Chapter One
Inazuma, Grand Narukami Shrine
Cold.
Soft Petals touched her face as she started to wake up.
Her eyes scanned above, blue veins flowed through the tree trunk in a shape of a fox. The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom, seeming to enshrine her full view of the world. The stars and a full moon She slowly stood up.
Where am I?
They looked around and walked over to a golden plate that showed her reflection. She wore a long-sleeved gi, with black hakama trousers. Her figure short and dark hair in a low ponytail and dark eyes scanning around for any sign of someone.
She heard light footsteps behind, spinning around their eyes met a tall woman wearing a red and white uniform. Golden ornamentations were donned in their long hair, flowing like a shade of cherry blossoms behind her shoulders.
Are those ears in her hair?
She couldn't tell.
"I don't suppose telling me what you're doing here in the Narukami Shrine this late little one?"
"I… don't know…" confused, they asked "Narukami Shrine?"
"Yes indeed." they stepped closer and repeated "This, is the Narukami Shrine. Many know me as Yae Miko but, you may call me Lady Guuji little one."
They blinked as Lady Guuji folded her arms. Fingers tapping the side of their face. "I can't very well call you little one all the time, what pray tell is your name?"
"I… don't know" she frowned "Give me one second."
She closed her eyes in thought, why couldn't she remember? Then suddenly she felt a chill through her body. She saw letters form in her mind, then a word formed.
"No…zomi. I think my name is Nozomi." she exhaled "I don't know how I got here, I don't remember."
"Hmm is that so?" Yae raised a brow "Strange indeed. Perhaps we should reconvene our conversation over a meal. It's a bit chilly and to be frank, a great excuse to grab some Kitsune Udon. I know a good restaurant that serves it perfectly, Uyuu restaurant."
Nozomi nodded although confused about where Uyuu Restaurant was. She was about to ask more questions but felt her stomach rumble loudly. Looking at Lady Guuji embarrassed she followed her through the shrine into Inazuma.
Behind her, the Sacred Sakura tree glowed an electrifying violet. A few petals fell to the ground.
Dim-lit lanterns hung atop the serving counters with wooden seats. Many sweet and savory scents hung in the air. Sounds of Chefs banging their cleavers echoed with their voices chanting many orders being called to serve. Chopsticks and empty dishes for soy and ginger were laid out neatly at every chair and table.
Only Nozomi and Yae Miko were present as they took their seats. Nozomi touched the chopsticks and held them. She watched as Yae Miko used hers when their meals were served then made a few attempts to pick up her food. Once her chopsticks had some grilled meat, she took a bite.
"It's…delicious, what is this?" she mumbled through eating
"Oh? You've never had Unagi before?" she answered "You should try adding a bit of soy. Dunk the next piece of Unagi into the black sauce there."
Yae Miko poured soy into both small dishes. After Nozomi was confident about eating, they sat in silence.
"So… where am I exactly?"
"You're in Inazuma" Yae hummed through a piece of tofu "You've chosen an odd time to make an appearance. So you can't remember anything before you got here?"
Nozomi shook her head. She thought she saw Yaes hair wiggle near where ears would be. Was it a trick of the light? Nozomi rubbed her eyes and looked down at the table.
"So, Inazuma is a country?"
"Hmm… it is" Yae turned and looked at her "If you're going to ask, this is the world of Teyvat. There are seven nations within this world. They're Mondstat, Liyue, Inazuma which you're in now, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Schneznaya."
Yae's voice changed to sarcasm mentioning the last nation. "Each nation is governed by what we call Archons. They're what you revere as gods. Each God governs with elemental power, currently, Inazuma is governed by the Electro Archon. The Almighty Shogun or personally to me, Raiden Ei. Are you with me so far?"
Nozomi nodded for her to continue.
"I am a Shrine Maiden, head of the Grand Narukami Shrine. My job is to torture becoming writers and light novelists as well as serve the Shogun… although I'm more of a friend than a servant. Hmph, I am however not so friendly with our writers as of late. Their works are becoming mediocre. Writing Isekai novels and the like over and over…" Yae coughed "All you need to know is that if you're ever going to become a writer under me, be prepared to give me your best. I am not a patient woman with late deadlines."
"Wait… so you have two jobs? How do you even manage that?"
"Oh… I'm here and there, watching people when they're least aware. Like yourself tonight." She chuckled "You learn to either make fun of… I mean delegate tasks to others when your interests are needed elsewhere."
A shiver ran down her spine when Yaes eyes lit up into violet.
"I'll… keep that in mind Lady Guuji."
"Ah, a fast learner. You'll do just fine here. Anyway, I suppose you don't have anywhere to go, do you?"
Nozomi tried to think, but her mind remained blank. She rubbed her head and looked at Yae Miko.
"I thought so. Very well "Yae stood up "I don't mind taking in another cub, goodness knows we've done this before. You can stay with me until you're familiar with Inazuma. All I ask is that eventually, you will need to train in martial arts. Everyone here needs to be familiar with how to fight the various monsters that roam the land."
Nozomi nodded as Yae Miko explained about the different clans and martial styles in Inazuma. She felt less apprehensive the longer she spoke to Yae Miko. Many stories were told about the history of Inazuma.
Nozomi followed Yae out to the streets. They waited until Nozomi walked further ahead and whispered to the starlit sky.
"What a beautiful night with a full moon. The Itadori Festival this year brings an omniscient presence. May the land of Eternity guide her on their path."
"Nozomi, give it to me." Yae crossed her legs "You know I'll need to see it eventually."
Nozomi sighed "But Lady Guuji, I don't even know if I'm good…"
"Everyone's first time is always rough around the edges, it's not like I'm asking you to be a professional on the first try. Come now, I won't repeat myself… that's a good girl." Yae chuckled and grabbed her cheeks "Now let's see, where were we?"
Nozomi spun herself around facing away from Yae Miko. The sound of papers being shuffled filled the air, their heartbeat through her chest. She tapped her foot, looking outside into the veranda.
A few years passed in Inazuma. Nozomi still felt the bruises along her arms and legs from the training with Ayato and Ayaka from the Kamisato clan. Every day of training was grueling. However, Nozomi felt a sense of pride she could pass with fighting a few Hilichruls.
Right now, they were attending a Writer's Retreat on Watatsumi Island. The course was designed to sponsor new and aspiring writers to different nations in Teyvat. Nozomi turned to Yae Miko, the rays catching in her hair. Thankfully, not a frown appeared.
"Hmm, not a bad first attempt. I must say, you've improved quickly in the last six months of living with us. Although…" she pointed to a page "Your grammar and tenses are over the place. The plot structures are sorely missing lived experiences."
Nozomi looked down with a half smile.
"However I do like the characters. Good characters and poor settings are better than good settings and poorly written characters. There's a bit of potential here."
Yae shuffled the drafted manuscript to its original order and placed it on the tatami mat beside her.
"Honestly I'm impressed you took an interest in writing. I thought all you'd do with your days is become a swordsman or work with the Yashiro Commission."
"I did think of collecting beetles with Arataki Itto and selling them as a side gig" Nozomi looked away sheepishly "I don't think I'm well suited to the strict lifestyle of the Samurai. At least with writing, I can stay inside my mind all day."
"Oh Archons, the Oni fellow. You weren't around when he used to post messages to Kujo Sara every day. Glad to see that Kujou Sara decided to settle with him after a Karaoke event he had hosted." Yaes hands brushed the air "I'm also glad to see his personality brushed off on you, at least you can finally have one."
Nozomi rolled her eyes "Oh come on, the only reason I didn't have one is that-"
"I know… I know." Yae placed a hand under her chin "I was only teasing, the more you pout, the more silly ways I'll think of to get under your skin. So, now that I've taken a look at your writing, it's time to discuss your future."
If she isn't always teasing me, it's torturing me with reading lessons… wait the future?
"By the look on your face, you don't have a clue of what to do with your life. I'm going to offer you a few paths. First, I'd like to see your writing improve, the second is that I'm thinking of sending you to Sumeru to study for three years."
"You… why were you thinking of my future? I thought I'd be content to stay here writing for fun, lazing under the blossoms, and hiding away from people." she shivered "What more do you want?"
Yae Miko tutted and raised a finger "Aww I think you answered your question. You'd think I'd let you waste your days away just lazing around? Who do you take me for, hmm? I see you sneaking away with snacks in the middle of the night, might I add they're usually mine, into your room while you write away the hours?"
"Ahh hehe… I see. The foxes did it?" Nozomi glanced away quickly.
She felt her cheeks being pulled on both sides when Yae Miko sighed.
"First you insult my heartfelt wisdom, steal my hard-earned snacks -"
"Snacks she usually sneaks away from the Shrine Maidens herself… ow!"
Nozomi jumped when Yae put her foot firmly on hers. "As I was saying, we need to discuss your future. I want you to consider studying in Sumeru with the Akademiya. I'd train you myself but as you can see, I have many manuscripts to shuffle through. I want to read yours for real one day. In a hardcopy"
"I've read too many Guuji and Raiden Ei fanfics to know where this is going… why the Akademiya? Isn't that like a really hard place to obtain a scholarship? The writing you have now doesn't equal a crumble to what other applicants can do."
"Hmm, you know what? Maybe being around Itto has made you cheeky in the last six months, I'll need a friendly visit the next time I see him. While it's true you don't need the scholarship to be an author, I've seen many writers improve vastly. I want you to go so you not only have a job as a writer, but so my company can still be a best seller of Light Novels."
"Ohhhh so there's the real reason- okay fine but, are you sponsoring me to study?"
"Usually I would but our funds only allow ten writers a year to sponsor. I've already approved this year ten writers. You'll need to rewrite two chapters as part of a short story and submit these as part of your application."
Their balance shifted and looked down at the pile of papers on the tatami floor. The Akademiya was a governing body for Sumeru, the nation of knowledge. It was well known for its strict regulations for submitting applications. The acceptance rate was average, however, Nozomi couldn't imagine her writing holding a pen compared to other applicants.
"Now before you work yourself into a fetal position, I will be writing a letter of recommendation alongside your application. Feel better now?"
Nozomi gulped and breathed out. "Right, when do I ship out?"
Yaes eyes lit up into their violet shades and she grinned "We have about a week from now when the first term starts. I expect a solid short story in three days before you go. Then I will need to speak to an old friend about getting you there… she should be in the docks on Monday. Well little one, chop-chop. Don't keep me in suspense."
Nozomi swiped the papers from off the floor and walked out into the corridors.
How is it that whenever I'm around Lady Guuji that she has a way to twist my foot? I swear when I get back-
"You'll also need 20,000 more for the application fee!" Yae called out.
"Urgh!" Nozomi slapped her head as she walked off "There go my savings."
"I heard that." Yae laughed loudly.