บท 22: 21. Mondstadt: Training Time!

The sky was a clear, endless blue as I made my way toward the training grounds, the warm breeze carrying the scents of wildflowers and fresh grass.

Three days had passed since my return from Dragonspine, and although my body was still sore in places, I was finally feeling like myself again. After days of rest, it was time to get back into the action, and today was no ordinary day. Jean had asked me to join the Knights of Favonius' training session as a special guest—a chance to test my skills alongside the city's finest knights and offer what little guidance I could.

The training grounds were just outside Mondstadt's main gates, and as I approached, the sounds of clashing wooden swords and the steady commands of instructors greeted me. It was a bustling hub of activity, with knights of all ranks practicing their forms, sparring with each other, and working through drills. It was my first time here, and the sheer size of the place surprised me. The grounds stretched far, with training dummies, obstacle courses, and sparring rings spread out across the field. A few spectators had gathered along the edges, watching the knights in action.

I was so caught up in the sight that I almost didn't hear the familiar voice calling my name.

"Hey, Tayden!"

I turned to see Amber jogging toward me, her face lighting up with her usual boundless energy. Her glider was strapped across her back, and her bow swung lightly at her side as she moved. Amber was the kind of person who brought a spark of joy to any situation, and her presence alone was enough to lift my spirits.

"Amber," I greeted her with a smile. "Good to see you! You here for the training session?"

"Of course!" she replied, grinning as she reached my side. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, I've been dying to see you back in action after everything that happened in Dragonspine. How are you feeling?"

"Better," I said, stretching my arms out to prove it. "Not quite at a hundred percent, but I'm getting there. Ready to jump back in."

Amber's grin widened. "That's the spirit! Eula's around here somewhere too. She said something about making sure you didn't slack off during training today."

I laughed, already knowing what she meant. "Sounds like Eula. She wouldn't miss a chance to keep me on my toes."

Amber giggled, giving me a playful nudge. "You know she enjoys sparring with you. She might not say it outright, but I've seen how competitive she gets when you're around."

Before I could respond, a calm, familiar voice cut through the air. "Tayden."

I turned to find Eula approaching with her usual composed stride, her icy-blue gaze locking onto me with a hint of amusement. She wore her typical stern expression, but I could tell by the slight quirk of her lips that she was glad to see me.

"Eula," I greeted her with a nod. "So, I hear you're here to make sure I don't slack off?"

She folded her arms, her smile widening just a fraction. "Someone has to keep an eye on you. Besides, I wanted to see if you've gotten rusty after all that time recovering."

I smirked, shaking my head. "Rusty? Me? I think you're underestimating me, Eula."

Amber chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I don't know, Tayden. Eula's pretty good at keeping people in line. You might have your work cut out for you."

Eula tilted her head slightly, her smile now fully formed. "We'll see. But don't worry, I'll go easy on you if it comes to that."

I chuckled, glancing toward the center of the training grounds, where knights were already lining up in neat formations. "Well, let's get to it then. I wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting."

Amber and Eula fell into step beside me as we made our way to the main area, where a group of recruits had gathered. The air was thick with anticipation, and I could feel the eyes of the knights on us as we approached. At the center of it all stood Jean, her posture as poised as ever, her cool authority radiating in every movement. She spotted us immediately and gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Tayden," Jean called, her voice calm but carrying easily across the field. "Thank you for joining us today. As most of you know, Tayden has faced many challenges during his time in Mondstadt, including his recent battle with the Abyss Herald. His experience will be invaluable in today's training session."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the group, and I could see a few of the recruits eyeing me with wide eyes—some with awe, others with curiosity. I offered them a reassuring smile, hoping to put them at ease.

"Don't worry," I said, taking a step forward. "I'm not here to give you a lecture. Just think of me as a special guest sparring partner. We're all here to learn and improve, so let's make it fun."

There was a brief pause, and then a few chuckles broke out among the group, the tension easing slightly. Jean nodded approvingly, then turned to address one of the recruits directly.

"Noelle," she called.

At the mention of her name, Noelle stepped forward from the line of recruits. She was hard to miss, her white hair standing out against her maid uniform, and her wooden greatsword looked almost comically large for someone her size. But the way she held it—steady, confident—told me everything I needed to know. This girl was strong, and not just in the physical sense.

"You'll be sparring with Tayden today," Jean said to Noelle, her voice calm but encouraging. "Show him what you've been working on."

Noelle's eyes lit up with determination as she gave a firm nod. "I won't disappoint, Acting Grand Master."

I stepped into the ring, drawing my practice sword, and gave Noelle a small smile. "Ready when you are, Noelle. Don't hold back, alright? I'm not using any of my special abilities today, no fire or anything like that so relax a little."

Noelle's grip tightened on her greatsword, and she nodded firmly. "Understood, Tayden."

As I faced her, I could feel the eyes of the other recruits watching closely. This was their chance to see how a real sparring match played out, and I wanted to make sure they learned something useful.

For a moment, Noelle and I stood still, sizing each other up. Then, with a quick intake of breath, Noelle lunged forward, her greatsword swinging toward me with surprising speed.

"Switch on"

I deflected her strike easily, stepping to the side and feeling the weight of her blow reverberate through my practice blade. She was strong—stronger than I had expected.

"Good form," I said, taking a step back to give her space. "But don't be afraid to use that strength of yours. Show me what you've really got."

Noelle's eyes narrowed with focus, and she adjusted her grip. Without hesitation, she came at me again, this time with more power behind her swing. I dodged to the side, keeping my movements light and fluid. I could tell she was still holding back, though, her movements too controlled, too careful.

We exchanged a few more blows, her greatsword clashing against my practice blade with increasing force. Each time, I gave her just enough room to adjust, to find her rhythm. She was relentless, that much was clear, but she needed to let go of that rigid focus.

"You're doing great," I said between strikes. "But loosen up a bit. Don't overthink it. Let the fight flow."

Noelle paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and adjusted her stance. Her eyes flickered with newfound determination, and before I knew it, she lunged at me again—this time with a surge of strength that caught me completely off guard.

Her greatsword connected with my blade, and I instantly felt the raw power behind her strike. Before I could react, the impact sent me flying backward, straight into the wooden fence surrounding the training grounds.

For a moment, the world spun as I lay there, catching my breath. I could hear a few gasps from the crowd of recruits, followed by stunned silence. Slowly, I pushed myself up, groaning as I realized what had just happened.

"Okay... didn't see that coming," I muttered, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

Noelle's face had gone pale, and she immediately dropped her greatsword, rushing toward me with panic in her eyes. "Sir Tayden! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—I didn't think—are you alright?"

I waved off her concerns, standing up fully and cracking a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. That was... unexpected. But seriously, Noelle, that was impressive. That strength is amazing."

Noelle blinked, clearly not expecting a compliment, and her face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I didn't mean to hit you that hard! I wasn't thinking—"

"Relax," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing to apologize for. That was a solid hit. Just make sure to control it a bit better next time, alright?"

Her face softened, and she gave a determined nod. "Thank you, Tayden. I'll keep practicing."

From the sidelines, I could hear Eula and Amber laughing, clearly enjoying the sight of me getting knocked around. Eula shook her head with a smirk. "I told you, Tayden. Noelle's strength is... formidable."

Amber, on the other hand, was practically doubled over with laughter. "Oh my gosh, Tayden! You flew like a ragdoll!"

I rubbed the back of my neck, chuckling despite myself. "Yeah, yeah, I noticed. But hey, Noelle's definitely stronger than I thought."

Jean stepped forward, her calm demeanor never faltering, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Thank you, Tayden, for the demonstration. I believe everyone has learned something valuable today."

The recruits, who had been watching with wide eyes, slowly began to nod in agreement, their expressions a mix of awe and admiration. Noelle, despite her earlier panic, stood a little taller, clearly proud of herself.

But the day wasn't over yet.

As the sparring session came to a close, the real training began. The recruits broke off into smaller groups, each one focusing on a different aspect of combat—parrying, dodging, and striking. I moved between the groups, offering tips and advice where I could, demonstrating techniques, and occasionally joining in for a quick sparring round.

Eula, as expected, jumped into the action as well, her sharp, precise movements drawing the attention of everyone nearby. She sparred with me for a few rounds, her icy-blue eyes never leaving mine as we exchanged blows. Each strike from her sword was calculated and fierce, and I had to stay on my toes to keep up.

Eula's strikes were precise and brutal, her movements a blend of grace and power. Our sparring matches drew a crowd, and the recruits watched with wide eyes as we traded blows, pushing each other to the limit

Amber, meanwhile, took a more lighthearted approach, darting between groups and offering tips on agility and gliding techniques. She made everything look effortless, her laughter infectious as she showed the recruits how to outmaneuver their opponents with speed and precision.

Noelle, ever-determined, threw herself into her training with renewed focus. Each swing of her greatsword was stronger, more controlled, and I could see her confidence growing with every passing minute. The other recruits, inspired by her, pushed themselves harder as well.

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The sun hung lower in the sky as the day wore on, casting long shadows across the training grounds. By the time Jean called for a break, the knights were tired but smiling, their faces flushed with exertion. The camaraderie between them was palpable, the bonds forged through shared sweat and effort.

As the recruits gathered for a well-deserved rest, I found myself standing with Eula and Amber once again, watching them from a distance. The day had been long, but it was the good kind of tired—the kind that came from working hard and pushing your limits.

"Well," Eula said, crossing her arms and casting me an amused glance. "I think you've made quite the impression today."

Amber beamed, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement. "Noelle really looks up to you, Tayden! You've helped her a lot."

I grinned, leaning back against the fence as I watched Noelle continue to practice, her greatsword cutting through the air with precise, powerful swings. "She's got what it takes to be a great knight. She just needs time and practice."

Eula smirked, her gaze flicking between me and Noelle. "At this rate, she might surpass you."

I laughed, shaking my head. "If that happens, I'll be happy to step aside."

Amber giggled. "I don't know, Tayden. You might miss getting tossed around by her."

I shot her a mock glare, but I couldn't help the smile on my face. The day had gone better than I could have hoped. It wasn't just about the training or the sparring—it was the sense of community, the shared experience of working together toward a common goal.

Here, in the heart of Mondstadt, surrounded by friends and fellow knights, I felt a deep sense of belonging. The world outside was still dangerous, and the Abyss Order loomed on the horizon, but for now, we were ready. We were strong.

And whatever came next, I knew we'd face it together.

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-Somewhere far from Mondstadt-

Far away, deep in the forests on the outskirts of Mondstadt, two figures sat beside a small, flickering campfire. The first was a young man with blonde hair, his face calm but tinged with exhaustion—Aether, the Traveler. His golden eyes stared into the fire, lost in thought. Floating nearby was his ever-energetic companion, Paimon, a small, fairy-like being with silver hair and a wide grin.

"Paimon thinks we're almost there!" she exclaimed, spinning lazily in the air above the fire. "Mondstadt should be just past the next ridge. We'll reach it by tomorrow morning!"

Aether looked up at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You sure about that? You've said we're 'almost there' three times now."

Paimon puffed out her cheeks indignantly, crossing her arms. "Hey! Paimon knows what she's talking about! Paimon's been paying close attention to the map!"

Aether chuckled softly, shaking his head. It had been a long journey, filled with more uncertainty than he cared to admit. He hadn't known where to go next—until Paimon had come along. She was his guide now, leading him through this unfamiliar world. Mondstadt, the City of Freedom, was the next destination, and maybe, just maybe, it would hold the answers he was searching for.

Paimon floated closer to Aether, her expression softening. "Paimon's sure this time! We'll definitely make it to Mondstadt tomorrow. And once we're there, we can ask the people for help in finding your sister. There's bound to be someone who knows something, right?"

Aether nodded, his eyes growing more resolute at the mention of his lost sibling. "Yeah. Mondstadt seems like a good place to start."

"Exactly!" Paimon twirled in the air, clearly pleased with herself. "And Mondstadt's supposed to be a pretty friendly place too! The Anemo Archon rules there, so it's all about freedom and wind and... well, you'll see! Paimon's got it all figured out."

Aether stood up, stretching after their long day of travel. He glanced toward the distant horizon, where the faint glow of Mondstadt's walls could just be made out against the darkening sky.

"Alright, let's head out tomorrow," he said, his voice steady. "I'm counting on you, Paimon."

Paimon grinned widely, floating higher with excitement. "Of course! Paimon's the best guide there is! Leave everything to Paimon!" She paused for a moment, then added, "Oh, and there better be some good food in Mondstadt. Paimon's starving!"

Aether smiled again, his expression lighter now. Together, they settled in for the night, the fire crackling softly as the stars twinkled overhead. Tomorrow, they would reach Mondstadt.

And their journey would truly begin.