In Your Eyes: Empyrean Admonition

You Board The Crux With Kaveh

Akademiya, Sumeru City, Sumeru

It's midnight when you are finally able to walk out of the Akademiya. Aside from the Matra on patrol, you see three men standing near the door waiting for something or someone. Zhongli gives you a polite nod while Alhaitham and Kaveh immediately walk towards you. You and Cyno shortly join them as the chilly night breeze makes you shiver a little.

"It's just standard procedure." Cyno explains to them why they took you before adding, "Lesser Lord declared that Rabbit is not at fault so they are now free to go."

Kaveh sighs, "I'm so glad."

"Let us go home now, you look tired." Alhaitham gives you a small reassuring smile. He hands you a tunic to cover but you decline it.

"I'm done hiding, Alhaitham. Besides, Al Abyad knows where I am already. There's no point in hiding anymore."

The Acting Grand Sage still wraps the tunic around your shoulders while whispering, "Just take it, I don't want you getting cold."

Kaveh looks at his housemate as if he has never seen him before, his eyes are so wide that it's comical. You stop yourself from laughing while Alhaitham makes sure you are wrapped up. Nahida soon exits the Akademiya as well, surprised to see Zhongli with the group.

"Erm. Cyno," You look towards the Mahamatra, "will this situation be something against my reputation?"

Cyno shakes his head, "As I said, the Dendro Archon is the one who cleared everything. Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking of joining the civilian exams for the Matra."

Kaveh has a proud look on his face, like a father seeing their child take their first steps. His housemate on the other hand looks a bit annoyed. Nahida quickly joins the discussion as you explain to them that you want to try out being a Matra to help with your living expenses as well as investigate where the knowledge capsule with your memory is located.

"I'm glad you decided to join us," Cyno says proudly, "I actually plan to be the one who conducts the tests this year, I will be impartial but I believe you can pass given your abilities."

You shyly reply, "Thank you. I want to be able to help others too."

Zhongli interrupts the cordial conversation by clearing his throat, when you look at him he just bids everyone farewell. You stare at his retreating back, as he walks over the nearby Teleport Waypoint, and all questions you still have about your past vanish when your new friends continue to talk about your plans.

Port Ormos, Ardravi Valley, Dharma Forest, Sumeru

Kaveh carries bolts of cloth while you carry a small package as both of you walk around Port Ormos. It is very early in the morning but instead of the quiet and calm atmosphere in the Akademiya, the port is already bustling with life. The people around you shout out their wares, call out towards other porters, or just barter with each other but you find the crowd quite calming instead of being overwhelmed. You have mastered the ability to tune out unnecessary noise by now, but you still catch snippets of what people say and it sometimes catches you off guard.

Your cheeks are burning when you hear a couple somewhere in the crowd, whispering racy anecdotes of last night.

Kaveh sees your blushing face and his eyebrows furor in concern. He stops to ask, "Are you getting overwhelmed? I told you that there's a lot of people in Port Ormos and that you should wear a hood over your ears."

Though your ears are drooping on either side of your head, a lot of people still stop on their tracks to take a double look. You prefer it this way now since getting your Vision back has boosted your confidence. Some children even point and stare, there was one time when you wiggled your ears at a baby who giggled at your antics.