The opening was shocking.
The figure sat down, his back to the audience. His face remained hidden.
For a moment, the people of Teyvat fell into a complete panic.
The screen showed long steps leading to a magnificent throne. It glowed with a brilliant, multi-colored light. It was unmistakable.
In all of Teyvat, such a miraculous throne could only exist on that island in the sky.
Paimon: "What's going on? Such a grand entrance right at the start! Did he actually sit on the Throne of the Heavenly Principles in one of his past lives?"
Lumine: "Paimon, how do you know that's the Throne of the Heavenly Principles? It might be somewhere we haven't seen yet."
Paimon: "Eh? Is that so? I just felt that only the one in the sky could glow so brightly."
Yae Miko: "If you calm down and think about it, it's not that strange. Novels often use these kinds of tropes. They start with a shocking scene that has nothing to do with the actual plot."
Keqing: "Why does everyone think of gods whenever something amazing happens? Couldn't it be the light of this reincarnator's own power? Maybe he was incredibly strong, carved steps into a mountain, and built the throne himself."
Yae Miko: "None of that matters now. There haven't been any good books lately, so I might as well enjoy this story. Let's get started already."
Paimon: "You remind me of someone. Furina also loves watching stories. I bet she's really excited right now."
Paimon: "Traveler, should we go find Furina and watch it with her?"
Lumine: "Hmm, that's a good idea."
Furina: "Wait a minute! Don't come looking for me. I'm out on business right now. I'm not at home!"
Paimon: "Ah, what a pity."
Ding!
At that moment, the image on the screen faded to black.
The system's voice rang out once more.
[Reincarnator identity confirmed.]
[Name: Kael]
[Gender: Male]
[Abilities: Unknown (Will manifest differently depending on the reincarnation story)]
[Special Status: Outlander]
An Outlander?
To the people of Teyvat, the status of an Outlander was familiar.
Just like the Traveler searching for her brother, they were visitors from another world.
Paimon: "An Outlander? Does that mean he's from the same world as the Traveler?"
Lumine: "Probably not. In my memory, I've never seen a black-haired Outlander."
Yae Miko: "Still, judging from the video, this Kael is quite handsome. He fits my taste for a male lead perfectly."
Neuvillette: "This person..."
Paimon: "Neuvillette, do you know him?"
Neuvillette: "I do not. But I feel as if I've met him somewhere before."
***
Inside Kael's home.
Furina was eating snacks while waiting for the story to begin. She stared at the screen with her mouth wide open.
After a long while, she looked at Kael in excitement. "Hey! You actually got chosen!"
It was a huge surprise. She didn't expect her neighbor to be the protagonist of this reincarnation story.
"Can you give me some spoilers? Also, that throne just now—what was that about? Were you really that powerful in the past?"
"You dummy, this is a reincarnation story. You don't actually think I'd have those memories, do you?" Kael said.
It wasn't that he didn't have the memories.
The problem was that he had completed too many Samsara Missions. It would be hard to pick just one to explain.
Even if Kael remembered everything, he didn't plan on telling anyone.
'A man who loses his mystery is worthless.'
"Alright, the story has already begun. I also want to see what I've been through in the past."
***
Mondstadt, the city of freedom.
Even the breeze here felt like liberty.
It was a beautiful, sunny day.
Kael was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. He arrived at the beach.
"Fishing is also an art."
Looking at the calm lake, Kael raised his palm.
A fiery red fireball suddenly appeared.
With a casual toss—
*Boom!*
A loud roar followed. The calm lake surface instantly exploded.
The water fell like rain, soaking Kael completely.
When the spray settled, Kael looked around.
The empty beach was now covered with the *pitter-patter* of fish flopping everywhere.