Chapter 107: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [107] [30 PS]
Bonus Chapter!
---
The month-long training had finally come to an end, and Luo Qing's days of accumulating Frustration Value had concluded.
Thanks to his special guidance for the male trainees, he hadn't fallen behind in his progress.
As of today, he had gathered enough pulls—eighty in total—just enough to draw the item he had been eyeing: the Resurrection Item.
A few days ago, he had received a letter from Liyue, knowing that Lumine had arrived in Inazuma. Based on the timeline, she would likely arrive at any moment.
Unless absolutely necessary, Luo Qing didn't want to reveal himself to Lumine too soon.
Today was the last day of training, and as a final test of Luo Qing's teaching over the past month, Raiden Shogun had ordered a final exam. She would personally reward and appoint those who had successfully mastered the Thunder Breathing technique.
Thus, Luo Qing planned to step back and remain behind the scenes after today, limiting his contact with Kamisato Ayaka.
At dawn, Luo Qing had gathered all the trainees at the training ground.
A bolt of lightning flashed, and Raiden Shogun appeared before the trainees.
"Shogun, shall we begin now?"
Luo Qing respectfully asked the Shogun.
Although he usually acted relaxed and casual in her presence, in front of so many people, he knew he had to show the proper decorum.
"Hmm..."
Raiden Shogun glanced at the crowd below, her eyes flashing with a hint of confusion.
Wasn't this supposed to be a final exam? Why were they all dressed so oddly?
Luo Qing waved his hand grandly and shouted to Teresa, who was standing beside the phonograph, "Music!"
Teresa nodded seriously and pressed the play button.
The next moment, a bizarre tune echoed through the training grounds of the Tenryou Commission.
[+1 Frustration Value from Raiden Shogun]
[+1 Frustration Value from Ei]
Watching the trainees below as they began dancing to the rhythm, Raiden Shogun frowned and looked toward Luo Qing.
Her gaze seemed to ask: This is the result of your month-long training?
"Don't be impatient, this is just the opening ceremony,"
Luo Qing said casually, his attention still focused on Kamisato Ayaka within the crowd.
Since Kamisato Ayato's visit, the quiet time he had shared with Ayaka in the Komore Tea Room had disappeared entirely.
In recent weeks, there had been no private interactions between them, not even during daytime training sessions. Ayaka was careful around him, and the joyful moments they once shared were no longer.
Luo Qing understood that Ayaka was once again caught in a dilemma. So, he wasn't in a hurry. He was willing to wait for her to make her own choice.
After a while, the trainees finally finished their dance. They changed into their kendo uniforms and stood in neat rows at the training grounds again.
Luo Qing stepped to the front and called out to the crowd, "Alright, the exam officially begins now. I will call your names, and you will take the stage in order. First up, Kujo Kaiko!"
"Present!"
A young boy stepped out of the crowd, his face filled with nervousness as he walked onto the stage.
"Alright, begin your demonstration!"
"Yes!"
At Luo Qing's command, Kujo Kaiko gripped his long sword tightly, assuming the stance of a sword draw. He focused on the training dummy ahead of him, then slowly closed his eyes, concentrating.
In the next moment, his sword left its sheath, accompanied by a faint crackling sound as a deep cut appeared on the dummy.
This was today's exam content.
The better they could perform the First Form of Thunder Breathing: Thunderclap and Flash, the better their exam results would be.
As one of the most advanced techniques of the Thunder Breathing Style, it wasn't something that could be easily learned.
The fact that Kujo Kaiko had managed to produce a thunderous sound when drawing his sword made him one of the top trainees.
"Next, Komaru Zaitsu!"
...
Meanwhile.
Thanks to Beidou's help, Lumine and Paimon had finally escaped from Ritou. After several days of travel, they arrived in Inazuma.
Following Thoma's directions, they made their way to the Komore Tea Room. After handing over their invitation to the hostess, Sayo, they were granted entry.
The two glanced around the counter, finding no one except for a Shiba Inu with a headband tied around its head.
"Uh... where's Thoma?"
"I'm right here."
A voice came from behind the counter.
"Huh? Who said that? Was it you?"
Paimon stared at the Shiba Inu on the counter, scratching her head in confusion.
"It's me, Thoma."
Paimon was shocked. "Wait, it was really you talking?!"
"Come on, Paimon. Thoma's just messing with you,"
Lumine shook her head, thinking how can Paimon be this clueless sometimes?
"Heh, you always see right through me, Lumine."
Thoma chuckled as he stepped out from behind the counter.
"Lumine, Paimon, you've finally arrived. Those tests from earlier were just a necessary formality. They were to determine whether I could let you meet my lady, and whether we could become allies."
"So, can we meet the White Heron Princess now?"
"Of course. But before that, there's somewhere else I'd like to take you."
"Somewhere else? What place?"
"It's something everyone on Narukami Island cannot ignore—the giant statue under construction, the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God."
...
A while later, the group made their way through the commercial street of Hanamizaka, arriving in front of the imposing statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God.
"Whoa... such a solemn statue. I thought it would be like Mondstadt's Statue of the Anemo Archon... What are those things embedded in it?"
"Visions."
Paimon was shocked. "Visions! So all the confiscated Visions are embedded in that statue?!"
Thoma smiled faintly. "My lady's prediction was spot on. It seems you've already learned about the Vision Hunt Decree..."
Lumine asked curiously, "Why did the Shogun issue the Vision Hunt Decree?"
"Just as Mondstadt is the City of Freedom, and Liyue is the City of Contracts, Inazuma is the Nation of Eternity..."
Thoma then explained in detail the concept of Eternity and Raiden Shogun's will to the two of them.
"By the way, the Shogun is holding a swordsmanship exam at the Tenryou Commission today. The Kamisato Clan has participants in the exam as well. I can take you to catch a glimpse of her~"
Thoma suggested casually.
This wasn't just a random idea of his—it was Ayaka's instruction.
By letting the traveler witness Raiden Shogun's will for herself, she would understand just how cold the Vision Hunt Decree truly was.
Of course, Thoma wasn't going to mention that Ayaka was also participating.
Their meeting would come later, not now.
This exam allowed family members to observe, and Thoma had already hidden his Vision, so there was no need to worry about being discovered.
After explaining their intentions to the guards at the Tenryou Commission, the group was allowed inside.
As family members, they were only allowed to watch from the sidelines.
From behind a thick crowd, Lumine and the others looked toward the stage.
Suddenly, Lumine noticed one of the figures on the stage.
That person... looked familiar...
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Chapter 108: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [108] [40 PS]
Bonus Chapter!
---
"It should be him..."
"But didn't he say he was going back to Snezhnaya? Why is he in Inazuma?"
"Maybe... he lied to us earlier..."
Lumine and Paimon whispered to each other as they watched Luo Qing's figure on the stage.
They didn't notice that standing right beside them, Thoma's eyes had widened in shock.
In his view, Luo Qing was gently patting the top of Ayaka's head with his right hand, his expression soft and affectionate.
And Ayaka, blushing shyly, didn't seem to mind Luo Qing's actions at all.
Could it be that what Luo Qing had said before was true?!
Was he really trying to woo Ayaka?!
But this was the Kamisato Princess!
How on earth did he pull this off?!
[+1 Frustration Value from Thoma]
Thoma's mind was suddenly filled with confusion.
He'd been back for several days, yet Ayaka hadn't mentioned anything about Luo Qing.
And hadn't he already given a heads-up to the clan master?
How did Luo Qing still manage to get close to her?
Paimon glanced at Thoma's face and scratched her head in confusion, "Huh? Thoma, why do you look like you just swallowed something nasty?"
"Ah? Cough, cough... it's nothing, really. I just happened to see something... baffling."
Thoma forced a smile, sighed, and said to Lumine and Paimon, "Alright, you've seen the Shogun. We should move on to our next destination. Staying here too long could bring unwanted trouble."
Lumine glanced back at the stage, remembering Ganyu's request. She hesitated.
"Could we wait a little longer? We have a friend over there... A friend from Liyue asked us to bring something for him..."
Paimon chimed in, "Yes! We haven't given him Ganyu and Shenhe's gift yet!"
"A friend?"
For some reason, Thoma's unease grew stronger.
"He's on the stage?"
"Yes, that's right. He's... that person right there!"
Paimon pointed her tiny finger toward Luo Qing's direction.
"..."
As expected, Thoma knew this wouldn't be simple.
If he allowed Lumine and Paimon to go over now, Ayaka's presence might be exposed.
So, even though he had many questions, he had to follow Ayaka's instructions and lead them away for now.
"Your current status is rather sensitive. If it's not urgent, could we wait until after this task is over to visit your friend?"
"Huh? But..."
"Don't worry, I know your friend too. I'll arrange for you to meet him quietly later."
Thoma forced another smile. To get them to leave, he had to pretend he knew Luo Qing.
"Uh... okay..."
Lumine, half-believing, half-doubting, ultimately had no choice but to trust Thoma in this unfamiliar land.
She glanced back one more time at Luo Qing on the distant stage, then followed Thoma out of the Tenryou Commission.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
From the high platform, Luo Qing had noticed Lumine and her group the moment they entered the Tenryou Commission.
But with Ayaka on one side of him and Raiden Shogun on the other, any odd expression on his face might draw unwanted attention.
So, he had no choice but to act as if he hadn't noticed them and continue with the final stage of the exam.
And, while Thoma was watching, he took the chance to gently ruffle Ayaka's hair...
Seeing Lumine and her companions leave, Luo Qing felt a sense of relief.
If Lumine had stubbornly approached him and encountered Raiden Shogun prematurely, he wouldn't have known how to handle the situation.
The final day of the exam concluded.
Luo Qing's one-on-one, hands-on training with Ayaka over the past month had paid off.
In the end, Ayaka delivered the most flawless execution of the First Form of Thunder Breathing: Thunderclap and Flash, earning her Raiden Shogun's praise and the privilege of co-creating a new sword style with Luo Qing.
However, Ayaka, being a noble daughter raised in the Kamisato tradition and well-versed in Kamisato-style swordsmanship, had participated in the training mainly out of duty.
What mattered to her wasn't the so-called privilege, but the chance to work together with Luo Qing.
But with their relationship at such a sensitive stage, Ayaka couldn't linger around Luo Qing after the exam. After exchanging a few polite words, she returned to the Komore Tea Room to meet with the traveler.
Though she couldn't interact with Luo Qing for now, his words remained in her heart.
Knowing that the traveler was coming to Inazuma, she began her preparations.
She hoped that the traveler could truly help them overturn the Vision Hunt Decree.
If that day came...
Maybe her brother wouldn't oppose her relationship with Luo Qing anymore...
...
The month-long training had ended.
As of today, Luo Qing had accumulated a total of 8,011 Frustration Points. With the previous emergency ten-draw, he now had enough for ninety pulls.
Though the system seemed unimpressive, at least it didn't suffer from bad luck.
Now, Luo Qing was certain he could obtain the Resurrection Armor without a hitch.
Returning to his resting quarters, he pondered where to perform this sacred eighty-pull draw.
Opening the door, he discovered someone waiting inside.
A figure was sitting casually on his tatami mat.
"Weren't you supposed to be gone for two months? Why are you back already?"
Seeing Rosalyne lying against the table, flipping through a light novel, Luo Qing calmly asked Teresa to prepare tea and sat down across from her.
He glanced at the cover of the novel she was reading. It read: The Wandering Girl Who Fell in Love with a Noble Knight.
"Hmph, this safehouse isn't exclusively yours. Why can't I be here?"
"This is my room. What, Lady Rosalyne, do you want to sleep here with me tonight?" Luo Qing teased.
"Hmph, all you can do is run your mouth."
After spending so much time with Luo Qing, Rosalyne had become immune to his jabs.
But she was keeping a mental note.
She was just waiting for the day she'd get the chance to punch him hard.
Every time Luo Qing teased her, she imagined those words turning into icy flames, destined to burn him one day.
"Those old geezers at the Commission were easier to deal with than I expected. If it weren't for you, I'd already be on a ship back to Snezhnaya, not wasting time reading this garbage light novel."
"But this is your promise, isn't it, Lady Rosalyne?"
Luo Qing smiled, his gaze drifting over Rosalyne's perfect figure.
He had to admit, compared to a naive girl, a mature woman like her had a different kind of charm.
If she were to wear a maid outfit...
Hiss...
"By the way, Lady Rosa;yne, why did you pledge your loyalty to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa?"
"Hmph, what does that have to do with you?"
"Just curious."
"Hmph, I don't have time to waste on idle chatter with you. In a month, I won't stay a day longer. If you have any tricks up your sleeve, you'd better act fast."
Rosalyne shifted her position, settling into a more comfortable posture, and continued,
"Now get out. Don't disturb my reading."
"This is my room. Shouldn't you be the one leaving?"
"..."
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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