Chapter 16: 16. You Can't Use A Vision For Your Daily Needs
Ryūhei glanced at Xingqiu. He wasn't familiar with the history of Liyue Harbor. So, asking Xingqiu for an opinion was his best choice.
Xingqiu nodded in confirmation since he also heard that kind of story. From then on, Ryūhei suspected that Zhongli was a big shot.
Whether from the way Zhongli spoke, acted, power, or his knowledge, Ryūhei was sure that Zhongli was an Adeptus. Perhaps, Xingqiu who possessed high intelligence also had the same thoughts as Ryūhei.
"Sigh. If you said so, then I apologize. I'd say I agree that working at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to send spirits to the afterlife is indeed a noble and honorable job. But I just can't stand the behavior of the boss from that place."
Xingqiu chuckled before replying.
"Well, just get used to it. You'll meet her a lot in the future after all."
"Who the hell wants to get used to it? And what do you mean I'll meet her a lot?" Ryūhei refuted.
"Literally, this is Liyue Harbor. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is not far from this place. Isn't it natural that you will meet her often in the future?"
"Haah. Fine, fine. I'll get used to it. But I just hope I won't become crazy due to her antics." Then, Ryūhei turned to Zhongli while handing the manga. "Sir Zhongli, was it? Here, sir. Please make sure to tell someone from the parlor to pay for 2000 Mora. Oh right, my name is Niwa Ryūhei. I'm pleased to meet someone as knowledgeable as you."
Zhongli accepted the manga while nodding.
"Likewise. If you'd like to see Liyue's tourist spots, you can ask me! I have a few references."
After Zhongli said that, he walked back in the direction of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor while glancing to his right side. It seemed his purpose to visit the Third-Round Knockout tavern was canceled. But, then again, he could visit that place another day.
Meanwhile, after seeing Zhongli disappear from Ryūhei's sight, he turned to Xingqiu.
"That man, do you happen to have the same thoughts as mine, Xingqiu? I suspect that he is—"
"Yup, I suspected him ever since he became a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Hu Tao was so tight-lipped when I asked her about Mr. Zhongli's background. And every time she did that, it was because she didn't want to talk about the Adepti. Though, I don't know what kind of Adeptus he is."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Whoever it is, those who come to buy my manga are still my customers. But, how come he seemed to not consider Mora as transactions?"
"I don't know what the Adepti think." Xingqiu shrugged his shoulders.
— — — —
Thinking about what Zhongli usually did when he wanted to buy something, it seemed like a natural thing to do where he used the terms buy now, pay later. It was like a concept that had been implemented in online marketplaces on Earth. Too bad, something like an online shop doesn't exist in Teyvat.
At that moment, he saw a woman in her 20s approaching his shop. She has fair skin, brown eyes, and straight, black hair styled in a bob. And her attire is Inazuman-style garb that is primarily green and black, with sandals that have white socks underneath.
She saw the sign in front of the shop and when she saw Ryūhei's appearance, she couldn't help but ask.
"Are you an Inazuman? Are you the one who owns this shop and drew the thing called manga?"
"That's right. Are you interested in my manga? The price wasn't that much. Just 1000 Mora per volume." Ryūhei replied calmly while offering to buy his manga. But, the woman shook her head.
"I'm sorry. Though I'm interested in it. I have no Mora. I am grateful to meet an Inazuman like you in Liyue Harbor. To be honest, I'm kinda…lost."
"Lost? What do you mean?"
"You see. The atmosphere in Liyue is so different from Inazuma, both in customs and culture. So, the way to interact with local people is definitely different. I was a little hesitant to interact with locals for fear of offending them. When I saw a manga that used the language from Inazuma, I believed the one who made it was someone from Inazuma as well. And knowing you're really from Inazuma, can I ask you for help?"
Ryūhei scratched his head after hearing the woman's explanation. It seemed that the woman in front of him wasn't good at talking to people from other nations.
"Hmmm. You have no Mora, strolling around Liyue Harbor without anything to do. I'm guessing if you don't want to borrow money from me, you intend to make me hire you in my shop, am I right?"
The woman reddened her cheeks in embarrassment while nodding.
"What's your name?" Ryūhei asked her.
"My name is Atsuko."
"Atsuko, huh? Well, let me tell you first. This is the first day I opened my shop. And owning this shop doesn't mean I have Mora as you think. Look, there are people in the shop, but they are both customers. I don't even employ anyone in my shop. Do you know why?" Ryūhei explained slowly.
Hearing that, Atsuko's eyes downcasted. She was crestfallen since she knew that Ryūhei couldn't employ anyone because he had nothing to pay.
Looking at her expression, Ryūhei sighed as he couldn't handle a woman being sad.
"I can employ you, but in these few days or perhaps a few weeks, I can only pay you with three meals a day and a place to rest. You need to know that I can't handle paying you with Mora at the moment. You can decide now!"
"I accept. Let me work in your shop, pretty please!"
Without thinking much, Atsuko immediately accepted Ryūhei's offer while bowing even though she could only get paid for three meals a day and a place to rest.
Ryūhei nodded.
"Follow me!" Then, he led Atsuko inside. Or rather, he wanted to show where her room was.
Luckily Ryūhei had 2 beds that belonged to none other than the former owner. What's more, there are 2 rooms upstairs. Ryūhei had intended to use one of the rooms for a warehouse, but since Atsuko didn't have a place to live, he was going to make that room her room instead.
Ryūhei helped to set up the bed and wardrobe as only two items were heavy. For the rest, he told Atsuko to take care of the room herself.
When Ryūhei came down from upstairs, Xingqiu asked Ryūhei.
"Who is she?"
"My new employee."
"How weird. Where do you get Mora to hire someone?"
"I don't. I only offered if she would be willing to work here with just a place to live and three meals a day or not. She is from Inazuma and doesn't have the courage to apply for a job in Liyue Harbor which has different customs and culture."
He explained Atsuko's circumstances to Xingqiu.
While holding a manga in his left hand, Xingqiu held his chin with his right while replying.
"Eh, that's kinda weird. It's as if she's not good at dealing with other people."
Ryūhei nodded, agreeing with Xingqiu's opinion.
"Well, it's rather the people from other nations I believe. By the way, I want to ask something."
"What is it?"
"You have the power of a Hydro Vision, right?"
"Then?"
"Can you create water from your palm?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, I wanted to have a bathroom. But the water source around here is salt water. It would be troublesome to go back and forth to bring fresh water, don't you think? And wouldn't it be better if you help me to create fresh water from your palm?"
Xingqiu twitched his cheek. And veins also popped up on his face. Yet, he still replied.
"I can't do that!"
Ryūhei widened his eyes before saying,
"Don't tell me you can spew fresh water from your mouth?"
"The hell I can do that!!! What the hell do you think I am?" Xingqiu snapped.
"Tsk. Then what's the use of a Vision if things like that don't work? Turns out Visions are useless."
"In the first place, why do you think that a Vision is used for daily needs?"
"Basically, almost all types of elements are used or can be used for everyday life. The wind element which means Anemo is used by fishermen to sail. Fire meaning Pyro is used for cooking. Water means Hydro is used for bathing, and so on."
"Haaah. You don't get it about Visions, do you? Having a Vision means that one has the power to control elements based on their type through the energy around them. The Vision gem absorbs an element based on the element of the given Vision which will be controlled by the holder. And when the element is released from the Vision gem, the energy becomes much greater, in which the energy will be absorbed by the Vision gem again. And when the energy reaches its limit, the holder can release even greater power by burning all the energy absorbed by the Vision gem."
It seems that matters concerning controlling the element of a given Vision are so complex. From Xingqiu's explanation, Ryūhei finally understood the workings of a Vision. And it seems useless if he asks someone who has a Vision to help him with his daily needs.
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