"Besides that variable destined to arrive, there’s actually another unknown troublemaker in the mix..."
For a moment, Venti’s gaze became deep and desolate.
But only a few seconds later, he returned to his usual carefree self.
With a grin, he muttered, "Time to go drinking! Now that Master Diluc knows I’m the Anemo Archon, surely he’ll finally let me drink for free..."
Whoosh!
Venti’s figure dispersed on the spot, transforming into an invisible breeze that drifted lightly toward Mondstadt.
...
In the early morning outside Mondstadt, a thin mist blanketed Whispering Woods.
"Noelle, I’ve got a few good things for you today."
Kamisato Satoru had changed into a casual outfit. A white T-shirt and loose black shorts made him look like a friendly older guy from next door.
Noelle was still wearing her neat maid armor, her fair and delicate face filled with seriousness.
"Manager, I’m fully prepared."
"First, we need to upgrade your equipment. This Husk of Opulent Dreams Artifact set is practically tailor-made for you. And then there’s this four-star Serpent Spine, which can boost your CRIT."
The Artifacts were leftovers he’d accumulated from grinding Domains, while he’d casually picked up the Serpent Spine in some desolate ancient ruins.
"These things are far too valuable."
Noelle wasn’t exactly an expert, but even she could sense the immense value of the equipment radiating such powerful energy.
"Just take them. I can’t use them anyway. With these treasures and a little guidance from me, you won’t be far from becoming the ’Geo Archon Princess.’"
Redhorn Stonethresher was already in the hands of that street punk Itto back in Inazuma.
Kamisato Satoru wasn’t about to rob one of his "little bros" just to get his hands on a five-star weapon.
Noelle obediently equipped the Artifacts, then stared at Kamisato Satoru with sparkling eyes as she waited for his next instruction.
"Ahem. You need to remember one thing. When you unleash your Elemental Burst, you’ve got to have enough presence. Shout this line at the top of your lungs..."
"LOOK AT ME, YOU BASTARD!!!"
Noelle completely froze.
For a girl who had received a proper lady’s education since childhood, saying something like that was simply far too improper.
"Don’t hesitate. This move is meant to completely crush your enemy psychologically. Anyone timid enough will probably have their knees go weak the moment they hear you roar."
"Even someone with strong willpower will be startled by your sheer ferocity, creating a fatal opening."
Without the slightest hint of embarrassment, Kamisato Satoru continued feeding her nonsense with a perfectly serious expression.
"All right... I’ll do my best."
Noelle took a deep breath.
"LOOK AT ME, YOU BASTARD!"
Her crisp voice suddenly erupted into an astonishingly penetrating roar.
The previously calm Geo energy instantly went berserk.
Brilliant golden light enveloped the Serpent Spine, extending it into a terrifying blade of light dozens of meters long.
Even Kamisato Satoru was caught off guard by the sudden burst of momentum and took half a step backward.
He was momentarily speechless.
There was no one else in the forest besides Noelle and himself.
Hearing her shout that line made it sound like she was yelling directly at him.
He awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Whoosh!
Crack!!
Noelle swung the enormous blade toward an empty patch of forest beside her.
The overwhelmingly powerful slash instantly severed several ancient trees nearly half a meter in diameter.
The broken trunks crashed to the ground, while even the nearby boulders were pulverized by the shockwave leaking from the strike.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Mm. Now that’s some proper spirit."
Kamisato Satoru applauded approvingly.
The power of that strike had already far exceeded his expectations, and he could tell that Noelle hadn’t even dared to use her full strength.
"It’s all thanks to the weapons and treasures you generously gave me, Manager."
Noelle’s cheeks turned rosy, and her voice once again became as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
She had been capable of chopping down large trees before, but never with such effortless ease.
Now, she felt as though her body contained an inexhaustible supply of strength.
She was in peak condition.
"Naturally. All you were missing before was some proper gear and a bit of that domineering spirit."
Kamisato Satoru casually waved a hand.
"Come on. Let’s exchange a few moves."
"Yes!"
Noelle gripped the enormous elemental blade with both hands, her gaze becoming incomparably resolute.
She had heard all about Kamisato Satoru’s feat of beating back Dvalin, so she had absolutely no psychological burden about attacking him seriously.
Bang!
Crack!
BOOM!
...
The once-peaceful Whispering Woods now looked as though it had been struck by a natural disaster.
Trees were sliced in half and sent flying into the sky, while shattered rocks rose amid rolling clouds of dust and smoke.
"What a troublesome little guy..."
Sitting leisurely atop Mondstadt’s city wall and sipping apple cider, Venti sighed and shook his head at the sight.
That forest probably wouldn’t recover for several years.
Still, as long as those two walking disasters didn’t demolish Mondstadt itself, he couldn’t be bothered to play the villain and stop them.
...
"That’s enough training for today. Let’s head back to the city."
"Understood, Manager."
By now, the vast expanse of Whispering Woods around them was a miserable sight.
The ground was covered in countless cracks carved into the earth by Noelle’s greatsword.
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