Something shifted inside him.
A faint warmth gathered in his chest, subtle at first before spreading outward through his limbs. It wasn't explosive. It wasn't overwhelming. It felt… strange.
The translucent panel appeared.
___
Mission: Clear out a hilichurl camp (Completed)
Reward: Qi Condensation – Basic Devouring
____
The warmth deepened, settling beneath his skin, coiling quietly around his core like a newly formed current waiting to be directed.
Henry flexed his fingers once, testing the unfamiliar flow within his body.
He had barely finished testing it when a massive bang erupted somewhere nearby.
"SHIT, that scared me."
"What the hell was that?"
The sound had not been distant. It had carried force—sharp, concussive, unnatural against the quiet wind sweeping across Windrise. Without hesitation, Henry rushed toward the river.
Another explosion followed.
The surface of the water bulged upward violently, as if a localized tornado had torn through it. Waves surged toward the banks, slamming into stone and soil before collapsing back inward. When the water level fell again, dead fish rained onto the riverbank, some flopping weakly while others floated lifelessly to the surface.
Henry slowed his steps.
And then he saw her.
A small girl dressed in red stood near the river's edge, holding two round red balls in her hands—objects Henry could recognize from a mile away.
The Oppenheimer of Teyvat.
Klee.
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. What are you doing, little girl?" Henry asked.
Klee turned around instantly, her bright eyes widening in surprise before lighting up.
"Oh hello, Mr.! Did Klee disturb you? Sorry for that!"
"I am fishing!"
Henry stared at the river, then at the dead fish scattered across the bank and floating over the river.
"What a wonderful way to fish, Klee. Your technique is clearly heavenly."
Klee beamed at the praise.
"Oh, thank you, Mr.!"
"I am Henry," he corrected gently, waving at her.
"Ohhh! You are the person who made those noodles! And ohh, then you also made a fast carriage! You are so great, Mr. Henry!" Klee looked up at him with wide, shining eyes that seemed far too innocent.
Henry bent down slightly and ruffled her hair, accidentally knocking her hat off in the process. He caught it before it hit the ground and carefully placed it back on her head.
"Don't call me 'Mr.' You can call me your big brother."
Klee's smile somehow grew even brighter.
"Okay, Big Brother Henry!"
He straightened.
"Since it's going to be nightfall soon, shouldn't you return?"
Klee froze.
Her expression shifted instantly.
"Oh no… Jean…"
Panic replaced joy. She hurriedly began gathering her things.
Henry watched her for a moment before speaking.
"Wait."
Klee paused, looking back at him with her big round eyes.
"I have a faster way."
From his system space, Henry removed his bike. A few days ago, he had installed a small animal carrier basket at the front—originally meant for practical use, though now it served a different purpose.
Klee gasped.
"It's the fast carriage!"
Henry lifted her carefully and placed her inside the front basket. "It's called a bike Klee."
"Hold steady."
As he began pedaling toward Mondstadt, Klee squealed in delight, her arms stretching outward as the wind brushed against her cheeks.
"This is soo much fun, Big Brother Henry!"
Henry chuckled lightly.
"You've never ridden something like this before?"
"No! Knights don't let Klee ride fast things! They say boom-boom plus speed equals more boom!"
The knights are right to think that way .
Hmm.. Maybe I should make a custom bike for Klee.
Klee leaned forward slightly.
"Big Brother Henry, does it use Anemo? Or Pyro? Or some super secret stuff?"
"None," Henry replied calmly. "It uses force. Pedal rotation turns a chain, which rotates the rear wheel."
Klee blinked.
"…Oh."
He smiled faintly.
"But if you want, you can call it magic."
"Okay! Klee will call it magic!"
They continued riding, as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"Big Brother Henry," Klee spoke again, voice more softer now. "Do you get in trouble like Klee?"
"Not yet."
"Oh… then you're lucky."
"And you?"
Klee puffed her cheeks.
"Jean says Klee has to stay in confinement because Klee makes too many explosions."
Henry glanced ahead toward Mondstadt's gates.
"Maybe she's just worried."
Klee fell quiet for a moment before nodding slightly.
They soon reached the city gates. Henry slowed to a stop and lifted Klee down from the basket.
"I had fun, Big Brother! Thank you!"
"I can escort you back," Henry offered.
Klee hesitated but nodded.
As they walked through the city streets, they spotted Varka outside his bike shop chatting with Anthony.
"Ah, Henry!" Varka said joyfully upon seeing him approach. "I came to invite you to drink at Angel's Share, but you weren't here!"
"Yes, I was completing commissions," Henry replied. "And I escorted little Klee back."
Over Varka's shoulder, Henry noticed someone angrily approaching with a very different aura.
Klee squeaked and immediately hid behind Varka.
Jean was no longer the shy person he had hung out with a few days ago. Her posture was straight, expression firm, eyes sharp.
She approached them, placing her hands on her waist.
"Grandmaster, there is a stack of papers that need your approval. What are you doing here?"
Varka visibly stiffened.
"Ahh—yes. The papers. Yes. I will accompany you. Yes."
Jean's gaze shifted towards klee who was trying hard to not get noticed.
"Klee. You were in confinement. How can you leave?"
Klee shrank further.
Jean's expression softened slightly when she noticed Henry.
"Henry," she greeted him warmly.
Then she turned, gently but firmly taking Klee by the hand and guiding her away. Varka followed behind Jean like a heartbroken puppy.
Whoa. Jean is scary. Note to self: do not mess with her. She might swirl me away with her elemental skill.
Henry suppressed a small smile and made his way toward the Adventurers' Guild.
"Ad astra ab—"
Henry interrupted Katheryne before she could complete her sentence and handed her the photo of the cleared hilichurl camp.
"All cleared, Miss Katheryne."
She examined the photo briefly, showing no sign of irritation at being interrupted.
"Wonderful, Mr. Henry. Wait while I count your reward."
As Henry waited, his mind wandered.
Katheryne's face was remarkably lifelike.
She looks so real.
Henry found himself observing her features more closely—the lifelike smoothness of her skin, the subtle curve of her lips—
Wait. What am I doing?
He immediately looked away.
By that time, Katheryne had finished counting the Mora, she placed it neatly into a pouch.
"Here, Mr. Henry."
"Thank you, Katheryne."
He accepted the pouch, placed it into his system space, and nodded politely before making his way back toward his shop.
---
Here is the chapter as promised. Drop stones as usual.
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