The story begins with the Traveler arriving in Inazuma, where the Yashiro Commission is about to host a "Courage Test" event, complete with rewards.
Paimon is a bit scared of the Courage Test, but she can't resist the lure of prizes.
So, she and the Traveler head to the Kamisato Estate to inquire about the "Courage Test" details.
While others might ask neighbors for event details, Lumine goes straight to the organizers—such is the Traveler's network.
[Paimon, waving: "Ayato—long time no see!"]
[Kamisato Ayato responds: "It's you two! It really has been a while."]
In the illustration, Kamisato Ayato smiles gently—or perhaps he isn't trying to smile, his natural lip shape just gives that impression.
His "smiling" demeanor, refined aura, and the beauty mark near his eye elevate his "charming" qualities even further.
Inazumans know who Kamisato Ayato is, but readers from other nations are confused. Who is Kamisato Ayato? What's his relation to Kamisato Ayaka?
It turns out Lucian hadn't written a story about Kamisato Ayato before, so everyone is unfamiliar with him.
Ayato's opening line of "long time no see" in the story piques readers' curiosity. How did he and the Traveler meet before?
Curiosity aside, since Lucian hasn't written that story yet—and may not—readers focus on the current tale.
Kamisato Ayato explains the rules, which are very simple.
Participants form pairs and must find a designated item within a time limit to win.
This "Courage Test" is co-hosted by three parties, so there will be three rounds to determine the victor.
Got it? Whether you get it or not, just play!
Winning even one round earns a prize, and winning all three grants a "luxury gift" from Yae Miko—perhaps a "fox ear petting voucher"?
Well, knowing Yae Miko's personality, it's more likely a "Raiden Ei petting voucher."
In any case, the "Courage Test" in the story differs from the one Lucian and his group are planning. Theirs has no organizers, and they lack for nothing.
As for rewards, Lucian does have some small gifts to offer, tailored to the winners.
In the story, the Traveler and Paimon decide to check out the Courage Test venue—Chinju Forest. But just as they leave the Kamisato Estate, they run into Arataki Itto.
[Arataki Itto, extending a hand: "Hold it! Haha, you two, what an unexpected encounter!"]
For some reason, whenever Arataki Itto appears, readers instinctively imagine cheerful BGM, instantly lightening the mood.
His antics help, too—in the illustration, Itto is combing his hair with a comb.
[Itto, combing his hair: "Sorry, but the prize is mine—Arataki 'Bolder Than the Sky' Itto's!"]
Readers can only laugh at this line. All of Teyvat knows Itto is terrified of ghosts.
He's scared of ghosts but loves a crowd. Upon hearing about the Courage Test, Itto dragged his gang to sign up, though his underlings weren't exactly thrilled.
A Courage Test? In Chinju Forest? They'd been there countless times—what's so scary?
Still, Itto's the boss, so they signed up to humor him, albeit with little enthusiasm.
[Paimon: "I get it. You're all excited to drag people into a game, but when they're not interested, it's pretty embarrassing, huh?"]
[Arataki Itto retorts: "This isn't about embarrassment!"]
Itto insists that, as the boss, he must constantly find new fun to keep his gang happy, so he's determined to make them enjoy it.
The Arataki Gang's three underlings are touched. Their boss is so great, going to such lengths for their happiness!
But something feels off. Since when was their boss so "noble"?
To ensure his gang has fun, Itto came to spice up the Courage Test with some scares of his own.
[Itto: "If I can't scare anyone, the Courage Test won't be fun. If my gang starts complaining, I'll lose face!"]
Readers are speechless. After all that, it is about embarrassment?
The three underlings suddenly get it—this is the boss they know!
Their boss plans to personally scare them, so now the Courage Test does have ghosts.
But they're puzzled. Isn't the boss afraid of ghosts? He's usually on high alert in Chinju Forest. Will he really not be scared during the Courage Test?
Regardless, Itto came to recruit help and, spotting the Traveler, decides she's the one. No need to look further—Lumine it is.
Lumine and Paimon don't refuse. Not only are they already friends, but Itto's goofy personality makes him an ideal Courage Test teammate.
Not because he's brave—his silliness outshines any spooky atmosphere, making it easy to laugh mid-test.
The Traveler and Itto head to the Courage Test venue, but someone is watching them from behind.
In the illustration, a short figure with red hair—a mysterious person—hides behind a rock, looking suspicious.
Some Inazumans recognize Shikanoin Heizou, but most readers don't, so they question his identity.
In the story, the Traveler arrives a step behind Itto, but when they reach the venue, Itto is nowhere to be found.
While searching, Itto suddenly pops up behind Paimon, startling her.
He's never properly scared anyone before, so he's practicing by randomly jumping out to spook them during the Courage Test.
Great. Their teammate just turned into an enemy, upping the difficulty.
It's like agreeing to play an escape room together, only for your teammate to don an NPC costume and start chasing you as a ghost. Talk about a betrayal!
Ignoring Itto's antics, the Traveler and Paimon prepare to start the game.
A shrine maiden informs them they need a teammate, as Paimon and the Traveler count as one participant.
Their original teammate, Itto, just ditched them, but luckily, three of the Traveler's old acquaintances are here, and they can pick one to team up with.
Since Lucian's story involves different timelines, he writes out all possible choices, starting with Kamisato Ayaka's timeline.
[Kamisato Ayaka, gently: "Traveler, Paimon, hello."]
In the illustration, Kamisato Ayaka's expression is soft, without her folding fan, and her face lights up with a smile upon seeing the Traveler.
That smile seems almost too gentle.
Kamisato Ayato is on high alert!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kamisato Ayato: About Ayaka
"My little sister often serves as a public figure, but the way Lucian depicts her is remarkably refined. How does he understand her so well?"