Slimes: gelatinous lifeforms.
Not as dangerous as hilichurls individually —
but once they gather, they're still a threat.
Ordinary folks learn to avoid them.
But for Ji Ming, slimes were the perfect practice targets.
Keep your distance, don't get surrounded — and you're safe.
And with Barbara nearby, even if he did get injured, she'd patch him up instantly.
"Barbara, how exactly do I use Anemo to attack slimes?"
The two of them lay hidden in the grass, peeking at a cluster of slimes dozing by Cider Lake.
They looked at the slimes…
then turned to look at each other.
So… how to use Anemo?
Barbara thought hard, then pulled out her Favonius spellbook, handing it to him.
"You can try… magic?"
Ji Ming opened the book.
It was blank.
"…Barbara."
"Ehehe… you just have to feel it! Focus on your target, concentrate, and then—"
She raised her finger and whispered:
"Biu~"
Ji Ming stared at her.
Cute — yes.
Good at teaching — absolutely not.
Fine. He'd figure it out.
He focused on a slime.
Breathing slow.
Mind steady.
The Vision at his hip stirred — a breeze rippled the grass around them, growing stronger as his focus deepened.
Barbara laced her hands together, cheering in a whisper:
"Come on, Ji Ming!"
…Which, unfortunately, made him focus on her instead of the slimes.
The wind surged.
And lifted Barbara's skirt.
Silence.
Ji Ming: "..."
Barbara: "..."
Barbatos. You wicked, wicked god.
Barbara's face burst red — she swung her hand—
Ji Ming grabbed her wrist mid-strike, expression grave:
"Barbara… I want to be a good person."
"You just committed a crime!"
Barbara's eyes were already shimmering — half humiliation, half shock. She had never been treated like this, especially not by someone she trusted.
Ji Ming let go immediately, hands raised.
"If you're angry, you can slap me. Just… don't be upset, okay?"
"…Did you see anything?"
"No."
"Then how do you know what I was asking?"
Barbara turned away — arms crossed — face bright red.
Strictly speaking, she had distracted him.
So really, it was her own fault.
Still — it was absolutely mortifying.
Thankfully, all Mondstadt nuns wear safety shorts.
Otherwise Barbara would already be digging a grave.
Ji Ming gave a sheepish grin.
"I really didn't see anything. Really, Barbara, I swear."
Barbara exhaled, cheeks still warm.
"I've already believed you many times. One more time doesn't make a difference."
Little angel.
Even when embarrassed to tears, she still chose kindness.
Ji Ming gathered the Anemo again — this time gently — and let a soft breeze brush her cheek, blowing away the wetness at her eyelashes.
"Barbara… your tears aren't a reward to me."
Barbara blinked — then smiled softly.
"Your progress is fast, Ji Ming."
"Thanks. But really… wipe your tears. Makes me feel like the bad guy here."
She wiped them quickly — then stood tall, pointing at the slime cluster.
"Then… let's go together, Ji Ming!"
Ji Ming's eyes sharpened.
"Alright — let's go!"
They prepared to charge.
But before they moved—
clap clap clap clap
Someone behind them was applauding.
A slim, androgynously beautiful young bard with braided hair leaned lazily against a tree, smiling like a fox who'd just found a toy.
"What a perfect duet. The dialogue, the expressions — truly first-class."
Barbara yelped and darted behind Ji Ming.
Ji Ming reacted instinctively — a burst of Anemo fired off — blowing the bard's hat and green cape straight into the air.
"Oho? Quite spirited."
The bard retrieved his hat — and without hesitation draped an arm over Ji Ming's shoulder like they were lifelong friends.
"My name's Venti. Nice to meet you~"
Ji Ming's eyes narrowed.
"…Sorry. I don't do hooks for men."
SLAP.
Barbara smacked his back.
"Don't say things like that! I don't know what it means, but it is definitely not good!"
Venti laughed — not offended at all — simply amused.
"It's alright. I'm not the type to be easily scared away. I really, truly, find you fascinating."
Ji Ming froze.
Barbara also froze.
Ji Ming grabbed Barbara by the waist.
"Barbara — RUN."
FWOOSH.
A burst of wind exploded under his feet, sending the two of them bolting down the lakeside path.
Venti stood there blinking.
"…Huh?"
He paused.
Then smiled.
Then vanished into the wind.
"Well then. Looks like I've found something fun to chase."
After all—
he'd just woken up,
and already encountered the interesting Liyue boy that the old man paid attention to.
There was no way he was letting this slip away.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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