, you're at least doing something. Do hurry up though, there are other people watching and wa-"
Kazuha didn't let Andrius finish his sentence. Kazuha was a student, but Andrius was being too cocky for his liking.
The leaf hit the ground in front of Andrius. Kazuha dashed forward.
He closed the distance between the two of them at inhuman speeds, aiming to end the fight in one strike. Some of the spectators could only watch in awe as they saw Kazuha practically teleport forward, moving so fast that an untrained eye couldn't see or keep up with him.
Unfortunately, Andrius parried the blow. He brought his arms up, coated with a cryo shield, just in the nick of time to block Kazuha's strike. At least the surprised, however brief, expression did provide some consolation to him.
Andrius grunted. "I thought your final strike against Razor was your ace in the hole. Your ultimate move. But it seems you have more abilities up that sleeve of yours."
Kazuha didn't bother responding - it would only distract him. Instead, he gathered anemo energy around his feet, the winds around him blowing in a circle.
"Holding your ability I see? I wonder, does that make you jump higher?"
Annoyance. That's what Kazuha felt. Andrius still wasn't taking the fight seriously. His constant talking showed that. Even right now, as Kazuha's blade was pushing against his arms, trying to break the cryo shield, his attitude remained lackadaisical.
God Kazuha hated shields.
No matter how hard Kazuha pushed, both Andrius and the cryo shield around his arms wouldn't budge.
A mini tornado of anemo and cryo was forming around the two of them and if Andrius' expression was anything to go by, he was practically unaffected by it. Kazuha's emotionless expression met Andrius', analyzing the situation.
Andrius was grinning, seeming to be enjoying the struggle very much. He wasn't a battle junkie now, was he?
"Tch."
This was going nowhere. Making a decision, Kazuha jumped up into the air - double the height from when he fought Razor - and plunged down. The whirlwind hit, and it hit hard - any ordinary person would be blasted off their feet - yet Andrius merely backstepped a bit, unaffected by the vortex that appeared after.
How much does he weigh? He must be really heavy to not be affected.
Kazuha didn't let Andrius' lack of reaction faze him. The part wolf seemed to merely be content with staying on the defense. So be it then.
Crimson Autumn Leaves, heed my call.
Infusing his katana with anemo, he began his onslaught of lightning quick attacks. The anemo infused slashes came at Andrius faster than the eye could follow, the attacks cracking and breaking his cryo shield. Andrius loathed to admit it, but he was overwhelmed.
An opening, Kazuha thought as he saw a look of surprise paint Andrius' face.
"Kah!"
A charged attack. A flurry of multiple anemo infused strikes hit Andrius, knocking him backwards a couple of meters.
"Holding back," Kazuha heard Razor saying.
Kazuha knew better than to charge in while Andrius was 'down'. His battle with Razor taught him that.
"Smart thinking," Andrius said, stretching his arms a bit. "You learn quick and have good intuition. Some sort of sixth sense? You're fast, almost inhumanly fast, and you easily corner your opponents with your unique fighting style and abilities. You lack raw strength but you more than make up for it with your speed."
His posture started to change, his laid back attitude gone. Kazuha could now see why he was a combat teacher with the way he pointed out his pros and cons. "Controlling your vision with great effectiveness doesn't seem to be a problem to you. Neither do taunts. It appears to me that you seem not easily provoked; A calm and cool head. That said, the move you first did at the start of the duel, I wonder… Nevermind. We have people waiting."
"So it was a test then?" Kazuha said, finally speaking up. "Well, a test within a test. You held back purposely, playing on the defense to garner my abilities. And now that it's over, I wonder, are you going to take this fight more seriously or are you going to call it quits and attend to your next class?"
Kazuha glanced at the four waiting students. They consisted of two males and two females.
Andrius laughed, the sound more akin to howl than a laugh. "Heh, I suppose I owe you a proper fight. Prepare yourself, I won't be holding back now… otherwise, I might just find myself losing."
He muttered that last part quietly to himself, but Kazuha, with his sensitive ears, heard it clear as day.
The two faced each other again and got ready for round two of the fight. Tenseness was in the air as they faced each other. The part wolf still held no visible weapon apart from his claws.
The arena was silent. Kazuha was uneasy. The aura from Andrius was suffocating, like a wolf hunting down its prey. He gathered anemo energy around his feat, ready to make evasive maneuvers at a moments notice.
He would not be making the first move this time.
Unlike last time, there weren't any taunting or jeering remarks from Andrius like last time. No, it was just two opponents eying each other warily, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Andrius struck first.
Female Pyro Dorm Room
"Ughhh," Hu Tao groaned on top of her bed. "I don't wanna go to class today."
She felt the ghost she snuggled with in her sleep, Boo Tao she called it, nod in agreement before snuggling into her more tightly. Over on the beds beside her, she heard the muffled groans of affirmation of the other four pyro girls that shared the room with her.
"I hate Mondays, I tell ya," Xinyan said from across the room. She wholeheartedly agreed with her. "Always dead tired in the mornin' with a whole week of class in front of you."
When Hu Tao first met Xinyan, her accent really threw her for a loop. Well, that, and her looks. Nowadays, she's used to it, her brain auto translating her accent into something more understandable.
"I'm with you on that," Xiangling said in agreement. "It's even worse because we stayed up late last night talking about the two new transfer students among other things."
Hu Tao felt that Xiangling was just as much of a prankster as she was when it came to food. The ingredients she used sometimes were downright horrifying.
"Well, it's not everyday two new transfer students come here out of the blue." Amber said. Somehow, despite it being Monday morning, her voice was still cheerful and energetic. "And they have visions too! When was the last time we had an exchange or transfer student come here with a vision?"
Amber rivaled Hu Tao in terms of outgoing and extroverted personality. Though Amber tended to lean towards the friendly side, while she leaned more to the mischievous.
Too long was all they could agree upon. There were only a couple as far as the group knew. Cyno, a Sumeru scholar. He was an exchange student. Mona and Lisa were the students they sent to Sumeru's Academy in exchange. They've since returned to their respective schools.
Then there was Kuki Shinobu who transferred here briefly to study law as the classes here concerning that subject are unmatched. She made good friends with Yanfei, though she has since returned to Inazuma last semester.
Speaking of Yanfei.
"Could you guys keep it down?" Yanfei asked, grumblings from beneath the covers of her blanket. "I'm trying to get some extra shut eye before class. Some of us actually stayed up late to do work."
"Ahaha, apologies there Ms. Lawyer." Xinyan said, sounding completely unapologetic. "But you got no one but yourself to blame for takin such a hard course. I mean, law? No thanks."
"Heh, someone like you, whose head is filled with nothing but rock and roll, wouldn't understand the true importance of the law; Only by adhering to the law can the people solve life's myriad of problems after all."
"I like to solve my problems with a bit of chaos and fun. The law is too boring for my liking." Hu Tao said.
"Just make sure it's not illegal."
Hu Tao giggled. "Me? Do something illegal? Why, I would never!"
"If anything, I bet it'd be Xiangling who'd end up doing something illegal first," Amber said, hands on her chin. "No offense, but some of the things you put into your dishes are questionable at best. I always fear for your internship with Wanmin restaurant whenever you try one of your new experimental dishes."
"Hey!" Xiangling cried out. "I'll have you know I'm the best chief there is."
The banter between the five girls in the room continued on as they slowly got ready for the day.
Four actually. Yanfei was still trying to get some extra sleep to no avail.
"But seriously though," Hu Tao said, her voice taking on a tone of false seriousness. "We should really continue the conversation from last night."
A pillow was thrown at her. "No we shouldn't!"
A wide smirk. Hu Tao loved how easy it was to fluster Xiangling. She really had to thank Amber for the images she got of the two new transfer students; the gossip last would not have nearly been as fun without them. Being a close friend to the student council president, even if she was acting, has its perks.
"Oh come on," Hu Tao said in, her voice teasing. "The Rite of Decension is coming up soon and we all don't have dates. Don't tell me you're not even a little bit interested."
Xiangling violently shook her head, face beet red. The girls around her too had blushes adorning their faces, her's probably as well. They talked about some wild stuff last night, after all, and were likely remembering some of the more, ah, juicy contents.
"Why do we even need dates? This isn't like a dance or anything. It's a ceremony."
Xiangling paused and thought for a moment.
"Well, I guess there's also festive events going on, but still!"
"The almighty Geo Archon visits us insignificant mortals once a year to impart knowledge regarding the future to us-"
"Hu Tao, cut the sarcastic formal tone and get to the point," Yanfei said, still buried underneath her blankets trying to get some sleep.
"Ok fiiine. I'm just wondering why no one has asked the almighty Geo Archon if their relationship is going to work or not. Or any questions relating to love for that matter."
She was met with four deadpan expressions.
"Heyyy, I'm being serious."
"I don't think a first date being an old and over glorified ceremony would be a good idea," Xinyan pointed out. "Too boring. Not enough Rock n Roll."
"Plus, I don't think Rex Lapis would be too pleased to be asked a question like that," Amber added. "He answers serious questions about the future, not questions relating to the love life of some teen."
"It doesn't have to be- the point is-" Hu Tao struggled to come up with the correct words to impart her genius knowledge on these uneducated peasants. "Nevermind. It seems my genius is lost on the unimaginative once again."
"As always," came a grumble from the pile of blankets. "Now please shut up and let me sleep."
"You guys hear something?" Hu Tao asked. "Not to scare you guys, but I think the blanket just talked."
Xiangling rolled her eyes. "Yanfei's under there."
"I know that. I'm talking about the pile of blankets over there," Hu Tao said, pointing to a different pile of blankets.
Xiangling, like a gullible child, went to check. "Honestly Hu Tao, I don't know wh-"
"Boo!"
And out came Boo Tao scaring the living daylights out of Xiangling.
"WAAAH! My dinner is attacking me!"
Hu Tao let out a mischievous giggle, before it turned into a full blown laugh, the other girls laughing as well. Xiangling joined in too after pouting briefly and bopping the ghost in the head.
"You're not serious about eating my ghost though, are you?" Hu Tao asked after everyone calmed down.
"Hehe, I just said that in reflex. Still, now that you mention it, I do wonder how your ghost would add to my latest dish."
Hu Tao quickly snatched Boo Tao away, hugging it protectively close to her chest. "You wouldn't."
"Oh I will."
"Speaking of dishes, if I remember correctly, you did say you'd cook up a special dish for the two new students as a welcoming gift." Xinyan said.
"Yup! I'm clocked in the kitchen today for most of the afternoon. Hopefully the guides designated to show the new students around will pay me a visit."
She gave a meaningful look at Amber.
"Don't look at me," Amber said, raising her arms up. "I'm not sure if I'll get assigned the job this time."
"Oh please," Hu Tao said. "With your track record, and title of outrider, you'll definitely be appointed as guide."
By now, the girls had all gotten ready and were standing by the door ready to leave.
"Do give us all the details, will you? And when I say all, I mean all." Hu Tao added. "I know how easy it is for you to make friends and get close to others, so try not to get too much of a headstart on the rest of us, will you?"
"Haha, no promises there," Amber responded.
"I promise that if the four of you don't leave for class in the next three seconds, there will be consequences." Yanfei said, suddenly behind them.
"Oh wow, you okay there Ms. Lawyer. Your eyes looking kinda tired there."
Hu Tao hummed in agreement, playfully saying, "You should get some more rest Yanfei. Lack of sleep isn't healthy."
"That's it," Yanfei growled. She began shoving the four girls out of the room.
"Whoa! Someone's in a grumpy mood."
"Grrr"
"Cease and desist! This is aggravated assault! Under article 69, Section S, I command you to stop! You have the right to remain silent! I repeat, you have the right to remain silent!"
Hu Tao and the rest of the girls were forcefully ejected from the room, the door promptly slammed shut in their faces.
"Damn," Hu Tao said. "I thought for sure 'you have the right to remain silent' would work."
Xinyan shrugged her shoulders in response. "Guess we ought to get to class now. Got Band in 12 minutes, I'll see you guys later."
"I gotta go too. Culinary class starts soon, and I need to head over there early to prep my ingredients."
"Mhm~ Bye now! I'll see you guys PE." Hu Tao said, before heading on over to her class. The hallway she walked through had portraits of many of ML High's well known teachers and students. Some of them deceased, their time in the living spent.
The border between the living and the dead always intrigued Hu Tao. It was a taboo topic she's yet to broach with anyone.
Hu Tao passed by a certain blonde haired acting student council president, but paid her no mind. Right now, breakfast was on her mind. A good, healthy and hearty breakfast before her teamfight training class against Andrius.
She was not looking forward to being sore for the rest of the day.
The leap came out of nowhere. It was like a wolf pouncing on its prey.
Wind Strider
Kazuha, using the anemo energy he had already gathered at his feet, jumped backwards and easily dodged. However, once airborne, three cryo ice shards came flying at him from three different angles.
Wind Strider
He hopped midair and dodged the ice. And then he jumped again, seemingly walking on air.
Wind Walker
Andrius watched as Kazuha easily evaded his attacks. He smirked. "Time to bring things up a notch."
Is it just me, or did the temperature just drop suddenly?
A pack of wolves made up of ice formed around Andrius. They seemed so realistic and life-like. Like actual wolves.
Kazuha couldn't admire them for long, however, as the wolves along with Andrius leapt up at him to attack.
How high can they jump!?
He parried the attack from Andrius, dodged two wolves and was grazed by the claws of another one.
Not good, I thought being in the air gave me an advantage, but it's too draining and I won't be able to dodge as effectiv-
Two cryo shards narrowly missed him as he maneuvered to the side just in time. He was now above Andrius at a 45 degree angle. Andrius was grinning fearlessly at him. He knew Kazuha couldn't keep this up.
I must remain calm. Stay focused.
Gathering anemo energy behind him, he dashed towards Andrius, his blade glowing green. The wolves moved to intercept him, but he sliced through them with ease.
Slash Of a Thousand Winds
Andrius countered with a 360 kick causing a blast of cryo and anemo energy. The swirling anemo field forced Andrius to back up. Smart decision, for Kazuha fought better within this field. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Kazuha used this moment to slowly regain the wasted energy he used while in the air. The swirling winds around him helped calm him and strengthen his anemo powers.
The field faded, and the moment it did, Andrius came dashing head first forward. A thick layer of cryo energy surrounded him, his eyes glowing a dark blue color.
Kazuha dodged. Well, he would have easily dodged if not for the cryo energy around Andrius. It hit him, knocking him backwards like a bowling ball knocking a pin.
Andrius immediately followed up with two enhanced cryo slashes. They had a large area of effect, and would have been easy enough to deal with if not for the fact that he was on the ground.
He gathered anemo energy to propel himself backwards just in time to avoid the first slash, feeling it slice a hair or two. The second one he just managed to block with his sword. Emphasis on the 'just managed' as Kazuha was sent flying back, his sword clattering to the ground a couple of meters away from him.
Andrius was right. He lacked raw power. Razor could have blocked that.
His hands were cold, his body shivering. A cryo storm seemed to be surrounding Andrius. Even if he was able to retrieve his sword, there was no way he was coming back from this fight. Andrius knew his weakness and attacked accordingly. He also knew his strength, and planned accordingly.
There was no way Kazuha would be able to strike and attack quickly in this sort of environment. His swiftness was utterly nullified.
Andrius leaped up into the air, likely preparing to finish the fight. Kazuha watched everything as if time was slowed down. He could vaguely hear some shouting in the background. Something like a "You got this Kazuha!" or a "Don't give up! It's not over until it's over!"
Cliche. The fight was over. He closed his eyes, ready to yield before his face appeared before him.
Why? Why now?
There will always be those who dare to brave the lightning's glow.
T-Tomo, that's not lightni- nevermind. This is nothing but a figment of my imagination.
You plan to return to Inazuma one day, correct?
I do.
Yet look at you now, admitting defeat so easily. How can you think to go against an Archon when you struggle against an overgrown part wolf.
Kazuha looked at his friend in disbelief. He was going crazy, that's what's happening right now.
Does you being here have anything to do with me carrying your vision?
Tomoe ignored him. Try to brave the freezing cold first before you return to Inazuma, will you?
Kazuha swallowed. I-I will.
A small. A soft smile, one filled with pain, longing and regret. And Kazuha…
…
I'm sorry.
The world started to face. Wait! Tomo, no! Don't go-
He was back in the present. He felt a lone tear fall down his face, freezing along the way.
He took a deep breath, pulling the dull blade he was given for him to originally use out of his vision. He felt the distinct feelings of electricity surrounding him.
Brave the freezing cold you say?
Kazuha mustered as much anemo energy as he could, and leapt up into the air to meet Andrius' strike. The two clashed mid air with a mixture of cryo, anemo and electro. Andrius gave him a look of utter shock. Kazuha's expression remained the same, neutral, as he overpowered Andrius and sent him crashing to the ground.
Wind strider
Kazuha gained more height. He gathered as much energy as he could into his blade, and dashed downwards.
Fallen leaves… Adorn my night!