Amber’s Brave Chant

Amber gaped at the sky outside Galehaven Comics, her jaw slack as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon loomed above, its massive silver form casting a shadow over the alley. "No way—Eula calls this fake when it's got a body that huge, a vibe that intense, and pressure that could crush you?"

If some random Mondstadter stumbled here, they'd collapse in terror—this dragon felt too real, its presence a visceral punch to her scout's senses.

Barbara, Lisa, and Fischl mirrored her awe, their eyes locked on the beast, its majesty defying the idea that it was mere illusion.

The Lady, still reeling from Harlan's earlier display, muttered under her breath, "If these monsters were real fighters, Her Majesty's ambitions could sweep Teyvat unchallenged."

She'd come out of curiosity, not expecting a dragon this staggering—imagine Solstice commanding an army of them, rendering Stormterror a footnote.

Harlan watched Eula fiddle with her Duel Disk, a smile tugging at his lips. "Once others snag this reward, you can duel them—monsters are cool, but the real fun's in the card clashes."

He pictured it—deck strategies unfolding, monsters clashing in vivid projections—a game that could catch fire across Mondstadt, boosting his shop's draw.

Barbara's face lit up, her voice eager. "Really? Then I'm in tomorrow—those creatures look amazing, and battling with them sounds like a blast!"

"I'm joining too—let's square off when we get the chance!" Amber chimed in, her enthusiasm surging past her earlier Fly Card woes.

"Deal," Eula agreed, a rare grin breaking her icy reserve—she loved this reward, a new spark of joy for a life once ruled by sword drills.

She mused silently, "I'll write Yanfei about this later—share the fun with her; she'd get a kick out of these duels."

Harlan nodded inwardly, pleased—Yu-Gi-Oh spreading as a pastime could turn Galehaven into a hub, its fame growing with every match.

Lisa smirked, nudging Amber with a playful wink. "Your turn, little scout—let's see that magic wand in action!"

Barbara, Eula, and even the Lady turned expectant gazes her way, eager for the show after Eula's dragon stole their breath.

Amber cleared her throat, her cheeks flaming as she stepped into the alley's center. "Alright, here goes nothing!"

She gripped the Sealing Key in her right hand, shut her eyes tight, and channeled Sakura from the comic, her voice ringing with solemn intent. "O key shrouded in darkness, unveil thy true power before me!"

The key floated upward, a golden magic circle emblazoned with sun and moon blooming beneath her feet, its glow bathing the alley in ethereal light.

"By the pact we've forged, I, Amber, command thee—release the seal!" she cried, flinging her arms forward as the circle pulsed.

Golden streams of magic spiraled from the ground, surging into the key, which stretched and morphed into a sleek pink wand, elegant and brimming with power.

She wasn't done—grabbing the Fly Card with her left hand, she spun the wand with a determined flourish, her expression steely despite her racing heart.

"Fly!" she shouted, tapping the card with the wand's tip, and twin white feathers sprouted from its head, shimmering with flight's promise.

"Whew, it actually worked!" Amber exhaled, relief flooding her as she admired the transformed wand, its feathers swaying gently in the breeze.

She glanced at her friends for reactions, only to find Eula staring wide-eyed, Barbara equally stunned, their faces frozen in shock.

Lisa coughed into her hand, suppressing a grin, while Fischl stayed inside, lost in her comic—unaware of the scene she'd have reveled in.

The Lady, unimpressed or perhaps overwhelmed, retreated back into the shop, her stoic mask hiding whatever she felt about Amber's display.

They'd finally grasped her earlier dread—those dramatic lines and twirls were a mortifying spectacle, a performance only Fischl could pull off without blinking.

"Boss, how'd I do?" Amber asked, turning to Harlan first, her voice small but hopeful now that the deed was done.

She'd shouted the words, bared her soul—might as well own it, thick skin and all, and seek his verdict.

"Really well done," Harlan said, flashing a thumbs-up, his tone earnest—forget the theatrics, her guts deserved applause.

He knew more rewards like this loomed ahead; scaring her off now would dampen the shop's vibe, so encouragement it was.

"Sister Lisa, your take?" Amber pivoted, eyeing the librarian leaning casually against the wall, craving her input too.

"Not bad at all—you nailed the comic's vibe, cutie," Lisa replied, her cough masking a chuckle as she offered a nod of support.

She thanked her stars her own Thunder Card hadn't demanded such flair—using it would've clashed too hard with her laid-back style.

Barbara and Eula bobbed their heads in agreement, but their stifled smiles gave them away, amusement twinkling in their eyes.

Eula hid a surge of relief—her Duel Disk spared her this public ordeal; she'd have balked at chanting anything so over-the-top herself.

***

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