At this moment, after fighting through the whole night, Tighnari was standing at the door of Ranger Amir's treehouse in Gandharva Ville.
His brows furrowed slightly as he looked around at the destruction left behind by the Withering's invasion.
Beside him, Amir, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, was forcing himself to stay awake.
In his hands was a freshly compiled list of losses, ready to report the damage to Tighnari.
But before he could speak, Tighnari turned and asked, "Is the damage all tallied?"
Amir nodded quickly, straightening himself as he handed over the document. "Yes, everything's been recorded."
"This also includes the names of the rangers who stayed too long in the Withering last night and now need bed rest."
Tighnari held the detailed report, scanning the data.
As long as everyone was alive, the loss of property didn't matter. Even rangers needing rest wasn't a big problem.
But when his eyes caught the long list of names, he froze.
Over twenty rangers had abnormal reactions from being in the Withering too long and were confined to bed.
No one would fake an illness, but the sheer number made Tighnari wonder if someone was milking the situation.
"So many rangers need rest? This… this is worse than the Withering outbreak a few months ago…" he muttered, brows tightening into a deep crease.
Amir explained, "Last night the Withering came too suddenly. Many rangers were at home resting, and we weren't well prepared."
Hearing this, Tighnari covered his forehead in frustration.
He knew what the absence of twenty rangers meant—the already strained jungle patrols would be under immense pressure.
Just as he was considering submitting an urgent request for reinforcements to the Akademiya, his keen ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps.
The rhythm grew louder, closer.
Turning instinctively, Tighnari saw Shao Yun, Lumine, and Collei hurrying toward him.
When his eyes landed on his beloved student Collei, he felt some relief at last.
And seeing Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon all unharmed and energetic, he exhaled deeply, smiling with relief. "Thank goodness you're all safe. Last night's outbreak was so sudden—I was worried something might have happened to you."
Shao Yun studied Tighnari, noting his dark circles and messy hair, then remarked, "We didn't run into trouble. We hid out in Collei's treehouse, farther from the Withering."
"But you—how do I put it—you look like someone snuck up and punched you in both eyes a few times."
He even pointed to his own eyes to mimic the look.
At this, Tighnari instinctively touched his dark circles, then chuckled at Shao Yun's humor.
"Haha, that's a funny way to put it! But don't worry—though I didn't rest all night, this is nothing serious. I can manage."
Shao Yun glanced at Lumine and sighed. "The ranger's work is really tough."
Just then, Collei stepped forward, holding a cup of dawn-fresh Sunsettia juice.
With concern, she handed it to Tighnari and asked softly, "Master, is everyone all right? Did anyone get hurt or face danger?"
Smiling, Tighnari accepted the juice, gazing gently at his caring pupil. "Don't worry—it's all within what we can handle."
"Oh, Collei, last night I was thinking about you constantly, afraid the Withering might have reached your place."
"But hearing from the rangers that you were safe put me at ease."
Collei lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with her clothes as she whispered, "Um… actually, last night I really wanted to come and help you."
"But Mr. Shao Yun was very firm about me staying put and resting, warning me not to go out recklessly and make you worry."
"So, I stayed obediently inside until dawn."
Realizing Shao Yun had kept Collei from rushing out, Tighnari turned to him gratefully. "Thank you so much. If not for you, Collei might have forced herself to help, and that would have been disastrous."
"This outbreak came too suddenly. Many rangers need rest—if Collei's illness worsened because of this, I'd have no face to call myself her teacher."
Before Shao Yun could respond, Collei puffed her cheeks, impatiently blurting, "Master! My Eleazar is much better now—it won't stop me from carrying out ranger duties!"
"And I just heard you say so many rangers are bedridden. Isn't this exactly when I should step up and help?"
Seeing Tighnari about to refuse, she hurriedly interrupted, volunteering again: "Please, Master! Trust me! I can handle ranger tasks perfectly!"
Tighnari glanced at the list of rangers needing rest, frowning in thought.
Looking back at Collei—so full of energy and spirit—she hardly looked like someone who needed convalescence.
Finally, he gave a small nod.
"Sigh… all right. Keeping you cooped up in Gandharva Ville isn't right either."
But before she could celebrate, he added sternly, "Still, forget about long patrols. And through the whole task, you must follow my orders—no forcing yourself!"
Hearing him relent, Collei nearly jumped with excitement, grinning wide. "Yay! Thank you, Master! Don't worry, I'll follow everything you say!"
At that moment, Lumine, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward. "By the way, Tighnari, could you teach me how to handle the Withering?"
Tighnari blinked in surprise. "Huh? Handle the Withering?"
Lumine nodded eagerly. "Yes. Since we're traveling through Sumeru, it's likely we'll encounter it. If I don't know how to deal with it, that could be dangerous!"
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Tighnari paused. Then he nodded. "Normally, when people find the Withering, we tell them to report it to rangers immediately. Professionals should deal with it."
"After all, the Withering isn't a joke—one mistake can cause severe consequences."
As he spoke, his eyes carefully scanned Lumine.
But he saw no Vision.
"Still, to safely deal with it, the most important thing is mastering elemental power…"
Before he could finish, Lumine smiled, lifting her hand. A surge of verdant Dendro energy bloomed from her palm.
Cheerfully, she said, "No need to worry—I can use elemental power!"
Tighnari's eyes widened. Seeing her command the elements without a Vision erased his last doubts.
A thought struck him, and he muttered under his breath.
"A traveler who wields the elements without a Vision…"
"Could it be—you're the famous Honorary Knight from Mondstadt? I've heard of your heroic deeds in Liyue!"
"If so, then teaching you how to handle the Withering will be much easier."
Why no mention of Lumine's deeds in Inazuma? Simple. In Inazuma, she hadn't had time to play errand girl for that pink-haired fox, Yae Miko—Shao Yun had solved the problems first.
With Miko's propaganda, it left the impression Lumine hadn't done much in Inazuma.
And that was true—aside from helping Watatsumi Island with the holy soilification, she hadn't accomplished anything earth-shaking.
But Mondstadt and Liyue were enough to bolster her name.
As for Shao Yun, he lacked Lumine's fame.
After all, clearing hordes of Hilichurls didn't compare to quelling draconic calamities; uncovering wrongful cases couldn't rival aiding in the face of the threat from an ancient god.
…
Hearing Tighnari list her great achievements, Lumine's heart swelled.
She planted her fists on her hips, eyes closed, beaming with pride. "That's right, that's me!"
Unable to hold back, Paimon chimed in quickly.
"And don't forget me! Paimon did a lot to help too!"
Seeing the confident girl before him was truly the Traveler from the stories, Tighnari's last worries vanished.
He offered eagerly, "In that case, let's not wait. I need to gather some herbs today for the rangers who are bedridden."
Pausing, he added, "If we run into the Withering along the way, I can use the chance to teach you how to deal with it."
"After all, here in Sumeru, the Withering pops up when you least expect it."
Hearing this, Collei's face tightened with concern. "But Master, don't you need to rest? You've been up all night!"
Tighnari rubbed his sore neck and smiled. "Don't worry, Collei. Once it's noon, I'll take a quick nap and be fine."
Overjoyed at the thought of finally learning how to face the Withering, Lumine turned expectantly to Shao Yun. "Shao Yun, what about you? Will you come?"
After all, she and Paimon had long assumed the thing at his waist was a Vision.
But hearing her invite him, Shao Yun cursed inwardly. This was madness!
It's like asking John Marston to swim—how long he'd last depends on how much water he could swallow…
Shaking his head helplessly, he refused flatly. "I'll pass. I've got some pressing matters to handle."
Lumine didn't think much of his refusal.
After all, as long as she herself learned how to handle the Withering, it was enough.
"All right then, so be it."