Stepping onto a raised platform, Valerius took out a small card.
"Now, let's tally the points."
"First place: Klee, 36 points."
"Second place: Alhaitham, 27 points."
"Third place: Acheron, 19 points."
"Fourth place…"
At this point, Valerius glanced at Bronya with a hint of sympathy. That was some terrible luck—she still didn't make it.
"…16 points."
"Fifth place…"
He continued down the list. Some players looked regretful upon hearing their scores, but most were indifferent—they had never expected to win anyway.
After announcing all the results, Valerius brought out the lottery machine.
"Alright, the top three can come draw their rewards."
At those words, Klee rushed forward immediately, taking the first spot. She had been eager to try this for a long time. Alhaitham followed closely behind.
Acheron, however, was displeased.
She was a delicate young lady—how could she draw last?
Without hesitation, she strode forward and cut to the front.
"Hey! That's not fair! No cutting!"
The Mondstadt players protested. A grown adult cutting in front of a child—where was her shame?
"Hmph. No one said cutting wasn't allowed."
Acheron didn't care in the slightest.
Meanwhile, the Star Rail players collectively covered their faces.
The "version T0" punishment was terrifying. Once Acheron recovered, she'd probably want to erase this entire memory.
Of course, she still had supporters.
Sushang and Caesar, who were also under punishment, immediately stepped forward.
"Exactly! No rule says you can't cut!"
"That's right! She's a young lady—what's wrong with letting her go first?"
The two got more and more fired up, with Sushang even pulling out her phone again.
"Guys, can you believe this? Running into a bunch of disgusting men."
The entire crowd's expressions darkened.
Good grief—they just insulted everyone at once.
If not for knowing she was under punishment, someone would've already stepped in.
"…Sigh. Let her go first."
Alhaitham sighed helplessly and pulled Klee aside.
He could tell—Acheron had zero restraint right now. Arguing with her would only lead to more outrageous nonsense.
At the same time, he felt a chill.
If Acheron ended up like this under punishment… what would happen if it were his turn?
Nearby, Lucy, Gorou, and Bennett were already trembling.
They were about to receive punishment themselves. If they ended up like Acheron… they might as well disappear.
Meanwhile, Acheron took the ten coins Valerius handed her and thought for a moment before raising her head.
"I'm a girl. Can't I get a few extra?"
"You—!"
Valerius nearly lost it.
"You wish! No. You get exactly what you're given."
"Tch… loser."
Veins popped on Valerius's forehead. Even someone as patient as him was getting annoyed.
"I'm drawing."
Seeing that Valerius was genuinely getting angry, Acheron immediately stopped pushing. She might be reckless right now, but she wasn't stupid.
She tossed all ten coins into the machine and pulled the lever.
A glowing orb dropped out—without any special effects.
Valerius checked it… then froze.
His eyes widened as he looked at Acheron.
What kind of thing did she just pull?
"Well? What is it?"
"…It's a 'Great Sage Summoning Card.' Once used, it summons the Great Sage to assist you. Limited to once per day."
"Great Sage? Sounds decent."
"…It's the Great Sage."
"What's the difference?"
"You'll find out if you try it."
A hint of amusement flickered in Valerius's eyes.
This was going to be interesting.
He waved at someone nearby.
"Welt, come over. Time to meet an old acquaintance."
"An old acquaintance?"
Welt looked confused, but still stepped forward.
He was curious too.
Acheron absorbed the orb and activated the card.
A burst of light exploded—
And a white-haired girl appeared.
"…Huh? Mei?!"
The girl looked puzzled. She had heard a voice telling her to help someone, but she hadn't expected it to be Mei.
Without hesitation, she pulled Acheron behind her.
"Who's the enemy?"
"Enemy? What enemy could trouble this lady?"
Kiana froze.
Slowly, she turned her head and looked Acheron up and down.
This… was Mei?
Don't scare me like that.
Since when did her Mei become like this?!
"Mei… what happened to you? No, no… you're not Mei."
She shook her head vigorously. The resemblance was uncanny—even the aura felt similar—but this wasn't the Mei she knew.
"My name is Raiden Bōsō no Kami Mei. Who are you?"
Acheron felt a strange familiarity toward her, her tone softening slightly.
"Bōsō no Kami? Then… you're not Mei."
Kiana extended her hand.
"My name is Kiana, a Valkyrie of Schicksal. Nice to meet you."
"You look just like someone I know—her name is Raiden Mei too."
Acheron's eyes lit up slightly.
"Same name, and looks alike?"
"…Not exactly. Her name is Raiden Mei."
"I am Raiden Mei."
Kiana froze again.
Wait—what?
Didn't you just say your title was something else?
Now you're just Mei?
Was she messing with her?
"…Heh."
Valerius couldn't help but laugh.
Looks like even after growing up, Kiana's brain still hadn't caught up.
He stepped forward to explain.
"She really is Raiden Mei. 'Bōsō no Kami' is just her title."
Seeing Kiana still confused, he added,
"For example, if we used her world's naming system, you'd be 'Kiana, Guardian of the Moon, Kaslana.'"
"…Oh… I see."
Now Kiana understood.
So this really was Mei.
The others looked at Valerius in surprise.
He even knew how names worked in their world?
Qingque thought for a moment.
"So that means I'd be… Qing, Gatekeeper, Que?"
Fu Xuan covered her face.
"At least you're aware you guard a gate."
"Can names really work like that?" Stelle found it amusing. She turned to Himeko and reached out.
"Hello, Ji, Navigator, Zi."
"I don't have the surname Ji."
Himeko looked at her speechlessly.
"You just changed my entire name."
The moment she spoke—
Kiana froze again.
That voice…
So familiar.
Slowly, she turned her head—
Her eyes widened.
"Hi… me… ko… sensei?!"
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