Chapter 27 Learning Magic and Returning to Wangshu Inn

[Currently, the Qianyan Army's defense line is in the southern part of Luhuachi, while Wuwangpo is on the border between Liyue and Mondstadt. This means that, despite enduring a month and a half of hardship to reach Liyue Harbor, you now have to return to the Mondstadt border before even staying there for a week.]

[The only good news is that you'll pass by Wangshu Inn on the way to Wuwang Hill, so you can check if the girl you saved is still there.]

[Throughout your journey, you've relied on your sharp intuition and the wilderness survival skills your father taught you as a child to stay safe. After traveling for about half a month, Boyang suddenly asked you if you were interested in learning immortal arts.]

["Immortal arts?" You turned to look at Boyang, who was walking behind you. "Isn't it true that only immortals can use immortal arts?" You're not extremely familiar with Liyue's customs, but you know this common fact.]

["Not exactly. It's not the same magic used by immortals but a simplified version. To be precise, it's a type of spell or Yin-Yang magic," Boyang explained.]

[After Boyang's explanation, you understand that immortal arts differ from regular magic. During the Demon God War, while the emperor and immortals protected Liyue's civilians, the elusive monsters still posed a significant threat. An ancestor of Liyue hoped that humans could master a form of immortal arts, leading to collaboration with an immortal to develop magic accessible to humans.]

["In theory, anyone can learn these spells, but they require talismans to be effective. Without talismans, the spells lose much of their power," Boyang added.]

["If everyone can learn them in theory, why aren't more people in Liyue practicing? It seems like you're the only one using spells on the battlefield," you asked.]

[Boyang sighed and replied, "While it's theoretically possible for everyone to learn, most people lack the talent and can only reach the most basic level. At best, they can make simple talismans to ward off evil spirits, and their effectiveness is limited. This eliminates most people."]

["After the Demon God War, Liyue has been peaceful and prosperous. People prefer to focus on business rather than spending time and energy learning magic. Over time, the number of people who can use magic in Liyue has declined."]

[Boyang looked a bit melancholic as he spoke.]

["You mentioned that people without talent can only stay at the basic level. Do you think I have talent?" you inquired.]

["I'm not sure," Boyang admitted, shaking his head. "But I've observed you closely, and your heightened sensitivity to danger is remarkable. This suggests you might have some talent for magic, which is why I made the suggestion."]

Indeed, in this simulation life, my sensitivity to danger is unusually high.

[Tsumugi Kujo nodded to herself, recalling how she sensed the danger of the magic dragon Durin when even the elite Knights of Favonius did not. Her sensitivity to danger sometimes felt like a form of "predicting the future."]

[Believing that acquiring more skills is better than having fewer, you agreed to learn magic from Boyang. Over the next month and a half, you traveled with Boyang during the day and studied magic under his guidance at night.]

[After half a month, your talent began to show. You mastered various spells, from basic exorcisms to more complex ones like detection and eavesdropping.]

[Today, while cleaning your armor and mask by the river, you discovered they were stained with too much monster blood. The once silver-white armor was now black, and the flower given to you by the girl at Wangshu Inn had also turned black. You're concerned about what she will think when she sees the flower in such a state.]

[Feeling guilty, you decide to apologize to the girl in person once you arrive at Wangshu Inn.]

[After resting, you and Boyang continued your journey and soon reached Wangshu Inn.]

[You met the girl you had saved before. You apologized for not taking better care of the flower she gave you.]

[To your surprise, she didn't seem disappointed. Instead, she looked very pleased.]

["I'm not sad, Sir Knight," she said with a bright smile. "I'm glad to see you cherished the flower so much that it got stained by monster blood."]

["I'm happy that it feels like I'm always with you."]

[She kissed the petals of the blackened flower and handed it back to you.]

[Even though it was still noon, Boyang noticed the girl you knew and suggested you rest for a few days before continuing. You agreed, recognizing the need for a break after months of wilderness travel. You spent the day with the girl, whose innocence and liveliness reminded you of Rosalyne back in Sumeru. With the Grass God fallen and Sumeru in chaos, you worried about her well-being but reassured yourself that you would reunite in the future.]

[After spending several hours outside, you returned to Wangshu Inn late in the evening. That night, Boyang came to your room with something to discuss.]

[Boyang proposed setting up your intelligence organization's base at Wangshu Inn. It's distant from Liyue Harbor's complex political scene and is a key transportation hub. Travelers from Mondstadt must pass through Dihua Marsh, and Wangshu Inn offers a view of most of Dihua Marsh. Those heading to Guili Plains also pass by Wangshu Inn. If someone avoids it, they must take the dangerous route through Mingyun Village and Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain, which is a less desirable option.]

[Considering Boyang's points, you were about to write a letter to Zhongli when a girl suddenly appeared at the door, holding a tray with bread and dried meat for dinner. Her eyes were wide, and her lips were slightly parted, as if she had overheard something extraordinary.]

[Both you and Boyang immediately recognized the tension in the room.]