Chapter 55. Raiden Makoto Speaks
When the Chat Group was still only LV3, even the power granted by the administrator position had already surprised Zhongli slightly.
Now that the group had advanced to LV4, the benefits gained by the new administrators had become even more astonishing.
Inside the kitchen, at the moment Lumine became an administrator, she suddenly felt an invisible force pour into her body.
In an instant, Lumine could clearly sense that her strength had returned.
Not much. But it had undeniably returned!
An indescribable power flowed through her limbs and bones. It was as though a long-dried river had suddenly begun flowing once more.
"So amazing~"
Lumine's pupils trembled slightly.
Was this the power of the administrator position?
"Buzz—!"
Transparent wings instantly unfolded behind Lumine, and the dull blade in her hand appeared almost simultaneously.
At this moment, faint golden light flickered across the surface of the dull blade, as though it was undergoing some kind of transformation.
Not only that, but Lumine's own aura also surged dramatically.
It was as though some invisible limiter within her body had suddenly been broken open.
Her strength began rising at an astonishing speed.
"Traveler?!"
Paimon was immediately startled by this sudden change. Her eyes widened as she stared at Lumine in disbelief.
Clearly, she had been completely shocked by the scene before her.
Although Paimon already knew that becoming an administrator of the Chat Group would increase one's strength somewhat—
But this?! You call this "somewhat"?!
The Traveler practically looked like she had taken some terrifying forbidden medicine!
Is this really okay?! Isn't this increase way too outrageous?!
Paimon instantly became a little anxious.
If Lumine knew what Paimon was currently thinking, she would definitely reveal an extremely subtle expression.
Then she would calmly tell Paimon one thing:
Others were strengthening themselves. But she was recovering herself. She had originally been extremely powerful. If not for that unknown god being even stronger back then—and forcibly sealing her powers—
Then among the current group, she would absolutely belong to the highest tier of combat power. The kind where even Futsu Mitama would definitely not be able to defeat her.
"This is truly—"
At this moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi revealed a genuinely shocked expression.
Even the fish soup simmering nearby was nearly forgotten by her. The strength possessed by this Traveler from another world after becoming an administrator—
Was actually this terrifying?
Originally, Sangonomiya Kokomi had still possessed confidence that she could defeat Lumine in battle.
But now, after sensing the aura emanating from Lumine's body—even if she used all her strength, the outcome would probably only be sixty-forty—when if she lapses she would be beaten up.
Sangonomiya Kokomi silently inhaled a breath of cold air.
At the same time, she exchanged glances with Kuki Shinobu.
The two of them both saw astonishment in each other's eyes.
Because at this moment, they had both realized the same thing.
The current Traveler—was rapidly recovering toward her true peak—probably.
The two women did not speak aloud, but they had both already realized one thing in their hearts.
They had made the correct choice.
Because Lumine was indeed extremely strong. When ordinary people became administrators, they might obtain a slight increase in strength, or perhaps receive special abilities biased toward healing and support.
But Lumine was completely different.
It was as though her true power had been sealed away from the very beginning.
Currently, she could only use the powers of Anemo and Geo. Her close-combat techniques were certainly not weak, but they were also far from reaching a truly terrifying level.
However, after spending this period of time together, both Kuki Shinobu and Sangonomiya Kokomi had already realized something.
Lumine was absolutely not weak.
She was an existence on the same level as Aether, the Prince of the Abyss Order.
And how powerful was Aether?
According to their rough estimations, he was definitely an existence standing on the same level as the Raiden Shogun.
In other words—
A top-tier Archon-level existence.
Even Rex Lapis himself appeared extremely wary of him.
Within the Chat Group, the Archons who knew something had even vaguely treated him as a taboo existence.
A being who should not be discussed casually.
Therefore, after learning that Lumine wished to recover her lost power through the administrator position, Kuki Shinobu and Sangonomiya Kokomi had both chosen to support her in contending for it.
And now—
The results had exceeded expectations by far.
"How does it feel?"
Kuki Shinobu directly asked the question she cared about most. Her gaze unconsciously landed on the transparent wings that had appeared behind Lumine earlier.
And that weapon as well.
Was it the same type as Futsu Mitama's weapon?
Although it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary dull blade on the surface, perhaps it was actually a symbiotic weapon capable of evolving alongside its owner.
"It feels great."
Lumine slowly put away the dull blade in her hand. She clenched her fists lightly, clearly sensing the power she had once lost gradually returning to her body.
Although the amount restored was still not large—
It was already enough.
Most importantly, this recovery was not temporary.
At this moment, Lumine could not help but wonder inwardly:
If she remained inside the Chat Group for several years without doing anything at all—would she eventually recover all of her former strength completely?
Of course, although she thought this way, Lumine also knew very clearly that she could not truly do nothing.
Back then, when she and her brother had joined forces against that unknown god—
They still lost.
And now, her brother had clearly obtained some new power and become even stronger than before.
Therefore, she also had to continue moving forward on her journey.
She needed to become even stronger.
Then—
She would uncover the truth behind that mysterious god. Why had that god stopped her and her brother from leaving this world? Who exactly was that god?
And finally—
She wanted to find her brother and punch him directly. Especially after remembering the scene where Aether had dragged Futsu Mitama away and directly asked whether he had fallen in love with her—
Lumine instantly felt a surge of murderous intent rise in her heart.
She had already decided.
When they met again in the future, she would definitely teach her dear older brother a proper lesson.
"Wow!! Traveler suddenly became scary."
Paimon immediately sensed the killing intent leaking from Lumine's body. Frightened, she hurriedly took several small steps backward.
But very quickly, her attention shifted toward the fish soup simmering nearby.
Drool nearly flowed from the corner of her mouth.
"You still can't eat it yet."
Sangonomiya Kokomi naturally noticed Paimon's little movements. With a faint smile, she informed her that the fish soup was not finished yet and still needed more time.
Realizing that she had become a little too excited just now, Lumine's face revealed a slight blush. While beginning to prepare the ingredients beside her, she softly said:
"I want to see how the others who became administrators are doing."
Kuki Shinobu and Sangonomiya Kokomi both nodded slightly.
Paimon nodded repeatedly as well, indicating there was absolutely no problem with that.
Thus, everyone immediately turned their attention toward the Chat Group once more.
They all wanted to know what kind of changes the new administrators had experienced.
Under the same roof, Albedo also quietly sensed the changes occurring within his body.
He slowly raised his hands.
Pure white energy and ominous black energy simultaneously gathered within his palms.
At this moment, a complicated light flickered through Albedo's eyes.
Because he could clearly feel it—
The power hidden deep within his body—
Now seemed controllable.
This was practically a miracle. According to normal circumstances, without sufficient time, it should have been impossible for him to control that hidden power so freely.
"Indeed~"
Albedo silently withdrew the power into his body once more.
At this moment, his curiosity toward the Chat Group deepened further. Merely becoming an administrator had already granted such astonishing improvements.
Then what about LV5? Or even LV6?
At that time, the enhancements granted to administrators would probably become even more terrifying.
Thinking of this, even Albedo could not help but feel anticipation rising within his heart.
The next time the Chat Group leveled up—
As an administrator, he would undoubtedly obtain even greater benefits.
Meanwhile, in Inazuma City, inside Yae Publishing House—
Yae Miko was leisurely reading the latest light novel.
After becoming an administrator, she gently raised one hand and carefully sensed the new power flowing within her body.
"This..."
A trace of surprise flashed through Yae Miko's eyes. Because she could clearly feel that not only had her strength increased—
Even her bloodline had become purer.
For humans, the purity of one's bloodline might not mean very much.
But for Yokai—
It was completely different.
Among fox Yokai alone, bloodlines were naturally divided into different grades and hierarchies. Yae Miko's bloodline itself already stood at the highest tier.
Yet now—
It had improved yet again.
Even if it was only a small improvement, it still meant her future potential had become even greater. And this was clearly not her limit yet.
"This truly is a wonderful gift."
Yae Miko revealed an extremely beautiful smile as her gaze turned toward the Chat Group.
[Venti: "This is really astonishing. No matter how I look at it, I feel completely filled with power. This deal was truly worth it. Although I don't think excessive power is necessarily a good thing, having power is always better than not having it."]
[Guizhong: "Do you feel it too? That was exactly how I felt when I first became an administrator~ It's just that after losing the administrator position, I became weaker again, sigh."]
[Bosacius: "Actually...I really don't need the administrator position."]
[Azhdaha: "Enough, Bosacius. Guizhong gave it to you, not so you could return it. You still don't understand how great the benefits of the administrator position are."]
[Bosacius: "Umn. I can clearly feel that my soul recovery speed has increased by nearly twice."]
[Guizhong: "Exactly! I was just complaining about whether this power could be permanently preserved!"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Impossible. If the power could be perfectly preserved, then everyone could simply rotate through the administrator position and repeatedly strengthen themselves."]
[Yae Miko: "Still, becoming an administrator truly has many benefits."]
[Yae Miko: "@Sangonomiya Kokomi, if possible, you should strive for an administrator position next time."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Eh? Why?"]
[Yae Miko: "Hmm... how should I explain it? Besides increasing strength, the administrator position can also purify one's bloodline."]
[Yae Miko: "I think if you become an administrator in the future, it may stimulate your bloodline a second time. If that happens, Inazuma will gain another true powerhouse."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Oh? Stimulating the bloodline? That is indeed a good thing."]
[Raiden Ei: "If the bloodline of Watatsumi Island's Divine Priestess evolves further, it would indeed benefit Inazuma greatly."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Eh? Is there actually something unusual about my bloodline?"]
[Yae Miko: "Well~ You can understand it as—you being a close relative of Orobashi and relatively related to Azdaha."]
[Azhdaha: "Huh?"]
[Guizhong: "Hmm???"]
[Albedo: "I see~ I think I understand now."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "What exactly did you understand?"]
[Paimon: "Close relative?!! Could it be?! Kokomi was born from a rock?!"]
[Lumine: "No. What Yae Miko means is that Kokomi close to Orabashi the Great Serpent then related to like Azhdaha, possesses the bloodline of a Dragon King."]
[Yae Miko: "Hehehe~ Little one, I'm beginning to like you more and more. Yes. That's exactly right."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Ah?!"]
[Eula: "Dragon? Dragon King?! A Dragon King like Stormterror Dvalin?!"]
[Klee: "Ah?! Sister Kokomi is a Dragon King?!"]
[Keqing: "Dragon King? That's impossible. Kokomi is obviously human."]
[Paimon: "This is unbelievable!!!"]
[Black Aila: "I see. So that's why Kokomi slept for so long previously."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "If her dragon bloodline awakened, then such a long sleep isn't strange. But does that mean Kokomi is already a Dragon?"]
[Raiden Ei: "No. She is still not qualified."]
[Raiden Ei: "At present, she merely possesses the potential to become at most a Dragon King, but being close to Orabashi descendant. As for how far she can ultimately reach, even I cannot determine that."]
[Yae Miko: "Which is why I said that becoming an administrator in the future might help Kokomi go even further."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Not for now. I don't want to suddenly fall asleep for another long period of time."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Right now, I only want to enjoy traveling peacefully. I don't want to end up like Albedo and Paimon."]
[Paimon: "Huh?"]
[Albedo: "..."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Actually, compared to that, I'm more interested in trying the new voice function."]
[Raiden Ei: "Voice function? Makoto, can't you use it?"]
[Venti: (Hello? Hello? Can everyone hear me? Is this how it works? Pretty interesting. Though thinking and typing is already convenient, this feels more entertaining. Ah~ this wine is strong.)]
[Zhongli: "Don't suddenly speak inside my head like that."]
[Guizhong: "Why do I feel like you're drinking all the time, Venti?"]
[Venti: (Perfectly normal, hic I cannot live without wine just like Mondstadt cannot live without freedom~)]
[Eula: "This... this is Lord Barbatos's voice? Why does this sound—"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Like an ordinary drunkard from Mondstadt? Eula, give up on your fantasy. This is the Anemo Archon. A genuine drunkard."]
[Raiden Ei: "Mm. Correct."]
[Zhongli: "Indeed."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Barbatos truly drinks excessively."]
[Eula: "..."]
[Albedo: "I can feel that Eula's imagination of Anemo Archon seems to have shattered completely."]
[Klee: "Sister Eula! You must stay strong!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Cough..."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Ei, regarding your question earlier, there are still several Chat Group functions I cannot use. Because I currently lack a physical body, I cannot use the photo function, the recording function, or even the newly added voice function."]
[Raiden Makoto: "So I'm actually very curious. If I entered a group call... what exactly would happen?"]
[Raiden Ei: "!"]
[Yae Miko: "!!!"]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "If that works—"]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Then perhaps I also..."]
[Futsu Mitama: "I'll test it."]
Seeing Raiden Makoto's words, Futsu Mitama also became somewhat surprised.
Originally, he had considered the group call function rather useless. After all, everyone inside the Chat Group could already communicate freely at any time.
If that was the case—
Then what purpose did a group call even serve?
But now, after hearing Raiden Makoto's situation, Futsu Mitama paused slightly while enjoying Black Aila's massage.
Yes.
If Raiden Makoto currently could not use the voice function—then what would happen if he initiated a group call instead?
Would the system bug out?
Or perhaps—
Thinking this, Futsu Mitama gently stroked his chin. In any case, there was no harm in trying.
Thus, he directly activated the group call function.
"Ding! Group Leader Futsu Mitama has initiated a group call!"
Instantly, every group member entered the group call interface. The page looked somewhat similar to a group video call on that message app.
However, unlike that room meeting, there were no visuals whatsoever.
Everyone could only hear the sounds coming from Futsu Mitama's side.
"Young Master, is this posture and strength satisfactory?"
Black Aila's soft voice suddenly rang out. Completely unaware of what had just happened, she calmly continued.
"If you are still unsatisfied—perhaps you should lie down on the bed instead."
"I will properly satisfy you and eliminate all your fatigue."
At this moment, countless question marks seemed to appear above the heads of everyone inside the Chat Group call.
What…exactly were Futsu Mitama and Black Aila doing?
"Hehehe~"
Venti's distinctly irritating voice suddenly rang out.
"Klee is still here."
Albedo spoke calmly. Although he understood Futsu Mitama's character, he did not trust Black Aila's personality that much. Moreover, he had no idea what situation was happening upstairs right now.
So he immediately reminded Futsu Mitama to restrain himself a little.
Whatever they wanted to do in private was one thing, but Klee was still inside the group call. They absolutely could not corrupt the child.
"So amazing! This Chat Group call—eh?! I think I can hear my own voice!"
From Lumine's side, Paimon's surprised voice echoed out.
Clearly, she was extremely shocked by this function. Hearing her own voice directly resounding inside her mind felt incredibly magical to her.
At the same time, it also felt a little strange.
"Indeed, it's quite magical. It feels as though all of you are speaking directly inside my mind."
Yae Miko's unique and charming voice slowly sounded out. She chuckled softly before continuing leisurely,
"Although I do think Raiden Makoto's situation is very important, Futsu Mitama, perhaps you should also remind your little maid to be a little more mindful~"
"Cough cough!!!"
Futsu Mitama immediately coughed several times before quickly saying,
"Black Aila, don't speak for now!! I'm currently testing the Chat Group's new functions."
Black Aila tilted her head slightly, her brows faintly furrowing.
Although she did not particularly like the name "Black Aila," since Young Master had already spoken, she naturally would not object.
Even though she did not fully understand what was happening, she still obediently nodded and remained silent.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama quickly glanced at the current status of the Chat Group call.
At present, everyone except the Group Leader had been muted.
Only Futsu Mitama, as the Group Leader, possessed the authority to unmute others and allow group members to speak freely.
Soon, Futsu Mitama's gaze landed upon Maha Rukkhadevata, Raiden Makoto, and Bosacius.
Then, with a somewhat tentative tone, he asked,
"Can the three of you speak and communicate?"
The moment these words fell, everyone unconsciously became nervous.
Because if the Chat Group call function truly allowed Maha Rukkhadevata, Raiden Makoto, and Bosacius—existences currently in soul states—to communicate normally—
Then this function's significance would become completely different.
Although nobody understood how souls were supposed to produce sound, the Chat Group itself was already an unreasonable existence.
If it were the Chat Group, then perhaps such a thing truly was possible.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
At that moment, an incomparably gentle voice suddenly echoed within everyone's minds.
Inside the Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei—who had still been quietly eating desserts just moments ago—suddenly had her pupils contract violently.
Her body trembled slightly.
Even the dessert in her hand slipped onto the ground without her noticing.
Because—
That voice—
Was Raiden Makoto's voice.