Healing
The world slowly coalesced around me, a blurry swirl of white and muted colors. A dull throb resonated through my entire body, a painful symphony of aches and bruises. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind, and the scent of antiseptic and clean linen filled my nostrils. I was lying in a bed, a soft, comfortable one, unlike any makeshift camp or tree stump I'd slept on in months.
My eyes slowly focused, taking in the small, clean room. Medical supplies were neatly arranged on a nearby table. This was clearly an infirmary.
Then, my gaze shifted to the side of my bed. Lumine was there, sitting in a wooden chair, her head gently resting on the mattress beside my hand. She appeared to have fallen asleep waiting, her expression peaceful but tired. Paimon was nowhere in sight, likely off exploring or scrounging for food.
The memory of Dvalin's roar, the feeling of being flung through the air, the tearing pain as its attack connected – it all rushed back. My hand instinctively went to my chest, where the full force of the blow had landed. It was heavily bandaged, a dull ache radiating from beneath. I must have been out for a while.
A small groan escaped my lips as I tried to shift, and Lumine's eyes immediately fluttered open. She blinked, shaking off sleep, and then her eyes widened as she met my gaze.
"Lance! You're awake!" A wave of immense relief washed over Lumine's face, and a genuine, heartfelt smile broke through. She quickly sat up straight. "How are you feeling? Does anything hurt badly?"
"My whole body feels like it ran into a brick wall," I rasped, a dry chuckle escaping my lips. "But... I'm alive. Thanks to you." I looked at the bandages on my chest. "How long was I out?"
Lumine sighed, running a hand through her hair. "A few days. We brought you straight here after Dvalin... after he left. Sister Barbara has been looking after you." She paused, her expression turning somber. "You really saved me, Lance. You pushed me out of the way. Thank you."
"Anyone would've done the same," I mumbled, though the truth was, in the months before meeting them, I probably would have just focused on dodging myself. "What happened after? Dvalin... he just left?"
Lumine nodded slowly. "Yes. Someone... someone played music. A lyre. And it seemed to calm Dvalin. He just... flew away." She looked out the small window, her brow furrowed. "It's still a mystery. The Knights are trying to figure things out."
Paimon suddenly zipped into the room, a small bag of snacks clutched in her tiny hands. "Lance is awake! Paimon heard him talking!" She zipped excitedly to my bedside. "You were super brave, Lance! Paimon thought you were a goner!"
"Thanks, Paimon," I said, a weak smile forming.
We talked for a little while longer, discussing the dragon attack, the damage to the city, and the general state of things. Lumine explained that the Knights of Favonius were now on high alert, investigating Dvalin's sudden appearance and erratic behavior.
Eventually, Lumine stood up, stretching. "Well, I should let you rest. And Paimon and I have some things to follow up on with the Knights about Dvalin. Get some proper sleep, Lance. We'll check on you later."
"Yeah, rest up, Lance!" Paimon chirped, before zipping out of the room after Lumine.
The door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the quiet infirmary once more. The sounds of the city, now repaired but still recovering, drifted faintly through the window. I closed my eyes, the familiar ache of solitude returning, but this time, it was different. It wasn't the vast, empty loneliness of the wilderness. It was the temporary quiet of recovery, knowing that outside, there were friends. Knowing that I had a place here, at least for now.
As I lay there, trying to make sense of the recent chaos, a familiar, almost forgotten chime sounded in my mind.
Ding!
My eyes snapped open. I hadn't heard that sound in a while, not since getting involved with Lumine and Paimon and the sudden onslaught of civilization. I focused, and a series of glowing blue screens materialized before me.
Quest Completed: Fight and Survive Dvalin! You bravely confronted the corrupted Anemo Dragon, Dvalin, during its assault on Mondstadt, enduring its devastating power and contributing to its eventual retreat. Your resilience and courage in the face of overwhelming odds are commendable.
Rewards:
EXP +1500Level Up! You are now Level 26!Title: Dragon's Bane (Temporary)New Skill: Elemental Resistance (Passive)Skill Point +1
My jaw dropped. 1500 EXP was massive, and a Level Up to 26! That explained why I felt like I was recovering faster than I probably should be. And a Title? Dragon's Bane (Temporary)? That was certainly... dramatic, it was probably because I didn't kill a dragon..
Then I saw the new skill: Elemental Resistance (Passive). That was huge. Dvalin's attacks had been brutal, laced with elemental energy. This would be incredibly useful against future threats. And a Skill Point! I could immediately feel a subtle shift within my body, a latent power ready to be invested.
I looked at my chest bandage, then at the virtual screens before me. It had been brutal, terrifying even. But it had also been the most impactful battle of my life, yielding rewards far beyond anything I'd gotten from a simple Hilichurl camp. This world, this system, it truly scaled with the threats.
A faint smile touched my lips. I was injured, but I was stronger. Much stronger. And now, I had even more reason to get back on my feet.
The days that followed were a blur of rest, recovery, and the quiet hum of the infirmary. Sister Barbara, the Deaconess of the Favonius Church, was incredibly kind and efficient, her healing touch and calming presence doing wonders. My body, aided by my increased Constitution and now the new passive skill Elemental Resistance, knitted itself back together at an astonishing rate. The dull aches faded, the bruises receded, and the deep fatigue from the dragon's blow slowly lifted. I spent my time reflecting on the battle, the new skills, and the strange, evolving nature of this world.
I was restless, eager to put my newfound strength to use. Just as I felt completely healed, ready to burst out of the infirmary, the door opened. It was a Knight of Favonius, not Amber this time, but a stern-looking guard.
"Mr. Lance," he stated, his voice formal. "Grand Master Jean requests your presence at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. As soon as you are able."
My eyebrow raised. Jean. The acting Grand Master. I knew her name from Amber and Lumine's conversations. This was a serious summons. It seemed my part in the Dvalin incident hadn't gone unnoticed.
"I'm able now," I replied, pushing myself off the bed.
The Knight nodded curtly. "Follow me, Mr. Lance."
I followed him out of the infirmary and through the bustling streets of Mondstadt. Even after the dragon attack, the city was remarkably resilient, with citizens already working to repair the damage, overseen by the diligent Knights. The energy was somber, but determined.
We soon arrived at the grand, imposing headquarters of the Knights of Favonius. The building, made of solid stone, exuded an air of authority and history. Inside, the corridors were wide and clean, adorned with tapestries depicting the history of Mondstadt and its protectors. Other Knights moved purposefully through the halls, some with solemn expressions, others discussing their duties in hushed tones.
The guard led me up a flight of stairs and down a quiet corridor, finally stopping before a large, ornate wooden door. He knocked once, firmly.
"Enter," a clear, authoritative female voice responded from within.
The guard pushed the door open and gestured for me to enter. "Grand Master Jean, Mr. Lance is here."
I stepped inside. The room was spacious and well-lit, dominated by a large desk piled high with documents. Behind the desk sat a woman who could only be Grand Master Jean. She was striking, with long blonde hair, dressed in the elegant, yet practical, uniform of a Knight. Her expression was serious, thoughtful, and carried the weight of her responsibilities. Standing beside her desk was another familiar face: Lumine, Paimon hovering beside her.
Jean looked up, her gaze steady and piercing as it met mine. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Lance. Please, have a seat." She gestured to a chair opposite her desk.
I took the offered seat, the polished wood surprisingly comfortable beneath me. Lumine offered a small, reassuring smile from her spot beside Jean's desk, and Paimon gave a silent, encouraging wave.
Jean observed me for a moment, her gaze serious but not unkind. Then, she clasped her hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Lance," she began, her voice clear and strong, carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "On behalf of the Knights of Favonius and the people of Mondstadt, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your actions during Dvalin's assault on our city."
She paused, her eyes meeting mine directly. "Amber and Lumine have given their reports, and it's clear that you fought with immense courage and selflessness. Your immediate response to aid our citizens amidst the chaos, and then your audacious decision to directly engage the Stormterror, played a critical role in minimizing casualties and driving it away."
A sigh escaped her, a hint of the burden she carried. "Few would dare to confront a dragon of Dvalin's magnitude, let alone brave its corrupted winds to deliver a direct attack. Your intervention, especially pushing Lumine out of harm's way, was a truly heroic act. For that, Mondstadt owes you a debt of gratitude."
Jean paused, her gaze holding mine, conveying the sincerity of her words. Then, she reached into a drawer on her desk and pulled out a small, heavy pouch, its contents clinking softly.
"Words alone are not enough to repay such bravery," she continued, pushing the pouch across the desk towards me. "This is a token of Mondstadt's appreciation. It's not much considering the scale of your actions, but please accept this as a gesture of our gratitude."
I picked up the pouch. It was surprisingly heavy, filled with glistening Mora, the currency of Teyvat. I could feel the distinct, metallic texture of a substantial sum through the cloth. It wasn't why I did what I did, but it was certainly a welcome and practical reward after months of living off monster drops.
"And," Jean added, her expression softening into a rare, genuine smile, "to formally acknowledge your bravery and contribution to our city's safety, the Knights of Favonius wish to bestow upon you a special title. From this day forward, you shall be known as Lance, the Shield of Mondstadt."
My eyes widened. "The Shield of Mondstadt." It resonated deeply. It wasn't just a combat title; it spoke of protection, of defense. It was a recognition of my actions, my willingness to stand between the city and danger. It felt… right.
"It's a great honor, Grand Master," I said, a genuine warmth spreading through me. The feeling of being recognized, of having a place, was profound.
Lumine offered a warm, approving smile, and even Paimon gave a little nod. "Ooh, 'Shield of Mondstadt'! That sounds super cool, Lance!" she chirped.
Jean nodded. "We hope you will continue to lend your strength to our cause, Mr. Lance. The threat of Dvalin may have receded, but our city faces many challenges, and brave individuals like yourself are invaluable."