After handing over the [Hilt of Wind] to Noelle, Xia Zhi returned to his room.
He had just pushed the door open when he found Xia Lin and Xia Le lying on his bed.
"Big brother, where did you go just now?"
"Had something to take care of outside."
"Is it done?"
"Mhm."
Xia Zhi looked at the two of them, a little helpless.
"You two came over again tonight? Didn't we agree it was only last night? Did you forget?"
"We didn't!"
"Then off you go—sleep together in your own room."
"Wait."
Xia Le blinked, putting on an innocent look. "Big brother, I'm actually just here to keep Xia Lin company."
"Keep Xia Lin company?"
"Mhm. She needs to talk to you."
"What is it?"
Xia Lin lifted her head and bit her lip, looking a little embarrassed. In a small voice, she said, "Papa, I went with Sister Charlotte to take pictures this afternoon."
"Hm?"
"I saw some people at certain street corners—adults and kids. Their clothes were all ragged, and some of them were picking through trash to eat."
"Hm?"
"I… I felt so bad for them. Papa, can we help them?"
Xia Zhi went quiet for a moment. The little girl's heart was indeed kind.
What she'd described happened in every country—there were always people living in poverty.
But even if you bought a bunch of food and clothes to hand out, it'd only help them for a moment, not for a lifetime.
Smiling, he ruffled her hair. "Of course we can help. But to what extent do you want to help?"
"To what extent?"
"For example: help them get through a day? A week? Or a month…"
"Can it be longer?"
"Then we need to change the approach. We can't just hand out Mora—we need to help them find jobs that can last."
"Jobs!"
"Mhm. We'll have to think of a way to increase employment in Mondstadt."
Xia Zhi thought back to the monster siege a few days ago. Captain Jean had amassed so many alchemy materials that it would be hard to use them all. They could try promoting the Knights' exclusive potions into civilian potions—that was a vast market.
Miss Lisa, Miss Sucrose, and that Mr. Albedo—plus himself, Cloud Retainer, Ying'er, and Xia Ci—could all pitch in on research. Improving potion formulas shouldn't be difficult. It'd also be a good chance to get to know the Chief Alchemist Albedo and farm that diamond chest off him.
"I've got a rough idea already. I'll go talk it over with Captain Jean tomorrow."
"Okay! Thank you, Papa!"
With that settled, Xia Lin and Xia Le reluctantly left his room.
He finally had a free night.
Time to head next door to sleep.
—
Early the next morning, Noelle woke up, sat on her bed, and stared at the hilt in her hand that had only recharged a tiny bit, falling into thought.
Something felt off.
It could recharge, yes—but the charging speed seemed far too slow.
At this rate, it would take a month to fill up once.
Noelle carried her greatsword to the Church of Favonius and, as usual, sparred with Yaoyao.
When Fischl arrived, she and Noelle recognized each other as Magical Girls right away.
It was a very curious feeling.
She sheathed her sword and scooted closer to whisper, "Fischl, I have a question."
Fischl looked curiously at her junior. "What is it?"
"How long does your transformation item take to recharge?"
"About two days."
"So fast?!"
"That's fast? Qiqi only needs a day now."
"Huh?"
Noelle found it hard to believe.
"Then why do I need a month?"
"A month?!"
Fischl was just as astonished.
"Why so slow?"
Oz chimed in, "It should be a matter of faith purity. Mr. Xia said the purer the faith, the stronger the power you can use after transforming—and the faster the recharge."
"I see…"
No wonder her transformation time was so short and her recharge so slow—it was because her faith in Mr. Xia wasn't firm enough.
"I've been searching the Library these past few days for books on this, but haven't found anything useful. You often help organize the shelves there—do you remember any related books?"
"Faith…"
Noelle lowered her head and thought for a while.
"I think I remember seeing one. I'll look for it when I go back."
"Thanks!"
"It's no trouble."
"Let's go out the three of us tonight!"
"Mhm…"
—
After breakfast, Xia Zhi headed to the Knights of Favonius with Noelle.
"Got your payback last night?"
"Mhm."
"Do Abyss Mages still seem scary to you now?"
"Not anymore. They feel weak."
"Haha."
"Mr. Xia…"
"Something else?"
"The hilt's recharge speed is really slow."
"As long as it recharges, that's fine. The speed depends on your own mindset."
"Faith purity, right?"
"Mhm?"
"Fischl and Oz told me."
"I see. That's right."
Noelle fell silent.
Xia Zhi smiled and didn't say more.
As they passed the open ground, they saw a few Knights practicing swordsmanship. Faintly, they could hear exclamations about the dummy that had been chopped clean in two.
Noelle heard it, blushed a little, and felt a flutter of excitement.
Because as a Magical Girl, she was already stronger than most actual Knights of Favonius.
At the door to Jean's office, the two parted ways.
Watching Xia Zhi step inside, Noelle turned and entered the Library of the Knights.
There weren't many readers inside yet.
Following her memory, she wove through the shelves until she finally found a somewhat worn notebook in a corner.
Noelle opened it. Lines of yellowed handwriting flickered on the paper.
[The power of gods can be borrowed.]
[Those who borrow it are often called God's chosen.]
[The term differs across different worlds.]
[Proxies, Walkers, Saints, Priests, Envoys…]
[There is also a mad shortcut for mortals who covet a god's power.]
[Sacrifice.]
[One may offer oneself as tribute to a god—if a response is received, one can then…]
On the final page, she saw the name of the notebook's original owner:
[Alice]