Ah~ I completely lost. That Durandal was really too unfair, completely no match."
At the Angels Share, Lumine, wearing a bartender's uniform, had just finished mixing a "Love Poem." Taking advantage of a lull in customers, he leaned on the bar and sighed.
He never expected that he would actually faint from excessive shyness. Usually, even when he went out with a few girls and got close, he wouldn't have such a strong reaction.
"Hey, Paimon. When I fainted last night, did anything happen?"
"No, Durandal left after carrying you back to your room. At most, she just tidied your bangs; she didn't do anything else."
Paimon, who was drinking juice, said calmly, "Paimon can't believe you acted like that. I thought you had been swapped out! That's completely unlike you."
"I think so too, but… don't you think Durandal's actions last night were a bit too stimulating?"
Hmm~ indeed. Paimon nodded. Last night's Durandal was indeed quite charming. If that gentleness had been directed at her, Paimon felt she would have reacted the same way, perhaps even more intensely.
"It's a good thing that kind of situation only happens occasionally. If it happened often, I'd probably have to get some medicine from Baizhu."
"Durandal is the best doctor, yet you'd go to Baizhu. Aren't you worried that if Durandal finds out, she'll withhold your snacks?"
Tapping Paimon's little head, Durandal sat at the bar, propping her chin, her mind replaying what happened last night.
Will I never see Durandal like that again? If so, that would be such a pity. Even though she was completely unable to resist that Durandal, but… that Durandal was simply too alluring. An occasional change of pace isn't a bad choice.
Hmm~ What kind of strange thoughts am I having? Thinking like this is a bit unfair to Durandal.
If Durandal knew I was thinking this way, she'd get sulky again. Lumine didn't want her little thoughts to displease Durandal. She needed to have fewer such thoughts in the future.
"Daydreaming during work hours will lead to a pay cut. Even if you're a temporary bartender, you still have to follow the tavern's rules."
At this moment, Diluc, who was working upstairs, came down to check on things. When he saw Lumine spacing out at the bar, he couldn't help but remind her.
He initially had no strong feelings about the bartender experience event. Anyway, the bartenders in this event were forbidden from making alcoholic beverages, which prevented any unpleasant incidents.
What he didn't expect was that this bartender event was exceptionally popular, especially when Lumine was bartending. There were many more customers than usual.
Even if Lumine couldn't mix alcoholic drinks, they were happy to have her prepare other beverages, which made Diluc realize that a bartender's appearance is also a key factor in attracting customers.
Diluc was even wondering if he should replace Charles with a cute girl to work as a bartender.
Diona from Cats Tail Tavern was a good choice. Cats Tail Tavern managed to survive under the pressure of Angels Share largely because of her.
If Diona could be poached for Angels Share, it would definitely attract more customers.
The problem was, Diona also had her issues. She often talked about destroying Mondstadt's wine industry, calling herself the 'Wine Industry Slayer,' yet the drinks she mixed were incredibly delicious.
Back to the point, with Diluc's financial resources, poaching someone would be easy, but for some reason, Diona had quite a strong opinion of him, so that approach might not work.
Lumine was only a temporary bartender; she wouldn't be coming after this event ended, as she needed to continue her adventure.
It seems he could only keep Charles as the bartender. Although he couldn't attract as many people as Lumine and Diona, he had diligently managed the tavern all these years, which counted as a contribution, so he wouldn't replace him.
"Master Diluc? Why are you down here? To check on my work? Don't worry, I've completed all customer orders well and haven't received any bad reviews."
Indeed, not only had she not received any bad reviews, but rather, rave reviews. The drinks she prepared almost all received unanimous praise from customers.
Even with some more demanding customers, Lumine could understand their requests very well and prepare suitable drinks.
The pay cut he mentioned earlier was just a casual remark; he wasn't that harsh.
"What have you been thinking about since earlier? What's bothering you lately?"
"It's not exactly bothersome, but Durandal's matter made me think a bit more."
"Oh? It's her. Speaking of which, she hasn't been here in a while. Has she not finished the wine I gave her?"
To build a good relationship with Durandal, Diluc prepared a lot of rice wine and sweet wine for her. That amount would have been finished by any ordinary drunkard long ago.
But Durandal hadn't come to replenish it. Could there still be some left? If so, he couldn't send the prepared wine to her.
"Hmm~ probably not. I haven't really seen Durandal drink wine. She usually only drinks tea and similar beverages; she rarely touches wine."
"I see. Then please tell her that if she needs it, she can come to Dawn Winery anytime. The wine she likes is already prepared there, and she can take it whenever she wants."
"Oh, I understand."
After giving these instructions, Diluc returned to his office on the third floor, ready to continue working.
Lumine and Paimon watched Diluc leave, feeling that his retreating figure seemed a bit disappointed. Was he disheartened because Durandal didn't like to drink wine?
It shouldn't be that serious. Even if Dawn Winery's wine has a very high reputation in various nations, he wouldn't be so disheartened just because one person didn't like it.
Perhaps she had misunderstood. Maybe he wanted to build a good relationship with Durandal through wine, just like Jean. Durandal's combat power was evident; any sensible Diluc would understand the benefits of befriending her.
So, what is our protagonist doing now?
Shifting focus to a certain house in Mondstadt, Durandal was currently cleaning the place. Not far away, a loli in a short shirt sat on a chair, holding a grimoire, watching Durandal while reading.
"You came all the way here early in the morning just to clean for me? You're too kind, Durandal."
"I just came to see if you'd starved to death. We're friends, after all. If you starved, I could help prepare a spot for you behind the Cathedral, Lotes."
Durandal hadn't forgotten her friend who had also reincarnated into this world. During her time in Inazuma, Tina had taken good care of herself.
It's just that the hygiene here was a bit too terrible, so Durandal couldn't resist helping her clean up.
"By the way, haven't you prepared to go study in Sumeru yet? I thought you had already asked Lisa to recommend you, a genius, to a familiar mentor."
Tina's magical Talents were beyond doubt. If Tina just asked Lisa, she surely wouldn't refuse the request.
Last time she left, she thought Tina would go find Lisa during her absence, but she was still at home, inactive.
Why is that? Is she planning to just stay at home, be a shut-in, and live the life of a reclusive master?
"Actually, it's not absolutely necessary to go to the Sumeru Akademiya. The only reason I wanted to go there before was to see what the magic of this world was like. But after understanding the specific situation of this world, I lost interest."
Vision, this world's primary power is still this. Of course, many people possess considerable power even without a Vision, but some magic requires the aid of a Vision.
What does this count as? In her mind, she had many memories of mages obtained through mental control in the past, and those mages' memories were undoubtedly much more powerful than the magic of this world.
With these things, why would she leave a comfortable environment? Even if she ran out of Mora later, she could just become an adventurer and earn Mora by completing commissions.
"I just feel like you're simply too lazy and prefer being comfortable at home, which is why you don't want to go to Sumeru. It's like you used to need to hibernate. When you're at home, do you not sleep for an entire day?"
"Of course I do. I'm not like you; I reincarnated as a human. As a human, and a little girl at that, isn't sleeping very normal?"
"But you can't sleep for a whole day! That's not good for your health. You also said you're an ordinary human now. Continuing this lifestyle will eventually lead to problems."
"If something really goes wrong, couldn't you just come and check on me? Don't tell me you, the divine doctor of mondstadt, can't even handle such a small matter. I'd look down on you then."
"You… are asking for it, aren't you?"
The two habitually bickered. It was only when chatting with this person that Durandal could be so unrestrained.
Even though they bickered fiercely, it was actually a form of communication, and deep down, they were both quite happy.
While arguing, Durandal finished cleaning the room and even warmed a cup of Milk for Tina.
Tina took the cup and naturally said, "Thank you," then looked at Durandal while drinking, saying, "You seem to be in a very good mood. Has anything good happened recently?"
"Good things... I suppose so. I do feel much more relaxed."
Tina nodded, her gaze at Durandal growing increasingly serious. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"It seems... you've finally taken that step. Tell me, aren't you [censored], and every night is very lively?"
"..."
Durandal silently put down what she was holding and looked at Tina expressionlessly.
"Hey, what are you doing? Did I hit the nail on the head, and now you're angry from shame? Hey! Don't come over here! I'm telling you not to go too far! Do you believe I can make you socially dead in Mondstadt? Hey, wait a minute! What are you doing putting me on your lap?"
[Slap!]
"Ouch!"
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