Chapter 2 — A Spear Beneath the Wind
Morning arrived early in Mondstadt.
Golden sunlight filtered through the wooden shutters of Aiden's small room above the tavern. The distant creak of windmills mixed with the sound of merchants setting up their stalls in the plaza outside.
Aiden slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment he forgot where he was.
Then the memories returned.
Reincarnation.
Mondstadt.
The panel.
And the unmistakable truth that he had been reborn inside the world of Genshin Impact.
"…Right."
He sat up and rubbed his face.
The bed felt smaller than he remembered. Of course it did—this body was still that of a child.
But something else caught his attention.
A spear rested against the wall beside the door.
A simple wooden practice spear.
It wasn't fancy, but Aiden could feel a strange familiarity when he looked at it.
Memories surfaced again—this time belonging to the body he had inherited.
Training.
Footwork.
His mother correcting his stance.
He stood up and picked up the weapon.
The wood felt balanced in his hands.
"…Not bad."
Even though he had never used a spear in his previous life, his body seemed to remember.
Muscle memory.
A gift from whoever this Aiden had been before.
He stepped outside the room and quietly descended the stairs.
The tavern below was already active.
A few early customers sat at tables drinking morning wine, while Marcus—his father—was busy cleaning mugs behind the counter.
Marcus noticed him immediately.
"You're awake."
Aiden nodded.
"Morning."
Marcus studied him for a moment.
Aiden had inherited his father's bright ginger hair and a strikingly handsome western face, giving him a naturally confident appearance. Even as a child his build hinted at unusual height—something that would eventually grow into an imposing six feet six inches by the time he reached adulthood.
Marcus sighed.
"You wandered outside the city yesterday."
Aiden scratched the back of his head.
"…Sorry."
"You're lucky Master Diluc found you."
As if summoned by the mention of his name, the door to the tavern opened.
The familiar figure of Diluc stepped inside.
His crimson hair caught the morning light as he removed his gloves.
Marcus straightened immediately.
"Good morning, Master Diluc."
Diluc gave a brief nod before his eyes shifted toward Aiden.
For a moment the tavern owner studied the boy.
"Training again?"
Aiden blinked.
"…You noticed?"
Diluc's gaze drifted toward the spear in Aiden's hand.
"Your stance is different from the knights."
Marcus chuckled softly.
"That's his mother's influence."
Diluc hummed in acknowledgment.
"A Natlan warrior style."
Aiden perked up slightly at the mention of Natlan.
His memories of his mother were still fragmented, but one thing was clear.
She had been strong.
Very strong.
Marcus crossed his arms.
"You should finish your breakfast before running off to train again."
Aiden nodded obediently.
But the moment he finished eating, he grabbed his spear and slipped out of the tavern.
The grassy plains outside Mondstadt stretched wide beneath the clear sky.
Wind rolled across the fields like an invisible tide, bending the tall grass in gentle waves.
Aiden found a quiet clearing not far from the city walls.
Perfect.
He planted his feet firmly.
Then moved.
The spear thrust forward.
Again.
And again.
His movements were fast, but not reckless.
Unlike the rigid spear drills used by the Knights of Favonius, his style flowed like fire—sharp strikes followed by sudden spins and sweeping attacks.
Each motion carried momentum.
Aggression.
Instinct.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"Mother's style…"
Even though he didn't fully remember her yet, the movements felt natural.
But as he practiced, his thoughts drifted back to the panel he had seen the day before.
Constellation: Dormant.
Special Trait: Unknown.
He lowered the spear slightly.
"Dragon blood or something?"
The idea sounded ridiculous even to him.
Still…
This was Teyvat.
Ridiculous things happened here all the time.
He resumed training.
Thrust.
Spin.
Strike.
Hours passed quickly beneath the Mondstadt sun.
Eventually Aiden stopped, resting the spear against his shoulder.
He wasn't tired.
Not really.
In fact, his body felt… energized.
Stronger than yesterday.
A faint smile crossed his face.
If he was going to live in this world—
Then he would prepare.
Because he already knew something most people didn't.
Teyvat's future wasn't peaceful.
Storms were coming.
Wars.
Gods.
And monsters that could wipe out entire cities.
But Aiden had something those enemies didn't expect.
Time.
Knowledge.
And a second life to use both.
He lifted the spear again.
The weapon gleamed faintly in the sunlight.
"Alright."
Aiden rolled his shoulders and settled into a stance.
"Let's get stronger."