Chapter 3 Guided by the Winds: A Traveler’s Return

Mondstadt

The Temple of the Falcon of the West

Micheal stood inside the freshly restored Temple of the Falcon of the West, gazing at the intricate stonework and towering pillars. The temple was now pristine, radiating an ancient grandeur that hadn't been seen in centuries. Micheal couldn't help but feel satisfied with his work.

"I did a good job, even if it wasn't so profitable," he muttered to himself, still annoyed at the system's stingy divine unit rewards. "Before I tackle something big like this again, I'll have to stockpile a lot more divine power. The system's 'part one' main mission alone will take forever."

Thinking about the vague and daunting long-term mission the system had assigned him, Micheal let out a helpless sigh. "Part one," he mused. "Just how many parts are there? And what's the end goal?" The system had been annoyingly cryptic about the ultimate purpose of the "World Repair System."

Slapping his cheeks lightly, Micheal forced himself to snap out of it. "No use worrying about that now. I bet the next person who visits this temple is going to be shocked out of their mind!" A smirk tugged at his lips as he imagined the stunned reactions of future visitors.

Teyvat was such a strange world, he thought. These temples, with their expansive interiors that seemed like small worlds unto themselves, defied logic. "Who could've created places like this in the first place?" Micheal wondered aloud. "The amount of power and space manipulation it must've taken… but hey, this is Teyvat. Things don't always have to make sense."

As the sky darkened above him, Micheal glanced up at the stars peeking through the trees. "Guess I'll have to sleep in the wilderness again," he muttered. He considered himself the worst time traveler—though, to be fair, that title probably belonged to Lumine, even if she wasn't technically a time traveler. Micheal chuckled at the thought.

Just then, a breeze rustled through the temple, carrying with it a voice that interrupted his rambling thoughts. "Hey," the voice said, casual and playful.

Micheal turned around, his eyes widening when he saw a familiar figure approach. His mouth moved before his brain could catch up: "Tone-deaf bard?"

Standing before him, with his lyre in hand and an amused expression on his face, was none other than Venti, the Anemo Archon in disguise. Upon hearing the nickname, Venti blinked, stunned. "Tone-deaf bard?" he repeated, his voice incredulous. That nickname had been given to him by Paimon, and only a few people knew it.

"I'm not a tone-deaf bard!" Venti protested, though his tone was more playful than offended.

Micheal laughed awkwardly and raised his hands in apology. "I'm sorry, Mr. Bard, it just slipped out."

Venti's eyes narrowed mischievously as he waved it off. "It's fine, though I really need to have a word with Paimon about spreading that around." He strummed his lyre lightly, then looked at Micheal with a curious gleam in his eyes. "But let's not get sidetracked. You… you're not from this world, are you?"

Micheal froze, caught completely off-guard. He hadn't expected Venti, of all people, to call him out so quickly. He had only just restored the temple, and now the Anemo Archon himself was standing before him, casually asking questions that could unravel everything.

After a moment, Micheal sighed and admitted, "Yeah, you're right. I'm not from Teyvat." He looked at Venti with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "How'd you figure that out so easily?"

Venti chuckled, his playful demeanor not changing in the slightest. "I have my ways," he said with a wink, tapping his lyre. "Besides, someone who can restore the Temple of the Falcon of the West like it's a simple chore? That's not something just anyone can do. The winds carry stories, and yours is… well, rather unique."

Micheal rubbed the back of his neck, trying to act casual despite his unease. "So, what now? Are you here to stop me or something?"

Venti smiled warmly, the mischief fading into something more genuine. "Stop you? No, not at all. In fact, I'm rather curious about you and this power of yours. Repairing things… that's not exactly destructive, now is it?" He tilted his head slightly, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Tell me, what's your goal in Teyvat?"

Micheal hesitated, then looked around at the temple, taking in the beautiful restoration he had accomplished. "My goal… is to repair everything that's been broken," he said slowly. "This world has been through a lot, and I've got the power to fix things—whether it's ruins, history, or even something bigger."

Venti's eyes sparkled with interest. "A noble cause," he said softly. "Though, you might find it's not just buildings and ruins that need fixing. There's a lot more broken in this world than meets the eye." His tone was light, but there was a deep wisdom beneath his words that made Micheal pause.

Before Micheal could respond, Venti grinned again, the playful energy returning. "Well, I won't keep you. But if you ever need a drink or a good song, you know where to find me!" With that, the bard turned and started walking toward the temple's exit.

"Wait," Micheal called after him. "How do you know so much about me? And why help?"

Venti glanced back with a mysterious smile. "Let's just say the winds are always watching. As for why… well, who doesn't like seeing things put back together?" He gave a final wave and then disappeared into the night, leaving Micheal standing alone in the restored temple.

Micheal stared after him for a long moment before shaking his head. "Teyvat really is a weird place," he muttered. "And that guy… he's even weirder." But a small smile tugged at his lips as he looked up at the stars.

but seeing him disappear Micheal shouted, "Wait! Bring me back to Mondstadt!", a sudden gust of wind swirled around him. The air picked up under his feet, lifting him off the ground. Micheal's eyes widened as he felt himself being hoisted into the air by an invisible force.

"W-Whoa!" he exclaimed, gripping the strap of his bag tightly as he soared higher into the sky. The winds swirled around him gently, almost like a playful breeze rather than a violent gust. It was as if the very air itself was carrying him back to the city, responding to his request.

Micheal looked down and saw the vast landscape of Mondstadt stretching below him. The towering mountains, lush forests, and winding rivers were breathtaking from this height. He had always loved the world of Teyvat from behind a screen, but seeing it like this—feeling the wind rush past him, seeing the horizon stretch endlessly—it was an entirely different experience.

He let out a nervous laugh. "Is this how Venti travels all the time?" He couldn't help but feel a bit of awe for the bard's power. "Guess I got lucky he's not as mischievous as he seems."

As the wind gently guided him, Micheal soon spotted Mondstadt in the distance. The familiar city walls and windmills came into view, glowing faintly under the moonlight. Before long, the wind began to slow, lowering him toward the ground near the city gates. Micheal landed softly, his feet touching down with barely a sound as the winds dispersed.

He let out a breath of relief, glancing up at the night sky. "Thanks, Venti… I guess." The bard was nowhere to be seen, of course, but Micheal could still feel his presence lingering in the air.

Shaking his head with a smile, Micheal dusted himself off. "That was something else." As he made his way toward the city, he couldn't help but feel like the winds of Teyvat had just carried him into something much larger than a simple temple repair.

After the whirlwind night and unexpected encounter with Venti, Micheal returned to the hotel, eager for a good night's sleep. The bed was just as comfortable as before, and after such an eventful day, he quickly drifted off into a deep slumber. The next morning, after taking a refreshing bath, Micheal felt ready to face another day in Mondstadt. As he was finishing putting on his clothes, he heard a knock at the door, followed by a voice from the other side.

"Sir, you have a visitor downstairs," the hotel staff announced.

Micheal paused, surprised. A visitor? He hadn't been in Mondstadt long, and the only person who might visit him was… well, Venti. But somehow, he doubted the bard would come knocking on his hotel room.

"Give me a minute, I'll be right down," Micheal replied, quickly putting on the rest of his clothes. After a few moments, he made his way downstairs to the lobby. As he reached the bottom of the staircase, his eyes fell on a familiar figure waiting for him by the door: Kaeya, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius.

Micheal blinked in surprise but kept his composure. He had interacted with Kaeya plenty of times in the game, but seeing him in person was different. Kaeya was just as charismatic and sharp as ever, his mismatched eyes gleaming with intrigue. Micheal stepped forward and greeted him politely. "Good morning, sir. How can I help you?"

Kaeya raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. "No need to be so formal," he said in his usual smooth tone. "I'm not here to arrest you, if that's what you're worried about."

Micheal let out a small laugh, though he wasn't entirely sure whether Kaeya was joking or not. The man had a way of keeping you on your toes. "That's good to hear."

After the brief exchange of pleasantries, Kaeya's expression turned more serious, though his smile remained. "I'll get straight to the point. Our Acting Grandmaster, Jean, wishes to speak with you."

Micheal's heart skipped a beat. Jean? The Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius wanted to see him? He hadn't done anything suspicious—at least, not that anyone should know about—so why would she want to meet him? Then again, it had only been a few days since he'd restored the Temple of the Thousand Winds and the Temple of the Falcon of the West.

Trying to remain calm, Micheal nodded. "I see. I'll come along, then."

Kaeya tilted his head slightly, his smile growing just a bit. "Good. She's expecting you at the Knights' headquarters. Shall we?" He gestured toward the door, and Micheal followed him out into the bustling streets of Mondstadt.

After a short walk through the bustling streets of Mondstadt, Micheal and Kaeya arrived at the imposing headquarters of the Knights of Favonius. The building stood tall and proud, its stone walls exuding a sense of strength and purpose. As they entered, Micheal felt a mix of excitement and nervousness at the prospect of meeting Jean and Lisa.

Kaeya led him through the halls, eventually reaching Jean's office. He opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Micheal to enter. The room was cozy yet professional, adorned with various documents and maps spread across Jean's desk. Jean stood in front of her desk, her expression warm yet focused, while Lisa sat casually in a nearby chair, a closed book resting on her lap.

"Thank you for coming, Micheal," Jean said, her voice steady and welcoming.

Micheal swallowed nervously, trying to maintain his composure. "It's no problem. It's quite the experience to be called to the headquarters of the Knights and meet the Acting Grandmaster."

Lisa smiled at him, her usual playful demeanor shining through. "Hello, darling. You've been quite the talk of the town," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Micheal chuckled lightly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Well, no one knows it was me," he replied, glancing between the two women. Despite his nerves, he was intrigued by their presence. "The only reason anyone knows it was me is because a certain bard told you, if I'm recalling correctly."

Jean glanced at Lisa with a brief but knowing look before turning her attention back to Micheal. She gave a small, composed smile, though there was an underlying curiosity in her eyes.

"You're correct," Jean began, her voice calm and authoritative. "The bard, as you've mentioned, did indeed inform us about your… unique abilities." She paused, gauging Micheal's reaction. "Though he did leave out quite a bit, as expected."

Lisa, standing next to Jean with her book still closed, chuckled softly. "Venti always enjoys keeping some mystery in the air, doesn't he? But darling," she said, looking directly at Micheal, "you've certainly caught our attention with your recent deeds. Restoring both the Thousand Winds Temple and the Temple of the Falcon of the West, and with such precision... it's not something we can simply overlook."

Micheal shifted slightly, feeling the weight of their gazes. He knew they were both powerful figures within Mondstadt, and being under their scrutiny was a bit unnerving. But he managed to keep his composure, despite the nervous flutter in his chest. "I'm just… a traveler trying to help out where I can," Micheal said, keeping his tone light. "The temples were in disrepair, and I happened to have the means to fix them. It didn't feel right to leave them like that."

Jean nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, and for that, we are grateful. However, what you've done isn't something an ordinary traveler could achieve. The precision, the speed, and the fact that no one has been able to repair those temples for years—there's something special about you, Micheal."

Kaeya, who had been leaning casually against the wall, chimed in with his usual playful tone. "Our Acting Grandmaster has a point. You're no ordinary visitor, are you? You came to Mondstadt quietly, but now everyone's whispering about the mysterious restorer. Even the people are starting to speculate if you're an Adeptus from Liyue or some hidden guardian of Mondstadt."

Micheal felt his pulse quicken. He had been careful not to draw too much attention, but it seemed that his efforts weren't as discreet as he'd hoped. Clearing his throat, he replied, "I wouldn't say I'm anything like that. I'm not from Liyue or any hidden place. I'm… just someone with a gift, you could say."

Jean crossed her arms, her gaze steady but not unfriendly. "Regardless of where you're from, the fact remains that you possess extraordinary abilities. Abilities that could either benefit or endanger Mondstadt, depending on how they're used."

Micheal's stomach knotted slightly at her words, but he nodded. "I understand. I don't have any intention of causing trouble. I'm just… doing what I can."

Lisa stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "And that's exactly why we'd like to learn more about you, darling. What exactly is the source of this power you wield? Is it something bestowed upon you? A vision, perhaps?"

Micheal hesitated. He couldn't exactly tell them the full truth about the World Repair System. Not only would it sound insane, but he wasn't sure how they would react to something so foreign to their world. He had to choose his words carefully.

"It's not a vision," Micheal finally said. "It's more like an ancient power that I stumbled upon. It allows me to repair things, as you've seen. The more I use it, the more I understand its capabilities. But it's not something that's dangerous… not unless I want it to be."

Jean's expression softened slightly. "I see. It's certainly a rare gift, and one that could greatly benefit Mondstadt. However, I have to ask—what are your intentions here? You've already done so much, and yet we know very little about you."

Micheal could feel the tension in the room as all eyes were on him. He took a deep breath before answering. "My only intention is to help. I don't plan on staying here forever, but while I'm in Mondstadt, I want to make sure I leave it better than I found it. That's all."

Jean seemed to consider his words carefully. After a moment, she nodded. "Thank you for your honesty, Micheal. For now, we'll take your actions at face value, but we'll be keeping an eye on things. If you need any assistance or resources for your repairs, do not hesitate to come to us."

Lisa smiled warmly. "And if you ever need someone to talk to about the mysteries of ancient powers, I'd be happy to help, darling."

Kaeya gave a sly grin. "Just don't go vanishing into thin air like our friend Venti. We like to keep track of our interesting visitors."

Micheal looked around the room, feeling the weight of their attention. He could sense the curiosity radiating from Jean and Kaeya, and the playful yet serious interest from Lisa.

"I don't need any resources, thanks for wanting to help, but there's really no need for it," he said, glancing at Kaeya. "As for keeping track, well, it depends on if you can."

Kaeya chuckled, leaning back against the wall with a nonchalant demeanor. "Touché, traveler. You seem to have a way of slipping through our fingers. But I assure you, we're quite resourceful when it comes to keeping an eye on our visitors."

Micheal nodded, appreciating Kaeya's lightheartedness despite the seriousness of the situation. "If you need me to repair something, you can always call me, though I may not always be here."

"Good to know," Jean replied, a hint of relief in her voice. "It's reassuring to have someone like you around, especially with the recent troubles in Mondstadt."

Then, shifting his attention to Lisa, Micheal felt a strange mix of hesitance and urgency. "Miss Lisa, can you give me your hand for a moment?" he asked, his tone sincere.

Lisa raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her lips. "Oh, darling, that may be too fast."

Dumbfounded, Micheal quickly clarified, "It's not like that! Remember, I can repair almost everything, and with my power, I can see your lifespan. It's, um, I think you should know. I don't want to expose your secrets, but I can repair it."

The atmosphere in the room shifted as Lisa's expression turned serious. She looked at him thoughtfully, her playful demeanor fading slightly. "You can see my lifespan?" she asked, a mix of intrigue and caution in her voice.

Micheal nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Yes. When I was repairing the temples, I discovered I could sense the life energy of things and people. Your lifespan is… it's been affected, hasn't it?"

Lisa's eyes narrowed, considering his offer. "It's true. My lifespan was cut short by a certain incident involving a cursed book," she admitted, her tone losing some of its usual lightness. "But it's a part of who I am now. I've learned to accept it."

Jean looked between the two altoigh she dosnt know what really going and plans to ask lisa about later she still, her concern evident. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to, Lisa. It's your choice."

Micheal could see the conflict in Lisa's expression. "I understand that, but I'm offering to help you. If you'd let me, I could restore some of that lost time."

Kaeya, leaning casually against the wall, watched the exchange with a bemused expression. "This is quite the unexpected development. A traveler with the power to repair lives, how poetic."

Lisa raised her hand, contemplating the proposal. "It's not something I take lightly, Micheal. There's a price for meddling with fate, even if you have the ability to do so. I've come to terms with my situation."

"But you shouldn't have to live with it if there's a chance to change it," Micheal pressed gently. "You've helped so many people in Mondstadt. Let me help you in return."

After a moment of silence, Lisa sighed, her playful demeanor returning just a bit. "You're persistent, aren't you? Very well, darling. If you truly believe you can help, then I will let you try. But I want you to understand that it could have consequences."

Micheal nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I'm ready to take that risk if it means helping you."

Jean looked at them both, her expression firm yet supportive. "Then let's proceed carefully. We'll be here to support you, Micheal."

With Lisa's hand in his, Micheal could feel the energy flowing between them, a strange connection forming as he prepared to use his powers. He could sense the broken strands of her lifespan, tangled and frayed, and he focused intently, channeling his divine power into the task ahead. "Just trust me," he said, and with that, he began the intricate process of repair.

As Micheal focused on the broken strands of Lisa's lifespan, he could see the damage clearly. The threads were frayed and cut, shimmering faintly as they slowly faded, like wisps of smoke dissolving into the air. It was evident that Lisa's strength had kept her from disappearing completely, but the reality was still alarming.

System Alert: Spend 600 divine power.

Micheal felt a pang in his chest at the notification. His heart felt as if it were bleeding. Though he still had 19,000 units of divine power, this wasn't a standard task where he would recover rewards. This was personal—a chance to build trust and friendship with the people he had come to admire in this world. A little sacrifice was necessary for the greater good.

Micheal to the System: Yes, spend.

With his mental confirmation, he felt the familiar rush of energy as the system processed the command. He concentrated on Lisa's hand, focusing on the intricate web of life threads. As he poured his divine power into the repair process, he visualized the strands weaving back together, gaining strength and vitality.

A warm glow enveloped Lisa's hand, spreading up her arm as the energy coursed through her. Micheal could see the strands slowly regaining their color, becoming more vibrant as the faded edges mended. He poured more of himself into the task, feeling the strain but pushing through.

"Just a little more…" he murmured under his breath, sweat beading on his forehead as he concentrated. He could sense Lisa's energy responding, intertwining with his own as their life forces began to resonate.

Jean and Kaeya watched in silence, the tension in the room palpable. Jean's expression was a mix of concern and hope, while Kaeya leaned forward, his interest piqued.

After what felt like an eternity, Micheal finally felt the final thread snap back into place, like a taut string finally returning to its original shape. A wave of relief washed over him as he pulled his energy back, stepping away to catch his breath.

Lisa's eyes widened as she felt the change. "I… I feel different," she said softly, her voice a mix of disbelief and awe.

Micheal smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It worked. You should be feeling more energetic now. Your lifespan is restored, at least partially."

"Partially?" Lisa echoed, her tone suddenly serious. "How much did you manage to restore?"

Micheal hesitated, unsure how much to disclose. "I could sense the damage was significant. I don't know how much time you've regained, but it should be enough to ease the pressure you've felt."

Lisa took a moment to process his words. "Thank you, Micheal. This means more to me than you realize. It's not just about the time lost, but the knowledge that I have the potential to continue my work without the looming shadow of an early end."