When Xia Zhi woke up in the morning, Ganyu and Shenhe were still asleep beside him.
He slipped on his glasses, picked up the pajama top tossed at the foot of the bed, and reached for his pants—only to notice the two holes ripped into the back.
Those were from last night, when his sudden [Nekomata] transformation had sprouted two tails right through the fabric.
The tails were gone now, but the pants were ruined. Wearing them was out of the question.
Still, it felt like a waste to just throw them away.
After a moment's thought, Xia Zhi pulled a slender needle from his inventory.
The [Suture Needle].
Its effect: Automatically grants mastery of tailoring. No thread required. Clothes stitched with this needle leave no seam.
He held the needle and casually drew a few loops through the torn fabric.
Moments later, the holes had vanished. The pants looked as good as new.
Instead of putting the needle away immediately, Xia Zhi twirled it between his fingers, leaning back against the headboard, lost in thought.
The [Suture Needle]—gold quality, a support item.
Unlike special artifacts, it couldn't be permanently equipped in his character panel. Its effect only triggered when actively used.
Like now: while holding it, he temporarily gained the [Master Tailor] skill. Ideas for designs and cuts bloomed in his mind unbidden.
He mulled it over, then opened his skill panel and found something he'd once learned from Zhongli:
[Art Appreciation]: Instantly attain mastery in evaluating works of art. Become an expert critic.
At first, he'd found the skill fun. Anything he looked at, he could pick apart a dozen flaws.
He'd even reorganized his bedroom back then, making it far more pleasing to the eye.
But after a while, it became unbearable.
Too many guests came through his shop every day. Clothes, makeup, hairstyles—every detail screamed imperfection under that sharpened gaze. It was pure obsessive torment.
He'd shut the passive skill off, and the world instantly looked better.
How Zhongli endured this for centuries, Xia Zhi couldn't fathom. Maybe he actually found amusement in it.
The memory flickered past. Xia Zhi stared at [Art Appreciation] in his panel and switched it back on.
Then he shifted to the follower interface.
He tapped open Collei's character panel.
A full black outfit.
"Ugh… hideous. Was my taste always this bad? This is nothing like a Magical Girl…"
Silent for a beat, Xia Zhi combined [Master Tailor] with [Art Appreciation], redesigning transformation outfits for every Magical Girl.
When he finished, he admired the results with satisfaction.
Just then, Shenhe and Ganyu stirred awake.
"Boss, what're you doing?" Shenhe asked.
"Pants tore. Just patched them up."
He waved the needle, tucked it away, and switched [Art Appreciation] back off.
"You two feeling okay?"
Ganyu's cheeks were faintly pink. "I'm fine… just a little sore in the waist."
Well, with those two extra tails lending their support last night, the pace had been faster than usual.
Maybe this really was the right way to use [Transformation].
Xia Zhi chuckled, shifting over to massage their shoulders.
"Boss, what's so funny?"
"I suddenly figured something out."
"What's that?"
"Why Tyrande chose Malfurion over Illidan."
"…Why?"
"Because Malfurion was a druid."
"?"
"Bear's strength, wolf's agility, eagle's speed. Tell me, how could a woman not fall for that?"
"!!!"
---
Morning light.
Eula finished dressing and stood before her mirror.
An Anemo Vision and a Cryo Vision hung at her waist.
Maybe it was the essential oil massage from last night, but her complexion was glowing. Even with her usual frosty expression, a touch of color warmed her cheeks.
At her age, she was every bit as radiant as a flower.
Eula hesitated, then took out a small box.
It was the set of cosmetics Ningguang had gifted everyone. Hers was still unused.
Opening it, she pulled out a tube of lipstick.
Following the instructions on the box, she applied it gently to her lips.
The mirror reflected a fiery red mouth, alluring and bold.
"…Isn't this color a bit too much?" she murmured.
"But Ningguang said yesterday this was her favorite shade. If she can wear it, why can't I?"
After a moment's thought, she decided to keep it.
She spritzed herself with Cecilia Flower perfume, then stepped out toward the Church of Favonius.
Along the way, people turned to look.
Some still hadn't heard the news from the tribunal, their eyes filled with contempt.
Others knew, their gazes now complicated.
Outsiders, meanwhile, were simply struck by her icy aura and striking beauty.
Once she'd passed, whispers spread. Those in the know leaned in to explain, and startled gasps followed.
Eula ignored it all. She'd heard worse for years; she was long past caring.
Stopping at a florist, she stepped inside.
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman who knew her, no longer scowled as before.
Eula bought a bouquet of Cecilias and left.
The woman watched her go, blurting as Eula reached the door: "Is it true—you really received Lord Barbatos' blessing?"
Eula gave no reply. She pushed the door open and walked out.
The moment it shut behind her, a breeze swept through the shop.
The wind chime above the door rang bright and clear. The shopkeeper stared, dazed.
At the Church square, crowds still laid flowers and prayed devoutly before the statue.
As Mr. Xia had said, Mondstadt had only ever recognized one supreme figure—Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.
Eula walked up to the towering statue.
She bowed slightly, placed her bouquet of Cecilias at its feet, and whispered a prayer.
People nearby turned toward her.
Suddenly, a breeze rose through the square.
It touched no one, disturbed nothing—except the flowers at Barbatos' feet.
They lifted, swirling into the air.
Gasps echoed as petals floated upward, then aligned in midair, forming glowing Mondstadt script:
[The wind brought the land, and education makes it bloom.]
Eula gazed up, stunned.
So this was the "surprise" Mr. Xia had promised?
Someone cried out: "It's the Archon's oracle!"
The square erupted.
Worshippers shouted Barbatos' name with fervor.
Ten seconds later, the wind faded.
The glowing words lost their hold, petals raining down.
But instead of scattering randomly, they fell in a perfect circle around Eula, enclosing her in blossoms.
To the faithful, it was the very image of divine selection.
---
"So, that means Miss Eula's the Archon's representative now?" Charlotte asked at breakfast, wide-eyed.
Eula shook her head. "People are just saying that."
Rosaria's face stayed blank. "More than 'people.' Enough of them that it's basically the same thing."
Rosaria hesitated, then muttered, "…Doesn't matter. Eat. Today's the tavern's grand opening—we need to be early."