[Location: Knights of Favonius Headquarters]
[Time: 16:45 PM]
Walking through the corridors of the Knights of Favonius headquarters felt strangely claustrophobic. The ceilings were high, sure, but when you are a dragon with a tail that accidentally knocks over vases if you aren't careful, "spacious" is a relative term.
"Watch the tail," Kaeya warned, chuckling as I narrowly missed a suit of armor.
"This building wasn't designed for quadrupeds," I grumbled telepathically. "Next time, I'm waiting on the roof."
Aether and Paimon followed close behind, looking around in awe. We reached the double doors of the Grand Master's office. Kaeya pushed them open.
Inside, the room was stacked with books. A blonde woman in a blue and white coat stood behind the desk, looking like she hadn't slept in three days.
Jean Gunnhildr. The Dandelion Knight.
"Master Jean," Kaeya announced. "I've brought the... distinguished guests who saved the city."
Jean looked up. Her eyes went from Aether, to Paimon, and then locked onto me. She didn't flinch, but her grip on her quill tightened.
"The Dragon from the Whispering Woods," Jean said, her voice steady. "And the Traveler. I saw the battle from the window. Mondstadt owes you a debt."
I walked forward, sitting on the rug in front of her desk.
"Raiden Ragnvaldr," I introduced myself. "And you look like you need a vacation, Acting Grand Master."
Jean blinked, surprised by the bluntness. "I... the situation with Stormterror leaves little time for rest."
Suddenly, a door to the side opened. A woman with a witch's hat, loose brown hair, and an aura of dangerous laziness strolled in. The air suddenly smelled of ozone and old parchment.
Lisa Minci. The Librarian.
"Oh?" She purred, her green eyes scanning me with intense curiosity. "What a cute little thing. Jean, you didn't tell me we adopted a puppy."
I turned my head slowly.
"I am not a puppy. I am a catastrophe waiting to happen. Do not pet me."
Lisa laughed, covering her mouth. "My, he has an attitude. And he speaks directly to the mind? How fascinating. I wonder... if I tickle him with a little Electro, will he conduct it or absorb it?"
Sparks danced on her fingertips.
[Great Sage]
My eyes narrowed. She was dying. Slowly, but surely. The price of her knowledge.
"Put the sparks away, Witch," I said, my tone shifting to something more serious. "Or I'll tell everyone exactly how much time you have left on that 'clock' of yours."
The room went dead silent.
Lisa's smile froze. Her eyes sharpened instantly, losing the playful glaze. "You... see a lot for a newborn dragon."
"Enough," Jean intervened, sensing the tension. "Raiden, Lisa, stand down. We have a crisis to solve."
Jean pointed to a map on her desk. "Stormterror—Dvalin—has retreated. But his power is being cut off from the elemental flow. We believe the Abyss Order is involved. They are manipulating the flow of elemental energy at three key temples."
"Temple of the Falcon," Jean pointed.
"Temple of the Wolf."
"Temple of the Lion."
"If we clear these temples," Aether said, "Dvalin loses his protection?"
"Correct," Jean nodded. "I will handle the Falcon. Kaeya will take the Wolf. Lisa, the Lion."
She looked at me. "Raiden... as a Dragon, your strength would be invaluable. But I cannot command you. Will you help us?"
I looked at the map. This was the tutorial phase. Easy XP. Easy food.
"I'll go," I said. "But I have a condition."
"Name it," Jean said.
"Books," I said, pointing at Lisa. "Access to the restricted section of the library. I need to understand the history of this world. And... I need to eat some monsters. Don't ask."
Lisa's smile returned, genuine this time. "A scholar dragon? Consider it done, cutie. But you're coming with me to the Temple of the Lion. I want to see what makes you tick."
I sighed. "Fine. But if you try to electrocute me for science, I'm eating your hat."
[Location: Outside Mondstadt City]
[Time: 17:30 PM]
We split up. Aether went with Amber (who had caught up) to the Falcon temple. Kaeya went solo to the Wolf temple (shady as always).
I was stuck with Lisa.
We walked toward the Windrise area. The grass was lush, and the wind was gentle.
"So," Lisa said, walking at a leisurely pace while I trotted beside her. "How did a Dragon get the name 'Ragnvaldr'? That's an old name. A human name."
"Reincarnation is a complicated business," I replied vaguely.
"Is it?" She hummed. "You know, there's a legend in Sumeru about souls crossing the starry sky to land here. 'Descenders,' they call them."
She stopped, looking down at me. "You aren't from Teyvat, are you?"
"No," I admitted. Lying to a genius was pointless. "I'm from a place with no magic, but we had machines that could fly faster than Dvalin."
Lisa's eyes sparkled. "Tell me more later. For now... we have company."
She pointed ahead. A group of Hilichurls had set up a blockade in front of the Temple of the Lion. There was a large Mitachurl with a wooden shield.
"Shall I handle it?" Lisa asked, raising her hand. "It's such a bother to sweat."
"Save your energy," I said, stepping forward. "I need lunch."
[Unique Skill: Predator] – Active.
I opened my mouth. But instead of biting, a massive vortex of black smoke and purple energy erupted from my throat. It wasn't just suction; it was a spatial distortion.
The Hilichurls shrieked as they were dragged across the ground.
"Devour."
The black mist enveloped the Mitachurl. It didn't even have time to roar. The shield, the monster, the clubs—everything was sucked into the infinite void of my [Stomach].
Gulp.
[Great Sage]
Material: Mitachurl (Wood Shield).
Acquired Skill: [Shield Bash].
Acquired Attribute: [Dendro Resistance].
Converted physical matter to Magicules/Elemental Energy.>
I burped. A small wooden splinter flew out.
Lisa stared at me. For the first time, she looked genuinely unsettled.
"Where... did they go?" she whispered.
"Storage," I said, licking my chops. "Shall we go inside? I smell Electro energy in there. Perfect for dessert."
Lisa stared for a second longer, then let out a low, impressed laugh.
"My, my," she murmured, stroking her chin. "Jean was worried you might be a threat. I think... you might be the most dangerous thing to walk into Mondstadt in five hundred years."
She winked.
"I like it. After you, Mr. Glutton."