Selling the bikes had been the easy part. Teaching people how to use them—and making sure they didn't give up after the first fall—that was where things would collapse if he wasn't careful. If someone failed, they wouldn't blame themselves. They'd blame the invention.
He also needed someone who could handle repairs. Tires would lose air. Gears would wear down, bend, or fail. In Teyvat, most people didn't even know what a bicycle tire was, much less how it was supposed to be fixed.
I'll have to teach whoever I hire everything from scratch.
[Luckily, you have me.]
[Spare tires. Tire inflator. Full bicycle repair kit.]
[Honestly, Henry, what would you do without me?]
Henry sighed as he locked the shop door behind him.
Yes, yes. Thank you, Orianna.
With that settled, he headed toward the Adventurers' Guild. If there was one place in Mondstadt where people gathered between jobs, it was there.
Near the fountain, someone caught his eye.
A young man lounged against the stone rim, flicking a pebble into the water and watching the ripples fade. He wasn't asleep, and he wasn't drunk. Just… waiting. Sad in a way that suggested he wanted something to happen, but didn't know how to start it.
"Looking for work?"
The pebble slipped from the man's fingers. He straightened abruptly, eyes widening as if he'd been caught doing something illegal.
"W–work? Me?" He glanced around, then pointed at himself. "What kind of work?"
Henry stopped a few steps away, hands in his pockets. "Teaching."
The word immediately drew confusion.
"Teaching… what?"
"A one-man carriage," Henry said lightly. "Two wheels. Faster than a normal carriage."
The man frowned. "One-man carriage?"
Henry chuckled under his breath and gestured for him to follow. "Come on. I'll show you."
They moved away from the main road, towards the main exit of Mondstadt gates.
Henry removes a bike from his storage space.
The young man stopped short.
"That's… not a carriage."
"No," Henry agreed, resting a hand on the seat. "It's a one-man carriage. But Faster. I call it a bike."
The man circled it once, eyes tracing the wheels, the chain, the pedals. "It looks fragile."
"It isn't."
Henry straightened. "You'll get this one as part of the job."
The words landed harder than expected.
"I—what?"
"No Mora for the bike," Henry continued. "You keep the bike. Learn to ride it first. Once you're comfortable, you teach others." He paused, then added, "There's more. I'll also train you in maintenance—changing tires, adjusting gears, inflating wheels. Mornings, you teach riding outside the city. Afternoons, you stay at the shop and handle repairs."
The young man stared at the bike as if it might disappear.
"…And I get paid?"
"Yes."
"…For both?"
"Yes."
Silence stretched.
"I'm Anthony," he said finally, reaching out to grip the handlebars, knuckles whitening. "And I accept."
Henry smiled. "Good. Let's start."
He steadied the bike and demonstrated first—how to mount, where to place feet, how to balance without stiffening up.
"Don't fight it," he instructed, walking backward as he held the seat. "Relax your grip. Let the bike move. Small turns. Smooth pedaling."
Anthony nodded like his life depended on it.
The first attempt lasted less than three seconds.
The bike wobbled violently, Anthony flailed, and Henry had to catch him before he face-planted onto the stones.
"Again," Henry said calmly.
The second attempt went slightly better. The third ended with Anthony skidding sideways and landing on his shoulder.
A few pedestrians slowed to watch.
"Okay," Henry said, clapping once. "Pedal faster. Speed helps balance."
Anthony tried. The bike lurched forward, swayed wildly—and then, somehow, held.
He rolled a few meters.
Five.
Seven.
Then gravity won, and he toppled over.
Henry laughed, reaching down to pull him up. "Not bad. You're already better than some adults."
Anthony groaned but grinned anyway. "I'll get it. Eventually."
"That's the spirit." Henry clapped his shoulder again. "Keep practicing. Today you learn how it feels. Soon, you teach others."
Anthony patted the bike like a treasure. "I won't let you down."
Henry nodded once and turned back toward the city.
By late afternoon, Henry returned to the shop to start lessons with Mona and Alina.
He stepped aside and pointed toward the slight slope at the beginning of the front road outside Mondstadt.
"Continue what you were doing yesterday, but today I won't be helping you. Use that slope. Let the bike carry you a little. Gain confidence on your own."
Alina nodded, jaw tightening as she rolled the bike into position. She adjusted her grip, inhaled once, and pushed off. The slope did its work—momentum came easier this time. Her pedals turned steadily, her balance held. A brief wobble, a sharp correction, and then she was moving forward without hesitation.
Henry watched for only a moment before looking away, a faint smile tugging at his lips. She learned fast when left alone.
His attention shifted to Mona.
Curiosity and unease flickered across her face as she circled the bike once, fingers hovering uncertainly above the metal frame.
To show her, Henry mounted the bike and glided down the cobblestone road, circling for a short stretch before returning. He slowed smoothly, stopping beside her, feet touching the ground with practiced ease.
Mona's eyes followed every movement.
"Your turn."
She hesitated, then climbed on carefully. The moment she tried to pedal, the bike lurched. She wobbled violently and toppled to the ground almost at once.
Red-faced, she sat there for a heartbeat before looking up. "I… I'm hopeless."
Henry laughed softly and reached forward, patting her head. "It took me three days to learn. You'll get it. Let's adjust your seat so your feet can touch the ground properly."
Mona, flustered by the headpat, didn't protest.
He lowered the seat, guided her hands back to the handlebars, and steadied the bike as she pushed off again. This time, he walked alongside her, keeping it balanced.
The change was immediate.
Mona's eyes widened as the bike rolled forward. "It's moving! I'm… I'm doing it!"
Henry jogged beside her, hands close, occasionally steadying the frame. His focus narrowed entirely to her balance and posture.
That was when a clear, sharp voice cut through the moment.
"Henry, what are you doing?"
He looked up.
Eula stood a short distance away, arms crossed, weight shifted to one leg. Her expression was composed, but her gaze lingered pointedly on his hands—still hovering near Mona's back.
Henry's face brightened. "Eula. I am teaching Mona how to ride."
Eula's eyes flicked briefly to Mona, then returned to him. "Only teaching her? Not me?"
From farther down the road, Alina slowed her bike and smirked, amusement dancing plainly across her face.
Henry noticed and raised his hands in mock surrender. "I didn't mean to exclude you. You were busy and work hard as a captain so I didn't approach you just yet. You can learn right now if you want."
Eula stepped closer, nodding. Henry reached into his system space and placed another bike on the road in front of her.
"This is the contraption," he explained calmly. "I call it a bike. It's like a one-man carriage. It helps you travel faster, more efficiently."
He mounted it again and rode down the road, demonstrating controlled turns and smooth stops before returning.
"Now it's your turn. Same as Mona—feet on pedals, gentle grip, small turns. I'll help you balance."
Eula mounted the bike with military precision. She pedaled cautiously, Henry keeping pace beside her, steadying it lightly. When his hand brushed her back, she stiffened for a fraction of a second—then relaxed, a quiet warmth settling where his hand was.
Henry glanced toward Alina. She had nearly mastered the basics now, her handlebars wobbling only slightly.
Eula gained confidence quickly. After a few more passes, she waved him off and tried riding on her own. Henry stayed close, one hand hovering just behind her, letting her find the balance herself.
Alina noticed everything. She raised an eyebrow—twice—her teasing grin widening. Henry ignored her completely, eyes fixed on Eula's form.
By evening, all three girls were exhausted but satisfied.
Mona wiped sweat from her brow, giggling. "That was… harder than I expected. But fun!"
Eula adjusted her hair, still faintly flushed. "Thank you for teaching me."
Henry chuckled. "You're my friend, aren't you, Eula? No need to thank me."
Eula, more relaxed now, invited Mona and Alina to dinner.
Henry folded his arms, feigning offense. "And me? Am I not invited?"
Alina laughed and nudged him. "You're not a girl, silly. Girls' night is just us tonight."
Henry watched them head off together, hands slipping into his pockets as he exhaled quietly. With nothing else pulling at him for the evening, his steps drifted in another direction.
His steps turned toward Angel's Share. He'd heard enough about Dandelion Wine—in the game and otherwise—to be curious.
Warm light from the lanterns spilled across the tavern, mingling with low chatter and the occasional clink of glasses, giving the room a distinctly medieval fantasy charm. Henry ordered a simple meal and slid onto a seat near the bar.
As his gaze settled, he noticed someone familiar standing behind the counter—silent, composed, red eyes sharp even at rest.
The man's attention was already on him, curiosity faint but unmistakable in his measured stare.
Omg. THE Diluc. The Batman of Mondstadt.
He does look a little handsome though.
[Ohh, you are also attracted to men now?]
no—NO. Definitely NOT. Handsome in a non-homo way, Orianna.
He was my first five-star character in the game. Of course I'm geeking out.
After finishing and paying for his meal, Henry walked back through Mondstadt's streets.
When he reached his shop, Alina was waiting outside, a small smile already on her face.
"How was your girls' night?" he asked, leaning against the doorway.
Her grin widened. "It was… fun. It's a pity. If you were a girl though you could come."
She turned toward her room. "Goodnight, Henry."
"Goodnight, Alina."
---
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