Chapter 2: No Way, There Really Is a Different World
Lumine still harbored a healthy dose of skepticism, but Paimon's logic was the most grounded theory they had at the moment.
Closing her eyes briefly, she reached out with her consciousness, mimicking the mental link she used to operate the Akasha Terminal back in Sumeru. The holographic interface responded instantly, shifting its display to reveal three distinct options: [Group Announcement], [Group Members], and [Group Functions].
"It really is a device similar to the Akasha, but the architecture feels different." Lumine's curiosity easily overpowered her caution. "Do the people of Natlan communicate this way? I wonder if the functions are the same..."
She directed her focus, mentally tapping on [Group Members].
A sleek drop-down menu materialized in the air:
[Administrator · Stelle] - Status: Offline / Do Not Disturb (In deep sleep)
[Administrator · The Boss] - Status: Online
[Administrator · Proxy] - Status: Online
"Eh, such strange titles. Why am I called 'The Boss'?" Lumine muttered, crossing her arms in mild offense. "It sounds like some fierce bandit leader. I'm not that terrifying."
Paimon floated closer, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Uh... considering we've been wanted criminals in Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru... that title actually fits you perfectly."
Lumine turned around, grabbed Paimon out of the air, and squished the little guide's cheeks together. "Whose side are you on? You are supposed to agree that the name doesn't suit me, not complain that it is actually accurate!"
After a brief session of playful bickering and cheek-pulling, Lumine released Paimon and turned her attention back to the floating chat group.
"Stelle? That sounds like a name from Fontaine," Lumine murmured in confusion, scanning the rest of the list. "And... Proxy?"
She turned to her floating companion. "Paimon, have you heard of a profession or title called 'Proxy' in Natlan?"
Paimon scratched her white hair, her face scrunching up in thought. "Proxy? How strange. The system's literal translation notes say it means 'Rope Artisan'... but we have so little information about Natlan, I have never heard of such a job."
Just then, a notification chime echoed in Lumine's mind, and a message popped up on the main screen.
[Administrator · Proxy]: "Hello everyone? Excuse me... can you see this? This blue light screen, does anyone know what it is? It seems like something is wrong on my end, it keeps blocking my vision! Also, where is this? And what is a 'Cross-Dimensional Chat Group'?"
"Huh?" Lumine blinked in surprise. "Someone is talking in the group, but it looks like this person doesn't understand what is going on either."
Lumine immediately focused, willing the system to let her send a response, just like she operated the Akasha in Sumeru. A translucent input box with a blinking cursor appeared at the bottom of the light screen. She used her mind to input the text.
[Administrator · The Boss]: "Yes, I can see it. This light screen appeared as soon as I stepped into Natlan. Paimon says this might be Natlan's version of the Akasha system. Are you from Natlan?"
The moment the message was sent, the reply was almost instantaneous, practically dripping with obvious confusion.
[Administrator · Proxy]: "Natlan? What place is that? Another surviving region? And what is an Akasha system?"
[Administrator · Proxy]: "I am not from Natlan, I am in New Eridu, a city plagued by Hollow disasters, and this thing is definitely not our technology. My brother checked it, it is not a malfunction of my device, it just suddenly appeared out of thin air. Who are you? And... who is Paimon?"
Lumine fell into deep thought. Her previous guess about this being a Natlan Akasha was instantly overturned.
Those strange, unfamiliar terms made Lumine realize that this was not a simple local network. It seemed to genuinely connect people from entirely different worlds. After all, Lumine and her brother, Aether, were once world-hopping Travelers. Having experienced the rise and fall of many worlds, grasping this concept was not too difficult for her.
She turned to Paimon and quickly explained her deduction.
"New... New Eridu? Hollow disasters?" Paimon's voice pitched up, filled with absolute disbelief. "Lumine... that [Proxy] probably... isn't from the continent of Teyvat, right?"
Lumine's heart beat a little faster, an indescribable thrill welling up inside her chest. Having traveled across the sea of stars to reach Teyvat, she thought her current journey was already incredible enough. But now, someone from an unknown place called 'New Eridu', calling herself 'Belle', was actually talking directly to her through a mysterious holographic screen?
This tool called the Cross-Dimensional Chat Group had to be an artifact of extraordinary power.
[Administrator · Proxy]: "@[Administrator · The Boss] Why aren't you speaking? I was a bit nervous just now and talked too much, please forgive me. But can you help explain what is going on?"
[Administrator · The Boss]: "I am here, I am here. No need to be so polite, I was just a bit shocked so I didn't reply in time, I am not blaming you."
[Administrator · The Boss]: "Also, New Eridu? Hollow disasters? Sorry, I have never heard of that place."
[Administrator · The Boss]: "And I am [Traveler Lumine], not some [Boss]! Giving a girl such a title is really impolite!"
[Administrator · The Boss]: "By the way, I am a Traveler from the continent of Teyvat, currently preparing to explore the Seven Nations, and Natlan is one of them. And Paimon is my best partner."
[Administrator · Proxy]: "You said the continent of Teyvat? The Seven Nations? I have never heard of them..."
[Administrator · The Boss]: "It seems we have both encountered something we cannot understand. But I think this light screen... might actually connect different worlds."
[Administrator · Proxy]: "Wait, different... worlds?! Oh my goodness... this is too crazy! Even more bizarre than the Hollows!"
[Administrator · Proxy]: "By the way, my name is Belle, not 'Proxy'. That is just a username. Calling me 'Proxy' always feels weird."
Far away, in a completely different reality, inside the quiet confines of the Random Play video store.
"Brother! Brother! She said her name is Lumine, she is a Traveler exploring the Seven Nations on the continent of Teyvat, and she... she is from another world!"
Belle's voice trembled with absolute shock, her hands gripping her brother's sleeve tightly.
Wise maintained his usual composed exterior, but his mind raced with equal surprise. He stared at the space where Belle claimed the screen hovered. Was there really an anomaly capable of connecting people across different dimensions? As a Proxy who dealt with the reality-bending nature of Hollows every day, it was still hard to imagine just how advanced or magical the technology would need to be to create such a communication tool.
After taking a slow breath to recover from his shock, Wise placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder. "Stay calm, Belle. This is indeed unbelievable, like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. An otherworldly place full of completely new things."
Seeing her posture relax slightly, Wise continued, his analytical mind taking over. "Let's continue talking to this 'Traveler Lumine'. See if we can learn more about this other world called Teyvat, and test the other functions of this group."
Hearing the confirmation that another world truly existed, Belle's initial panic morphed into bright, burning excitement. "No problem, leave it to me, Brother!"
Watching his sister enthusiastically type away at the invisible screen, Wise couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. 'I can't tell if this group is a blessing or a conspiracy. For now, I can only let Belle communicate with the people inside to gather intelligence. I don't know if it is good or bad, I just hope she doesn't encounter any danger.'
Back in the dense wilderness of Teyvat.
A thoroughly shocked Paimon suddenly snapped out of her daze, her eyes widening as a brilliant realization struck her. She flew right up to Lumine's face, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Wait! If there are other worlds connected to this thing, then Paimon can travel to other worlds with the Traveler, right?!"
Drool practically threatened to spill from the corner of her mouth. "And I can taste the delicacies of entirely different worlds! Oh, this is really great." Paimon had literal stars shining in her eyes.
Lumine crossed her arms, a dry, amused smile playing on her lips. "Travel? I think Little Paimon is strictly concerned about the exotic delicacies that come afterward."
Paimon rubbed the back of her head, looking entirely unrepentant. "Ehe, you found me out. I, Paimon, am determined to eat all the best food in existence, and the thought of alien exotic delicacies is really hard to resist!"
Then, puffing out her chest as a matter of course, she added, "But of course, traveling with you is the most important part."
Lumine felt a soft warmth bloom in her chest upon hearing those words. She smiled, reaching out to gently pat Paimon's head. Indeed, no matter what world they ended up in, traveling always required a good partner.
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