Cute (but greedy) Astrologist

"U-uh Let's go already!" Mona quickly turned away and shakily walked away. Aether giggled and walked beside her.

"The main thing here is to use this chance to prove the power and status of astrology! But from my predictions, I know that my master's friend has left Mondstadt, leaving her successor as the current guardian of that box." Mona rambled to herself.

" Like me, that successor must also be the one who has surpassed their teacher. I must not be careless. But I would prefer to assure my victory in this contest, and upon giving it some thought, you came to mind!" Mona then looked at Aether and had a devious smirk on her face.

"I only know 12 constellations. There is a lot more than that. How did you end up thinking of me?" Aether asked the astrologist curiously.

" The knowledge passed down to me from my master must be passed on in turn. If I were to bring my disciple to meet her, then the lead is already mine, no? And you are Mondstadt's and Liyue's great hero, my equal in status. So..." Mona let Aether finish her sentence in his head. Aether smiled.

" I'd love to be your disciple, Mona. But equal status? I really want to know what you did to be equal in status with me. " Aether got closer and looked her into her eyes. Mona looked away from his red eyes.

" Those eyes.... It is as I expected, those are demon eyes. The church was right to make you drink holy water. " Mona thought while occasionally glancing at him.

"Hey. I'm not going to kill you or anything. Just answer my question please. " Aether cupped her face and smiled sweetly at her. Mona clutched his hands and blushed a little.

"Astrologists can accurately predict the future. That's how we gained our reputation. It's an extremely rare gift though, that's why there's so few of us wandering the world of Teyvat." Mona explained while looking into his red eyes. Aether smiled.

" Thanks Mona. Let's go find this guardian shall we?" Aether asked. Mona smiled and nodded determinedly.

"Yes we shall. Let us go, Aether the Outlander. " Mona let go of his hands and escaped his clutch, she failed to see his pained expression.

" That name still haunts me. Shit I need to find her quick. Where the fuck is Dainsleif? "Aether gritted his teeth but controlled himself. He walked beside Mona again.

" That said, I would like to pay a certain place a visit before we go." Mona looked at Aether again.

"There is a small inn near Mt. Tianheng that never sees a lot of business, even though its food is always great value for the money. The owner has always been good to me, so I'd like to say a farewell before I set off." Mona told him.

" Well, please lead the way, Mona. " Aether replied. They walked for a while and arrived in front of the Inn. Aether looked around the Inn.

"Wow it's boring here." Aether thought.

"It's no wonder there's no business here." Paimon agreed with his thoughts.

"Paimon. What do you say if we buy this place and turn it to a resort. I already have ideas forming in my mind. " Aether asked the fairy in his mind.

" Yeah, I can already see scrolls and blueprints forming on the table in front of me. Weird right? " Paimon said while flying around the house in Aether's mindscape.

" Damn. It's cool. Fuck I need to visit the place. Let's ask Mona later." Aether replied. A man walked in front of Mona.

" Mona, you've come at just the right time. Did you see a jade ring while you made your way here?" The owner, Mr Zhu asked her with a worried face.

"A jade ring? Can't say I have. " Mona replied. Mr Zhu sighed and looked down.

"Oh, that's not good... that ring was given to me by my mentor. But while my back was turned, it was swallowed up by a slime!" Mr Zhu muttered in panic.

"You can help him Mona. You're really good im astrology. Maybe you can predict which slime that swallowed his ring. " Aether suggested to her. Mona huffed and crossed her arms.

" Absolutely not. Astrology is meant to be used to gain insight into reality and observe destiny itself. It's certainly not for such mundane affairs. " Mona argued. Aether raised his eyebrow at her.

" But didn't you say that the owner here's been good to you?" Aether argued back calmly.

"This is a matter of pride and one's state of mind. If an astrologist thinks that their arts can solve all problems, they will be forsaken by the starry ether. Their divinations will lose the power to guide, and will not be able to pierce the fog of the unknown before them. Principles are principles." Mona rambled on and on. Somehow, Aether managed to hear everything she said.

" Principles.... I hate that word so much." Aether grumbled. Mr Zhu sighed.

"Well, I was going to put up twenty thousand Mora as compensation, if you were willing." Mr Zhu muttered. Mona instantly looked at him with gold coins in her eyes.

" Twenty Thousand!! " She shouted to confirm the amount. Aether snickered.

"Hey Mr. We'll help you. She certainly is eager to. I'll kill every slime if I have to just so I can find your ring." Aether looked at the man with a fiery gaze in his eyes. Mona smiled greedily.

"What happened to 'principles are principles?' " Aether thought while looking at the astrologist with an amused face.

"Still... the owner's business has had it pretty hard. It must be a truly extraordinary ring, to be worth spending this much Mora to find. It wouldn't be right for us to leave like this, so let's help to search for it. There may be other means we can employ besides astrology" Mona thought for a while before an imaginary lightbulb brightened on top of her hat.

"I know, I'll leave this one to you! This is the first mission I'm giving you as your master!" Mona looked at Aether and smiled. Aether shook his head.

"Knew it. But you don't just order me around. I may be your disciple for the moment. But I'll be master faster than you expected. " Aether gazed into her pale, sea green eyes. Mona blushed but glared at him.

" Go find it, idiot.....

To be continued....