The day's hunt faded over Mondstadt's plains, leaving the knights weary yet triumphant with their floral spoils.
Ye Ruo had been the intended fulcrum of this venture, his wind mastery set to tie up the deception flower sweep with a flourish of effortless might.
Yet Lisa, the languid librarian with a witch's cunning, emerged as the unexpected linchpin of a quieter storm, her curiosity stirred by Ye Ruo's visit after months of absence.
Her routine—woven from lazy afternoons and book-chasing woes—shifted as his presence hinted at secrets she couldn't resist unraveling.
Windrise's grasses sighed under a cooling dusk, the breeze carrying faint echoes of the snow-capped peaks beyond.
The sky bled orange, casting a warm glow over the knights' retreat, their boots kicking up dust on the worn path back to Mondstadt.
Eula strode beside Ye Ruo, her Cryo Vision a cold gleam against her noble attire, her cape fluttering with the scars of battle.
Her squad trailed—six knights now bonded to frost deception flowers, their petals quivering with newfound loyalty.
Nimue led her eighth squad, a compact figure with water-blue eyes and a whip slung low, her short hair tousled by the wind.
Her six knights clutched their own flowers—ice and fire blooms, tamed by grit and tokens.
Ye Ruo walked easy, his wind-woven cloak billowing as if alive, his Anemo Vision pulsing with the day's exertions.
Thirteen flowers caught—two squads armed, Nimue included.
"Efficient—grudge deferred," Eula said, her voice a mix of pride and jest.
Her new frost flower trotted at her heel—ice-blue leaves glinted, stronger than the rest.
Ye Ruo smirked—"Best pick for you—ice suits," he replied.
He'd sent his Gale Demon Wolves—fierce Anemo hunters—to snag the finest specimen.
The pack had returned, jaws gentle but firm, a shivering bloom in tow.
"Use this—boost it," he said, tossing her a stone.
The Plant Potential Boundary Stone shimmered—mid-tier, ice-blue, humming with promise.
Eula caught it—her fingers hesitated over its cool surface.
"Yours again—too generous," she murmured, brow furrowing.
"You could breed a titan flower—why me?" she pressed.
Ye Ruo shrugged—"Wolves outshine flowers—take it," he urged.
"Let it fight for you—save your blade," he teased.
Her protests faltered—his grin disarmed her resolve.
"Fine—bite you tighter now," she huffed, half-serious.
She pressed the stone to her flower—blue light flared, aura thickened.
Petals stretched—frost deepened, a subtle shift.
"Mutant potential—snow mountain size?" she wondered.
Ye Ruo glanced north—"Maybe— Mondstadt's full of surprises," he mused.
A relic lingered there—man-made, monstrous bloom.
The knights dispersed—Eula veered toward Amber's haunt.
"Been with you all day—Amber's due," she said, flower trailing.
Her scout friend waited—ties of mentorship lingered.
Ye Ruo waved—"Catch her—say hi," he called.
He turned—library beckoned, not home.
Afternoon waned—Mondstadt's streets quieted.
Windmills spun lazy, their creaks a soft hymn.
Buildings loomed—stone and timber, kissed by ivy.
Breezes danced—freedom's breath in every gust.
Pedestrians thinned—shops dimmed, shadows grew.
Ye Ruo's boots tapped cobble—library loomed ahead.
Its doors yawned—silence spilled from within.
The last reader shuffled out—book tucked under arm.
"Mondstadt's lazy—borrowed and forgotten," he chuckled.
Lisa's burden—chasing overdue tomes.
He stepped in—air smelled of parchment and dust.
Shelves towered—leather spines gleamed in dim light.
Memories stirred—days lost in these stacks.
He'd hunted secrets—orphaned tomes, hidden lore.
None surfaced—Lisa's wit filled the void.
"Fooled Wendy here—ancient bait," he grinned.
A scent wafted—jasmine, faint static.
"Hey, cutie—wind blow you my way?" Lisa purred.
Her voice slunk from behind—soft, teasing, alive.
Ye Ruo turned—she leaned on a shelf, purple hat tipped.
Her green eyes sparkled—Electro Vision hummed low.
"Miss me—thought I'd browse," he shot back.
She swayed closer—robe hugged curves, books shifted.
"Busy boy—wolves and flowers today?" she asked.
Her tone probed—laziness masked keen ears.
"Word travels—knights buzzed," he admitted.
"Thirteen caught—squads upgraded," he added.
Lisa's lips curled—"Anemo tricks—wolves too?" she pressed.
"Small skill—hunters' edge," he said, casual.
She laughed—"Small? Liar—captains quake," she teased.
Her hand brushed his arm—static tingled.
"Outshine me—rude," she pouted, mock-hurt.
Ye Ruo grinned—"Water's your game—shapes galore," he countered.
"Wolves are solid—yours shatter," he jabbed.
Lisa sighed—"Pervert—genius hurts," she groaned.
Her whip of water paled—his pack prowled real.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's skull, panel aglow.
He perked up—readers' gains sparked glee.
[Customer Albedo completed Old Mond: Chalkborn Secrets—Reward: Geoscribe Quill.]
[Geoscribe Quill: Summons a Geo-infused quill, sketching constructs from earth; crafts barriers, blades, or traps with a stroke; channels alchemy to reshape stone, precise as a master's hand.]
Albedo with Geo art—chalk drew deeper.
"Library's dead—stay, chat," Lisa urged.
Her tone softened—curiosity veiled loneliness.
"Knights, noodles—where's my novel?" she teased.
Ye Ruo sat—table creaked under his weight.
"Drafting—chaos slows me," he admitted.
She slid beside—"Cutie's stretched—rest," she coaxed.
Her hand lingered—warmth cut the quiet.
"Wolves—how?" she pressed, eyes sharp.
"Wind's will—hunters born," he said.
"Stronger than flowers—practical," he added.
Lisa hummed—"Outclass me—grudge," she quipped.
Her flower memory stirred—Eula's gift echoed.
"Snow mountain bloom—your doing?" she asked.
"Man-made—old Mond," he hinted.
A subplot brewed—Abyss tracks from the hunt.
"Scouts linger—plains hum," he mused.
Lisa's gaze hardened—"Trouble—again," she sighed.
Her Electro crackled—laziness shed fast.
"Help—zap 'em?" she offered, sly.
Ye Ruo laughed—"Tempting—later," he dodged.
A twist loomed—shelves creaked, air shifted.
"Someone's here—hid," he whispered.
Lisa tensed—Electro pulsed, senses flared.
Footsteps tapped—shadow flitted deep.
"Book thief—chase?" she hissed, eager.
Ye Ruo rose—wind coiled, ready.
"Catch 'em—fun night," he agreed.
The system pulsed, Ye Ruo's fame a rising gust.
His whims reshaped—Mondstadt's tale spun on.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze