"Big brother, we found them!"
"Well done."
Xia Zhi smiled, taking the four map fragments from their small hands. In his palm, the pieces merged seamlessly, forming a complete map.
Klee and Yaoyao stared, wide-eyed with wonder.
"This must mark the prophecy's final destination."
Xia Ci glanced at it. "Seems to be outside the city. With competitions tomorrow, we'll drive there in a couple of days."
The girls cheered in unison: "Okay!"
That afternoon, with time to spare, Xia Zhi left the library to pay Captain Jean a visit in her office.
She was genuinely pleased to see him. After chatting awhile, she naturally asked if he might give her a massage. As a friend, Xia Zhi readily agreed.
Shoving her paperwork aside, Jean stretched out on the desk, sighing in pleasure as his hands pressed into her shoulders.
"Captain Jean, it feels like lately, you've…"
"Put on a little weight, haven't I?"
"Yes."
"Ugh… Then please, Mr. Xia, give me some slimming massage too."
"Rest assured."
"Speaking of which, that meal you had Amber deliver the other day—it was so delicious."
"Regretting it now?"
"Yes…"
"I asked you to come eat, but you wouldn't."
"Ahh… You know how it is here, Mr. Xia. I can never spare the time…"
"Once Windblume ends, you should get a bit of rest, shouldn't you?"
"Mm. Plus, with the sudden Electro anomaly—strange as it was—it yielded plenty of alchemical materials. Once we sell them, Mondstadt's finances will improve. I won't have to pinch every mora or wrestle with the budget anymore."
"So it all comes down to money."
"Pretty much."
They talked work awhile, then Xia Zhi brought up gossip.
"I've heard rumors of a [Darknight Hero] lately."
"You have too?" Jean blinked.
"Yes. Seems like everyone's talking. Surely they must be someone from the Knights?"
"…That…"
Jean hesitated.
"No worries. Just asking casually. If you can't say, that's fine."
"It's not that. I truly don't know their identity."
"So mysterious…"
"Their deeds aren't new, actually. I've received many reports. The only certain details: they wield a Pyro Vision, are righteous in nature, never commit crimes, only aid those in need and punish wrongdoers."
"I see."
It was almost like Mondstadt had its own superhero.
Xia Zhi nodded. "But looking at the stories, crime in Mondstadt seems to have risen…"
"As sharp as ever, Mr. Xia. I suspect the Abyss Order."
"The Abyss Order…"
"Last year's dragon disaster—caused by their corruption of Dvalin's mind. They excel at twisting hearts. The monster siege from before was likely tied to them as well."
"If that's so, they can't be ignored."
"Agreed. But they're like rats in the sewers—hidden too well. Even if we had the manpower, it's near impossible to root them out in all of Mondstadt."
Jean sighed. "Still, with Lord Barbatos guarding the city, they won't dare do more than these petty schemes."
"True…" Xia Zhi nodded. That drunkard Venti might not be reliable, but his presence did keep Mondstadt safe.
---
That night, in the Serenitea Pot, Xia Zhi was giving Qiqi a massage. She hesitated, then spoke.
"Master, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I want to go out tonight… to help people."
"Help people?"
"Like the [Darknight Hero]."
"What brought this on?"
"Fischl invited me."
"Oh, I see."
"Master…"
"Go if you want. You bury yourself in training too much. It's good to go out, relax your mind a little."
"Mm."
"Besides, that's exactly what a magical girl should do."
Xia Zhi found the idea amusing. Qiqi was a zombie—she didn't need sleep at night. Heading out wouldn't hurt.
Still, he asked, "Qiqi, will you go alone?"
"Yes… but I don't know Mondstadt well. I might act with Fischl."
"I mean, magical girls usually have a partner."
"A partner?"
"Like Fischl has Oz."
"…I don't have one."
"That's fine. I'll make one for you."
"Eh?"
"Would you prefer Kyubey or Kero?"
Holding a stone, he asked with a faint smile.
Qiqi blinked blankly. "Kyubey? Kero? What are those?"
"They're magical girl standards… Never mind. I'll just make you your favorite snowfinch."
He cast [Art of Black Earth] on the stone. It transformed into a plump, adorable little snowfinch.
The system's voice rang in his mind:
"New creature encountered. Acquired [Blessing of the Snowfinch]. Charm +0.1."
"New creature encountered. All stats increased by 0.0001%."
Qiqi's eyes lit up the moment she saw it. She loved snowfinches.
Xia Zhi tossed it lightly. The tiny bird fluttered onto Qiqi's shoulder, nuzzling her cheek affectionately.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes."
"Then you have a partner now. Take it with you tonight."
"But, Master, it's too weak. It could get hurt in a fight…"
"Don't worry. This isn't an ordinary snowfinch. It won't break that easily."
"Oh."
After finishing her massage, Qiqi left with her new companion.
Xia Zhi tried opening the snowfinch's "Shared Vision." Qiqi's face came clearly into view.
Perfect. Tonight, he could watch a magical girl's crime-fighting adventure live.
Not that the spectacle mattered. What mattered was keeping his disciple safe.
---
Qiqi's transformation item was the [Key of Light].
Its design came from Cardcaptor Sakura. Aside from having a magical creature partner named Kero, Sakura also had a close friend—Tomoyo Daidouji.
As the daughter of the Daidouji Group's president, Tomoyo's hobby was filming Sakura in the costumes she designed while she collected Clow Cards.
You could say Tomoyo was one of Sakura's "standard accessories."
In other words, not just a best friend, but also the designated camerawoman.
When Charlotte came over for her massage, Xia Zhi asked, "So, how did your photo outing this afternoon go?"
Charlotte beamed. "Amber took me around to so many spots—I got lots of great shots!"
"I bet. Do you think winning the contest will be tough?"
"I'm confident, but it's hard to guarantee I'll get first. Still, I'll give it my all—I really, really want that telescope."
Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then said, "I can give you a telescope now."
Charlotte blinked in surprise. "Huh? What do you mean, Mr. Xia?"
He smiled. "There's something small I'd like to ask you to do. If you're willing, I'll give you the telescope as your payment—up front."
"What is it?!"
"Photography."
"Photography?"
"Tonight, Qiqi and Fischl are going out to act as Darknight Heroes. I want you to follow them and take some pictures."
"That's easy!"
"Best if they don't notice."
"Eh?"
"Don't worry, I'll help you. Hand me your Kamera and Wind Glider first. After you bathe, come to my room to pick them up."
"Okay!"