"Mr. Qin Yu, could you come closer... I'm a little scared."
The words had barely fallen when a silence descended.
"Closer?"
Qin Yu murmured subconsciously.
"Mm."
The girl pursed her lips, lowering her head slightly, a hint of shyness in her demeanor.
Such a childlike request...
She hoped she wouldn't be laughed at.
The girl clutched the hem of her skirt with her small hands, her anxiety returning.
But fortunately, the time for her wild thoughts didn't last long.
"Alright, Miss Nilou."
Qin Yu smiled and moved to Nilou's side.
Protecting a lovely girl was a duty he, Qin, would not shirk.
Not for any ulterior motive, just pure helpfulness.
"Thank you, Mr. Qin Yu."
Nilou whispered, a slight smile gracing her lips.
Another silence followed.
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow; the atmosphere felt a little off.
Miss Nilou was still too easily flustered.
Thinking this, he smiled gently.
"Did you come to Inazuma alone?"
Let's change the subject and ease the mood.
The Bathysmal Vishap? Let it keep lying there.
"No, I'm with other friends."
Nilou blinked, a smile on her face.
It was Miss Yelan, a very kind person.
Unfortunately, after reminding her not to reveal her whereabouts, she had disappeared.
Where could she have gone?
"Miss Nilou's friends? I'd like to meet them."
Qin Yu smiled, not thinking much of it.
"Just call me Nilou, Mr. Qin Yu."
"Then what did you just call me?"
"...Mr. Qin Yu."
"Think again?"
"Qin, Qin Yu."
...
Just as the two were gradually becoming more familiar with each other.
"What are they talking about that's so amusing?"
Keqing crossed her arms, her gaze suspicious.
Her gut instinct told her something was amiss.
"Probably some interesting topics."
Yoimiya counted the ingredients she had on hand, nodding with satisfaction.
Yes, she had bought everything Qin Yu liked.
After working so hard outside, he needed to nourish his body.
"Interesting topics?" Keqing asked curiously.
"Like how big and strong they are."
Yoimiya nodded as if it were obvious, counting on her fingers.
"Wha-what...!"
Keqing's face flushed instantly, and she bristled.
While it was true that it was large...
She shouldn't say it directly here!
And besides, why was Nilou discussing such things with Qin Yu?
Wait a minute.
Keqing, the cat, suddenly hit a blind spot, her beautiful eyes widening.
Had Yoimiya experienced it before??
This was too much information.
"Right, the Bathysmal Vishap is a legendary monster after all."
Yoimiya nodded matter-of-factly, then looked at Keqing strangely.
Why was she blushing?
"I...!"
Keqing stammered.
It was all Qin Yu's fault.
After that time with him, she hadn't...
She felt herself becoming strange.
"Oh right, Ayaka is also preparing a surprise for Nilou."
Yoimiya said mysteriously, without thinking much of it.
She absolutely couldn't let Nilou know.
"A surprise?"
Keqing patted her face, trying to calm herself down.
Speaking of which, Ayaka and Nilou's relationship was indeed very good.
They seemed to be developing into close friends.
"After all, they have so much in common."
Yoimiya attempted a dance move, swaying precariously and nearly losing her balance.
"..."
Keqing glanced at Yoimiya's bouncing chest and tutted.
That size was simply too unfair.
"It's a shame Ayaka and Hiiragi Senkai still have to work."
The lively girl stuck out her tongue in regret.
If only everyone could go shopping together, how much fun would that be!
Qin felt a chill run down his back.
"Hmph, with so many people, can Qin Yu handle it?"
Keqing snorted proudly, a hint of displeasure in her voice.
When there were many people, they had to take turns.
She was referring to their previous video calls.
"Hmm... speaking of which, where is Sister Candace?"
Yoimiya stood on her tiptoes, looking around.
She had seen her just a moment ago, it was strange.
"Probably discussing business."
Keqing thought of the aloof woman with silvery-grey hair.
She even claimed to be the owner of Candace's Toy Shop.
So mysterious.
...
At another end of the street.
The two toy merchants from Snezhnaya.
"He is indeed different."
The Tsaritsa said softly, gazing at Qin Yu's retreating back.
"Did you notice something?"
Sandrone blinked, her heart full of curiosity.
She had never seen Her Majesty the Tsaritsa place such importance on someone.
She felt a strange sense of pride.
How about that, leader, this is the 'cabbage' she's set her sights on.
"Authority, and not just one kind."
The Tsaritsa shook her head slightly, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion.
The sealing of the Bathysmal Vishap was the Electro Archon's authority.
And that verdant life aura was the Dendro Archon's authority.
If one day he were to gather all seven Archons, or even...
"..."
A slight smile played on the Tsaritsa's lips.
Qin Yu, how many more secrets do you hold?
But... it's fine.
Once I bring you back to the Palace of Vere, and completely conquer you.
We will get to know each other slowly.
"Not just one kind of authority, then your collection of the Gnosis...!"
Sandrone murmured, her voice laced with astonishment.
Her partner was truly formidable.
"We'll discuss it when he becomes a god."
"As for now..."
The Tsaritsa smiled, like ice melting in spring.
She had decided to observe Qin Yu a little longer.
After all, that red-haired girl was also extraordinary.
Wanting to conquer the Bathysmal Vishap and turn it into a war machine?
The Tsaritsa seemed to have seen through Qin Yu's intentions.
...
Meanwhile.
"?"
Qin Yu's eyelids twitched. He suddenly had the feeling of being watched.
Why was the air so chilly.
"Qin Yu?"
The girl's sweet voice called out, drawing him back to reality.
Nilou stood beside Qin Yu, her gaze full of concern.
"It's fine, let's begin."
Qin Yu smiled, indicating that Nilou could approach the Bathysmal Vishap.
"Mm!"
Nilou nodded, then looked at the Bathysmal Vishap before her.
The power of the God of Flowers...
Could it allow her to befriend the Bathysmal Vishap?
*Crack.*
Nilou tentatively took a step forward, her foot crunching on the shattered ice.
The faint sound was exceptionally jarring in the silent air.
"Roar—"
Blood-red beastly eyes snapped open.
A low growl emanated, bringing with it a suffocating pressure.
The lithe girl appeared minuscule against the hill-sized Bathysmal Vishap.
"..."
Nilou looked up, a radiant divine light shining in her eyes.
She could definitely do it.
"..."
Qin Yu watched as Nilou reached out to touch the Bathysmal Vishap, his heart heavy.
He could see the girl's nervousness.
Could communicating with a monster truly succeed?
But clearly, his worries were unfounded.
"Good boy..."
A dreamlike radiance bloomed from Nilou's hand, gently stroking the Bathysmal Vishap's head.
Soon, a surprising scene unfolded.
The Bathysmal Vishap, which had been bloodthirsty and agitated, slowly lowered its head.
It gradually calmed down.
"Hello." Nilou said softly.
"Roar—"
The Bathysmal Vishap growled again, but its hostility was gone.
Nilou stroked the obedient Bathysmal Vishap, a look of joy on her face.
She turned to Qin Yu, her eyes sparkling.
Finally, she could...!
"Nilou, you succeeded."
Qin Yu murmured, his heart filled with surprise.
This ability to communicate with living beings was of great significance.
Now it was just one Bathysmal Vishap.
What if there were two, three, or even more?
Such a scene...
Just as Qin Yu's breathing began to quicken.
"Qin Yu, thank you."
Nilou walked towards Qin Yu with light steps.
Hesitating, she seemed to have something to say.
"Nilou?"
Qin Yu looked at the girl who was drawing closer, a smile on his face.
Why was she thanking him?
"Without your warmth, I couldn't have successfully communicated with the Bathysmal Vishap."
Nilou cupped the verdant light in her palm, her eyes soft.
So, Qin Yu could truly help her.
Then...
The girl took a deep breath and made a decision.
"Please let me be your student!"
"...?"
Qin Yu gazed at the beautiful girl before him, his eyes widening slowly.
In his ears, her expectant voice echoed.
Qin gradually came to his senses.
He was going to be a teacher again?
...
Wait, why did he say 'again'?