Mushoku Impact

Due to staying up much later than usual, it was nearly noon when Zhongli knocked on Paul's door, informing, "Master Paul, a messenger claiming to represent the Academy's Headmaster, has arrived. Shall I see them off, or would you prefer to speak with them?"
Rising to a seated position, Paul issued a long yawn before dropping his feet out of his bed and answering, "I'll be out in a moment. Allow them entry into the foyer, but do not serve them tea."
Playing her part perfectly, Zhongli offered a courteous bow, saying, "As you will, Master Paul." before departing to carry out his orders. Thousands of years of living had dulled her sensibilities quite a bit. While others were bound to feel discomfort being summoned as a female, Zhongli found it to be a rather novel experience.
Emerging from his room a few minutes later, Paul was surprised to find that the messenger was a young woman with dark blue hair and pointed ears. While the Asura Kingdom didn't outlaw them, it wasn't exactly the most hospitable country for non-human races. Unless they were a skilled Mage or Swordsmen, most non-humans within established human nations were slaves or former slaves.
Recognizing Paul from the description she had been given, the completely flat-chested woman offered a courteous bow, stating, "Greetings, Master Paul Notos Greyrat. My name is Erinellis of Fen. It is a privilege to behold your esteemed countenance."
Gesturing for Erinellis to raise her head, Paul inquired, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Miss Erinellis?"
Since most young Nobles would ask about her ears or directly order her to strip down, Erinellis's impression of Paul immediately improved. There were few Noblemen and women his age who didn't let their curiosity and burgeoning perversion dictate their behavior in private.
"My Esteemed Master, the Water Saint Magician Rumina Viktor Greenbull, Headmaster of Milbots Academy of Nobles, wishes to meet you. Though your enrollment has already been completed, she would like to give you a tour of the grounds and explain our facilities."
"I see. Tell your Master I am a bit weary from my travels. If she has time, I would prefer to meet her tomorrow morning. If that proves inconvenient, I do not mind exploring on my own or being escorted by a lesser member of the staff."
While he was full of energy, Paul intended to spend the day unpacking his things. There was also the fact that his meeting with the Headmaster was initially scheduled to take place in two days. He assumed the Headmaster was simply adjusting her schedule to accommodate his early arrival.
"Very well, Master Paul. I will inform my Lady of your decision. Enjoy your rest."
Since her Master had told her not to insist if Paul rejected her invitation, Erinellis promptly excused herself. As for Paul, he habitually asked Zhongli to prepare tea, momentarily forgetting she was just 'pretending' to be his Maid as he started to sort through the veritable mountain of luggage and containers occupying the center of his living room.
When Paul was preparing to set out from home, the only things he packed were his wardrobe a few of his more important books. As the heir of the Regional Lord, he could basically purchase anything he wanted by simply writing an IOU or submitting his receipts to the Headmaster. House Notos was the financial backer of the Milbots Academy of Nobles, so Paul was, unsurprisingly, given special treatment.
Unfortunately, despite his protests, Paul's father had insisted he bring along two entire crates of fine wines and alcohol. Not for consumption, but as gifts to 'lesser' Nobles. Every student attending the Academy was either a vassal family or an ally of House Notos. Paul was expected to be something of a rallying point for the other students of the Academy, just as his father was the principal authority within the region.
Though he intended to do his best, Paul wasn't looking forward to being the center of attention for hundreds of young Noble sons and daughters. If it were up to him, he would simply sell the wine to accrue funds for his Gacha. Ten of the bottles his father had given were the most expensive vintage his family produced. A single bottle could sell for upwards of 100 Asura Gold Coins, so Paul was reluctant to give them away. If he didn't have the responsibility of maintaining his family's face, Paul would have sold the entire lot.
"Here you are, Master Paul."
Hearing Zhongli's words and seeing her carrying a tray of tea, Paul's thought processes briefly ground to a halt. The notion that he had just ordered a God to serve tea briefly crossed his mind, but before he could even think of apologizing, Zhongli placed down the tray, filled a cup, and presented it to Paul with a faint smile, saying, "I hope it suits your taste."
"Right..."
Accepting the cup with a befuddled expression on his face, Paul hesitated for a moment before sampling its murky brown contents. If he were being honest, it was some of the worst tea he had ever had. He was pretty sure Zhongli had simply soaked the tea leaves in boiled water without straining them. Despite this, Paul downed the entire cup before forcing a smile and saying, "It was delicious..."
Though she noticed the straining of Paul's face, Zhongli nodded her head in approval before pouring a cup for herself. From an etiquette standpoint, this was a major faux pas. Servants weren't allowed to drink or dine in the presence of their Lords or Masters. Had Tabitha been present, she would have smacked Zhongli with a horsewhip. As for Paul, he just ignored it and did his best to focus on packing. If anyone tried to give Zhongli, Xiangling, or any of his future allies troubles, he would simply use his position as the First Son of House Notos to crush them.
Paul's most significant concern regarding his future 'servants' were his father and members of the Royal Family. The 'characters' from Genshin Impact were attractive by pretty much any world's standards. In other words, it was only a matter of time before someone in a position greater than Paul's took an interest in them. Depending on how things played out, their only options would be to run away or fight.
"Mmm..."
Breaking Paul from his reverie, Zhongli's peculiar, diamond-shaped pupils expanded and contracted a few times as she stared at the contents of her cup and remarked, "This is terrible..."
Though he felt tense just having Zhongli around him, Paul managed a light chuckle in response to her disgusted expression. At the same time, he felt sincerely grateful that Xiangling, a Master Chef, was among the first allies he summoned. If he had somehow managed to pull Ei or her puppet form, the Raiden Shogun, he would probably succumb to food poisoning...
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Unaware of Paul's thoughts, Xiangling was sitting silently scribbling in her room with a listless expression on her face. She had done her best to put on a happy front during her initial encounter with Paul, but the notion that it would take decades before she even had the opportunity to return and save her world weighed heavily on her mind.
Though she hadn't been aware of the world's destruction in the moments leading up to it, the spectacle of a massive wave of black light sweeping across and destroying everything was burned into Xiangling's mind. If not for her Vision activating and teleporting her away at the very last moment, she would have been destroyed alongside her family, friends, and the only home she had ever known.
Having run out of parchment paper, Xiangling scratched an image of her best friend, Guoba, directly into the wooden surface of her desk. He had grown to a giant size in the closing moments of Liyue's destruction, a last and ultimately vain attempt to protect the city and its people before it was completely erased from the surface of their charred world.
"Guoba..."
Wiping away her tears with her forearm, Xiangling was about to start scribbling an image of her father when a soft rattling startled her out of her seat.
"D-Don't open the door! I...I'm not decent...!"
In an effort to substantiate her lie, Xiangling began pulling at the fabric of her clothes. Before she could so much as remove her apron, however, the deep yet feminine voice of Zhongli came through the door, declaring, "It's me."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Xiangling took a moment to wipe away the tears and snot from her face before making her way over to the door and letting Zhongli enter. She had gotten to know all of her future companions during her stay in the Intersection of Fate. She had even voted for Zhongli when their group was deciding representatives, so Xiangling had a lot of trust in the former God of her city.
Seeing the slight bruising around Xiangling's eyes, Zhongli's expression softened as she asked, "Were you able to get any sleep at all?"
Shaking her head, Xiangling sniffled before sitting down on the edge of her bed and answering, "It just doesn't feel real. Though I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed the contract, the thought of not being able to see my family and friends for an entire lifetime makes me want to cry..."
Understanding the pain of loss better than most, Zhongli sat next to Xiangling, silence dominating the room for several seconds before she said, "Paul is far more considerate than I'm sure either of us anticipated. If things get particularly tough, you can always ask him to let you stay in the Intersection of Fate. That way, it will only be a short while before you are reunited with your family."
Wiping away a few newly formed tears, Xiangling adopted an aggrieved yet resolute expression as she said, "No. Even if my actions only speed things up by a few seconds, I am willing to do what I must to ensure the restoration and survival of our world. I won't just sit on the sidelines and watch others fight to protect the things precious to me."
Nodding her head in approval, Zhongli surprised Xiangling by pulling her into a hug and whispering, "Well said...it is that sort of conviction that will guarantee the success of our mission. Still, if things get tough, do not be afraid to shed tears. Hiding away and languishing in isolation only serves to nourish negative feelings. It's okay to grieve."
Feeling a fresh wave of tears building in her eyes, Xiangling threw herself into Zhongli and hugged her tight enough to elicit a soft grunt. Instead of letting go, however, she buried her face into the latter's nonexistent chest and proceeded to cry her heart out.
Ignoring her own discomfort, Zhongli held Xiangling in a firm yet gentle embrace, tenderly caressing the young girl's hair as she whispered, "It's going to be okay..." in a soothing tone...
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Emerging from his room shortly after 4 PM, Paul briefly paused to look around the living room before making his way to the kitchen. He could have called for Zhongli or Xiangling, but he didn't want to treat them as legitimate servants. It was one thing to play a part in public; Within the relative privacy of their shared home, he wanted them to regard each other as equals.
Fortunately, just as Paul was preparing to boil some dried meat to make soup stock, Zhongli and Xiangling immediately emerged from the same room. Paul didn't see this, but he could hear them approaching thanks to their hard-soled shoes and the wooden floor.
Exhibiting none of the vulnerability she had shown to Zhongli, Xiangling's face lit up when she saw Paul preparing ingredients, asking, "Do you know how to cook?" in an excited tone.
Nodding his head in affirmation, Paul explained, "My mother, back in my previous life, died when I was eight. I also lived alone for a few years, so I needed to learn how to cook for myself. I might not be a master chef, but I have a couple of dishes I can be proud of."
While listening to Paul's words, Xiangling made her way over to view his preparation first hand. He was lacking in dexterity, but it was clear he had the basics down. At the very least, he knew how to wash vegetables and avoid using the same utensils to process multiple ingredients.
Seeing a hint of potential in Paul's actions, Xiangling adopted a sincere smile as she asked, "Would you like me to teach you~?"
Since he would feel guilty if Xiangling was the only person preparing their meals, Paul returned a smile of his own as he replied, "It would be a great honor to learn from Liyue's greatest chef."
Adopting an even brighter smile, Xiangling pulled up a footstool to stand next to Paul before grabbing a knife and demonstrating the proper cutting technique. As for Zhongli, she just silently observed the two with a smile until Xiangling suddenly looked over and asked, "Aren't you going to join us?"
After a brief pause, the smile on Zhongli's face became marginally more prominent as she replied, "Of course. I simply didn't want to get in your way. If there's room, I would be more than happy to join."
On that note, Zhongli searched for a stool of her own before eventually settling on a platform made of Geo Energy. This caught Paul and Xiangling by surprise, but after the initial shock wore off, the three worked together to prepare a rather sumptuous dinner...

Anticipating her arrival, Paul, Zhongli, and Xiangling were prepared to set out the moment Erinellis arrived the following day.&nbsp;
With the tall and slender Elf leading the way, it wasn't long before the trio found themselves at the entrance of a three-storey building that was, at least to Paul, reminiscent of classical, Victorian Era architecture. The walls were modeled from a combination of stained wood and anti-magic bricks, while the entire structure was reinforced with metal trimmings, almost like a gingerbread house. As for the color, much of the building was painted a creamy beige, while the trimming and sloping roof tiles were all dark blue.
Waiting at the entrance to the stylish and heavily reinforced building was a bespectacled woman wearing the ornate robes typically associated with a Magician. She had honey-blonde hair fashioned into a neat bun, peculiar pink eyes, and, despite being in her late forties, a remarkably mature body that managed to show through her thick purple and gold-trimmed robes.
Placing her hand on her heart and, more noticeably, her G-Cup breasts, the woman offered a polite bow as she said, "Master Paul, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Rumina Viktor Greenbull, Water Saint-Ranked Magician and Headmistress of Milbots Academy of Nobles. Please, feel free to address me as Headmistress or Ms. Greenbull."
Offering a similar yet marginally less courteous bow, Paul returned, "The pleasure is mine, Ms. Greenbull." before raising his head, gesturing to the two girls behind him, and adding, "These are my companions, Zhongli and Xiangling. If possible, I would have them attend classes alongside me."
Scanning the rather exotic-looking children standing silently behind Paul, Rumina didn't hesitate to answer, "That shouldn't be a problem. Though the Academy usually prohibits bodyguards and servants from attending class alongside their Masters, these girls appear to be around the same age as you and your classmates. So long as House Notos is willing to act as their Patron, I see no reason to refuse their admittance."
Reaching into his breast pocket, Paul pulled out twenty Asura Gold Coins, more than half his current savings, declaring, "My Father permitted me a bit of discretion to act in instances such as this. These funds should more than cover this year's tuition and supplies."
Accepting the pouch with a smile, Rumina didn't even bother to check its contents. Even if Paul hadn't proferred forth any funding, she would have merely sent an invoice to his father.
"They will need to have their measurements taken and feet sized for their uniforms. While their current garments appear to be of exceptional quality, all students must follow the Academy's rules and dress code. If it pleases the Young Master, we can stop at a tailor during our tour."
Nodding his head, Paul replied, "That is acceptable." before supplanting, "If possible, I would also like to visit the Auction House, the Slave Market, and an able Goldsmith. I will have need of their services during my stay at the Academy."
Returning a smile, Rumina dutifully explained, "I am more than happy to show the way, but all above-board commercial, industrial, and processing facilities can be found near the town square. For...additional services, the Academy expects new students to gather information by interacting with older, more experienced students. Your esteemed father has written me a letter telling me not to afford you too many privileges, so I'm afraid you'll have to look into such matters on your own."
Understanding what Rumina was referring to when she said 'additional services', Paul's smile became visibly wry before he promptly fixed his expression and said, "I'll keep that in mind. Now, shall we depart, or is there a matter requiring my attention in the Administrative Office?"
Shifting her gaze to Zhongli and Xiangling, Rumina answered, "We will need to fill out some paperwork for your two...companions. However, it will take some time to prepare everything. If it's not an inconvenience, I will have Erinellis bring it by your residence tomorrow afternoon. At that point, you need only certify the documents with your seal, and both girls will be enrolled."
Nodding his head in affirmation and approval, a relieved smile developed across Paul's face as he chimed, "Excellent. Then I will entrust the matter to Ms. Greenbull and her capable staff."
Bowing her head in acknowledgment of Paul's praise, Rumina's smile became marginally more sincere. She had heard the rumors, but he was even more mature and polite than expected. This was exceptionally rare among members of the Nobility, so she couldn't help looking forward to his progress. If he proved as capable as he was composed, the Milbots Region would be in good hands once he acceded the Lordship from his father...
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Established shortly after the Laplace War, a cataclysmic event that nearly destroyed the world 400 years prior, the Milbots Academy was one of the most prominent educational facilities in the world. Its student population generally hovered around 150-200, but there were more than 6,000 staff and civilian personnel supporting them. This included a number of skilled artisans, merchants, and even a few payrolled criminals to give students a sense of dealing with 'disreputables' in the shadows.
After getting the girls fitted for their uniforms, Paul was given a tour of the Academy's essential facilities. This included a large field that resembled a staging area for knights, a large barracks, a stable filled with more than a hundred horses, materials to construct barricades, target dummies, and a large armory filled with swords, spears, bows, and other weapons.
Since the Academy operated year-round, a total of thirty-three children, aged between 5-10, could be seen practicing in the field under the close supervision of a young woman with features remarkably similar to the Academy's Headmistress.
Unsurprisingly, Rumina revealed, "That's my youngest daughter, Reva Greenbull. She suffered an injury to her left knee a few years ago, but her skill in the Water God Style rivals that of a Saint. When you are deciding your electives, I suggest giving her lessons a try."
Noticing her mother's presence, Reva left the students in the care of her assistants before making her way over with a faint but noticeable limp.
"Headmistress, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Casting her gaze to Paul, Zhongli, and Xiangling, Reva's hazel-brown eyes practically lit up. Practitioners of the Water God Style had incredibly sharp intuition. Reva didn't sense much from Paul and Xiangling, but Zhongli was like a massive, unpolished gem. The young girl's balance was perfect, and her eyes, while strange, were as calm and serene as an underground lake. They were the kind of eyes only Kings and higher-ranking members of the Water God Style were capable of exhibiting.
Noticing Reva's fiery gaze, Zhongli adopted a faint smile before promptly closing her eyes. This left Reva feeling at a loss for words until her mother revealed, "This young gentleman is Paul Notos Greyrat, First Son and Heir Apparent of House Notos. I imagine he and his attendants will be joining your class in the near future."
Upon hearing Paul's identity, Reva immediately bowed in a respectful manner, stating, "My apologies, Master Paul. I was unaware of your status as the First Son of House Notos. While that may not be a proper excuse, I pray you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
Raising his left hand in a ceasing gesture, Paul replied, "Though you have done nothing warranting an apology, I accept it nonetheless. Please, raise your head."
Though she had also heard the rumors of Paul's maturity, Reva was more than a little surprised by his eloquence. He spoke like the heavily tutored members of the Royal Family. It was a little creepy, but it also attested to the fact that Paul was more than just a handsome yet unassuming boy. He might be lacking in sword talent, but he was exceptional in other ways.
Raising her head, Reva adopted a natural smile as she said, "Master Paul's compassion is greatly appreciated. If there is ever anything that concerns you regarding the Water God Style, do not hesitate to ask. I'm far from the most skilled practitioner, but I'm proficient in the techniques of Flow, Flow Reversal, and Battle Aura."
Though he was tempted to ask about Touki immediately, Paul decided to wait until he had started class and familiarized himself with the basics of swordsmanship. Touki, commonly known as Battle Aura, wasn't something that could be used just because you knew about its existence. It was an ability people gained access to after achieving a particular state of mind or pushing their body far beyond its limits. If it simply required hard work and continuous swinging of a blade, even bandits and butchers would be proficient in its use.
Returning a smile, Paul said, "I'm looking forward to it." in a sincere tone. He was far more interested in the Sword God Style, but as that ultimately involved swinging a sword as fast as possible, he didn't mind starting with the Water God Style. If he could learn Flow Reversal, he could send most magic spells back at their caster. At higher levels, he would even be able to redirect lightning from the sky toward his opponents.
Willfully ignoring the fact that it would take becoming an Emperor of the Water God Style to perform such feats, Paul bade farewell to Reva. They still had a lot of places to visit before the tour ended, first and foremost being the Magic Training Range located just a few hundred meters from the Sword Training Area.
Like most buildings catered to Magicians, the Magic Training Range was comprised entirely of Anti-Magic Bricks. Unless the caster was King Rank or higher, it was virtually impossible to leave so much as a scratch on the exceptionally expensive, pale grey material typically reserved for city and fortress walls.
Just as before, Rumina waited for the Chief Magic Instructor, a tall man with a slender frame, sharp features, and black hair, to come over before personally carrying out introductions.&nbsp;
When the Magic Instructor, an Advanced Earth and Wind Magician named William Fisk, learned of Paul's identity, he reacted in much the same way as Reva. He first apologized before informing Paul that he was more than happy to answer any of his questions. This was entirely intentional, as, for reasons Paul would never truly understand, it was 'customary' for Greater Nobles to allow people to embarrass or shame themselves so they could exhibit their magnanimity.&nbsp;
Though Paul felt such contrivances were completely pointless, he also understood there wasn't much he could do to change the way things were. If he permitted people to behave informally around him, they would view him as an easy mark.&nbsp;
Aristocratic society was extremely cutthroat, so much so that factions could form over something as absurd as an Heir apologizing to someone. The Asura Kingdom, in particular, was a place that revered the strong and politically inclined. Anyone that wasn't willing to play their part, be they a Lord's son or a Slave, would be unceremoniously cut down. Thus, at least for the time being, Paul had little choice but to play along as Rumina went through the process of retroactively introducing him to every significant Head of Staff in the Academy...
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After what felt like three entire days packed into a single morning and afternoon, Paul, Xiangling, and Zhongli returned to their abode. The first two immediately collapsed face-first on two of the three sofas circling the presently extinguished hearth. Their minds may be older, but they had the strength, stamina, and physiques of five-year-olds. Walking around for the better part of seven-and-a-half hours left them thoroughly tuckered out.
Leaving the two to their lamentations, Zhongli, showing no discernible signs of fatigue, made her way to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. She may have had the appearance of a five-year-old, but she was still an Archon. She didn't need to eat, sleep, or even consume water unless she wanted to. So long as she didn't sustain any grave injuries, she could go without rest for literal centuries. Thus, after setting out tea and snacks, she confirmed that Paul and Xiangling were sleeping before proceeding to clean the penthouse with a faint smile adorning her face...

Once his luggage had been moved up, Paul surprised the servants with a tip before promptly refusing their offer to help him arrange his things. He could always sort through them at his leisure later, and there were some things he simply didn't wish for them to see.&nbsp;
"Peace at last..."
With everyone departing on his orders, Paul was left alone in his massive penthouse. Fortunately, it was presently around 11:38 PM, a perfect time to open and make use of the Intersection of Fate.
Waiting for the ornate grandfather clock adorning his living room to chime midnight, Paul sauntered over to one of the guest rooms before placing his palms against the surface of its door. He had familiarized himself with the process of entering the Intersection of Fate the evening after his first visit, so he was unsurprised as an intricate pattern of runes spread across the door before it promptly folded inward like a collapsing stone bridge.
"We meet again, Master Paul."
Though it had been seconds since Paul's last departure, at least from her perspective, Zhongli offered a polite curtsy and a simple greeting.&nbsp;
Forcing a smile, Paul approached the center of the platform before saying, "I just finished moving into my penthouse suite at the Milbots Academy of Nobles. We'll need to come up with a cover story, but it should be safe for you to venture outside henceforth."
With one arm crossed over her chest, Zhongli raised her index finger and thumb to her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face as she hummed, "I see..."
Just as Paul was about to ask what she was thinking, Zhongli met his gaze and explained, "My apologies. I was accessing the information given by the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. Just as you could view our world as if it were a work of fiction, the Gods governing the boundaries are able to view others in a similar light. Though my knowledge is incomplete, I am familiar with the structure of this world and its diverse cultures."
Noticing the confusion in Paul's emerald-green eyes, Zhongli's expression turned wry as she clarified, "I understand what you must do to explain my existence to others. Though I would rather not wear a collar, I will do so if I must. As for my identity, I would have preferred to assume the status of a Greater Elemental Spirit, but you are unable to use Magic. Thus, I will-"
"That's it...!"
Interrupting Zhongli before she could finish, Paul pulled out his Vision, a somewhat silly smile on his face as he said, "I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. If I tell people you're a Greater Spirit attached to the Vision, I can explain your existence and justify its presence at the same time!"
Though Paul expected her to be pleasantly surprised, Zhongli simply nodded her head, her expression unchanging as she said, "I see. If that's what you've decided, then we'll consider the matter settled. Now, before we depart, there is something I neglected to tell you."
Reaching into the satchel-like purse strapped across her body, Zhongli pulled out a handful of pink, purple, and blue objects roughly the same size as an Asura Gold Coin. When Paul saw them, his eyes lit up like a man that had just discovered an oasis in the middle of a desert.
"You are undoubtedly already aware of this, but these are Intertwined Fates. As an incentive to make use of the Intersection of Fate, your first ten pulls have been provided as a courtesy. Whether or not you use them, however, is up to you."
Accepting the Intertwined Fates from Zhongli's hand, Paul held one up to inspect it. He wasn't sure why, but he had always thought that Fates were spheres. Instead, they resembled a ring with a nine-pointed star nestled and bound between two six-pointed leaves. They were beautiful but a lot simpler than he expected.
As if she could read his mind, Zhongli promptly grabbed one of the Fates from Paul's hand before pressing the two nibs at the center of the leaves. In a manner remarkably similar to a Pokeball, the Fate expanded in size to form a sphere.
"It would be inconvenient if you had to carry around a bunch of fist-sized spheres. My bag functions similarly to a pocket dimension, but the interior is only 3x3m. You will need to upgrade my Constellation if you want me to be able to store more items."
Though he was a little surprised to learn that Zhongli's bag was a storage device, Paul's biggest concern was the Gacha. He had initially intended to wait until his graduation before he started pulling, but there was a case to make for summoning sooner. He had more than enough space in his dorm, and it could benefit all of them if they had a few years to get to know one another...
Feeling like a Devil was whispering in his ear, Paul's expression became awkward as he asked, "Can you...can you tell me who is available in the current pool...?"
Nodding her head, Zhongli answered, "Since their status and titles would take some time, I will simply supply their names. In no particular order, they are Ganyu, Keqing, Mona, Diluc, Jean, Noelle, Xiangling, Chongyun, Fischl, Beidou, Barbara, Xingqui, Xinyan, Diona, Bennet, Ningguang, Qiqi, Sucrose, and Razor. As for weapons-"
Not caring about weapons, at least not at the present moment, Paul said, "That's enough. We'll worry about outfitting everyone once we set out and join the Adventurer's Guild. For now, let's hope for a strong ally..."
Having already made up his mind, Paul placed the ten Intertwined Fates into the hemispherical indents encircling the center of the platform. The notion that he was about to summon someone from another world made him jittery, but that was par for the course when it came to Gacha.
Once all the Fates were in place, Paul whispered, "Please give me Ganyu, Jean, or Ningguang..." before looking towards Zhongli and asking, "Now what?"
Pointing towards a set of handprints near the six-o-clock position of the formation, Zhongli explained, "Place your hands in those indentations and exclaim, 'confirm' in a loud and authoritative tone. Once you've done that, the Fates will disappear, and the summoning will begin."
Following Zhongli's instructions, Paul positioned himself near the prints, but instead of placing his hands inside, he rubbed his palms together and said, "RNGesus, please bless me this day..."
With his 'ritual' complete, Paul bent down and placed his comparably small hands into the adult-sized imprints and shouted, "Confirm...!" with as much conviction as he could muster. In response, the ten Intertwined Fates flashed with a rainbow hue, completely disappearing as a brilliant blue meteor began barreling towards the platform.
"Come on, come on, come on..."
Crossing the fingers of both of his hands, Paul continued to chant 'come on' while simultaneously chanting 'Ningguang' over and over in his mind. The latter was a character that had been able to go from a pauper to the wealthiest person in her world in just under fifteen years, so she would be a tremendous asset to have if his fate was tied to Gacha.
Seeing the meteor split into ten comets, Paul's heart sank as he noticed only a single purple hue among them. There was still a chance he would get Ningguang, but existence, especially when it concerned Gacha, was often cruel.&nbsp;
From within the comets that struck the platform, nine clattered to the ground in the form of weapons while the one at the center manifested into the shape of a young girl with amber eyes and short, dark-blue hair fashioned into a pair of ring-shaped ponytails.
"Xiangling..."
Hearing her name, Xiangling bounced to her feet with a happy smile on her face, exclaiming, "Yahoo~! Xiangling has arrived~!" in an excited and friendly manner.
Feeling a smidgeon of guilt, Paul suppressed his earlier lamentations as he internally advised, ("She isn't just a character from a video game. Don't go deciding a person's value based on their rarity. Even Ningguang is only a 4-Star, and she was the leader of a nation...")
Recovering his smile, Paul placed his hand over his heart, bowing as he said, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Xiangling. I look forward to working with you for the benefit of both our worlds..."
Possessing much of the same knowledge as Zhongli, Xiangling returned a proper curtsy, the hem of her Maid-like dress raised as she bent her body forward and happily replied, "The pleasure is all mine! I might not be the best fighter without a Vision, but I'm confident in my skills as a chef. Just leave all the cooking to me~!"
Blinking in surprise, Paul briefly scanned Xiangling's child-like frame as he asked, "You don't have a Vision?"
To Paul's considerable relief, Xiangling promptly produced a Vision from a tiny pocket in her apron. The only problem was that it was currently inert, completely lacking the luster of a Pyro Vision.
"Unless you summon the Pyro Archon, Lady Murata, Pyro Visions have no power source. I'm pretty handy with a spear, but I doubt I would be able to fight against anyone truly powerful in my current form. Give me ten to fifteen years, and I should be back to my full strength."
Flexing her tiny arms, Xiangling maintained one of the most infectious smiles Paul had ever seen. It made him feel even guiltier about his earlier disappointment, so, after a moment of silence, he adopted a sincere smile and said, "I equally anticipate your growth as both a warrior and a chef..."
Adopting a toothy grin that seemed to illuminate the entire world around her, Xiangling excitedly replied, "Yosh~! Let's all get stronger together~!" before promptly falling onto her bottom as she attempted to perform a pirouette.
"..." x2
Seeing Paul and Zhongli staring at her with blank expressions on their faces, Xiangling's cheeks began to heat up. Instead of fumbling about or acting embarrassed, however, she just knocked herself on the head, stuck her tongue out, and winked as she offered a cutesy, "Tehe~."
...
..
.
While Xiangling was familiarizing herself with the kitchen and preparing a meal using a stepping stool, Paul learned about the unique characteristics of weapons summoned through the Intersection of Fate.
Though he hadn't gotten any 4 or 5-Star weapons, that didn't mean the items Paul had obtained were terrible. In fact, except for a few treasured swords made from the bones of a Dragon King, they would outclass even the armaments given to members of the Royal Guard. If he were allowed to sell them, even the unupgraded versions of the weapons would sell for tens, if not hundreds, of Asura Gold Coins.
Unfortunately, the weapons acquired from the Gacha could only be used with a Vision. In the hands of someone without, they were basically little more than fancy-looking sticks. They would even dissipate into motes of energy if they were kept out too long, forcing Paul to keep them 'stored' inside Zhongli's bag to be used as upgrade materials later on.
Fortunately, the same trait that prevented Paul from selling the weapons also made them convenient to use. Visions could attune with weapons and synchronize with upwards of five different artifacts. The process of attunement not only allowed Paul to link his sword to his Vision, greatly increasing its power, but it also allowed him to store it inside and take it out whenever he wanted. In other words, while others had to draw their weapons and keep them in sheaths, he could summon his to his hand in an instant.
Among the two swords that Paul had drawn, the one he selected was the Harbinger of Dawn. He liked how it resembled a holy sword, but the most crucial factor behind his decision was that he had drawn two. Weapons of the same name could be refined together to improve their unique abilities. In the case of the Harbinger of Dawn, it would go from a 14% Critical Rate to a 17.5% chance. As for how Critical Rate manifested in the real world, it gave him a chance to simply ignore a target's armor whenever he landed a blow. Then, depending on how high his Critical Damage was, the attack would basically 'explode' upon contact, creating a shockwave that could disorient or potentially even kill an opponent if he managed to stab into them.
Put simply, while the weapons Paul had pulled were nothing compared to their 4 and 5-Star counterparts, they were unfathomably powerful in the context of Mushoku Tensei. So much so that Paul felt like a complete idiot for believing them to be useless...

Chapter 8: MI08: Settling In