I Became A Hilichurl

"...I'm allergic to sunlight. My skin breaks out in rashes and gets incredibly itchy when exposed."

"Sorry, I didn't know. I didn't realize some people are actually allergic to sunlight."

"...Yes, and some people are even allergic to air."

You believed that? You actually believed that?!

Victor Wang felt a flicker of guilt in his heart for deceiving Amber.

"It's alright. Go on and fly! Once you're airborne, you can forget all your worries—at least for a while." Amber encouraged him warmly, then added, "Our first testing site is at Dawn Winery Lake."

Unlike in the game, the first test took place on a cliff north of Mondstadt. The examinee had to fly a full circle over Dawn Winery Lake, following designated checkpoints, and return to the starting point within a set time limit.

"Before we start, let me confirm again—do you have any flight experience? This cliff is high. If something goes wrong, I can't guarantee I'll be able to save you in time."

"Yes, I have flight experience."

"Then take off!" Amber started the timer.

Victor Wang leapt off the cliff, passed through the arranged speed rings and checkpoints, descended in altitude, then used an updraft to regain height. He returned to the starting point in 30 seconds.

"This is so easy. Who could possibly fail this test?"

"Right? I thought it was easy too." Amber nodded with a satisfied smile. "Next checkpoint is back in Mondstadt. Let's go."

Outside Mondstadt Cathedral.

"This time, you'll need to fly around the Anemo Archon statue up ahead. Pass through the markers in sequence—time limit is one minute. Once you're done, use the updraft at the end to reach the top of the Knights of Favonius headquarters. I'll be waiting for you there."

"Now, take off!" Amber began the timer.

Victor Wang soared upward with an updraft, passed through three markers, but couldn't maintain altitude. He had to grip the Archon statue's wing and climb up to reach a checkpoint.

Then he took off again, passed another marker—only to look back and see he missed a high one. He had to loop back to the nearest updraft to regain height, wasting several seconds.

He finally passed the last marker and rode an updraft to the Knights' rooftop—finishing in 43 seconds.

"Whew, I almost thought I'd have to retake that." Victor Wang exhaled deeply, too drained to make any jokes.

"Looks like you've mastered the art of gliding. Now comes the final exam. The markers are already in place. Fly toward your license!"

"I'm going all out!"

Victor Wang jumped from the rooftop, gliding over rooftops toward a marker near the large windmill. Just as he was about to turn left after touching the marker, the windmill blade swung in and blocked him.

"Tch!"

That pause cost him altitude—he had to land and use a nearby updraft to take off again. This time, he hit two more markers but couldn't locate the next one...

After several stumbles, Victor Wang still completed the final leg, landing outside the Mondstadt branch of the Adventurers' Guild.

"Test passed! Please return to the Knights to collect your glider license!" Amber beamed radiantly. Though it was someone else's success, she looked even happier than the person being tested. "We can head back together."

"Awesome!"

Victor Wang followed behind Amber, enjoying the perfect view the whole walk.

By the next morning, before 9 AM, Victor Wang arrived at West Wind Bookstore and saw a long line of enthusiastic readers already queued outside.

He wasn't surprised. His bank account had already reached six digits by last night—tens of thousands of Mora. Based on his earnings, he estimated that several hundred copies had sold in the past two days.

Among today's visitors were fans eager to meet the author, collectors wanting a signed copy, and curious new readers drawn in by the prior day's events or store advertisements.

West Wind Bookstore was one of Mondstadt's largest. Its prime location and name hinted at strong backing—sure enough, the store was adorned with the banner of the Knights of Favonius.

A banner at the store's entrance read: "Tales from the Box now hot on the shelves. Special signing event with Master Dust." Beneath the banner, a desk and chair awaited the author's arrival.

Victor Wang checked his pocket watch—still several minutes to go. After Amber saw through his ineffective disguise yesterday, he was feeling nervous about facing such a crowd.

But it was fine. Most Vision holders were either at the Adventurers' Guild or the Knights—out fighting monsters or already working this time of day.

Alice's cloak was highly effective on ordinary people, and ordinary people made up 99% of the population—none could see through it.

Suppressing his unease, Victor Wang walked toward the signing desk early.

From the line, an uncle called out, "Hey! No cutting!"

A store employee trying to maintain order quickly stepped in. "Please join the queue from the end."

"I'm the author." Since no one recognized him, Victor Wang didn't take offense.

"Ah! Please, right this way!"

He barely had time to sit before a woman walked out from the bookstore.

A secretary!

She radiated a professional aura so strong it nearly made Victor Wang blurt out his thoughts.

Her chestnut hair was tied into a neat ponytail behind her head. She wore rimless glasses and a crisp white blouse under a black jacket, looking poised and intellectual.

Most eye-catching of all were the black stockings between her pencil skirt and high heels.

Too bad she's still a notch below Keqing...

"You must be Master Dust? I'm Emma Ina, a friend of Lisa's. I'm so glad to finally meet you."

Emma was clearly excited. From reading the manuscript to waiting two days post-launch, she'd been eager to meet the author.

"Yes, that's me. Are you with the publisher?"

"Oh! I forgot to mention—I'm the editor for Tales from the Box. I handled the layout, proofreading, and I'm also in charge of today's signing event."

"I see. Thank you very much."

"I absolutely love your work. This book is going to become a Teyvat-wide bestseller!"

Emma's enthusiasm left Victor Wang at a loss for how to respond. Fortunately, she noticed and toned it down slightly.

"How about we start a bit early? The bookstore prepared a thousand copies. If you sign them all, it'll take until afternoon."

1000 * 500 = ... Victor Wang did the math in his head. Yes, yes! Let's start! I love Mora and Mora loves me.

But outwardly, he merely nodded with a calm expression—got to maintain that author image in front of the fans.

At Emma's signal, the store staff began letting readers in.

"If you don't have a book yet, please purchase one as you pass by me. If you're here to cause trouble, you'll be asked to leave."

"Keep moving forward."

"Master Dust, I've been a fan for ten years! Please sign my copy!"

Victor Wang's smile twitched slightly. I haven't even been in this world for ten years... But he had no rebuttal.

"Haha, sure thing."

Although he had all his previous memories, there was no fancy 'Dust' signature style. So, Victor Wang just used his own handwriting to sign.

"Master Dust, your writing has such character!"

The ten-year fan left happily hugging their copy.

"Master Dust, please write, 'Ellin, future Knight—keep it up!'" The next guest was a familiar face—Herman's daughter from the game.

"Of course."

Next up—another familiar figure.

"Well well, turns out you're the author!"

Emma, still standing beside Victor Wang, adjusted her glasses. "What do you want?"

The unimpressed youth who had once vowed to "catch the author" slowly pulled a red apple from his pocket and placed it on Victor Wang's desk. "I said if I caught him, there'd be a good apple to eat."

"...So, what do you want me to write?"

"Please sign: Dust, a.k.a. Les Mill."

Disdainful muttering came from the back of the line.

As the queue inched forward, Victor Wang spotted a trio in red, green, and blue further down. His robotic signing hand began to thaw slightly.

What are those three doing here?