The first thing I felt was power. Pure and concentrated, bursting through my veins like a million fireworks. It was overwhelming—euphoric even—and it was growing still.
My eyes could see nothing but white. The inverted starry sky had been completely taken by the bright light that shone from the crown atop my head. But if I looked hard enough, I could almost see the light twisting, molding into waves that swam around me.
And then the light suddenly pulled back and slammed into me, searing deep into my veins, and I-
My consciousness faltered for a moment; the memory of what exactly happened lost into the chasm. But the next thing I knew I was lying flat across the inverted sky, breaths heaving and sweat covering my face. My limbs felt like they'd been burnt, and my vision swam. The red crown I'd worn on my head was gone.
I rasped out a tired breath as I slowly brought up my new Title.
[Set Title: -Ascendant-
The limits of this world no longer have any hold on you. Your existence eclipses even the boundaries of the simulation.
When encountered, allows the User to adapt and overcome Contingent Rules. Current applied effects include:
-There is no Maximum Attribute that can be reached-
-The User is capable of wielding more than one Element-]
I stared at my new Title. And then I laughed. Because I've always been an outlier from the moment I awoke to this world, and now I had a Title that explicitly stated so. My System would never be satisfied with having me be normal, it seemed.
I grinned wryly.
I suppose my plans of becoming an Ordinary Bard would never pass, would it?
I slowly stood back up. I groaned as I stretched my arms, before I gave my surroundings another glance. There didn't seem to be any more treasure chests for me to find, and I didn't feel like exploring. I've already found three 5★ relics, each with incredible power. This was more than enough for me.
And so I chose to Return, and the world around me faded as a sense of weightlessness took me. It only lasted a second, and just as abruptly, I found myself back in my dojo. I was still sitting on the porch facing my inner garden, with my emptied cup placed next to me, and the moonlight shining from above.
It was as if nothing had happened at all.
"What happens in the Abyss, stays in the Abyss." I whispered. I wasn't quite sure where those words came from, or why they felt subtly off, but they seemed appropriate. With a small smile, I stood up and left the inner gardens. I made my way back to my personal room, and without much else to do I laid on my bed and closed my eyes. I fell asleep not long after.
…
I watched as Tianqiu grumbled to himself, before he began to swing his sword once more. He was hard at work trying to replicate the first few 'openings' of my [Swords Dance] that I'd shown him a few hours earlier. I'd even written a small guide for him, just in case he happened to forget.
He was clearly frustrated at how different my techniques were from the rather textbook style he was used to. But that was mostly because he couldn't see himself as he moved.
I could, and it was clear that Tianqiu was improving. Improving fast, even. The fact that he'd even managed to replicate some of the basics of my [Swords Dance] was incredible, considering it hadn't even been a day since he began training. His learning speed was unnatural.
It was a combination of his own talent and my [Instructor], I believe. His already great skill with the sword was further bolstered by the supernatural abilities of my Genshin System, resulting in rapid growth.
I smiled slightly. "Take your time." I said. "My techniques are different from what you have learnt. There is no shame in making mistakes."
He calmed slightly at my words as he nodded. "Thank you, Master." He took a deep breath, and began to move once more.
I hummed as I relaxed. I sat cross-legged on a small pillow, a perfect picture of an 'aloof master that cares deeply for their students'. Or at least that was what Guizhong said. I wasn't sure why this was the image she wanted me to project, but Morax seemed to agree with her, so who was I to say otherwise?
Besides, I was focused on something else.
After yesterday's Trial, I now had enough Primogems to do another 10-pull. But which Gacha should I choose? I'd already done the [Talent Gacha], and the [Limited Gacha] was still blocked for the time being. It left me with only the normal and [Equipment Gacha], and I wasn't sure which I should go with.
On the other hand, should I even use my Primogems on the Gacha? I had a number of items I'd been eyeing in the [Store]. They cost more Primogems than just rolling the Gacha, but I'd get what I wanted without luck potentially kicking me back.
I hummed as I rubbed my chin. Decisions, decisions.
After some self-convincing, I managed to stop my gambling addiction and dove into the [Shop] instead. I couldn't buy all the items I was keeping an eye on, but that was fine. The few I could buy were worth it on their own.
[Wood Generator Mk1 2★]
An odd piece of technology from the Beyond, capable of twisting the laws of reality in strange ways.
When placed, generates -Wood 1★- every 5 Minutes
Cost: 200 Primogems]
[Iron Chunk Generator Mk1 2★]
An odd piece of technology from the Beyond, capable of twisting the laws of reality in strange ways.
When placed, generates -Iron Chunk 1★- every 5 Minutes
Cost: 200 Primogems]
These were the first two I bought from the [Shop]. I immediately shoved them both into my Inventory, mostly because they were both bulky, ugly things that would attract attention no matter what. And the less said about their ability to infinitely create materials, the better.
As they were, they were practically useless. I couldn't use them without attracting all sorts of attention, and it wasn't as if Liyue was lacking in these materials.
But combined with the next item I bought, they became infinitely more useful.
[Serenitea Pot 5★
A divine realm created by adept arts and contained within a relic crafted from Geo itself. Within it lives a world of its own, thriving with potential.
When used, brings the User into their own Personal World
Cost: 1000 Primogems]
It was the most expensive item I'd bought, and it broke my heart to know that this wasn't even the most expensive item the [Shop] offered. There would come a day when I had to spend thousands of Primogems on a single item, and just thinking of how much work I'd need to put in for that was making me gag a little.
But it was worth it. An entire world, all to myself? Even at the top of my head, I could think of dozens of different things I could do. Make my own home away from home, go exploring, escape into it when things get dicey, do things I wouldn't be able to do around others, and so on.
It would also allow me to place my two Generators, granting me an infinite amount of materials I could use and sell for Mora.
The moment I purchased it, a seemingly ordinary teapot appeared in my hands. Its sudden appearance caught Tianqiu's attention for a little, but he soon returned to his training. Being looked upon as an adepti still felt awkward at times, but at least I now had an excuse for doing things like that.
I gave the teapot a small rub, before I closed my eyes.
What do you wish the world to be?
I hummed. What do I want my new Personal World to be like, is it? I have it some thought, before I had my answer.
I wanted it to be someplace beautiful. Someplace peaceful. A realm where all is possible. A world amongst the clouds, but tied to the earth. A world for birds and people alike.
Why do you wish for a world like so?
I frowned for a moment. It was asking me why I considered that world the 'ideal', so to say.
That…was a good question, really. I wasn't quite sure; that was just what. Though, the more I thought about it, I couldn't help but feel like it was another one of these 'feelings' I followed from time to time. They were the remnants of the individual I used to be before I lost my memories.
Yet, despite knowing that, that's what I wanted my Personal World to be.
Then may such dreams come to be.
[Talent Synchrony with [Hand of Creation 4★] detected! Generating User's world…]
My eyes went wide when I saw the Talent Synchrony, but I then blinked as I felt my teapot begin to shake slightly. I quickly hid it as it continued to shake, keeping a hand on the lid to stop it from making any sounds. The teapot continued to shake for the next few minutes, before it finally turned still once more.
[World creation successful. Chosen preset: -Sublime Spicewood-]
I took a small breath, thankful I hadn't accidentally interrupted Tianqiu's practice. I stared at the teapot for a moment. I took a small breath, and resisting the urge to immediately dive into my new Personal World, I placed the teapot back into my Inventory instead. It wouldn't be fair for Tianqiu if I disappeared now, and I could always check it out later.
And I was glad I did, because not long after, I watched as Tianqiu successfully imitated the first few 'opening' steps to my [Swords Dance]. The moment he did, his sword almost seemed to glow as his blade cut through the air with a sharp hiss. Tianqiu nearly dropped his sword in shock as he saw what he'd just done. "T-That was-!"
"Congratulations, Tianqiu." I smiled as I walked over to him. "On this very day, you have taken your first steps to learning my techniques." I gave his shoulder an encouraging tap. "Be proud."
"Thank you, Master…!" He said, before he quickly turned away. I nearly chuckled at the way he held back his tears.
Of course, he wasn't quite there yet. My System hadn't informed me that my Talent had been successfully learnt, but that was fine. Just the fact that someone else had managed to grasp some part of my Talent was a great step forward. If he continued, I had no doubts that he would successfully inherit it.
"Well, come now." I patted his back. "Noon has passed, and I believe neither of us has had any lunch." I smiled. "I shall treat you, as a reward."
He clasped his hands together and bowed. "I thank you for your gift, Master!"
I rolled my eyes. Always so dramatic, these people were.
And so, after Tianqiu wiped himself clean, we both left the dojo for some well-deserved lunch.