Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

Outside the outskirts of Sumeru City...

After finalizing plans with Dori for boosting popularity using internet-like methods, Luo Qing returned to Sumeru City with Theresa.

Her desires had grown insatiable since their first encounter, and she even suggested having a thrilling match in the wilderness along the way.

Unfortunately for her, Luo Qing firmly rejected the idea.

Near the city's outskirts, Luo Qing thought to stop by the workshop to check on the Doctor's progress. He sent Theresa back on her own while he detoured to the Pureglass Workshop.

From the Doctor's updates, he learned that the assembly of the Shouki no Kami was nearly complete. The final step would involve utilizing the full computational power of the Void at the right moment to merge the Balladeer with the Shouki no Kami.

Based on the timeline, it would align with the The Sabzeruz Festival, about a month from now.

---

As Luo Qing exited the workshop, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

The Sabzeruz Festival was approaching quickly.

But where were Lumine and Paimon?

Don't they want to save the adorable Nahida?

He began to speculate whether those two had gone off to the Golden Apple Archipelago for some fun.

While mulling over this, Luo Qing spotted a commotion down a nearby trail. A group of Hilichurls seemed to be fighting someone.

Peering closer, he recognized the person surrounded at the center of the group.

Her grayish-blue, long, twin-tailed curls, her tight white pants, and her exposed snowy shoulders—it was Layla, someone he hadn't seen in a while.

She gripped a longsword with both hands, swinging it with visible strain. Ice-blue elemental energy flickered faintly around her.

The Hilichurl group encircling her wasn't just your average lot. Among them were towering Mitachurls and even an elemental-wielding Shaman.

As a student, Layla was no match for them. Her once-pristine white pants and finely tailored outfit now bore several tears, likely from the Hilichurl weapons.

What's she doing here? Luo Qing wondered as he started walking toward her.

---

Layla, meanwhile, clutched her sword tightly, her breathing labored as she faced the attacking Hilichurls. Her brows furrowed, sweat dripping from her temples.

There were no patrol guards this far out of Sumeru City—only mercenaries looking for an opportunity to rob and pillage.

She couldn't understand why her conscious personality had chosen to sleep in such a dangerous place, her scent inadvertently attracting these monsters.

Before she could catch her breath, a towering Mitachurl holding a massive axe charged straight at her.

The axe, larger than Layla herself, rose high before swinging down toward her head.

Frantically, she conjured an ice shield, hoping to block the blow.

However, her frail body and limited elemental strength weren't enough.

The pale ice shield managed to absorb the first strike but shattered under the follow-up blow, sending her flying backward.

"Ugh… that hurts…" Layla groaned as she hit the ground.

Looking up at the advancing Mitachurl, she felt completely at a loss.

Though her swordsmanship far surpassed her other persona's, she was still just a student focused on academic research. Facing monsters of this caliber was far beyond her capabilities.

Why did I have to sleep here of all places? she muttered inwardly.

The Mitachurl, oblivious to her complaints, raised its axe again, preparing to bring it down on her.

"Ahhh!" Layla cried out, instinctively shutting her eyes.

But the expected impact never came. Instead, she felt something wet and strange splatter across her face.

Opening her eyes, she saw a pale yellow rock spine piercing the Mitachurl, pinning it to the ground.

The mysterious liquid on her face? It had come from the Mitachurl's body.

"How is this possible…" Layla murmured, still trembling as she stared at the rock spine.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar male voice from behind her.

"What are you doing, picking fights with Hilichurls out here?"

"Wha—?!" Layla spun around to see Luo Qing approaching casually.

Even though they were surrounded by Hilichurls, his expression remained relaxed, entirely unbothered.

"What are you doing here?"

For Layla's inner persona, memories of this scoundrel were particularly vivid.

"Don't overthink it. Just passing through on my way home," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly.

The nearby Hilichurls, seemingly provoked, charged at him with weapons raised.

"Watch out!" Layla shouted.

However, in the next moment, Luo Qing snapped his fingers lightly.

Dozens of golden-yellow rock spines rained from the sky, skewering the Hilichurls and pinning them to the ground.

Each one got its own spine—no exceptions.

"This…" Layla was left speechless.

She hadn't expected Luo Qing to be this strong.

He didn't show this kind of strength in bed...

"Tch. You're covered in injuries," Luo Qing remarked as he walked over to Layla, inspecting her condition.

Though she had multiple scratches and abrasions on her arms and legs, they were mostly superficial.

A single one of my big, hard vitality pills should fix this, Luo Qing thought.

However, the unidentified liquid splattered on her face was a bit unsightly.

"Can you stand?" he asked.

"Yes…" Layla mumbled, lowering her head to avoid meeting his gaze.

She felt too embarrassed to let Luo Qing see her in such a disheveled state.

"What are you hiding for? It's not like I haven't seen you like this before," Luo Qing teased.

With a thought, he pulled out a Vitality Pill from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Here, eat this. It'll help you heal faster."

"Huh…?" Layla looked at the fist-sized, black, and oddly solid pill, then back at Luo Qing.

"Are you messing with me?"

"Oh, come on. Can you just eat it?"

"..."

[+1 Frustration from Layla.]

Layla turned away, pouting slightly. "Thank you for saving me. I won't forget this favor."

Even if he was full of crude jokes and inappropriate comments, he was still her savior. Gratitude was necessary.

"Eh." Luo Qing waved it off nonchalantly and pushed the pill closer to her lips.

"We're friends, aren't we? Just eat the thing. Otherwise, if it scars, you'll regret it."

"What is this thing?"

"It's good stuff. Don't ask, just eat. Yeah, just like that. Good. It's almost in... there you go."

Under Luo Qing's insistent persuasion, Layla reluctantly swallowed the Vitality Pill whole.

The taste lingered unpleasantly in her mouth.

Why does it taste like dandelion sap?

"What did you just make me eat—"

Before she could finish, a rush of warmth coursed through her body. Starting from her abdomen, the heat spread rapidly to every part of her.

Her wounds, previously oozing blood, began healing before her very eyes. In mere seconds, her damaged skin had returned to smooth, unblemished perfection.

"What is this thing…" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

---

T/N: Is it just me? Or is everything so much more...suggestive?

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