80 Chapter 80: A Tingling Little Punishment (2-in-1 Chapter)
Mondstadt, City Gate Area.
"Nolan, Miss Fischl, adventuring with you two has been smoother than ever before. I hope we can explore more secret realms together in the future!"
Bennett rubbed his head and grinned brightly.
"As the Prinzessin der Verurteilung of the Immernachtreich, even in the face of ominous fate, I can only tremble and retreat!"
Fischl raised her chin slightly, hands on her hips. Her slender fingers, white against the slightly exposed triangle-style black silk bodysuit, rested on her abdomen.
Through the semi-sheer hosiery, one could clearly see the slight indentations where her fingertips pressed into the soft, snow-white skin.
The breeze brushing along the ground caused the hem of her black-and-purple dress to flutter slightly. Fischl gently pursed her lips before continuing, "Brave attendants, your valor deserves to be remembered in the Immernachtreich!"
"Miss says she's also happy to adventure with everyone." Oz relayed.
Nolan likewise smiled and said, "Then let's form a team again if there are more secret realms to explore in the future, when we're all free."
"Great!"
Bennett gave a thumbs up, his thumb smudged with dirt from their battles, and grinned.
The exploration of the Thousand Winds Temple's Secret Realm was basically over, and the adventuring party formed temporarily for this Secret Realm exploration had also disbanded for now.
Bennett had his own adventure team, even if it was just himself for now, and Fischl had her work as an investigator for the Adventurers' Guild.
Everyone had only temporarily gathered together for the secret realm exploration, and it was impossible to maintain this adventuring party indefinitely.
However, if there were similar secret realm explorations in the future and everyone was available, continuing to team up was not out of the question.
[Illuminated By The Radiance Of Dreams And Hope, Obatined 6000 Adventure EXP.]
On his way back home, Nolan used the two Primogems he had bought, bringing his Adventure EXP up to over eight thousand.
He pondered how to use it.
First, he needed to level up, but before that, he could allocate some Adventure EXP to max out the "Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal" that he learned from Eula.
Adventure EXP -1700
Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal Lv. 8 (0/800)
Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal Lv. 10 (Flickering Candlelight)
It was the familiar process again; new knowledge and techniques about 'Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal' appeared in his mind, which he slowly absorbed and transformed into instinctive experience.
The extraordinary trait "Flickering Candlelight" unlocked at max level was, like the previous skills, an amplification of the skill's innate characteristics to extraordinary levels.
The characteristic of Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal was integrating the dance steps of "Sacrificial Ceremony: Act III: Flickering Candlelight" to make the swordsmanship as fluid as a dance, with power following the heart's lead.
Every sword swing could perfectly coordinate with every part of the body, orderly and without any mistakes in exerting force.
Perhaps this was why Eula's swordsmanship appeared so gentle and elegant.
After upgrading his swordsmanship, Nolan had over six thousand three hundred Adventure EXP left, just enough to level up to level twenty-four.
Adventure EXP - 6278
Lv. 21 (322/2100)
Lv. 24 (0/2400)
The instant his level increased, Nolan felt every cell in his body wrapped in warmth, like the morning sun, a gentle breeze, like...a girl's soft embrace.
He remembered back in the secret realm, when he had tackled Fischl to the ground to protect her from the Ruin Hunter's attacks, his face had been buried in her belly, and he'd even had some trouble breathing.
Although it wasn't very proper, it still counted as experiencing a girl's warm embrace.
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv. 24 (0/2400)
Race: Human
Title: None
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills: Favonius Hunter's Archery Lv.10 (Advanced Stability/Silent Shadow), Favonius Swordsmanship - Royal Lv.10 (Flickering Candlelight), Stealth Assassination Lv.4 (0/400), Martial Arts Lv.2 (0/200), Favonius Swordsmanship - Fundamentals Lv.1 (1/100)
Specialties: [Descender],[Maiden Savior],[Monster Slayer],[Abundant Life]
Adventure EXP: 69
Looking at the character panel that had changed quite a bit, Nolan felt a slight sense of nostalgia as his Adventure EXP were once again depleted.
But he didn't feel any regret; after all, Adventure EXP didn't disappear, they just transformed into a better form to accompany him.
With his slightly hungry stomach, Nolan quickened his pace on the way home.
When Nolan approached the gate of his home on Val Berry Street, he was somewhat surprised to see a woman wearing a deep blue pointed witch's hat standing in front of the iron railings.
Looking at her side, a name popped up in Nolan's mind - Lisa.
The librarian of the Knights of Favonius, a graceful lady with a lazy elegance and a mind full of books. A few days ago when he had borrowed the skill books 'Favonius Swordsmanship - Fundamental' and 'Favonius Archery - Fundamental', she was the one who had registered them at the library.
So why would Miss Lisa come here? He didn't think they had interacted much yet...was it about the books?!
Suddenly, Nolan seemed to realize something and stopped in his tracks, then swallowed nervously as his body tensed up.
Having played Genshin Impact before, although he wasn't a lore enthusiast, he still had some knowledge about the storyline and character backgrounds.
For example, this librarian Miss Lisa, she did indeed have a lazy and troublesome-avoiding attitude towards life. Even the task of preparing potions for herself, she would delegate to Kaeya, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius.
Sometimes, she would even let the Acting Grand Master Jean, who went for a morning run with Amber, bring back breakfast for her while she continued sleeping.
But when it came to matters concerning books, Miss Lisa would personally handle them. Only in this way could she be at ease.
So now, if someone was late returning borrowed books, it made sense for the librarian to come looking for them.
And that meant things weren't looking good.
Bothering her like this would surely lead to a scolding. If he happened to catch her in a bad mood, there might even be a chance to experience firsthand the mysteries of lightning magic.
And at this moment, Nolan also somewhat uneasily remembered that he had borrowed two books that seemed to be overdue by several days.
"Oh, little adventurer, you're back~"
Miss Lisa, the librarian, turned around and looked at Nolan from afar, a smile on her fair face as she spoke in a slightly teasing tone.
She slowly walked towards Nolan.
Her legs, clad in over-the-knee black lace stockings, lightly crossed as she walked, and the rose lantern hanging from the pointed corner of her witch hat swayed slightly.
The rhythm set by her shiny black high heels felt like stepping on his heart, leaving Nolan uncertain about what Lisa intended to do. He instinctively took a step back with his right foot and said,
"Uh... Miss Lisa, are you here to retrieve the borrowed books? It's not necessary to trouble yourself; I can return them later, right?"
"Oh? Just realized you need to return them now? Isn't it a bit too late for that? After all, because of you, I won't be able to take my afternoon nap today!"
Lisa stopped in front of Nolan, her right hand raised slightly, with faint sparks of lightning flashing at her fingertips.
"I'm sorry, Miss Lisa, I forgot about it. I'm really sorry!"
He didn't have reason on his side. All words were meaningless. Avoiding responsibility would be looked down on, so Nolan obediently lowered his head and admitted his mistake.
Nolan knew that even if he got zapped by Lisa, it would probably just be a tingly sensation and wouldn't actually harm him.
"The little adventurer has a good attitude. No wonder you could become Eula's friend~"
Lisa dispelled the sparks at her fingertips and smiled unsurprisingly, hands clasped together.
Clearly, she wasn't totally unfamiliar with Nolan.
Just the fact that he lived in the Lawrence residence said a lot already - after all, not every adventurer could afford to rent there.
[Lisa Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 60 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.1 (60/100)]
Seeing the Affection increase pop up on his status panel, Nolan breathed a small sigh of relief. At least he didn't need to worry about her disliking him.
"Speaking of Miss Eula, I'm very grateful to her for teaching me swordsmanship and renting me such a delicate independent courtyard,"
Nolan nodded and said with a smile.
"Oh? She's even teaching you swordsmanship? How unexpected. I'll let the overdue books slide for now, but as a small punishment, come with me to collect other overdue books. I'll have you carry the books."
Lisa's outfit was somewhat like a cheongsam, but with a skirt-like lower portion. The slits at the sides revealed a glimpse of black lace-patterned shorts and her snowy, soft thighs.
Nolan glanced at the purple Vision hanging on her chest, and didn't dare ask the foolish question of why she didn't just store the books inside it.
After all, she had said it was a punishment.
He subtly touched his slightly hungry stomach and forced a smile as he said, "Um, Miss Lisa, can I go back and cook lunch first? I'm a bit hungry after just coming back from an adventure."
"No can do. If we collect the books any later, I really will miss my afternoon nap time. If your stomach is hungry, please bear with it a while, little adventurer~"
Lisa with her deep blue pointed witch's hat folded her arms under her chest and smiled.
I knew that's how it would be.
"Then let me go grab the two books," Nolan said, a little helplessly.
"As part of your punishment for forgiveness, bring them yourself to the library to return tomorrow."
Lisa flicked back her chestnut-colored hair, then lowered her arms and turned, signaling for Nolan to follow.
Nolan was not the only one who had overdue books to return to the library. He was just the first person to be visited by Lisa; there were five more people she needed to visit.
It seemed that there were quite a few book lovers in Mondstadt.
Lisa brought Nolan to the blacksmith's first. At first, he thought it was Wagner who had borrowed books, since he was so busy with work that forgetting to return them was possible.
It turned out, somewhat unexpectedly, that it was Schutz who had borrowed a huge pile of smithing-related books. Then he didn't have time to read them, and didn't even know the due date had passed.
In the end, he got a severe scolding from Miss Lisa. Wagner and Nolan by the side truly felt the librarian's oppressive aura.
Schutz could only repeatedly promise to never do it again.
When leaving the blacksmith's shop, Nolan had three thick books, each as thick as two fingers, in his hands, making it a bit awkward to carry.
The second person to be visited was Margaret, the owner of the Cat's Tail tavern. As both were ladies, Lisa treated Miss Margaret much more gently, just like a normal conversation between ladies.
In the end, Miss Margaret just apologized briefly and returned a book titled "Cat Fur Care," and that was it.
Watching it really made Nolan feel bad for Schutz and herself.
By the time two more people were visited, Nolan had seven books in his hands, and they were all quite thick.
Fortunately, he had good strength and quick stamina recovery, so holding them for a long time didn't tire him out.
"Two o'clock, just one more left. Looks like I can get back in time for a good afternoon nap~"
Lisa took out a silver-purple metal pocket watch and glanced at it, speaking in a somewhat lazy tone.
Phew, Nolan also breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to go back and eat.
"Let's go, 23 Windwheel Aster Street." Lisa had already memorized the information of those who hadn't returned their borrowed books.
"Uh-huh." Nolan carefully answered while holding a bunch of books.
Shortly after, when Nolan and Lisa arrived at a residence and knocked on the wooden door, an elderly grandma came out.
She carefully glanced at the two of them and then spoke slowly, "Who...are you looking for?"
"Ma'am, we're looking for Fenny. We're here to remind him to return the books he borrowed from the library," Lisa said with a gentle expression.
"Oh, looking for my grandson? He said a few days ago that he successfully joined a powerful adventure team and went for closed-door training for a few days. He's not at home now," the old grandma replied.
"Closed-door training?" Nolan was a bit puzzled. Did joining an adventure team involve this kind of thing? Or was it a requirement for large adventure teams with strict management?
Lisa's eyes flickered when she heard this, and she smiled slightly before continuing to ask, "Since Fenny isn't here, we shouldn't disturb you further. Can you tell us which adventure team he joined?"
"Of course...you may." The white-haired grandma nodded slowly. "I think it was called something Verdant...oh right, it was called 'Verdant Wings'."
"Verdant Wings," Nolan repeated softly.
"Oh? Little adventurer, do you know this adventure team?" Lisa touched the wide brim of her hat with a hint of doubt in her eyes as she looked at Nolan.
"Um, I seem to recall that they distributed flyers for recruiting novice adventurers on the streets some time ago," Nolan said, feeling familiar with the name and successfully recalling it after a moment of thought.
"How troubling~" Lisa let out a soft sigh. "Just now I sensed a little, and discovered the borrowed book isn't here at all."
She had placed elemental markers on every book in the Knights of Favonius library, so it wasn't difficult to sense their locations.
"Little adventurer, let's go. Let's go get the book back." Lisa's fair face showed a calm expression as she spoke.
(End of Chapter)
❇❇❇
You Can Read Up to 15+ Chapters in Advanced
patreon.com/RedX43
❇❇❇
Word Count: 2.4K
