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"Sister Lisa, I'm back again. How's the research coming along?"
"Good news. Compared to last time, we've made new progress… This time, I might actually be able to give you a precise timeline."
What was meant to be a routine check-in left Victor Wang surprised. "That fast?"
"The range of test materials is steadily narrowing. At our current pace, the first batch of underwater breathing potions should be ready in about half a month. If we include refinements, twenty days at most."
"Then I'll wait a bit longer."
"Hehe, we'll do our best to speed things up too."
"No need, no need. Twenty days is already far beyond my expectations."
After the Lantern Rite passed, and then the Windblume Festival as well, time continued its unhurried march forward.
Aside from not quite working up the nerve to blow open Khaenri'ah's Gate of Ezteqlal to search for holy relics that might—or might not—exist beyond it, matters in Sumeru were more or less settled.
According to the original plan, this would have been the right moment to head to Fontaine and look for Furina. But since he had already asked Lisa and Albedo to research an underwater breathing potion, it was worth waiting a little longer. Compared to shipbuilding, this was far more reliable—and much easier to carry.
Besides, there was still a considerable amount of time before Fontaine's prophecy came to pass.
Even though the exact timing of that prophecy was uncertain, one could observe Lumine and Paimon's movements. To put it bluntly, Lumine's footsteps were the footsteps of Teyvat's fate itself. According to the world's original course, none of the major events ever occurred until after she arrived.
So, Victor Wang truly wasn't in a hurry.
Lisa, for her part, smiled and shook her head. "This level of intensity doesn't even come close to one-tenth of what it was like studying at the Akademiya."
"Ahem—then I can only say Akademiya students really have it rough."
"By the way," Lisa continued, "you've been staying in Sumeru quite often lately, right? I heard the Akademiya is about to hold the Akademiya Extravaganza. Have you ever participated before?"
He certainly had participated—but in this year's edition. So, Victor Wang replied without hesitation, "No."
"The Akademiya Extravaganza is called a 'festival,' but it actually consists of two parts. One is the 'Interdarshan Championship,' and the other is the 'Darshan Fair.' The Championship speaks for itself from the name alone. But even during the Darshan Fair, the six Darshans set up their booths separately, each showcasing the interesting aspects of their own discipline to boost their influence. The Akademiya really is a place brimming with competition and vitality."
"What about you? Did you participate when you were at the Akademiya?"
"Of course I attended the Darshan Fair—it's held every year. As for the Interdarshan Championship, that only happens once every four years. I was there for just two years, so I missed it. But this year happens to be another Championship year, and it's also the first one since Lesser Lord Kusanali reassumed control of the Akademiya. I've heard it will even involve the desert this time. I imagine the participants will be quite remarkable."
They certainly were.
The Amurta representative was Tighnari.
The Spantamad representative was Cyno.
The Rtawahist representative was Layla.
The Haravatat representative was Faruzan.
The Kshahrewar representative was Kaveh.
And the Vahumana representative was… Hat Guy?
Ever since Scaramouche had fallen into a coma within Irminsul, Victor Wang hadn't seen him once.
What kind of person would Scaramouche become if Irminsul hadn't been altered?
Victor Wang couldn't be sure. This Interdarshan Championship would be a perfect opportunity to observe—if Scaramouche was indeed competing.
Coming back to his senses, he responded to Lisa after some thought: "This year's Championship really is special. I've heard that besides generous prize money, the rewards include a limited-edition Genius Invokation TCG card and the highly renowned 'Diadem of Knowledge.' Any scholar who's studied at the Akademiya is eligible—even graduates. Don't tell me you're tempted too, thinking of competing?"
"Quite the opposite," Lisa sighed softly. "To research the underwater breathing potion, I've been exchanging letters with Akademiya professors and students more frequently than usual. That may have led to some unnecessary misunderstandings. If I hadn't firmly declined on the grounds that a librarian can't leave her post for long periods, I might really have been selected as Spantamad's representative."
"Ahahaha… so that's why you brought it up? I thought—never mind. I'll treat you to a meal!"
…
"This year's Akademiya Extravaganza is of critical importance to us."
A member of the Akademiya named Vikas explained seriously to Victor Wang, Lumine, and Paimon:
"The school in Aaru Village has already been completed and has begun enrolling students. To expand enrollment, we've invited many desert residents to attend this Extravaganza, hoping they'll spread word of the Aaru Village school deeper into the desert, so more people can have the opportunity to receive an education.
"In addition, Lesser Lord Kusanali and the sages have drafted a plan. Starting next year, the Akademiya will annually select a group of outstanding scholars from the Aaru Village school to study in Sumeru City for one year. The Akademiya will assign them excellent mentors—there's even a chance the sages themselves will personally teach them.
"But because of that, to be frank, profound wisdom requires a certain threshold of understanding, especially for the first cohort of students from Aaru Village. This makes early enrollment and early education all the more urgent.
"And the three of you are well-known throughout both the rainforest and the desert. If people learn that you're participating in this festival, it will surely attract more visitors, which in turn means more prospective students."
Paimon asked, "But we're not Akademiya scholars. Can we still participate?"
"Please rest assured. I'd like to invite the three of you to serve as 'Special Guest Commentators' for the Interdarshan Championship. All you need to do is observe and record each match—there's no pressure. We'll also prepare compensation, so you won't be coming for nothing."
"Sounds pretty good!" Paimon said.
"Then let's give it a try," Lumine agreed.
"I'm in too," Victor Wang said.
"Excellent. The opening ceremony is about to begin. You can head to the main venue now—it's located on the outskirts of Sumeru City. Once you arrive, speak to the host, Karina, and explain the situation. She'll take care of the arrangements."
…
"And now, let us welcome the six 'Darshan Representatives' to the stage! They are—"
"Amurta Representative—Tighnari!"
"Spantamad Representative—Cyno!"
"Rtawahist Representative—Layla!"
"Haravatat Representative—Faruzan!"
"Kshahrewar Representative—Kaveh!"
"And the Vahumana Representative—The Wanderer!"
"Huh?!" Paimon's eyes went wide. "Why is that guy representing Vahumana?!"
Victor Wang and Lumine both looked thoughtful. Lumine tried to explain in a low voice, "The Fatui Harbinger identity was already pretty mysterious to ordinary people, and Scaramouche didn't seem to show himself much in front of Sumeru's citizens before. It's not strange that people don't recognize him. As for joining the Akademiya… maybe it has something to do with Nahida?"
"That doesn't seem right. It looks like quite a few scholars recognize him—look!"
Following Paimon's pointing finger, they saw other scholars indeed discussing the Wanderer.
"'The Wanderer'… so that's his name? Sounds like someone from Inazuma."
"He is a foreign scholar affiliated with Vahumana. He's written many papers analyzing Inazuma's political affairs. He even claims that he's the very same 'Wanderer' mentioned in Vahumana scholar Yakaba's paper 'A Brief Analysis of Major Historical Events Possibly Existing in the Tatarasuna Region of Inazuma.'"
"That's impossible. That was centuries ago, wasn't it?"
"Exactly. Even if he were a puppet, he'd have broken down long ago after hundreds of years—besides, he looks no different from a real human…"
"That's what I think too. Still, he's genuinely talented by Vahumana standards. Even if he has the odd quirk of 'projecting himself into historical figures,' that's acceptable, right? Famous scholars tend to have their eccentricities. And compared to those cranky, inflexible old academics, his personality is much more easygoing."
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