Late at night, Fontaine's training grounds.
Fu Ning leaned against a pillar and said to Clorinde, who stood before him:
"I'll tell you now—my fighting methods might not suit you."
"Besides, I usually serve as Lady Furina's personal guard. I may only be able to train you late at night, and only on rare occasions."
"I'm not a good teacher. I've never taught anyone before."
"Are you sure you still want to be my apprentice?"
Fu Ning narrowed his eyes, exerting a subtle but heavy pressure on Clorinde.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down her forehead.
The sense of oppression from him… it's overwhelming.
But to become this man's apprentice, she had worked so hard.
To give up now would be a waste. What would be the point of everything she had done to reach this moment?
"Yes, Master. I want to learn from you," Clorinde replied, resisting the pressure and looking straight at Fu Ning.
Fu Ning's gaze sharpened. The pressure around her intensified.
"Are you sure? I am the Dark Demon—an entity born of shadow. I'm not as kind as I look."
Clorinde clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay upright.
She didn't even have a Vision. Even if Fu Ning was only releasing a fraction of his strength, it was still overwhelming.
"Yes… Master… I am sure…"
Fu Ning raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised.
A mere human without a Vision can withstand this much?
Interesting. Just how far can you go…?
He raised his left hand and summoned the Black Hole Staff.
The pressure around Clorinde surged even further.
"Ugh… ah—!"
Clorinde couldn't hold on. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground, trembling.
But it wasn't over.
Extraordinary beings existed on a plane mortals couldn't reach.
"Stand up, Clorinde. I won't accept an apprentice who collapses under such trivial pressure," Fu Ning said coldly.
In this world, there existed something called the Vision—the Eye of God.
When one's desire burned bright enough, the gods would respond.
It was the quickest way for mortals in Teyvat to gain power.
Fu Ning wanted to see—would Clorinde be chosen?
"If you're still on your knees after ten seconds, leave. Don't come near me again."
Clorinde gritted her teeth and gasped for air.
She wanted to stand.
This was the opportunity she had fought for—her chance to become Fu Ning's apprentice. She couldn't waste it.
"Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven."
Fu Ning's calm voice echoed in her mind. Each word struck like a hammer.
"Six. Five. Four… Three… Oh?"
Fu Ning lifted his brow with intrigue.
Clorinde slowly rose, gripping her iron sword with trembling hands.
Lightning flickered faintly in her eyes.
And then—
A Vision descended from the heavens.
An Eye of the Electro Archon materialized in the air before her.
Clorinde stared at it—her own reflection shimmering back at her through the Eye of God.
With her left hand, she grasped the Vision.
With her right, she raised her iron sword.
Her body surged with lightning as she charged straight at Fu Ning.
"Excuse me, Master!"
The blade slashed through the air, aiming for his face.
Fu Ning stepped back, effortlessly dodging the strike. His eyes lit up.
"What talent! With just that sword, you could easily qualify as a Champion Duelist."
The Vision in Clorinde's hand pulsed with Electro energy.
Her long sword crackled with lightning as she pivoted, launching another attack.
Fu Ning twisted aside to evade again.
"Why the dramatic turn? Are you trying to show off?"
Clorinde gritted her teeth and thrust her sword straight toward Fu Ning's abdomen.
But before she could react, dizziness overwhelmed her. Her body collapsed.
Instantly defeated…
I knew Master was Fontaine's strongest combatant… and possibly a demon god…
But knowing and feeling it are two different things.
"Very good, Clorinde. Stand up."
Clorinde gathered herself and rose shakily to her feet.
Fu Ning looked at her, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
"You withstood my pressure, and even awakened a Vision. You have my approval."
Seeing Clorinde still somewhat dazed, Fu Ning laughed.
"What? Unhappy? Doubting yourself?"
Clorinde bit her lip.
He could see right through her.
"Yes, Master. You are incredibly strong. Everyone in Fontaine knows that. But to actually feel your power firsthand… it's something else entirely."
"I noticed you didn't even rely on your physical strength…"
"Meanwhile, I had to use Electro power from my Vision. Your skill far surpasses mine."
Fu Ning nodded.
"Very observant. But don't even think about competing with me."
"I'm a demon god. On par with Lady Furina herself."
"Even if I suppress my physical strength, I can't suppress my reflexes."
"Don't aim to surpass me. Aim to become the strongest human."
Clorinde nodded silently.
"Good. We'll stop here for tonight. I need to go buy a cake for Lady Furina."
He turned to leave but paused to glare at Clorinde with mock resentment.
"This is your fault, you know. You made Lady Furina mad at me. Do you have any idea how much that hurts me?"
Clorinde's mouth twitched.
"Master, you care that much about Lady Furina… is it because you—?"
Fu Ning narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and dangerous.
"Ahem—ah—!" Clorinde quickly changed the subject.
"Maybe it's just because you're her guard. It's your duty, right?"
Fu Ning closed his eyes, snorted coldly, and disappeared in an instant.
Clorinde suddenly remembered something.
"Wait—I forgot to tell the chef… the limited-edition cakes won't be available anymore…"
Early morning, Momang Palace.
Clorinde returned quietly.
In the hallway, she faintly heard Lady Furina's voice ringing out in frustration:
"Ahhhhhhh! Damn Fu Ning! How dare you deceive the gods!"
"You said the cakes were sold out—but clearly you didn't even try to buy one!"
"I'm sending you straight to Mello-Petersburg!"
Clorinde blinked. She caught a glimpse of Fu Ning vanishing around a corner, possibly fleeing for his life.
She looked down at the cake she had asked her uncle to make especially.
And hesitated.
Should I… give this to Lady Furina?