Chapter 11 — The First Flame
Morning sunlight spilled across the rooftops of Mondstadt, turning the windmills into slow-moving silhouettes against the sky.
Angel's Share was quieter than usual.
Only a few travelers occupied the tables while the scent of wine and fresh bread drifted through the tavern.
Behind the counter, Aiden stood staring at the small red gemstone attached to his belt.
His Pyro Vision.
Even now, a day after awakening it, the warmth coming from it still felt surreal.
He lifted his hand slightly.
A faint spark flickered between his fingers.
Just a tiny flame.
But it responded instantly to his thoughts.
Aiden grinned.
"…That's addictive."
"Don't burn the tavern."
The calm voice behind him made the flame vanish instantly.
Aiden turned.
Diluc stood behind the counter polishing a glass.
His crimson eyes briefly glanced at the Vision.
"So it finally appeared."
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck.
"You already knew?"
Diluc placed the glass down carefully.
"I suspected."
Aiden leaned against the counter.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Diluc's expression remained neutral.
"People with strong will often receive Visions."
Aiden thought about that.
Strong will.
Maybe.
Or maybe the gods just liked dramatic timing.
Before he could respond, the tavern door burst open.
"HEY!"
A cheerful voice echoed across the room.
Amber rushed inside with her usual energy.
She immediately spotted Aiden.
"There you are!"
Aiden sighed.
"…Morning, Amber."
She leaned forward and pointed at his belt.
"Let me see it again!"
Aiden held up the Vision reluctantly.
Amber's eyes sparkled.
"That's so cool!"
She folded her arms proudly.
"Another Pyro user in Mondstadt."
Diluc quietly returned to his work behind the counter.
Apparently he had already lost interest in the excitement.
Amber grinned.
"So!"
She pointed at Aiden's spear.
"Have you tried fighting with it yet?"
"…Not really."
Amber slapped the table.
"Then let's test it!"
Aiden blinked.
"Right now?"
Amber was already walking toward the door.
"Come on!"
The training grounds outside the city were mostly empty that morning.
Only a few knights practiced drills near the far side of the field.
Amber planted her bow against the fence and stretched her arms.
"Alright!"
She pointed toward several wooden training targets.
"Show me what you can do."
Aiden stepped forward.
His hand moved instinctively toward the Vision.
The warmth immediately responded.
Flame gathered along the spear's tip.
Amber's eyes widened slightly.
"Ooooh."
Aiden thrust the spear forward.
A burst of Pyro energy shot across the field and struck the wooden target.
BOOM.
The target shattered instantly.
Amber whistled.
"Not bad."
Aiden stared at the spear.
"…Okay that's definitely new."
The warmth flowing through his body felt completely different from normal physical strength.
It was smoother.
Faster.
Almost instinctive.
Amber grabbed her bow.
"My turn."
She fired an arrow straight into another target.
The arrow exploded in a burst of fire.
"Pyro competition."
Aiden smirked.
"You're on."
For the next few minutes the field echoed with explosions as the two Pyro users tested their abilities.
Eventually Aiden lowered the spear.
"Alright, that's enough before we accidentally burn Mondstadt down."
Amber laughed.
"Fair point."
Just then—
A familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Aiden."
Both of them turned.
Standing near the entrance of the training field was another knight.
Tall.
Blonde.
Calm expression.
Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.
Amber immediately straightened.
"Good morning, Acting Grand Master!"
Jean nodded politely.
Then her gaze shifted toward Aiden's Vision.
"So the rumors were true."
Aiden scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…Apparently."
Jean walked closer.
"Congratulations."
Her voice was warm but composed.
"Receiving a Vision is a significant moment."
Amber nudged Aiden.
"See? Even the Acting Grand Master heard about it."
Aiden sighed.
"Great."
Jean looked at the broken training targets.
"Have you begun learning to control it?"
"…Kind of."
Jean considered that for a moment.
"Control is important."
Then she smiled slightly.
"But judging by those targets, you seem to be adapting quickly."
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck.
"Still figuring things out."
Jean nodded once.
"I look forward to seeing your progress."
With that, she turned and left the training field.
Amber watched her go.
"She's scary when she's serious."
Aiden chuckled.
"Just a little."
Later that afternoon Aiden returned to Angel's Share.
After finishing his work, he sat at one of the empty tables.
For a moment he simply stared at his Vision again.
Then—
A familiar glow appeared in front of him.
The panel.
══════════════════════════════
[Status Panel]
Name: Aiden
Age: 13
Weapon: Spear
Vision: Pyro
Elemental Control: Beginner
Combat Ability: Intermediate
Special Trait: Unknown
Constellation: Dormant
Next Objective:
Master Pyro control.
══════════════════════════════
The panel flickered slightly before disappearing again.
Aiden leaned back in his chair.
"…Still mysterious, huh?"
The tavern remained quiet around him.
Outside, the wind of Mondstadt continued to move lazily through the streets.
Aiden rested his spear beside the table.
One thing was certain.
Training was about to get a lot more interesting.