Mondstadt — Training Grounds.
Wooden swords and dull blades clashed again and again.
Clang!
A crisp collision rang out.
Lumine easily parried Ellin's strike.
"No… still not good enough!" Ellin leaned on her sword, panting heavily.
Sweat slid down her cheeks.
"C-Can I really become a knight like Acting Grand Master Jean?" She looked discouraged—but her eyes still shone with determination.
"Your 'imaginary friend' believes in you," Venti said lightly from atop the railing.
Lumine removed the goggles and nodded.
"You're talented."
"Thank you, Lumine!" Ellin beamed—then immediately sagged. "Ah… I overdid it today… I can barely stand…"
She wiped her sweat.
"Oh, right! Lumine! I was supposed to go explore the Temple of the Lion with Jack today… Could you help me tell him I'll go another time?"
"Explore?" Paimon perked up. "That sounds fun!"
Venti hopped down.
"The Temple of the Lion… ehe, that's quite the place for a 'story' to unfold. Let's take a look."
—
Falcon Coast.
Ancient stone steps led up to the cliffside temple.
"Wow… it looks so deserted…" Paimon whispered.
"Shh." Lumine's hand rested on her sword.
The wind carried cries for help.
And… hilichurl roars.
The three exchanged glances.
"Go!"
They rushed inside.
In the dim hall—
Two figures were surrounded by hilichurls.
"Help! Mr. Stanley! Didn't you say you're a great adventurer?! Think of something!"
"Quiet, Jack! I—I'm observing their weaknesses!"
The man calling himself an "adventurer" was hiding behind Jack.
Lumine moved.
Anemo energy gathered.
"Gale Blade!"
Her sword flashed.
Wind surged.
Hilichurls were swept away, slamming into stone walls.
The battle ended instantly.
"W-We're saved…" Jack collapsed onto the floor.
"Hmph!" Stanley cleared his throat and straightened up. "I told you, these petty monsters are nothing! I didn't even need to act!"
Venti walked up with a smile.
"Jack, we're here on Ellin's behalf. She said today's expedition will have to wait."
"Ah? Ellin's not coming?" Jack looked disappointed.
"What's there to fear!" Stanley puffed out his chest. "With me—the Hero of the Mare Jivari—who needs a Knight of Favonius? Let's continue! The treasure in this temple will be ours!"
Jack's enthusiasm reignited.
"Yeah! Mr. Stanley's right!"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged helpless looks.
"…Fine," Lumine sighed. "We'll go together."
—
Deep inside the temple.
The last wave of monsters had been cleared.
Silence settled over the ruins.
Jack excitedly examined patterns on the stone walls.
Stanley wiped sweat from his forehead in the corner.
Venti stepped beside Lumine.
"Traveler," he murmured. "Turn on the detector."
"…Look at him."
His gaze rested on Stanley.
Lumine felt a flicker of confusion.
She put on the goggles.
She looked at Stanley.
The boastful adventurer…
Beside him…
There was nothing.
Blank.
Just like Kaeya and Diluc.
"Strange… he doesn't have one either?" Lumine was about to remove the goggles—
Suddenly—
Across Teyvat—
The screen lit up again.
[System]: "Random Q&A triggered."
[System]: "Please listen carefully."
[System]: "Among those present, what is the imaginary friend of the adventurer 'Stanley'?"
Stanley jerked violently.
"M-Me?! My imaginary friend?!"
Jack looked over curiously.
Four options appeared.
The adventurer "Jack"
B. (None) He has no imaginary friend
C. A scarred warrior
D. His 'Sword of Glorious Courage'
[Chatroom – Kaeya]: "Oh? Now this is interesting."
[Chatroom – Kaeya]: "@Arataki Itto. Hey, oni boy. Aren't you a self-proclaimed Mondstadt expert? Care to guess?"
Chatroom – Arataki Itto: "Ha! Easy! The Great Me sees through everything!"
Chatroom – Arataki Itto: "That Stanley and Jack? Clearly best bros! Imaginary friend? Obviously each other!"
Chatroom – Arataki Itto: "I choose A! A! A!"
Chatroom – Kujou Sara: "…Idiot. The question is about Stanley. Why would he imagine—forget it. Not explaining."
Chatroom – Arataki Itto: "@Kujou Sara! You tengu! You dare question my wisdom?! Just wait! Once I win the reward—"
[System]: "Arataki Itto selected A."
[System]: "Answer… incorrect."
Silence.
[System]: "Punishment protocol activated."
[System]: "Punishment: Targeted Embarrassment Play."
[System]: "Target: Arataki Itto."
[System]: "Requirement: Immediately change into the designated 'Victory Performance Outfit' and perform the complete dance—'Shin Takarajima'—outside Inazuma City."
"Pfft—"
In Inazuma, Yae Miko spat out her tea.
"Sh-Shin Takarajima?"
The screen switched.
Across Teyvat, the livestream focused on outside Inazuma City.
Arataki Itto stood frozen mid-rant.
A beam of light enveloped him.
His iconic oni jacket—
Vanished.
Replaced by—
A pink-and-white frilly dress.
With lace trim.
"...AAAAAAAAAAAAAA—!!!"
His scream tore through the sky.
"W-What is this thing?!"
He tugged frantically at the skirt.
It didn't budge.
Upbeat, rhythmic music began playing.
"Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun—"
His body—
Moved.
Against his will.
He raised his arms.
Twisted his hips.
His legs swung astonishingly… graceful rhythm.
The moves—
Perfectly executed.
His expression—
Utterly horrified.
[Chatroom – Paimon]: "M-My eyes! My eyes are going blind!!"
[Chatroom – Nilou]: "…Oh? These dance moves… very energetic… quite unique… (takes notes) …Worth studying…"
[Chatroom – Yae Miko]: "Hahaha… oh my… no, I can't… such a magnificent sight… this must… must be recorded!!"
[Chatroom – Yae Miko]: "(Activates Kamera)"
BOOM—!
A bolt of purple lightning struck—
The tree beside her.
[Chatroom – Yae Miko]: "…Tsk. @Raiden Shogun, how petty."
[Chatroom – Raiden Shogun]: "…(silent pressure intensifies)"
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "Oh my! @Arataki Itto! With such flexibility, how about a part-time job at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Lead dancer! Guaranteed center stage! Room and board included!"
Chatroom – Kujou Sara: "…(face turning green)"
Chatroom – Kujou Sara: "…(closes screen)"
Chatroom – Kujou Sara: "@Arataki Itto. Our duel is postponed indefinitely. I… cannot afford this humiliation."