Mushoku Impact

"Firstly, I believe an explanation of this place is in order. Wouldn't you agree?"
With Paul nodding his head in affirmation, Zhongli went on to explain, "This place is known as the Intersection of Fate. As you no doubt have guessed, its form and structure are made to resemble the Wish System from your previous world. By sacrificing Intertwined and Acquaint Fates, you possess the ability to summon entities from my world into yours."
Pointing towards the ten holes engraved in the rather intricate pattern beneath her feet, Zhongli continued, explaining, "Once you obtain a Fate, you can insert them into these holes. As for what comes out, well, that is also up to Fate. All I know for sure is that the probability of summoning a powerful ally or item increases if you submit ten identical Fates."
Though he had anticipated it, Paul couldn't help adopting a deadpan expression when he heard Zhongli's words, asking, "The fates of our worlds are on the line, and the solution your Gods came up with was a Gacha System?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Zhongli crossed her arms and calmly replied, "It's the Law of Equivalence. Everything has a price, even Fate itself. As for the actual value, I believe it was 10 Asura Gold Coins for an Intertwined Fate. If that is beyond your means, Acquaint Fates can be obtained by completing important Quests or fulfilling certain conditions. I would recommend joining your world's Adventurer's Guild if you intend to pursue that route."
Exhaling a sigh, Paul ran his fingers through his hair in a vain attempt to comfort himself. His allowance was only a single Asura Gold Coin every month. He could probably convince his father to give him more, but that was already the equivalent of a skilled Maid's salary. If it was given to a peasant family, averaging around five people, they could survive on it for an entire year.
Shaking his head, Paul brought his index finger and thumb to his chin as he muttered, "Summoning people and items out of thin air would be too suspicious. For now, I should focus on saving money..."
Raising his head, Paul met Zhongli's gaze, asking, "What are you planning to do? Judging by your outfit, I would assume you intend to be employed as my Maid...?"
Though she nodded her head in affirmation, Zhongli clarified, "That is the guise I intend to assume. However, my actual purpose is to keep you safe and act as something of an Advisor. My powers are currently limited, but I am still one of the Seven Archons."
As if to demonstrate her power, Zhongli held out her right hand, palm up as a mass of brown and luminescent gold energy began to condense into the form of a yellow, diamond-shaped crystal resembling amber.
After a moment of stunned silence, Paul, wide-eyed, asked, "Is that what I think it is...?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Zhongli answered, "I cannot presume to know what you're thinking. However, if it's regarding whether or not this is a Geo Vision, the answer is yes."
Pushing her hand forward Paul, Zhongli sent the luminous piece of crystal floating toward him, adding, "Whenever you first summon an Archon, you will receive their corresponding Vision. Whether you use them or gift them to your allies is ultimately up to you. Just know that my power is far from absolute, especially in my current form. If a time comes when I am unable to protect you, please do not hesitate to make use of it. Your death would effectively spell the end of both of our worlds..."
Feeling a shiver run through his body, Paul snatched the Geo Vision out of the air and held it to his chest. It was a lot warmer than he expected, and the moment it entered his grasp, an earthy aroma filled his nose. Then, as if responding to his will, a shimmering, glass-like golden shield covered in runes appeared around him.
Nodding her head in approval, Zhongli explained, "Geo is the Element of Protection, Resonance, and Creation. It is incompatible with Anemo and Dendro, but protects against all elements. The form and function of your Geo abilities will depend on your innermost desires and ambitions. In my prime, I could create spears the size of mountains, so I'm looking forward to seeing how far you're able to develop your abilities, Champion."
Furrowing his brows, Paul lowered his hands and said, "You don't need to call me that. I don't want to be like the Traveler back in the game. I have a name, and it's Paul. Paul Notos Greyrat."
Causing Paul even greater discomfort, Zhongli pulled up the sides of her dress, performing a proper curtsy as she said, "I will be sure to take that into consideration, Master Paul."
Despite his brow twitching, Paul didn't bother to correct Zhongli's form of address. It would cause problems for both of them if she simply referred to him by name. He already had a headache thinking about how he would explain her existence to his parents, so, for the time being, he settled on asking, "Will everyone I summon through Intersection of Fate be like you? A child, I mean."
Shaking her head, Zhongli explained, "It depends on your circumstances. Had you been independent of your family, I may have been summoned in my adult form. In other words, I was given this form to better protect and accompany you. I imagine anyone else you summon over the next five to ten years will have to tolerate similar conditions."
"Right..."
Though he briefly imagined child-like versions of Ningguang and Ganyu, Paul didn't intend to summon anyone else for the time being. Back in his original world, the chances of summoning a 5-Star Character or Weapon were around 1%. If that applied to the Intersection of Fate, trying to pull for a specific person was like throwing a rock into the winds of a tornado and expecting to hit the bullseye painted on a particular tree.
Gathering his thoughts, Paul asked, "Can you tell me which char&mdash;I mean, which people will appear in the summoning pool? If there's something like banners, I might cry."
Adopting a wry smile that filled Paul with dread, Zhongli explained, "The Intersection of Fate is currently in the process of repairing itself. You no doubt noticed that Luciana, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, was on the verge of degenerating. It is her power that sustains this place, so, as reluctant as I am to inform you, the pool is limited to a handful of people at a time..."
Though he didn't cry, Paul had to crouch down and cover his face for a few minutes. Gacha had literally claimed his previous life, so the notion of his new live revolving around it weighed heavily on his soul. Sure, he was more than a little excited about the idea of teaming up with certain people from the game he had grown to love, but he would need to invest a literal fortune just for a chance to meet them...
Remembering that he had been born with a diamond spoon in his mouth, Paul gradually collected himself before rising to his feet and saying, "My apologies...I momentarily forgot myself..."
Empathizing with Paul's plight, a faint smile developed across Zhongli's face as she stated, "You need not apologize. You've been presented with a set of circumstances that would overwhelm anyone. In my opinion, you have reacted spectacularly thus far."
Feeling the sincerity in Zhongli's praise, a rare commodity in his past and present lives, Paul felt a mixture of awkwardness and gratification. There was a certain 'surety' to her words, like there was no doubt that what she was saying was the truth.
Despite his training conditioning him not to, Paul offered a soft, "Thanks..." as he scratched the back of his head. In response, Zhongli offered a curt yet approving nod, stating, "You're very welcome." before adding, "Now, I believe it's long past your time for bed. There is also a limit to the amount of time you can stay in this place, so you should return posthaste."
Raising his brows, Paul paused for a moment before asking, "Are you not coming with me?" in an audibly confused tone.&nbsp;
Adopting an ostensibly amused smile, Zhongli asked, "And how, pray tell, would you explain my existence to your parents? No. For the time being, I will patiently remain here. Once you are in a situation where my presence will not inconvenience you, feel free to return. Time does not exist within this place when you're not present, so you need not concern yourself with my well-being. From my perspective, you will only be gone a moment."
Blinking in surprise, Paul was about to ask if he could store things within, but Zhongli preempted him, explaining, "Once you reach Adventure Rank 35, you will be able to acquire a Serenitea Pot. Xiao Ping, along with many of the other Adepti, are among those you can summon."
Though he had never completed the Serenitea Pot Quest due to his short playtime and limited Adventure Rank, Paul was familiar with the portable dwelling. It was effectively a pocket dimension that allowed the owner to alter its structure and layout at their leisure. The basic Serenitea Pot even included a small mansion to house and accumulate friend experience with your characters.&nbsp;
Regaining some of his earlier excitement, a smile developed across Paul's face as he replied, "Something to look forward to in the future, I suppose. My only question is, how do I increase my Adventure Rank?"
Raising her brows ever so slightly, Zhongli seemed genuinely taken aback as she replied, "I would have thought it was obvious..."
Shaking her head, Zhongli fixed her expression before dutifully explaining, "Once you have registered with your world's Adventurer's Guild, you will be able to acquire experience by completing Quests, defeating monsters, and exploring Dungeons. You can also accumulate it by defeating Mages and Swordsmen of a certain Rank, but I would advise against it until you have increased your own. Even I cannot protect you if you antagonize a Saint-Rank Swordsman at my current level."
Tensing in response to the word 'level', the color drained from Paul's face as he said, "Please don't tell me you and the others I summon will need to level up, ascend, and unlock constellations..."
Since he asked her not to tell him, Zhongli remained silent in response to Paul's remark. He understood the reason for her silence and, as a result, returned to his crouching position, this time crying for real...
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Waking after less than three hours of sleep, Paul reached under his pillow to pull out the glimmering crystal hidden beneath. Its existence confirmed the previous night hadn't been a dream, so, after a moment of silence, he rose to a seated position and muttered, "Don't panic, Paul. At least for the time being, nothing has changed. You just have more...options available to you..."
After convincing himself that everything was going to be okay, Paul spent a few minutes trying to find something to fasten his newly acquired Vision to. According to Zhongli, it needed to be visible to others in order to make use of its power, so hiding it within his clothes wasn't really an option.
While he had no intention of using it just yet, having the option was better than not. Thus, even though it was rather crude, Paul pulled out the face of a pocket watch his father had given him before securing the Vision in place using a combination of metal twine and wax sealant. After that, he performed his morning routine of stretching, wiping himself down using a lightly perfumed towel, and getting dressed. The mansion had a bath, but it was in a detached building behind the property.&nbsp;
Despite existing for more than seven thousand years, the Asura Kingdom had never developed complex piping and plumbing. The only people who could afford baths were Nobles and Mages proficient with Water and Fire Magic. Thus, unless he started to feel particularly grimy, Paul would only take proper baths when his father and mother forced him to join. Skinship was very important to Asura Nobles, so much so that it wasn't uncommon for close friends and family to partake of the same sauna or bath. In fact, one of the classes Paul would be taking at school literally revolved around teaching people how to behave and interact with others in the bath...

"Remember to always carry yourself with the dignity expected of a member of House Notos. Reputation, status, and honor are three of the most critical factors to being a Noble. Others will seek to borrow yours in the hope of increasing their own. Never lower your guard, no matter how friendly others may appear. The only true bonds among Nobles are forged through contracts and marriage. A person's word only has value if they-"
"Dear...if you keep this up, Paul is going to be late for his departure..."
After interrupting her husband's monologue, Valentine gave Paul one last hug, whispering, "Try not to break too many hearts, okay?"
Smiling wryly in response to his mother's words, Paul said, "You need not concern yourselves with such matters, Mother. While I do intend to marry in the future, I have no intention of pursuing intimate relationships during my time at the Academy."
Offering a wry smile of her own, Valentine caressed Paul's face, her tone as soft and gentle as beams of moonlight as she said, "My precious little star...I fear you underestimate the...enthusiasm of Noble ladies..."
Though he might have agreed with his mother a few weeks prior, Paul's experiences during his debut had taught him a lot about what he could expect from members of the fairer sex. They wouldn't force the matter due to his status as the First Son of House Notos, but there were bound to be countless young Nobles eyeing him with lascivious gazes over the next five years. It didn't help that he was also quite handsome, a solid ten in the eyes of most.
"Enough. Cease your coddling, woman. He'll need to make mistakes if he is to learn how to address them."
Hearing her husband's remark, Valentine exhaled a faint sigh through her nose before rising to her feet and replying, "You're right, of course. Please forgive me, Darling. I simply can't help worrying..."
"Mmm..."
Nodding his head, Amarant allowed Valentine's words to linger as he set his leafy-green gaze on his son and said, "Go, my son. Show those other Nobles the prestige of the House Notos. I expect great things from you."
Placing his hand over his heart, Paul offered a proper bow as he replied, "Yes, Father. Leave it to me."
Catching Paul by surprise, Amarant suddenly pulled him into a hug, his usually stern tone softening as he whispered, "If anything happens, send a letter with our family crest upside down. I've informed the servants to bring such messages directly to me. You don't have to worry about your Mother hearing about your exploits during your studies..."
Smiling wryly, Paul returned his father's embrace before the latter, just as quickly, broke it. The relationship between a father and son, at least as far as the Asura Aristocracy was concerned, was a relationship of respect. It was the duty of the women to coddle and fret over their children. Amarant just didn't want to see his son off with something as inane as a handshake or simple genuflection.
Seeing the awkwardness in his father's usually gruff countenance, Paul's practiced smile relaxed into a far more genuine expression. He and his father weren't particularly close, but they had a certain sense of mutual respect between them. Paul understood well how truly fortunate he was to be a member of House Notos, so, in response to his father's words and actions, he vowed, "Worry not, Father. Even if something happens, I will do everything in my power to ensure it does not tarnish the reputation of the House."
"Mmm...very good. Now, off you go. It's a day's journey to the Academy, and it would not do to dawdle."
Nodding his head in affirmation, Paul resisted his conditioned urge to bow and instead replied, "Farewell, Father, Mother. I will make you proud."
Returning smiles of their own, Valentine whispered, "You already have." while his father, Amarant, simply nodded...
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With the Milbots Academy for Nobles being located nearly 130km to the West of the Notos Estate, reaching it via horse-drawn stagecoach took an average of three and a half days. In the process, Paul had to pass through seven different towns, each functioning as lesser brewery towns.
Though the Milbots Region bordered the Red Dragon Mountain Range, a chain of mountains spanning more than 3000km in length, it was one of the safest regions in the Central Continent. The Kingdom sent its Knights regularly through the region to deter bandits and clear away monsters, so Paul's journey went unobstructed. The large group of soldiers and skilled Adventurers escorting him made sure of that.
In total, Paul's escort took just under five days to reach Milbots Academy. Larger convoys generally moved slow, but thanks to Paul not caring about exploring the towns they crossed through, they reached their destination two days ahead of schedule. The trip was initially planned to take around seven days but ended up concluding the evening of the fifth.
Unlike other Noble children who had spent the first five years of their life practically trapped within their Estate, Paul didn't care much for the world outside. At the very least, not yet. He would have plenty of time to explore during his time as an Adventurer, so, as novel as the idea of checking out a medieval brewery was, Paul had already gotten his fill exploring the six around the Estate...
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As his carriage passed through the massive stone walls surrounding the city-sized Academy, a yawn escaped Paul's mouth despite his growing excitement. At several points in his previous life, he imagined himself as a Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry student. Milbots Academy lacked the same gravitas as the Medival Gothic Castle popularized in the Harry Potter series. However, it was still a place where Magic, or, more accurately, Mana pulsed through the very foundations.
Though Paul intended to focus on his swordsmanship and mastering his Vision, he was determined to learn Magic. Even if he simply learned the basics of Healing and Detoxification, he could qualitatively improve his Mana Reserves. He might not reach the monstrous level of Rudeus, but even a minor increase in his aggregate Mana Reserves would drastically increase his capabilities as a Swordsman.
Feeling the carriage slowing after an additional twenty minutes, Paul fixed his appearance and waited for one of his attendants to open the door and inform him of their arrival. When they did, the three remaining carriages of the seventeen-stage convoy had stopped outside of an extravagant, five-story residential building.&nbsp;
"We have arrived, Master Paul. Please, watch your step."
Nodding his head, Paul carefully dismounted the carriage before looking around the lavishly decorated property and asking, "Is this where I'll be staying?"
Lowering his head as a sign of respect, the middle-aged Butler answered, "That is correct, Master Paul. This is the dormitory reserved for members of the Upper Nobility, colloquially known as the Dragon's Den. As the First Son of House Notos, you have been allotted one of the penthouses on the uppermost floor."
Though he couldn't help feeling his treatment was a little excessive, Paul replied, "I understand. Please show me the way."
Believing Paul was in a hurry to rest, the Butler barked a few orders at the servants unloading the luggage before escorting Paul to his room on the fifth floor. There was a Dwarven-constructed mechanical elevator near the back of the lobby reserved for residents of the fifth floor, so it was a relatively straightforward journey.
Before entering his personal penthouse, Paul's curiosity compelled him to eye the rather ornate set of double doors leading to the much large suite occupying nearly 70% of the fifth floor. A golden emblem with two gem-embossed unicorns flanking a holy sword surrounded by ivy and set with a kingly crown was embossed into the surface, clearly denoting the room as property of the Royal Family.
Since it was better to know than be surprised later, Paul remarked, "I was not aware that the Milbots Academy played host to members of the Royal Family..."
Alleviating Paul's concerns, the Butler dutifully explained, "To my meager knowledge, it hasn't been used in the last eighty-three years. It is simply better to have a residence prepared than to not."
Understanding what the Butler was trying to say, Paul adopted a knowing smile before making his way into his room. It was much smaller than what he presumed the Royal Penthouse to be, but it could still give some of the most expensive suites from his previous world a run for their money.
With a living room large enough to accommodate sword training, a dining table that could seat twelve people, a fully stocked kitchen, seven guest rooms, a servant's quarters, an open terrace, and a master bedroom, Paul felt the penthouse was more or a mansion than a dormitory.
"So this is where I'll be spending the next five years..."
Thinking Paul might be disappointed with his accommodations, the Butler proposed, "If it pleases the Young Master, we can send an official request to the Royal Family. House Notos has dutifully served the Royal House of Anemoi for the past seven thousand years. With the First Prince attending the Royal Academy, I do not see them refusing such a request."
While he was a little curious about the interior and layout of the Royal Penthouse, Paul didn't hesitate to shake his head, stating, "No, this will more than suffice. If not for my status as the First Son of House Notos, I would have preferred to live amongst my peers. Since I do not intend to employ many servants or attendants, this is plenty."
With a visibly strained expression on his face, the Butler couldn't help asking, "Are you sure about your decision to live alone, Young Master? I understand your desire to exhibit your independence, but I must advise you to reconsider. Even the Lesser Noble Families send their children to school with an attendant and two bodyguards. Forgoing both...pardon my words, Master Paul, but it doesn't seem particularly wise."
Though he understood where the Butler was coming from, Paul wouldn't be able to release Zhongli or make use of the Intersection of Fate if there were a team of Maids and Butlers observing his every move and reporting to his father. Fortunately, in the days leading up to his departure, Paul was able to convince his father to increase his monthly allowance to 10 Asura Gold Coins. He just had to convince the man that he needed to learn how to read and rear subordinates of his own rather than relying on personnel assigned to him.
Since Milbots Academy considered every aspect of life as a Noble, there was an entire township full of people who received a stipend just to allow young, often bratty Nobles to push them around. More importantly, there was an Auction House and a small yet active Slave Market where students could scout for potential servants or, more often than not, sex slaves.
Though he intended to discuss it with Zhongli first, Paul intended to pass her off as a Slave or someone he had saved during an excursion. Neither option was ideal, but they were the only ways he could think of to explain her presence. It wasn't like he could just tell people she was the God of Geo, a deity from a completely different world than their own...
"Thank you for your concern, Silas. However, I have already discussed this matter with my Father and received his permission. Do not attempt to change my mind."
Understanding he had overstepped his bounds, Silas bowed nearly ninety degrees, responding, "My sincerest apologies, Master Paul. It was not my intention to question you or your esteemed Father."
Gesturing for Silas to rise, Paul stated, "You are forgiven." before promptly dismissing the man so he could help with the luggage...

Since it would have been both strange and dangerous for him to take an interest in Hilda, Paul did his best to regard her as would any other young Noble daughter.&nbsp;
At this point, Paul still wasn't sure just how much of an impact he wanted to have on the world abroad. Depending on how things went while he was at school, he may even give up being a Noble. He was already beginning to feel suffocated by the irredeemably corrupt nature of Asuran Nobles, and things were bound to get worse when he started attending a school filled with arrogant and haughty brats between the ages of 5-10.
While the notion of attending a Noble Academy was already beginning to worry him, the more critical factor behind Paul's decision was the fact that Eris was his favorite heroine from the original story. He had no intention of trying to court a girl that would be 15-17 years his junior, but the notion of her not existing made him uncomfortable. Besides, as charming as Hilda's appearance was, she had the same temperament as other Nobles.&nbsp;
Following Paul's debut, he was asked to 'entertain' all of the young Noble daughters that had come to see him. This included Hilda, who, like every other girl present, complimented everything about the manor while going out of their way to excessively fawn over him. Their parents had coached every one of the 5-12-year-old girls to try and seduce him. It was so bad that Paul's father, Amarant, had pulled him aside to advise him not to lay a hand on any of the girls as it might cause a misunderstanding.
Unwilling to be used as a stairway to increase someone else's status, Paul had no intention of marrying any time soon. He would probably be forced into an engagement after his tenth birthday, but his priority over the next few years was increasing his strength and knowledge. Even if he became the next Lord Milbots Greyrat, he wasn't going to be weak.
With such thoughts on his mind, Paul spent the final few hours of his fifth birthday writing in his journal. Tabitha had instructed him to start keeping one the very day after her arrival, not just because it would help him learn how to write but because it would allow him to look back on his thoughts at earlier points in his life and reflect on them.
"Haaaa...how is a Kingdom able to exist for seven-thousand years without developing electricity? I feel like I'm going blind..."
Though he knew he was fortunate to have candles and oil lamps to read and write by, Paul couldn't help missing the conveniences of his previous life. It was his fascination with computers and technology that had led to him leaving the farm.&nbsp;
"It's a shame I didn't study civil or mechanical engineering. I could have been like the main character from 'Release that Witch'..."
On that note, Paul set aside his feather-quill pen before turning the valve on his oil lamp to make sure it would last throughout the night. He wasn't even remotely afraid of the dark, but he would prefer to be able to see if he awoke in the middle of the night to take a piss.
Changing out of his stylish green tunic and linen trousers, Paul slipped into a pair of fleece pajamas before crawling into his bed. The latter was uneven in places, but the stuffing was goose down. It was exponentially more comfortable than the beds afforded to servants, so Paul did his best not to let it bother him when feathers would periodically poke through the fabric and prick him.
"Maybe I should marry someone from the Donati Region...a union with the largest producer of fabrics and wool wouldn't be bad..."
Closing his eyes, Paul attempted to recall if any of the girls present during his party were from the Donati Region. Unless he ran away from home or asked his father to send him to the Ranoa Magic Academy, he would need to marry at some point. If he didn't have a choice in delaying the matter, he could at least choose someone from a family that would benefit him in the future...
Realizing how 'Noble-like' his mentality had become, a self-deprecating smile developed across Paul's. Then, just as the hundred-and-seventy or so clocks spread throughout the manner began to announce the changing of the day, a sound similar to glass shattering echoed through Paul's ears.
"What the hell...!?"
Rising with a start, Paul adjusted the oil lamp to its maximum luminosity before raising it to look around his room. The sound of breaking glass was so loud that it couldn't have been more than a few meters away.
Noticing nothing out of place, the tensions in Paul's body began to wane until he adjusted the lamp and noticed the faint blue glow shining through the cracks around his door.
"..."
After a moment's uncertainty, Paul dropped to the other side of his bed with the intention of hiding in the crawlspace specifically created to let him escape during an emergency. He didn't consider himself a coward, but there was only so much a five-year-old without any magical prowess could do against someone daring enough to invade the Notos Household.
What stopped Paul from fleeing into the secret compartment was the pale blue light shining from within. When he removed the panel and stared into the interior, it was like he was staring into an endless expanse of blue sky filled with swirling white clouds.
"That's new..."
Putting the panel back in place, Paul, feeling less afraid but still anxious, made his way over to the door of his room. Opening it revealed a similar scene. Instead of an empty expanse of blue sky, however, there was an ancient-looking stone bridge starting from the threshold of his door and continuing out over an endless sea of clouds. Numerous pillars protruded through the clouds and connected to beautiful archways, but Paul was far more concerned with the trio of reddish-black, diamond-shaped 'fissures' wavering over a stone platform around 20m from his room's threshold.
"This is way too familiar..."
Though it had been five years since he last played, Paul recognized the stone bridge and seemingly infinite expanse of ancient constructs as the 'login screen' of Genshin Impact. The eerie 'portals' were less familiar, but he was pretty sure they were the same portals used by the Goddess that set the events of the game in motion...
After giving himself a firm pinch to confirm he wasn't dreaming, Paul took a deep breath and summoned every ounce of his courage. The thought of leaving behind his family made him uneasy, but his instincts told him that he would regret it his entire life if he ignored a phenomenon connected to one of his favorite games.
Fortunately, Paul's door didn't disappear the moment he stepped out onto the stone bridge. He could still peer back and see into his room, so, after suppressing the urge to look over the side of the bridge, he straightened his back and boldly approached the platform beneath the trio of portals.
"You've come..."
The moment Paul's foot made contact with the stone platform, the trio of portals pulsed. From within, an indescribably beautiful yet visibly injured woman with white hair, peculiar golden eyes, and a predominately white outfit emerged. Even with an arm missing and several large cracks across her body, almost like she was a statue, she was one of the most beautiful women Paul had ever seen.
"I am Luciana, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. Thomas Adams, no, Paul Notos Greyrat, you have been chosen as my Champion."
Though he had no intention of directly refusing, Paul couldn't help asking, "Do I have a choice...?"
Surprising the reincarnated youth quite a bit, Luciana nodded her head and said, "Yes. However, should you refuse, know that an entire world, billions of lives, will be lost."
Without elaborating further, Luciana pulled out a transparent golden cube inscribed with innumerable runes. Then, directly contrasting her previous statement, she sent the cube flying into Paul's chest, coldly explaining, "I have granted you the power to access the Intersection of Fate. Just place your palm against any door while the moon is high, and you will be able to access this place. If you require a more thorough explanation, ask the person I have entrusted to advise and protect you."
Seemingly finished with what she had to say, Luciana retreated into her portal before it promptly snapped shut like an old television shutting off.
Feeling at a complete loss for words, Paul just stared at the place where Luciana had disappeared. The thing that brought him back to his senses was a bright blue meteor flying towards him, its color promptly shifting to a vibrant shade of gold moments before it struck the center of the stone platform.
"No fucking way..."
Recognizing the phenomenon as the effect associated with pulling a 5-Star Character or Weapon from Genshin Impact, a myriad of questions assailed Paul's mind. Before he could voice a single one, however, his mind completely blanked as the light faded away to reveal a young girl with two-toned brown/auburn hair, peculiar brown and gold eyes, and a rather stylish Maid outfit.
Based on appearances, Paul would guess the girl was around the same age as himself. The thing that both unnerved and terrified him was the fact she had a vaguely familiar appearance. It's just that the person that came to mind was unmistakeably a man...a stark contrast to the little girl standing before him.
With audible trepidation in his tone, Paul asked, "Zhongli...?" while hoping and praying the girl was something like his daughter.
Hearing Paul's question, the young girl ceased dusting herself off, a look of confusion briefly marring her face as she replied, "Indeed. That must make you Paul Notos Greyrat, correct?"
"..."
Instead of immediately responding to the little girl's words, Paul's mind was briefly occupied with questions regarding how such a small girl could have such a deep yet feminine voice. The original Zhongli had the kind of deep and masculine tone that compelled people to listen. The same could be said for the little girl before him; it was just so far beyond expectation that Paul didn't know how to react, much less respond.
Seeing through Paul's surface-level thoughts, Zhongli asked, "I suppose you're wondering how I came to inhabit this form?"
Still unable to speak, Paul just nodded his head in response to Zhongli's question. In turn, she explained, "There are actually three reasons. First and foremost, the gender of Archons is a matter for they, themselves, to decide. The other reasons concern your status, the world you inhabit, and ensuring you are...properly motivated. I suppose that makes four reasons. My apologies."
Furrowing his brows, Paul's expression soured as he keyed in on the last thing Zhongli said, asking, "What do you mean by "properly motivated"?"
Without so much as a single change in her expression, Zhongli answered, "It is as you suspect. The Gods that preside over my world, the true Gods, believed you would be more motivated if the companions you summoned were female. They are under no obligation to sleep with you, but I'm sure many have prepared themselves for the possibility. Only those of us who have accepted the Gods' bargain and are willing to do whatever it takes to save our world can be summoned to this place."
Hearing Zhongli's explanation, Paul had even more questions, the most prominent among them being, "Why me? I was just a normal fucking guy in my previous life, and I've yet to accomplish a single thing in this one."
Shaking her head, Zhongli answered, "That's something you would need to ask the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles and the Gods she serves. All I know is that the fate of two worlds currently rests on your shoulders. We will do our best to help save yours, and, in exchange, we hope you will do the same. Equivalent exchange, the foundation of all fair contracts."
Though the number of questions he had was steadily growing, Paul found himself nodding in response to Zhongli's explanation. His presence in the world of Mushoku Tensei had invariably disturbed its balance. Without the original main character, or, more accurately, the main character's children, the malicious deity known as Hitogami was bound to continue treating the world as his playground. Paul knew it was only a matter of time before the errant God set his eyes on him, so, as confused as he was by the present situation, he answered, "Very well. Let's discuss terms." in a shaky tone...

Chapter 5: MI05: Explanation