The Knights of Favonius headquarters was enormous.
Grand Master Varka and Vice Captain Gu Chen both lived on the top floor of the main office building.
It was convenient for handling work at any time—and the environment up there was excellent as well.
Early in the morning, Gu Chen's door was knocked on.
"Just a moment."
After changing his clothes, Gu Chen opened the door and looked down.
Little Klee stood there with her backpack on, her small face lifted expectantly toward him. She was clearly fully prepared.
"Not today. There's still a lot of work to handle. Submit an outing request to the office, and someone will be assigned to accompany you," Gu Chen said.
Klee looked a little disappointed—she had thought she could go out and play with Big Brother.
But at least she could still go out, so she nodded obediently before adding in a small voice, "Big Brother Gu Chen, Klee wants a workshop."
"To make bombs?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm!" Klee admitted honestly.
"Submit a proposal. I'll approve it when the time comes." Gu Chen nodded, then added, "Lisa, the librarian, has an alchemy workshop. You could go take a look."
"Klee understands!" she nodded.
As they headed downstairs toward the office, Gu Chen continued, "The Cavalry Company doesn't have any missions these next few days. Captain Kaeya is capable enough to protect you. Consider it a business trip for him."
"Yay!" Klee cheered happily.
When they reached the office, Jean was already working.
After seeing Klee, Jean thought for a moment before saying, "Klee, you can throw bombs—but don't throw them carelessly. Absolutely do not hurt anyone, and don't excessively damage the local environment."
"Mhm! Klee understands!"
Klee nodded repeatedly.
Gu Chen signed her outing request and said, "Go find Kaeya."
"Thank you, Big Brother Gu Chen!"
Klee ran off with a radiant smile.
Jean rubbed her temples before asking, "Are you sure this won't delay Kaeya's work?"
"Even if it costs a little, it doesn't matter. That little one has great potential. Maybe one day we'll have an Explosive Knight," Gu Chen chuckled.
Though it was possible in the future, there was no sign of it just yet.
Jean shook her head. "Let's have breakfast first."
"Mm."
After breakfast, Gu Chen was called away by Varka.
Inside the office—
"The venue will be here at headquarters. I've handled everything else. The only issue is that there may be a lot of guests," Varka said.
Gu Chen's prestige within the Knights and his reputation among the people were astonishing.
"If it weren't for the Gunnhildr Clan's support, we might've had to pay for this out of the Knights' budget," Varka laughed.
Gu Chen looked puzzled. "The Gunnhildr Clan? What does my coming-of-age ceremony have to do with them?"
"Now, now, that's not how you put it." Varka waved a hand, then looked at him meaningfully. "As they say in Liyue, once you're of age, it's time to think about starting a family and building a career. Your career is flourishing like the midday sun, but you've made zero progress in starting a family… We're all getting anxious for you!"
"I'm only eighteen," Gu Chen replied helplessly.
Seeing no obvious resistance from him, Varka knew the boy wasn't opposed—he just wanted to wait a couple of years.
"Being young means having an unforgettable youth!" Varka grinned.
"You sound very experienced," Gu Chen snorted.
Varka fell silent for a moment before declaring solemnly, "A man like me is destined to dedicate his entire life to the Knights!"
"Or maybe you just can't find anyone?" Gu Chen tilted his head.
"Get lost!"
Varka waved him off irritably. "Brat, you don't have to be that blunt!"
…
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Nothing major happened during that time.
Aside from Klee fully integrating into life at the Knights, the biggest event was the approaching coming-of-age ceremony of Gu Chen.
Among the nobility, such ceremonies were taken very seriously.
Though Gu Chen wasn't of noble birth, his status had clearly reached the pinnacle of Mondstadt. Varka placed great importance on his successor as Grand Master.
Today, the entire Knights' headquarters was lively.
The Knights firmly believed that the boy who had become Chief Instructor at eight years old, and later Vice Captain, would lead them to even greater glory after reaching adulthood.
Every Knight believed this.
By morning, the Three Great Noble Houses of Mondstadt had already arrived.
Though the Lawrence Clan was unpopular, propriety demanded their presence on such an occasion.
Among the crowd, Schubert Lawrence was whispering to a young girl.
"Though I despise making such a decision… Eula, if you can attach yourself to that man, the glory of the Lawrence Clan will be restored!" Schubert's face was filled with poorly concealed excitement.
The girl named Eula rolled her eyes, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
All the nobles who had daughters brought them along—the implication was obvious.
Though Frederica had already received some hints from Varka, she was still worried.
Her daughter was outstanding—but which of the young women present wasn't?
"Perhaps I need to push her a little," Frederica thought silently.
Meanwhile, Simon, Bishop of the Church of Favonius, arrived with Barbara.
Simon and Frederica had once been married. He naturally knew what she was thinking. He neither supported nor opposed it—he believed in letting fate decide.
They stood a short distance apart, with Jean and Barbara at their respective parents' sides.
Jean looked at Barbara, whose gaze was slightly evasive, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.
She truly wanted to grow closer to her sister—but Barbara didn't seem to feel the same way.
Or perhaps, having been separated from such a young age, they were merely slightly familiar strangers.
Jean sighed inwardly, forcing herself to set those thoughts aside as she looked at the bustling hall.
Soon, noon arrived.
A coming-of-age ceremony marked the transition from youth to adulthood—a milestone in one's life.
Gu Chen didn't care much for formalities, but Varka took it very seriously. He specifically instructed Gu Chen to change into a new outfit and appear before everyone in a fresh image.
"The star of the day is here!" Varka laughed loudly.
Gu Chen entered the hall at an unhurried pace.
His short black hair looked freshly trimmed. On his tall frame was a black coat adorned with the Knights' insignia. Beneath it, a white shirt peeked out as the coat swayed with his steps, subtly outlining his well-proportioned physique.
A black tie led down to fitted black trousers, and below that, polished leather knight's boots.
He carried no sword today.
With a faint smile, he nodded to the crowd—every bit the refined noble young master.
Had he been carrying a blade, he would've looked exactly like the aloof Vice Captain described in that novel.
At the thought, Jean's cheeks flushed.
Barbara pursed her lips as she looked at him.
Alice had once suggested she become an idol—even tried to groom her into one.
Barbara had refused.
But seeing Gu Chen now, she couldn't help thinking that Vice Captain Gu Chen was like an idol himself.
For countless people who had only ever glimpsed him from afar, he seemed flawless—excellence embodied.
Barbara was at the age where young girls began to dream.
Faced with someone so exceptional, it was hard not to feel something.
Simon discreetly glanced at his eldest daughter, his thoughts complicated.
"Gu Chen once told me not to overcomplicate simple matters," Varka said with a smile. "After thinking it over, I agree."
"Then let's keep it simple. Bring out the cake!"
Several Knights wheeled out a massive eighteen-tier cake.
It was exquisitely decorated.
Scenes were painted across its layers—
A baby being picked up by Varka.
Growing up alongside him.
Defeating adult Knights at a young age.
Becoming Chief Instructor, with the entire order full of hope.
Being appointed Vice Captain, as the Knights cheered in celebration.
At the very top was Gu Chen standing in the center, surrounded by countless Knights like stars around the moon.
"Kid, you're an adult now. I hope you'll take over my position soon," Varka said warmly, patting his shoulder.
Gu Chen looked at the cake, then at Varka.
After a long moment, he replied, "I won't disappoint you."
The lights dimmed. Eighteen candles were lit.
"Make a wish!" Varka nudged him.
Gu Chen scanned the hall. So many faces filled with expectation.
For a fleeting moment, he was moved.
He made his wish, then blew out the candles.
Cheers erupted.
Cake was cut and shared.
Then Varka brought out a long, ancient-looking case.
"You're an adult now. You'll shoulder even greater responsibility."
He opened it.
Inside lay a uniquely shaped sword.
"The Favonius Sword!"
"The blade once wielded by the Lionfang Knight!"
Gasps spread through the hall.
Gu Chen took the sword.
A gentle breeze stirred from nowhere, growing stronger, wrapping around him and the blade.
The wind transformed into azure light, swirling around him like stars encircling the moon.
Though powerful, it felt gentle.
Simon's eyes widened. "The Anemo Archon's blessing!"
"This is the second time Vice Captain has been blessed!"
"It seems the Anemo Archon truly favors him!"
Varka sighed in admiration. "Truly the wind's favored child."
In the crowd, Venti—one hand holding cake, the other clutching bottles of Dawn Winery wine—blinked.
Their gazes met.
Venti grinned. "Ghehe~"
He stuffed cake into his mouth, grabbed several bottles of wine with both hands, and vanished quietly.
Varka watched the wind embrace Gu Chen and said with emotion,
"The burden can be entrusted to you now. I, too, have my own matters to attend to."
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