When Ley Line flow couldn't sustain the revival, pooling their energy seemed a solid plan.
But clogging Ley Lines had consequences, just like Reisen Riou's own birth. Even with Anko drawing energy, the Ley Lines birthed monsters.
Not top-tier demon gods, but high humanoid elemental beings. Early-stage Ley Line monsters—Slimes—didn't attack, instead fetching raspberries or Sunset Fruit for them.
Days later, the clog spawned Hilichurls. Useless—either pierced by Reisen Riou's guardian arrows or sliced to bits by a bored Raiden Ei testing her blade.
("Let me try my naginata! Haha, down you go!")
Vanquished monsters fed purer energy to Anko's revival.
Three months passed in nurturing.
The day arrived.
Reisen Riou checked his panel: Ability: Revival LV3 (24.5/100) and Teyvat Revival Theory (Ritou-Limited) LV3 (54.2/100). He nodded, pleased. From LV1 to LV3 in revival skill, plus theoretical knowledge—Ritou-specific, sure, but better than nothing.
Raiden Ei confirmed Anko's second-life body was fully formed, brimming with energy, ready to emerge.
Her eyes flashed, an overwhelming aura blanketing the heavens. The sky darkened.
A lightning bolt struck the Electro-infused amber.
Anko, prepared within, slashed through the amber's seal with a single strike.
The remaining amber shards exploded.
As the revival's technician, Reisen Riou sensed her life force: Reisen Anko (no longer Kanno), Life Level LV57, High Elemental Leader rank, humanoid Electro elemental being.
A purple Vision descended, homing toward the explosion.
From the dust, a figure in a purple miko outfit leaped, seizing the Vision. It became a waist ornament as her attire shifted to red-and-white, style adjusting.
"Reisen Anko, reporting. Greetings, Master. Greetings, Shrine Guardian," she said, twirling an unknown-material naginata before storing it in her Vision.
As Reisen Riou predicted, she'd gained a heaven-granted True Name, exactly as he'd guessed: Reisen Anko.
Celestia (or the author) is one lazy dog.
He hid his envy. In seven or eight years, he'd hit LV50, still a High Elemental Elite. One breakthrough would make him a High Elemental Leader.
He was close, having asked Bona, now back at Sumeru's Akademiya, to source Liyue's Cor Lapis for its pure Geo energy.
Speaking of Bona, the former fatty was a big shot now. Not a Sage yet, but holding a key Akademiya post.
No more fieldwork or paper-grinding. In a decade or two, with a few achievements, he'd likely become a Sage.
Back in Sumeru City, he'd made waves, standardizing Reisen Riou's paper formats and pushing diverse, multidimensional research. Instant fame.
He'd invited Reisen Riou to Sumeru City for an honorary scholar title, but Anko's condition kept him on Ritou.
…
"Is this what being a youkai feels like?" Reisen Anko marveled, sensing her strengthening body.
Raiden Ei, who'd delayed months of work for her, was now dragged by her sister to catch up. Without Inazuma's martial anchor, Dark Sea demon gods were stirring.
Anko was sent to the Grand Narukami Shrine for registration.
The shrine's mikos gawked like she was a ghost.
Even Yae Miko stared for half an hour, intrigued.
Anko cringed, mortified. Her familiarity with the process and greetings to old Kanno clan kin confirmed her identity.
Yae Miko pulled her aside for private talk.
"So, Anko, what's with you and the Shrine Guardian?" Yae Miko probed, gossip-hungry.
"Uh, siblings, I guess?" Anko said, uncertain.
Their bloodlines, born from Ritou's essence, were close—siblinghood fit, technically accurate.
"Huh?!" Yae Miko blurted. "I thought you married that kid!"
"Ahem, Lady Yae, Anko died months ago and somehow revived. We took leave for her funeral," a senior Kanno miko interjected. "Also, they don't get along."
Yae Miko, caught in her blunder, laughed awkwardly and left.
Kanno mikos swarmed Anko with questions. She answered what she could, dodging revival details, hiding Raiden Ei and Reisen Riou's roles, claiming she woke as a youkai without knowing why.
Raiden Ei had sworn her to secrecy.
After two days settling old ties, she returned to Ritou.
She felt the youkai body's power: immortal, brimming with elemental force, limitless potential. It enthralled her.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage