Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Ren was still reeling from shock.

Did I hear that right?

A 5-star character's talent? Seriously?

[Ding! Please do not doubt the system.]

[The system is always reliable.]

Ren took a deep breath to calm himself.

Back in his previous life, he'd been an experienced gacha gamer. It didn't take long for him to spot the potential pitfall.

System, you're not scamming me, are you? Is this 'rate-up' even real?

What if it's a bait banner?

[...]

Ren gritted his teeth.

Playing dead now, huh? Figures.

[Ding! The system is fully operational.]

[Please draw your character trial card promptly.]

[Time is limited—no second chances!]

As Ren engaged in mental warfare with his system, reality continued to unfold around him.

Mei stood silently, gazing at Ren for a long moment.

"..."

She stepped closer, studying his face.

It was still youthful and a bit immature, but his eyes were resolute.

Hundreds of years had passed—centuries of loneliness.

For the first time, Mei felt her heart stir again.

Perhaps she didn't even realize it herself, but her gaze had softened considerably.

The boy named Takahashi Ren... she approved of him.

After a long pause, her cold voice broke the silence.

"You... would you be willing to..."

Before she could finish, Ren snapped out of his daze, blurting out reflexively:

"Yes!"

"..."

Mei let out what sounded like a quiet sigh of relief, nodding slowly.

"In that case, extend your hand."

Ren blinked, realizing the system had gone silent after the draw.

Figures. This stupid system wouldn't even tell me the result.

Based on his past experiences, this "5-star rate-up" was probably all smoke and mirrors.

He was almost certain it would end up being a miss.

But that didn't stop him from anticipating the result.

Would it be Venti, the bard who could level mountaintops with the wind?

Or Zhongli, the Geo Archon who could summon a meteor to create a chasm?

Or maybe—

His thoughts scattered as his vision cleared.

In front of him was Mei's delicate hand, stretched toward him.

Her fingers were slender and pale, her skin flawless.

Her hand was so beautiful that he felt an urge to take it.

But...

What's happening here?

Mei's gaze was serious as she extended her hand further.

"Come on."

Just as her fingertips were about to touch his...

"Wait a minute!"

Ren instinctively stepped back.

He'd been so focused on the system that he had no idea what was happening outside.

Now that he was back in reality, his guard was up.

"..."

The village girl, previously calm and collected, suddenly froze.

Was that small step backward serious?

The air grew tense.

"Wait, what were you saying just now?" Ren asked cautiously.

What critical information did I miss?!

"Have you... changed your mind?"

As soon as Mei spoke, arcs of electricity danced around her, accompanied by faint rumbles of thunder.

Her cold gaze locked onto him, both beautiful and dangerous.

The soft, delicate hand from earlier clenched into a fist, ready to strike at any moment.

"I... I forgot something for a moment!"

"Don't act rashly—let's talk this out!"

Facing the increasingly oppressive aura of the village girl, Ren found himself retreating.

"You're hesitant, and you call yourself a man?"

Mei's voice was tinged with disappointment as lightning gathered in her palm.

She swung her arm decisively.

"!"

Ren watched the fierce arc of lightning descend, wide-eyed.

She's serious!

He tried to dodge, but with a thud, his back hit the tree behind him.

No way out.

Just then—

[Ding! Draw results finalized.]

Who cares?! I'm about to get pummeled!

Ren had no time to check the system as the lightning-laden strike bore down on him.

Her hand stopped just short of hitting him.

Instead, it slammed into the tree trunk next to his head.

Thud!

The sound echoed, and Ren realized his situation.

He hesitated, his mouth opening as he looked into Mei's masked face.

That familiar floral scent reached him again.

Wait, why am I calling it familiar?

And why does it feel... increasingly familiar?

The realization struck him.

He'd been cornered—literally.

Not only had he been princess-carried earlier, but now he was being pinned against a tree?

Ren froze.

Once could be written off as an accident. Twice?

He was starting to suspect that this aloof village girl had a knack for getting the upper hand.

Mei observed Ren's stunned silence and let out a soft scoff.

She reached out again—

...

Ren slowly lowered his gaze.

Somehow, their hands had intertwined.

Her hand was soft.

Delicate, smooth, and almost comforting.

A spark of lightning passed between their palms.

The next moment, the system's voice rang in his mind.

[Ding! Character trial card received!]

[5-star character: Raiden Shogun]

[Talent unlocked: Transcendence: Baleful Omen]

[Granting the Eye of Stormy Judgment to a character allows their attacks to trigger coordinated lightning strikes at enemy positions, dealing AoE Electro damage.]

Ren: ???

This system... since when did it become this generous?

Am I dreaming, or did I just hit the jackpot?!

---

T/N: heh clearly shes the top in the relationship get kabedoned also best palce to cliffhanger uhhh posting 10 chaps tomorrow and releasing it on webnovel the next day (HEHE YOU GUYS DIDNT KNOW THAT TN ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PAST!)

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