Renjiro also handed over his keys and wallet, letting Paimon store them inside her Inventory Bag.
These were the last mementos of his "past life", the most precious reminders of where he came from.
================
The Next Day
Heading to the Guild to register his personal information wasn't difficult for Renjiro.
The problem was,
"…Do we really need to make such a big show of it?"
In the Guild's grand hall beside Babel Tower, a hub for adventurers to gather quests, trade, and exchange monster materials. A large crowd had gathered to gawk.
And for good reason.
The strongest adventurer in Orario, the city's only Level 7, the man hailed as the [War King] Orario's so-called "Last Line of Defense",
Ottar himself had shown up.
For a celebrity of his stature, every movement drew attention.
He almost never came to the Guild in person.
Even when he did delve into the Dungeon, the materials he brought back were so valuable that transactions were arranged privately with other Familias.
Ordinary currency exchanges were handled by dedicated members of the Freya Familia, never Ottar himself.
So his appearance here was an extremely rare event.
And now this tower of a man was standing at the front desk, escorting a golden-haired boy and girl to register their adventurer records.
Normally, someone from the strongest Familia didn't need to go through such "civilian procedures."
One word from Freya, and the Guild would send an official to handle it privately.
But this morning, Freya had specifically ordered Ottar to bring Renjiro, currently in his Starfire's Flowing Light disguise as "Aether", to make a very public appearance.
She had even emphasized: "Make sure it's flashy. Make sure it draws attention."
As if she wanted the whole city to know the Freya Familia had gained two promising new recruits.
Which explained the current spectacle.
================
"The goddess's will is absolute."
At Renjiro's (Aether's) quiet question, Ottar answered bluntly,
"You don't need to think too hard, or do anything unnecessary. Just cooperate."
As Freya Familia's captain, Ottar knew at least part of the truth.
He was aware that this newcomer possessed an extremely rare ability: duplication.
That was why Freya had him record the details of "Aether and Lumine," a pair of golden-haired human siblings.Instead of the black-haired youth, Higashikata Renjiro, himself.
According to Freya's instructions,
"Your real adventurer record will be processed later in secret.
No waves, no suspicion."
"Your Starfire's Flowing Light magic consumes very little, unlike the short-burst Genshin Descent. You can keep it active almost indefinitely."
"From now on, you'll act publicly as 'Aether and Lumine,' drawing away the eyes of those with… less than kind intentions."
"As for your real self, you have my permission to move freely. So long as you never reveal the connection between 'Higashikata Renjiro' and 'Aether/Lumine,' I won't interfere."
"It's a form of protection, for your own safety."
Half an hour earlier, up at the top of Babel Tower, Renjiro had listened to this "reasonable explanation."
And if the alluring goddess hadn't worn that mischievous, teasing smile of hers the whole time, he might've almost believed her.
But what could he do?
When you're under someone else's roof, you bow your head.
The truth was, even with his System and three absurdly overpowered spells, he wasn't remotely Ottar's equal.
Not yet.
Forget Ottar, the Level 7 War King, even the Familia's Level 6s, 5s… no, even the 4s, 3s, or 2s, he couldn't defeat them right now.
Not when his Genshin doubles hadn't even had the chance to start leveling up.
So for now, he swallowed his pride.
================
"At last, your registration is complete."
In the Guild's first-floor hall, a human receptionist carefully filed away the freshly written documents, bowing politely with a smile.
"Aether-san, Lumine-san, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to cooperate with us."
"As the War King's personally selected newcomers, we at the Guild look forward to your future endeavors. May your careers as adventurers shine brightly."
It was the standard sort of formal greeting.
With the work done, the receptionist excused herself, carrying away the new records for safekeeping.
Renjiro, no, Aether and Lumine, left the Guild hall alongside Ottar.
All the while, the whispers around them never ceased.
Everyone now knew: Freya Familia had recruited promising new stars.
Some gods turned green with envy.
Some adventurers grew curious about the mysterious "siblings."
And certain factions were already gathering intelligence, quietly plotting to investigate "Aether and Lumine."
================
"You plan to head into the Dungeon next?" Ottar asked plainly once they were outside.
"…Yeah."
"Then do as you please."
"…Huh??"
Renjiro (Aether) blinked.
That was it?
He'd half-expected the giant to take him under his wing, the classic "veteran carries the rookie" scenario.
But apparently not.
"…Well, whatever."
He shrugged it off.
"It's better this way. There are things I'd rather not show off in front of outsiders, anyway."
"I need some time and space to test out these abilities properly. To really get familiar with them."
"And as long as I stick to the upper nine floors, the danger shouldn't be too bad."
"I've already set a 'resonance point.' Worst case, I just have Paimon teleport me out."
With that thought, Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine made their way toward the Dungeon entrance.
After all the morning's formalities, and his reluctant cooperation with Freya's little stunt, things were finally back in his hands.
Now,
"Once we step into the Dungeon, I'll get the chance to test not only Aether and Lumine's stats, but also the true power of Genshin Descent."
Because that morning, at exactly four a.m., his very first pull had been a golden one.
==========
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