Chapter 46

The next morning, in Cloud Retainer's abode.

Nathan lay on the stone bed with his eyes tightly closed.

Still in his dreams, he kept feeling some kind of weight pressing down on him.

"soft breathing..."

Gentle breaths tickled his nose tip, hastening his awakening.

Opening his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling and felt a heavy pressure on his chest.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

In his daze, Nathan asked himself these three soul-searching questions.

"Brother..."

The childish voice reached his ears, immediately answering all three questions.

.........

Last night, Cloud Retainer had offered Nathan lodging.

Looking at him expectantly, she wanted him to become her disciple.

To become an adeptus's disciple, and moreover, Ganyu's master's disciple.

Having known everything about this adeptus from the game, Nathan naturally knew her capabilities.

However, just as the request for discipleship was made, the simulator system in his mind presented two options:

[The adeptus of the Illuminated Beasts wants to take you as a disciple, what is your choice?]

[Reject request: Gain the ability to enhance ley lines!]

[Accept request: Gain the reward of adeptus arts.]

Two options, two different rewards, left Nathan hesitating.

The adeptus arts taught by an immortal would naturally be powerful.

But for anyone who had played the game, they would understand the mystical nature of ley lines.

Logically speaking, Nathan should choose the more mysterious ley lines, since Qilin were already at the peak of divine beasts.

Through growth alone, he could close the gap with these adepti, even surpass them.

"What's wrong... are you unsatisfied with this adeptus's teaching because of Ganyu's current state?"

The crane mistook Nathan's hesitation as concern about Ganyu behind him.

After all, the chubby little one currently had no combat ability.

"Sigh, you should trust this adeptus's teaching ability. Ganyu's current state is mainly due to her playfulness and gluttony!"

Trying to shift blame to her disciple, but the little one behind Nathan wouldn't have it.

"Master..."

Pouting with her small mouth, waving her round little hands randomly, trying to express her dissatisfaction.

Somehow, after meeting Nathan, Ganyu had become very sensitive about topics regarding eating and weight.

"Ahem... anyway, Nathan, you should trust this adeptus. Ganyu surely wants you to stay too!"

To convince Nathan to stay, Cloud Retainer had resorted to both coaxing and persuasion.

However, this approach proved more effective than all her previous conversation.

Because the little one tightly hugged Nathan's neck, clearly not wanting him to leave.

"Brother... stay with me..."

Looking desperate, if he said 'no' now, Ganyu's pearl-like tears would surely flow unstoppably.

The little one was like Nathan's weakness, and because of this, he finally decided to stay.

He became Cloud Retainer's disciple, destined to live with this crane and child in the future.

.......

Coming back to his senses, Nathan tried to move the little one from his chest.

As Cloud Retainer's true form was a crane, she could rest by simply perching on the rock wall, not needing beds or such furniture.

The stone bed and chairs in this adeptus abode were actually prepared for Ganyu's daily use.

Now with Nathan added, he naturally shared the bed with the little one.

However, he hadn't expected Ganyu's sleeping posture to be so problematic.

After falling asleep, she had climbed directly onto him.

"Brother... hehe!"

As Nathan slowly lifted her up, the little one was still deep in sweet dreams.

Mumbling his name hazily, with a crystal-clear droplet at the corner of her mouth.

"Sigh..."

Helplessly, Nathan had to wipe away the moisture from the little one's mouth.

Having spent only one day in this life simulation, he hadn't gained much combat experience, but had accumulated plenty of childcare experience.

"Mmm... so sweet!!!"

But just as Nathan's index finger reached her mouth, the drowsy Ganyu suddenly opened her mouth.

Eyes still closed, she engulfed half his finger.

"*gulp* So sweet... so fragrant!"

The little one's actions didn't stop, but rather became more forceful.

"Wait, Ganyu... this isn't a lollipop!"

Moist, warm, soft.

Strange sensations spread throughout Nathan's body.

Though wrapped in her mouth, he wanted to withdraw, but couldn't break free without hurting Ganyu.

The more he struggled, the more the little one's smile bloomed. 

It was as if she was having a wonderful dream about food.

"Wait... ouch ouch ouch... don't bite!"

...........

After the morning's commotion, Cloud Retainer brought her two disciples to an open space, saying she would begin formal instruction.

However, before teaching began, she noticed Nathan's less-than-energetic state.

In stark contrast was the cheerful Ganyu.

"Nathan, did you not rest well last night?"

"No, Cloud Retainer, I rested fine!"

Question and answer exchanged, though they now had a master-disciple relationship.

But Nathan didn't address her as "Master," instead using the form of address Ganyu would use in the future.

After all, if he really called her "Master," he would have to call the little one beside him "Senior Sister."

Even in this life simulation, this was something Nathan couldn't accept.

"That's good, that's good!"

Fortunately, Cloud Retainer didn't care about such formalities; she only wanted to keep this legendary Qilin under her tutelage.

"Now, let us begin today's lesson.

First, this adeptus will teach you how to skillfully control the elements."

Not having witnessed Nathan and Ganyu's battle with the hostile god below the mountain, Cloud Retainer didn't know her disciple's true capabilities.

She assumed this young Qilin hadn't yet learned to control his powers.

"Cloud Retainer, that won't be necessary, I've already learned to control the elements!"

Before his words finished, multicolored lights flickered before Nathan.

It was an extremely precise manipulation, causing various elemental attributes to collide together.

The sight was as beautiful as exploding fireworks.

"What... you've already learned this?"

Eyes widened, Cloud Retainer was shocked by his powerful elemental control.

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