Genshin Impact Simulation: Starting with Melsin's Friend

Tick, tick.

Crimson blood flowed, splashing onto the marble floor of the dueling arena. The stone bricks absorbed the color of the blood, blooming into dark red plum blossoms.

Clementine's hand holding the sword trembled. She helplessly released the one-handed sword from her grasp, letting the splattered blood fall onto her face.

"thump."

The sound of the mangled body hitting the marble floor was unusually dull.

On the high platform, Kujavina looked slightly surprised, her bright red lips curving into a smile of interest.

It's really unexpected.

Whatever the reason, how could my kind-hearted daughter one day be so decisive as to draw her sword against her companion?

It seems it's not time to replace the tools yet.

Then show me, Clementine, show me your worth, your ruthlessness, your ambition.

Show me you have the qualifications to stand on that "King's" stage.

Otherwise, you will still be a victim at the feet of the "King".

Kujavina stood up, a rare expression of loving kindness on her face, and loudly announced the result of the duel.

Clementine looked up, her gaze blank as she looked at her "mother's" gentle smile, a sense of unreality washing over her.

How long has it been?

Since the age of ten, the gentle and kind mother she once knew has disappeared, replaced by a domineering, strict, and demanding mother.

The mother forced them to participate in training, using cruel games to test their progress.

The mother ordered them to carry out the mission; the losers and the wounded were deemed worthless and disappeared without a trace.

Now, the mother forces them to kill each other, exchanging the blood of their companions for the right to live for a while longer.

Why... did it turn out like this?

This mother is no longer the one she remembers.

Or rather, the kindness and gentleness of the past ten years were nothing more than a mask; the true face hidden beneath that mask was the mother's true nature.

Was the first time her mother smiled at her instead of scolding and punishing her simply because she had killed her companion?

I wonder when my mother's smile became so repulsive?

Tick, tick.

This time, it was the sound of rain falling.

A torrential downpour fell from the sky, the drenching rain curtain obscuring the entire world and blurring the surrounding scenery into a chaotic mess of colors.

Clementine held the sword in her hand, her pink hair wet with rain, leaving streaks on her face.

The girl lay quietly on the ground. The heavy rain washed away the bloodstains on her face, brushed aside her disheveled hair, and revealed her pale face.

She is smiling.

"Kill me in a bit, okay?"

On the way there, the girl suddenly broke the deathly silence in the carriage. With a gentle smile, she casually spoke of death.

"why?"

The girl's unexpected words puzzled Clementine. She turned her head and was surprised to find the girl smiling.

"No reason."

The girl lowered her head, but the faint smile on her lips remained; she seemed very relaxed.

"I just don't want to live like this anymore."

They were unwilling to live with the blood of their comrades.

"Death is a relief for me."

The rain continued to fall, and water droplets rolled down my face, I couldn't tell if they were rainwater or tears.

……

"Cravlie, would you like some cake?"

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Mu Feng, carrying a plate of small cakes, quietly entered Clementine's bedroom.

Since returning from the duel, Clementine, soaking wet, has locked herself in her room without saying a word, and even her favorite little cakes couldn't arouse her interest.

The room was dark, and the dim moonlight shining through the window brought a slight chill.

Clementine sat blankly on the bed, staring vacantly at the corner of the wall, tears streaming silently down her face.

Mu Feng placed the cake plate by the bedside, pulled Clementine, who looked like a lost kitten, into his arms, and gently dried her wet hair with his wind element.

The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of dappled moonlight falling on the floor.

After a long while, Clementine suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the room.

"Brother Mufeng."

"I'm here."

Mu Feng held Clementine's cold little hand in his own, looking at the despair in the girl's eyes with heartache.

"Will we...die too?"

The girl's voice was very soft, with a slight tremor in it, as if she was trying her best to suppress her emotions.

silence.

"Perhaps."

Mu Feng gently cupped Clementine's face and softly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Don't be afraid, Clementine."

"When that time really comes..."

The boy paused for a moment, then continued the conversation in a relaxed tone.

"You will not be ahead of me."

"I do not want!"

Clementine, who had been so fragile that a gust of wind could have blown her away, suddenly jumped up like a furious little beast, her eyes red and her emotions extremely agitated.

Clementine gripped Mu Feng's shoulders, tears welling in her lake-green eyes, her gaze pleading.

"Please... Brother Mufeng."

"If that day ever comes, kill Clementine."

Mu Feng did not answer, but simply held the girl in his arms quietly, remaining silent.

But Clementine saw the answer in the boy's gentle eyes.

If that day ever comes, the boy before me will be the first to draw his sword against his "mother," even if it's just to buy them a chance to escape.

"Brother Mufeng, you're such an idiot, an idiot, an idiot!"

"Cravie hates you!"

She bit down hard on Mu Feng's shoulder, then raised her little fists and rained blows on his arm, while large tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.

A sudden surge of hatred welled up inside me, yet I didn't know who it was directed at. Perhaps it was the capricious nature of fate, or perhaps...

I am simply someone who can't do anything.

"alright."

Mu Feng helplessly patted the girl's shoulder and back, letting Clementine vent her emotions in his arms.

"Want some cake?"

A spoonful of cake, exuding the delicate aroma of cream, was brought to her lips. Clementine, who had gradually stopped crying, choked slightly and subconsciously took a bite of the cake.

The sweet flavor melted in my mouth, bringing a touch of warmth to the cold night.

Only then did Clementine realize she was hungry. She took the cake from Mu Feng and began to wolf it down. White cream was immediately smeared all over her face, as if the cake in front of her had some deep-seated grudge against her.

The boy simply sat to the side, smiling, occasionally wiping food crumbs from Clementine's face with a tissue, quietly watching the girl eat the cake with gusto.

"Get some rest, Clementine."

After clearing away the plate Clementine had left uneaten, Mu Feng tucked the blanket around the exhausted Clementine and quietly turned to leave the room.

"Don't go..."

Clementine, who had been drowsy, suddenly perked up and reached out to grab Mu Feng's wrist tightly, muttering softly as she pulled the boy back from leaving.

Mu Feng smiled helplessly and sat back down on the edge of the bed, reaching out his left hand to rub Clementine's forehead.

"Okay, I won't leave."

"Go to sleep."

Clementine stopped talking, curled up and gradually fell asleep. Soon, even breathing could be heard, and the exhausted girl slowly drifted into a dream.

But she never let go of the boy's hand.

……

In complete darkness, I don't know how much time had passed.

The darkness was fading, and the girl opened her eyes in a daze, only to see a clear blue sky.

I'm dead, aren't I?

Is this... heaven...?

The excruciating pain of the blade piercing his chest was still vivid in his memory, but the gruesome wound had vanished without a trace.

A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying with it the sweet scents of dandelion and cider.

"Sister Elodie, she's awake!"

A commotion arose, and the next moment, a girl with golden twin ponytails tied with a bubble orange hair tie appeared before her, smiling and extending her hand to her.

"Welcome to Mondstadt, and..."

"Welcome home."