Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the new series. As mentioned in the last chapter, Ash will go through some character development and training during his stay in Mondstadt. He will meet old and new faces who appeared after the event of Storm Terror, for example like Albedo, Sucrose, Rosaria and Mona. No Razor, Diona, Eula and Mika unfortunately. Do expect some Paimon and Fischl goodness and some shipping moments in between. Ash's training will be split into multiple parts (most likely) rather than going through a huge time skip without much detail about it.

New Life in Mondstadt - Part I

...

Within the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, the morning was anything but peaceful. Ash lay sound asleep in his guest room, hugging his pillow as soft snores escaped him. Pikachu was curled up beside him, murmuring drowsy "Pika" sounds, while Lucario sat across the room with its arms crossed and eyes closed in a meditative rest. Dragonite was nestled comfortably nearby.

Everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

Then, without warning—

SWOOSH!

Ash's blanket and sheets were yanked away with the sudden chill hitting his skin like a slap. Before his brain could process what was happening, gravity did the rest—

THUD!

Ash landed upside down on the floor with his limbs sprawled in a tangled mess.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," came the unmistakably smug voice of Kaeya.

Ash groaned as he pushed himself up, rubbing his head. His half-lidded eyes locked onto Kaeya, who stood over him, smirking as if this were the most amusing thing he had seen all morning. Ash then turned his gaze toward the clock on the wall.

4:00 A.M.

His drowsy brain froze. Then his expression twisted into sheer disbelief. "You're kidding me," he grumbled. "It's four in the morning! The sun's not even up yet!"

Kaeya chuckled, unfazed by Ash's grumpy state. "No sense in complaining," he mused, crossing his arms. "A good knight is always on their feet, ready for anything. And since today's your first day of training under my expert guidance, what better way to start than bright and early?"

Ash flopped back onto the floor with a groan. "How about later? Like… after the sun actually exists?"

Kaeya knelt down, resting an elbow on his knee as he smirked down at Ash. "Come on now, hero of Mondstadt, don't tell me a little morning exercise is too much for you?"

Ash let out a muffled groan with his face buried in his arms. "This is way worse than waking up for Professor Oak's lectures…"

Pikachu let out a tired "Pi-kaaa…" while Lucario simply exhaled through its nose, already sensing there was no escape from this.

Kaeya straightened up and clapped his hands together. "Alright, alright, enough sulking. Up and at 'em, Ash. We've got training to do."

Ash sighed in defeat, knowing there was no getting out of this. As much as he wanted to crawl back into bed, Kaeya wasn't going to let him.

"Fine, fine… but I'm so getting you back for this," Ash grumbled as he slowly got to his feet.

Kaeya chuckled. "I'd like to see you try."

...

A pair of Knight grunts trudged along their usual morning patrol with their conversation dull and laced with boredom.

"Another slow morning," one of them muttered, adjusting his gauntlet.

"Yeah," the other sighed. "Not a single Hilichurl in sight. Honestly, I'd take a minor skirmish over this snooze fest."

Just as they were about to lament further, their attention was snapped toward an unexpected sight—

In the distance, a very tired Ash was jogging towards them with his breath visible in the freezing morning air. Flanking him were Pikachu and Lucario, also jogging beside their trainer, while Dragonite struggled to keep up, flapping its tiny wings with sluggish effort.

The two knights blinked in confusion.

"Uh… why's the kid up so early?" the first knight asked.

"More importantly… why does he look like he's been sentenced to a marathon?" the second added.

Little did they know, Ash and his Pokémon were enduring Kaeya's first trial of training—20 laps around Mondstadt before the actual sword training would even begin.

Shivering slightly in the cold, Ash forced himself to push forward, clad in a loose training outfit he had borrowed. The outfit resembled a tracksuit—but it was nowhere near as comfortable. The icy wind bit at his skin, his breath labored, and his legs already burned from the exertion.

"This is insane," Ash muttered through gritted teeth. "Twenty laps? Around the entire city?!"

Pikachu let out a tired squeak.

Lucario remained stoic but visibly exerted.

Dragonite? Absolutely regretting its life choices.

As the exhausted group jogged past the patrolling knights, the two men exchanged glances.

"Should… should we feel bad for him?" one asked, rubbing his chin. "He did save the city not too long ago…"

The other knight shrugged. "Eh. At least Kaeya's not making us do laps like the old days."

They both nodded in agreement, silently grateful their superior wasn't forcing them into the same grueling regimen.

Meanwhile, Ash continued his miserable jog, already dreading what else Kaeya had planned for him.

Several hours later…

Morning faded into late noon with the golden sun hanging lazily over Mondstadt's rooftops.

Ash and his Pokémon collapsed the moment they completed their brutal laps.

Ash lay flat on his back with his chest rising and falling rapidly as he gasped for air. His entire body was drenched in cold sweat.

Pikachu and Lucario slumped against each other. Both were too exhausted to even move.

Dragonite? Completely KO'd. It lay sprawled belly-first on the ground with its wings twitching slightly from sheer fatigue.

Kaeya chuckled at their exhausted state. "Oh? Done already?" he teased. "And here I thought you'd have energy for another ten laps."

Ash weakly lifted his head. "Kaeya… I swear… if you say another lap, I'm gonna—"

Kaeya merely smirked. "Gonna what? Crawl after me?":

Ash groaned in defeat.

Not far away, Noelle had been watching Ash's training unfold. Though she was in the middle of her own knight training, she had kept an eye on him throughout the morning. Ever since Ash first arrived in Mondstadt, she had secretly developed a small crush on him. His kindness, determination, and sheer strength fascinated her. Now, seeing him covered in sweat and completely drained, she hesitated before gripping a towel in her hands and rushing over.

"U-Um! H-Here, Ash!" she said in a shy but eager tone as she held out the towel.

Ash tiredly turned his head towards her, blinking in confusion. His mind was too hazy from exhaustion to immediately recall her name, though her face looked familiar.

Still, he slowly reached out, taking the towel with a grateful smile. "Oh… thanks."

Noelle's cheeks flushed pink. She quickly looked away, nervously fidgeting with her hands.

Kaeya, observing the exchange, smirked knowingly. Ah… so he already has admirers, huh?

However, before Kaeya could tease further, his attention shifted when a new duo approached.

"Whoa! What happened here?"

Ash and his Pokémon lazily turned their heads, spotting Aether walking towards them with Paimon floating beside him.

Paimon's gaze immediately locked onto Dragonite, whose massive form lay limp on the ground. Her eyes widened in concern.

"Oh no! Poor Dragonite!" she cried, quickly flying down and hugging the exhausted dragon's snout. "You worked too hard! It's okay, Paimon's here!"

Dragonite weakly whimpered and, in a tired daze, nuzzled Paimon, seeking comfort.

Paimon's eyes snapped open in horror.

"W-WAIT! D-Don't eat me! Paimon doesn't taste good!"

Aether burst into laughter. "Relax, Paimon. If Dragonite really wanted a snack, you'd be gone already."

Paimon puffed her cheeks. "Hmph! That's not funny! You always joke about me being emergency food!"

Aether grinned. "Because it's true."

Paimon grumbled. "Paimon is not food!"

After a much-needed break, the group gathered at the training court grounds, the crisp afternoon air carrying the scent of grass and worn wood.

Kaeya casually tossed a wooden training sword towards Ash.

"Catch."

Ash instinctively reached out, but the sword fumbled through his fingers, nearly slipping from his grasp before he awkwardly clutched it with both hands.

Pikachu and Lucario facepalmed.

Kaeya smirked, effortlessly twirling his own wooden blade before resting it against his shoulder. "Well, that's promising," he teased. "Ever held a sword before, 'oh mighty hero'?"

Ash sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Uh… nope. First time."

Aether chuckled from the sidelines. "This should be interesting."

Noelle, standing nearby with a hopeful glint in her eyes, clasped her hands together. "I-I'm sure Ash will do great!"

Paimon floated beside her with her tiny hands cupped around her mouth. "Go, Ash! Show him what you got!"

Ash exhaled, shifting his grip on the wooden sword, trying to mimic Kaeya's stance. His fingers felt awkward around the handle with his balance slightly off.

Kaeya took one step forward, tapping the ground with his foot. "Alright then, let's see where you stand. Try to hit me."

Ash hesitated. He had no idea how to properly swing a sword. But… he figured if this was like Pokémon battles, then maybe he just needed to go for it. Taking a deep breath, Ash rushed forward with a clumsy but determined swing—

—Only for Kaeya to effortlessly sidestep, letting Ash stumble past him.

Kaeya snickered. "Oh dear."

Ash spun around, gripping his sword tightly. "Tch—okay, that was just a warm-up!"

Kaeya raised an eyebrow with a half-smirk. "By all means, warm up as much as you like."

Ash charged forward again at Kaeya's smug expression. Kaeya, however, effortlessly parried the attack, twisting his wrist with practiced ease before landing a swift kick to Ash's chest.

"Gah—!" Ash staggered back before landing flat on his back.

Noelle flinched. "Oh dear…"

Paimon hovered anxiously. "A-Ash, maybe take a second to breathe!?"

Lucario and Pikachu winced, but neither intervened. They knew Ash wouldn't back down.

Gritting his teeth, Ash scrambled back to his feet and charged again.

Kaeya's lone visible eye watched him carefully. Despite his carefree demeanor, he analyzed Ash's every move, predicting his sloppy footwork and countering him with ease.

Each failed attempt ended with Ash getting knocked back down.

Yet—every single time—he got up.

Again.

And again.

His grip on the wooden sword tightened with each failed strike, but he never backed down.

Aether crossed his arms. "Man… he's stubborn. More stubborn than you, Paimon."

"Hey!"

Noelle, clutching her hands together, quietly admired his persistence.

Kaeya chuckled. "You're just throwing yourself at me, Ash. No strategy, no patience. You'll never land a clean hit that way."

Ash groaned but forced himself up again.

But this time, as he braced himself for another attack—Kaeya made his move.

The Cavalry Captain's boots kicked up dust as he lunged forward. His blade was raised, ready to land the finishing blow—

Then Kaeya hesitated.

Ash's head snapped up with his normally warm brown eyes flaring into an intense blue.

Kaeya froze mid-strike.

Something about that look—

It was different.

That brief hesitation was all Ash needed.

He sprang back onto his feet, his instincts taking over. With one swift motion, he swung his wooden sword—

SMACK!

Kaeya's training blade went flying, spinning through the air before bouncing onto the ground behind him.

A stunned silence filled the training grounds.

Ash, panting heavily, felt his vision flicker before his eye color returned to normal.

Paimon was the first to break the silence. "WHAAAT!? ASH ACTUALLY LANDED A HIT!?"

Pikachu and Lucario pumped their fists in victory.

Kaeya blinked, processing what just happened. Then, a slow smile curled on his lips. "Well, well…" he mused, brushing off his coat. "That was unexpected."

Noelle clapped excitedly. "Ash, that was amazing!"

Aether grinned. "Not bad for a first-time swordsman."

Ash, still catching his breath, looked at his hands in confusion. He wasn't even sure what he just did.

Kaeya's smirk returned. "You've got some promise, Ash. Still raw, but promise nonetheless."

Ash grinned tiredly. "Heh… guess that means I win, right?"

Kaeya chuckled. "Not quite. But—" He retrieved his wooden sword and rested it on his shoulder. "I suppose we can call it a good start."

...

Later that evening, at the Angel's Share, Ash let out a deep, tired groan with his forehead pressed against the wooden bar counter. His arms dangled limply at his sides as he wallowed in exhaustion.

Pikachu, Lucario, and Dragonite were relaxing in the background, all equally worn out from watching Ash's intense training with Kaeya.

Next to Ash, Venti chuckled, resting his cheek against his palm as he swirled his drink in his free hand.

"My, my, you look like you've been through the wringer," he teased, grinning. "Did Kaeya put you through some kind of special hell today?"

Ash lifted his head just enough to shoot Venti a half-lidded glare. "You have no idea," he groaned before dropping his head back down.

Venti laughed. "Poor thing! Maybe you should've let me serenade you during training. Music always lifts the spirit, you know~"

"No offense, but I don't think a song would've stopped Kaeya from kicking my butt."

Behind the counter, Diluc scoffed. The tavern owner and Darknight Hero of Mondstadt grumbled under his breath as he wiped down a wine glass. "Tch. Sounds like Kaeya's usual pathetic excuse for training," he muttered, placing a cold glass of water next to Ash. "Senseless and exhausting."

Ash sluggishly lifted his head, reaching for the glass before chugging it down in one go.

"Thanks, Diluc," he sighed, slamming the empty glass down.

Diluc gave a short nod. "You're better off learning from someone else."

Ash groaned, stretching his sore muscles. "Too late for that…"

Venti grinned mischievously. "Come now, Master Diluc! Kaeya may be reckless, but he did get our dear traveler friend to land a hit on him today."

Diluc raised an eyebrow at Ash. "You actually hit him?"

Ash smiled weakly, perking up slightly. "Yep! Knocked the sword right outta his hand."

Diluc looked mildly impressed but quickly hid it behind a neutral expression. "Hmph. About time someone put him in his place."

Venti chuckled. "Now, now, don't be so cold, Diluc! You and Kaeya have such a wonderful relationship~"

Diluc shot him a glare. "Do you want to be thrown out?"

Venti just grinned wider. "Oh, come now, I was merely stating facts~"

Ash leaned forward, resting his arms on the bar counter as he watched Diluc and Venti bicker like an old married couple. His curiosity got the best of him. "So… what's the deal between you and Kaeya, anyway?"

Diluc, who had been calmly polishing a glass, froze for a split second before his movements resumed—this time, a little more forceful. "Drop it."

Venti let out a dramatic sigh, twirling a strand of his hair. "Oh, come now, Master Diluc, must you always be such a—"

The tavern owner shot him a sharp glare.

"—wonderful, mysterious enigma of a man?" Venti finished with an innocent smile.

Diluc scoffed, setting the glass down with a bit more force than necessary. "If you're done running your mouth, bard, you can start paying off your tab."

Venti flinched. "Ahaha… let's not be hasty, now."

Ash groaned and rubbed his temples. Between Venti's antics and Diluc's gruff demeanor, he felt like he was babysitting. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone at the far end of the counter—someone he hadn't noticed before. A young woman with grey skin and dark pink hair sat with a drink in hand, her piercing pink eyes focused ahead as if tuning out the world around her. She was clad in a black-and-white sleeveless outfit, fishnet stockings, and heels—her presence alone exuded an aura of aloofness. But something about her appearance… the veil, the subtle church-like attire… Ash furrowed his brows.

"Who's that?" he muttered under his breath.

Venti followed his gaze, then smirked, leaning in to whisper, "That's Rosaria."

Unfortunately, his whispering wasn't as discreet as he thought.

"You know, I can hear you, right?"

Ash flinched as Rosaria finally turned to face them with her gaze now fully locking onto him. She set her drink down and offered a half-smirk, half-strained smile. "So… this is the so-called 'hero of Mondstadt' and the proclaimed 'Rotarian descendant,' huh?"

Ash stiffened. "Uh…hi?"

Rosaria chuckled, half amused at Ash's reaction. "Relax, kid. I mean well." She leaned forward slightly, resting an elbow on the counter. "I was just expecting someone… I don't know, more intimidating—not some wide-eyed boy."

Ash's brow twitched. "Hey, I can be intimidating!"

Rosaria smirked but didn't say a word. Instead, she grabbed her drink, downed the last sip, and stood up from her seat. "Well, it's been fun. Thanks for the drink, Diluc." She gave a lazy wave before heading towards the exit, disappearing into the night.

Venti pouted, watching her leave. "Tch, she didn't even pay for her drink."

Diluc, without missing a beat, placed another glass on the shelf and muttered, "She did. In advance." His crimson eyes flickered towards the bard. "Unlike a certain someone."

Venti's smile stiffened. "Ahaha… how about another round, old friend?"

Diluc exhaled sharply, already regretting letting him in.

...

The next day, Ash wiped the sweat from his brow, leaning against a wooden training post while Pikachu and Lucario sat beside him. Training with Kaeya was proving to be tougher than expected, especially without Noelle, Aether, or Paimon around to cheer him on. Dragonite had also been borrowed by Amber for another assignment, leaving just the two Pokémon to keep him company.

Just as Ash was about to take another sip of water, a familiar deep voice cut through the courtyard.

"So this is what you call training?"

Ash looked up to see Diluc approaching with his arms crossed and his eyes locked onto Kaeya.

Kaeya barely glanced at him as he chuckled. "Ah, if it isn't Master Diluc. What brings you here? Surely not to watch me train someone, of all things."

Diluc scoffed. "You're being too soft on him. No wonder his progress is slow." His gaze shifted to Ash, who stiffened slightly. "At this rate, you're wasting his potential."

Kaeya's smirk twitched. "Oh? And here I thought no one invited you to this training session."

Ash blinked between them, sensing the tension. Pikachu's ears twitched uncomfortably, while Lucario kept a wary eye on the red-haired noble. Diluc and Kaeya locked eyes. Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly, Venti's words about their strained history echoing in his mind.

"Wait… so were you two friends before?: he asked out loud, hoping to break the tension.

Kaeya's amused gaze flickered to him. "Oh, Ash. Friends? Sometimes, brothers just have their disagreements."

Ash's eyes widened. "Wait—brothers?" He and his Pokémon exchanged stunned looks before turning back to the two men. "But… you don't even look alike!"

Diluc let out a heavy sigh, clearly not wanting to talk about it. "It's complicated."

Kaeya smirked. "Very complicated."

Before Ash could press further, another voice interrupted.

"Enough."

The trio turned to see Jean approaching. Kaeya greeted her with his usual playful charm. "Ah. Master Jean, how wonderful it is for you to grace us with your presence."

Diluc, on the other hand, frowned at the interruption.

Jean crossed her arms, giving them both a firm look. "I see you two are at it again."

Diluc huffed. "I was merely pointing out the flaws in his training."

Kaeya smirked. "And yet, I'm the one actually doing the training."

Jean sighed, rubbing her temples before turning to Ash. "How is your training going?"

Ash straightened up. "Uh… I think I'm getting the hang of it. Sort of."

Diluc scoffed. "Not with the way Kaeya's handling it."

Kaeya's smirk widened. "If you think you can do better, why don't you step in?"

Jean let out another sigh.

Kaeya's smirk widened as a mischievous glint flickered in his eye. Ash and his Pokémon stiffened—something about that look spelled trouble.

"Since we can't seem to agree on training methods, why don't we settle this in a friendly competition?" Kaeya proposed with amusement.

Jean and Diluc simultaneously frowned.

"That's ridiculous," Diluc said flatly, crossing his arms.

Jean nodded in agreement. "Kaeya, this is training, not some game. We need to focus on Ash's growth, not—"

"Oh?" Kaeya cut in smoothly. "So you're saying you're scared to lose to me?"

Diluc scoffed. "I don't have time for your childish games."

Jean sighed. "Kaeya, I really don't think—"

But Kaeya was already stepping closer with his smirk widening as he turned his attention to Jean. "Actually, Jean, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity for you to train Ash personally? You are the Acting Grand Master, after all. And besides…" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice with a teasing lilt. "I'm sure you're getting tired of me hogging him all to myself."

Jean's face instantly reddened. "T-That's not—!"

Kaeya chuckled at her flustered reaction. "Oh my, Master Jean, you blush so easily."

Ash, watching from the sidelines, blinked in confusion. Pikachu tilted his head while Lucario just shook its head at the scene.

Diluc pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kaeya, stop wasting time."

Kaeya merely grinned. "So, shall we make this interesting, or will you both just admit I'm the superior instructor?"

Jean exhaled, composing herself. "Fine. If it means keeping you in check, I'll participate."

Diluc shot Kaeya a glare before sighing. "I suppose if I don't, you'll just keep running your mouth."

Kaeya clapped his hands together. "Now this is getting exciting."

Ash gulped.

Why did he have a bad feeling he was becoming a trophy than an actual student?

...

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the outskirts of Mondstadt, Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario stood with Diluc, who looked less than thrilled to be part of Kaeya's ridiculous bet. The crimson-haired noble crossed his arms with his piercing gaze fixed on a group of colorful slimes bouncing idly in the grass before them.

Ash's eyes lit up. "Whoa! They actually look kinda cute!" He crouched slightly, observing them with curiosity.

Before he could even take a step closer, Diluc unsheathed his claymore in one fluid motion. Without hesitation, he swung his blade, igniting in a fiery blaze as it cleaved through the slimes with effortless precision. The creatures burst apart in a flash of elemental energy, leaving behind fading wisps.

Ash's jaw practically hit the ground. "Wha—?! What was that for?!"

Diluc scoffed, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "Lesson one—don't be deceived by appearances. An enemy that looks harmless is often the most dangerous."

Ash gulped, glancing at the scorch marks left behind. "R-Right… noted."

Unbeknownst to them, behind a large boulder a short distance away, two pairs of eyes peered over the edge with intrigue.

Bennett and Fischl crouched low, watching the scene unfold. Ever since meeting Ash, they had taken an interest in him, and the sight of him training under Mondstadt's infamous Darknight Hero only fueled their curiosity.

Fischl's eye glimmered as she dramatically raised a hand. "Ah! The traveling hero walks the path of the abyss, guided by the flames of the Crimson Wolf! Surely, this is a fated trial ordained by destiny itself!"

Bennett blinked. "Uh… yeah, sure! I think?" He scratched his head, clearly struggling to keep up.

Oz let out a sigh. "My lady is merely expressing her interest in Ash's training under Master Diluc."

Bennett let out a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ohhh, that makes sense."

Back on the grassy field, Diluc gestured towards another group of slimes that had emerged from the nearby bushes. His crimson eyes flickered towards Ash. "Alright. Your turn."

Ash inhaled sharply. Pikachu and Lucario tensed beside him. This was going to be harder than he thought. He gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the wooden training sword Kaeya had given him. With a determined shout, he charged forward with Pikachu and Lucario right at his heels.

Diluc, already seeing the flaws in Ash's reckless approach, pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is going to be painful to watch…"

The slimes, noticing Ash's incoming attack, wobbled in place before launching themselves at him—eyes crossed in an almost goofy manner. Before Ash could react, they tackled him head-on, sending him flying into the air with a comical yelp.

"GAH—!"

Gravity did its job, and he crashed back down, landing flat on his back. His limbs twitched with his eyes spinning in dazed swirls. Pikachu and Lucario sweatdropped at the sight of their trainer sprawled out like a squashed bug.

Diluc groaned, rubbing his temples. "This… is going to take longer than I thought."

From their hiding spot behind the boulder, Bennett, Fischl, and even Oz winced.

"Whew… that was rough," Bennett muttered with a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Gotta give the guy credit—he's got guts."

Fischl, however, was undeterred. She dramatically raised a hand with her eye gleaming with excitement. "Behold! The hero's trials are vast and treacherous, yet he faces them head-on with the might of the heavens! Such resilience! Such valor!"

Bennett blinked. "Uh… yeah...?"

Oz sighed. "In simpler terms, my lady is admiring Ash's persistence despite his clear lack of technique."

Meanwhile, back on the field, Ash groaned, forcing himself back to his feet. He shook off the dizziness and—with sheer determination—charged at the slimes once more.

Only to be launched into the air again.

This time, Pikachu smacked a paw to its forehead, while Lucario silently looked away as if pretending not to know him.

Behind the boulder, Bennett let out an awkward laugh. "At least he doesn't give up easy, huh?"

Fischl dramatically pointed towards the sky. "Indeed! The path to greatness is paved with hardship! And he shall rise again—mark my words!"

Oz merely sighed, watching as Ash picked himself up once again.

As night fell, the group gathered around a crackling campfire with the warm glow illuminating their tired but eager faces. The scent of sizzling meat and roasted vegetables filled the air as Diluc expertly cooked over the fire, using the materials he had gathered earlier. Ash sat cross-legged with Pikachu and Lucario beside him with their eyes practically sparkling at the sight of the delicious food. His stomach growled loudly, earning a chuckle from Pikachu and a small smirk from Lucario.

"Whoa…" Ash marveled, watching Diluc flip the food with precise movements. "I didn't know you could cook this well!"

Diluc scoffed, keeping his focus on the food. "Survival is key," he stated matter-of-factly. "That's your second lesson." He plated the food and handed a portion to Ash. "If you can't fend for yourself in the wild, you won't last long."

Ash eagerly grabbed his plate and took a big bite with his eyes widening in surprise. "Mmm! This is amazing!"

Pikachu and Lucario quickly dug into their portions with both making pleased sounds as they ate.

Diluc crossed his arms, watching them with a neutral expression. "With enough training, you might be able to cook decently enough to survive on your own." He smirked slightly. "Though, it'll take a lot of work before you're anywhere near my level."

Ash swallowed his bite and grinned. "Then I'll just have to train hard and prove you wrong!"

Diluc huffed but didn't argue. "Bold claim, but we will see."

...

The morning sun bathed Mondstadt in a warm glow as Ash stretched his aching muscles, letting out a groan while walking toward the Knights' training grounds. Pikachu and Lucario padded beside him. Dragonite, however, was still with Amber, which Ash didn't mind—he had a feeling Amber was secretly enjoying spending time with Pokémon. Today was different from the last few days. Instead of Kaeya or Diluc, he would be training under Jean. His curiosity burned—what kind of training regimen did the Acting Grand Master have in store for him?

Lost in thought, he wasn't paying attention to where he was going until—

BAM!

A startled yelp rang out as Ash stumbled back with his arms flailing. Books flew into the air before landing with a flurry of pages on the cobblestone ground. Pikachu and Lucario skidded to a stop, blinking at the scene.

Ash quickly steadied himself, eyes widening as he looked down at the person he had collided with. A young girl groaned softly, rubbing her head, her glasses slightly askew. Light green hair framed her fair face, a longer section cascading down her back. Her amber eyes blinked in mild distress, and her pointed ears—partially hidden by her hair—twitched slightly.

Ash immediately crouched down. "Ah! Sorry about that! Are you okay?" He reached for the scattered books, hastily picking them up.

The girl, still dazed, adjusted her glasses. "O-Oh, it's fine. I just… wasn't expecting to be used as a collision experiment today," she mumbled. Then, realizing her books were all over the ground, she gasped. "Oh no! My research notes!"

Ash froze mid-pickup. "Wait, these are important?" He inspected the book in his hands as if it might crumble from mishandling.

Sucrose quickly gathered the rest, flipping through the pages. "I—It's alright. They're just a little dusty." She let out a relieved sigh before finally looking at him properly. Her amber eyes widened. "Oh! You're the traveler everyone's been talking about! Ash, right?"

Ash chuckled sheepishly, handing her the last book. "Yeah, that's me. And this is Pikachu and Lucario."

"Pika!" Pikachu greeted, while Lucario nodded politely.

Sucrose adjusted her glasses, fascinated. "Amazing… I've read reports about you and your unique friends, but seeing them up close is something else." She hesitated before mumbling, "I—I'd love to study them—uh, I mean, learn more about them… if that's okay."

Ash grinned. "Sure! But maybe another time after I survive Jean's training today." He stretched again, groaning dramatically. "Pretty sure she's gonna run me into the ground."

Sucrose gave a small, encouraging smile. "Master Jean is very thorough… but she's also fair. I'm sure you'll do great!"

Ash gave her a thumbs-up. "Thanks! And, uh, sorry again for bumping into you."

Sucrose shook her head. "It's okay. Just… be careful where you walk next time."

With a final wave, Ash and his Pokémon continued towards the training grounds. Sucrose watched them go, hugging her books close. Meeting the traveler had certainly made her morning far more eventful than she'd expected.

...

A brief encounter with Sucrose ends the chapter. Ash is lucky she hasn't found out he's a Rotarian descendant or else she would want to experiment on him too lol. The next chapter will focus on Jean training Ash, Ash meeting Albedo and other fun stuff in between.