"Wait a minute—that's not how you're supposed to use the Anemo element!"
Venti nearly choked on his drink as he watched Lumine's swirling aura intensify, raw Anemo energy erupting from her in waves that bent the air itself.
Her control was sharp but wild, pushing beyond the elegant balance that defined most Anemo users.
"Lumine, you're forcing the flow too much!" Venti called out, wind rushing around him. "If you keep going like that, you'll tear your elemental veins apart!"
Kael stood nearby, arms crossed, watching calmly. "Maybe that's exactly what she needs," he said.
Venti blinked. "Excuse me?!"
Kael's tone remained even, almost analytical. "For someone chasing strength, there's no single 'right' method to use the wind. The best path is the one that suits you. What Lumine needs right now isn't restraint—it's power."
"That's not power," Venti protested. "That's recklessness! If she loses control of that energy, she'll tear herself apart! And what about her opponent? That kind of compression could obliterate a person—"
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing what Kael already knew.
Lumine wasn't like the mortals of Teyvat.
Her physical body—though sealed—was still built from something beyond this world. Her resilience rivaled that of the Abyss-born, perhaps even demons. Even if she overexerted herself, she would recover.
Kael watched the swirling vortex of wind surrounding her and muttered, "Her body remembers what her mind has forgotten. This path might be dangerous, but it's hers."
Venti sighed, rubbing his temples. "You otherworldly types are insane."
Kael smiled faintly. "Takes one to know another, doesn't it, Archon?"
The next day, within the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, Jean nearly dropped the paperwork she was holding.
"What?! You're leaving tomorrow?"
Kael nodded, adjusting his gloves. "Yes. I've done what I came here to do. The Stormterror crisis is resolved. Mondstadt no longer needs me. The rest is up to you—and your people."
Jean's eyes softened. "But… I haven't even had the chance to properly thank you. You've done so much for Mondstadt. For all of us."
Since Kael's arrival, Jean had barely had a moment to breathe between rebuilding the Knights, managing the crisis, and overseeing the city's defenses. Yet she'd seen firsthand the change he brought—not just in strength, but in morale.
Kael waved it off. "Barbara treated me well enough. That's thanks enough. Besides, you've all grown stronger. I'm not worried."
He smiled. "Besides, we have the chat group. If anything happens, you can contact me instantly."
Jean hesitated, then chuckled softly. "True. That's one benefit of your mysterious little creation."
Still, she couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice. "At least allow me to assign someone to escort you to Liyue."
Kael tilted his head. "You're thinking of Albedo?"
Jean nodded. "Albedo—and Klee."
"Klee?" Kael raised a brow. "Are you sure that's wise?"
Jean sighed. "Mondstadt's still unstable, and the Abyss Order may not be finished with us. Liyue is safer for now. Besides, Klee's talents were invaluable during the battle. But… I'm afraid that may have drawn unwanted attention."
Kael chuckled quietly. "Entrusting Klee to me, huh? You sound like a mother."
Jean froze, her face immediately flushing crimson. "M-Mother?! That's not—! I just meant—"
Kael's grin widened. "Relax, Acting Grand Master. I'll keep her safe. And her bombs."
Jean exhaled, shoulders slumping in relief. "Please do. And for the love of Barbatos, make sure she doesn't blow up any part of Liyue. Especially not Ningguang's Jade Chamber."
Kael smirked. "I'll make sure she only destroys monsters."
Jean groaned quietly. "That's what I said last time, too…"
After leaving the headquarters, Kael stopped by the Church of Favonius. The scent of disinfectant and holy water filled the air as Barbara worked tirelessly, her Hydro Vision glowing faintly while she healed wounded knights and civilians.
When she saw him, her tired face brightened immediately. "Mr. Kael!"
"You're still working?" Kael asked, stepping closer. "I figured you'd be resting after everything."
Barbara smiled gently. "There's still too much to do. Mondstadt needs everyone right now."
He studied her quietly. Despite the fatigue in her eyes, her faith hadn't dimmed. "You seem calmer than I expected," he said. "After what you learned about Barbatos… I thought your faith might be shaken."
Barbara paused for a moment, then smiled with quiet certainty. "Sure, the real Barbatos is… different from what the Church describes. But that's fine. I think that makes him better.
He's not some untouchable deity. He's Venti. He laughs, drinks, gets lazy—but when Mondstadt needed him, he answered. That's what matters."
Kael's expression softened. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Mr. Kael…"
"Hm?"
Without warning, Barbara leaned forward and hugged him. Soft, gentle, warm. "Thank you… for protecting Mondstadt. I'll come find you in Liyue someday!"
Her voice was small but steady. Then, blushing furiously, she darted away, practically fleeing into the cathedral halls.
Kael blinked, momentarily stunned. "Was that… a confession?"
He smiled faintly. "She's adorable."
Still, he thought to himself, Barbara's too young. And too innocent.
He sighed and shook his head. "First Jean, now Barbara. This city's going to make me the villain in someone's romance novel…"
Meanwhile, in the Goethe Hotel, the air shook with rage.
"BASTARD!! BARBATOS!! KAAEEL!! CHILDE!!"
The roar of fury echoed off the walls as La Signora paced across her lavish suite like a storm in heels, shards of ice forming and melting around her.
She had finally returned after Kael's seal was lifted—and immediately discovered what had happened during her absence.
The entire Fatui Embassy in Mondstadt was in shambles. Her agents had suffered massive losses protecting her petrified form.
And to add insult to injury—Kael had sealed her right in front of Mondstadt's gates!
For weeks, people had treated her statue like a public art piece—mocking it, tossing coins at it, even posing for pictures. She had been humiliated.
Her reputation among the Fatui had plummeted, and even worse, Childe had laughed about it.
That smug little brat.
If she hadn't known she couldn't defeat Kael, she would've marched straight to the Cathedral and frozen him solid.
"This is an outrage! That insolent fool!" she screamed, slamming her fist against the marble table. Frost crept outward instantly, cracking the surface. "And that drunken bard! I'll—"
She stopped, catching sight of her reflection in the mirror. Her crimson eyes still burned with hatred—but beneath the fury, a trace of unease flickered.
Kael's strength… was unlike anything she'd faced.
She had seen him annihilate the Golden King Beasts—monsters that could destroy fortresses—and he hadn't even broken a sweat.
Within the Fatui, perhaps only the top three Harbingers—Pierro, Dottore, or Columbina—might be able to stand against him.
And even then… she wasn't certain they'd win.
Grinding her teeth, she whispered coldly to her reflection, "Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Kael.
The Fatui never forgets."
Outside, snow began to fall over Mondstadt—unseasonal, unnatural, and filled with quiet rage.
To be continued